cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Three-dimensional lesion detection in SPECT using artificial neural networks

An artificial neural network was developed to perform lesion detection in single photon emission tomography using information from three consecutive slices. The network had a three-layer, feed-forward architecture. For the present study, the detection task was restricted to deciding the presence or absence of a lesion at a given location in the middle slice considering also the two adjacent slices. An 11x11 pixel neighborhood was extracted around the potential location of the lesion in every slice. The total 363 pixel values represented the input information given to the network. Then, the network was trained using the backpropagation algorithm to output 1 if a lesion was present in the middle slice and 0 if not. The diagnostic performance of the 3D detection network was evaluated for various noise levels and lesion sizes. In addition, the 3D detection network was compared to a 2D network trained to perform the same detection task based only on the middle slice. In all cases, the 3D network significantly outperformed the 2D network. This study shows the potential of feedforward, backpropagaion networks to view multiple images simultaneously when performing a lesion detection task.© (1994) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
The mitochondrial Ca2 + uniporter complex

Calcium influx into the mitochondrial matrix plays important roles in the regulation of cell death pathways, bioenergetics and cytoplasmic Ca(2+) signals. During the last few years, several molecular components of the inner membrane mitochondrial Ca(2+) uniporter, the dominant pathway for Ca(2+) influx into the mitochondrial matrix, have been identified. The uniporter is now recognized as a complex of proteins that include a Ca(2+) pore forming component and accessory proteins that are either required for its channel activity or regulate it under various conditions. This review summarizes recent discoveries about the molecular basis of the uniporter complex. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled "Mitochondria: From Basic Mitochondrial Biology to Cardiovascular Disease."
Bounding graph diameters of nonsolvable groups

Abstract Associated with the character degrees of a finite group is the common-divisor graph, where the nontrivial degrees are the vertices and distinct degrees are adjacent when they have a common nontrivial divisor. The author has shown that common-divisor graphs for solvable groups have diameters of at most 3. The present paper extends this result to nonsolvable groups by showing that their common-divisor graphs also have diameters bounded above by 3.
A phase II trial of arzoxifene, a selective estrogen response modulator, in patients with recurrent or advanced endometrial cancer.

Abstract Objective The goal of this study was to determine response rate and evaluate toxicity of LY353381 (arzoxifene) in patients with recurrent or advanced endometrial cancer (EC). Methods A phase II, open-labeled study with arzoxifene was performed at 13 centers. Patients with measurable recurrent/advanced EC not amenable to curative therapies were eligible if either the primary tumor or recurrent tumor was ER+ and/or PR+. If receptor status could not be determined, patients with well or moderately well-differentiated EC were also permitted. Prior use of salvage chemotherapy was not allowed; however, prior use of progestagens was permitted and patients were stratified by prior exposure to progestagen. Patients received 20 mg/day PO, and were treated for at least 8 weeks in the absence of disease progression or unacceptable toxicity. Efficacy was based on the frequency of complete (CR) and partial (PR) responses, and a 95% confidence interval (CI) was calculated. The Kaplan–Meier method was used to analyze time to progression and duration of response. Results From February 1999 through April 2001, 37 patients were entered of whom 34 received treatment. Efficacy was evaluated for the 29 patients who received at least 4 weeks of therapy and at least one tumor response assessment. Safety was assessed in all 34 patients who received any drug. Thirty patients were defined as progestagen sensitive, and 4 patients were defined as progestagen failures. Twenty-six patients were ER+, and 22 were PR+. Nine (1 CR + 8 PR) of 29 patients responded (31%, CI 25–51%), with a median duration of response of 13.9 months. All 9 responses occurred in progestagen-sensitive patients. Two additional patients (one from each progestagen cohort) had stable disease for ≥6 months. The median progression-free interval was 3.7 months (CI 1.9–6.6 months) for all 29 patients. Toxicity was minimal with no grade 3–4 toxic effects, and 9 patients had only grade 1–2 toxic effects (7 grade 1, 2 grade 2). Hot flashes were the most common toxic effect and, in all 3 reported cases, were grade 1. Conclusions Arzoxifene has demonstrated a high response rate with the longest median duration of response reported in a phase II trial of this patient population. The ease of administration and extremely favorable toxicity profile make this an agent warranting further evaluation.
Chemoprevention of nonmelanoma skin cancer with systemic retinoids: practical dosing and management of adverse effects.

