cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Complete metastasectomy for renal cell carcinoma: Comparison of five solid organ sites.

Background and Objectives Patients with metastatic RCC can undergo metastasectomy to improve survival time. Our goal was to provide and compare characteristics and oncological outcomes of RCC patients who underwent complete metastasectomy at a single organ site. Methods A total of 138 RCC patients were identified as undergoing complete metastasectomy at a single organ site including adrenal, lung, liver, pancreas, or thyroid. Competing risk regression analysis was used to assess RFS and CSS adjusting for several covariates. Results In this highly selected cohort, RFS and CSS was 27% and 84% at 5 years following metastasectomy, respectively. Univariate analysis revealed that removal of multiple tumors, younger age, and a shorter interval between nephrectomy and metastasis was associated with worse RFS. Larger tumors and sarcomatoid histology at nephrectomy was associated with worse CSS. We found no evidence that metastases at the time of RCC diagnosis influenced recurrence or survival. Tumor size, number of metastases resected, and time from nephrectomy to first recurrence was significantly different, but recurrence rates were not found to be significantly different, when compared across all organ sites. Conclusions These findings inform clinical and surgical management of select RCC patients with isolated metastasis to one of several organ sites. J. Surg. Oncol. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Increased inflammation and disease activity among current cigarette smokers with rheumatoid arthritis: a cross-sectional analysis of US veterans

OBJECTIVES Cigarette smoking is a major risk factor for RA and has been associated with increased disease severity and lower rates of disease remission. We hypothesized that inflammation and disease activity would be associated with smoking status and this would be related to levels of ACPA. METHODS RA patients from the Veterans Affairs RA registry were studied (n = 1466): 76.9% anti-CCP2 positive, 89% male, median age 63 years (interquartile range 57-72), median disease duration 8.45 years (interquartile range 2.8-18). Baseline serum samples were evaluated for levels of anti-CCP2, RF, 19 distinct ACPAs and 17 cytokines. Smoking status at baseline was recorded as current, former or never. The association of smoking status with cytokines, autoantibodies and disease activity (DAS28) was evaluated. RESULTS Among anti-CCP-positive RA patients, RA-associated cytokines (false-discovery rates q < 0.1%) and DAS28 (P < 0.01) were higher in current smokers compared with former or never smokers. DAS28 and cytokine levels were similar between former and never smokers. In contrast, ACPA concentrations were higher among both current and former smokers compared with never smokers, and levels of ACPA were not associated with DAS28 or cytokine levels. CONCLUSION Among anti-CCP2-positive RA patients, current smoking status is associated with elevations in pro-inflammatory cytokines and increased RA disease activity. Similar levels of inflammation and disease activity among former and never smokers suggests that the detrimental effects of smoking could be ameliorated through tobacco cessation. The effect of tobacco cessation on RA disease activity should be evaluated prospectively.
Growth and characterization of iron scandium sulfide (FeSc2S4)

Abstract Here we report successful growth of mm scale single crystals of stoichiometric FeSc 2 S 4 . Single crystal X-ray diffraction yields a cubic structure, spacegroup Fd 3 m , with a =10.5097(2) A at T =110(2) K consistent with previous literature on polycrystalline samples. Models fit to the data reveal no detectable antisite mixing or deviations from the ideal stoichiometry. Heat capacity and dc magnetization measurements on the single crystals match those of high quality powder specimens. The novel traveling solvent crystal growth method presented in this work opens the door to studies requiring sizable single crystals of the candidate spin-orbital liquid FeSc 2 S 4 .
Analyzing Predictors of Drinking and Driving Among Gender Cohorts within a College Sample

The current study focuses on predominant predictors associated with men’s and women’s engagement in driving under the influence (DUI) in an attempt to determine whether gender-specific interventions would be more affective at reducing impaired vehicle operation. A male-only subsample (n = 863) and a female-only subsample (n = 975) from a survey administered at a large Southeastern university containing self-reported measures of DUI were used to evaluate gender differences in motivations and correlates of DUI behavior. A series of logistic regressions containing indicators drawn from theories of deviant behavior (e.g., Akers’ social learning theory (SLT) and Gottfredson and Hirshi’s low self-control (LSC) theory) yield results indicating that differential association and imitation, both factors associated with SLT, are significant predictors for both gender cohorts’ DUI behavior. Low self- control was a significant predictor within female-only models, but not the final male-only models. This suggests that peer associations and modeling may be targets of intervention generally, but that, as it relates to DUIs, women may particularly benefit from programs focused at limiting impulsivity and risk-taking behavior as these are components of Gottfredson and Hirschi’s LSC construct.
Layered graphical models for tracking partially-occluded moving objects in video

