cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Glomerular basement membrane and related glomerular disease

The glomerular basement membrane (GBM) is lined by fenestrated endothelium from the capillary-lumen side and by interdigitating foot processes of the podocytes from the urinary- space side. These three layers of the glomerular capillary wall constitute the functional unit of the glomerular filtration barrier. The GBM is assembled through an interweaving of type IV collagen with laminins, nidogen, and sulfated proteoglycans. Mutations in genes encoding LAMB2, COL4A3, COL4A4, and COL4A5 cause glomerular disease in humans as well as in mice. In addition, laminin α5 mutation in podocytes leads to proteinuria and renal failure in mice. Moreover, more neoepitopes in Goodpasture's disease and for the first time alloepitopes in Alport post-transplantation nephritis have been located in the collagen α5(IV) NC1 domain. These discoveries underscore the importance of the GBM in establishing and maintaining the integrity of the glomerular filtration barrier.
Depositional record of a glacial-lake outburst: Glacial Lake, Souris, North Dakota

Glacial Lake Souris, located in what is now North Dakota, was inundated by about 74 km3 of sediment-laden water from the outburst of Glacial Lake Regina (Saskatchewan). Glacial-lake outbursts were common during the late Pleistocene, but detailed studies of outburst-deposited sediments in lake environments have not been done. The purpose of this paper is to document the sedimentologic effects of the outburst on Lake Souris and to develop a depositional model. The outburst-deposited sediments in Lake Souris are grouped into three lithofacies on the basis of textural analyses of subsurface samples and surficial mapping: (1) sand, (2) matrix-rich gravel, and (3) matrix-deficient gravel. Sand is the most common sediment and generally overlies other lithofacies. Lignite particles are present in most sands and, at depth, are significantly larger than other particles. Matrix-rich, lignite-bearing gravel generally occurs at the base of the outburst sections. Matrix -deficient gravel occurs near the ground surface, overlying other outburst lithofacies, in the inlet area. Deposition of the outburst sediment is attributed to three main processes: low-density turbidity currents (the predominant process), high-density turbidity currents, and aggradation in braided rivers. Continuous, low-density turbidity currents caused by the influx of sediment-laden flows and by residual currents from high-density flows characterized the outburst event in Lake Souris. Most high-density flows resulted from the initial influx of the outburst or from continuous avalanching as a result of rapid deposition. Thick, homogenous sections of outburst sediments; a gradual, systematic fining of sediments distally from the Souris spillway; and the scarcity of silt-sized and clay-sized sediment indicate that there was little decrease in flow energy during the outburst. Nonrepetitive vertical sequences, showing little textural variation, indicate that there was little migration of individual depositional processes. The described characteristics may be used to identify and interpret other outburst events in similar settings and to help evaluate the Pleistocene sedimentary record in the marine offshore zone.
Structural and electronic properties of hexagonal yttrium trihydride

The structural and electronic properties of yttrium trihydride with metal atoms in the hexagonal-close-packed (hcp) structure are studied by the pseudopotential method within the local-density-functional approximation (LDA). It is found that the hydrogen positions within the metal lattice have a major role in determining these properties. Calculations confirmed that hexagonal ${\mathrm{YH}}_{3}$ with unusual wavelike hydrogen displacements (space group ${\mathit{D}}_{3\mathit{d}}^{4}$ or P3\ifmmode\bar\else\textasciimacron\fi{}c1) is energetically more stable than the cubic structure. This result is consistent with neutron-diffraction data for ${\mathrm{YD}}_{3}$ and for a heavy rare-earth trihydride ${\mathrm{HoD}}_{3}$. These hydrogen displacements are identified as Peierls-like distortions in this three-dimensional system. The calculated final LDA band structure for ${\mathrm{YH}}_{3}$ gives a semimetal rather than a semiconductor. With electron and hole pockets overlapping around the \ensuremath{\Gamma} point, the system is highly unstable. Other possible symmetry-breaking-distortion and many-body effects such as excitonic condensation are discussed.
A New Veil of Ignorance? Commentary on Norton and Ariely (2011)

Norton and Ariely's (2011, this issue) finding that people prefer relatively equal distributions of wealth begs for further research. It is one thing to argue, as T. Frank (2004) has, that people vote against their interests. But Norton and Ariely seem to show that people vote against their preferences. What does that even mean, and how does it happen?
Invited review: Fine (2–5‐nm) filaments: New types of cytoskeletal structures

Over the past 30 years filaments 2-5 nm in diameter have been found in a number of different types of eukaryotic cells. As a group, these fine filaments lack the similarity of composition and function that characterize the three major classes of cytoskeletal elements--microfilaments, microtubules, and intermediate filaments. Six different proteins that form fine filaments have been identified; proposed functions for these fibers range from cell motility to cytoarchitecture. Recent studies, however, have revealed filaments with similar compositions and/or functions in otherwise different cells, suggesting that the fine filaments may eventually fit into a limited number of subgroups.
Moisture effects on the high strain-rate behavior of sand