BACKGROUND In patients with nonmelanoma skin cancer that is high risk or characterized by numerous tumors, chemoprevention with systemic retinoids may effectively decrease the number of new tumors whereas the chemosuppressive effects may reduce the risk of recurrence or disease progression. A patient's intolerance of the mucocutaneous effects of retinoid therapy or abnormal laboratory findings may hamper continuous therapy. OBJECTIVE To present a method for optimizing tolerance of systemic retinoids for chemoprevention and for monitoring and managing adverse events. METHODS After reviewing the data on the use of systemic retinoids for chemoprevention, we developed a simplified approach for administering oral retinoids for chemoprevention of nonmelanoma skin cancer as well as basic guidelines for the prevention and management of adverse effects and appropriate laboratory monitoring. RESULTS Chemoprevention with systemic retinoids in patients with a history of numerous tumors or high-risk skin cancer can be optimized with graduated dose escalation and preventive strategies for the most common adverse effects. Routine laboratory monitoring may assist in detecting adverse effects, which can be managed in most cases. CONCLUSION In our experience, the effective use of systemic retinoids for chemoprevention of nonmelanoma skin cancer in high-risk patients can be optimized through a standardized, proactive approach.
Electrical characteristics of diodes fabricated in selective-epitaxial silicon wells

Abstract The selective epitaxial growth of silicon using SiO2 as a mask is investigated in this work. The silicon films were deposited using SiCl4, H2 and HCl in an atmospheric reactor at 1050°C. The structural aspects and electrical characteristics of Schottky barrier and diffused PN diodes fabricated in silicon islands formed with the selective-epitaxial deposition technique are reported. The influence of substrate resistivity and reactive ion teching on the quality of the selective-epi is examined and found to have no effect on the electrical characteristics. Diodes fabricated inside selective-epitaxial silicon wells far from the edges of the wells have different characteristics than those that include the edges and these differences are discussed.
Positive and negative selection LYS5MX gene replacement cassettes for use in Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

Novel MX cassettes are described that contain the open reading frames (ORFs) of Saccharomyces cerevisiae or Candida albicans LYS5. The LYS5MX and CaLYS5MX cassettes, the targeting efficiencies of which are equivalent to those of other MX cassettes, are positively selected for Lys+ in a lys5 background. Unlike most of the other MX cassettes, the LYS5MX cassettes are also negatively selectable (α-aminoadipate-resistant), which will allow the use of the LYS5MX cassettes in plasmid shuffling and will also greatly facilitate marker recycling. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Perceptions of job description: Interior decorator, interior designer, and architect

392 university students were asked to rank their perceptions of interior decorators, interior designers, and architects based upon a brief job description. This study showed that interior designers...
Lightly chlorinated ortho-substituted PCB congeners decrease dopamine in nonhuman primate brain and in tissue culture.

Exposure of the nonhuman primate, Macaca nemestrina, to Aroclor 1016, a commercial mixture of 26 lightly chlorinated PCB congeners, decreased dopamine concentrations in the caudate, putamen, substantia nigra, and hypothalamus. Only three ortho-substituted nonplanar PCB congeners (2,4,4', 2,4,2',4', and 2,5,2',5') were detected in these brain regions, suggesting that these congeners may be responsible for the observed decreases in dopamine. The ability of these and other PCB congeners to alter dopamine function was tested directly by applying them to dopamine-synthesizing cells in culture, PC-12 pheochromocytoma cells. In vitro testing demonstrated that these three congeners reduced cellular dopamine concentrations while planar, dioxin-like congeners, e.g., 3,4,3',4' and 3,4,5,3',4', did not. Thus, these ortho-substituted nonplanar congeners may be directly responsible for the observed changes in in vivo neurochemistry. Furthermore, these results suggest that the observed decreases in both in vivo and in vitro dopamine concentrations may occur through a novel mechanism and not through the Ah-receptor complex thought to mediate immunotoxic and hepatotoxic changes following exposure to dioxin and dioxin-like PCBs.
A Ge(Li) compton effect gamma ray polarimeter

Abstract A gamma ray detector which is sensitive to linear polarization of the gamma rays has been fabricated from a single planar Ge(Li) detector. The operation of the detector has been tested by use of the 1.36 MeV gamma ray following the reaction 24 Mg(p,p') 24 Mg ∗ .
Evidence-Based Equine Nutrition

One of the most difficult problems in equine nutrition research is often the lack of objective and clinically relevant end points. Nevertheless, this article attempts to present the best evidence (or lack thereof) for some of the most common clinical questions pertaining to such topics as the evaluation of glucose and insulin tolerance and factors that may confound results, dietary management of horses prone to laminitis and rhabdomyolysis, nutritional prevention of gastric ulcers and developmental orthopedic disease, the efficacy of commonly used herbal products, and feeding geriatric horses.
Effects of snake venoms on mammalian cells in tissue culture.

Abstract The effects of snake venoms on two types of cells in tissue culture were investigated. Venoms of Crotalidae, Viperidae, Elapidae and Hydrophiidae, from widely separated geographical areas, were used. Venoms of the three Crotalidae and one Viperidae showed very strong cytolytic activity, while those of the Elapidae and Hydrophiidae had little effect. These results are in agreement with the clinical observation that Crotalidae and Viperidae snakes cause necrosis and hemorrhage on envenomation while Elapidae and Hydrophiidae show little local tissue damage. Addition of antivenin to Crotalidae venoms slowed down the cytolytic effect of venoms.
Cage Scores Predict Changes in Life Circumstances Among People with Co-Occurring Psychiatric and Substance Use Disorders

