cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Oncologic outcome of fertility-sparing radical trachelectomy versus radical hysterectomy for stage IB1 cervical carcinoma.

Abstract Objective To compare the oncologic outcomes of women who underwent a fertility-sparing radical trachelectomy (RT) to those who underwent a radical hysterectomy (RH) for stage IB1 cervical carcinoma. Methods We performed a case–control study of all patients with stage IB1 cervical carcinoma who underwent a vaginal or abdominal RT between 11/01 and 6/07. The control group consisted of patients with stage IB1 disease who underwent an RH between 11/91 and 6/07 and who would be considered candidates for fertility-sparing surgery. Information was extracted from a prospectively acquired database. Recurrence-free and disease-specific survival (RFS and DSS) were estimated using Kaplan–Meier estimates and compared with the log-rank test where indicated. Multivariate analysis was performed using the Cox regression method. Results Forty stage IB1 patients underwent an RT and 110 patients underwent an RH. There were no statistical differences between the two groups for the following prognostic variables: histology, median number of lymph nodes removed, node positive rate, lymph-vascular space involvement (LVSI), or deep stromal invasion (DSI). The median follow-up for the entire group was 44 months. The 5-year RFS rate was 96% (for the RT group compared to 86% for the RH group ( P =NS). On multivariate analysis in this group of stage IB1 lesions, tumor size P =0.033 and 0.005, respectively). Conclusion For selected patients with stage IB1 cervical cancer, fertility-sparing radical trachelectomy appears to have a similar oncologic outcome to radical hysterectomy. LVSI and DSI appear to be more valuable predictors of outcome than tumor diameter in this subgroup of patients.
Protein partners of deubiquitinating enzymes

Protein modification by ubiquitin and ubiquitin-like molecules is a critical regulatory process. Like most regulated protein modifications, ubiquitination is reversible. Deubiquitination, the reversal of ubiquitination, is quickly being recognized as an important regulatory strategy. Nearly one hundred human DUBs (deubiquitinating enzymes) in five different gene families oppose the action of several hundred ubiquitin ligases, suggesting that both ubiquitination and its reversal are highly regulated and specific processes. It has long been recognized that ubiquitin ligases are modular enzyme systems that often depend on scaffolds and adaptors to deliver substrates to the catalytically active macromolecular complex. Although many DUBs bind ubiquitin with reasonable affinities (in the nM to μM range), a larger number have little affinity but exhibit robust catalytic capability. Thus it is apparent that these DUBs must acquire their substrates by binding the target protein in a conjugate or by associating with other macromolecular complexes. We would then expect that a study of protein partners of DUBs would reveal a variety of substrates, scaffolds, adaptors and ubiquitin receptors. In the present review we suggest that, like ligases, much of the regulation and specificity of deubiquitination arises from the association of DUBs with these protein partners.
ROSAT Observations of the Symbiotic Stars PU Vulpeculae and FG Serpentis, and the Cataclysmic Variable V Sagittae

ROSAT PSPC pointed observations of PU Vulpeculae on 1992 November 10-12 UT give a count rate of 4.00 ± 0.75 X 10-3 cts/s in the energy range from 0.1 to 1.8 keV. The count rate outside this energy range is approximately zero. An analysis of the energy spectrum, with the requirement that the result be consistent with the observed reddening of about 0.50 mag, yields T=0.25 (+0.19, -0.13) keV and log(NH) = 21.40 (+0.28, -0.35) for a bremsstrahlung emission model. FG Serpentis was not detected during an 8467 s ROSAT PSPC pointed exposure on 1992 March 8-23 UT. Serendipitous X-ray sources detected nearby give an upper limit of ~9.3 X 10-4 ct/s for the X-ray emission from FG Ser. The post-outburst X-ray fluxes of FG Ser and PU Vul are compared to those of three other symbiotic novae, HM Sagittae, V1016 Cygni and RR Telescopii. The eclipsing nova-like variable V Sagittae was serendipitously observed during the ROSAT exposure of PU Vul and found to have a count rate of 0.013 ± 0.003 cts/s, which is about the same as it showed during Einstein IPC observations in 1979-80. A period of 6.0 hr is detected in the X-ray data; this period is roughly half the length of the observed orbital period of V Sge.
Study of blend membranes consisting of NafionR and vinylidene fluoride–hexafluoropropylene copolymer

An attempt to modify membranes for direct methanol fuel cells by blending NafionR with a (vinylidene fluoride)–hexafluoropropylene copolymer (VDF–HFP copolymer) from their solutions is reported. The purpose of this work was to reduce the methanol transport while still retaining the essential proton conductivity in a water-containing environment. The apparent conductivity, methanol barrier property, and equilibrium contact angle as a function of the membrane compositions are discussed. The blend membranes were also investigated using X-ray diffraction (XRD) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Compared with the pure NafionR membrane, the NafionR/VDF–HFP copolymer blend membrane with 62.5 vol % of the VDF–HFP copolymer shows a decrease in the apparent conductivity by about 2 orders of magnitude, and the methanol barrier properties increase substantially when only 25 vol % of the VDF–HFP-copolymer is incorporated. The equilibrium contact angles of water drops on the NafionR/VDF–HFP copolymer blend membranes as a function of the VDF–HFP copolymer content are rather similar to the plot of the advancing angle versus the percentage of the lower-surface-energy phase. X-ray diffraction studies indicate that these two polymers crystallize separately when blended and cast from their solutions, and the crystallization behavior is equivalent to that of the unblended state. DSC reveals that when the VDF–HFP copolymer is mixed with NafionR in their solution forms, an interdiffusion or other interaction takes place at the interfaces between their noncrystalline regions. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 70: 121–127, 1998
Dynamic structure of joint-action stimulus-response activity