Abstract The effects of moisture content on the high strain-rate mechanical properties of fine grain sand were characterized with a split-Hopkinson pressure bar. A controlled loading pulse allowed the sample to acquire stress equilibrium and a constant strain-rate of 400 s−1. The sand specimen confined in a hardened steel tube, had a dry density of 1.50 g/cm3 with moisture contents varied from 3% to 20% by weight. Experimental results indicate that partially saturated sand is more compressible than dry sand with the softest behavior observed at 7% moisture content. The softening of the partially saturated sand may occur due to the pore water acting as a lubricant between the sand particles. Similar trends were reported in the quasi-static regime for experiments conducted at comparable specimen conditions.
SU-E-T-345: Validation of a Patient-Specific Monte Carlo Targeted Radionuclide Therapy Dosimetry Platform

Purpose: There is a compelling need for personalized dosimetry in targeted radionuclide therapy given that conventional dose calculation methods fail to accurately predict dose response relationships. To address this need, we have developed a Geant4-based Monte Carlo patient-specific 3D dosimetry platform for TRT. This platform calculates patient-specific dose distributions based on serial CT/PET or CT/SPECT images acquired after injection of the TRT agent. In this work, S-values and specific absorbed fractions (SAFs) were calculated using this platform and benchmarked against reference values. Methods: S-values for 1, 10, 100, and 1000g spherical tumors with uniform activity distributions of I-124, I-125, I-131, F-18, and Ra-223 were calculated and compared to OLINDA/EXM reference values. SAFs for monoenergetic photons of 0.01, 0.1, and 1 MeV and S factors for monoenergetic electrons of 0.935 MeV were calculated for the liver, kidneys, lungs, pancreas, spleen, and adrenals in the Zubal Phantom and compared with previously published values. Sufficient particles were simulated to keep the voxel statistical uncertainty below 5%. Results: The calculated spherical S-values agreed within a few percent of reference data from OLINDA/EXM for each radionuclide and sphere size. The comparison of photon SAFs and electron S-values with previously published values showed good agreement withmore » the previously published values. The S-values and SAFs of the source organs agreed within 1%. Conclusion: Our platform has been benchmarked against reference values for a variety of radionuclides and over a wide range of energies and tumor sizes. Therefore, this platform could be used to provide accurate patientspecific dosimetry for use in radiopharmaceutical clinical trials.« less
On Local Inflexional Instability in Boundary-Layer Flows

This paper describes a linearized theory of the two- and three-dimensional incompressible viscous flows ensuing from locally unstable velocity profiles. The theory is used to propose a hypothesis for the mechanisms governing formation of the turbulence wedge behind a fixed roughness element.
Omphacite microstructures as time-temperature indicators of blueschist- and eclogite-facies metamorphism

Omphacites from a wide range of geological environments have been examined by transmission electron-microscopy. Their microstructures are sufficiently variable as to be potential indicators of thermal history for blueschist and eclogite metamorphism. In particular, the average size of equiaxed antiphase domains (APD's) arising from cation ordering appears to be a characteristic feature of each environment and increases in the sequence: Franciscan, blueschist (1) ≈ Turkey, blueschist (2) < Guatemala, jadeitic blocks in serpentinite (3) < Syros, blueschist (9) ≈ Red Wine Complex, Canada, amphibolite (1) < Maksyutov Complex, Urals, blueschist (3) ≈ Zermatt-Saas, blueschist (5) ≈ Allalin, metagabbro (4) < Tauern, eclogite (1) ≈ Franciscan, eclogite (5) < Nybo, Norway, eclogite (2) (numbers in brackets indicate the number of hand specimens for which omphacite microstuctures are known). A relationship between APD size, annealing time and temperature has been derived by analogy with the known APD coarsening behaviour in other systems where: (APD size)n $$({\text{APD size)}}^{\text{n}} \propto {\text{e}}^{{\text{(}} - {\text{Q/RT)}}} \cdot {\text{ }}time{\text{.}}$$ . Most omphacites fit into a self-consistent scheme with n=8±2 if the activation energy (Q) is assumed to be that of cation disordering (75 kcal mole−1), available estimates of peak metamorphic temperature (T) are used, and a reasonable geological time-scale is taken as 104–108 years. According to this model, APD sizes are set in a relatively short interval of the total history of a rock when its temperature is close to its peak value. APD sizes are much more sensitive to temperature than to time and may be used as a geothermometer which has the advantage of not being reset by re-equilibration at low temperatures. Petrological implications arising from the model are that Allalin metagabbros were metamorphosed at a similar peak temperature to Zermatt-Saas blueschists, Franciscan eclogites reached higher temperatures than has been previously supposed and that the microstructures in some Sesia-Lanzo omphacites are consistent with a high temperature, pre-blueschist origin. Deviation from an ideal coarsening law with n=2 implies that the APD's are not simply stacking mistakes but have some associated structural or compositional modification locally. Excess titanium concentrated at APD's in Red Wine Complex omphacites may account for their anomalously low observed APD size.
Surgical Resection for Multifocal (T4) Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer: Is the T4 Designation Valid?