Abstract The CAGE questionnaire is a brief instrument comprised of four questions that assess the emotional and behavioral consequences of substance use. Substance use also can be associated with a variety of losses and changes in life circumstances. Two hundred twenty people with co-occurring psychiatric and substance use disorders were administered the CAGE followed by a questionnaire regarding changes in life circumstances. Total numbers of significant life changes were positively and significantly correlated with total CAGE scores. Logistic regression analyses identified specific items that were predicted by each of the CAGE questions: one item's variance was significantly accounted for by the “cutting-down” (C) question, three by being “annoyed” (A), four by feeling “guilt” (G), and three by “early morning usage” (E). These data suggest that the emotional and behavioral consequences measured by the CAGE questions may be indicative of important changes in life circumstances. A comprehensive assessment...
Interpretation and Management of Hepatic Abnormalities in Pregnancy

The spectrum of liver disease in pregnancy includes liver disease unrelated to pregnancy, liver diseases that occur with increased frequency or severity in pregnancy, and liver disease specific to pregnancy. Diseases of the liver unique to pregnancy reliably occur at specific points in the gestational spectrum. Thus, gestational age, a comprehensive history, and a clinically driven diagnostic evaluation is critical in approaching a pregnant patient with abnormal liver chemistries or function. Early recognition of these conditions is important and although management may be expectant, some patients require targeted therapy or necessitate prompt delivery, which can be life-saving to both mother and child.
Theory of anisotropic micropolar fluids

Abstract A continuum theory of anisotropic fluids is introduced. Balance laws are based on the micropolar continuum mechanics. Properly invariant constitutive equations are established and restricted by the second law of thermodynamics. The field equations are solved for the shear flow of rod-like suspensions in viscous fluids.
Neuroblastoma: An unusual diagnosis for a pediatric retropharyngeal mass

Objective: To describe the diagnosis and management of a one-year-old male who presented with stridor due to a retropharyngeal neuroblastoma. Method: Retrospective case review. Results: The retropharyngeal neuroblastoma was surgically debulked in the operating room and the stridor improved significantly. The patient continues to be followed with serial MRIs and has no evidence of tumor regrowth or metastasis to this date. Conclusion: Neuroblastoma should be considered in the differential diagnosis of a pediatric retropharyngeal mass. If 50% of the tumor is debulked, the patient can be treated conservatively unless aerodigestive symptoms do not resolve or metastasis is present.
Fast and accurate estimation of RFID tags

Radio frequency identification (RFID) systems have been widely deployed for various applications such as object tracking, 3-D positioning, supply chain management, inventory control, and access control. This paper concerns the fundamental problem of estimating RFID tag population size, which is needed in many applications such as tag identification, warehouse monitoring, and privacy-sensitive RFID systems. In this paper, we propose a new scheme for estimating tag population size called Average Run-based Tag estimation (ART). The technique is based on the average run length of ones in the bit string received using the standardized framed slotted Aloha protocol. ART is significantly faster than prior schemes. For example, given a required confidence interval of 0.1% and a required reliability of 99.9%, ART is consistently 7 times faster than the fastest existing schemes (UPE and EZB) for any tag population size. Furthermore, ART's estimation time is provably independent of the tag population sizes. ART works with multiple readers with overlapping regions and can estimate sizes of arbitrarily large tag populations. ART is easy to deploy because it neither requires modification to tags nor to the communication protocol between tags and readers. ART only needs to be implemented on readers as a software module.
National trends and racial differences in late preterm induction

Objective The objective of the study was to determine the trends and racial differences in late preterm induction (LPI) of labor in the United States. Study Design Data from the National Vital Statistics System were used to identify women eligible for induction between 34 and 42 weeks' gestation from 1991 to 2006. Annual LPI rates were calculated, and maternal race/ethnicity was classified into 4 groups. Changes in the frequency and odds of LPI, stratified by race/ethnicity, were assessed using logistic regression. Results Among the 42.0 million eligible women, LPI rates increased from 0.46% to 1.37% ( P P P P P Conclusion LPI rates were persistently highest and rose most rapidly for black women.
A new alkylation–elimination method for synthesis of antiviral fluoromethylenecyclopropane analogues of nucleosides

Abstract A new method for the synthesis of fluoromethylenecyclopropane nucleosides by alkylation–elimination procedure is described. Fluorination of methylenecyclopropane carboxylate 6 gave fluoroester 7 . Treatment of 7 with phenylselenenyl bromide afforded the desired ethyl ( E )-2-bromomethyl-1-fluoro-2-phenylselenenylcyclopropane-1-carboxylate 11 in 85% yield. DIBALH reduction of 11 gave 13 , which after acetylation to 14 was reacted with 2-amino-6-chloropurine to give the 9-alkylated product 15 in 87% yield. Se-oxidation of 15 with hydrogen peroxide afforded 16 , which underwent smooth elimination in a mixture of THF–DMF at 60 °C giving rise to a Z , E mixture of protected nucleosides 17 . Deacetylation gave Z - 1a and E - 1a which were separated on a silica gel column. Both Z - 1a and E - 1a were converted into the respective guanine analogues Z - 1b and E - 1b .
Host range tests reveal Paectes longiformis is not a suitable biological control agent for the invasive plant Schinus terebinthifolia

