cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Nutrient-enhanced growth of Cladophora prolifera in harrington sound, bermuda: Eutrophication of a confined, phosphorus-limited marine ecosystem

Abstract The green alga Cladophora prolifera (Chlorophyta, Cladophorales) has formed widespread blooms in Bermuda's inshore waters during the past 20 years, but, to date, no conclusive evidence links these blooms to nutrient enrichment. This study assessed the nutrient-dependance of productivity of Cladophora collected from Harrington Sound, a confined P-limited marine system where Cladophora first became abundant. Both N- and P-enrichment decreased the doubling time of Cladophora, which ranged from 14 days (with N and P enrichment) to 100 days (without enrichment). Nutrient enrichment also enhanced the light-saturated photosynthetic capacity (i.e. Pmax) of Cladophora, which ranged from 0·50 mg C g dry wt−1 h−1 (without enrichment) to 1·0 mg C g dry wt−1 h−1 (with enrichment). Tissue C:N, C:P and N:P ratios of unenriched Cladophora were elevated—25, 942, and 49, respectively—levels that suggest limitation by both N and P but primary limitation by P. Pore-waters under Cladophora mats had reduced salinities, elevated concentrations of NH4, and high N:P ratios (N:P of 85), suggesting that N-rich groundwater seepage enriches Cladophora mats. The alkaline phosphatase capacity of Cladophora was high compared to other macroalgae in Harrington Sound, and its capacity was enhanced by N-enrichment and suppressed by P-enrichment. Because the productivity of Cladophora is nutrient-limited in shallow waters of Harrington Sound, enhanced growth and increased biomass of Cladophora result from cumulative seepage of N-rich groundwaters coupled with efficient utilization and recycling of dissolved organo-phosphorus compounds.
Predictors of hearing loss after gamma knife radiosurgery for vestibular schwannomas: age, cochlear dose, and tumor coverage.

Background Deterioration in hearing after Gamma Knife radiosurgery of vestibular schwannomas is a well-documented risk. Recent studies suggest a correlation between cochlear radiation dose and hearing preservation. Objective This study identifies additional variables that predict hearing loss after radiosurgery. Methods Retrospective analysis of 53 patients with audiogram follow-up. Median marginal tumor dose was 12.5 Gy. Mean tumor volume was 1.11 cm. Statistical analysis included multivariate stepwise backward linear regression and multivariate logistic regression. Variables included age, prescription dose, tumor volume, intracanalicular length, and maximum and mean cochlear dose. Dose volume histograms were generated. The percentage of the cochlear volume that received 3.6 Gy or greater, 4.7 Gy or greater, and 5.3 Gy or greater was calculated. Plan conformality indicators were calculated. Results Forty-two patients had a less than 20-dB change in their pure tone average, with a hearing preservation rate of 79%. Two statistically significant predictors of hearing loss were identified using multivariate analysis: tumor coverage (odds ratio: 1.38 × 10) and age (odds ratio: 1.1 per year). Multivariate linear regression was used to predict change in pure tone average. Age and percentage of the cochlear volume receiving 5.3 Gy or greater were found to be statistically significant predictor variables. Conclusion Older patients are more vulnerable to detrimental effects of Gamma Knife radiosurgery on hearing. We propose that cochlear dose volume histograms be created and used to reduce the percentage of the cochlear volume exposed to radiation doses greater than 5.3 Gy. This is the first report to suggest that the conformity index tumor coverage may be an important predictor of hearing outcomes.
From virtual reality to the operating room: The endoscopic sinus surgery simulator experiment:

OBJECTIVE: Establish the feasibility of a predictive validity study in sinus surgery simulation training and demonstrate the effectiveness of the Endoscopic Sinus Surgery Simulator (ES3) as a training device. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective, multi-institutional controlled trial. SETTING: Four tertiary academic centers with accredited otolaryngology-head and neck surgery residency programs. SUBJECTS: Twelve ES3-trained novice residents were compared with 13 control novice residents. METHODS: Subjects were assessed on the performance of basic sinus surgery tasks. Their first in vivo procedure was video recorded and submitted to a blinded panel of independent experts after the panel established a minimum inter-rater reliability of 80 percent. The recordings were reviewed by using a standardized computer-assisted method and customized metrics. Results were analyzed with the Mann-Whitney U test. Internal rater consistency was verified with Pearson moment correlation. RESULTS: Completion time was significantly shorter in the experimental group (injection P = 0.003, dissection P 0.5 between serial measurements). CONCLUSION: The validity of the ES3 as an effective surgical trainer was verified in multiple instances, including those not depending on subjective rater evaluations. The ES3 is one of the few virtual reality simulators with a comprehensive validation record. Advanced simulation technologies need more rapid implementation in otolaryngology training, as they present noteworthy potential for high-quality surgical education while meeting the necessity of patient safety.
Quench behavior of conduction-cooled Y Ba2Cu3O7−δ coated conductor pancake coils stabilized with brass or copper