The mere presence of a co-actor can influence an individual’s response behavior. For instance, a social Simon effect has been observed when two individuals perform a Go/No-Go response to one of two stimuli in the presence of each other, but not when they perform the same task alone. Such effects are argued to provide evidence that individuals co-represent the task goals and the to-be-performed actions of a co-actor. Motivated by the complex-systems approach, the present study was designed to investigate an alternative hypothesis — that such joint-action effects are due to a dynamical (time-evolving) interpersonal coupling that operates to perturb the behavior of socially situated actors. To investigate this possibility, participants performed a standard Go/No-Go Simon task in joint and individual conditions. The dynamic structure of recorded reaction times was examined using fractal statistics and instantaneous cross-correlation. Consistent with our hypothesis that participants responding in a shared space would become behaviorally coupled, the analyses revealed that reaction times in the joint condition displayed decreased fractal structure (indicative of interpersonal perturbation processes modulating ongoing participant behavior) compared to the individual condition, and were more correlated across a range of time-scales compared to the reaction times of pseudo-pair controls. Collectively, the findings imply that dynamic processes might underlie social stimulus-response compatibility effects and shape joint cognitive processes in general.
Treatment of Hyperglycaemic Hyperosmolar Non-Ketotic Syndrome

Hyperglycaemic hyperosmolar non-ketotic syndrome (HHNS) is a life-threatening complication of uncontrolled diabetes mellitus. This syndrome is characterised by severe hyperglycaemia, a marked increase in serum osmolality, and clinical evidence of dehydration without significant accumulation of ketoacids. HHNS is typically observed in elderly patients with non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus, although it may rarely be a complication in younger patients with insulin-dependent diabetes, or those without diabetes following severe burns, parenteral hyperalimentation, peritoneal dialysis, or haemodialysis. Patients receiving certain drugs including diuretics, corticosteroids, beta-blockers, phenytoin, and diazoxide are at increased risk of developing this syndrome. Patients usually present with a prolonged phase of osmotic diuresis leading to severe depletion of both the intracellular and extracellular fluid volumes. Losses of water exceed those of sodium, resulting in hypertonic dehydration. Therefore, correction of the syndrome will ultimately require administration of hypotonic fluids. Patients presenting with HHNS also have significant depletion of potassium and other electrolytes that will need to be replaced. The principal goal at the outset of therapy must be restoration of the intravascular volume to assure adequate perfusion of vital organs. It remains controversial whether 0.9% or 0.45% NaCl should be the initial fluid infused intravenously. We prefer to administer 0.9% NaCl until the vital signs have stabilised and then substitute 0.45% NaCl. 10 to 15 units of regular human insulin should be injected as a bolus, followed by a continuous infusion of approximately 0.1 U/kg/h. Once the blood glucose approaches 13.9 to 16.7 mmol/L (250 to 300) mg/dl, 5% dextrose should be added to the intravenous fluids and the rate of insulin infusion reduced. Following recovery many patients presenting with HHNS will not require long term insulin therapy and can be managed effectively with diet or oral agents. Precipitating causes of HHNS must be identified and treated simultaneously with correction of the metabolic abnormalities. Appropriate management of precipitating illnesses will limit the high mortality associated with HHNS. This review discusses the current state of knowledge concerning the pathogenesis of HHNS, the clinical features of the disorder, and a systematic approach to treatment.
Effect of simplex liquid methyl methacrylate monomer on cells

The effect of methyl methacrylate monomer used for polymerization of surgical bone cement on phagocytosis, blood cells, tissue cells in culture, and bacteria was investigated. A concentration of 0.5% monomer reduced the ability of macrophages in vitro to phagocytize cultures of Staphylococcus epidermidis effectively. In vivo, 0.03 ml injected into mice also reduced the capacity of peritoneal macrophages to phagocytize bacteria. Extent of cellular damage to blood cells varied with concentration of monomer used and time of contact but, in general, 0.5% was sufficient to alter morphology and viability of blood cells and tissue cells in culture. Polymorphonuclear neutrophils sustained more damage than other types of blood cells. Only minor alterations were detected from cooled, polymerized cement. These studies support the concept that the monomer, as well as mechanical and thermal factors, may be responsible for some of the tissue changes seen at the site of implant of bone cement following total joint arthroplastic surgery.
Simulation optimization of police patrol districting plans using response surfaces