Background The current international staging system for lung cancer designates intralobar satellites as T4 disease. In this study, we sought to determine the impact of multifocal, intralobar non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) on patient survival and its potential relevance to stage designation. Methods We conducted a retrospective review of our thoracic surgical cancer registry from 1990 to 2005. Included were 53 patients with a resected lung cancer containing intralobar satellites detected preoperatively (n = 8) or in the resected specimen (n = 45). Patients with multicentric bronchioloalveolar cancer were excluded. All patients had an anatomic resection with mediastinal lymph node dissection. Median follow-up for the entire group was 31 months. Survival was calculated by the Kaplan-Meier method. A Cox proportional hazards regression model was performed to examine simultaneously the effects on overall survival of age, gender, nodal disease, number of satellite lesions, lymphatic invasion, and T status. Results The median age of the 53 patients with multifocal, intralobar (T4) disease was 68 years and 31 were women. Ten patients had more than one satellite lesion. Overall 5-year survival was 47.6% (95% confidence interval [CI], 27.36% to 65.30%) for all patients with resected intralobar satellites. Patients without nodal metastases had a 5-year survival of 58.4% (95% CI, 28.76% to 79.30%). The Cox regression identified female gender (adjusted hazard ratio [HR], 0.31; 95% CI, 0.10 to 0.96; p p Conclusions Patients with intralobar multifocal NSCLC detected in the resected specimen have a more favorable prognosis after surgical resection than might be predicted by their stage T4 designation. Five-year survival rates, especially in T4N0 patients, more closely approximate those with stages IB or II NSCLC.
Generation of a Patient-Specific Model of Normal Sagittal Alignment of the Spine

Abstract Study Design Mathematical modeling of normal sagittal spinal alignment. Objective To create a patient specific 3-dimensional (3D) model of normal adolescent spinal shape and alignment. Summary of Background Data Recreating normal sagittal balance is a key goal in spinal deformity surgery. Because of the variation in normal sagittal alignment based on inherent pelvic parameters, it is difficult to know what is normal for a given patient who presents with spinal deformity. Methods Simultaneous biplanar 2-dimensional digital radiographs were taken for pediatric patients with no known spinal disease using the EOS system. Three-dimensional reconstructions were produced using sterEOS and imported into custom MATLAB software. The researchers defined relationships to approximate orientations and positions of the vertebral bodies from patients' pelvic incidence (PI). The predicted spinal contour was then calculated to optimize congruence to patients' sagittal T1–sacrum offset, sagittal curve inflection point location, and predicted vertebral body orientations and positions. Results A total of 75 patients (26 male and 49 female) were included, mean age 14.5 ± 2.6 years. Baseline measurements were PI 46.7° ± 10.2°, sacral lope 40.2° ± 8.9°, T1–T12 kyphosis 39.8° ± 8.8°, and L1–L5 lordosis −37.1° ± 11.2°. Average difference in vertebral position in the anteroposterior direction between actual spines and their predicted models was 1.2 ± 1.2 mm and varied from an absolute minimum of 0.2 mm (T3) to an absolute maximum of 3.7 mm (L2). Conclusions This model uses an adolescent patient's PI to predict the normal sagittal alignment that best matches that patient's native sagittal curve. The model was validated on patients with no spinal deformity; average difference between actual sagittal positions of each vertebra and those predicted by the model was less than 5 mm at each vertebral level. This model may be useful in adolescent scoliotic patients with altered sagittal alignment to determine the magnitude of 3D deformity (compared with predicted normal values) and the completeness of 3D correction.
Solid-state log n-period System

Abstract A log n -period system with all solid-state components has been designed and tested. The logarithmic converter uses the logarithmic transfer relationship between the short-circuit collector current and the base-emitter voltage of a silicon transistor to convert an exponentially varying ion chamber current to a linear voltage. The operational amplifier in the logarithmic converter has a junction-type field-effect transistor at its input for very high input impedance. To obtain the reactor period, the linear voltage is differentiated by a circuit whose damping is controlled by the level and rate of change of its input. This circuit adequately protects a nuclear reactor during startup. The overall system is accurate, reliable and stable.
THE FINE STRUCTURE CONSTANTα

The history and status of knowledge of the fine structure constant ..cap alpha.. which characterizes the strength of the electromagnetic interaction is reviewed. It is noted that there is not yet a convincing theory for this constant or even a generally accepted viewpoint for such a theory. 53 references. (JFP)
American Country Dancing: A Religious Experience

L'A. s'interesse a la pratique des danses traditionnelles americaines d'origine rurale comme le quadrille. Il souligne le role joue par ce type de traditions en ce qu'elles constituent un remede contre l'individualisme, le materialisme. Il presente un certain nombre de donnees collectees dans plusieurs villes des Etats-Unis aupres de danseurs, de musiciens. Il s'efforce de comprendre quelles sont les representations, les perceptions liees a la pratique de ce type de danse
Secondary Hormonal Therapy for Advanced Prostate Cancer