Tracking multiple targets using fixed cameras with non-overlapping views is a challenging problem. One of the challenges is predicting and tracking through occlusions caused by other targets or by fixed objects in the scene. Considerable effort has been devoted toward developing appearance models that are robust to partial occlusions, tracking algorithms that cope with short-term loss of observations, and algorithms that learn static occlusion maps. In this thesis we consider scenarios where it is impossible to learn a static occlusion map. This is often the case when the scene consists of both people and large objects whose position is not permanently fixed. These objects may enter, leave or relocate within the scene during a short time span. We call such objects "relocatable objects" or "relocatable occluders." We develop a representation for scenes containing relocatable objects that can cause partial occlusions of people in a camera's field of view. In many practical applications, relocatable objects tend to appear often; therefore, models for them can be learned off-line and stored in a database. We formulate an occluder-centric representation, called a graphical model layer, where a person's motion in the ground plane is defined as a first-order Markov process on activity zones, while image evidence is aggregated in 2D observation regions that are depth-ordered with respect to the occlusion mask of the relocatable object. We represent real-world scenes as a composition of depth-ordered, interacting graphical model layers, and account for image evidence in a way that handles mutual overlap of the observation regions and their occlusions by the relocatable objects. These layers interact: proximate ground plane zones of different model instances are linked to allow a person to move between the layers, and image evidence is shared between the observation regions of these models. We demonstrate our formulation in tracking low-resolution, partially-occluded pedestrians in the vicinity of parked vehicles. In these scenarios some tracking formulations that rely on part-based person detectors may fail completely. Our pedestrian tracker fares well and compares favorably with the state-of-the-art pedestrian detectors—lowering false positives by twenty-nine percent and false negatives by forty-two percent—and a deformable-contour-based tracker.
INF2‐ and FHOD‐related formins promote ovulation in the somatic gonad of C. elegans

Formins are regulators of actin filament dynamics. We demonstrate here that two formins, FHOD-1 and EXC-6, are important in the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans for ovulation, during which actomyosin contractions push a maturing oocyte from the gonad arm into a distensible bag-like organ, the spermatheca. EXC-6, a homolog of the disease-associated mammalian formin INF2, is highly expressed in the spermatheca, where it localizes to cell-cell junctions and to circumferential actin filament bundles. Loss of EXC-6 does not noticeably affect the organization the actin filament bundles, and causes only a very modest increase in the population of junction-associated actin filaments. Despite absence of a strong cytoskeletal phenotype, approximately half of ovulations in exc-6 mutants exhibit extreme defects, including failure of the oocyte to enter the spermatheca, or breakage of the oocyte as the distal spermatheca entrance constricts during ovulation. Loss of FHOD-1 alone has little effect, and we cannot detect FHOD-1 in the spermatheca. However, combined loss of these formins in double fhod-1;exc-6 mutants results in profound ovulation defects, with significant slowing of the entry of oocytes into the spermatheca, and failure of nearly 80% of ovulations. We suggest that EXC-6 plays a role directly in the spermatheca, perhaps by modulating the ability of the spermatheca wall to rapidly accommodate an incoming oocyte, while FHOD-1 may play an indirect role relating to its known importance in the growth and function of the egg-laying muscles. © 2016 The Authors. Cytoskeleton Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
A wideband axially symmetric antenna design fabricated with additive and subtractive methods

An antenna design technique that makes use of axial symmetry to realize efficient wideband or multiband operation is presented. The antenna is created by optimizing a two-dimensional profile using a global optimization strategy such as the Covariance Matrix Adaptation Evolutionary Strategy (CMA-ES) and sweeping the curve around an axis to form a solid body of revolution. A method-of-moments simulation tool is used to characterize the candidate antenna solutions according to the user-defined cost function. An ultra-wideband example antenna is optimized here to illustrate the design capability. The design is fabricated using 3D printing and lathe-based manufacturing methods and tested to verify predicted performance.
Women, Culture, and Development: A Study of Human Capabilities

(1997). Women, Culture, and Development: A Study of Human Capabilities. Journal of Economic Issues: Vol. 31, No. 3, pp. 849-851.
The Lusztig automorphism of Uq(&#x1d530;&#x1d529;2) from the equitable point of view

We consider the quantum algebra Uq(&#x1d530;&#x1d529;2) in the equitable presentation. From this point of view, we describe the Lusztig automorphism and the corresponding Lusztig operator.
The Importance of Trust in the Vaccine Safety Enterprise.

But I now thought that this end [one's happiness] was only to be attained by not making it the direct end. Those only are happy (I thought) who have their minds fixed on some object other than thei...
“From complexity to construction to intersecting processes: Puzzles for theoretical and social inquiry”

Although stable systems may be extremely rare as a fraction of the complex ecological systems being sampled (as shown in the 1970s theoretical work of Robert May), they can be readily constructed over time by the addition of populations from a pool of populations or by elimination of populations from systems not at a steady state. The implications identified in this paper of such a constructionist perspective could challenge not only ecologists, but also theorists in all fields that make use of models without a process of construction over time of the complexity of the situation studied. This paper centers not so much on advancing this perspective, but on two consequent puzzles: Why does the constructionist view seem difficult for theorists to take up? What social implications should be drawn from the resulting view of complexity, especially to the extent that critical events cannot be predicted? The paper’s exploration of the puzzles is intended to stimulate further theoretical inquiry by readers, as is another puzzle raised in closing: What would follow if the units showing Rosennean complexity were conceived as always making their living, not in well-bounded ecological systems, but within intersecting processes?
Defining the Term “Overuse”: An Evidence-Based Review of Sports Epidemiology Literature

