cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Importance of treatment institution in head and neck cancer radiotherapy.

Abstract Objective The treatment for head and neck cancer (HNC) often involves radiotherapy. Many HNC patients are treated at the academic center (AC) where the initial surgery or diagnosis was made. Because of the lengthy time course for radiotherapy, some patients are treated at community radiation facilities (non-AC) rather than the AC despite potential AC advantages in terms of experience and technology. Our goal is to determine if these potential AC advantages correspond to a difference in treatment outcome. Study Design Historical cohort study. Setting University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas. Subjects and Methods Review of records of patients with HNC cancers evaluated at the otolaryngology (ENT) department of an AC. Each patient's information and treatment characteristics were recorded, including radiotherapy treatment venue and treatment outcome. Results Three hundred seventy-four patients were analyzed, 263 were treated at an AC and 101 at a non-AC. Patients treated at a non-AC were more likely to present with earlier stage tumors, be treated with radiation alone rather than chemoradiotherapy, and be treated with adjuvant rather than primary radiotherapy. There was no difference in overall survival or recurrence rates between AC and non-AC. Conclusion Patients treated at an AC are more likely to have advanced stage tumors and receive chemoradiotherapy as their primary treatment. In analyses of matching patient subsets, there was no significant difference in patient outcomes. Patients can be treated at a non-AC without affecting outcome compared with treatment at an AC.
Sensitivity of optimal control systems with bang-bang control.

The effects of small parameter variations on the performance index of optimal control systems with initial and final target manifolds, free end time, and bang-bang control are analyzed in this paper. A new approach to the sensitivity equation is presented. This approach takes into account the pulse-shaped variation produced by the parameter change on the bang-bang control. An expression, that relates the variations of the performance index, the trajectory, the final time, and the parameter, is derived. This expression extends to the class of optimal systems with bang-bang control, a result previously obtained by Courtin and Rootenberg (1971).
A serological study of the systematics of the Juglandaceae

Abstract The purpose of this investigation was to obtain serological data useful in determining taxonomic relationships of the walnut family (Juglandaceae). Antisera were elicited from seed proteins of Juglans nigra and Carya illinoensis and subsequently tested against various taxa of the Fagales and the Anacardiaceae using the Ouchterlony double diffusion technique. Serological correspondence was observed to be: (a) very strong among members of the Juglandaceae; (b) moderate with members of the Fagales; and (c) weak with members of the Anacardiaceae. These results support Takhtajan and Cronquist who place the Juglandaceae close to the Fagales.
In vitro transport characteristics of EFdA, a novel nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor using Caco-2 and MDCKII cell monolayers

4'-Ethynyl-2-fluoro-2'-deoxyadenosine (EFdA) is a novel nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor with a unique mechanism of action and highly potent activity against both wild-type and clinically relevant drug resistant HIV-1 variants. Furthermore, in vivo efficacy and safety evaluations have shown EFdA to be a promising therapeutic candidate for use in the treatment of HIV infection. However, little is known about the pharmacokinetic and biopharmaceutical properties of EFdA. In this study, we evaluated cellular EFdA transport using Caco-2 and Madin-Darby Canine Kidney II (MDCKII) in vitro cell models. Studies using Caco-2 cell monolayers showed that EFdA efflux ratios were >2.0, suggesting that active drug transport mechanisms may play a role in EFdA flux. ABCB1 transporter (PGP1) inhibition was assessed using the acetomethoxy derivate of calcein (calcein-AM) as a fluorescent probe in both wild-type MDCKII and PGP1 overexpressing MDCKII cells. Nonetheless, our data showed that EFdA is not a substrate of PGP1. Additionally, comparative bidirectional flux of EFdA and Lucifer yellow (LY, a well-known paracellular marker) was studied over a range of EFdA concentrations. In MDCKII monolayers, EFdA had an apparent permeability coefficient (Papp) (a-b) of <1×10(-6)cm/s. The Papp values significantly increased in the presence of the paracellular permeability enhancer, indicating that EFdA primarily permeates via the paracellular route.
The U.S. and Third World Revolutionary States: Understanding the Breakdown in Relations

Although scholars focused on Soviet–American relations during the Cold War, the greatest number of conflicts for the U.S. occurred in the Third World, and most of these were with revolutionary states. Could U.S. policies toward the new revolutionary states have prevented the almost universal collapse in relations? Two dominant explanations for this breakdown are (1) American hostility toward revolutionary change and (2) Stephen Walt's variant of the spiral model. Using the comparative case approach and selecting “hard cases,” this article disputes these explanations and offers a new theory based on the externalization of domestic conflict in the revolutionary states. Given their ideological goals, the radicals externalized their domestic conflicts with the moderates, who had transnational ties with the U.S., by fomenting tensions with Washington. To demonstrate that this theory can be generalized, this article varies the dependent variable and shows through a critical case that its lack of conflict can best be explained by the absence of the conditions that lead to externalization. The foreign policies of both the U.S. and revolutionary states are explained by classical realism as opposed to Walt's structural realism, which fails to account for the foreign policies of Third World states.
Susceptibility of the Endangered California Tiger Salamander, Ambystoma californiense, to Ranavirus Infection