The most critical step during a weed biological control program is determination of a candidate agent’s host range. Despite rigorous protocols and extensive testing, there are still concerns over potential non-target effects following field releases. With the objective to improve risk assessment in biological control, no-choice and choice testing followed by a multiple generation study were conducted on the leaf-defoliator, Paectes longiformis Pogue (Lepidoptera: Euteliidae). This moth is being investigated as a biological control agent of Schinus terebinthifolia Raddi (Sapindales: Anacardiaceae), which is one of the worst invasive plant species in Florida, USA. Results from no-choice testing showed higher larval survival on S. terebinthifolia (48 %) and its close relative Schinus molle L. (47 %), whereas lower survival was obtained on six non-target species (<25 %). When given a choice, P. longiformis females preferred to lay eggs on the target weed, but oviposition also occurred on four non-target species. An improved performance on the native Rhus aromatica Aiton was found when insects were reared exclusively on this non-target species for one or two generations. Results from host range testing suggest that this moth is oligophagous, but has a preference for the target weed. Non-target effects found during multiple generation studies indicate that P. longiformis should not be considered as a biological control agent of S. terebinthifolia.
Military terrain vehicles

Abstract The author gives a survey of the historical background, current developments and future aspects of the most important wheeled and tracked military terrain vehicle systems focusing, in particular, on their automotive technological performance as well as on their tactical features. Weapon systems, radio and other military equipment are not part of this survey. This paper does not cover niche products such as over-snow and amphibious vehicles which are also used for military purposes. However, hybrid propulsion systems are included.
Measurements and theory of signal-to-noise ratio of FT-IR emission spectrometry applied to high-pressure solid propellant combustion

Solid propellant combustion studies at high pressures (500-50,000 psi) must be conducted with a high spatial resolution in order to resolve the species concentration and flame temperature profiles. Such studies are often performed in specifically designed experimental facilities, including chimney-type strand burners. To successfully carry out FT-IR emission spectrometry of products from the combustion of small propellant strands, one is required to perform a critical assessment of the achievable signal-to-noise ratio (SNR). In this work, an analytical expression for the SNR of FT-IR emission spectrometry limited to detector noise has been derived. The expression is specifically applied for the v3 fundamental band of CO2 and in the optically thick limit verified by experiments. The results from the application of the theory show that a spatial resolution on the order of 200 μm should yield SNRs of 100 or larger at the center of the considered band for the anticipated temperatures of high-pressure solid propellant combustion. Measurements of emission spectra of combustion products of a homogeneous solid propellant, NOSOL-363, have also been performed at one atmosphere total pressure to show that an 800-μm spatial resolution may be sufficient to deduce species concentration and temperature profiles.
TERATOGENIC EFFECTS OF HYPERBARIC OXYGEN.

SummaryPregnant golden hamsters in early stages of gestation were exposed to hyperbaric oxygen at 3.0, 3.6, and 4.0 atmospheres for periods of 3 and 2 hours. One-fourth of the mothers developed central nervous system signs during treatment and were sacrificed. A small but significant number of fetuses recovered late in gestation had severe gross congenital malformations, consisting of umbilical hernias, exencephaly, spina bifida, and limb defects.I wish to thank Dr. George Margolis, Dept. of Pathology, Dartmouth Medical School, for use of equipment and personnel supported by U.S.P.H.S. grant.
Understanding preload reserve using functional hemodynamic monitoring

The assessment critically ill patients’ cardiovascular state through hemodynamic monitoring is essential to define both stability and change. But monitoring can be improved by maneuvers designed to stress the cardiovascular state. For example, gallop rhythms heard increasing with spontaneous inspiration or associated paradoxical septal shift by echocardiography connote right heart failure. Similarly, tachycardia and near syncope upon sitting up from a supine position connotes hypovolemia. These maneuvers reflect functional bedside tests of the patient’s physiologic reserve. Functional Hemodynamic Monitoring (FHM) is the process of assessing the dynamic response of a measured hemodynamic variable to a defined, reproducible and readily reversible extrinsic stress (1). FHM parameters is commonly used to predict cardiac output responses to volume loading (2, 3), although its applications are broader.
Solution copolymerization of D-lactose-O-(p-vinylbenzyl)-hydroxime with acrylonitrile

Abstract Copolymerization of d -lactose-O-(p-vinylbenzyl)-hydroxime (LVH), a new vinyl monomer, with acrylonitrile (AN) was performed in DMSO with AIBN as the initiator. The conversion of LVH is much faster than that of AN and reaches 100% in 2 h. The reactivity ratios of LVH and AN, as determined by the extended Kelen-Tudos method, are 1.0975 and 0.0554, respectively. Increasing the proportion of LVH in the monomer mixture significantly increases the LVH content in the copolymer. The conversion of monomers and the AN content in the copolymer rise gradually with increasing reaction time and initiator concentration. The number average molecular weights of the copolymers are independent of the monomer feed ratios. The LVH-co-AN copolymers exhibit lower glass transition temperatures than PLVH homopolymer. The presence of small amounts of LVH in the copolymer chain reduce the cyclization of nitrile groups in AN segments of the copolymer. Complete disappearance of nitrile cyclization is observed when the contents of LVH reaches and exceeds 16.9%.
Predators avoiding predation.