Reference/Citation: Roos KG, Marshall SW. Definition and usage of the term “overuse injury” in the US high school and collegiate sport epidemiology literature: a systematic review. Sports Med. 2014;44(3):405−421. Clinical Question: What is the current context of the term overuse in the epidemiologic sports injury literature? Data Sources: The authors performed a database search of PubMed and SPORTDiscus. The Boolean phrases athletics AND injury and overuse OR epidemiology were searched. Study Selection: Studies were included in the review based on the following criteria: (1) epidemiologic in nature, (2) involved US high school or collegiate athletes, and (3) published in English between 1996 and 2012. In addition, a study was classified as epidemiologic in nature if appropriate exposure data were collected in order to calculate injury incidence rates. One reviewer initially read the titles or abstracts of the studies to determine their relevance for the systematic review. Studies were excluded if they...
Some Reflections on Custom in the IP Universe

This article is a short response to Jennifer Rothman's claim that the customary practice offers a poor foundation for the narrow reading that many courts give to the fair use defense in copyright law. It argues that her position is sound insofar as it protests the threat of litigation as a means to aggrandise property rights, but misunderstands in connection with both artistic and written works the weakness of the fair use doctrine when cheap means are potentially or actually available for the dissemination of works through license. The fair use doctrine avoids a low transaction cost, but suffers the greater inconvenience of eliminating one or more revenue stream for the author, which diminishes the initial incentive to produce.
The Effect of Total Cost Information on Consumer Treatment Decisions: An Experimental Survey.

Background. Unrestrained use of expensive, high-risk interventions runs counter to the idea of a limited medical commons. Objective. To examine the effect of displaying the total first-year cost of...
Bulimia nervosa. Four uncommon subtypes.

The histories and psychological profiles of more than 500 patients meeting DSM-III-R criteria for bulimia nervosa were reviewed. A total of 310 patients demonstrated the most characteristic pattern of bulimia, with finger-induced purging and occasional diet pill, diuretic, or laxative abuse. Seventeen patients reported binge eating with no self-induced vomiting but with severe laxative abuse (i.e., ≥50 laxatives daily). A total of 126 patients reported bulimia with finger-induced purging and regular mild (i.e., 2–3 daily) laxative abuse. Eight patients reported bulimia without finger-induced purging, diuretic, or laxative abuse but with the regular abuse of ipecac as a means of inducing vomiting. Four clinical subtypes of bulimia were seen. These were overt bulimia, which occurred in 8.9% of the sample; obsessive-ritualistic bulimia, which occurred in 2% of the sample; sexually evocative bulimia (Fatal Attraction Syndrome), which occurred in 2.9% of the sample; and masochistic bulimia, which occurred in 4.9% of the sample. Each of these subtypes of bulimia are described and defined. The characteristic psychologic profile, clinical features, and implications for treatment and research are discussed.
Sex, social hygiene, and the state: The double-edged sword of social reform

L'A. analyse l'influence de l'hygienisme social sur les politiques de prevention des maladies sexuellement transmissibles et sur les politiques de lutte contre la prostitution aux Etats-Unis au debut du siecle. Elle etudie l'evolution de la situation de la prostitution en France, en Grande-Bretagne et aux Etats-Unis entre le 18 e et le 20 e siecle. Elle retrace l'avenement de l'hygienisme social dans ce dernier pays et examine son impact en matiere de changement social. Elle estime que la Premiere Guerre mondiale a marque la fin des politiques maternalistes dans le domaine de la sante sexuelle.
Filled Porous Systems

In most of the two-component systems discussed so far, such as rubber-reinforced polyblends, the density or specific volume is approximately an average of the values for each component. There may be some exceptions to this generalization ; for example, if the smaller component fills free volume available in the major phase (Chander, 1971; Harmer, 1962; Huang and Kanitz, 1969). A similar but more important phenomenon exists when the volume available for filling by a monomer comprises not only “free” volume elements, but also gross pores, which may range in size from tens of angstroms to the order of micrometers or more. Examples of matrices may include partially sintered polymers, ceramics or metals, cement, concrete, minerals and rocks, paper, and wood (American Chemical Society, 1973). Clearly such systems tend to be complex; even the matrix itself is often a multiphase material.
A Distributed Constrained Non-negative Matrix Factorization Algorithm for Time-Series Gene Expression Data

We present a new distributed computing algorithm, Parallel Pattern Discovery (PPD), for constrained Non-negative Matrix Factorization (NMF). Our implementation offers the ability to constrain a specific pattern for optimization of the data while minimizing reconstruction error. Parallel Pattern Discovery operates within a distributed environment using a message passing interface. Distribution of the PPD algorithm provides better scalability and allows operation in single- or multiple-system environments. The algorithm was tested on a set of time-series, dose-dependent mRNA gene expression data. Parallel Pattern Discovery was found to accurately identify patterns within the data and reconstruct the original matrices. Our NMF algorithm found a smaller reconstruction error when compared against standard NMF algorithms. Development focused on running PPD as part of a system which identifies significantly contributing genes. Parallel Pattern Discovery is first run to find patterns from biological data. It is followed by Gene Set Enrichment (GSE) which takes the pattern data and relates it back to genetic pathways.
Grabbing the reins: media and the politics of groups and identity