Emerging infectious diseases are implicated in the declines and extinctions of amphibians worldwide. Ranaviruses in the family Iridoviridae are a global concern and have caused amphibian die-offs in wild populations in North America, Europe, South America, and in commercial populations in Asia and South America. The movement of amphibians for bait, food, pets, and research provides a route for the introduction of ranaviruses into naive and potentially endangered species. In this report, we demonstrate that the California tiger salamander, Ambystoma californiense, is susceptible to Ambystoma tigrinum virus (ATV). This virus has not been previously reported in California tiger salamander, but observed mortality in experimentally infected animals suggests that California tiger salamander populations could be adversely affected by an ATV introduction.
The repressor gene (c) of the Streptomyces temperate phage phi c31: nucleotide sequence, analysis and functional cloning.

The nucleotide sequence of the 3.4 kb SphI-G fragment that contained the repressor gene (c) of the temperate Streptomyces phage ϕc31 was determined. Analysis of this sequence revealed a large open reading frame with protein coding character and sequence changes in c gene point and deletion mutants identified this as the coding region of the repressor. Two of the mutants studied had undergone deletions of 1.1 kb and 1.4 kb that had occurred across short direct repeats of 6 bp and 11 bp, respectively. Coupled in vitro transcription-translation experiments using the cloned SphI-G fragment and Streptomyces lividans cell free extracts identified a protein product of approximately 72 kDa, in close agreement with that predicted from the nucleotide sequence. A strongly predicted helix-turn-helix motif that may be involved in DNA binding occurred towards the carboxy-terminus of the amino acid sequence. Initial attempts to clone the SphI-G fragment in Streptomyces failed; using information gained from the sequence analysis a smaller segment of this DNA fragment was cloned in S. lividans and conferred immunity to a clear plaque mutant (c1) of ϕc31.
Role of scattering coefficients in extended near-infrared diffuse reflection spectrometry

The role of the bulk scattering coefficient in extended near-infrared diffuse reflection (DR) spectrometry of materials with similar or identical absorption coefficients is demonstrated. Spectral differences that arise from intraclass variation in scattering coefficient strongly affect the ability to interpret certain spectral regions. Profound intraclass differences in both band intensities and band shapes in the DR spectra of both polyethylene and polystyrene samples are shown. The effects of saturation and Fresnel reflection are discussed. The enhancement of absorption by the matrix and other analytes in DR spectrometry through the addition of a liquid with an index of refraction which matches that of the matrix is also demonstrated.
Living-related intestinal transplantation : First report of a standardized surgical technique

Background Intestinal transplants using cadaver donors have become an alternative to total parenteral nutrition (TPN) for the treatment of irreversible intestinal failure. Intestinal transplants using living-related donors have rarely been attempted, and the surgical technique has not been standardized. Methods. We performed a living-related intestinal transplant for a paraplegic, 16-year-old boy with life-threatening TPN complications, including lack of vascular access, recurrent line infections, and intermittent liver dysfunction. Results. A four antigen-matched donor (father) underwent resection of 200 cm of the ileum on a vascular pedicle comprising the ileocolic artery and vein. This resection left the donor with 300 cm of proximal small bowel, 20 cm of the most distal terminal ileum, the ileocecal valve, and all of the large intestine. The do-nor's ileocolic artery and vein were anastomosed to the recipient's infrarenal aorta and cava; bowel continuity was restored with an end-to-end anastomosis between the recipient's jejunum and the donor's ileum. Both donor and recipient had uneventful postoperative courses. Recipient maintenance immunosuppression has been with tacrolimus, mycophenolate mofetil, and prednisone. One year after transplant, urine methylmalonic acid indicates good vitamin B 12 absorption in both the donor and recipient. The recipient has been completely off TPN since discharge (posttransplant day 21), has gained 20 kg, and has had no evidence of rejection, infection, or graft-versus-host disease. Conclusions. Intestinal transplants from living-related donors can be lifesaving for selected patients with chronic intestinal failure and can be done with minimal risk to the donor.
Evaluation of ergocalciferol or cholecalciferol dosing, 1,600 IU daily or 50,000 IU monthly in older adults

Cholecalciferol is slightly more effective at increasing serum 25(OH)D concentration than is ergocalciferol.
Complications of primary repair of colon injury: literature review of 2,964 cases.

