cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Cancer Biomarker Discovery via Low Molecular Weight Serum Profiling—Are We Following Circular Paths?

The rigors of attaining reproducible protein identifications from complex biological matrices have recently been described as the ascent of a “mountainous road” that must surmount a series of methodological, technical, and analytical barriers to attain reliable results (1). From the perspective of biomarker discovery, the difficulty of this trail, and the attendant requisite level of expertise, is greatest when broad discovery work flows are used but is lessened substantially if targeted strategies can be used. Taking broad poetic license to portray this visual image within the context of the American westward expansion, one can envision a process by which teams must leave the comfort of the gentle plains (the proof-of-concept phase) to scale the foothills and peaks that lie on the trail to clinical utility. There will be much debate on the choosing of the best path forward. With this simile in mind (and to our point of view), we still see, as we suggested a few years ago, that many advocates of the use of mass spectrometry (MS)1 for profiling the so-called low molecular weight fragmentome (LMWF) remain circling on the plains, retracing the paths of evidence laid down decades before that had revealed the prevalence of dysregulated hemostasis in malignant disease (2). The genesis of what has been referred to as the “SELDI fiasco” (3) traces back to the early success and attendant hyperbole associated with the apparent differentiation of ovarian cancer patients from their unaffected controls by a pattern of uncharacterized peaks presented in the low-mass region of native serum SELDI analyses (4). Although the discriminatory power of these results was ultimately attributed to methodological bias (5), the concept of the use of biomolecule patterns as disease-specific identifiers had been proposed, and the need for component identification had been disputed. Qualitative data obtained by liquid …
Influence of shadow mask design and deposition methods on nonplanar dielectric material deposition

In this paper, we report on the deposition of nonplanar SiO2 and SiNx dielectric layers using plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD), radio frequency (rf) sputtering and reactive rf sputtering through metal and dielectric shadow masks. The layers were analyzed for trends in deposition rate and curvature as a function of shadow mask material and geometry, as well as the deposition method. Increasing the top hole diameter, which is the limiting aperture of the shadow mask cavity, increased the rate of deposition inside the cavity, but it also decreased the curvature of the resulting aspheric microlens. As the height of the shadow mask cavity was increased, both the cavity deposition rate and microlens curvature increased. An alumina shadow mask created microlenses with higher deposition rates and more curvature than a nickel shadow mask for the three deposition methods. SiO2 deposited by PECVD produced aspheric microlenses with the most curvature, whereas rf sputtering SiO2 produced microlenses with the highest process efficiency. These results could be exploited to produce single or multilayer dielectric films for use in focal-plane arrays of microlenses, light-emitting diode encapsulations or curved Bragg mirrors for vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers.
The health burden and economic costs of cutaneous melanoma mortality by race/ethnicity–United States, 2000 to 2006

Background Cutaneous melanoma is the most deadly form of skin cancer with more than 8000 deaths per year in the United States. The health burden and economic costs associated with melanoma mortality by race/ethnicity have not been appropriately addressed. Objective We sought to quantify the health burden and economic costs associated with melanoma mortality among racial/ethnic groups in the United States. Methods We used 2000 to 2006 national mortality data and US life tables to estimate the number of deaths, and years of potential life lost (YPLL). Further, we estimated the economic costs of melanoma mortality in terms of productivity losses. All the estimates were stratified by race/ethnicity and sex. Results From 2000 to 2006, we estimated an increase of 13,349 (8.7%) YPLL because of melanoma mortality compared with a 2.8% increase among all malignant cancers across all race/ethnicity. On average, an individual in the United States loses 20.4 years of potential life during their lifetime as a result of melanoma mortality compared with 16.6 years for all malignant cancers. The estimated annual productivity loss attributed to melanoma mortality was $3.5 billion. Our estimates suggest that an individual who died from melanoma in 2000 through 2006 would lose an average of $413,370 in forgone lifetime earnings. YPLL rates and total productivity losses are much higher among non-Hispanic whites as compared with non-Hispanic blacks and Hispanics. Limitations The estimated economic costs did not include treatment, morbidity, and intangible costs. Conclusions We estimated substantial YPLL and productivity losses as a result of melanoma mortality during an individual's lifetime. By examining the burden by race/ethnicity, this study provides useful information to assist policy-makers in making informed resource allocation decisions regarding cutaneous melanoma mortality.
An analysis of refractometry as a method of determining blood total protein concentration in the American lobster Homarus americanus (Milne Edwards)

