cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Verification of a novel method for tube voltage constancy measurement of orthovoltage x-ray irradiators.

Purpose: For orthovoltage x-ray irradiators, the tube voltage is one of the most fundamental system parameters as this directly relates to the dosimetry in radiation biology studies; however, to the best of our knowledge, there is no commercial portable quality assurance (QA) tool to directly test the constancy of the tube voltage greater than 160 kV. The purpose of this study is to establish the Beam Quality Index (BQI), a quantity strongly correlated to the tube voltage, as an alternative parameter for the verification of the tube voltage as part of the QA program of orthovoltage x-ray irradiators. Methods: A multipurpose QA meter and its associated data acquisition software were used to customize the measurement parameters to measure the BQI and collect its time-plot. BQI measurements were performed at 320 kV with four filtration levels on three orthovoltage x-ray irradiators of the same model, one of which had been recently energy-calibrated at the factory. Results: For each of the four filtration levels, the measured BQI values were in good agreement (<5%) between the three irradiators. BQI showed filtration-specificity, possibly due to the difference in beam quality. Conclusions: The BQI has been verified as a feasible alternative for monitoring the constancymore » of the tube voltage for orthovoltage irradiators. The time-plot of BQI offers information on the behavior of beam energy at different phases of the irradiation time line. In addition, this would provide power supply performance characteristics from initial ramp-up to plateau, and finally, the sharp drop-off at the end of the exposure.« less
Subcellular localization patterns and their relationship to photodynamic activity of pyropheophorbide-a derivatives.

To determine if subcellular localization is important to photodynamic therapy (PDT) efficacy, an in vitro fluorescence microscopy study was conducted with a congeneric series of pyropheophorbide-a derivatives in human pharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (FaDu) cells and murine radiation-induced fibrosarcoma (RIF) mutant cells. In the FaDu cells the octyl, decyl and dodecyl ether derivatives localized to the lysosomes at extracellular concentrations less than needed to produce a 50% cell kill (LD50). At extracellular concentrations equal or greater than the LD50 the compounds localized mainly to mitochondria. The propyl, pentyl, hexyl and heptyl ether derivatives localized mainly to the mitochondria at all concentrations studied. This suggested that mitochondria are a sensitive PDT target for these derivatives. Similar experiments were performed with two Photofrin®-PDT resistant RIF cell lines, one of which was found to be resistant to hexyl ether derivative (C6) mediated-PDT and the other sensitive to C6-PDT relative to the parent line. At extracellular concentrations of C6 below the LD50 of each cell line, the mutants exhibited lysosomal localization. At concentrations above these values the patterns shifted to a mainly mitochondrial pattern. In these cell lines mitochondrial localization also correlated with PDT sensitivity. Localization to mitochondria or lysosomes appeared to be affected by the aggregation state of the congeners, all of which are highly aggregated in aqueous medium. Monomers apparently were the active fraction of these compounds because equalizing the extracellular monomer concentrations produced equivalent intracellular concentrations, photoxicity and localization patterns. Compounds that were mainly aggregates localized to the lysosomes where they were rendered less active. Mitochondria appear to be a sensitive target for pyro-pheophorbide-a-mediated photodamage, and the degree of aggregation seems to be a determinant of the localization site.
Nuclear magnetic resonance of polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells

In this review, the contribution of NMR spectroscopy to the development of the proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) is discussed, with particular emphasis on its use in the characterization of structure and transport in proton exchange membranes (PEMs). Owing to copious amount of information available, results of the past decade will be the main focal point. In addition, its use as a screening tool for the PEM materials will be discussed.
TOP SURFACE IMAGING SYSTEMS UTILIZING POLY(VINYLBENZOIC ACID) AND ITS ESTER

Poly(p-vinylbenzoic acid) and its ester are opaque below 300nm and therefore useful in deep UV top surface imaging (TSI), which is a viable technique to overcome the shallow depth of focus and topography effects. In this paper are described two TSI systems utilizing the benzoic acid derivatives in the chemical amplification scheme. The first system is a single-layer negative TSI based on gas-phase silylation of poly(t-butyl p-vinylbenzoate) resist. The second case is the use of poly(p-vinylbenzoic acid) as a strippable bottom layer in conjunction with a thermally-developable, oxygen RIE barrier resist, which comprises an all-dry bilayer, positive TSI system.
The price of efficiency: examining the effects of payroll efficiency on Major League Baseball attendance

From 1998 to 2008, the Oakland Athletics were the most payroll efficient team in Major League Baseball (MLB), recording the 5th highest win percentage despite having the 7th lowest payroll to work with. Their remarkable success has been widely attributed to the innovative strategies employed by general manager Billy Beane designed to identify undervalued statistics and players. However, these strategies also had the unintended effect of diminishing fan interest. An estimated 1600 fans per game were lost as a result of these payroll efficiency strategies, which produce teams composed of young, relatively unknown players and game tactics perceived as less exciting than more traditional approaches.
Photoperiodic modulation of cephalic melatonin in planarians