Abstract Objective: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of primary repair of colon injuries. Materials and methods: A literature review was made of 35 publications containing 5,400 colon injuries in retrospective and prospective studies. Results: There were 62 (2.4%) failures in 2,627 primary repairs based on surgeon discretion or absence of risk factors. In prospective series of 337 patients repaired without exclusionary criteria, there were 4 (1.2%) suture line failures ( P = not significant). In prospective randomized trials without exclusionary criteria, 127 primary repairs had less morbidity compared with 109 diverted patients ( P P Conclusions: Penetrating and blunt colon injuries in civilian practice are safely managed by primary repair, but colostomy may still be advised in selected cases.
Osteoid osteoma of the femur in a 7-month-old infant treated with radiofrequency ablation

Osteoid osteoma occurs most commonly in children, adolescents, and young adults between the ages of 5 and 30 years. In the preschool age group, it is quite uncommon, accounting for only 3-8% of all osteoid osteoma cases. We report a case of osteoid osteoma in a 7-month-old infant, who presented with decreased use of the right lower extremity due to pain. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed an atypical appearance. A biopsy of the lesion, with histopathological examination, confirmed the diagnosis of osteoid osteoma. Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) of the nidus under computed tomography (CT) guidance was performed. The patient developed a recurrence after 3 months, which was treated with a second RFA. On subsequent follow-up, the infant did not show signs of pain after 1 month. In summary, this case report shows that osteoid osteoma can present in early infancy and can be successfully treated with RFA at this age, however, recurrence after the procedure can occur and close follow-up is recommended.
Reply to Post's comments on “Parity and time inversion symmetries of electromagnetic systems”

Points of agreement and disagreement with Post's remarks on the author's discussion of the criteria to be used for reducing the eight parity and time reversal symmetry choices that the formally possible for electromagnetic quantities are noted.
Gun Availability and Crime in West Virginia: An Examination of NIBRS Data:

The National Incident-Based Reporting System (NIBRS) data afford unique opportunities to inform crime analytic efforts. Recently reported relationships between the availability of firearms and violent crime constitute one such effort. While available criminological literature concerning the relationships between guns and crime are methodologically varied and equivocal, few studies have examined the issue of the prevalence of illegal versus legal guns and their impacts on reported violent crime. Inspired by an earlier effort to examine this question (Stolzenberg & D'Alessio, 2000), this study attempts to replicate these findings through county-level analyses of West Virginia National Incident-Based Reporting System (NIBRS) data. Moreover, additional proxy indicators are used to identify significant clusters of illegal guns and examine the relationship between illegal guns and violent crime. Particular attention is paid to the spatial distribution of the variables and the potentially confounding effect of s...
Normal Esophageal and Gastric Electrocardiograms Description, Statistical Analysis and Bearing on Theories of "Electrocardiographic Position"

An analysis of normal esophageal and gastric electrocardiograms is presented. Some standards of abnormality in the literature are found to be unacceptable, principally with reference to Q and the diagnosis of infarction. The study of leads facing the dorsal and diaphragmatic cardiac surfaces seems to be a suitable test of current concepts of "electrocardiographic position." Some of these concepts are supported by this study, but others are questioned.
Targeting the RAS oncogene.

Introduction: The Ras proteins (K-Ras, N-Ras, and H-Ras) are GTPases that function as molecular switches for a variety of critical cellular activities and their function is tightly and temporally regulated in normal cells. Oncogenic mutations in the RAS genes, which create constitutively-active Ras proteins, can result in uncontrolled proliferation or survival in tumor cells. Areas covered: The paper discusses three therapeutic approaches targeting the Ras pathway in cancer: i) Ras itself, ii) Ras downstream pathways, and iii) synthetic lethality. The most adopted approach is targeting Ras downstream signaling, and specifically the PI3K-AKT-mTOR and Raf-MEK pathways, as they are frequently major oncogenic drivers in cancers with high Ras signaling. Although direct targeting of Ras has not been successful clinically, newer approaches being investigated in preclinical studies, such as RNA interference-based and synthetic lethal approaches, promise great potential for clinical application. Expert opinion: Th...
Comparative analysis of sediment extracts from NOAA's bioeffects studies by the biomarker, P450 Reporter Gene System

Abstract Sediment samples collected from nine coastal and estuarine areas have been analyzed to determine response of a biomarker, P450 Reporter Gene System (RGS). This biomarker, using a transgenic cell line, detects the presence and potency of organic compounds that typically induce the CYP1A gene. Previous investigations have shown that sediments containing chemicals which produce a response of 60 or more μg/g of benzo[a]pyrene equivalents (B[a]PEq) also exhibited a degraded community structure. RGS data from all study areas combined (527 samples) show that the mean response is 22.7 μg/g B[a]PEq, and the mean upper 99% confidence interval is 32. We believe that sediments exhibiting B[a]PEq values of 32–60 are possibly contaminated to the extent that effects on benthic organisms may be observed, and those producing an RGS response of 60 and greater are likely to contain levels of chemicals that will produce chronic toxicity. The majority of the stations investigated produced responses below 32 μg/g B[a]PEq. No samples from coastal southern California produced responses greater than 39. However, samples producing induction over 60 μg/g B[a]PEq were: 50%, San Diego Bay; 16%, Delaware Bay; 8%, Sabine Lake; 4%, Northern Puget Sound; and 3%, Charleston Harbor. A strong statistical correlation was observed between the RGS responses and high molecular weight polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon concentrations in the sediments from several of the study areas. Of the 2694 km2 encompassed in the surveys, only 0.42% of the area exhibited responses above 32 μg/g B[a]PEq, which represented 11.4 km2. This assay is useful in identifying high levels of toxic and carcinogenic compounds in the sediments and predicting the potential impact of these chemicals on the biological community.
Metal complexes with azine ligands. I. Ligand hydrolysis and template synthesis in the iron(II)-2-Pyridinaldazine system