This review essay offers an overview of the literature on media portrayals of groups and identities with a focus on groups that have been historically disadvantaged. I provide a survey of content a...
Can Foreign Aid Promote Political and Economic Freedom

Foreign aid’s impact on recipients’ institutions is a much-researched topic. Does foreign aid have the power to affect political and economic institutions? Many studies have characterized aid’s impact on institutional quality as being detrimental; however, there are counter arguments and evidence suggesting that aid can positively increase political and economic freedom under certain institutional or macro arrangements. The main purpose of this chapter is to summarize the recent studies in this area.
Teaching a Physical Activity to Students with Mild to Moderate Intellectual Disability Using a Peer-Delivered Simultaneous Prompting Procedure: A Single-Case Experimental Design Study

Appropriate physical education program for students with an intellectual disability can increase their engagement in inclusive physical activity; however, fewer than a quarter of students with an intellectual disability meet the current physical activity guidelines. In this study, we used a single-case multiple probe across participants design to examine the effects of a peer-delivered simultaneous prompting procedure on a chained task of shooting a basketball and nontargeted (The term “collateral skill” is sometimes used) content learning (related to fine motor, gross motor, and movement knowledge). Four middle school students with mild to moderate intellectual disability participated in this study. Three students without a disability served as the peer tutors to deliver the simultaneous prompting procedure and to collect probe data. The study took place in an inclusive physical education setting. Results of the study demonstrated a functional relation between the participants’ improved motor performance of basketball shooting and the intervention. All three participants with available maintenance data retained their chained motor performance up to 2 or 3 weeks after the intervention ended; however, only one participant slightly improved the nontargeted content learning. Limitations and implications for practice and future research are discussed.
An Artificial Neural Network Based Algorithm For Real Time Dispatching Decisions

In semiconductor manufacturing fabs, presence of queue time restricted zones within manufacturing routes present some unique challenges for fab dispatching and scheduling systems. In this study we discuss some of these challenges and present a cycle time prediction methodology based on backpropagation trained artificial neural network which can be used for making real time dispatching decisions at trigger steps of queue time restricted zones.
What Drives Liquidity in the Chinese Credit Bond Markets

This paper documents the pricing of liquidity and identifies its drivers in the four main segments of the interbank and exchange credit bond markets in China. First, we find that liquidity effects are priced in credit bond yield spreads, and differ significantly across these four segments. Second, we identify several channels through which liquidity may affect the pricing of credit bonds. We find that the risk-sharing channel and the macroeconomic channel have significantly influenced liquidity effects, while the information channel does not seem to have had any such clear impact. Third, we analyze the impact of two types of policy shocks, including one collateral shock on repo-eligibility in the exchange market and four liberalization shocks on foreign investment in the interbank market, on the levels of liquidity and the pricing of liquidity effects in the Chinese credit bond markets. We identify the most important of the four policy shocks on interbank liberalization to be the policy on the Bond Connect program linking Chinese and overseas markets.
Abstract P198: Daily Step Count at Two Months is the Strongest Predictor of Daily Steps at One Year Post-Stroke

For survivors of stroke, walking can improve endurance, community participation and decrease risk of subsequent stroke. Unfortunately, survivors take 4000 fewer steps per day compared to other adul...
Orthogonal Images Concealed Within a Responsive 6‐Dimensional Hypersurface

A photochemical printer, equipped with a digital micromirror device (DMD), leads to the rapid elucidation of the kinetics of the surface-initiated atom-transfer radical photopolymerization of N,N-dimethylacrylamide (DMA) and N-isopropylacrylamide (NIPAM) monomers. This effort reveals conditions where polymer brushes of identical heights can be grown from each monomer. With these data, hidden images are created that appear upon heating the substrate above the lower critical solution temperature (LCST) of polyNIPAM. By introducing a third monomer, methacryloxyethyl thiocarbamoyl rhodamine B, a second, orthogonal image appears upon UV-irradiation. With these studies, it is shown how a new photochemical printer accelerates discovery, creates arbitrary patterns, and addresses long-standing problems in brush polymer and surface chemistry. With this technology in hand a new method is demonstrated to encrypt data within hypersurfaces.
H is for Hurricane, M is for Maria: Supporting literacy in Vieques:

The case study, H is For Hurricane and M is For Maria explores the public Montessori System of Puerto Rico as an educational philosophy of resilience. The authors present a counternarrative to earl...
CaMKII Modulates Diacylglycerol Lipase-α Activity in the Rat Nucleus Accumbens after Incubation of Cocaine Craving.