Endogenous melatonin was detected by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with electrochemical detection (EC) in the head of the planarian Dugesia dorotocephala. The identity of this elution peak was further confirmed by radioimmunoassay. In groups of planarians adapted to either normal or reversed photoperiods, the melatonin levels were always higher in those heads collected in the dark period than in those collected in the light period. This indicates that primitive animals such as planarians have already evolved a melatonin-metabolizing system that is photically driven in a manner suggestive of the way melatonin synthesis is influenced by light and dark cycles in vertebrates.
Dynamics and Bifurcations of a Planar Map Modeling Dispersion Managed Breathers

We study a nonautonomous ODE with piecewise-constant coefficients and its associated two-dimensional Poincare mapping. The ODE models variations in amplitude and phase of a pulse propagating in a lossless optical fiber with periodically varying dispersion. We derive semiexplicit exact solutions and use them to locate fixed points and to describe their bifurcations and stability types. We also discuss the global structure of the Poincare map and interpret our results for modulated pulse propagation.
Questions about toy car head injury

To the Editor. The recent case report by Wheeler and Shope1involving a 7-month-old infant who sustained a depressed skull fracture by falling off a bed 24 inches onto a concrete floor is flawed. That this injury was not intentionally inflicted is not proven in this case. How do we know that the child's skull fracture was not caused by a blow inflicted with the toy car? That the parents gave consistent histories, there was no other signs of trauma, medical attention was sought quickly, and there were no signs of previous trauma, does not mean this injury was not intentionally inflicted on this child. …
Amygdala Hyperactivation During Face Emotion Processing in Unaffected Youth at Risk for Bipolar Disorder

Objective Youth at familial risk for bipolar disorder (BD) show deficits in face emotion processing, but the neural correlates of these deficits have not been examined. This preliminary study tests the hypothesis that, relative to healthy comparison (HC) subjects, both BD subjects and youth at risk for BD (i.e., those with a first-degree BD relative) will demonstrate amygdala hyperactivation when viewing fearful and happy faces. The at-risk youth were unaffected, in that they had no history of mood disorder. Method Amygdala activity was examined in 101 unrelated participants, 8 to 18 years old. Age, gender, and IQ-matched groups included BD (N = 32), unaffected at-risk (N = 13), and HC (N = 56). During functional magnetic resonance imaging, participants attended to emotional and nonemotional aspects of fearful and happy faces. Results While rating their fear of fearful faces, both BD and unaffected at-risk subjects exhibited amygdala hyperactivity versus HC. There were no between-group differences in amygdala activity in response to happy faces. Post-hoc comparisons revealed that, in at-risk youth, familial risk status (offspring versus sibling), presence of Axis I diagnosis (n = 1 attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder [ADHD], n=1 social phobia), and history of medication exposure (n = 1) did not influence imaging findings. Conclusions We found amygdala hyperactivation in both unaffected at-risk and BD youth while rating their fear of fearful faces. These pilot data suggest that both face emotion labeling deficits and amygdala hyperactivity during face processing should receive further study as potential BD endophenotypes. Longitudinal studies should test whether amygdala hyperactivity to fearful faces predicts conversion to BD in at-risk youth.
Three α-particle decay of C12

Abstract The reaction B11(p, 2α)He4 has been studied at proton bombarding energies of 2.0, 2.65, 3.25, 3.73, 4.00, 5.08 and 5.64 MeV. These energies excite several resonantstates in C12. The kinematics of the reaction were completely determined by detecting in coincidence two of the three final α-particles in solid-state detectors. This determination of the kinematics permitted discrimination between sequential two-body decay and direct three-body decay. The reaction mechanism was found to be sequential two-body decay involving the ground and the broad first-excited states of Be8, with events involving the latter showing strong interference effects. These interference effects were attributable to the identity of the three final particles and to the ambiguity of the order of their emission. Not more than 5 % of the experimental cross section could be attributed to the direct three-body decay mechanism; indeed, the contribution from the direct process is probably much smaller than the quoted 5 %. Hence, the conclusion must be that, for C12 with an excitation energy between 17 and 21 MeV, the decay mechanism is predominantly sequential two-body decay. Also the total cross section for this reaction is of the order of 100 to 200 mb; thus it is comparable to the geometric cross section. These two facts imply that, in this energy region, C12 has a strong cluster configuration of an α-particle plus a Be8 nucleus in either the ground or the first-excited state.
An anti-neomycin antibody interfering with ABO grouping and antibody screening.

A patient's serum agglutinated most commercial antibody screening and panel identification red blood cells; however, it did not agglutinate either the cells of ABO compatible donors or washed, saline suspended commercial cells. When suspended in a solution containing 0.1 mg/ml neomycin, all cells, including the patient's, were agglutinated by the patient's serum. Inhibition did not occur by preincubation of either the patient's serum or the test cells with 10 mg/ml neomycin. Serum preincubation with butirosin, kanamycin, or neamine inhibited immediate agglutination in the presence of neomycin. The reactive group is, therefore, included in the neamine fragment. Ultracentrifugation segregated the antibody in the 7S fraction. Following separation by column chromatography, only fractions containing IgA demonstrated antineomycin activity.
Invariant object recognition based on the generalized discrete radon transform