The quench behavior of conduction-cooled Y Ba2Cu3O7?? (YBCO) coated conductor pancake coils is reported. Two coils, one stabilized with copper and one with brass, are wound with 25?m of conductor and instrumented with a heater and a large number of voltage taps and thermocouples. The critical current, minimum quench energy (MQE) and two-dimensional normal zone propagation velocity (NZPV) are measured as a function of I/Ic, where I is the transport current and Ic is the critical current. Although the non-uniform temperature and self-field distributions within the coils result in a non-uniform Ic, the heater is able to induce quenches with energies above the MQE and both longitudinal and transverse propagation velocities are measured. In both coils, the longitudinal NZPV (10?40?mm?s ? 1) is about one order of magnitude larger than the transverse NZPV (1?2?mm?s ? 1). Moreover, a comparison between the Cu-stabilized coil and a short, straight Cu-stabilized sample shows that the one-dimensional longitudinal propagation in the short sample is significantly faster than the longitudinal propagation in the coil. This is due to transverse heat conduction (transverse propagation) which reduces the temperature gradients in the coil but also slows down the longitudinal propagation. Thus, designing a quench detection system based upon data from one-dimensional experiments may result in an unintended level of risk.
CAR and PXR: Xenosensors of endocrine disrupters?

The pregnane X-receptor (PXR) and the constitutive androstane receptor (CAR) are orphan nuclear receptors activated by a variety of ligands. Currently it remains uncertain whether these receptors have a high-affinity ligand or instead function as more generalized steroid/xenobiotic sensors. Both receptors are important regulators of several steroid and xenobiotic detoxification enzymes and transporters (phases I-III) in the liver and intestine and thus are important regulators of adaptation to chemical stress. The detoxification proteins induced are responsible for the metabolism, deactivation and transport of bile acids, thyroid and steroid hormones, numerous environmental chemicals, and several drugs. PXR and CAR received their names because of steroid ligands that activate and inhibit their transcriptional activity, respectively. Interestingly, some steroids and steroid mimics activate one or both receptors, including several endocrine disrupting chemicals. Environmental estrogens, such as the pesticides methoxychlor, endosulfan, dieldrin, DDT, and the plasticizer nonylphenol activate either PXR or both PXR and CAR. Because PXR and CAR are activated by numerous steroids and endocrine disrupters, it appears that these receptors protect the integrity of the endocrine system. They recognize an increase in steroid-like chemicals and, in turn, induce detoxification. Furthermore, PXR and CAR induce enzymes, such as the CYP2B and CYP3A family members, responsible for the metabolism of steroid and thyroid hormones and this may alter their normal physiological function. This review summarizes the available data on the activity of endocrine disrupters and endocrine active chemicals on PXR and CAR, examines the role of PXR and CAR in protection from these chemicals, and evaluates potential adverse physiological consequences of PXR and CAR activation.
TRAF3 Controls Activation of the Canonical and Alternative NFκB by the Lymphotoxin Beta Receptor

Components of lymphotoxin beta receptor (LTBR)-associated signaling complexes, including TRAF2, TRAF3, NIK, IKK1, and IKK2 have been shown to participate in the coupling of LTBR to NFκB. Here, we report that TRAF3 functions as a negative regulator of LTBR signaling via both canonical and non-canonical NFκB pathways by two distinct mechanisms. Analysis of NFκB signaling in cell lines with functionally intact NFκB pathway but lacking LTBR-mediated induction of NFκB target genes revealed an inverse association of cellular TRAF3 levels with LTBR-specific defect in canonical NFκB activation. Increased expression of TRAF3 correlated with its increased recruitment to LTBR-induced signaling complexes, decreased recruitment of TRAF2, and attenuated phosphorylation of IκBα and RelA. In contrast, activation of NFκB by TNF did not depend on TRAF3 levels. siRNA-mediated depletion of TRAF3 promoted recruitment of TRAF2 and IKK1 to activated LTBR, enabling LTBR-inducible canonical NFκB signaling and NFκB target gene expression. TRAF3 knock-down also increased mRNA and protein expression of several non-canonical NFκB components, including NFκB2/p100, RelB, and NIK, accompanied by processing of NFκB2/p100 into p52. These effects of TRAF3 depletion did not require LTBR signaling and were consistent with autonomous activation of the non-canonical NFκB pathway. Our data illustrate the function of TRAF3 as a dual-mode repressor of LTBR signaling that controls activation of canonical NFκB, and de-repression of the intrinsic activity of non-canonical NFκB. Modulation of cellular TRAF3 levels may thus contribute to regulation of NFκB-dependent gene expression by LTBR by affecting the balance of LTBR-dependent activation of canonical and non-canonical NFκB pathways.
A synthetic corundum knife for ultrathin sectioning

SUMMARY A synthetic corundum (Al2O3, synthetic ruby, synthetic sapphire) knife has been constructed which is suitable for the preparation of thin sections (less than 90 nm) of biological specimens for electron microscopy. The method involved cleavage or fracture of the flame-fusion crystalline product, followed by mounting in a standard knife holder for ultramicrotomy. The cutting edge appeared flawless under 400 × and produced sections in which subcellular organelles were clearly resolved. Scanning electron microscopy of the knife revealed conchoidal fractures typical for corundum, terminating in apparent cleavage of the crystal along the knife edge. X-ray microanalysis of the knife edge revealed essentially 100% aluminium, indicating that the aluminium oxide crystal was of a high purity. The superior toughness and low cost of synthetic corundum suggest that it may be a useful alternative to diamond or glass knives.
SU-GG-T-458: Improved Accuracy and Potentially Faster CyberKnife Synchrony Treatments by Tightening Constraints