In this study, a police patrol discrete-event simulation model is implemented to evaluate the patrol districting plans. Sensitivity analysis is conducted to study how simulation inputs affect performance measures. Evaluation of districting plans is compared between discrete-event and agent-based simulation. A response surface approach is developed to find optimal or sub-optimal districting plans to minimize average response time and workload variation. An iterative searching procedure based on experimental design is proposed to study the relationship between parameters in a redistricting algorithm and performance measures of districting plans. Latin hypercube design and central composite design are used for the discrete-event model. Experimental results show that districting plans generated by improved districting parameters have significantly better performances than randomly generated plans. Compared with an adjusted simulated annealing approach, the response surface method has better searching efficiency. Thus, good districting plans can be generated more efficiently with designed experiments and provide better alternatives for police departments. Similar procedure also works for agent-based simulations.
Synthesis of 1,8-bis(trimethylsilyl)- and 1,8-bis(trimethylstannyl)-naphthalene. The relative steric effects of carbon, silicon and tin in the 1,8-bis(trimethylelement)-naphthalenes

Abstract 1,8-Bis(trimethylsilyl)- and 1,8-bis(trimethylstannyl)-naphthalene have been prepared by reaction of 1,8-dilithionaphthalene with trimethylchlorosilane and trimethyltin chloride. The steric effects of these Me3M substituents in these compounds were evaluated by means of NMR spectroscopy. Acids and carbon tetrachloride were found to catalyze the rearrangement of 1,8-bis(trimethylsilyl)naphthalene to the 1,7-isomer.
An X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy study of BF3 adsorption on positively and negatively poled LiNbO3 (0001)

Abstract Adsorption of the strong Lewis acid BF3 was investigated to probe the sensitivity of the Lewis basicity of surface oxygens on LiNbO3 (0001) to the ferroelectric polarization direction. Adsorption and desorption were characterized by using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) to monitor the intensity and binding energy of the F 1s core level as a function of BF3 exposure and temperature. The results indicate that both BF3 uptake and desorption are very similar on the positively and negatively poled surfaces. In particular, BF3 only weakly adsorbs with the majority of the adsorbed BF3 desorbing below 200 K. Despite the similarities in the uptake and desorption behavior, the binding energy of the F 1s peak relative to the substrate Nb 3d5/2 peak was sensitive to the polarization direction, with the F 1s peak occurring at a binding energy up to 0.3 eV lower on positively poled than negatively poled LiNbO3 for equivalent BF3 exposures. Rather than reflecting a difference in bonding to the surface, however, this shift could be associated with oppositely oriented dipoles at the positively and negatively poled surfaces creating opposite band offsets between the adsorbate and the substrate. A similar effect was observed with lead zirconate titanate thin films where the Pb 4f XPS peak position changes as a function of temperature as a result of the pyroelectric effect which changes the magnitude of the surface and interface dipoles.
Border Health: Its Hidden Issues and Implications for Nursing Care

The purpose of this article is to enhance nursing care for populations living on the U.S.—Mexico border by broadening nursing knowledge of related health issues. The health status of the individual...
Seismic Performance of Cantilever-Reinforced Concrete Masonry Shear Walls

AbstractThis paper describes an experimental study of the seismic performance of cantilever-reinforced concrete masonry shear walls. As part of a research project on displacement-based design of masonry structures, 30 cantilever shear-wall specimens, made of fully grouted reinforced concrete masonry, were tested under reversed cyclic loading at the University of Texas at Austin and at Washington State University. Based on test results, the relationship between key design parameters and the nonlinear hysteretic response of the specimens was evaluated. The specimens exhibited predominantly flexural behavior, as intended, and their behavior was generally in good agreement with that reported in previous research work. Specimens constructed with masonry units containing recycled materials behaved similarly to otherwise identical specimens constructed with ordinary units, indicating the structural equivalence of those two types of units. Lap splices in the longitudinal reinforcement caused a reduction in wall p...
Ring transformation reactions of C-nucleosides: facile synthesis of pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine and pyrazolo[1,5-a]triazine C-nucleosides

1,3-Dimethyluracil (1), a versatile synthon for the synthesis of various heterocycles, reacted readily with 3-aminopyrazoles 2 in sodium ethoxide to give pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidines 3. Under similar conditions, 3-aminopyrazole C-nucleosides 4 and the synthon 1 gave a mixture of pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine C-nucleosides, which was separated on a silica gel column. Attempts to remove the protecting groups yielded pyranose derivative 10. Another synthon 1,3-dimethyl-5-azauracil and 3-aminopyrazoles 12 gave pyrazolo[1,5-a]triazines 13. In a similar reaction with 3-aminopyrazole C-nucleosides 4 gave the corresponding pyrazolo[1,5-a]-triazine C-nucleosides 14 and 15.
Contact dermatitis in agriculture

Summary Dermatitis in agricultural workers, albeit a common entity, infrequently receives scrutiny as to mechanism and prevention. We briefly describe potential mechanisms, examples for each, and offer an algorithm for etiologic diagnoses.
Renoprotective effects of vitamin D analogs.