Given the high unit value of live American lobsters (Homarus americanus), a non-destructive field method to assess physiological state is desirable during out-of-water transport conditions. This study compared an Uricon® specific gravity refractometer, with a commercial veterinary blood analyser (Vet-Test), as a method for determining the blood total protein concentration in live, out-of-water individuals. Regression analysis of R2 = 0.8641 (n = 64) was observed in determination of blood total protein concentration, y = 0.0036x + 1.0163 where x is the protein concentration in mg dL−1 in Vet-Test. Our results (R2 = 0.864, SE ± 0.003) support the results (R2 = 0.985) of the previous study conducted by Leavitt & Bayer (1977) in which serum total protein was compared with the refractometric method. We therefore confirm that the refractometric method can be used as a reliable method to indicate health of a lobster by measuring the blood total protein concentration. The results show good correlation between the protein concentrations observed using the refractometric method and a Vet-Test blood chemistry analyser. anova analysis was significant between the protein refractometer and the Vet-Test (P < 0.05). Although protein concentration units obtained from both methods were different the results followed the same trends. Refractometry as a method is reliable to determine blood total protein concentrations in the American lobster. Consequently, a refractometric method can be used directly by commercial growers and distributors to assess responses to holding facility conditions and to feeding regimes. Whole blood protein concentrations may provide more information than serum protein concentrations as measured in the study of Leavitt & Bayer (1977).
Strictureplasty for obstructing small-bowel lesions in diffuse radiation enteritis--successful outcome in five patients.

INTRODUCTION: Complications from chronic radiation enteritis can lead to resection or bypass of large segments of intestine, placing the patient at risk for short-bowel syndrome. We have operated on five patients with complications of chronic radiation enteritis in the setting of limited intestinal reserve. In each case, strictureplasty was used as an adjunct to resection or bypass to treat short, relatively isolated radiation strictures with the goal of preserving intestinal length and avoiding dependence on parenteral nutrition. METHODS: There were four females and 1 male, mean age 57 (range, 45–71) years. Complications developed from 1 to 30 years after radiation therapy and all patients had undergone at least one prior laparotomy for complications of radiation enteritis. Four patients had resultant short bowel syndrome and were dependent on parenteral nutrition preoperatively. Indications for the present operations were chronic small-bowel obstruction (3 patients), enterocutaneous fistula and bowel obstruction (1 patient), and chronic small-bowel obstruction along with a rectovaginal fistula (1 patient). Details of the operative procedure, postoperative complications, and eventual weaning from parenteral nutrition were determined by review of the medical records. RESULTS: Strictureplasty was performed either alone (1 patient) or was accompanied by resection or bypass (4 patients). Postoperative complications developed in 3 patients and were comprised of pancreatitis (1), acute renal failure (1), and wound infection (1). There were no anastomotic leaks, reoperations, or deaths. All four patients on preoperative parenteral nutrition were successfully weaned postoperatively and were maintained on enteral nutrition at last follow-up (mean 42, range, 18–120 months). One patient developed recurrent small-bowel obstruction requiring reoperation ten years after the stricture-plasty surgery. CONCLUSIONS: Strictureplasty may be an effective and safe tool to conserve intestinal length in certain highly selected patients with chronic radiation enteritis and small-bowel strictures, namely those with limited intestinal reserve where strictures are located within long segments of diseased bowel which, if resected or bypassed, would have significant nutritional or metabolic consequences. Strictureplasty isnot indicated for the treatment of perforation, hemorrhage, fistula, or short segments of disease in patients with adequate intestinal reserve.
Conference explores El Ni˜o's relationship to the northeast Pacific

Dramatic shifts in extratropical Pacific conditions in early 1997 appeared to precede the development of the 1997–1998 equatorial Pacific El Nino, researchers at last fall's Eastern Pacific Ocean Conference (EPOC) reported. Evidence indicated, however, that anomalous ocean conditions observed in the northeast Pacific were largely the result of anomalous regional atmospheric forcing rather than tropical El Nino signals. Some model results suggested that unusual conditions in the tropics generated planetary waves capable of propagating strong sea surface height anomalies up the North American west coast, but the observations were ambiguous. Coastal sea level appeared to contain a Kelvin wave signal during the El Nino, but it is not certain whether equatorial Kelvin waves or midlatitude wind events were their source.
Rate of Freeze Alters the Immunologic Response After Cryoablation of Breast Cancer

Background. Cryoablation has garnered significant interest as a treatment for solid tumors including breast cancer for both its local effects and potential in stimulating an antitumor immune response. We sought to examine the impact that variances in technique might have on the immune response and examine the mechanism by which cryoablation may stimulate an antitumor immune response. Materials and Methods. Balb/c mice with established 4T1 mammary carcinomas were treated by cryoablation at either a high rate of freeze or low rate of freeze, or by surgical excision, after spontaneous metastases occurred. Tumor-draining lymph nodes (TDLN) were excised at 1 week for EliSPOT assay and immunophenotyping. Mice were followed after treatment for enumeration of pulmonary metastases and survival. Results. Compared with surgical excision, cryoablation using a high freeze rate resulted in a significant increase in tumor-specific T cells in the TDLN, a reduction in pulmonary metastases, and improved survival. However, cryoablation using a low freeze rate resulted in an increase in regulatory T cells, a significant increase in pulmonary metastases, and decreased survival. Conclusions. Cryoablation of breast cancer in mice can generate a tumor-specific immune response that can eradicate systemic micrometastases and improve outcome compared with surgical excision; however, the technique used to freeze the tissue may alter the immune response from stimulatory to suppressive. Cryosurgery is increasingly being recognized as a highly efficient, minimally invasive method of treating malignant neoplasms, including malignancies of the skin, prostate, liver, breast, lung, and bone. Compared with surgery, there are several potential advantages including the minimally invasive nature of the treatment, less damage to surrounding structures, patient comfort (as freezing has an anesthetic effect), the cost of therapy, and improved cosmetic results. There has also been significant interest in another aspect of freezing tumors and leaving them in situ for the body to absorb, the ability to stimulate an immunologic response to tumor-specific antigens in the frozen tissue. Early in the introduction of cryosurgery to clinical practice were several reports of metastatic foci regressing after ablation of a primary tumor, suggesting a potential systemic benefit to a local therapy. 1–9
Optimal Simplification of Cartographic Lines Using Shortest-path Formulations

