cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Feasibility of MR-guided radiotherapy using beam-eye-view 2D-cine with tumor-volume projection.

PURPOSE Current magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) guided radiotherapy (MRgRT) applies sagittal/coronal 2D-cine to monitor major tumor motions, however, the beam eye's view (BEV) with volumetric tumor projection would be the best measure for radiation beam conformality, independent of tumor through-plane motion. The goal is to assess the feasibility, accuracy, and performance of the BEV approach. METHODS Beam-specific BEV 2D-cine with volume-projected tumor contours were simulated to establish a 2D/3D tumor match against a tumor-motion library based on multi-breath time-resolved (TR) 4DMRI images. Two BEV-library-matching methods were developed: (1) fast screening with tumor center-of-mass (∆COM), in-plane area ratio, and DICE similarity, and finalizing with the highest DICE score and (2) DICE screening for top-3 candidates and finalizing with rigid registration. A 4D-XCAT digital phantom and 8 lung-cancer patients were used for assessment. For each patient, 3 sets of 40 s TR-4DMRI were acquired at 2 Hz and 6 representative BEV were created with the isocenter set at tumor COM in mid-respiration. One TR-4DMRI set (40 × 2 = 80-images) was used to simulate BEV 2D-cine and the other two (160-images) were used to create a library. The matching result was validated against the ground truth within the test set. Using a leave-one-out strategy, the success rate, accuracy, and speed of tumor matching were assessed for volume-projected tumors over 11520 time-points (=8patients•3sets•80images•6BEVs). RESULTS Volume-projected tumor contour area on the 6 BEVs varies by 60% ± 8% and [Formula: see text] (in-plane/volume-projected) varies by 82% ± 9%. The [Formula: see text] changes with tumor shape, orientation, and through-plane motion. Method-1 produces 96% matching success (ΔCOM = 0.7 ± 0.2 mm, [Formula: see text]=1.01 ± 0.02, Dice=0.92 ± 0.02) with the computational time of 15 ± 1 ms/match, while method-2 produces 94% ± 1% success (ΔCOM = 0.2 ± 0.1 mm, [Formula: see text]=1.00 ± 0.01, Dice = 0.94 ± 0.02) with 223 ± 13 ms/match. CONCLUSION This study has demonstrated the feasibility, accuracy, and benefits of BEV 2D-cine imaging with tumor-volume projection, allowing real-time tumor motion monitoring and beam conformality checking. Further clinical evaluation is necessary before MRgRT applications.
Economic Growth and Obesity: Findings of an Obesity Kuznets Curve

Simon Kuznets’ (1955) hypothesis that as a country develops, a natural cycle develops where inequality first increases, then decreases, has become known at the Kuznets curve. This pattern has also been applied to the environment, an ‘Environmental Kuznets curve’, showing that as development occurs, pollution first increase; then decreases because people value clean air. We expand the Kuznets curve to an ‘Obesity Kuznets curve’; as incomes rise, resources become available to buy more food. As such, people consume more calories and obesity rates increase. However, as incomes continue to rise, personal health becomes a more valued asset and people decrease their obesity levels (increasing their health levels). We find evidence of an Obesity Kuznets curve for white females. In addition we find that as income inequality increases obesity rates fall.
Lymphatic pathway evaluation in congenital heart disease using 3D whole-heart balanced steady state free precession and T2-weighted cardiovascular magnetic resonance.