We introduce a method for classifying objects based on special cases of the generalized discrete Radon transform. We adjust the transform and the corresponding ridgelet transform by means of circular shifting and a singular value decomposition (SVD) to obtain a translation, rotation and scaling invariant set of feature vectors. We then use a back-propagation neural network to classify the input feature vectors. We conclude with experimental results and compare these with other invariant recognition methods.
Value of helical computed tomography, angiography, and endoscopic ultrasound in determining resectability of periampullary carcinoma

BACKGROUND: High-quality preoperative radiographic evaluation is crucial in selecting patients with periampullary carcinomas who are candidates for surgical exploration and tumor resection while minimizing the rate of unnecessary laparotomy. METHODS: Twenty-one consecutive patients were prospectively investigated using helical computed tomography (CT) scanning, endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS), and selective visceral angiography (SVA) to determine tumor resectability. All patients were explored and resectability determined. RESULTS: Helical CT had a sensitivity of 63%, a specificity of 100%, and an overall accuracy of 86%. EUS had a sensitivity of 75%, a specificity of 77%, and an overall accuracy of 76%. SVA had a sensitivity of 38%, a specificity of 92%, and an overall accuracy of 71%. CONCLUSIONS: Helical CT scanning is the best preoperative imaging test to determine tumor resectability. EUS is more sensitive than CT for tumor detection, but underestimates resectability. SVA is no longer helpful in the preoperative evaluation of these malignancies.
Effect of polyaniline-modified clay on the processing and properties of clay polyimide nanocomposites

Abstract Polyaniline modified-clay/polyimide nanocomposite (PANi-CPN) containing highly intercalated montmorillonite was synthesized by in-situ double intercalation polymerization followed by thermal imidization. The presence of PANi-clay resulted in a decrease in the poly(amic acid) (PAA) solution viscosity during polymerization, and accelerated the polymerization procedure as the solution viscosity attained the maximum value at a shorter reaction time. The extent of imidization for PAA is largely improved compared with the organo-CPN prepared in the same condition. The PANi-CPN prepared in this study showed a characteristic polyaniline (PANi) UV/Vis absorption peak between 450 and 700 nm. The Wide Angle X-ray diffraction (WAXD) patterns for PANi-CPNs cured at 70 °C show a weak peak at a very low diffraction angle, indicating the formation of highly intercalated clays. This peak disappears for the PANi-CPN cured at higher temperatures, indicating fully exfoliated clay structure. The thermo-mechanical properties of the composites increased with increasing filler concentration.
Word frequency affects hypermnesia.

Sttmmary.-Hypermnesia, the tendency of participants to recall more items From a List they have studied when they are asked to recall the list several times on a freerecall test, is enhanced by factors that lead to better performance on free-recall tests. This study tested the hypothesis that words which appear with high frequency in the Engltsh language would produce hypermnesia but that low frequency words would nor. The activity the 57 participants were required to do between repeated recall tests was also manipulated but had no effect on rhe number of words recalled. High frequency words resulted in hypermnesia bur low frequency words did not. The term "hypermnesia" was first used in memory studies by Erdelyi and Becker (1974) to refer to an increase in the number of items participants remember when they attempt to recall a list several times. People tend to remember more items on their second and third attempts to recall than they Id on their first attempt. Ln a review of 33 studes investigating various aspects of hypermnesia, Payne (1987) identified a number of factors that appear to contribute to hyperrnnesia. One of his conclusions was that anything which tends to enhance the cumulative recall on other tests of memory d also tend to produce hypermnesia. This explanation was first suggested by Roediger, Payne, Gdlespie, and Lean (1982) and has been called the cwnulative recall level hypothesis. Some of the factors that have produced good memory on standard recall tests which also produce hyperrnnesia are using pictures as the co-beremembered material, giving participants instructions to form images of words to be remembered, presenting the to-be-remembered material several times, and allowing longer recall periods (Payne, 1987). One factor that is known to affect the probabdity of recahg words on a free-recall test is the frequency with which words appear in everyday language (Balota & Neely, 1980; Hall, 1954; Otani & Whiteman, 1993). High frequency words are recalled more easily than low frequency words on free-recall tests. There have been no reports of whether hypermnesia is affected by word frequency. Based on Payne's analysis, we expected that participants would exhibit hypermnesia for high frequency words but not for low frequency words. Because high imagery value of the to-be-remembered words has sometimes 'Please address correspondence and requests for reprints to Janet D. Larsen, Ph.D., Depanment of Psycholo y, ohn Carroll University, 20700 North Park Blvd., University Heights, OH
Xanthine Oxidase Inhibitors in Heart Failure: Where Do We Go From Here?