Abstract The dinuclear iron(II) complex of 2-pyridinaldazine, Fe 2 (PAA) 3 4+ , has been shown to undergo conversion in aqueous solution to the more stable Fe(PAA) 2 2+ by a 3-step process involving initial dissociation of one metal ion, followed by hydrolysis of the three ligand molecules to give the tris-pyridinalhydrazone complex, and finally recondensation of two aldhehyde fragments to give the bis-tridentate complex. Geometric considerations show that the ligand must exist in different geometric isomers in the initial and final compounds. It is proposed that the metal ion acts as a template for formation of the less stable ligand isomer in Fe(PAA) 2 2+ . Spectrophotometric evidence is presented to support the existence of the 3:2 complex ion in solution and to show that this ion is stabilized in solutions of high ionic strength. As part of the evidence for the above sequence of reactions, a model 3:1 iron(II) complex was synthesized from the new azine ligand 2-pyridinalbenzaldazine.
Does microbial biomass affect pelagic ecosystem efficiency? An experimental study.

Bacteria and other microorganisms in the pelagic zone participate in the recycling of organic matter and nutrients within the water column. The microbial loop is thought to enhance ecosystem efficiency through rapid recycling and reduced sinking rates, thus reducing the loss of nutrients contained in organisms remaining within the photic zone. We conducted experiments with lake communities in 5400-liter mesocosms, and measured the flux of materials and nutrients out of the water column. A factorial design manipulated 8 nutrient treatments: 4 phosphorus levels × 2 nitrogen levels. Total sedimentation rates were greatest in high-N mesocosms; within N-surplus communities, ⩾1 µM P resulted in 50% increase in total particulate losses. P additions without added N had small effects on nutrient losses from the photic zone; +2 µM P tanks received 334 mg P per tank, yet after 14 days lost only 69 mg more particulate-P than did control communities. Nutrient treatments resulted in marked differences in phytoplankton biomass (twofold N effect, fivefold P effect in +N mesocosms only), bacterioplankton densities (twofold N-effect, twofold P effects in -N and +N mesocosms), and the relative importance of autotrophic picoplankton (maximum in high NY mesocosms). Multiple regression analysis found that of 8 plankton and water chemistry variables, the ratio of autotrophic picoplankton to total phytoplankton (measured as chlorophyll α) explained the largest portion of the total variation in sedimentation loss rates (65% of P-flux, 57% of N-flux, 26% of total flux). In each case, systems with greater relative importance of autotrophic picoplankton had significantly reduced loss rates. In contrast, greater numbers of planktonic bacteria were associated with increased sedimentation rates and lower system efficiency. We suggest that different microbial components may have contrasting effects on the presumed enhanced efficiency provided by the microbial loop.
The effect of systemic hypertension on exercise tomographic thallium-201 imaging in the absence of electrocardiographic left ventricular hypertrophy

Abstract This study was designed to assess the effect of systemic hypertension on exercise thallium-201 imaging. The study group consisted of 38 patients with systemic hypertension who were compared with 68 normotensive patients. All patients had a low pretest likelihood of coronary artery disease to minimize the influence of selection bias. Patients with electrocardiographic evidence of left ventricular hypertrophy were excluded. Single-photon emission computed tomographic thallium-201 images were obtained immediately after exercise and 4 hours after exercise. Thallium tomographic images were assessed qualitatively by 14 short-axis segments and were grouped into three coronary distributions. Regional and global quantitative analysis was also performed by using a reference study group at low risk for coronary artery disease. The hypertensive group demonstrated higher resting systolic blood pressure (137 ± 26 mm Hg vs 120 ± 14 mm Hg in the normotensive group, p = 0.0002) immediately before exercise. There was no significant difference between hypertensive and normotensive groups in peak exercise systolic blood pressure (181 ± 31 mm Hg vs 172 ± mm Hg, p = NS). The normotensive group achieved a significantly higher peak exercise heart rate (162 ± 18 vs 146 ± 20 beats/min in the hypertensive group, p = 0.0001) and higher estimated oxygen uptake (11.0 ± 3.4 vs 9.1 ± 2.7 metabolic equivalents [METS] in the hypertensive group, p = 0.003). However, rate-pressure products for both groups were nearly identical. Qualitative thallium-201 analysis revealed no significant difference in the total number of abnormal thallium-201 segments (normotensive 9%, hypertensive 6%, p=NS), the number of patients with at least one poststress abnormal segment (34% normotensive, 26% hypertensive, p=NS), or in the presence of an abnormal coronary distribution (18% normotensive, 21% hypertensive, p=NS). Quantitative thallium-201 analysis also showed no significant difference between these groups for the amount of abnormally perfused left ventricle, either overall (median 1 % of the left ventricle in the hypertensive group vs 2% in the normotensive group, p = NS) or within individual coronary territories ( p = NS for any of the three coronary distributions). In the absence of electrocardiographic evidence of left ventricular hypertrophy, systemic hypertension does not cause an increase in false positive exercise thallium-201 tests.
A Neuro-Muscular Elasto-Dynamic Model of the Human Arm Part 2:Musculotendon Dynamics and Related Stress Effects