Recent decades have witnessed the revelation of expanding roles of the vitamin D endocrine system beyond calcium and phosphorus metabolism. Along with these non-calcemic or non-classic actions of vitamin D are newly discovered therapeutic actions of vitamin D analogs in a number of pathological conditions, including kidney disease. The kidney is the major organ involved in the synthesis of the hormonal metabolite of vitamin D, and vitamin D deficiency is a common feature of chronic kidney disease even in its early stages. Experimental data suggest that vitamin D deficiency may in turn accelerate the progression of kidney disease. Low-calcemic vitamin D analogs have exhibited impressive therapeutic effects in various kidney disease models, with targets ranging from the NF-κB pathway to the renin–angiotensin system. These recent studies demonstrate that vitamin D analogs have potent renoprotective effects. The emerging experimental and clinical evidence has provided a solid foundation for the continuing exploration of vitamin D analogs in prevention and intervention in kidney disease.
Storage Proteins of Glandless Cottonseed Flour

The salt-soluble storage protein isolate of defatted glandless cottonseed flour was separated by gel filtration column chromatography into six fractions (I to VI). Column and thin-layer gel filtration showed that these fractions had molecular weights of >600,000, 280,000, 127,000, 63,500, 10,700, and <2,000, respectively. Treating fraction I protein with dilute alkali dissociated a component that migrated upon gel filtration with fraction VI. Both fractions I and VI were yellow and the color intensified at alkaline pH, suggesting the presence of bound flavonol and gossypol pigments. Because of its large size and low (16.6%) protein content, fraction I was thought to be fragments of membrane and aleurone gram globulins. Gradient polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE) showed that the proteins in each fraction being completely recovered from column chromatography were represented in the pattern of the initial isolate. The proteins in fractions II and III have similar ammo acid compositions, except that III is low in methionine, cystine and tryptophan and II is low in tyrosine and phenylalanine. The amino acid composition of fraction I was also similar to fractions II and III, while unique patterns were noted for fractions V and VI. Fraction VI was rich in lysine and arginine.
Civic cooperation, pro-environment attitudes, and behavioral intentions

Abstract Using data from approximately 30,000 individuals in over 30 countries, we find evidence that an individual's pro-environment attitudes and behavioral intentions to pay higher taxes to protect the natural environment are positively associated with her attitudes toward civic cooperation. The influence of civic cooperation on environmental attitudes varies with the level of development and the environmental quality of the country in which an individual lives. Our results indicate that civic cooperation is a key to promoting pro-environment attitudes in low income countries.
Exergy and economic analysis of a CaO-looping gasifier for IGFC–CCS and IGCC–CCS

Abstract We present exergy and economic analyses for two potential advanced coal-based power plants with CO2 capture and sequestration. Each system generates three products: electricity, carbon dioxide compressed to 15 MPa, and pre-calcined feedstock for cement kilns. First, we analyzed a system that integrates a CaO-looping gasifier with a solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC), labeled here as IGFC–CCS. The SOFC is modeled based on a commercial pressurized SOFC system. Second, we analyzed a system that integrates a CaO-looping gasifier with a Brayton–Rankine combined cycle, labeled here as IGCC–CCS. The exergy analyses evaluated both the power generation/consumption and the exergy destruction in each of the major sub-systems within the power plant. The economic analyses evaluated the internal rate of return on investment (IRR), including the upfront construction costs and the yearly net revenue. Using recent capital cost estimates, we performed a parametric study of this IGFC–CCS system to determine the effect on the IRR on the four key SOFC parameters: current density, air pressure, fuel utilization, and air stoichiometric ratio. For this IGFC–CCS configuration, the calculated exergetic efficiency was 60% at the parameters values that maximized the IRR. For the IGCC–CCS system with same gasifier specifications, the efficiency was 46%; although, this configuration often achieved a higher value of IRR than the IGFC–CCS configuration, depending on the assumptions made on gas turbine and fuel cell equipment costs. We conducted a sensitivity analysis to determine how the IRR was affected by assumptions, such as capital costs and the sale price of CO2. Most importantly, we analyzed the effect of the coal gasification kinetic rate and CaO capture degradation rate on the IRR so that experimental researchers have goal posts as far as required rates for this CaO-looping process. From our sensitivity analysis, we conclude that the addition of alkali catalysts to CaO-looping gasification process can increase the IRR compared with a CaO-looping process without the addition of alkali catalysts, such as KOH.
Phorbol esters stimulate bone resorption in fetal rat long-bone cultures by mechanisms independent of prostaglandin synthesis.