Purpose: To improve the accuracy and delivery time of CyberKnife Synchrony treatments.Method and Materials: The CyberKnife Synchrony system enables state of the art tumor tracking and targeting during stereotactic lungtreatments. Unfortunately, for difficult cases some CyberKnife users have resorted to turning off all except one fiducial and loosening whatever constraints necessary to somehow complete every treatment. Is it possible to do better? We have discovered that ironically, judiciously tightening certain constraints can improve the correlation model and hence possibly decrease treatment time, while improving delivery accuracy. When tracking a single fiducial, the CyberKnife system has no way to realize when it has missed the fiducial and falsely locked to something else. This essentially can fill the correlation model with corrupted results that cause the algorithm to miss even worse on subsequent images. Alternatively, for these difficult cases if we still use multiple fiducials, loosen only the necessary parameters, while keeping the “Extraction Confidence Level” and “dxAB” threshold reasonably tight, the algorithm can determine when it has false locked. In this presentation we outline a simple procedure whereby the user can give the algorithm a “hint”, and hence salvage some of the potential misses to improve the correlation model rather than degrading it with corrupted estimates. Results: We present the values of parameters which enabled us to continue the treatments using at least three fiducials in selected case studies. Conclusion: The CyberKnife Synchrony system provides the tools to achieve unparalleled accuracy in delivering radiation to moving targets. However, the parameter set is so flexible and treatments are so intensely interactive, that attaining the full potential of the system is very dependent on the skill level and dedication of the staff.3
Transportable Lidar for the measurement of ozone concentration and aerosol profiles in the lower troposphere

A very compact, transportable differential absorption lidar (DIAL) for ozone and aerosol profiling in the lower troposphere (from near surface to about 3 km) has been developed at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Environmental Technology Laboratory. The ozone lidar has been employed in two field experiments in California. the first was in intercomparison experiment of the lidar and an airborne ozone analyzer carried out in the Sacramento valley of northern California during July 1993. The second field experiment involving the ozone lidar was the Free Radical Study, carried out in the Los Angeles basin during September 1993, where the highest ozone episode of the year was observed during the experiment. The system will be described and examples of ozone profiles during the high- ozone episode in inland Los Angeles will be shown.
Noninvasive Methods for Hydraulic Characterization of Density Currents with Application to Submarine Fan Experiments

AbstractLaboratory experiments are a convenient way to study morphodynamic processes associated with subaqueous fans. However, the flows driving such systems can be difficult to hydraulically characterize due to the shallowness of the flows, the spatial and temporal dynamics of the autogenic channels, and the mixing at the interface of the ambient fluid and density current. The objective of this study is to develop a set of methods to quantify hydraulic variables in laterally unconstrained and morphologically active density currents. Herein, a methodology is presented capable of characterizing a density current flow field with direct application to submarine fan experiments. This is done with a combination of: (1) particle tracking velocimetry (PTV) analysis of tracers within the density current, (2) flow width measurements from overhead images, and (3) solution of the mass and volume conservation equations in one-dimension to obtain layer-averaged velocity, depth, and fractional excess density.
A solid-phase approach to the phallotoxins: total synthesis of [Ala7]-phalloidin.

Herein we report a solid-phase synthetic approach to [Ala7]-phalloidin (1). Prior syntheses of phallotoxins were carried out using solution-phase routes that required large scale and preclude library production. The route presented here consists of solution-phase preparation of key orthogonally protected amino acid building blocks, followed by a solid-phase peptide synthesis sequence, featuring two resin-bound macro-cyclization reactions. The final product mixture was composed of two atropisomeric compounds, one designated “natural” (1) and the other designated “non-natural” (1‘). The structures of these species were modeled using restrained energy minimization with NMR-derived restraints.
Study on Minimum Propagation Current of Bi-2223/Ag Superconducting Multifilament Tape

Minimum propagation current of Bi-2223/Ag superconducting multifilament tape was studied in detail, including experimental investigation and numerical calculation using finite element method (FEM). A set of experimental system has been established, quench propagation velocities with various transport current have been measured and minimum propagation current has been obtained in the condition of N2 gas cooling. The effect of parallel background magnetic field on minimum propagation current has also been studied experimentally. In addition, minimum propagation current at different operating temperature has been gained by the simulated calculation using FEM.It has been found that the high temperature superconductor is stable if only transport current is smaller than minimum propagation current of the time no matter what condition it is in. Minimum propagation current can be considered as an important stability criterion of high temperature superconductor.
The effects of gonadectomy and the administration of testosterone propionate on the growth of antlers in male and female deer.