In this paper we develop an elasto-dynamic model of the human arm that includes effects of neuro-muscular control upon elastic deformation in the limb. The elasto-dynamic model of the arm is based on hybrid parameter multiple body system variational projection principles presented in the companion paper. Though the technique is suitable for detailed bone and joint modeling, we present simulations for simplified geometry of the bones, discretized as Rayleigh beams with elongation, while allowing for large deflections. Motion of the upper extremity is simulated by incorporating muscle forces derived from a Hill-type model of musculotendon dynamics. The effects of muscle force are modeled in two ways. In one approach, an effective joint torque is calculated by multiplying the muscle force by a joint moment arm. A second approach models the muscle as acting along a straight line between the origin and insertion sites of the tendon. Simple arm motion is simulated by utilizing neural feedback and feedforward control. Simulations illustrate the combined effects of neural control strategies, models of muscle force inclusion, and elastic assumptions on joint trajectories and stress and strain development in the bone and tendon.
A Parallel Domain Decomposition Boundary Element Method Technique for Large-Scale Transient Heat Conduction Problems

In this paper, we develop a parallel domain decomposition Laplace transform BEM algorithm for the solution of transient heat conduction problems. The original domain is decomposed into a number of sub-domains, a procedure is described to provide a good initial guess for the domain interface temperatures, and an iteration is carried out to satisfy continuity of temperature and heat flux at the domain interfaces. The decomposition procedure significantly reduces the size of any single problem to be tackled by the BEM, significantly reduces the overall storage and computational burden, and renders the application of the BEM to modeling large transient conduction problem feasible on modest computational platforms. The procedure is readily implemented in parallel and applicable to 3D problems. Moreover, as the approach described herein readily allows adaptation and integration of traditional BEM codes, it is expected that the domain decomposition approach coupled to parallel implementation should prove very competitive to alternatives proposed in the literature such as fast multipole acceleration methods that require a complete re-write of traditional BEM codes.Copyright © 2004 by ASME
Hot surface ignition of Jet-A fuel by conductive deposits

Inspection of electrical components mounted in aircraft fuel tanks has revealed sporadic evidence of silver oxide deposits formed by corrosion. The present work shows that these deposits can lead to hot surface ignition of flammable Jet-A vapors given sufficient electrical input. A logistic regression of ignition data showed that electrical power was a relatively good predictor of ignition. Temperatures measured at the base of the deposit during iguition testing exceeded the hot surface ignition temperature of Jet-A. A thermal model of the process demonstrated that electrical power dissipation alone could produce the observed surface temperatures. The ability of the deposits to dissipate electrical power increased with the number of times the deposit had been exposed to Jet-A and voltage potential. This change in the electrical property of the deposit coincided with changes in the chemical makeup and structure of the deposit. Pristine deposits were primarily silver oxide, while deposits capable of high-power dissipation were primarily disordered and graphitic carbon with some conglomerates of silver-based material.
Helium/Carbon dioxide ratios as premonitors of volcanic activity.

The composition of the gaseous emissions of two fumaroles at the summit of Kilauea Volcano was monitored for more than 2 years. Magma was released from the summit reservoir on three occasions during this period; prior to or during each event the ratios of helium to carbon dioxide in the fumarole gases decreased substantially from that observed during periods of quiescence.
Metabolism of 25-hydroxycholecalciferol by kidney cell lines.

Abstract The metabolism of 25-hydroxyvitamin D 3 to 24,25-dihydroxyvitamin D 3 by the rhesus monkey cell line LLC-MK 2 and similar reactions of the African green monkey cell lines, Vero and BSC-1, were observed. In addition, a second metabolite produced by the former cell line was identified as 25,26-dihydroxyvitamin D 3 . Four other kidney cell lines, canine MDCK, bovine MDBK, embryonic bovine MA-115, and rabbit RK-13 produced only trace amounts of metabolites, and baby hamster kidney cells BHK-21 and owl monkey kidney cells OMK-21 synthesized no metabolites of 25-hydroxyvitamin D 3 . Suspension cultures of LLC-MK 2 and Vero were found to produce oxidation products linearly for up to 3 h with specific activities of 5.23 and 2.40 pmol/h mg protein, respectively.
Global analysis of mRNA half-lives and de novo transcription in a dinoflagellate, Karenia brevis