Line simplification is a process by which unnecessary detail in cartographic data is eliminated. In the past, a variety of heuristics have been implemented to simplify lines. This paper describes practical algorithms which have been developed to provide optimal solutions. The line simplification problem is shown to have the special structure of an acyclic shortest-path problem. Three formulations are presented, which differ in the form of their objectives and/or constraints, and a solution algorithm is outlined for each formulation. Issues associated with implementation are addressed by using each algorithm to perform various degrees of simplification on a large example line. Possibilities for future research related to optimal line simplification are also discussed.
M1 decay rates of heavy quarkonia with a nonsingular potential.

We use a nonsingular-potential model for heavy quarkonia proposed by Gupta, Repko, and Suchyta to calculate the transition amplitudes for the magnetic-dipole ({ital M}1) one-photon radiative decays of the {ital c{bar c}} and {ital b{bar b}} bound systems. The wave functions of the bound systems are calculated by a nonperturbative treatment. The results are in better agreement with the experimental data than those predicted using other potential models.
Brief or new: the benefits of on-line learning in occupational therapy.

SUMMARYThis paper discusses the benefits of incorporating an on-line program, such as Blackboard, into occupational therapy education to enhance the learning experience. An occupational therapy department at a midwestern university piloted the use of Blackboard in two classes in the spring semester of the junior year. Students (n = 16) ranging in age from 20–28 years participated in the pilot study, which lasted a period of 12 weeks. The students were given various assignments on Blackboard involving discussions, answering questions related to the lecture topic, and sharing evidence-based practice. Overall, the student perceptions of incorporating Blackboard into a traditional classroom were positive. Eighty-one percent of the students felt that Blackboard was easy to access, 75% felt that they could share thoughts and stories that they would not necessarily have shared in a classroom setting, and 81% felt that Blackboard expanded on lecture topics and relevant practice information. Data suggest that on-l...
Synthesis and structure of the cyclic amido bismuth imide, { [ (Me3Si )2N ]Bi [μ -N (SiMe3 ) ]}2, via loss of SiMe3 from a [N(SiMe3)2]1- ligand

Abstract The synthesis of Bi[N(SiMe3)2]3 from BiCl3 and KN(SiMe3)2 generates an unusual amido bismuth imide by-product, {[(Me3Si)2N]Bi[μ-N(SiMe3)]}2, evidently formed via Si N bond cleavage. X-ray diffraction shows that the complex contains a planar Bi2N2 ring with tetrahedral bismuth and trigonal planar imido nitrogen atoms.
Characterization of liquid chromatographic stationary phases by Raman spectroscopy Effect of ligand type

This study represents the first Raman spectroscopic characterization of conventional chemically-bonded liquid chromatographic (LC) stationary phases under typical flow-rate and pressure conditions. Raman spectra were obtained for amino propyl (NH2), cyano propyl (CN), phenyl (Ph), octadecyl (C18), octyl (C8), and methyl (C1) chemically-bonded silica-based stationary phases in 100% aqueous mobile phases. The present experimental set-up has allowed Raman spectra of various stationary phase ligands, present in sub-monolayer coverages on the siliceous supports, to be obtained. This study: (1) demonstrates that conventional Raman spectroscopic techniques can be used to study LC stationary phases; (2) presents the experimental set-up, conditions, and approaches utilized to obtain Raman spectra of conventional stationary phases; (3) examines the spectroscopic differences observed for a variety of different types of bonded ligands that are typically used in reversed-phase (RPLC) and normal-phase (NPLC) liquid chromatographic separations; and (4) considers other future studies that are possible with this experimental approach, including mobile phase composition and temperature studies.
Antiviral-Resistant Fulminant Herpes Hepatitis in Pregnancy

Fulminant herpes hepatitis with disseminated extrahepatic involvement in pregnancy is rare and carries a high mortality risk. Although acyclovir remains standard first-line therapy, effective management of acyclovir-resistant disseminated herpes simplex virus (HSV) in pregnancy remains elusive. We present a case of disseminated HSV resistant to both acyclovir and foscarnet, the first double-agent resistant case in pregnancy reported in the literature to date. In this case, therapeutic delivery was the ultimate treatment resulting in full recovery.
An archival study of eyewitness memory of the Titanic's final plunge.