Abstract Relapse is a major challenge to the treatment of substance use disorders. A progressive increase in cue-induced drug craving, termed incubation of craving, is observed after withdrawal from multiple drugs of abuse in humans and rodents. Incubation of cocaine craving involves the strengthening of excitatory synapses onto nucleus accumbens (NAc) medium spiny neurons via postsynaptic accumulation of high-conductance Ca2+-permeable AMPA receptors. This enhances reactivity to drug-associated cues and is required for the expression of incubation. Additionally, incubation of cocaine craving is associated with loss of the synaptic depression normally triggered by stimulation of metabotropic glutamate receptor 5 (mGlu5), leading to endocannabinoid production, and expressed presynaptically via cannabinoid receptor 1 activation. Previous studies have found alterations in mGlu5 and Homer proteins associated with the loss of this synaptic depression. Here we conducted coimmunoprecipitation studies to investigate associations of diacylglycerol lipase-α (DGL), which catalyzes formation of the endocannabinoid 2-arachidonylglycerol (2-AG), with mGlu5 and Homer proteins. Although these interactions were unchanged in the NAc core at incubation-relevant withdrawal times, the association of DGL with total and phosphorylated Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase IIα (CaMKIIα) and CaMKIIβ was increased. This would be predicted, based on other studies, to inhibit DGL activity and therefore 2-AG production. This was confirmed by measuring DGL enzymatic activity. However, the magnitude of DGL inhibition did not correlate with the magnitude of incubation of craving for individual rats. These results suggest that CaMKII contributes to the loss of mGlu5-dependent synaptic depression after incubation, but the functional significance of this loss remains unclear.
New Directions for Evidence Science, Complex Adaptive Systems, and a Possibly Unprovable Hypothesis About Human Flourishing

Trials, legal systems, governments, and market economies are all complex adaptive systems. Viewing them in that light opens up new avenues for research, and leads to a possibly unprovable supposition that human flourishing well be enhanced at the intersection of societies with a commitment to the rule of law that embrace free elections, market economies and responsive legal systems of which the common law is the paradigmatic example. These complex adaptive systems have the advantage of feedback mechanisms that may facilitate the intelligent exploitation of the vast amount of information contained in each of the systems.
Flavopiridol and 5-fluorouracil display DNA and RNA-damage-dependent and sequence-dependent synergistic cytotoxicity in colorectal carcinoma cell lines (cc)

Proc Amer Assoc Cancer Res, Volume 45, 2004 2963 We have demonstrated that the cytotoxic effects of 5-fluorouracil/ leucovorin (FUra/LV) in cc can be enhanced by co-exposure to the biological response modifier IFN-g via modulation of the apoptotic program, with observed synergy dependent on thymineless stress-induced DNA damage, independent of p53. Flavopiridol (FP) is a cyclin dependent kinase inhibitor (CDKI) with promise as a biological response modifier capable of enhancing chemotherapeutic response. Here we demonstrate: 1) FP sensitizes cc to TRAIL-mediated apoptosis, and 2) FP can induce either synergistic or antagonistic effects on FUra/LV-induced cytotoxicity in cc, depending on the type of FUra/LV-induced damage (DNA vs. RNA) and sequence of administration. Co-exposure to FP and TRAIL is synergistic (apoptosis) in all cc cell lines tested (6/6), independent of p53. The roles of death receptor and mitochondrial pathways in FP-induced cytotoxicity in cc are currently being investigated. In GC3/cl and RKO cc that undergo FUra/LV-mediated DNA damage, co-exposure to FP and FUra/LV lead to reduced apoptosis compared to FUra/LV alone, whereas FUra/LV followed by FP yielded synergistic cytotoxicity. In contrast, in HCT-8 and HCT-116 cc that undergo FUra/LV-mediated RNA damage, co-exposure to FP and FUra/LV lead to synergistic cytotoxicity, whereas sequential exposure to FUra/LV followed by FP induced the same level of apoptosis compared to FUra/LV alone. We also demonstrated that cc undergoing thymineless stress (DNA damage) from FUra/LV arrested in S-phase following FUra/LV exposure, whereas cc undergoing RNA-mediated FUra/LV-induced damage underwent G2 arrest. We hypothesize that the differential effects described reflect the ability of FP to inhibit transcription at low nanomolar concentrations, enhancing the RNA perturbations imposed by FUra/LV in susceptible cc, and the ability of FP to inhibit CDKs at higher nanomolar concentrations, critical for cell cycle progression in S-phase arrested cells undergoing thymineless stress. Data support the role of FP in restoring the integrity of the apoptotic program in cc, sensitizing cc to stimuli that trigger the apoptotic cascade. Additionally, DNA-dependent damage is critical for FUra/LV-induced tumor cell kill, whereas RNA-dependent FUra/LV-induced damage has been demonstrated as the source of gastrointestinal toxicity. These studies support a selective therapeutic advantage of sequence-specific administration of FUra/LV followed by FP in colorectal cancer patients, and a selective disadvantage in the therapeutic ratio from simultaneous exposure. Supported by NCI awards CA 32613, CA 21765, CA 70089 and by ALSAC.
Process of infection with bacteriophage φX174: XX. Attachment of the Parental DNA of Bacteriophage φX174 to a Fast-sedimenting Cell Component

The parental viral DNA of bacteriophage φX174 is found attached to a cellular structural component in gently lysed φX-am3-infected host cells. The attached RF DNA replicates semiconservatively, releasing the replication product into the cytoplasm of the cell, Cytoplasmic RF DNA does not replicate semiconservatively. The attached viral DNA can be removed from the cellular component by detergents, high pH or pronase digestion. Part of the attached φX DNA is RFII; the cytoplasmic RF (in chloramphenicol-treated cells) is exclusively RFI. The nature of the cellular component is unknown.
Age, Growth, and Gonadal Characteristics of Adult Bighead Carp, Hypophthalmichthys nobilis, in the Lower Missouri River