Dinoflagellates possess many physiological processes that appear to be under post-transcriptional control. However, the extent to which their genes are regulated post-transcriptionally remains unresolved. To gain insight into the roles of differential mRNA stability and de novo transcription in dinoflagellates, we biosynthetically labeled RNA with 4-thiouracil to isolate newly transcribed and pre-existing RNA pools in Karenia brevis. These isolated fractions were then used for analysis of global mRNA stability and de novo transcription by hybridization to a K. brevis microarray. Global K. brevis mRNA half-lives were calculated from the ratio of newly transcribed to pre-existing RNA for 7086 array features using the online software HALO (Half-life Organizer). Overall, mRNA half-lives were substantially longer than reported in other organisms studied at the global level, ranging from 42 minutes to greater than 144 h, with a median of 33 hours. Consistent with well-documented trends observed in other organisms, housekeeping processes, including energy metabolism and transport, were significantly enriched in the most highly stable messages. Shorter-lived transcripts included a higher proportion of transcriptional regulation, stress response, and other response/regulatory processes. One such family of proteins involved in post-transcriptional regulation in chloroplasts and mitochondria, the pentatricopeptide repeat (PPR) proteins, had dramatically shorter half-lives when compared to the arrayed transcriptome. As transcript abundances for PPR proteins were previously observed to rapidly increase in response to nutrient addition, we queried the newly synthesized RNA pools at 1 and 4 h following nitrate addition to N-depleted cultures. Transcriptome-wide there was little evidence of increases in the rate of de novo transcription during the first 4 h, relative to that in N-depleted cells, and no evidence for increased PPR protein transcription. These results lend support to the growing consensus of post-transcriptional control of gene expression in dinoflagellates.
Adolescent correlates of occupational stability and change

Abstract Using Super's Career Pattern Study data, this study investigated the high-school age correlates of occupational stability and change among 148 men between the ages of 25 to 35. Only high-school grades were positively, though weakly, associated with both occupational stability and the degree of vocational progress that resulted from changing fields. In contrast to previous, shorter-term prediction studies, the lack of consistent relationships between high-school age correlates and adult occupational stability and change was probably due to the overriding effects of intervening events and experiences occurring between the high-school years and adulthood.
Sayil Revisited: Inferring Terminal Classic Population Size and Dynamics in the West-Central Yucatán Peninsula

Research at the site of Sayil in the Yucatan Peninsula has provided a valuable database for making inferences about the Terminal Classic (A.D. 750–1000) occupation of the Puuc region. This article evaluates and modifies previous demographic estimates for the site and considers the long-term implications associated with supporting this many people. Although a relatively high level of population was possible because of the excellent soils in the region, their natural fertility could not have been sustained indefinitely. The apparent demographic load on the proposed Sayil system would have required an intensive cropping strategy that may not have been sustainable for more than 75 years. This conclusion not only indicates how long the principal occupation of Sayil may have lasted, but more importantly, how the occupational dynamics during the Terminal Classic may have played out in the greater Puuc region.
WebWriter: a browser-based editor for constructing Web applications

Constructing server-based Web applications requires creating both Web pages and programs that generate Web pages. This requires a knowledge of the Hypertext Markup Language (HTML), the Common Gateway Interface (CGI) protocol, and a programming language, such as C++, Python, or Perl. While this is not a barrier for programmers, it is for non-programmers. This paper describes WebWriter, an integrated system for constructing Web applications that supports the creation of Web pages by non-programmers. WebWriter includes a direct manipulation Web page editor, the WebWriter Editor, which runs in a Web browser as a CGI service, and the WebWriter Page Generator, which creates new pages as an application runs. As in HyperCard, users create a Web application as a stack of pages, where each page can contain output regions that are filled in at runtime by a script. This paper describes the WebWriter system, issues of server-based authoring tools, and some example applications.
The beginning of integrated optoelectronic circuits

The monolithic integration of electronic and optical functions on a single semiconductor crystal has become known as integrated optoelectronic circuits. These circuits usually contain a semiconductor laser and the associated driver electronics, detection and current amplication, or combine these two functions in an optical repeater. Monolithic integration leads to smaller circuits, greater ruggedness, and should result in lower cost.
Prediction of Suicide in Psychiatric Patients: Report of a Prospective Study

A prospective research study attempted to identify persons who would subsequently commit or attempt suicide. The sample consisted of 4,800 patients who were consecutively admitted to the inpatient psychiatric service of a Veterans Administration hospital. They were examined and rated on a wide range of instruments and measures, including most of those previously reported as predictive of suicide. Many items were found to have positive and substantial correlations with subsequent suicides and/or suicide attempts. However, all attempts to identify specific subjects were unsuccessful, including use of individual items, factor scores, and a series of discriminant functions. Each trial missed many cases and identified far too many false positive cases to be workable. Identification of particular persons who will commit suicide is not currently feasible, because of the low sensitivity and specificity of available identification procedures and the low base rate of this behavior.
Implications of the Flynn Effect for Age-Cognition Relations.