A handful of real-life studies demonstrate that most eyewitnesses accurately recall central details (i.e., the gist of what happened) from traumatic events. The authors evaluated the accuracy of archival eyewitness testimony from survivors of the Titanic disaster who witnessed the ship's final plunge. The results indicate that most eyewitness testimony (15 eyewitnesses of 20) is consistent with forensic evidence that demonstrates that the Titanic was breaking apart while it was still on the ocean's surface. Despite the methodological limitations of archival research, the authors provide evidence from a single-occurrence traumatic event (with a large-scale loss of life) that the majority of eyewitnesses accurately recall central details.
One-Year Plasma N-linked Glycome Intra-individual and Inter-individual Variability in the Chicken Model of Spontaneous Ovarian Adenocarcinoma

Abstract Spontaneous epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) in the chicken presents a similar pathogenesis compared with humans including CA-125 expression and genetic mutational frequencies (e.g., p53). The high prevalence of spontaneous EOC chickens also provides a unique experimental model for biomarker discovery at the genomic, proteomic, glycomic, and metabolomic level. In an effort to exploit this unique model for biomarker discovery, longitudinal plasma samples were collected from chickens at three-month intervals for one year. The study described herein involved cleaving the N-glycans from these longitudinal chicken plasma samples and analyzing them via nanoLC–FTMS/MS. Glycans identified in this study were previously found in human plasma and this work provides a promising methodology to enable longitudinal studies of the N-linked plasma glycome profile during EOC progression. The structure, abundance, and intra-variability and inter-variability for 35 N-linked glycans identified in this study are reported. The full potential of the chicken model for biomarker discovery has yet to be realized, but the initial interrogation of longitudinally-procured samples provides evidence that supports the value of this strategy in the search for glycomic biomarkers.
Regulation of the Na-K-ATPase β1-subunit promoter by multiple prostaglandin-responsive elements

Renal prostaglandins modulate the activity of a number of the transport systems in the kidney, including the Na-K-ATPase. Not only do prostaglandins have acute affects on renal Na-K-ATPase, but in ...
Hemodialysis arteriovenous access: detection of stenosis and response to treatment by vascular access blood flow.

Hemodialysis arteriovenous access: Detection of stenosis and response to treatment by vascular access blood flow. Background Hemodialysis access to the circulation is best provided by native and synthetic arteriovenous fistulae (AVF and AVG). Thromboses caused by venous outflow stenoses prevent the long-term use of AV access. This pilot study was performed to evaluate the ability of ultrasound dilution-derived access blood flows to detect AV access stenosis and to evaluate the response to treatment. Methods This pilot study was a single-center, prospective observational intervention trial. The monitoring technique used was ultrasound dilution access blood flow measurements performed monthly and after any intervention. Screening criteria for interventions were decrements in access flow of 20% when the flow value fell under 1000 mL/min or absolute flow of Results Baseline access flow at study entry for AVF was 919 and 1237 mL/min for AVG. Sequential measurement of AV access flow detected AV access stenosis. PTA and surgical revision significantly restored AV access flow back toward the baseline flow measurement. Failure to restore access flow by at least 20% following intervention occurred in 14% of AVF and 21% of AVG PTA attempts. Transluminal angioplasty, once successfully performed, was required at a mean of 5.8-month intervals in order to maintain AVG flow. In contrast, AVF flow was restored for a much longer period of time following angioplasty (11.4 month follow-up at the time of study end). Compared with historic controls, which used venous dialysis pressure as the primary monitoring technique, the overall (AVF-AVG) thrombosis rates improved from 25 to 16% per patient year, and AVF thrombosis rates improved from 16 to 7% per patient year. When flow was not successfully restored, thrombosis ensued. Eight of 10 thrombosis episodes were predicted based on inability to improve access flow either as a result of stenosis treatment failure or unsuccessful referral for treatment. Conclusion Sequential measurement of AV access flow is an acceptable means of both monitoring for the development of access stenoses and assessing response to therapy. PTAs of AVF are more durable than PTAs of AV grafts.
Weight Loss after Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass in Obese Patients Heterozygous for MC4R Mutations

Background Heterozygous mutations in melanocortin-4 receptor (MC4R) are the most frequent genetic cause of obesity. Bariatric surgery is a successful treatment for severe obesity. The mechanisms of weight loss after bariatric surgery are not well understood.
Optimum designs when the observations are second-order processes

Abstract Let the process {Y(x,t) : t ϵ T} be observable for each x in some compact set X. Assume that Y(x, t) = θ0f0(x)(t) + … + θkfk(x)(t) + N(t) where fi are continuous functions from X into the reproducing kernel Hilbert space H of the mean zero random process N. The optimum designs are characterized by an Elfving's theorem with R the closed convex hull of the set {(φ, f(x))H : ‖φ ‖H ≤ 1, x ϵ X}, where (·, ·)H is the inner product on H. It is shown that if X is convex and fi are linear the design points may be chosen from the extreme points of X. In some problems each linear functional c′θ can be optimally estimated by a design on one point x(c). These problems are completely characterized. An example is worked and some partial results on minimax designs are obtained.
Targeting BAFF in autoimmunity