Bighead carp were introduced into Arkansas in 1973 to improve water clarity in production ponds. Bighead carp subsequently escaped aquaculture facilities in the early 1980's and dispersed into the Mississippi and Missouri rivers. The first documentation of bighead carp reproduction in the Mississippi River system was in 1989. The population has increased in the Missouri River as is evident in their increased proportion in the commercial harvest since 1990. The effect of this exotic planktivore on native ecosystems of the U.S. has not been examined. Basic biological data on bighead carp Hypophthalmichthys nobilis in the Missouri River are needed to predict potential ecological problems and provide a foundation for manipulative studies. The objectives of this study were to assess age, growth, and gonadal characteristics of bighead carp in the Missouri River. Adult bighead carp in our sample varied from age 3 to age 7 and length varied from 475 to 1050 mm. There was a large variation in length at age, and overall bighead carp exhibited fast growth. For example, mean back-calculated length at age 3 was 556 mm. The sample was dominated by bighead carp from the 1994 year class. There was no difference in gonad development (i.e., gonadal somatic index, egg diameter) between winter and spring samples. Length of male bighead carp and GSI were not significantly correlated; however, females exhibited a positive linear relationship between length and GSI. In each ovary, egg diameter frequencies exhibited a bimodal distribution, indicating protracted spawning. Mean fecundity was 226 213, with a maximum fecundity of 769 964. Bighead carp in the Missouri River have similar life history characteristics to Asian and European populations. They have become well established in the Missouri River and it is likely that dispersal and population density will increase.
CyberGate: a design framework and system for text analysis of computer-mediated communication

Content analysis of computer-mediated communication (CMC) is important for evaluating the effectiveness of electronic communication in various organizational settings. CMC text analysis relies on systems capable of providing suitable navigation and knowledge discovery functionalities. However, existing CMC systems focus on structural features, with little support for features derived from message text. This deficiency is attributable to the informational richness and representational complexities associated with CMC text. In order to address this shortcoming, we propose a design framework for CMC text analysis systems. Grounded in systemic functional linguistic theory, the proposed framework advocates the development of systems capable of representing the rich array of information types inherent in CMC text. It also provides guidelines regarding the choice of features, feature selection, and visualization techniques that CMC text analysis systems should employ. The CyberGate system was developed as an instantiation of the design framework. CyberGate incorporates a rich feature set and complementary feature selection and visualization methods, including the writeprints and ink blots techniques. An application example was used to illustrate the system's ability to discern important patterns in CMC text. Furthermore, results from numerous experiments conducted in comparison with benchmark methods confirmed the viability of CyberGate's features and techniques. The results revealed that the CyberGate system and its underlying design framework can dramatically improve CMC text analysis capabilities over those provided by existing systems.
Skeletal Function and Form: Mechanobiology of Skeletal Development, Aging, and Regeneration

The intimate relationship between form and function inherent in the design of animals is perhaps nowhere more evident than in the musculoskeletal system. In the bones, cartilage, tendons, ligaments, and muscles of all vertebrates there is a graceful and efficient physical order. This book is about how function determines form. It addresses the role of mechanical factors in the development, adaptation, maintenance, ageing and repair of skeletal tissues. The authors refer to this process as mechanobiology and develop their theme within an evolutionary framework. They show how the normal development of skeletal tissues is influenced by mechanical stimulation beginning in the embryo and continuing throughout life into old age. They also show how degenerative disorders such as arthritis and osteoporosis are regulated by the same mechanical processes that influence development and growth. Skeletal Function and Form bridges important gaps among disciplines, providing a common ground for understanding, and will appeal to a wide audience of bioengineers, zoologists, anthropologists, palaeontologists and orthopaedists.
Borrelia burgdorferi: Carbon Metabolism and the Tick-Mammal Enzootic Cycle

Borrelia burgdorferi, the spirochetal agent of Lyme disease, is a zoonotic pathogen that is maintained in a natural cycle that typically involves mammalian reservoir hosts and a tick vector of the Ixodes species. During each stage of the enzootic cycle, B. burgdorferi is exposed to environments that differ in temperature, pH, small molecules, and most important, nutrient sources. B. burgdorferi has a highly restricted metabolic capacity because it does not contain a tricarboxylic acid cycle, oxidative phosphorylation, or any pathways for de novo biosynthesis of carbohydrates, amino acids, or lipids. Thus, B. burgdorferi relies solely on glycolysis for ATP production and is completely dependent on the transport of nutrients and cofactors from extracellular sources. Herein, pathways for carbohydrate uptake and utilization in B. burgdorferi are described. Regulation of these pathways during the different phases of the enzootic cycle is discussed. In addition, a model for differential control of nutrient flux through the glycolytic pathway as the spirochete transits through the enzootic cycle is presented.
Effects of almonds as a snack or meal accompaniment on appetite, glycemia and body weight (641.9)