Abstract Many studies have documented that cognitive performance is often higher among people of the same age who are tested in more recent years, and it is sometimes suggested that this phenomenon will distort the relations between age and cognition in cross-sectional studies. This possibility was examined with data from two large projects involving adults across a wide age range. The results indicated that there were similar time-of-measurement increases in cognitive scores at different ages, which were accompanied by nearly constant cross-sectional age differences, but positively inflated estimates of longitudinal age differences. It is proposed that when the Flynn effect is of comparable magnitude in adults of different ages, longitudinal comparisons of age–cognition relations are more subject to distortion than cross-sectional comparisons.
Proadrenocorticotropin/endorphin production and messenger ribonucleic acid levels in primary intermediate pituitary cultures: effects of serum, isoproterenol, and dibutyryl adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate.

Long term primary rat intermediate pituitary cells cultured in complete serum-free medium (CSFM) were previously shown to exhibit a low basal secretory rate and maintain a stable cellular level of immunoactive pro-ACTH/ endorphin (PAE)-related peptides. The present studies used biosynthetic labeling techniques to demonstrate that the biosynthesis of PAE-derived peptides declined as a function of the time the cultures were maintained in CSFM. Compared to hormone biosynthesis in freshly isolated cells, the ability of melanotropes maintained in CSFM to synthesize hormone declined approximately 3-fold after 5 days and 7-fold after 10 days. The endoproteolytic processing of PAE was not changed. This diminution in biosynthetic rate was not observed in serum-supplemented cultures; the rates of hormone secretion and hormone biosynthesis were both substantially higher in cultures maintained in serum-containing medium, suggesting that stimulatory factors were present in serum supplements. Chronic treatment of inter...
Simultaneously lifting sets of binary variables into cover inequalities for knapsack polytopes

Cover inequalities are commonly used cutting planes for the 0-1 knapsack problem. This paper describes a linear-time algorithm (assuming the knapsack is sorted) to simultaneously lift a set of variables into a cover inequality. Conditions for this process to result in valid and facet-defining inequalities are presented. In many instances, the resulting simultaneously lifted cover inequality cannot be obtained by sequentially lifting over any cover inequality. Some computational results demonstrate that simultaneously lifted cover inequalities are plentiful, easy to find and can be computationally beneficial.
Effects of relationship maintenance on psychological distress and dyadic adjustment among couples coping with lung cancer.

Objective: Relationship maintenance strategies help to ensure the continuation of valued relationships by keeping them at a certain level of intimacy. This study evaluated how lung cancer patients’ and spouses’ efforts to maintain their relationships affected their psychological and marital adjustment over time. Design: Psychosocial questionnaires were administered within 1 month of lung cancer treatment initiation (baseline) and 3 and 6 months later to 158 lung cancer patients and their spouses. Main Outcome Measures: Study outcomes were global severity index scores on the Brief Symptom Inventory, and total scores on the Dyadic Adjustment Scale. Results: Multilevel modeling analyses using the Actor-Partner Interdependence Model showed that, regardless of gender or social role (i.e., patient or spouse), individuals who engaged in the strategies of positivity, networks, and shared tasks reported less distress at baseline than other participants. Over time, the effects of providing more assurances and experiencing a partner’s increased reliance on social networks differed: patient distress was exacerbated, and spouse distress was alleviated. Couples where both partners engaged in more frequent maintenance behaviors reported greater dyadic adjustment at baseline and over time. Conclusion: For couples coping with lung cancer, the initial treatment period may be an important time that sets the tone for future spousal interactions. Engaging in relationship maintenance during this stressful time may help mold more resilient relationships and facilitate adjustment as the disease progresses.
Comparing heuristic search methods for finding effective group behaviors in RTS game

We compare genetic algorithms against hill-climbers for generating competitive unit micro-management for winning real-time strategy game skirmishes. Good group positioning and movement, which are part of unit micro-management can help win skirmishes against equal numbers and types of opponent units or even when outnumbered. In this paper, we use influence maps to generate group positioning and potential fields to guide unit movement. We tested the behaviors obtained from genetic algorithm and two types of hill-climbing search against the default Starcraft AI using the brood war API. Preliminary results show that while our hill-climbers quickly find influence maps and potential fields that generate quality positioning and movement in our simulations, they only find quality solutions fifty to seventy percent of the time. On the other hand, genetic algorithms evolve high quality solutions a hundred percent of the time, but take significantly longer.
A statistical model of laboratory death rate measurements for airborne bacteria

From 270 published laboratory airborne death rate measurements, two regression models relating the death rate constant for 15 bacterial species to aerosol age in the dark, Gram reaction, temperature, and an evaporation factor which is a function of RH and temperature were obtained. The independent variables accounted for 94% of the variation in the data for each of the two models. In both models the regression shows an increased survival rate with aerosol age accounting for approximately 90% of the total variation in the data. The remainder of the total variation was explained by temperature and RH (in interaction with the Gram reaction) in one model and by the evaporation function (in interaction with the Gram reaction) in the order model. Death rate data for gaseous atmospheric contamination, and light experiments were too few for building a regression model. In addition, these points were not well fit by the model indicating further research is needed to prepare realistic prediction models for airborne bacterial survival.
Performance Comparison of Robust Input Shapers