The notion of stealthy predation often invokes images of a predator hiding and waiting to ambush its unsuspecting prey. In this issue of PNAS, Manicom et al. (1) offer an alternative reason why predators hide that involves an important tradeoff between capturing prey and seeking refuge to avoid their own demise from other predator species. Such tradeoff behavior is routinely demonstrated by prey species (2, 3), but Manicom et al. present experimental evidence that predators victimized by other predators may also engage in antipredator tactics.
The semidirect products of finite cyclic groups that areI-E groups

AnI-E group is a group in which the endomorphism near-ring generated by the group's inner automorphisms equals the endomorphism near-ring generated by its endomorphisms. In this paper we shall completely determine the finite groups that are semidirect products of cyclic groups and areI-E groups.
Computational studies of the FENE dumbbell model with conformation-dependent friction in a co-rotating two-roll mill

Abstract The flow of a viscoelastic fluid in a co-rotating two-roll mill is studied using a modified Chilcott-Rallison constitutive model, which includes the Hinch-DeGennes formulation of a conformation-dependent friction coefficient. One well known feature of this model, for homogeneous flows, is that there is a hysteresis loop in the dependence of the steady-state configuration on the strain-rate. However, for inhomogeneous flows, at finite polymer concentrations, there is a strong coupling between the velocity and configuration fields, which is shown by present calculations to mask the hysteresis loop, and the associated non-uniqueness of the steady-state configuration. This is a consequence of the reduction in extensional strength of the velocity field with increasing polymeric contribution to the stress field. For small polymer concentrations the transition from the coiled-state to the stretched-state is abrupt in time and the transitional Deborah number range is relatively narrow. However, with increasing polymer concentration, both the time taken to reach the steady-state and the transitional Deborah number range increase significantly. For relatively large values of c, L and De a birefringent pipe-like structure emerges along the outflow axis of the two-roll mill. This and the overall spatial distribution of the configuration qualitatively agree with birefringence photographs for real polymeric liquids.
Information theoretic inequalities

The role of inequalities in information theory is reviewed, and the relationship of these inequalities to inequalities in other branches of mathematics is developed. The simple inequalities for differential entropy are applied to the standard multivariate normal to furnish new and simpler proofs of the major determinant inequalities in classical mathematics. The authors discuss differential entropy inequalities for random subsets of samples. These inequalities when specialized to multivariate normal variables provide the determinant inequalities that are presented. The authors focus on the entropy power inequality (including the related Brunn-Minkowski, Young's, and Fisher information inequalities) and address various uncertainty principles and their interrelations. >
Giant condyloma acuminatum of the anorectum: trends in epidemiology and management: report of a case and review of the literature.

PURPOSE: Giant condyloma acuminatum (Buschke-Loewenstein tumor) of the anorectum is a rare disease with a potentially fatal course. Controversy exists as to the epidemiology, pathologic nature, and management of the tumor. METHODS: We present a 42-year-old male with a 12-cm × 10-cm exophytic mass of the anal verge. Treatment included wide local excision and partial closure with rotation flaps. Pathology revealed a giant condyloma acuminatum with foci of well-differentiated squamous-cell carcinoma. We identified 51 reported cases of giant condyloma acuminatum in the English literature, and to our knowledge this is the largest review to date. RESULTS: Giant condyloma acuminatum presents with a 2.7:1 male-to-female ratio. For patients younger than 50 years of age, this ratio is increased to 3.5:1. The mean age at presentation is 43.9 years, 42.9 in males and 46.6 in females (P=0.44). There seems to be a recent trend toward a younger presentation. The most common presenting symptoms are perianal mass (47 percent), pain (32 percent), abscess or fistula (32 percent), and bleeding (18 percent). Giant condyloma acuminatum has been linked to human papilloma virus and has distinct histologic features. Foci of invasive carcinoma are noted in 50 percent of the reports, “carcinomain situ” in 8 percent, and no invasion in 42 percent. Historically, treatment strategies have included topical chemotherapy, wide local excision, abdominopelvic resection, and the frequent addition of adjuvant and neoadjuvant systemic chemotherapy and radiation therapy. Recurrence is common. CONCLUSION: There seems to be a trend toward younger age at presentation and male predominance of giant condyloma acuminatum of the anorectum. Foci of invasive cancer within giant condyloma specimens are of uncertain significance and do not seem to correlate with recurrence or prognosis. Local invasion and local recurrence are the major source of morbidity in this disease. Complete excision is the preferred initial therapy when feasible. Wide local excision, fecal diversion, or abdominoperineal resection have been used. Chemotherapy with 5-fluorouracil and focused radiation therapy may be used in certain cases of recurrence or extensive pelvic disease, with unpredictable response. Controlled, prospective, multi-institutional studies are necessary to further define the nature and treatment of this rare disease.
Evidence that the trans -10, cis -12 isomer of conjugated linoleic acid induces body composition changes in mice

We investigated the effects of conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) preparations, which were enriched for the cis-9,trans-11 CLA isomer or the trans-10,cis-12 CLA isomer, on body composition in mice. Body composition changes (reduced body fat, enhanced body water, enhanced body protein, and enhanced body ash) were associated with feeding the trans-10,cis-12 CLA isomer. In cultured 3T3-L1 adipocytes, the trans-10,cis-12 isomer reduced lipoprotein lipase activity, intracellular triacylglycerol and glycerol, and enhanced glycerol release into the medium. By contrast, the cis-9,trans-11 and trans-9,trans-11 CLA isomers did not affect these biochemical activities. We conclude that CLA-associated body composition change results from feeding the trans-10,cis-12 isomer.
Combined modality therapy for stage I-II large cell lymphoma.