The phorbol esters, 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA) and phorbol-12,13-didecanoate, which activate the enzyme protein kinase C, stimulated resorption in fetal rat long-bone cultures at concentrations of 1 and 10 μM. This effect appeared specific for active phorbol esters, since the inactive analogue 4-alpha-phorbol-12,13-didecanoate was without effect. The resorptive responses of fetal rat long-bone cultures to active phorbol esters differed from those previously described in newborn mouse calvaria cultures, since resorption stimulated by TPA in the rat long bones was not inhibited by either indomethacin (10 μM) or flufenamic acid (10 μM). However, calcitonin, an inhibitor of osteoclastic resorption, did decrease the response to TPA. There were some similarities between the response of fetal rat long-bone cultures to TPA and their response to epidermal growth factor (EGF). Like EGF, TPA stimulated DNA synthesis in the bones (measured as the incorporation of [3H]-thymidine) at concentrations below those necessary to stimulate resorption. TPA also did not stimulate resorption in the presence of aphidicolin (10 μM), an inhibitor of DNA synthesis that has been previously shown to block the resorptive response of these cultures to EGF. However, the responses of the cultures to TPA and EGF were not identical, since, unlike the effects of EGF, the stimulatory effects of TPA on DNA synthesis were biphasic. These results demonstrate that active phorbol esters stimulate bone resorption in fetal rat long-bone cultures through mechanisms that do not require prostaglandin synthesis but do appear to be mediated by osteoclasts. Hence, it is possible that one mechanism by which hormones stimulate resorption in bone is through activation of protein kinase C.
Opioid Analgesic Misuse is Associated with Incomplete Antiretroviral Adherence in a Cohort of HIV-Infected Indigent Adults in San Francisco

There is little or no data examining the association between either pain or the use or misuse of opioid analgesic with adherence to antiretroviral medications (ARVs) among HIV-infected adults. We interviewed a community-based cohort of HIV-infected indigent adults prescribed antiretroviral medications (ARVs) quarterly to examine the association between (1) pain, (2) receipt of opioid analgesics, and (3) opioid analgesic misuse with self-reported ARV adherence. Of 281 participants, most (82.5 %) reported severe or moderate pain, half (52.4 %) received a prescription for opioids, and one quarter (24.6 %) misused opioid analgesics. Most (71.9 %) reported >90 % ARV adherence. In a GEE model, neither pain (unadjusted OR 1.14, CI 0.90–1.45) nor prescription of opioid analgesics (unadjusted OR 1.11, CI 0.84–1.49) were significantly associated with ARV adherence. Misuse of opioid analgesics was associated with incomplete adherence (AOR 1.42, CI 1.09–1.86). Individuals who misuse opioid analgesics, like those who use illicit substances, may have difficulty adhering to medication regimens.
Application of the Fluorescent Antibody Method for the Identification of HL-A Antibodies

A method for the immunofluorescent (IF) identification of antibodies to HL-A antigens on human peripheral blood lymphocytes is described. Pending further study, the detection of pre-existing humoral sensitization to donor alloantigens, particularly weakly reactive or non-complement fixing HL-A antibodies by IF is suggested as a means of augmenting present methodology.
Cerebellar pilocytic astrocytoma with auditory presentation: case study.

An 8-year-old girl complained of decreased hearing and difficulty hearing from her right ear while on the telephone. Pure-tone and speech audiometry, immittance (tympanometry, acoustic reflex thresholds), auditory brainstem response, and transient click-evoked otoacoustic emissions were administered. The results were suggestive of a space-occupying lesion, and the patient was referred to a pediatric neurologist and neurosurgeon. A cerebellar pilocytic astrocytoma was found. The patient's audiologic profile is described, along with implications for pediatric neurologic evaluations. (J Child Neurol 2005;20:914—915).
Orientation and structure of drawn poly(ethylene terephthalate)

Abstract Drawing of poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) films was performed from the amorphous state at different drawing rates and at 80°C. Crystallinity of the films was determined by thermal analysis and orientation of the different phases was determined by birefringence, Fourier transform infra-red (FTi.r.) specular reflection and wide angle X-ray diffraction. The mechanical properties of the oriented films were studied by dynamic mechanical analysis. FTi.r. and X-ray results showed large orientation of the different phases (trans conformers and crystalline phase), in contrast with refractive index measurements which showed unusually low birefringence results. The observed orientation was particularly high for draw ratios (λ) higher than 3. The orientation contribution of the non-crystalline phase was determined by combining FTi.r. and X-ray results. The trans-conformer contribution to the non-crystalline phase is shown to be very high for the high λ for which crystalline orientation was observed. A structural model consisting of a crystalline phase, a mesomorphic amorphous phase (constituted of trans conformers) and a purely amorphous phase (constituted solely of gauche conformers) is a possible representation of the observed results. Finally, the tensile modulus increased continuously with the overall orientation.
In-Well Hydraulics of the Electromagnetic Borehole Flowmeter

Previous studies have suggested that head losses associated with the application of the electromagnetic borehole flowmeter (EBF) can have important and detrimental effects on the use of the instrument for measurement of hydraulic conductivity (K) profiles. Head losses associated with flow through the meter may cause bypass flow around the packer if the well is gravel packed. In any type of well, changing head losses with meter position can cause changes in flow into the well that are not related directly to the K distribution. Such flow changes, or redistribution, can cause errors in the calculation of the K profile. Numerical simulations, based on measured head losses, indicate that bypass flow in gravel packed systems increases with increasing flow rate through the meter, increasing gravel pack conductivity, and increasing gravel pack thickness. Ideally, the EBF should not be used in gravel packed wells, due to the occurrence of bypass flow. Investigations into the flow redistribution phenomenon indicate that the top portion of the aquifer is where the greatest over-estimation of K occurs. The portion of the well below the flowmeter is isolated from the observed drawdown as measured from the surface. In this region, the well experiences a reduced drawdown, which differs from the observed drawdown by an amount equal to the head loss at that meter position. Flow redistribution causes a more pronounced effect in more highly conductive mediums and may be almost negligible in mediums of low conductivity.
All-codon scanning identifies p53 cancer rescue mutations