Snacking may contribute to overweight and glucose dysregulation because snack foods often elicit weak dietary compensation and promote glycemic swings. Almonds are satiating and moderate post-prandial glycemia, but it is not known if these properties hold when consumed specifically as a snack. Following an initial OGTT, an acute feeding trial was conducted where participants (49M, 89F) at risk for diabetes consumed 43g of roasted, lightly-salted almonds with breakfast (N=28) or lunch (N=26), alone as a morning snack (N=28) or afternoon snack (N=28) or no almonds (N=27). Appetitive sensations and blood glucose concentrations were monitored over 515 minutes during which standardized meals were provided. Participants then consumed almonds as per their group assignment for 4 weeks followed by another acute feeding trial and OGTT. Almond consumption as snacks led to significant reductions of appetitive sensations and blood glucose concentrations. They blunted (non-significantly) glucose rises at meals. There w...
Overexpression of extracellular superoxide dismutase reduces acute radiation induced lung toxicity

Acute RT-induced damage to the lung is characterized by inflammatory changes, which proceed to the development of fibrotic lesions in the late phase of injury. Ultimately, complete structural ablation will ensue, if the source of inflammatory / fibrogenic mediators and oxidative stress is not removed or attenuated. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to determine whether overexpression of extracellular superoxide dismutase (EC-SOD) in mice ameliorates acute radiation induced injury by inhibiting activation of TGFβ1 and downregulating the Smad 3 arm of its signal transduction pathway. Whole thorax radiation (single dose, 15 Gy) was delivered to EC-SOD overexpressing transgenic (XRT-TG) and wild-type (XRT-WT) animals. Mice were sacrificed at 1 day, 1 week, 3, 6, 10 and 14 weeks. Breathing rates, right lung weights, total/differential leukocyte count, activated TGFβ1 and components of its signal transduction pathway (Smad 3 and p-Smad 2/3) were assessed to determine lung injury. Irradiated wild-type (XRT-WT) animals exhibited time dependent increase in breathing rates and right lung weights, whereas these parameters were significantly less increased (p < 0.05) at 3, 6, 10 and 14 weeks in irradiated transgenic (XRT-TG) mice. An inflammatory response characterized predominantly by macrophage infiltration was pronounced in XRT-WT mice. This acute inflammation was significantly attenuated (p < 0.05) in XRT-TG animals at 1, 3, 6 and 14 weeks. Expression of activated TGFβ1 and components of its signal transduction pathway were significantly reduced (p < 0.05) at later time-points in XRT-TG vs. XRT-WT. This study shows that overexpression of EC-SOD confers protection against RT-induced acute lung injury. EC-SOD appears to work, in part, via an attenuation of the macrophage response and also decreases TGFβ1 activation with a subsequent downregulation of the profibrotic TGFβ pathway.
Kirson-Babu-Brown core polarization diagrams and low-momentum shell model effective interactions

The Kirson-Babu-Brown (KBB) induced interaction approach is applied to the derivation of the sd-shell nucleon effective interactions. We start from a low-momentum NN interaction Vlow-k obtained by integrating out the high-momentum components of modern realistic NN potentials beyond a decimation momentum λ. Then a large class of core polarization diagrams are summed up to all orders by way of the KBB self-consistent equations. It is found that the solution of these equations is simplified by the use of Vlow-k, which is energy independent, and by treating them in terms of the Green's fuctions in the particle-particle and the particle-hole channels. The effective interactions calculated with the all-order KBB core polarizations and those with the polarization in second-order perturbation theory are found to be rather similar to each other, typical difference between them being less than 10%.
Resolution model for measurement of optical fibre preforms by focused laser transverse illumination technique

A model has been developed to describe the spatial resolution function of a focussed laser transverse illumination technique for the measurement of the refractive index profile of an optical fibre preform. The resolution function is shown to have similar Gaussian characteristics to that of the sampling beam at the centre plane of the preform, and this has been tested by measurements made on different preforms and with different beam diameters. The results show that the model predicts both the quantitative and qualitative behaviour of the resolution function correctly, which enables the comparison of the resolutions of different preform profiling techniques, as well as assisting in the study of measurement anomalies.
In defense of clinical judgment … and mechanical prediction

Despite over 50 years of one-sided research favoring formal prediction rules over human judgment, the “clinical-statistical controversy,” as it has come to be known, remains something of a hot-button issue. Surveying the objections to the formal approach, it seems the strongest point of disagreement is that clinical expertise can be replaced by statistics. We review and expand upon an unfortunately obscured part of Meehl's book to try to reconcile the issue. Building on Meehl, we argue that the clinician provides information that cannot be captured in, or outperformed by, mere frequency tables. However, that information is still best harnessed by a mechanical prediction rule that makes the ultimate decision. Two original studies support our arguments. The first study shows that multivariate prediction models using no data other than clinical speculations can perform well against statistical regression models. Study 2, however, showed that holistic predictions were less accurate than predictions made by mechanically combining smaller judgments without input from the judge at the combination stage. While we agree that clinical expertise cannot be replaced or neglected, we see no ethical reason to resist using explicit, mechanical rules for socially important decisions. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
ENHANCED CO ORBITAL MOMENTS IN CO-RARE-EARTH PERMANENT-MAGNET FILMS