Abstract Between January 1978 and December 1986, 94 patients with Stage I-II large cell lymphoma were evaluated at Stanford University Medical Center and treated with a combination of chemotherapy (CTX) and irradiation (XRT). The predominant histology was diffuse large cell (78), followed by immunoblastic (7), follicular large cell (6), and diffuse mixed small and large cell lymphoma (3). Twenty-three patients had Stage I and 71 had Stage II disease. Fifty-one had extranodal involvement (13 IE, 38 IIE), and 11 had B symptoms (2 IB, 9 IIB). Lymphoma was supradiaphragmatic in 58 patients, infradiaphragmatic in 21, and only in extranodal sites in 15. Patients received either involved (81) or extended (13) field XRT with a median dose of 40 Gy and combination CTX with 2 to 9 cycles (median 6) of either CHOP (68), M-BACOD (8), C-MOPP (8), MACOP-B (4), or other (6). Seventy two patients remain with no evidence of disease, 21 are dead with disease, and one suffered an intercurrent death. Among the 19 patients who relapsed, there were six failures within the XRT field only, two within and outside the XRT field, and 11 outside of the XRT fields only. Actuarial survival and freedom from relapse (FFR) for the entire population were 74% and 72% at 5-years, respectively (33 month median follow-up). Stage I patients achieved 81% survival and 78% FFR, and Stage II patients had 72% survival and 70% FFR. In univariate and multivariate analyses, a favorable outcome was associated with the CTX-XRT-CTX sequence of therapy ( p = 0.001), low LDH ( p = 0.01), and small tumor bulk (p = 0.04). There were no relapses or deaths among the 21 patients receiving the "sandwich" sequence (CTX-XRT-CTX) of therapy. This series may serve as a comparison with single modality treatment programs for localized large cell lymphoma using either XRT or CTX alone.
Multitemporal snow cover mapping in mountainous terrain for Landsat climate data record development

A multitemporal method to map snow cover in mountainous terrain is proposed to guide Landsat climate data record (CDR) development. The Landsat image archive including MSS, TM, and ETM+ imagery was used to construct a prototype Landsat snow cover CDR for the interior northwestern United States. Landsat snow cover CDRs are designed to capture snow-covered area (SCA) variability at discrete bi-monthly intervals that correspond to ground-based snow telemetry (SNOTEL) snow-water-equivalent (SWE) measurements. The June 1 bi-monthly interval was selected for initial CDR development, and was based on peak snowmelt timing for this mountainous region. Fifty-four Landsat images from 1975 to 2011 were preprocessed that included image registration, top-of-the-atmosphere (TOA) reflectance conversion, cloud and shadow masking, and topographic normalization. Snow covered pixels were retrieved using the normalized difference snow index (NDSI) and unsupervised classification, and pixels having greater (less) than 50% snow cover were classified presence (absence). A normalized SCA equation was derived to independently estimate SCA given missing image coverage and cloud-shadow contamination. Relative frequency maps of missing pixels were assembled to assess whether systematic biases were embedded within this Landsat CDR. Our results suggest that it is possible to confidently estimate historical bi-monthly SCA from partially cloudy Landsat images. This multitemporal method is intended to guide Landsat CDR development for freshwaterscarce regions of the western US to monitor climate-driven changes in mountain snowpack extent.
Criminal Punishment, Labor Market Outcomes, and Economic Inequality: Devah Pager's Marked: Race, Crime, and Finding Work in an Era of Mass Incarceration

A growing empirical literature examines the role of incarceration in labor market outcomes and economic inequality more broadly. Devah Pager's book, Marked: Race, Crime, and Finding Work in an Era of Mass Incarceration (2007), offers compelling evidence that employment opportunities for former prisoners—especially black former prisoners—are bleak. I review Pager's methods and findings, place them in the context of previous work, and discuss the relation of race to a criminal record. I then explore several lines of related research that investigate the increasing reach of criminal punishment into various social realms. One goal of this essay is to draw research on economic inequality into the law and society literature.
What is the Significance of Subjective Events Recorded During Long‐Term EEG Video Monitoring?