In vitro scanning mutagenesis strategies are valuable tools to identify critical residues in proteins and to generate proteins with modified properties. We describe the fast and simple All-Codon Scanning (ACS) strategy that creates a defined gene library wherein each individual codon within a specific target region is changed into all possible codons with only a single codon change per mutagenesis product. ACS is based on a multiplexed overlapping mutagenesis primer design that saturates only the targeted gene region with single codon changes. We have used ACS to produce single amino-acid changes in small and large regions of the human tumor suppressor protein p53 to identify single amino-acid substitutions that can restore activity to inactive p53 found in human cancers. Single-tube reactions were used to saturate defined 30-nt regions with all possible codon changes. The same technique was used in 20 parallel reactions to scan the 600-bp fragment encoding the entire p53 core domain. Identification of several novel p53 cancer rescue mutations demonstrated the utility of the ACS approach. ACS is a fast, simple and versatile method, which is useful for protein structure–function analyses and protein design or evolution problems.
Cities of the Mississippi : nineteenth-century images of urban development

The ""Mighty Mississippi"" has inspired writers and artists for centuries. During the 19th-century, Mississippi River towns attracted artists who travelled throughout the United States producing detailed drawings of cities and towns, which were then printed and sold as lithographs or used as wood engravings to illustrate books and magazines. Depicting each street and building, as well as the natural setting and geographic features of the surrounding areas, these bird's-eye views were enormously popular. In ""Cities of the Mississippi"", John W. Reps brings together many historical views of Mississipi River towns alongside contemporary aerial photographs and text. The result is a voyage through the 19th-century and a visual record of American urban development. From the Balize, a village for ship pilots near the mouth of the Mississippi, to St. Cloud, Minnesota, at its source, readers will experience Mississippi River towns ranging from the major metropolises of New Orleans, St. Louis and Minneapolis, to the small towns of Cairo, Kaskaskia, and Prairie du Chien. Reps introduces the artists, printers and publishers who recorded the development of the cities and offers descriptions of the cities by residents, journalists, and travellers in their own words. Modern aerial photographs of 23 of the towns illustrate changes to the urban scene and demonstrate the lasting influence of the initial city patterns on subsequent growth.
EFFECTS OF CHANGES IN PARATHYROID STATUS AND CALCIUM EQUILIBRIUM ON BONE MATRIX METABOLISM.

ConclusionIt may be concluded that the metabolic changes noted in in vitro incubations of bone from animals treated with PTE probably reflect the osseous action of the hormone and are not secondary to changes in level of calcium ion or release of calcitonin or thyrocalcitonin. The specific activity of matrix hydroxyproline is decreased and the specific activity of matrix hexosamine is increased in incubation of bone shortly following injection of PTE. Lactate production is enhanced and glucose uptake may be increased by the hormone. The level of equilibration of medium calcium may reflect the level of calcium bathing the bones at death of the animal.
Optimal Management of Large‐Scale Aquifers: Methodology and Applications

A methodology is developed for determining optimal pumping and recharge of large scale artesian and/or nonartesian aquifers. This methodology couples optimization techniques with existing groundwater simulation models. It can be applied to both groundwater policy evaluation (allocation) such as large-scale aquifers and to hydraulic management problems such as the dewatering of mining or excavation sites. The state variables which represent the heads and the control variables which represent the pumpages are implicitly related through the groundwater simulator. The simulator equations are used to express the states in terms of the controls, yielding a much smaller reduced problem. Techniques for computing gradients of reduced problem functions are described. The reduced problem is solved by combining augmented Lagrangian and reduced gradient procedures. The optimization-groundwater simulation system is referred to as GWMAN. Two small examples are solved in addition to both steady state and transient type dewatering problems. Also, an application to the Edwards Aquifer in Texas is presented.
Estimation of the impact of leaf scorch on photosynthesis and "physiological-lesion" size in strawberry

The impact of strawberry leaf scorch, caused by Diplocarpon earlianum, on net CO2 assimilation (A) and transpiration (E) rates was determined for both greenhouse- and field-grown plants. In the greenhouse, strawberry (Fragaria ×ananassa) plants were inoculated with an aqueous suspension of D. earlianum (1 × 105 conidia/mL) and placed in environmental conditions to generate a range of disease severities. Photosynthesis measurements on individual leaflets of greenhouse-grown plants ('Kent') were taken in a biotron under saturating light conditions. Photosynthesis was also measured on leaflets in a naturally infected field planting of 'Jewel' in 2003. Leaf-scorch severity ranged from 0% to nearly 100% on individual leaflets. Strong negative linear correlations were found between the proportion of leaflet area with visual symptoms and A, E, and water-use efficiency (WUE = A/E). "Physiological-lesion" size was estimated to be 1.6 and 2.1 for greenhouse-grown and field-grown plants, respectively, meaning that t...
Optimizing Epoetin Therapy in End-Stage Renal Disease: The Case for Subcutaneous Administration