Purpose: Androgen ablation remains the cornerstone of management for advanced prostate cancer. Therapeutic options in patients with progressive disease following androgen deprivation include antiandrogen withdrawal, secondary hormonal agents and chemotherapy. Multiple secondary hormonal agents have clinical activity and the sequential use of these agents may lead to prolonged periods of clinical response. We provide a state-of-the-art review of the various agents currently used for secondary hormonal manipulation and discusses their role in the systemic treatment of patients with prostate cancer.Materials and Methods: A comprehensive review of the peer reviewed literature was performed on the topic of secondary hormonal therapies, including oral antiandrogens, adrenal androgen inhibitors, corticosteroids, estrogenic compounds, gonadotropin-releasing hormone antagonists and alternative hormonal therapies for advanced prostate cancer.Results: Secondary hormonal therapies can provide a safe and effective tre...
An integrated Engineered Closed/Controlled EcoSystem for a lunar base.

Abstract Long-term human missions in space, such as the establishment of a human-tended lunar base, require autonomous life support systems. A Lunar Engineered Closed/Controlled EcoSystem (LECCES) can provide autonomy by integrating a human module with support plant and animal modules, and waste treatment subsystems. Integration of physical/chemical (P/C) and biological waste treatment subsystems can lead to viable and operational bioregenerative systems that minimize resupply requirements from Earth. A top-level diagram for LECCES is developed based on the human module requirements. The proposed diagram is presented and its components are discussed.
Conformation of adsorbed macromolecules and solid-liquid separation in coagulation processes

Abstract The efficiency of solid-liquid separation in coagulation-sedimentation processes depends greatly upon the performance of the coagulant with respect to the production of suitable floc properties. High-molecular weight polymers that function by interparticle bridging can serve as very effective coagulant-aids, however, the dynamic processes of polymer adsorption and macromolecular rearrangement may have a decided effect upon the determination of floc characteristics. Ideally, adsorption would occur rapidly with the macromolecule in an extended, rod-like conformation; this configuration increases the effective collision radius and results in rapid growth. However, effective separation by sedimentation is best achieved by dense, compact flocs characterized by reduced interparticle distances. In addition, the resulting sludge must ultimately be dewatered; therefore, the ease with which water flows around and through the settled flocs is of considerable importance. These requirements call for floc properties that are not completely compatible with one another. Consequently, efficient coagulation processes must compromise and employ operational conditions that produce flocs suitable for the subsequent solid-liquid separations.
Diffraction of light by an opaque sphere. 2: Image formation and resolution considerations.

This paper takes the theoretical results of the first paper [ Appl. Opt.29, 4646 ( 1990)] and develops the idea of image formation using the diffractive process from Ref. 1 in terms of the point-spread function and the transfer function for both coherent and incoherent light. Theoretical and experimental comparisons are made for two-point resolution and imaging of extended objects. In addition, image formation with a sphere is compared with conventional image formation with a lens.
Immersed Boundary Solution of Natural Convection in a Square Cavity with an Enclosed Rosette-Shaped Hot Cylinder

Numerical solutions are shown for the natural convection flow inside a cold square enclosure with a hot rosette-shaped cylinder inside. Solutions are obtained using an immersed-boundary finite element method. The study investigates the effect of the rosette-shape factor on the heat transfer and fluid flow for Rayleigh numbers between 103 and 107. Results indicate the formation of recirculation cells of number, size, and location depending strongly on the shape of the cylinder and on the Rayleigh number. All solutions reach a steady state, except when the rosette-shape factor is 0.6 at Ra = 106, for which a periodic transient solution is obtained.
Structure and dynamics of zooplankton communities in the littoral zone of some North Carolina lakes

Species composition and seasonal, dynamics of zooplankton in the littoral zone were studied in three piedmont North Carolina lakes for one year. Nygaard's compound index indicated oligotrophic conditions in Belews Lake and eutrophic conditions in Salem Lake and Lake 150. A total of 32 species of zooplankton were found in the samples. Significantly fewer species of truely littoral zooplankton were present in the oligotrophic lake regardless of season (P < 0.05). Eutrophication appears to favor increased diversity in zooplankton of the littoral zone. Habitat heterogeneity, provided by a well developed littoral zone containing aquatic macrophytes, may be the major factor contributing to the maintenance of more taxa of zooplankton in eutrophic systems. Distinct taxa of Cladocera and Copepoda are present in the littoral zone, exhibiting seasonal dynamics that are largely different from the limnetic fauna. Such dynamics may result from predation by characteristically limnetic species of cyclopoid copepods which seek prey in the littoral zone. The numerical and seasonal abundance of predators and prey are inversely related and the true littoral taxa, represented in the present study by the genera Alona, Chydorus, Pleuroxus, Sida, Simocephalus, and Eucyclops, contained no predaceous species. The seasonal dynamics of these genera are very similar even in widely separated geographical regions, indicating that the factor(s) responsible operate independently of climatic and chemical variables. Intrazooplankton predation appears to be a more plausable explanation than segregation along depth which, although consistent with data from studies of limnetic waters, cannot be related to populations of zooplankton in shallow littoral areas.
Treatment of benign pigmented epidermal lesions by Q-switched ruby laser.