Summary: Purpose: Purely subjective events, identified as “seizures” by patients but not accompanied by any clinical or EEG changes, commonly occur during evaluation of patients for intractable epilepsy. We wished to determine the significance of such events. Methods: We analyzed the frequency of subjective episodes in 379 adults who underwent EEG video monitoring as part of their evaluation for intractable epilepsy and the relationship of these experiences to epileptic and psychogenic nonepileptic (NES) seizures. We examined the results of tests of mental ability and of emotional, psychosocial, and quality of life (QOL) adjustment to determine if individuals with subjective events alone could be distinguished from those with epileptic seizures only, NES only, or no events, by these measures. Results: We noted subjective events in 39% (147 of 379) of the patients. Of patients with subjective episodes, 52% also had epileptic seizures, 7% had NES, 1% had both epileptic seizures and NES, and 40% had subjective events alone. As a group, patients with subjective events alone were slightly more intelligent and less impaired neuropsychologically than people in the other groups, hut they performed more poorly on several important measures of adjustment. Conclusions: The identification of persons with purely subjective episodes apart from all other episodes is important both phenomenologically and from a practical viewpoint.
A board game for undergraduate genetics vocabulary and concept review: the pathway shuffle.

A board game for the review of fundamental genetics concepts is presented. The game is easily prepared and dropped into a classroom setting. Printable materials are available as article supplements. Preliminary results of field testing are discussed, demonstrating a meaningful improvement in student success.
Economic Self-Sufficiency: An Insufficient Indicator of How Women Fare after Welfare Reform

The Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act (PRWORA) of 1996 represented the most momentous change to the U. S. welfare system since its formal inception in 1935. Because of the significance of the changes made with the PRWORA and the potential ramifications for the lives of women, the new legislation has spurred an unprecedented volume of research to monitor its effects. By far, the concept of economic self-sufficiency as a means of measuring well-being in this vulnerable population of women has dominated public policy discourse. This article reviews the changes in welfare policy and discusses the repercussions of narrowly interpreting well-being using econocentric terms in relation to the lives and health of women. In addition, an argument for nursing involvement in conducting policy research and developing more informed, socially-just policies for women living within or at the margins of poverty is made.
On the Properties of Predominant-Period Estimators for Earthquake Early Warning

Recent results suggest that measurements of the average “predominant period,” τp , of an earthquake using the first few seconds of P waves provide a rapid approximate estimate of magnitude that can be used for earthquake early warning systems. Although these prior studies demonstrate the empirical value of such an approach, we here examine the theoretical properties of the predominant period estimator. We show that this estimator is a nonlinear function of spectral amplitude and period that gives greater weight to higher amplitudes and higher frequencies in the spectrum. Our results also demonstrate that there are inherent errors in individual measurements using a time-dependent maximum value of the τp estimator derived from a recursion relation. Whereas some of the observed variability in predominant period estimates of magnitude likely is due to local site effects, our analyses suggest that the nonideal properties of the estimator may also add noise to the results. Given the potential importance for earthquake early warning systems, we suggest that more detailed analyses into the magnitude dependence of the spectral characteristics of initial P -wave data, such as using multitaper spectral or wavelet approaches, could be helpful in designing improved methods to further optimize performance.
3D Mapping of Polymerization Shrinkage Using X-ray Micro-computed Tomography to Predict Microleakage

Abstract Objectives The objectives of this study were to (1) demonstrate X-ray micro-computed tomography (μCT) as a viable method for determining the polymerization shrinkage and microleakage on the same sample accurately and non-destructively, and (2) investigate the effect of sample geometry (e.g., C-factor and volume) on polymerization shrinkage and microleakage. Methods Composites placed in a series of model cavities of controlled C-factors and volumes were imaged using μCT to determine their precise location and volume before and after photopolymerization. Shrinkage was calculated by comparing the volume of composites before and after polymerization and leakage was predicted based on gap formation between composites and cavity walls as a function of position. Dye penetration experiments were used to validate μCT results. Results The degree of conversion (DC) of composites measured using FTIR microspectroscopy in reflectance mode was nearly identical for composites filled in all model cavity geometries. The shrinkage of composites calculated based on μCT results was statistically identical regardless of sample geometry. Microleakage, on the other hand, was highly dependent on the C-factor as well as the composite volume, with higher C-factors and larger volumes leading to a greater probability of microleakage. Spatial distribution of microleakage determined by μCT agreed well with results determined by dye penetration. Significance μCT has proven to be a powerful technique in quantifying polymerization shrinkage and corresponding microleakage for clinically relevant cavity geometries.
The Birthday Blues

In a sample of 201 famous persons who committed suicide with birth and death dates available, there was no significant tendency for them to the close to their birthdays.
Cre-stimulated recombination at loxP-containing DNA sequences placed into the mammalian genome

Abstract The cre gene of coliphage P1 encodes a 38 kDa protein which efficiently promotes both intra- and intermolecular recombination at specific 34 bp sites called loxP. To demonstrate that the Cre protein can promote DNA recombination at loxP sites resident on a mammalian chromosome, a mouse cell line was constructed containing two directly repeated loxP sites flanking a 2.5 kb yeast DNA fragment and inserted between the SV40 promoter and the neo structural gene to disrupt expression of the neo gene. Expression of the cre gene in this cell line results in excision of the intervening yeast DNA and thus permits sufficient expression of the neo gene to allow cell growth in high concentrations of G418. Southern analysis indicated that Cre-mediated excision occurred at the loxP sites. In the absence of the cre gene such excisive events are quite rare. Cre-mediated recombination should thus be quite useful in effecting a variety of genomic rearrangements in eukaryotic cells.
Derivative free analogues of the Levenberg-Marquardt and Gauss algorithms for nonlinear least squares approximation