SEVERAL of us at the Harvard Medical School have been interested for some years in the study of the antlers of deer. We have attempted more especially to analyze by experimental means the factors controlling the annual renewal, growth, and shedding of the antlers. For this purpose, we have availed ourselves of a group of Virginia or white-tailed deer kept in captivity at the Wildlife Research Center, Delmar, N. Y. The present investigations have been concerned with the effects of castration upon the growth of the antlers of deer at different ages and times of the year, as well as with the effects of testosterone propionate administered to both normal and castrated male and female deer.
Feelings of Obligation

Feelings of obligation occupy an important and somewhat unique position within the arena of moral action. Their discussion calls to mind the central role that Kant assigns to conscientious behaviour, and his insistence that it is the only behaviour worthy of moral praise. Some philosophers, who like Kant generally outlaw feelings and motives from the sphere of the obligatory, insist that Kant ought to have outlawed the motive of conscientiousness as well.1 In their view, no one can ever be obligated to act from a certain motive, whatever that motive may be. I do not wish to concern myself with the controversies surrounding the relation between obligation and feelings and motives. I do, however, believe that Kant is correct in suggesting that morality demands of us that we be conscientious in some sense of 'conscientious' that remains to be made clear. And I do believe that this will become evident as we clarify the role that feelings of obligation play in common moral practice and conception. In any case, my primary aim in this investigation is merely to describe and to elucidate that role at least in a preliminary way. Let us begin by observing that our investigation can best be furthered if we speak in the plural of 'feelings of obligation', and keep before our imagination some of the diversity that this species of feeling represents. Feelings of obligation do exhibit a considerable variety. Besides feeling that we ought or ought not to do certain things, we also feel obligated to persons: we can feel obligated to a person to do something, or we can simply feel obligated to a person, for example, for what he has done for us in the past. Our feelings of obligation sometimes have as their object agencies other than human beings, such as; animals, gods,
How can cells in the anterior medial face patch be viewpoint invariant

In a recent paper, Freiwald and Tsao (2010) found evidence that the responses of cells in the macaque anterior medial (AM) face patch are invariant to significant changes in viewpoint. The monkey subjects had no prior experience with the individuals depicted in the stimuli and were never given an opportunity to view the same individual from different viewpoints sequentially. These results cannot be explained by a mechanism based on temporal association of experienced views. Employing a biologically plausible model of object recognition (software available at cbcl.mit.edu), we show two mechanisms which could account for these results. First, we show that hair style and skin color provide sufficient information to enable viewpoint recognition without resorting to any mechanism that associates images across views. It is likely that a large part of the effect described in patch AM is attributable to these cues. Separately, we show that it is possible to further improve view-invariance using class-specific features (see Vetter 1997). Faces, as a class, transform under 3D rotation in similar enough ways that it is possible to use previously viewed example faces to learn a general model of how all faces rotate. Novel faces can be encoded relative to these previously encountered “template” faces and thus recognized with some degree of invariance to 3D rotation. Since each object class transforms differently under 3D rotation, it follows that invariant recognition from a single view requires a recognition architecture with a detection step determining the class of an object (e.g. face or non-face) prior to a subsequent identification stage utilizing the appropriate class-specific features.
Making light of James Watt: A Burkean approach to the form and attitude of political cartoons

This essay demonstrates the applicability of Brukean concepts to political cartoons. More specifically, it examines a sample of eighty‐three James Watt cartoons and explains: (a) the formal strategy of perspective by incongruity employed in political cartoons; (b) the attitude of rejection or burlesque typically exemplified by the art form; and (c) the fusion of form and attitude in the tropes of metaphor, irony, synecdoche, and metonymy, which serve as organizing principles to guide audience readings of cartoons.
Failure and drug use intervention the Behavioral and Attitudinal Modification Project (BAM): A Failed Experiment Using a Classical Experimental Research Design in a Closed Institutional Setting for Drug Addicts

Failure in program implementation and related research within closed institutional settings has long been a source of discouragement for correctional administrators and correctional researchers. This paper describes an attempt to implement an innovative treatment program, The Experimental Behavioral and Attitudinal Modification Project, within a civil addict treatment facility to enhance treatment effectiveness. It documents the major obstacles to correctional program innovation and research which ultimately brought about disruption, complacent cooperation, and other implementation problems leading to a project shutdown. It also attempts to place in theoretical perspective the reasons behind implementation failures, particularly as they relate to innovations in treatment and the use of classical experimental designs in closed institutional settings. The article is adapted from the executive summary of the final report to the funding agency. Researchers working to facilitate the effective reintegration of ...
Primary dysmenorrhea: Relationship to personality and attitudes in adolescent females

Primary dysmenorrhea is experienced by 40–80% of adolescent females. Traditionally, the literature discussing the etiology and management of this entity has given greater weight to psychologic than to physiologic factors. However, four previous studies addressing psychosocial variables failed to show a relationship to primary dysmenorrhea. In this study, personality factors and certain attitudinal variables were not found to be significantly related to the presence of primary dysmenorrheic pain. Current evidence strongly suggests that uterine contractility, hormone variables, and prostaglandins are causative in most cases of primary dysmenorrhea. Therefore, it is recommended that primary dysmenorrhea be regarded and managed as a physiologic phenomenon in the majority of adolescent females.
Evidence for a Deep Western Boundary Current in the South Indian Ocean