The effectiveness of various recombinant human erythropoietin (epoetin) administration routes and dosage schedules in patients on dialysis was studied. The mean dose required to achieve and maintain a hematocrit level between 33% and 40% is 225 U/kg/wk when administered intravenously (IV) in three divided doses. A once-weekly IV schedule requires a dose of 429 U/kg/wk to maintain the same target hematocrit. In contrast, the required epoetin dose is reduced by an average of 25% to 50% when administered via the subcutaneous (SC) route. Analysis of data from 25 dialysis centers shows that SC epoetin administration resulted in higher normalized responses than IV administration. The hematocrit response in patients at these centers was proportional to the weekly dose, with a greater slope in those centers using predominantly SC as compared with IV dosing. Cost analysis indicates that the use of SC dosing two or three times weekly at an average total weekly dose of 120 U/kg is effective for the treatment of anemia in most patients on dialysis.
What does the spleen see

In this issue of Blood , Safeukui et al have come to grips with an important issue in red blood cell (RBC) biology. 1 Their study deals not only with the mechanism of RBC removal in diseases like hereditary spherocytosis (HS) and autoimmune hemolytic anemia, but also with RBC senescence. 2
Modeling the Effects of Industrial Structure on Wages and Benefits

Previous research on the role of industrial structure in the earnings determination process has focused on concentration and unionization as barriers to competitive market forces. This focus has tended to discount the role of other dimensions of industrial structure in the process of earnings determination. Previous research has also been limited by a restrictive focus on manufacturing industries. This article addresses these issues by estimating a model of industrial structure and earnings that systematically considers dimensions of industrial structure other than concentration and unionization and that is estimated across all industries. The principal findings include an affirmation of the powerful roles of trade unions and government involvement in influencing both wages and benefits and the discovery of a negative effect of market concentration. These findings are interpreted within a resource perspective that views organizational structure as providing a source of potential power for both workers and...
BK virus antibody titers and intensity of infections after renal transplantation.

Background The mean urine BK viral load in kidney transplant recipients increases with the intensity of infection as the infection progresses from transient viruria to sustained viremia.
Not all muscles meet the same fate when they die.

Two general patterns of cell death are usually described in animals: necrosis and apoptosis. The former is a passive process that displays cellular swelling and lysis, while the latter involves cellular shrinkage and gene-mediated, ATP-dependent processes. Independent of the proximal cause of cell death, cell corpses are almost always removed by phagocytic cells. This is far from universal for all cells however, since phagocytic cells have not been noted during the programmed death of some skeletal muscles in insects. To further explore this, we used a variety of anatomical methods to examine the death of the intersegmental muscles (ISMs) of the moth Manduca sexta. The ISMs are giant cells that die during the 30 h following adult emergence. At no stage examined were hemocytes or other cells associated with the sarcolemma. The failure to detect macrophages was not due to technical limitations since immunohistochemical and functional studies demonstrate their presence in the hemolymph. The absence of phagocytosis to remove ISM corpses suggests that all of the biochemical machinery required for cellular destruction is resident within the ISMs themselves. This is consistent with analysis suggesting that Manduca does not possess sufficient numbers of macrophages to consume the ISMs. Given that insects do not have adaptive immunity, the ability to use a completely cell autonomous process may be a developmental option that cannot be exploited in vertebrates.
Modeling migration and metastasis in Drosophila

Cell motility makes essential contributions to normal embryonic development and homeostasis. It is also thought to contribute in important ways to tumor metastasis. Because of this dual importance, cell migration has been extensively studied. The fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster has served as an important model organism for genetic analysis of many aspects of developmental biology, including cell migration. Here we describe the various types of cell movements that have been studied in detail, which represent models for epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition, transepithelial migration, inflammation, wound healing and invasion. We summarize what has been learned about the molecular control of cell migration from genetic studies in the fly. In addition, we describe recent efforts to model tumor metastasis directly in Drosophila by expressing oncogenes and/or mutating tumor suppressor genes. Together these studies suggest that Drosophila has much to offer as a model for varied aspects of tumor metastasis.
Simultaneous assessment of phase chemistry, phase abundance and bulk chemistry with statistical electron probe micro-analyses: Application to cement clinkers

Abstract According to recent developments in cement clinker engineering, the optimization of chemical substitutions in the main clinker phases offers a promising approach to improve both reactivity and grindability of clinkers. Thus, monitoring the chemistry of the phases may become part of the quality control at the cement plants, along with the usual measurements of the abundance of the mineralogical phases (quantitative X-ray diffraction) and the bulk chemistry (X-ray fluorescence). This paper presents a new method to assess these three complementary quantities with a single experiment. The method is based on electron microprobe spot analyses, performed over a grid located on a representative surface of the sample and interpreted with advanced statistical tools. This paper describes the method and the experimental program performed on industrial clinkers to establish the accuracy in comparison to conventional methods.
Neuronal mitophagy: long-distance delivery or eating locally?