BAFF and APRIL are TNF-like cytokines that support survival and differentiation of B cells. The early appreciation that overexpression of BAFF leads to B cell expansion and a lupus-like syndrome in mice, and the demonstration that BAFF inhibition delays lupus onset in spontaneous mouse models of SLE and other autoimmune diseases has rapidly led to the development of strategies for inhibiting both BAFF and APRIL. The commercialization of this new class of drugs has proceeded in parallel with the continuing elucidation of the biology of the cytokines and their receptors. Recent studies have uncovered a role for BAFF in enhancing both innate and adaptive immune responses and in amplifying aberrant pathways that arise during inflammation. Two phase III studies of an anti-BAFF antibody have yielded positive, although modest, results in SLE and alternate inhibitors are being tested in a variety of autoimmune diseases in which BAFF may play a pathogenic role.
Binding of ethidium bromide to avian erythrocyte chromatin

Summary Ethidium bromide intercalation studies indicate that mature avian erythrocyte chromatin has 5.6 times fewer primary binding sites than deproteinized DNA. The number of both primary and secondary binding sites was increased upon removal of chromosomal proteins; among those, removal of avian erythrocyte specific histone V shows the highest increment in dye binding.
Another Look at Interpreting Risk Categories

Several studies over the past decade have shown that simple rating scales can accurately rank sex offenders' long-term risk of recidivism. But when using these scales as prediction tools, evaluators often wish to translate categories of risk into probabilities of recidivism. D. M. Doren (2004) has recently suggested that evaluators may use the recidivism percentages published in original studies of the RRASOR and STATIC-99 without regard to differences in populations or base rates. This article explains why Doren's computations should lead to a different conclusion, and describes how simply comparing percentages across studies can mislead researchers and clinicians. Instead, investigators should isolate and examine the detection properties of risk assessment instruments alone, independent of the population- or setting-specific base rate. This article explains this process, using an imaginary study to illustrate how base rates and the properties of risk assessment instruments yield estimated probabilities of recidivism. The article also shows why Doren's results imply that the percentages of recidivism associated with scores on the RRASOR and STATIC-99 scores may vary across study populations. The article offers recommendations for researchers who design and evaluate actuarial methods of assessing risk and for clinicians who interpret results from risk assessment instruments.
Hormonal and behavioral responses to stress in lactating and non-lactating female common marmosets (Callithrix jacchus).

Abstract In several mammalian species, hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) and behavioral responses to stressors are down-regulated in lactating females, possibly preventing stress-induced disruptions of maternal care. Experimental elevations of HPA axis hormones have been found to inhibit maternal behavior in lactating common marmoset monkeys ( Callithrix jacchus ), raising the question of whether lactating female marmosets also have blunted endogenous responses to stress. Therefore, we compared HPA and behavioral responses to standardized stressors in reproductively experienced female common marmosets that were undergoing ovulatory cycles and that either were (N = 7) or were not lactating (N = 8). Each marmoset underwent (1) a restraint stressor during the early follicular phase of the ovarian cycle (approximately 5 weeks postpartum for lactating females) and (2) exposure to a simulated hawk predator during the early to mid-luteal phase (approximately 7 weeks postpartum for lactating females). Lactating females were tested in the presence of one of their infants. Blood samples were collected before, during, and immediately after each test for determination of plasma adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) and cortisol concentrations. Both stressors caused significant elevations in plasma ACTH and cortisol levels, and significant decreases in cortisol:ACTH ratios; however, lactating and non-lactating females showed no significant differences in their endocrine or behavioral responses to either stressor, or in baseline ACTH or cortisol levels. These findings suggest that in contrast to several other mammalian species, lactating female marmosets maintain full behavioral and HPA responsiveness to stress, at least in the presence of their infants.
Poroelastic Consolidation in the Phase Separation of Vesicle−Polymer Suspensions

The addition of the polymer poly(diallyl dimethyl ammonium chloride) (polyDADMAC) to multilamellar vesicle dispersions of ditallowethylester dimethyl ammonium chloride (DDAC) causes the vesicle par...
Consistent Inconsistency Theories

In this paper I critically evaluate a number of current “consistent inconsistency theories” and then briefly motivate a rival position. The rival position challenges a consistent inconsistency theory, by sharing many of its basic commitments without suffering the problems that such a theory appears to face.
Racemic gamma vinyl‐GABA (R,S‐GVG) blocks methamphetamine‐triggered reinstatement of conditioned place preference