SIMPLE models of the deep ocean circulation in the southern hemisphere require narrow, northward flowing currents along the western boundaries of the great ocean basins to transport cold, deep Antarctic water into low latitudes1,2. The existence of one such current in the South Atlantic has been well known for many years through the results of the Meteor expedition3 and a similar current has been found in the South Pacific4, where direct velocity measurements have been made5,6. Although the deep Indian Ocean is also filled with water originating in the Antarctic, definite knowledge of the pattern of mean motion there has been lacking. LePichon7 found indications of northward movement of near bottom water in the south-western Indian Ocean, but too few data were available for him to specify the flow field. It therefore seemed desirable, both as a further test of the theoretical circulation models and to improve the physical description of the world ocean, to make more measurements to determine whether a deep western boundary current exists in the South Indian Ocean.
An evolving managed care system: Public mental health services in San Francisco

This article describes the San Francisco Division of Mental Health's evolution toward managed care for its Medicaid eligible population. The reorganization of services reflects a local reform initiative documented in the Division's strategic plan. In addition to responding to federal mandates for serving the seriously mentally ill and the state guidelines for the managed mental health carve-out, the author also discusses the obstacles to implementing managed care as well as the future issues to be addressed.
Activation of Ca2+-Calmodulin-Dependent Protein Kinase Ia Is Due to Direct Phosphorylation by Its Activator

Abstract Ca 2+ -Calmodulin-dependent protein kinase Ia (CaM kinase Ia) is phosphorylated, and its activity enhanced up to 50-fold, in the presence of a protein purified from pig brain termed CaM kinase Ia activator [Lee, J.C. and Edelman, A.M. (1994) J.Biol.Chem. 269, 2158-2164]. We report here that phosphorylation of CaM kinase Ia in the presence of the activator occurs primarily on threonine (87%) and slightly on serine (13%) residues. Treatment of CaM kinase Ia with the irreversible ATP affinity analogue, 5′-p-fluorosulfonylbenzoyl adenosine (FSBA), reduces its activity by 86% but has no effect on its ability to be phosphorylated, whereas FSBA-treatment of the activator reduces its ability to activate and phosphorylate CaM kinase Ia by 92 and 93%, respectively. Thus, CaM kinase Ia activator is a protein Thr/Ser kinase which activates by phosphorylating CaM kinase Ia rather than by enhancing the latter′s autophosphorylation.
"arnold Diffusion" and Diffusion Enhancement by the Beam-Beam Intraction

Results and analyses of computer simulations of the beam-beam interaction in the "Tevatron" p?p collider are presented. Long-time simulations of this nonlinear two-dimensional (2-D) interaction are undertaken in a search for beam blow-up due to "Arnold Diffusion". No large blow-up is seen in simulation of 20 minutes Tevatron time (60 million turns). In separate investigations it is found that the non-linear interaction can enhance diffusion from external sources, if a low order non-linear resonance be within the "tune spread". A nodel to describe this enhancement is presented.
Access to cancer services for rural colorectal cancer patients.

Cancer care requires sophisticated surgical and medical resources, including medical, surgical, and radiation therapy specialists. These specialists are less likely to be found in rural areas, especially small and isolated small rural areas, as their work can require tertiary hospital settings, found primarily in urban areas and rural areas with sizeable populations.1–4 Several studies have found that rural cancer patients are less likely to receive state-of-the-art cancer care such as adequate cancer staging or breast conserving therapy for early stage breast cancer.5–8 One reason may be that rural cancer patients have poorer geographic access to specialty care and diagnostic services. This descriptive study examines the travel patterns and distances of elderly rural and urban CRC patients to 3 types of cancer care services—surgery, medical oncology consultation, and radiation oncology consultation, to determine whether rural elderly are disadvantaged by long distances to cancer care providers and to examine the degree to which rural elderly are bypassing local cancer care services. Having to travel long distances for care can be a burden for elderly cancer patients and has been associated with lower use of recommended services.9–12 Bypassing local services, on the other hand, may represent poor access to cancer care if the closest providers’ practices are full, patient or referring provider preference (eg, for a provider offering clinical trials), or lack of confidence in the quality of local services.13 This study’s results can provide insights into interventions that might improve cancer service access for rural populations, such as transportation, visiting oncology, or telemedicine services.
Infinite index subgroups and finiteness properties of intersections of geometrically finite groups

Abstract We explore which types of finiteness properties are possible for intersections of geometrically finite groups of isometries in negatively curved symmetric rank one spaces. Our main tool is a twist construction which takes as input a geometrically finite group containing a normal subgroup of infinite index with given finiteness properties and infinite Abelian quotient, and produces a pair of geometrically finite groups whose intersection is isomorphic to the normal subgroup. We produce several examples of such intersections of geometrically finite groups including finitely generated but not finitely presented discrete subgroups.
Quantifying Asymmetric Wave Breaking and Two-Way Transport