Despite its public health impact, there are relatively few classes of drugs in use for the treatment of heart failure (HF) and left ventricular dysfunction.1 HF pharmacology is based on relatively few signal transduction pathways, most prominently the sympathetic nervous system and the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system.1 Thus, the quest for additional therapeutic targets remains critically important, and oxidative stress/nitroso-redox imbalance is a potential target of long-standing interest.2 Article see p 1763 Several lines of evidence support that this pathway may be of pathophysiological relevance. First, serum uric acid (SUA) is a biomarker of oxidative stress in several cardiovascular diseases, including HF.3–5 This elevation of SUA is due primarily to the increased amounts of available xanthine and hypoxanthine after cellular damage, which is then catalyzed into uric acid via xanthine oxidase (XO).6 XO uses oxygen as a potential electron acceptor, thus forming reactive oxygen species (ROS), resulting in oxidative stress.6 Several observational studies and meta-analyses have identified elevations of SUA as an independent marker of poor cardiac function, mortality, poor functional capacity, and the development of atrial arrhythmias in HF.7–10 Thus, an active hypothesis is that SUA may represent not only a prognostic biomarker of HF but a potential target for intervention. A second line of evidence emerges from experimental studies exploring the role of XO in HF, showing first and foremost an upregulation of this enzyme in the cardiovascular system.6 Furthermore, preclinical animal data supported the use of XO inhibitors in HF, showing greater survival, improved left ventricular function, enhanced mechanoenergetic coupling, attenuation of ventricular remodeling, decreased myocardial oxygen consumption, reduced afterload, and improved ventricular vascular coupling.11,12 In humans, intracoronary and intravenous …
Dynamic visualization of calcium-dependent signaling in cellular microdomains.

Cells rely on the coordinated action of diverse signaling molecules to sense, interpret, and respond to their highly dynamic external environment. To ensure the specific and robust flow of information, signaling molecules are often spatially organized to form distinct signaling compartments, and our understanding of the molecular mechanisms that guide intracellular signaling hinges on the ability to directly probe signaling events within these cellular microdomains. Ca2+ signaling in particular owes much of its functional versatility to this type of exquisite spatial regulation. As discussed below, a number of methods have been developed to investigate the mechanistic and functional implications of microdomains of Ca2+ signaling, ranging from the application of Ca2+ buffers to the direct and targeted visualization of Ca2+ signaling microdomains using genetically encoded fluorescent reporters.
Advances in the biology and therapy of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma: moving toward a molecularly targeted approach

Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) displays striking heterogeneity at the clinical, genetic, and molecular levels. Clinical prognostic models can define a population at high risk for relapse following empiric chemotherapy, although such models do not account for underlying biologic differences among tumors. Commonly observed genetic abnormalities that likely contribute to pathogenesis include translocations of BCL6, BCL2, cMYC, and FAS(CD95) mutations, and aberrant somatic hypermutation. Despite recent advances in empiric chemotherapy, including interval reduction of CHOP (cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, prednisone) and the incorporation of anti-CD20 monoclonal antibodies, a significant proportion of patients still die of their disease. Gene expression profiling has shed light on the molecular heterogeneity within DLBCL by highlighting similarities between subsets of tumors and normal B cells, identifying features associated with unfavorable responses to empiric combination chemotherapy, and defining robust subtypes with comprehensive transcriptional signatures. Such strategies have suggested distinct routes to lymphomagenesis and have identified promising rational therapeutic targets. Additional novel therapies under investigation include those targeting BCL6 and BCL2, as well as development of novel monoclonal antibody-based therapies. Our increasing molecular understanding of the heterogeneous subsets within DLBCL will likely improve the current empiric therapy of DLBCL by identifying rational therapeutic targets in specific disease subtypes.
Compact toroidal ion-trap design and optimization

We present the design of a type of compact toroidal, or ``halo,'' ion trap. Such traps may be useful for mass spectrometry, studying small Coulomb cluster rings, quantum-information applications, or other quantum simulations where a ring topology is of interest. We present results from a Monte Carlo optimization of the trap design parameters using finite-element analysis simulations that minimize higher-order anharmonic terms in the trapping pseudopotential, while maintaining complete control over ion placement at the pseudopotential node in three dimensions using static bias fields. These simulations are based on a practical electrode design using readily available parts, yet can be easily scaled to any size trap with similar electrode spacings. We also derive the conditions for a crystal structure transition for two ions in the compact halo trap, the first nontrivial transition for Coulomb crystals in this geometry.
Effect of background pressure on magnetoplasmadynamic thruster operation

Background pressure and magnetic field shape effect on MPD thrustor performance, testing radiation cooled thrustors
Experimental analysis of the mouse submaxillary salivary gland in relationship to its nerve-growth factor content.

It has been reported in previous work that the mouse submaxillary salivary glands contain a potent nerve-growth factor (NGF) that promotes the differentiation and growth of the sympathetic ganglia. It also has been reported that this factor is a protein that is present in higher concentration in the adult male than in the adult female gland. In the present paper the sexual dimorphism of the mouse submaxillary salivary gland was investigated with regard to the NGF content. Injections of testosterone in female mice called forth a marked increase of this factor. Conversely, castration of adult male mice resulted in a sharp decrease of the NGF. The relationship of the salivary protease to the NGF, both located in the tubular components of the gland, was investigated after ligature of the excretory duct of the gland. The possible role of the submaxillary salivary gland in the production of the NGF is discussed in the light of the present findings.
Effect of thermal history on the morphology of thermotropic liquid crystalline copolyesters based on PET and PHB