Background. Disorders of cutaneous pigmentation are a common problem, which can cause substantial cosmetic morbidity. Traditional treatments are often ineffective and sometimes associated with further hyperpigmentation, hypo-pigmentation, or scarring. Because the Q-switched ruby laser has proven useful for the treatment of tattoos and, in a small number of cases, benign disorders of the epidermal melanin, we decided to apply this modality systematically to additional benign pigmented lesions. Methods. Thirty-four benign pigmented epidermal lesions including lentigines, cafe-au-lait macules, and nevi spili in nine white patients were exposed to single pulses of a Q-switched ruby laser (694 nm, 40 ns pulse duration) at 4.5 and/or 7.5 J/cm2. Results. After one treatment, substantial clearing occurred at each fluence in all lentigines and cafe-au-lait macules. Initial improvement was achieved in a small nevus spilus after two treatments at 4.5 J/cm2, and a larger nevus spilus after one treatment at 7.5 J/cm2 with complete removal of the junctional or compound nevi portion but no improvement in the cafe-au-lait portion. Complete return of the background pigment was observed by 1 year. There was no scarring. Immediately after treatment, histology revealed vacuolizaton of keratinocytes and melanocytes, and occasional subepidermal blisters. Conclusions. These findings show that while the Q-switched ruby laser may not be entirely useful for treating nevi spili, it does provide an effective treatment for lentigines and cafe-au-lait macules.
TXNL6 Is a Novel Oxidative Stress-Induced Reducing System for Methionine Sulfoxide Reductase A Repair of α-Crystallin and Cytochrome C in the Eye Lens

A key feature of many age-related diseases is the oxidative stress-induced accumulation of protein methionine sulfoxide (PMSO) which causes lost protein function and cell death. Proteins whose functions are lost upon PMSO formation can be repaired by the enzyme methionine sulfoxide reductase A (MsrA) which is a key regulator of longevity. One disease intimately associated with PMSO formation and loss of MsrA activity is age-related human cataract. PMSO levels increase in the eye lens upon aging and in age-related human cataract as much as 70% of total lens protein is converted to PMSO. MsrA is required for lens cell maintenance, defense against oxidative stress damage, mitochondrial function and prevention of lens cataract formation. Essential for MsrA action in the lens and other tissues is the availability of a reducing system sufficient to catalytically regenerate active MsrA. To date, the lens reducing system(s) required for MsrA activity has not been defined. Here, we provide evidence that a novel thioredoxin-like protein called thioredoxin-like 6 (TXNL6) can serve as a reducing system for MsrA repair of the essential lens chaperone α-crystallin/sHSP and mitochondrial cytochrome c. We also show that TXNL6 is induced at high levels in human lens epithelial cells exposed to H2O2-induced oxidative stress. Collectively, these data suggest a critical role for TXNL6 in MsrA repair of essential lens proteins under oxidative stress conditions and that TXNL6 is important for MsrA defense protection against cataract. They also suggest that MsrA uses multiple reducing systems for its repair activity that may augment its function under different cellular conditions.
Characterization of the human AMPD3 gene reveals that 5′ exon useage is subject to transcriptional control by three tandem promoters and alternative splicing

Abstract Previous work has identified multiple human AMPD3 transcripts proposed to differ by mutually exclusive alternative splicing of three exons located at, or near, the 5′ end of the gene. In this study, we perform a more comprehensive evaluation of human AMPD3 gene expression. Combined Northern blot and RNase protection analyses show that alternative mRNAs are widely expressed in human tissues and cells, but at variable relative abundances. Sequencing of human genomic clones, together with human-mouse somatic cell hybrid analysis, demonstrates that the entire gene is comprised of seventeen exons spanning approx. 60 kilobases on the short arm of chromosome 11 in the region p13-pter. Together, RT-PCR and additional RNase protection analyses establish that exons 1a, 1b, and 1c are 5′ terminal sequences in alternative transcripts. Transient transfection experiments show fusion constructs containing proximal flanking and 5′ untranslated sequence from each of these exons are able to direct expression of a reporter luciferase gene in mammalian cell lines. These combined results reveal that AMPD3 gene expression is subject to transcriptional control by three tandem promoters. Differential regulation of the exon 1b promoter in skeletal myocytes, as compared to retinal pigment epithelial cells, is proposed to be mediated by skeletal muscle-specific basic helix-loop-helix protein/E-box interactions. Finally, an internal splice acceptor site in exon 1c is shown to be used alternatively to retain the 3′ portion of this exon in mature AMPD3 transcripts initiating upstream in exon 1b.
Pathology of bronchogenic carcinoma in long-term survivors.