Abstract Effective diffusivity calculated from a scalar field that obeys the advection–diffusion equation has proved useful for estimating the permeability of unsteady boundaries of air masses such as the edge of the stratospheric polar vortex and the extratropical tropopause. However, the method does not discriminate the direction of transport—whereas some material crosses the boundary from one side to the other, some material does so in the other direction—yet the extant method concerns only the net transport. In this paper, the diagnostic is extended to allow partitioning of fluxes of mass and tracer into opposing directions. This is accomplished by discriminating the regions of “inward” and “outward” wave breaking with the local curvature of the tracer field. The utility of the new method is demonstrated for nonlinear Kelvin– Helmholtz instability and Rossby wave breaking in the stratosphere using a numerically generated tracer. The method successfully quantifies two-way transport and hence the direct...
Clonal variation in response to salinity and flooding stress in four marsh macrophytes of the northern gulf of Mexico, USA

Intraspecific variation in stress tolerance can be an important factor influencing plant population structure in coastal wetland habitats. We studied clones of four species of emergent marsh macrophytes native to the northern coast of the Gulf of Mexico in Louisiana, USA, to examine variation in response to salinity and flooding stress under controlled greenhouse conditions. Clones of Distichlis spicata, Phragmites australis, Schoenoplectus californicus, and Schoenoplectus robustus were collected across the coastal zone of Louisiana. After vegetative propagation through at least three generations to remove acclimation to field conditions, four to six clones of each species were selected for use in the experiment. Treatments consisted of three salinity levels and two water depths, and species were assigned to either a brackish marsh (P. australis, S. californicus) or salt marsh (D. spicata, S. robustus) group for treatment application. Treatment effects on plant growth (stem number, total height, and mean height, and aboveground and belowground biomass) were examined, and physicochemical characteristics within treatments (redox potential, and interstitial water pH, salinity, temperature, and nutrients) were monitored. Clonal variation in growth was indicated in all species, and was more pronounced in D. spicata and P. australis than in S. californicus and S. robustus. Distichlis spicata and P. australis clones were assigned to relative categories of low, intermediate, and high tolerance to the imposed stressors. Similar generalizations on clonal stress tolerance were not possible for the two Schoenoplectus species. Overall species response to imposed stressors was also identified through non-statistical comparisons. Phragmites australis was more tolerant than S. californicus of increased salinity. Distichlis spicata was more tolerant of increased salinity but less tolerant of increased water depth than was S. robustus. Our results suggest that information on species and clone variations in growth and tolerance to salinity and flooding stressors can be used to select a variety of plant materials suitable for wetland restoration projects.
Current status of CT colonography.

In 2006, over 55,000 Americans are expected to die of colorectal cancer (CRC) (1). It is estimated that there is over a 5% chance that an American will develop CRC in their lifetime and over a 2% chance that an American will die from CRC (2). Fortunately, in most cases, controlling CRC is possible with the proper screening methods and the subsequent removal of suspicious polyps, adenomas, and carcinomas. If CRC is detected at an early stage, the 5-year survival rate is 90%. Unfortunately, less than 40% of colorectal cancers are detected at an early stage. Once the cancer has developed distant metastases, the 5-year survival rate is less than 10% (2). From 1998 to 2002, the incidence rate of CRC decreased by 1.8% per year, which is believed to have occurred due to increased awareness of the importance of CRC screening and consequent polyp removal (2). However, CRC is still predicted to cause about 10% of all cancer-related deaths in the United States in 2006. Relatively accurate screening methods are available to patients, but patient participation in CRC screening continues to be low. Computed tomography colonography (CTC) is a relatively new screening technology that aims to achieve a high patient acceptance, diagnostic accuracy, and screening effectiveness thereby decreasing mortality rates due to CRC.
BEARING CAPACITY OF SHALLOW FOUNDATIONS ON SAND: A RELATIVE DENSITY APPROACH

An accurate prediction of bearing capacity of shallow foundations on granular soils has been historically complicated by effects due to scale of the foundation. These effects are due to the nonlinear strength behavior of the granular soil and the phenomenon of progressive failure. The former can be conveniently accounted for by strength-dilatancy relationships. It is proposed that the effect of progressive failure on ultimate bearing capacity can be described in terms of the relative dilatancy index inherent in strength-dilatancy relationships. A design approach to bearing capacity based on these considerations is presented. The approach is calibrated using bearing capacity results from studies spanning the past 20 years. The solution is shown to work well for the sands examined and is useful in that the proposed process by which strength parameters are determined reduces, or may eliminate, the need for laboratory or in situ shear testing, while increasing the accuracy of the predictions made when compare...
Ubiquitination and SUMOylation of annexin A1 and helicase activity.