Abstract Morphological studies were carried out on thermotropic liquid crystalline copolyesters based on poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) and para-hydroxybenzoic acid (PHB), where PHB content varied from 30 mole percent up to 80 mole percent. The technique of chemical etching, using n-propylamine as the etchant, coupled with scanning electron microscopy was utilized to obtain structural information. Scanning electron microscopy results on chemically etched, compression moulded films show that selective chemical etching of the PET rich regions occur. This indicates that the morphology of the copolymers is hetergeneous in nature. Further support regarding a hetergeneous morphology was obtained by transmission electron microscopy. A morphological model has been proposed based on these results. The observance of non-equilibrium behaviour associated with amorphous PET regions (as seen from d.s.c. measurements) also strongly indicates the presence of a phase rich in PET and thus supports the non-homogeneous morphological model. Thermal analysis of these copolyesters suggests that the chain structure is non-random and this is an agreement with results published by Wunderlich et al. The glass transition temperature typically associated with PET is present and remains constant in all copolymers compositions where PET is the continuous phase. Further, the melting temperatures obtained experimentally are higher than the values predicted by theory for random copolymers and the melting endotherms are relatively narrow. These observations also indicate a non-random chain structure. Structural studies conducted on films compression molded at different temperatures show that morphological rearrangement occurs at higher temperatures with the formation of domains of the order of 10 microns.
The effect of pH on some outer-sphere electrode reactions at carbon electrodes

The apparent heterogeneous rate constant, k°app, for three couples known to undergo outer-sphere electron transfer reactions has been investigated at carbon, gold, and platinum electrodes as a function of solution pH. The rates are found to be pH dependent at two different types of glassy carbon and at carbon paste but not at metallic electrodes. The rate is found to decrease with increasing pH for Fe(CN)3−4−6 and IrCl2−3−6, and the opposite effect is observed for the Ru(NH3)3+2+6 couple. For the three compounds examined, the magnitude of the pH dependent rate changes can be associated with a change in the magnitude of the potential of the reaction layer induced by a change in surface charge of ∼ 2 × 10−7 C cm−2. The pH dependence of the observed rate constant at glassy carbon can be attenuated by heat treatment, chemical reduction, or esterification of the surface. This behaviour is consistent with the theory that the pH dependence of k°app arises from the presence of functional groups on the carbon surface.
Determination of position of a drifting buoy by means of the navy navigation satellite system

A system for determining the position of a drifting buoy through use of the Navy Navigation Satellite is described. The system consists of a receiver that tracks satellites of the Navy Navigation Satellite System, a data link for transmission of the collected data to shore, and appropriate computer software. To aid the reader in understanding the concept, both the Navy Navigation System and the method of determining one's position through use of this system are described in some detail. The receiver, which is specifically designed for the buoy application, is described, and the computer software required for converting the data collected by the receiver to position data is briefly outlined.
Dwight Macdonald and Poverty Discourse, 1960-1965: The Art and Power of a Seminal Book Review

This paper examines the role Dwight Macdonald and his review essay “Our Invisible Poor” (New Yorker, January 1963) played in bringing American poverty into U.S. public discourse in the early 1960s. Macdonald's article furthered the discussion about poverty that Michael Harrington's book, The Other America, had begun the previous year. It thereby spurred legislative action to remedy the social ills of American poverty through the Kennedy/Johnson administrations' War on Poverty by 1965. Set within a complex matrix of social, cultural, political, and historical forces, Macdonald's article was widely read, expansively disseminated, and had an important impact on legislation. This essay is built upon the scholarship of David Paul Nord and his ideas about communities of journalism. The impact of Macdonald's essay is examined through a review of secondary sources and primary research in Macdonald's papers, the New Yorker archives, and discourse analysis of New York Times coverage.
The New Morality, Ethics, and Nursing

The legalization of abortion and sterilization have forced many nurses to make additional decisions on ethical conduct. Such decisions cannot be based on scientific evidence and way be difficult for those trained as empiricists. “Lows” of ethics and morality are really “opinions,” and nurses, patients, and others have the right to hold divergent beliefs. This right is asserted in NAACOG's Statement on Abortions and Sterilizations.
An ERP investigation of binding and coreference.

Abstract This study examines the nature of violations in processing one class of binding construction, namely those involving reflexives and their antecedents. When arguments of verbs appear at the point where a syntactic violation is detected, a centroparietal positivity occurs, peaking at 600 ms after the presentation of the stimulus (P600), as is consistent with other types of syntactic anomalies. However, nonarguments in similar sentences fail to elicit the same response. For example, the reflexive in John's brothers like himself is in an argument position and elicits the P600 when compared to its grammatical counterpart. The nonargument, participating in the same type of mismatch, John's brothers like Bill and himself, does not elicit the same positivity. This provides evidence that there are two processes involved in parsing this binding construction, one syntactic and another as yet unidentified, perhaps involving meaning or pragmatics.
Calculation of the indirect contribution to the heavy-ion nucleon transfer reaction amplitude