The pathologic features of 94 cases of bronchogenic carcinoma in patients who survived for 5 years or longer after resection are reviewed. The incidence of squamous cell carcinoma is 56% and parallels that for the entire group of 358 resected cases. There were no survivors with oat cell carcinoma but bronchiolo-alveolar cell carcinomas were found frequently and more than half of the tumors were located peripherally or in an intermediate zone. One of the long-term survivors had a characteristic giant cell carcinoma which had metastasized to regional lymph nodes and appears to represent the first such case recorded in the literature. Metastasis to lymph nodes was recorded in 28% of the cases. All slides were examined on six occasions, leading to considerable discrepancy in the classifications. Problems arose especially in the definition of adenocarcinomas versus bronchiolo-alveolar cell carcinomas but also in the classification of squamous cell and undifferen bated carcinomas.
Dynamic security constrained optimal power flow using finite difference sensitivities

We present a novel technique for determining the solution of optimal power flow, including dynamic security constraints, using forward sensitivities computed by using finite differences. Finite differencing provides an easy way of computing the sensitivities of the dynamic security constraints in optimal power flow. A dynamic security measure based on the frequency excursion of the generators is presented. Our formulation also yields the marginal cost associated with the generator's frequency excursion.
Undamped plasma waves

This paper describes small-amplitude nonlinear plasma wave solutions to the one-dimensional Vlasov-Maxwell equations. A sufficient condition for waves of a given phase velocity to exist arbitrarily close to a given spatially uniform Vlasov equilibrium is developed, and sufficient analytical information for the construction of approximate expressions for the electric potential and distribution functions is derived, with exact knowledge of the asymptotic behavior of the error terms. These results have a very surprising physical implication: the Landau damping of small-amplitude waves is not inevitable. Instead, there exist plasma waves that trap particles even at arbitrarily small amplitude and do not damp.
Contextualizing farmers' attitudes towards genetically modified crops

Analyses of the role of technological development in agriculture are central to an understanding of social change in agri-food systems. The objective of this paper is to contribute to the formation of a broader perspective of how farmers are positioning themselves with respect to controversial agricultural technologies through an empirical analysis of Washington State farmers’ willingness or unwillingness to try Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) technology on their farms. The use of this type of biotechnology in farming has been criticized for its potential harmful effects on natural environments and socio-cultural systems, while proponents highlight the possibilities for increasing production with minimal use of other inputs. An analysis of the extent of farmers’ expressed willingness to use GMOs provides an opportunity to better understand how their diverse thoughts about controversial agricultural technologies are shaped not only by their own experiences but also by social context. The present study does this by analyzing data from a farm survey conducted on a random sample of farmers from across Washington State. The results show that the production practices farmers utilize and the market strategies they employ may be at least as useful as farmers’ socio-economic characteristics in explaining what types of farmers appear to be more or less interested in potentially using this technology. Furthermore, the relationship between level of formal education and willingness to use GMOs is not straightforward. It may hide differences between farmers with respect to where and how they received their formal education as well as the type(s) of knowledge they gained. It is argued that future research should recognize the diversity that exists in farmers’ interests vis-a-vis particular technologies and should also explore how these interests are shaped by farmers’ past and present social networks and life experiences.
Exotic Plant Colonization and Occupancy Within Riparian Areas of the Interior Columbia River and Upper Missouri River Basins, USA

Exotic plant invasions into riparia often result in shifts in vegetative composition, altered stream function, and cascading effects to biota at multiple scales. Characterizing the distribution patterns of exotic plants is an important step in directing targeted research to identify mechanisms of invasion and potential management strategies. In this study, we employed occupancy models to examine the associations of landscape, climate, and disturbance attributes with the colonization and occupancy patterns for spotted knapweed (Centaurea stoebe L.), Canada thistle (Cirsium arvense L., Scop.), and cheatgrass (Bromus tectorum L.) in the riparia of headwater streams (n = 1,091) in the Interior Columbia River and Upper Missouri River Basins. We found relatively low occupancy rates for cheatgrass (0.06, SE = 0.02) and spotted knapweed (0.04, SE = 0.01), but moderate occupancy of Canada thistle (0.28, SE = 0.05); colonization rates were low across all species (<0.01). We found the distributions of spotted knapweed, Canada thistle, and cheatgrass to exhibit significant associations with both ambient climate conditions and anthropogenic and natural disturbances. We attribute the low to moderate occupancy and colonization rates to the relatively remote locations of our sample sites within headwater streams and urge consideration of means to prevent further invasions.
Cultivar and Herbicide Selection Affects Soybean Development and the Incidence of Sclerotinia Stem Rot