Abstract Background While annexin A1 in nuclei is proposed to be involved in cell transformation, its functions remain poorly understood. Since annexin A1 has the consensus motif, 160 LKRD, for SUMOylation as well as Ks, acceptors for ubiquitination that regulates localization and functions of proteins, we investigated SUMOylation and ubiquitination of annexin A1. Methods SUMOylation and ubiquitination of bovine annexin A1 were biochemically tested in vitro by purified proteins, and were confirmed by cell experiments with L5178 lymphoma cells. Effects of the modifications on DNA helicase activity were measured by ssDNA binding activity and by dsDNA unwinding activity. Results SUMOylation of annexin A1 was catalyzed by Ubc9, while its ubiquitination was by Rad6-Rad 18. Ubiquitinated annexin A1 had higher affinity for damaged DNA, and promoted in vitro translesion DNA synthesis by Pol β. In mouse lymphoma L5178Y tk(+/ − ) cells, levels of SUMOylated annexin A1 decreased by DNA damaging agents, MMS or As 3+ , whereas those of ubiquitinated annexin A1 increased under the same conditions. Conclusion These observations suggest but do not necessarily prove that ubiquitinated annexin A1 in nuclei may be involved in DNA damage response, while SUMOylated annexin A1 functions in proliferation–differentiation. Significance Ubiquitination of annexin A1 may play an important role in mutagenesis, an initial step of cell transformation.
Graph-Theoretical Approach to Qualitative Solvability of Linear Systems

The structure of sign-solvable and strongly sign-solvable systems is studied here by a refinement of the graph-theoretic approach first suggested by Maybee. Both sign-solvability and strong sign-solvability are characterized in terms of an associated digraph. The problem of recognizing sign-solvability is reduced to two subproblems: recognizing strong sign-solvability and recognizing sign-nonsingularity. Under fairly general conditions on the sign patterns of A, it is possible to determine all sign patterns for b which render the system Ax = b sign-solvable.
Investigation of a Pseudomonas aeruginosa Outbreak Related to Upper Endoscopy Procedures

Abstract BACKGROUND: In August 2003, a possible outbreak was reported to Infection Control by the endoscopy suite. Two patients had Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolates with identical sensitivity patterns. One case (P) had a chronic pancreatic pseudocyst that was drained by endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) on August 15, 2003. A bacterial culture done from the pseudocyst aspirate obtained during the procedure grew P. aeruginosa. A second case (M), had EUS done on August 21, 2003. On September 11, 2003, she had another EUS exam and fine needle aspiration (FNA) for further investigation of a mass with an additional bacterial culture that grew P. aeruginosa. METHOD: A formal outbreak investigation was initiated to determine the source of contamination and to limit the progress of the outbreak. Microbiologic sampling of implicated endoscope, the automated endoscope reprocessor, and tap water indicated the scope as the most likely source of contamination. All upper endoscopic cases done with the implicated scope during June–August 2003 were reviewed for P. aeruginosa. No other cases were identified. Survey of protocols identified compliance with AER manufacturer manual for use; current education on reprocessing; appropriate precleaning, cleaning, rinsing, and drying with documentation. All quality checks were done and documented appropriately. The implicated endoscope was sent to an independent device examination firm. The scope was found to have several defects. Ribotyping of six patient and linear scope P. aeruginosa isolates, plus two nosocomial isolates unrelated to the outbreak isolates, were submitted for genetic studies. RESULTS: Patients P and M were identified to have P. aeruginosa following EUS/FNA. The implicated endoscope was cultured and grew P. aeruginosa of identical genetic type to the ones recovered from both patients. This endoscope was also found to have several defects by an independent investigator and was taken out of service when clustering was initially detected. A replacement scope was obtained. CONCLUSIONS: Per agreement of GUH, CDC, and third-party endoscope expert, it was highly unlikely that washers could have caused this outbreak. The problem appeared limited to one endoscope during a brief period in August 2003. The implicated scope was in use since June 2001, and a recommendation was made to have scopes changed preventively every 12–18 months. Infection Control is initiating a competency program throughout the hospital that will provide education, training, and documentation for proper cleaning and high-level disinfection/sterilization of instruments.
Scatterometry: a metrology for subwavelength surface-relief gratings

Phase-modulation scatterometry is a metrology technique for determining the parameters of gratings using as a key device a phase modulator. For measurement purposes the phase modulator requires a complicated calibration procedure that is analyzed here in detail. The main source of error to be dealt with are the fluctuations of the phase modulation amplitude. The measurables are the direct term and the first two harmonics of the output. For the fitting of the experimental data we used the ratio of the harmonics to the direct term because it improves significantly the accuracy. A sensitivity analysis was performed for two samples, one real and one theoretical, to find the measurement configuration that insures optimum determination precision for the grating parameters. For the real sample, comparisons of the theoretical predictions for sensitivity with the actual values showed a good agreement. For both samples the sensitivity analysis indicated sub-nanometric precision for the critical dimension (grating linewidth).
Revised synonymic list of Cicadidae (Insecta: Hemiptera) from the Korean Peninsula, with the description of a new species and some taxonomic remarks