The rapid movement of machines is a challenging control problem because it often results in high levels of vibration. As a result, flexible machines are typically moved relatively slowly to avoid such vibration. Input shaping is a control method that allows much higher speeds of motion by limiting unwanted vibration. To design an input-shaping controller, estimates of the system natural frequency and damping ratio are required. However, real world systems cannot be modeled exactly, making the robustness of input shaping important. Many robust input shapers have been developed, but robust shapers typically have longer durations that slow the system response. This creates a compromise between shaper robustness and rise time. This paper analyzes the compromise between rapidity of motion and shaper robustness for various input shaping methods. Experimental results from a portable bridge crane verify the theoretical predictions.
Stark components of lower-lying manifolds and phonon effects on sharp spectral lines for inter-Stark transitions of Nd3+ in LLGG crystal host

Abstract The inter-Stark components of the 4 I 9/2 and 4 I 11/2 manifolds have been characterized using the fluorescence spectra for the 4 F 3/2 → 4 I 9/2 and 4 F 3/2 → 4 I 11/2 transitions of Nd3+ in LLGG laser crystal at 80 K. The thermal effects on the linewidths, positions, and line shifts of the 933.6 (R1→X5) and 1057.3 (R2→Y3) nm lines within the respective intermanifold transitions of 4 F 3/2 → 4 I 9/2 and 4 F 3/2 → 4 I 11/2 have also been investigated. The linewidths of these transitions are found to increase with increasing temperature. The 933.6 nm line is found to shift towards the shorter wavelength, while the 1057.3 nm has shifted towards the longer wavelength. The experimental results of the temperature-dependent widths and shifts of these sharp spectral lines are explained using the phonon–ion interaction theory, which assumes the Debye model for phonons in crystalline solids.
ELECTRONIC PRODUCTS AT THEIR END-OF-LIFE: OPTIONS AND OBSTACLES

The end-of-life take-back of electronics products offer challenges and opportunities for manufacturers. Firms in the electronics industry need to examine how they will manage end-of-life take-back, because pending regulations will place new responsibilities on different parties. Since product take-back has been worthwhile for firms in the electronic circuit assembly and other industries, it is worthy of consideration by firms even if the threat of legislated take-back subsides. This paper sets out to explain the options for both the collecting and processing of electronics products at their end-of-life and to state the technical and social factors that inhibit or discourage financially rational environmentally conscious disposition of end-of-life product. Generally, it has been found that the solutions with the lowest environmental impact offer the greatest profit potential. The lesser that is done to a product at its end-of-life, the lower the cost of processing. The activity that involves the most processing is converting the product back into raw materials, which is the lowest value form of product recovery. Firms need to encourage policy makers to consider all legislation and regulations that are in place already when product take-back is considered. This is vital since many legislators enjoy promoting take-back, but have not addressed existing regulations that hinder and prevent take-back from being implemented by organizations.
EMULSION CAPACITY AND FOAM STABILITY OF RE‐EXTRACTED SUNFLOWER MEAL (Helianthus annuus)

Emulsification and foam stabilization attributes of residual lipids in hexaneextracted sunflower meal were determined. Reextraction with various solvents did not markedly affect emulsifying capacity. Methanol washing increased foam stability.
A semi-empirical unified model of strain fatigue life for insulation plastics

The paper focuses on modeling the strain fatigue lives of three commonly used cable insulation polymers, namely (1) polyvinyl chloride, (2) crosslinked polyethylene, and (3) polyphenylene ether under selected strain and temperature ranges. On the basis of results obtained from their fatigue tests, Coffin–Manson model, mean/maximum strain fatigue model, and a set of new semi-empirical equations were applied to establish the relationship between fatigue lives and strains. The unified strain model, herein we name it the Wei–Wong model, is developed to predict the fatigue lives of three polymers studied and their prediction capability was examined using our experimental data. It was found that the proposed Wei–Wong model can provide a better life prediction compared to the experimental data and other methods in the literature at selected temperatures, namely −40, 25, and 65 °C.
Insights from brands in Facebook

Companies are increasingly turning to social media as a way to engage with their customers and to promote their brand and products. We analyzed the content of Facebook fan pages of the top 100 brands to gain insight into how companies utilize social media. These brands span 14 different categories from fashion and apparel to computer hardware. We find that different brands use different types of posts and get varying levels of engagement from users based on their business category. Interestingly, 45.53% of posts contained a reference to a company or a person with many of the companies referencing others.
A power method for nonlinear operators

In this article we consider the problem of computing the dominant eigenvalue of the linearization of a nonlinear operator. We define a power method that converges under natural conditions on the nonlinear operator. This nonlinear power method does not require the linearization itself, but only the action of the nonlinear operator on arbitrary functions. We apply this method to investigate the stability of equilibrium solutions of differential equations.