Glyphosate-resistant (GR) soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] is produced on a majority of U.S. soybean hectares. Concerns have been expressed regarding interactions of herbicides such as glyphosate and Sclerotinia stem rot [Sclerotinia sclerotiorum (Lib.) de Bary]. Research evaluated the effect of herbicides on growth, phytoalexin production, incidence of Sclerotinia stem rot, and grain yield of GR and isogenic nonresistant cultivars in 1998 and 1999. Lactofen at 70 g a.i. ha -1 delayed reproductive development, reduced leaf area index (LAI), reduced Sclerotinia stem rot lesion diameter 2 to 26 d after treatment (DAT), increased phytoalexin production 2 to 26 DAT, reduced disease severity index (DSI), and increased yield of 'Great Lakes 2415' (GL2415) by 510 kg ha -1 compared with untreated soybean. Glyphosate at 840 g a.e. ha -1 increased disease severity index in 'Great Lakes 2600' (GL2600) and 'Pioneer 93B01' (P93B01) GR compared with untreated soybean while yield of 'Novartis S20-B9' (S20-B9) GR treated with glyphosate was 650 kg ha -1 greater than untreated soybean. Thifensulfuron at 4.5 g a.i. ha -1 delayed reproductive development, reduced LAI, and did not affect phytoalexin production of 'Novortis S 19-90' (S 19-90) or S20-B9 GR but increased grain yield of 'Novartis S 12-49' (S 12-49) by 450 kg ha -1 compared with untreated soybean. S 12-49 and GL2415 treated with thifensulfuron had lower disease severity index and increased yield compared with GR isolines. Reduction of disease severity index following lactofen may be attributed to increased phytoalexin production, reduced LAI, and delayed reproductive development; however, increased yield was observed for only one of eight cultivars. Producers can reduce Sclerotinia stem rot with postemergence herbicides, but soybean yield did not necessarily increase.
Observation of electric currents in diverted tokamak scrape-off layers

A prototype tile current array, consisting of resistors to sense current flowing from six divertor tiles into the metallic vacuum vessel, was installed in DIII-D. Data show that typically 1-2 kA circulates poloidally around the single-null divertor scrapeoff layer (SOL). A current of similar magnitude flows vertically in the outer SOL of double-null plasmas and a much smaller current in the inner SOL. Little or no current flows across the short SOL connecting the inner and outer divertor strike points. The SOL current increases with core plasma current and edge localized modes (ELMs); it decreases at the onset of the H-mode and with heavy gas puffing. The SOL current jumps rapidly to 5-10 kA during giant ELM events. Three possible mechanisms to drive the SOL current are examined qualitatively with respect to the data, but the evidence is insufficient to identify the dominant one. During disruptions, poloidal current in excess of 100 kA flows to the wall.
Lithium effects on position learning with exploratory and aversive goal-box conditions

Under conflict conditions in which reinforcement occurred within mildly aversive white goal-boxes, the chronic administration of lithium chloride (20 meg/l, in drinking water) to rats, while reducing avoidance of the goal boxes, impaired acquisition of an exploration-reinforced position discrimination. These results were interpreted as supporting the concept that lithium salts reduce the individual's reaction to general environmental stimulation--an effect which may account for its therapeutic action in the treatment of manic disorders.
Finding Geometric Invariants From Time-Based Invariants for Spherical and Spatial Motions

This paper shows how the instantaneous invariants for time-independent motions can be obtained from time-dependent motions. Relationships are derived between those parameters that define a time-dependent motion and the parameters that define its geometrically equivalent time-independent motion. The time-independent formulations have the advantage of being simpler than the time dependent ones, and thereby lead to more elegant and parsimonious descriptions of motions properties. The paper starts with a review of the choice of canonical coordinate systems and instantaneous invariants for time-based spherical and spatial motions. It then shows how to convert these descriptions to time-independent motions with the same geometric trajectories. New equations are given that allow the computation of the geometric invariants from time-based invariants. The paper concludes with a detailed example of the third-order motion analysis of the trajectories of an open, spatial R-R chain.Copyright © 2004 by ASME
Retail Inventory Management When Records Are Inaccurate

Inventory record inaccuracy is a significant problem for retailers using automated inventory management systems. In this paper, we consider an intelligent inventory management tool that accounts for record inaccuracy using a Bayesian belief of the physical inventory level. We assume that excess demands are lost and unobserved, in which case sales data reveal information about physical inventory levels. We show that a probability distribution on physical inventory levels is a sufficient summary of past sales and replenishment observations, and that this probability distribution can be efficiently updated in a Bayesian fashion as observations are accumulated. We also demonstrate the use of this distribution as the basis for practical replenishment and inventory audit policies and illustrate how the needed parameters can be estimated using data from a large national retailer. Our replenishment policies avoid the problem of “freezing,” in which a physical inventory position persists at zero while the corresponding record is positive. In addition, simulation studies show that our replenishment policies recoup much of the cost of inventory record inaccuracy, and that our audit policy significantly outperforms the popular “zero balance walk” audit policy.
A permutation test for comparing ROC curves in multireader studies a multi-reader ROC, permutation test.