In this paper we give two derivative-free computational algorithms for nonlinear least squares approximation. The algorithms are finite difference analogues of the Levenberg-Marquardt and Gauss methods. Local convergence theorems for the algorithms are proven. In the special case when the residuals are zero at the minimum, we show that certain computationally simple choices of the parameters lead to quadratic convergence. Numerical examples are included.
Minimal non-deletable sets and minimal non-codeletable sets in binary images

The concepts of strongly 8-deletable and strongly 4-deletable sets of 1s in binary images on the 2D Cartesian grid were introduced by Ronse in the mid-1980s to formalize the connectivity preservation conditions that parallel thinning algorithms are required to satisfy. In this paper we call these sets deletable and codeletable, respectively. To establish that a proposed parallel thinning algorithm for binary images on the 2D Cartesian grid preserves 8-(4-)connected foreground components and 4-(8-)connected background components, it is enough to prove that the set of 1s which are changed to 0s at each pass of the algorithm is always a deletable (codeletable) set. Ronse established results that are very useful in this context for proving that a finite set D of 1s is deletable or codeletable. In particular, he showed that D and its proper subsets are all codeletable in a binary image if each singleton and each pair of 8-adjacent pixels in D is codeletable. He further showed that D and its proper subsets are all deletable in a binary image if (1) each singleton and each pair of 4-adjacent pixels in D is deletable, and (2) no set of 2, 3, or 4 pairwise 8-adjacent pixels that is an 8-connected foreground component of the image is entirely contained in D. In the 1990s and early 2000s analogous results were obtained by Hall, Ma, Gau, and the author for binary images on the 2D hexagonal grid, the 3D Cartesian and face-centered cubic grids, and the 4D Cartesian grid. This paper extends the above-mentioned work to binary images on almost any polytopal complex whose union is n-dimensional Euclidean space, for n@?4. Our main results generalize and unify the corresponding results of the earlier work.
Geologic And Tectonic Insights From Analysis of New Gravity And Magnetic Maps of North America

New compilations of gravity and magnetic data prepared for the Geological Society of America’s Decade of North American Geology (DNAG) project (Cormt Corm&tee for the Magnetic Anomaly Map of North America, 1987) give an unprecedented overview of an area spanning nearly l/8 of the Earth’s surface, including most of the North American plate and its tectonically active western margin. From the gravity compilation an isostatic residual gravity map of North America (Simpson, et al., 1988) has been prepared to suppress long-wavelength Bouguer gravity anomalies related to isostatic support of topographic loads and reveal residual anomalies at all scales (see Simpson, et al., 1986, for a detailed discussion of the isostatic model and the interpretation of isostatic anomalies). Upward continuation and boundary analysis of both the isostatic residual gravity map and the magnetic map of North America help in the definit.ion of tectonic boundaries and geologic provinces of regional scale (Blakely and Griscom, 1988).
A National Picture of Parent and Youth Participation in IEP and Transition Planning Meetings

Two prospective longitudinal studies of nationally representative samples of students with disabilities—the Special Education Elementary Longitudinal Study and the National Longitudinal Transition Study–2—are used to provide a broad look at the participation of parents of 11- through 19-year-old students with disabilities in Individualized Education Plan/transition planning meetings and their satisfaction with their involvement in them. Students’ attendance and the roles played in their transition planning meetings are also examined. Logistic regression analyses identify disability characteristics; demographics; aspects of parents’ involvement, expectations, and perceptions; experiences in students’ educational histories; and features of their instructional programs that help explain variations in parent and student participation, parent satisfaction, and student roles.
Immune responses of mice to poly(L-Tyr-L-Glu-L-Ala-Gly) and its oligomers

C57BL/6 (H-2b) mice, when immunized with the sequential polymer (T-G-A-Gly)n and its low-molecular-weight oligomers, respond only to theα-helical oligomers with molecular weights of 9700 and above. Only the sameα-helical oligomers were able to inhibit the homologous antigen-antibody reaction. Random copolymers of GA, GT, and GAT10 did not inhibit. In vitro stimulation of peritoneal exudate lymphocyte (PETLES) cultures showed that the cellular response (T-cell) against (T-G-A-Gly)n is antigen-specific. In vitro antigen-induced stimulation of whole spleen or lymph node lymphocytes indicated that (T-G-A-Gly)n might also be a B-cell mitogen.
Normalized Power Spectra for FDM/FM Signals and Noise Power Ratio Calculations

By using normalized power spectra to represent frequency division multiplex/frequency modulation (FDM/FM) signals, the noise-power ratio (NPR) resulting from interference between FM signals can be easily calculated. These non-Gaussian power spectra are shown for CCIR preemphasis, rms frequency modulation ( m ) indexes from 0.1 to 1.2 and for top-to-bottom baseband frequency ratios ( b ) from 2 to 20. Proof is given that signals with the same m index, b ratio, and preemphasis characteristics will have the same power spectrum. Also given is the value of the index m for a given b ratio that can be used to represent the FDM/FM signals by a Gaussian power spectrum.