Summary Parkinson's disease-associated PINK1 and Parkin maintain mitochondrial health through promoting mitophagy, the autophagic removal of damaged mitochondria, in non-neuronal cells. Whether they do so in neurons has been controversial. A new study aims to resolve the controversy.
Neural-network-based multistage interconnection network routing

Techniques based on neural networks can provide efficient solutions to a wide variety of problems in computer science. Routing in computer networks is to schedule messages and select communication links so that messages can be transferred efficiently between source and destination processors. Finding an optimal solution to many routing problems usually requires exponential time and is impractical in reality. Hence, many heuristic algorithms have been designed to find sub-optimal solutions. In this research we use neural networks with a set of constraints to capture various collisions in multistage interconnection networks (MINs). Our simulation results have indicated that the Hopfield neural network can be used for routing to avoid link collisions in electronic MINs and crosstalks in optical MINs.
Theoretical prediction of single-site surface-protonation equilibrium constants for oxides and silicates in water

Abstract The equilibrium constants for surface protonation of solid oxides and silicates can be estimated from theoretical considerations and known properties of the solids for use in the constant capacitance, diffuse double layer or triple layer models of surface complexation. The theoretical considerations take into account Born solvation theory for the adsorbing proton, electrostatic interactions of the adsorbing proton with a surface oxygen and an underlying metal, and an intrinsic binding of the proton to the surface. As a consequence, the equilibrium constants for the νth (ν = 1 or 2) surface protonation reaction on the kth solid can be expressed in terms of the inverse of the dielectric constant of the solid (1/ek) and an average Pauling bond strength per angstrom (s/rM-OH) for the solid according to log K v = M v ( 1 / ∈ k ) − B v ( s / r M − OH ) + log K ii , v " , where the coefficients Mν, Bν, and Kii, ν″ are constants characteristic of all oxides and silicates for each surface complexation model. Evaluation of these constants using experimental data for TiO2, γ-alumina, Al2O3, FeOOH, Fe(OH)3, silica, quartz, and kaolinite permits widespread prediction of surface protonation equilibrium constants from the known bulk structure properties 1/eκ and s/rM-OH. Such predictions should replace attempts to estimate surface protonation equilibrium constants for solids from empirical correlations with aqueous equilibrium constants. Surface protonation constants should also not be estimated from correlations with only the Pauling bond strength because these neglect specific treatment of solvation. Each individual oxide or silicate is expected to have its own unique surface characteristics, depending on the bonding in the bulk crystal structure connected to the surface. It follows that the bonding in surface protonated species is probably far more analogous to that in the bulk crystal structure than to the bonding in protonated aqueous species.
What caused the financial crisis

In this special opinion column, JCAF's SEC columnist reveals the true reasons for the latest financial crisis. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Effective Anisotropy Fields and Ferromagnetic Resonance Behaviors of CoFe/PtMn/CoFe Trilayers

Ferromagnetic (FM)/antiferromagnetic (AFM)/ferromagnetic trilayers of Ru seeded Co90Fe10/Pt50Mn50 /Co90Fe10 and Co84Fe16/Pt50Mn50/Co84 Fe16 were deposited, and their magnetic properties characterized at dc and at microwave frequencies. A ferromagnetic resonance (FMR) linewidth of 45 Oe at X-band (~9.5 GHz) was achieved in the Co84Fe16/Pt50Mn50/Co84 Fe16 trilayer. The minimum FMR linewidth occurs at an intermediate CoFe thickness, which is in contrast to the typical monotonic drop of FMR linewidth with the increment of FM layer thickness in the exchange-coupled FM/AFM bilayers. The CoFe/PtMn/CoFe trilayers show significantly enhanced anisotropy field up to 340 Oe at X band, which is more than double of that at dc frequency, indicating an obvious discrepancy between the anisotropy field at dc and at X band
Education and Schooling You Can Have One without the Other

Within a society schooling and education cannot be conceptualized as overlapping processes when unequal power relations exist among groups with differing cultural orientations. In this article, the author argues that the strategic differentiation between education and schooling is fundamental to the maintenance and development of an African-American cultural orientation and identity. He contends that education and schooling are different processes and that, although it is possible for them to overlap, it is also probable that most African-Americans receive more schooling than education. He presents a conceptual model that links the process of schooling to the perpetuation of existing relations of power and politically dominant culture in the United States.
Digital Games, Design, and Learning A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

In this meta-analysis, we systematically reviewed research on digital games and learning for K-16 students. We synthesized comparisons of game versus nongame conditions (i.e., media comparisons) and comparisons of augmented games versus standard game designs (i.e., value-added comparisons). We used random-effects meta-regression models with robust variance estimates to summarize overall effects and explore potential moderator effects. Results from media comparisons indicated that digital games significantly enhanced student learning relative to nongame conditions ([Formula: see text] = 0.33, 95% confidence interval [0.19, 0.48], k = 57, n = 209). Results from value-added comparisons indicated significant learning benefits associated with augmented game designs ([Formula: see text] = 0.34, 95% confidence interval [0.17, 0.51], k = 20, n = 40). Moderator analyses demonstrated that effects varied across various game mechanics characteristics, visual and narrative characteristics, and research quality characteristics. Taken together, the results highlight the affordances of games for learning as well as the key role of design beyond medium.