Abstract The indirect contribution to the heavy-ion nucleon transfer reaction amplitude has been evaluated using the distorted-wave Born approximation neglecting recoil effects. This contribution is usually ignored. Two different formulations of the indirect interaction were tried. One of these formulations gives a completely negligible contribution to the nucleon transfer reaction amplitude. The other gives a negligible effect for the angular dependence of the differential cross section but nevertheless produces a considerable change in the magnitude of the cross section.
Soil Chemistry in a Loblolly/Longleaf Pine Forest with Interval Burning

We examined the 30-yr cumulative effects of prescribed fires at intervals of 1, 2, 3, and 4 yr in a loblolly and longleaf pine forest in the Coastal Plain of South Carolina. The fine fraction of the forest floor (Oe+Oa horizons) contained much more carbon and nitrogen per unit area in the control plots (1.7 and 0.05 kg/M2, respectively) than in the 1-yr burn interval plots (0.4 and 0.007 kg/M2, respectively). Mineral soils (0-0.2 m depth) were highly variable in chemistry, and showed only slight differences across the burning treatments for nitrogen and sulfur. No trends were apparent for phosphorus in the forest floor or mineral soil; differences in acidity and extractable cations were also slight. The nutrient content of foliage was generally low, with no differences across burning intervals. Our results are consistent with earlier studies that showed the biogeochemical effects of repeated surface fires in southern pine forests are generally limited to the forest floor, with the possible exception of overall reductions in nitrogen cycling.
Computers and nursing education in one Australian tertiary institution

Abstract New South Wales (NSW) has been the first state in Australia to introduce statewide college based training for registered nurses, commencing in 1985. Fourteen tertiary institutions in this State now offer diploma courses as the basic qualification for registered nurses. The other States in Australia will follow NSW in making basic nurse training college based. This paper describes some of the activities in relation to computers and nursing education recently undertaken in one college of advanced education in NSW, Australia.
A trajectory analysis of alcohol and marijuana use among Latino adolescents in San Francisco, California.

Purpose We examined alcohol and marijuana use trajectories among Latino adolescents in the San Francisco Bay Area.
GRP78 as a regulator of liver steatosis and cancer progression mediated by loss of the tumor suppressor PTEN

Glucose-regulated protein 78 (GRP78), a molecular chaperone widely elevated in human cancers, is critical for endoplasmic reticulum (ER) protein folding, stress signaling and PI3K/AKT activation. Genetic knockout models of GRP78 revealed that GRP78 maintains homeostasis of metabolic organs, including liver, pancreas and adipose tissues. Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and cholangiocarcinoma (CC) are the most common liver cancers. There is a lack of effective therapeutics for HCC and CC, highlighting the need to further understand liver tumorigenic mechanisms. PTEN (phosphatase and tenson homolog deleted on chromosome 10), a tumor suppressor that antagonizes the PI3K/AKT pathway, is inactivated in a wide range of tumors, including 40-50% of human liver cancers. To elucidate the role of GRP78 in liver cancer, we created a mouse model with biallelic liver-specific deletion of Pten and Grp78 mediated by Albumin-Cre-recombinase (cP(f/f)78(f/f)). Interestingly, in contrast to PTEN, deletion of GRP78 was progressive but incomplete. At 3 months, cP(f/f)78(f/f) livers showed hepatomegaly, activation of lipogenic genes, exacerbated steatosis and liver injury, implying that GRP78 protects the liver against PTEN-null-mediated pathogenesis. Furthermore, in response to liver injury, we observed increased proliferation and expansion of bile duct and liver progenitor cells in cP(f/f)78(f/f) livers. Strikingly, bile duct cells in cP(f/f)78(f/f) livers maintained wild-type (WT) GRP78 level, whereas adjacent areas showed GRP78 reduction. Analysis of signaling pathways revealed selective JNK activation, β-catenin downregulation, along with PDGFRα upregulation, which was unique to cP(f/f)78(f/f) livers at 6 months. Development of both HCC and CC was accelerated and was evident in cP(f/f)78(f/f) livers at 8-9 months, coinciding with intense GRP78 expression in the cancer lesions, and GRP78 expression in adjacent normal areas reverted back to the WT level. In contrast, c78(f/f) livers showed no malignancy even at 14 months. These studies reveal that GRP78 is a novel regulator for PTEN-loss-mediated liver injury and cancer progression.
Hawthorn: potential roles in cardiovascular disease.

Hawthorn (Crataegus) may play a role in the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular diseases such as hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and in particular, congestive heart failure. Evidence is accumulating that hawthorn may induce anti-ischemia/reperfusion-injury, anti-arrhythmic, hypolipidemic and hypotensive effects. These beneficial effects may in part be due to the presence of antioxidant flavonoid components. While a number of studies have been performed to evaluate the clinical efficacy of hawthorn, an international, multi-center, prospective clinical study including a large number of New York Heart Association (NYHA) class II/III heart failure patients is ongoing to test hawthorn's long-term therapeutic effects. Further clinical trials as well as pharmacokinetic and mechanistic studies are needed to explore and confirm its effectiveness, safety and pharmacological mechanism.
Hormonal determinants of nipple aspirate fluid yield among breast cancer cases and screening controls.