Preventing relapse poses a significant challenge to the successful management of methamphetamine (METH) dependence. Although no effective medication currently exists for its treatment, racemic γ vinyl-GABA (R,S-GVG, vigabatrin) shows enormous potential as it blocks both the neurochemical and behavioral effects of a variety of drugs, including METH, heroin, morphine, ethanol, nicotine, and cocaine. Using the reinstatement of a conditioned place preference (CPP) as an animal model of relapse, the present study specifically investigated the ability of an acute dose of R,S-GVG to block METH-triggered reinstatement of a METH-induced CPP. Animals acquired a METH CPP following a 20-day-period of conditioning, in which they received 10 pairings of alternating METH and saline injections. During conditioning, rats were assigned to one of four METH dosage groups: 1.0, 2.5, 5.0, or 10.0 mg/kg (i.p., n = 8/group). Animals in all dosage groups demonstrated a robust and consistent CPP. This CPP was subsequently extinguished in each dosage group with repeated saline administration. Upon extinction, all groups reinstated following an acute METH challenge. On the following day, an acute dose of R,S-GVG (300 mg/kg, i.p.) was administered 2.5 h prior to an identical METH challenge. R,S-GVG blocked METH-triggered reinstatement in all four groups. Given that drug re-exposure may potentiate relapse to drug-seeking behavior, the ability of R,S-GVG to block METH-triggered reinstatement offers further support for its use in the successful management of METH dependence. Synapse 63:87–94, 2009. © 2008 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Imperfect preventive maintenance policies for two-process cumulative damage model of degradation and random shocks

In numerous applications, the system may fail due to multiple competing risks, especially degradation processes and random shocks. In this paper, we develop a two-process combination model for degraded system subject to cumulative effect from random shocks and degradation with two kinds of path function, including additive and multiplicative. Two numerical examples with sensitivity analysis for additive and multiplicative degradation path are discussed separately to illustrate this combination model. Based on the definition of the cumulative damage system, the imperfect preventive maintenance policy (N*, T*) with a common improvement factor is obtained to minimize the expected maintenance cost rate. The uncertainty of the reliability estimation and maintenance optimization is considered in the problem modeling. Also some extensions for this combination model are suggested for further research.
Paleobiochemistry of North American fossil Liriodendron sp.

Abstract Organic geochemical analyses are presented for a fossil Liriodendron sp. from the Miocene, Clarkia Flora of Northern Idaho. Flavonoid profiles determined for the fossil and two extent species of Liriodendron (L. chinense and L. tulipifera ) confirm the generic status of the fossil material, but owing to a generic uniformity in flavonoid composition, fail to resolve taxonomic affinities at the species level. Steroid and other cycloalkane-alkene profiles indicate that the fossil taxon has a greater chemical similarity with L. chinense than L. tulipifera , despite the general leaf outline similarity between the fossil species and extent L. tulipifera . The morphologic and chemical data are interpreted as evidence for mosaic evolution within the genus, and the non-canalization of character states in some Miocene species.
On the Riskiness of Universal Banking: Evidence from Banks in the Investment Banking Business Pre- and Post-GLBA

We explore whether an economically significant differential exists in market-based risk measures between universal banks and traditional banks. Using a three-asset portfolio regression model, we find that between 1990 and 2007—a period of gradual deregulation culminating in passage of the Gramm–Leach–Bliley Act (GLBA) of 1999—an increased participation in investment banking was associated with higher total and unsystematic risks and no significant change in systematic risk. Small risk-reduction benefits emerged in the post-GLBA era, but such benefits were likely the result of the particular sample period rather than a fundamental change in bank structure following the GLBA. Our results cannot justify the GLBA on risk-reduction grounds, though the Act may be defensible for other reasons.
An alternate checksum method

To increase reliability of transmission between magnetic tape and core storage on an IBM 7090/7094, blocks or records of data are often assigned a word called a logical checksum. This is a number derived from the block by some simple algorithm and as unique to it as possible. The method most commonly used to form a checksum is to add together every datum in the block by the ACL (add and carry logical) instruction.
On Poisson signal estimation under Kullback-Leibler discrepancy and squared risk

Abstract Regression problems under Poisson variability arise in many different scientific areas such as, for examples, astrophysics and medical imaging. This article considers the problem of bandwidth selection for kernel smoothing of Poisson data. Its first contribution is the proposal of a new bandwidth selection method that aims to choose the bandwidth that minimizes the Kullback–Leibler (KL) distance between the estimated and the unknown true regression functions. The idea behind is to first construct an estimator of the KL distance and then chooses the minimizer of this distance estimator as the bandwidth. The consistency of this distance estimator is established. As a second contribution, this article establishes the consistency of an existing estimator that targets the L 2 risk between the true and the estimated regression functions. In a simulation study, when the targeting distance measure is the KL discrepancy, the proposed KL-based bandwidth selector outperforms a bandwidth selector that uses deviance cross-validation.
Ventilation after supplemental oxygen administration at high altitude.