Soft x-ray magnetic circular dichroism (MCD) data were collected at the Co $L$ edges from a series of epitaxial $R\ensuremath{-}\mathrm{Co}$ ($R=\mathrm{P}\mathrm{r},\phantom{\rule{0ex}{0ex}}\mathrm{N}\mathrm{d},\phantom{\rule{0ex}{0ex}}\mathrm{S}\mathrm{m},\phantom{\rule{0ex}{0ex}}\mathrm{D}\mathrm{y},\phantom{\rule{0ex}{0ex}}\mathrm{a}\mathrm{n}\mathrm{d}\phantom{\rule{0ex}{0ex}}\mathrm{H}\mathrm{o}$) intermetallic compound films grown by sputter deposition. The Co orbital-to-spin moment ratios were extracted from the data using the MCD sum rules. An enhanced Co orbital moment, as compared to that of bulk hcp-Co, is seen in all but one of the films. The enhancement is dependent on both the average $R\ensuremath{-}\mathrm{Co}$ bond length and on the $R$ species. These results suggest that a significant transition-metal (TM) orbital moment is the origin of the TM sublattice contribution to the magnetocrystalline anisotropy energy in $R\ensuremath{-}\mathrm{TM}$ compounds.
The quality of life in the Caribbean: A political interpretation

A study of 23 Caribbean polities attempted to relate two types of measures of economic and political development to measures of the quality of life. On the one hand are two closely related concepts, the level of economic development and the political status of the polity (colony, internal self-government, or autonomy). On the other hand are two measures of the type of government and economic structure: plantation agriculture and repressive government. Measures of the quality of life included per capita income, health measures, educational measures, communication and transportation per capita. Plantation structure and political repression were found to be related to most of the measures of the quality of life, but measures of economic development and political status to practically none.
Reductive destruction of chemical warfare agent simulants in water

The efficient detection, decontamination, and destruction of chemical warfare (CW) agents remain an active area of scientific research. Rate constants for the reaction of substituted diethyl phosphates and phosphonates with the hydroxyl radical and hydrated electron have been measured in water to elucidate the primary destruction pathway for the CW agents Tabun (GA), Sarin (GB), Soman (GD), and VX with these two species. The measured kinetics for simulants with leaving groups that more closely mimic these actual CW agents predict that reductive destruction will be the most efficient mechanism, and that nontoxic simulants such as alkyl phosphonates undergo different redox chemistry.
Rapid label-free identification of estrogen-induced differential protein expression in vivo from mouse brain and uterine tissue.

Protein abundance profiling from tissue using liquid chromatography−tandem mass spectrometry-based “shotgun” proteomics and label-free relative quantitation was evaluated for the investigation of e...
Numerical Modeling of Sulfur and Nitrogen Chemistry in a Narrow Cold-Frontal Rainband: The Impact of Meteorological and Chemical Parameters

Abstract To better understand the impact of various meteorological and chemical parameters on chemical deposition from winter storms, the chemistry and microphysics of a narrow cold-frontal rainband and its associated stratiform region were examined with a two-dimensional numerical cloud model. The peak precipitation was associated with the lifting at the leading edge of the cold front. However, the peak sulfate deposition occurred behind the primary updraft, where melting graupel was the dominant source of precipitation, and in the leading rainband. The peak nitrate deposition occurred behind the main updraft and at the leading edge of the main updraft. Sulfur dioxide, aerosol nitrate, and peroxyacetylnitrate were transported to higher altitudes, while aerosol sulfate, nitric acid, and hydrogen peroxide were depleted by the storm. Examination of the pathways for oxidizing aqueous sulfur dioxide showed that iron-catalyzed aerobic oxidation was an important mechanism for converting sulfur dioxide to sulfat...
A live Leishmania major vaccine containing CpG motifs induces the de novo generation of Th17 cells in C57BL/6 mice

Cutaneous leishmaniasis produces open sores that lead to scarring and disfiguration. We have reported that vaccination of C57BL/6 mice with live Leishmania major plus CpG DNA (Lm/CpG) prevents lesion development and provides long-term immunity. Our current study aims to characterize the components of the adaptive immune response that are unique to Lm/CpG. We find that this vaccine enhances the proliferation of CD4 1 Th17 cells, which contrasts with the highly polarized Th1 response caused by L. major alone; the Th17 response is dependent upon release of vaccine-induced IL-6. Neutralization of IFN-c and, in particular, IL-17 caused increased parasite burdens in Lm/CpG-vaccinated mice. IL-17Rdeficient Lm/CpG-vaccinated mice develop lesions, and display decreased IL-17 and IFN-c, despite normal IL-12, production. Neutrophil accumulation is also decreased in the IL-17R-deficient Lm/CpG-vaccinated mice but Treg numbers are augmented. Our data demonstrate that activation of immune cells through CpG DNA, in the presence of live L. major, causes the specific induction of Th17 cells, which enhances the development of a protective cellular immunity against the parasite. Our study also demonstrates that vaccines combining live pathogens with immunomodulatory molecules may strikingly modify the natural immune response to infection in an alternative manner to that induced by killed or subunit vaccines.