Abstract This paper provides a revised synonymic list for the 13 species belonging to 11 genera of Cicadidae (Hemiptera) from the Korean Peninsula: Platypleura kaempferi (Fabricius, 1794), Suisha coreana (Matsumura, 1927), Lyristes intermedius (Mori, 1931), Cryptotympana atrata (Fabricius, 1775), Graptopsaltria nigrofuscata (De Motschulsky, 1866), Oncotympana fuscata Distant, 1905, Leptosemia takanonis Matsumura, 1917, Meimuna mongolica (Distant, 1881), Meimuna opalifera (Walker, 1850), Cicadetta abscondita Lee, new species, Kosemia admirabilis (Kato, 1927), Kosemia yezoensis (Matsumura, 1898), and Tettigetta isshikii (Kato, 1926). Major changes from preceding lists are: Lyristes japonicus (Kato, 1925) is deleted from the list of Korean Cicadidae considered as having been erroneously recorded due to mislabeling; Euterpnosia inanulata Kishida, 1929 syn. nov. is synonymized with Leptosemia takanonis; the Korean species previously identified as Cicadetta montana (Scopoli, 1772) is described as a new species,...
Reduced Growth Hormone Receptor (GHR) Messenger Ribonucleic Acid in Liver of Periparturient Cattle Is Caused by a Specific Down-Regulation of GHR 1A That Is Associated with Decreased Insulin-Like Growth Factor I

GH receptor (GHR) messenger RNA (mRNA) is transcribed from at least three different promoters within the liver of cattle. The first promoter (P1) is liver specific and alternatively splices exon 1A onto the GHR mRNA (GHR 1A mRNA). The second and third promoters (P2 and P3) have constitutive activity in many tissues and alternatively splice exons 1B and 1C onto the GHR mRNA (GHR 1B and GHR 1C mRNA). The total amount of GHR in the liver partially determines liver insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) synthesis in response to GH. Two studies were conducted to characterize the changes in GHR 1A mRNA, alternatively spliced GHR mRNA, and IGF-I mRNA during late pregnancy and early lactation in dairy cattle. Liver RNA was isolated from pregnant Holstein cattle (Bos taurus) on days -14, 0, and 21 relative to parturition (study 1) or days -14, 0, 15, 30, 60, and 90 relative to parturition (study 2). Ribonuclease protection assays were used to quantify total GHR (all GHR variants) as well as liver-specific GHR 1A and alternatively spliced GHR mRNA. Likewise, total IGF-I as well as alternatively spliced IGF-I mRNA (class 1 and class 2 transcripts) were measured. A decrease in total GHR mRNA at parturition (P 0.10). Total liver IGF-I mRNA and blood IGF-I concentrations were also decreased at parturition (P < 0.05 and P < 0.01, respectively). However, a decrease in IGF-I mRNA was observed for both class 1 and class 2 IGF-I transcripts (P < 0.01 and P < 0.05, respectively). We conclude that the reduced amount of GHR mRNA during early lactation is caused by a specific down-regulation of GHR 1A mRNA that was associated with decreased liver IGF-I mRNA and decreased blood IGF-I concentrations. These data provide evidence for independent regulation of GHR mRNA by mechanisms that discriminate between GHR P1 (transcribes GHR 1A) and alternative promoters that transcribe constitutive GHR mRNA.
Structural and Energetic Determinants of Adhesive Binding Specificity in Type I Cadherins: The Role of Multiple Conformations in Tuning Affinities

Type I Cadherin cell adhesion proteins are similar in sequence and structure and yet are different enough to mediate highly specific cell-cell recognition phenomena. Adhesive dimerization of type I cadherins from apposing cells is mediated by the swapping of N-terminal β-strands between their membrane-distal EC1 domains. It has previously been shown that two prototypic type I family members, E- and N- cadherins, have homophilic dimerization KDs that differ by about an order of magnitude. It has been suggested that this, along with significant heterophilic binding, could account for the differential sorting behavior of cells expressing these cadherins. Here we use a combination of X-ray crystallography, analytical ultracentrifugation, surface plasmon resonance (SPR) and double electron-electron resonance (DEER) spectroscopy to identify the molecular determinants of type I cadherin binding affinities. Small changes in sequence produce subtle structural and dynamical changes that impact dimerization affinities, in part through the generation of bound states involving multiple discrete conformations. These findings highlight the remarkable ability of evolution to exploit a wide range of molecular properties to produce closely related members of the same protein family that have affinity differences finely tuned to mediate their biological roles.
CONSISTENCY FOR LEAST SQUARES REGRESSION ESTIMATORS WITH INFINITE VARIANCE DATA

Abstract The least squares estimators are discussed for the linear regression model with random predictors. Both predictors and errors may have infinite variance. Under the condition that the predictors are in a stable domain of attraction, we determine necessary and sufficient conditions for weak consistency of the least squares estimators in the simple linear model. The conditions vary, depending on whether the intercept parameter is included in the model. We also give sufficient conditions for consistency in a multiple regression setting.
Neurofeedback treatment of pseudoseizure disorder

Abstract Background: Previous research has shown that the suppression of theta wave activity and the enhancement of sensorimotor rhythm (SMR) through electroencephalographic (EEG) biofeedback is an effective treatment for epilepsy. The current research reports the results of EEG biofeedback treatment for patients presenting with seizure behaviors in the absence of eliptiform EEG activity. Methods: In addition to psychotherapy, 3 patients, 2 women and 1 man, were trained, using EEG feedback once per week, to reduce the ratio of theta band to SMR band EEG amplitudes. Results: The results showed that reductions in seizure activity were related to reductions in the theta–SMR ratio. Conclusions: These findings support the view that theta–SMR feedback training, in conjunction with psychotherapy, is an effective adjunctive treatment for pseudoseizure disorder.