Objective The present study assessed the effects of acute hyperoxia on resting-minute ventilation ( V ˙ E ) during altitude acclimatization to 4300m. Methods Resting-minute ventilation, end-tidal partial pressure carbon dioxide (P ET CO 2 ) and oxygen (P ET O 2 ), and arterial oxygen saturation (SpO 2 ) were measured during chronic poikilocapnic hypobaric hypoxia, supplemental oxygen breathing, and the subsequent return to hypobaric poikilocapnic hypoxia at altitude. Fifteen adult male lowlanders were studied at sea level and on the 3rd and 12th days at 4300m. At sea level, subjects first breathed room air that was followed by 25-minute steady-state poikilocapnic hypoxia (FIO 2 = 0.125). Ventilatory responses to acute poikilocapnic hypoxia (APH) were collected over the first 1–10 minutes, and responses to chronic poikilocapnic hypoxia (CPH) were collected over the last 3 minutes of the hypoxia exposure. At altitude, CPH was provided by ambient-air breathing (PIO 2 =86mm Hg) that was interrupted by 10 minutes of oxygen breathing (FIO 2 =1.0, PIO 2 =460mm Hg) and then a subsequent return to ambient air to measure APH ventilatory responses. Results Between day 1 and day 12, during CPH, V ˙ E and SpO 2 increased ( P ET CO 2 decreased. On day 3 and day 12, breathing oxygen did not lower V ˙ E compared with CPH. However, the V ˙ E during APH immediately after oxygen breathing at high altitude was always greater ( P Conclusions These results show that short-duration oxygen breathing increases the subsequent ventilatory response to poikilocapnic hypoxia in altitude-acclimatized lowlanders, resulting in a transient elevation of SpO 2 .
Fusion of real and logical sensors derived from range and intensity images

An experiment in fusion of real and logical sensors derived from range and intensity images is described. The real sensor used is an active triangulation laser range finder that has programmable speed and region-of-interest scanning and produces range and intensity return images. The logical sensors, which provide intensity edges, jump edges, convex and concave fold edges, and surface curvature derived from these images, are discussed. Theoretical and experimental means of characterizing these sensors and building a satisfactory sensor model are described. The characterization is made both in terms of measurement accuracy and range dependency of the logical sensors on intensity of the returned laser light. The use of the sensor and its model for edge based segmentation is described and evaluated with several test images. Each of the categories of edges is independently detected using the sensor model. The decision based upon the different logical sensors is the result of fusion using dependency rules about the sensor interactions. The result is an edge map with labeled edges. A rule based approach to closing the gaps in this edge map is described and the final segmentation is obtained. It is shown that the fusion helps in finding and localizing correct edges, as well as removing spurious edges.
Detection Systems for the Low Level Radiochemical Analysis of Iodine-131, Iodine-129 and Natural Iodine in Environmental Samples

A procedure based on chemical separation techniques and activation analysis has been developed for the sequential analysis of low levels of 131I, 129I and natural iodine in environmental samples. The iodine is first separated from the samples by oxidation. The separated iodine is then counted by low level, beta-gated gamm-jay spectrometry for the measurement of 131I. The chemical yield for the separation is measured by means of 125I tracer. Activation analysis is used for measurement of the separated natural iodine (127I) and 129I. The natural iodine is estimated from either the 126I or 128I activity produced in the sample. the induced 130I is used to estimate the 129I concentration. The measurement of 130I at low levels requires specialized counting methods. Interfering activities which may be present in the irradiated sample include 125I, 126I, shortlived fission-product iodine activities produced by activation of uranium impurities, and 82Br from bromine impurities. Since 130I decays with several coincident gamma-rays, multiple gamma-ray coincidence counting techniques can be used to reduce background and discriminate against interfering activities. Sevoral three-and four-segmented NaI(Tl) detectors have been used for these measurements and compared with other detector systems. The sensitivities for different coincidence counting modes were compared for several of the detector systems. Detection sensitivities-achieved for 131I and 129I are 0.02 dpm and 10-6 dpm, respectively. Measurements have been made of iodine radioactivity in the environment at concentrations below the limits established for radiation protection purposes.
A heuristic approach to optimal design of an underground mine stope layout

Graphical abstractDisplay Omitted HighlightsThis research proposes a new heuristic algorithm for stope layout optimisation in underground mining operations.The proposed heuristic generates non-overlapping stopes in three-dimensional space.A modification in the original algorithm resolves the computational complexity of the problem.An implementation demonstrates its robustness and value as compared to commercially available software. The optimal layout or geometry of the production area (stope) in an underground mining operation maximises the undiscounted value subject to the inherent physical, geotechnical, and geological constraints. Numerous approaches to develop possible stope layouts have been introduced. However, owing to the size and complexity of the problem, these approaches do not guarantee an optimal solution in three-dimensional space. This article proposes a new heuristic algorithm that incorporates stope size variation for solving this complex and challenging optimisation problem. A case study demonstrates the implementation of the algorithm on an actual ore body model. In a validation study, the proposed algorithm generates 10.7% more profitable solution than the commercially available Maximum Value Neighbourhood (MVN) algorithm.
Differentiating the effects of self-control and self-esteem on reactions to mortality salience.