Rationale and Objectives The aim of the study is to develop a permutation test to compare receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves of two diagnostic modalities in a multireader paired design. Materials and Methods A statistical test for comparing two diagnostic modalities is developed based on all possible exchanges of the set of reader-ratings between the two modalities. An exact permutation test is formed by determining the frequency of the most extreme values of the statistic estimating the average difference in the areas under the ROC curves (AUCs). An asymptotic version of the test is constructed by obtaining the exact permutation variance and appealing to the asymptotic normality of the nonparametric estimator of the average difference in areas. Computer simulations were conducted to validate the type I error for small sample sizes. Results The new test provides a permutation approach for comparing ROC curves in a multireader paired-design setting in which effects of the readers are considered to be fixed. The type I error of the asymptotic test is close to the true value, even for samples as small as 20 normal and 20 abnormal cases. The test is designed to be sensitive to alternatives in which the AUCs of the two diagnostic modalities differ. Conclusions The proposed test provides a powerful method for comparing two diagnostic modalities in a multireader paired-study design when the primary interest is to detect difference in average AUCs.
CXCR4 IS REQUIRED BY A NONPRIMATE LENTIVIRUS : HETEROLOGOUS EXPRESSION OF FELINE IMMUNODEFICIENCY VIRUS IN HUMAN, RODENT, AND FELINE CELLS

A heterologous feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) expression system permitted high-level expression of FIV proteins and efficient production of infectious FIV in human cells. These results identify the FIV U3 element as the sole restriction to the productive phase of replication in nonfeline cells. Heterologous FIV expression in a variety of human cell lines resulted in profuse syncytial lysis that was FIV env specific, CD4 independent, and restricted to cells that express CXCR4, the coreceptor for T-cell-line-adapted strains of human immunodeficiency virus. Stable expression of human CXCR4 in CXCR4-negative human and rodent cell lines resulted in extensive FIV Env-mediated, CXCR4-dependent cell fusion and infection. In feline cells, stable overexpression of human CXCR4 resulted in increased FIV infectivity and marked syncytium formation during FIV replication or after infection with FIV Env-expressing vectors. The use of CXCR4 is a fundamental feature of lentivirus biology independent of CD4 and a shared cellular link to infection and cytopathicity for distantly related lentiviruses that cause AIDS. Their conserved use implicates chemokine receptors as primordial lentivirus receptors.
Derivation of the green’s function for a microstrip antenna to Enhance Performance Using Material Perturbations

Microstrip antennas have been shown to radiate when the dominant or fundamental mode is suppressed and the first higher order mode is excited. One such microstrip variation is the Thiele Half-Width (THW) antenna, which operates from 5.9 - 8.2 GHz in this paper. Increasing the bandwidth over which the THW antenna operates is desired, as is an increase in the leakage constant, a, over this region. A larger a over the leaky region will allow for the antenna to be shorter in length, while still operating as a traveling wave antenna.
Epileptic baboons have lower numbers of neurons in specific areas of cortex

Epilepsy is characterized by recurrent seizure activity that can induce pathological reorganization and alter normal function in neocortical networks. In the present study, we determined the numbers of cells and neurons across the complete extent of the cortex for two epileptic baboons with naturally occurring seizures and two baboons without epilepsy. Overall, the two epileptic baboons had a 37% average reduction in the number of cortical neurons compared with the two nonepileptic baboons. The loss of neurons was variable across cortical areas, with the most pronounced loss in the primary motor cortex, especially in lateral primary motor cortex, representing the hand and face. Less-pronounced reductions of neurons were found in other parts of the frontal cortex and in somatosensory cortex, but no reduction was apparent in the primary visual cortex and little in other visual areas. The results provide clear evidence that epilepsy in the baboon is associated with considerable reduction in the numbers of cortical neurons, especially in frontal areas of the cortex related to motor functions. Whether or not the reduction of neurons is a cause or an effect of seizures needs further investigation.
Postlogging Succession and Habitat Usage of Shrubland Birds

In the first decades after logging, the vegetation structure of harvested areas changes rapidly due to succession. For shrubland birds, many of which specialize on regeneration of specific ages, the changing vegetation structure makes determining how much habitat is available for individual species difficult. We conducted a meta-analysis to determine how populations of shrubland birds in the eastern United States and Canada respond to succession in the first 20 years after timber harvest. Based on those results, we used the area under the abundance-time regression curves to estimate the proportion of regenerating forest actually used by each bird species. Of the 28 species for which we had sufficient data, 14 showed significant changes in abundance over time. For 6 species, abundance was highest immediately after logging and decreased thereafter. Abundances of 7 other species were initially low, peaked roughly 10 years after harvest, and declined thereafter. Based on these results, shrubland birds would be expected to occupy a mean of just 53% (SD = 17%) of regenerating forests up to 20 years old. Thus, current estimates of habitat availability for shrubland birds may be too high by a factor of 2. Our findings also suggest that managed openings should be maintained on longer rotations than are currently used, providing habitat for birds that prefer older regeneration.
Peptide surface modification of PLA ultrasound contrast agent for targeting

REDV and RGD peptide sequences were conjugated to hollow microspheres to develop targeted PLA ultrasound contrast agents that enhance imaging. The microspheres were coated with either RGD or REDV peptide sequences that target integrins active in angiogensis, /spl alpha//sub v//spl beta//sub 3/ and /spl alpha//sub v//spl beta//sub 5/. The microspheres were then shown to bind to human breast carcinoma cells in vitro within 5 minutes. The peptide modified microspheres makes them ideal candidates for targeted imaging.