Background: Nipple aspiration fluid (NAF) use as a biosample is limited by the variable yield across studies. We investigated the endocrine determinants of yield in an ongoing breast cancer case–control study. Methods: One-hundred and eighteen women yielding ≥2 μL NAF and 120 non-yielders were included; serum hormones were measured; differences in median hormones were assessed using the Wilcoxon rank-sum test. ORs and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) for yielder status relative to hormone levels were estimated using logistic regression, adjusting for parity and lactation, and, in premenopausal women, menstrual cycle phase (MCP). Results: Prolactin concentrations were higher in yielders than non-yielders (premenopausal: 7.6 and 2.5 ng/mL, P < 0.01; postmenopausal 5.3 and 2.2 ng/mL; P < 0.01). Among premenopausal-yielders, estradiol was lower (64.3 vs. 90.5 pg/mL, MCP-adjusted P = 0.02). In separate menopausal status and parity-adjusted models, significant case–control differences persisted in prolactin: case OR 1.93 (95% CI, 1.35–2.77), control OR 1.64 (95% CI, 1.17–2.29). Premenopausal control yielders had higher progesterone (OR, 1.70; 95% CI, 1.18–2.46) and sex-hormone binding-globulin (OR, 2.09; 95% CI, 1.08–4.05) than non-yielders. Among parous women, further adjustment for lactation suggested a stronger positive association of serum prolactin with yield in cases than controls. Conclusion: NAF-yielders show higher prolactin than non-yielders, regardless of menopause and parity; implications of this and other endocrine differences on NAF biomarkers of breast cancer risk deserve further study. Impact: NAF yield is associated with a distinct endocrine environment that must be considered in studies of NAF-based breast cancer risk markers. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev; 22(12); 2277–84. ©2013 AACR .
Testing control sites for fire ecology research1

Abstract To study the effects of prescribed burning on long-unburned scrubby flatwoods in Cedar Key Scrub State Reserve, FL, USA, we carried out a site analysis to determine if two controls and two treatment sites at preburn conditions did not differ regarding soil, slope, fuel characteristics, plant species structure and composition, and fire history. Sites had the following characteristics: (a) three sites had the same type of soil and the other site a similar one, (b) 0–2% slope, (c) they had not been burned since 1955, and (d) they did not receive mechanical treatment. Therefore, only fuel characteristics and species structure and composition needed to be tested. We installed a grid of 150 × 150 m in each site to quantify moisture content, abundance, and cover. Samples of dry and live fuel were taken in 20 points selected at random to estimate moisture content. We also recorded the abundance and cover of 31 herb and woody species in 50 quadrats (4 m2) selected at random in each site. Moisture content ...
Toward recovering shape and motion of 3D curves from multi-view image sequences

We introduce a framework for recovering the 3D shape and motion of unknown, arbitrarily-moving curves from two or more image sequences acquired simultaneously from distinct points in space. We use this framework to (1) identify ambiguities in the multi-view recovery of (rigid or nonrigid) 3D motion for arbitrary curves, and (2) identify a novel spatio-temporal constraint that couples the problems of 3D shape and 3D motion recovery in the multi-view case. We show that this constraint leads to a simple hypothesize-and-test algorithm for estimating 3D curve shape and motion simultaneously. Experiments performed with synthetic data suggest that, in addition to recovering 3D curve motion, our approach yields shape estimates of higher accuracy than those obtained when stereo analysis alone is applied to a multi-view sequence.
Evaluation of eluents for the recovery of an enveloped virus from hands by whole-hand sampling

Aims The objective of this research is to evaluate eluents for recovery of an enveloped bacteriophage, Φ6, using whole-hand sampling. Methods and Results Virus was applied to the hands of volunteers and sampled by the glove juice method with 1·5% beef extract (BE), phosphate buffered saline (PBS), 0·01 and 0·1% Tween 80, tryptic soy broth (TSB) and 9% NaCl. Each volunteer underwent multiple rounds application and hand sampling. Mean log10 virus loss across trials was 2·6 for BE, 2·8 for PBS, 2·4 for TSB, 3·8 for NaCl, 3·0 for 0·1% Tween 80, and 2·9 for 0·01% Tween 80. Within each volunteer, there was a decline in viral loss from the first to last trial. Conclusions These eluents can recover Φ6 from hands with approx. 2–3 log10 loss, comparable to recoveries previously reported for influenza. Protein and detergent-based eluents may have similar recoveries, but recovery may still vary across repeated sampling. Significance and Impact of the Study Based on current work, protein-based eluents such as beef extract can maximize recovery of enveloped viruses during hand sampling, providing methods for evaluating survival and transmission of enveloped viruses on hands. Further exploration is needed of the effect of repeated sampling on recovery from whole-hand sampling.
No Evidence of Association Between Methyldopa and Biliary Carcinoma