Whereas many previous studies suggest that self-esteem may buffer against the psychological threat of death, recent research has begun to suggest that self-control also may serve as a buffer. Two studies examined the possibility that dispositional self-control uniquely predicts responses to mortality salience, above and beyond self-esteem. In Study 1, an initial exercise in emotion regulation increased subsequent accessibility of death thoughts. In Study 2, mortality salience increased worldview defense. Both of these effects were moderated by dispositional self-control, such that the effects occurred among participants with low but not high self-control. More importantly, these moderating effects were observed over and above the moderating effects of self-esteem. Findings suggest that self-control may serve as an important and unique buffer against thoughts of death.
lac operon operator DNA: Isolation and trimming for NMR spectroscopy

Many physicochemical studies of DNA or DNA-protein interactions require tens of milligrams of specific DNA sequences. To this end we have developed a simple, rapid procedure for purifying circular plasmid DNA on a large scale. By use of this procedure we have purified gram quantities of a plasmid carrying multiple copies of a 40-base pair insert containing the lac operator. The lac operator isolated from this plasmid by EcoRI and trimmed with S1 nuclease has been examined by 1H-NMR spectroscopy. Low-field 1H-NMR spectra at 600 and 360 MHz of this DNA, indicate that almost all of the base pairs can be accounted for.
Precambrian paleostress from microcracks and fluid inclusions in the Wolf River batholith of central Wisconsin

A strongly developed set of healed micro-cracks striking approximately northwest-southeast is present at 5 of 6 sample localities within the 1450 ± 20 Ma Wolf River batholith of central Wisconsin. Other minor sets are present but are less well defined. Fluid inclusions in healed microcracks show melting temperatures in 2 groups: 0 °C, indicating nonsaline water, and -3 to -30 °C, suggesting salinities above 4.5%. The in situ trapping temperatures of fluid inclusions, calculated from homogenization temperatures, show a consistent 250-400 °C for all the sets of healed microcracks. Rb-Sr dates of about 1440 Ma on biotites from the Wolf River batholith suggest that the 300 °C blocking temperature of biotite was reached very soon after intrusion and that no reheating event after primary cooling took place in the batholith. The fluid-inclusion data and Rb-Sr date interpreted together suggest that cracks were probably generated and healed during the initial cooling of the pluton, starting at near 400 °C. The preferred orientation of these microcracks implies that the maximum horizontal stress was northwest-southeast for this region about 1400-1450 Ma. A similar orientation of a major joint set in the area also might be correlated with the same event. Strongly developed N20°W fluid-inclusion planes in the Illinois deep borehole UPH-3, about 250 km to the southwest, with similar-age bedrock, may reflect a more distal effect of this same stress filed. The northwest-southeast orientation for the maximum horizontal stress direction during the cooling of the Wolf River batholith is subparallel to the proposed orientation of the paleostress field prior to the emplacement of the Wolf River batholith during an unnamed event that deformed upper Proterozoic quartzites, and it is consistent with a long period of continental collision and accretion, which formed northeast-trending belts along the southern and southeastern margin of the continent. The orientation of the regional stresses may have remained fairly constant during much of the period from Penokean to the start of the Keweenawan, when the maximum regional horizontal stress changed from a northwesterly orientation to a northeasterly one. The data show that even in periods of relative tectonic quiescence, such as during intrusion of the Wolf River batholith, micro-cracks may provide a record of paleostress orientations.
Specific patterns of oncogene activation in transplacentally induced tumors.

Abstract Transplacental exposure of rats to a single dose of the direct acting carcinogen methylnitrosourea (MNU) results in the induction of a variety of neoplasias of neuroectodermal, epithelial, and mesenchymal origin. Molecular analysis of the oncogenes present in these tumors revealed a striking degree of tissue specificity. neu oncogenes were found to be reproducibly activated in tumors derived from the peripheral nervous system (PNS), but not in those arising from the central nervous system (CNS). No ras oncogenes were found in either PNS- or CNS-derived tumors. However, Ha-ras oncogenes were detected in each of three mammary carcinomas and Ki-ras oncogenes were present in each of five kidney mesenchymal tumors. These results illustrate that phenotypic expression of activated oncogenes in vivo is not a random process and suggest that normal developmental programs may play an important role in modulating the activation of specific oncogenes by chemical carcinogens. PCR analysis revealed that each of the ras oncogenes detected in these transplacentally induced tumors became activated by the same G----A transition in the second base of codon 12. Since G----A transitions are the preferred mutations induced by MNU, it is likely that these ras oncogenes may have been directly targeted by MNU during embryonic development.
Echocardiography in Coexisting Hypertrophic Subaortic Stenosis and Fixed Left Ventricular Outflow Obstruction

Echocardiographic study was done on four pediatric patients with coexisting hypertrophic subaortic stenosis (HSS) and fixed left ventricular outflow (LVO) obstruction. One had valvar aortic stenosis, two had discrete subaortic stenosis and one had coarctation of the aorta. Preoperatively, HSS was not suspected in any of these patients because of the classical findings of fixed LVO obstruction. The echocardiographic examination revealed an abnormal systolic anterior movement (SAM) of the anterior mitral leaflet with ventricular septal hypertrophy in all, but these findings were overlooked or thought to be related to a subvalvar diaphragm. One or two years after the surgical removal of their fixed obstruction, all showed clinical pictures of HSS. Postoperative echocardiographic examination showed an abnormal SAM with asymmetrical septal hypertrophy, and cardiac catheterization revealed mild to severe degrees of resting pressure gradients across LVO tracts. Amyl nitrite inhalation produced a more prominent S...