Cancer of the bile ducts is rare and little is known about its risk factors. Recently, an association between methyldopa therapy and biliary carcinoma was reported in a retrospective case-control study. If this association were real, it would represent a significant health hazard, because methyldopa is widely prescribed. Using analysis of covariance to study the relationship between biliary tract cancer rates (obtained from 11 cancer registries in the US, Canada, Europe, and Asia) and per capita methyldopa sales (obtained from its manufacturer), this possible association was re-examined. For the rates of all biliary tract cancers combined, using both three- and ten-year lag periods between drug sales and disease, there were no associations between methyldopa and biliary carcinoma. When the rates for the biliary tract cancer sites were examined separately, one small positive regression coefficient was observed with extrahepatic biliary tract cancer, using the ten-year lag period only (p = 0.03). Since the majority of biliary tract cancers are extrahepatic in origin, it is likely that most of the cancers coded as 'biliary tract cancer, part unspecified' are actually extrahepatic. Also, the magnitude of the slope is very small, contrary to what one would expect with a common drug exposure and an uncommon disease. For these reasons, we believe that the negative results obtained with the combined rates for biliary tract cancer are more meaningful than the results obtained for each cancer site separately. In conclusion, our data do not support the presence of an association between methyldopa and biliary tract cancer.
Effects of Spinosad and Neem on the Efficacy of a Nucleopolyhedrovirus on Pickleworm Larvae1

ABSTRACT Formulations of neem (Neemix® 4.5) and spinosad (SpinTor® 2SC) were tested for their effects when mixed with the multicapsid nucleopolyhedrovirus virus (AgMNPV) from the velvetbean caterpillar, Anticarsia gemmatalis Hubner (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), for control of pickleworm larvae, Diaphania nitidalis (Stoll) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae). In these experiments, neem had no additive effects in combination with AgMNPV. However, combinations of AgMNPV with spinosad as low as 1.0 × 10−6 of the original 22.8% suspension showed added efficacy against pickleworm larvae. These biorational insecticides are compatible with nucleopolyhedrovirues and may be useful in management of this primary pest of cucurbits.
A Complex Control System for Transcriptional Activation from the sid Promoter of Bacteriophage P4

The sid gene promoter (Psid), which controls expression of the late genes from satellite phage P4, is activated by a unique class of small DNA-binding proteins. The activators from both satellite and helper phages stimulate transcription from Psid. These activators bind to sites centered at position −55 in all the helper and satellite phage late promoters. P4 Psid is unique in that it has an additional activator binding site centered at position −18 (site II). We have constructed a mutant of site II that no longer binds activators. Transcription under the control of satellite phage activators is increased by the site II mutation. In contrast, helper phage activators do not show this increase in transcription from Psid mutated at site II. Competition gel shift analysis reveals that the P4 satellite phage activator, Delta, binds eightfold better to site II than to site I. The products of the sid transcription unit are needed only when a helper phage is present; thus, the satellite phage activators repress transcription until the helper is present to supply a nonrepressing activator.
The impact of historical biases on the XBT-derived meridional overturning circulation estimates at 34°S

An observational system based on high-density expendable bathythermograph (XBT) data has provided the longest record of the South Atlantic meridional overturning and heat transport estimates across 34°S. Measurement biases are a point of concern for the capability of an XBT system to capture long-term trends in volume and heat transports, and the impact of such biases on the meridional overturning estimates has never been quantified. In the present study, the sensitivity of the meridional overturning circulation and heat transport to uncertainties in XBT measurements is quantified under the framework of an eddy-resolving model simulation. Results show that XBT measurement biases after 2010 can translate into small meridional overturning errors on the order of 3% or 0.38 Sv (1Sv = 106 m3 s−1), and 0.025 PW (1 PW = 1015 W) or 8% of the meridional heat transport in the model. Historical XBT-derived trends in transport estimates across 34°S are stronger and statistically significant after the late 1990s, 0.3 Sv decade−1 and 0.02 PW decade−1. These trends are mostly due to the XBT linear depth bias, with smaller contributions associated with temperature and depth offsets from the historical record. Long-term trends calculated from Simple Ocean Data Assimilation reanalysis, estimated as 0.1 Sv/decade and 0.006 PW/decade, are 3 times smaller than the XBT-derived historical trends. Therefore, an adequate correction of historical XBT data is necessary for an early detection of trends in the meridional overturning circulation and heat transport.
Quadricuspid aortic valve

A36-year-old man with a history of dyslipidemia underwent transthoracic echocardiography for evaluation of exertional dyspnea, chest heaviness and dizziness. The echocardiography showed a quadricuspid aortic valve with adequate opening of the mildly thickened valve cusps and moderate aortic regurgitation. A short-axis view of the transthoracic, two-dimensional echocardiography revealed a quadricuspid aortic valve in diastole (Figure 1A) and in systole (Figure 1B). Figure 1) A short-axis view of a transthoracic two-dimensional echocardiography revealing a quadricuspid aortic valve in diastole (A) and in systole (B) Isolated quadricuspid aortic valve is a very rare congenital anomaly that may be found unexpectedly during surgery or autopsy, or may be diagnosed preoperatively by echocardiography. The prevalence ranges between 0.013% and 0.043%, according to a recent echocardiography database (1). Two-dimensional transthoracic echocardiography and trans-esophageal echocardiography play an essential role in the diagnosis of an isolated quadricuspid aortic valve. Aortic insufficiency resulting from cusp malcoaptation is the most common hemodynamic abnormality associated with this anomaly. Valve replacement is frequently required after the fourth decade of life (1).