Due to passive blood flow in palliated single ventricle, central venous pressure increases chronically, ultimately impeding lymphatic drainage. Early visualization and treatment of these malformations is essential to reduce morbidity and mortality. Cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) T2-weighted lymphangiography (T2w) is used for lymphatic assessment, but its low signal-to-noise ratio may result in incomplete visualization of thoracic duct pathway. 3D-balanced steady state free precession (3D-bSSFP) is commonly used to assess congenital cardiac disease anatomy. Here, we aimed to improve diagnostic imaging of thoracic duct pathway using 3D-bSSFP. Patients underwent CMR during single ventricle or central lymphatic system assessment using T2w and 3D-bSSFP. T2w parameters included 3D-turbo spin echo (TSE), TE/TR = 600/2500 ms, resolution = 1 × 1 × 1.8 mm, respiratory triggering with bellows. 3D-bSSFP parameters included electrocardiogram triggering and diaphragm navigator, 1.6 mm isotropic resolution, TE/TR = 1.8/3.6 ms. Thoracic duct was identified independently in T2w and 3D-bSSFP images, tracked completely from cisterna chyli to its drainage site, and classified based on severity of lymphatic abnormalities. Forty-eight patients underwent CMR, 46 of whom were included in the study. Forty-five had congenital heart disease with single ventricle physiology. Median age at CMR was 4.3 year (range 0.9–35.1 year, IQR 2.4 year), and median weight was 14.4 kg (range, 7.9–112.9 kg, IQR 5.2 kg). Single ventricle with right dominant ventricle was noted in 31 patients. Thirty-eight patients (84%) were status post bidirectional Glenn and 7 (16%) were status post Fontan anastomosis. Thoracic duct visualization was achieved in 45 patients by T2w and 3D-bSSFP. Complete tracking to drainage site was attained in 11 patients (24%) by T2w vs 25 (54%) by 3D-bSSFP and in 28 (61%) by both. Classification of lymphatics was performed in 31 patients. Thoracic duct pathway can be visualized by 3D-bSSFP combined with T2w lymphangiography. Cardiac triggering and respiratory navigation likely help retain lymphatic signal in the retrocardiac area by 3D-bSSFP. Visualizing lymphatic system leaks is challenging on 3D-bSSFP images alone, but 3D-bSSFP offers good visualization of duct anatomy and landmark structures to help plan interventions. Together, these sequences can define abnormal lymphatic pathway following single ventricle palliative surgery, thus guiding lymphatic interventional procedures.
Mayröckers Scardanelli als Herausforderung für die Lyrikkritik

Friederike Mayrockers Gedichte stellen mit ihrer Verbindung von hochreflektierten, experimentellen und scheinbar autobiographischen, an die Erlebnislyrik gemahnenden Schreibweisen eine besondere Herausforderung sowohl fur die Literaturwissenschaft als auch fur die Literaturkritik dar. Dieser Beitrag untersucht am Beispiel ausgewahlter Rezensionen von Mayrockers Gedichtband Scardanelli (2009), dessen Titel sich auf Holderlins zweite, von Krankheit gezeichnete Lebenshalfte in Tubingen bezieht, wie insbesondere Kritiker mit dieser Herausforderung umgehen. Verglichen werden die unterschiedlichen Herangehensweisen in einer Rezension des Literaturkritikers Paul Jandl und in den Besprechungen der Lyriker Andrea Grill und Nico Bleutge. Dabei stellt sich heraus, dass die Lyriker starker als der hauptberufliche Kritiker eine historische und distanzierte Perspektive auf Mayrockers Scardanelli einnehmen, wie sie heute von der Lyrikkritik vielfach gefordert wird.
Nucleic acid amplification-free detection of DNA and RNA at ultralow concentration.

The broad spectrum of approaches for nucleic acid amplification-free detection of DNA and RNA at single-digit attomolar (10−18 M) concentration and lower is reviewed. These low concentrations correspond roughly to the most clinically desirable detection range for pathogen-specific nucleic acid as well as the detection limits of commercially available, nucleic acid amplification tests based primarily on polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The need for more rapid and inexpensive, yet still highly accurate tests, has become evident during the pandemic. It is expected that publication of reports describing improved tests will accelerate soon, and this review covers the wide variety of detection methods based on both optical and electrical measurements that have been conceived over recent years, enabled generally by the advent of nanotechnology.
Sullivan's Clinical Contribution During the Sheppard Pratt Era-19,23-1930.

HARRY STACK SULLIVAN came to The Sheppard and Enoch Pratt Hospital in Towson, Maryland, upon the initiative of Ross McClure Chapman, who had been appointed superintendent of the hospital in 1920. Sullivan had been at St. Elizabeths Hospital in Washington, D.C., where he had been associated with the foremost clinicians during there heyday of St. Elizabeths--William Alanson White, Edward J, Kempf, Ernest Hadley, and Lucile Dooley. Under Chapman's sponsorship Sullivan enjoyed complete autonomy in being able to set up a special unit at Sheppard, with free rein to hire his own nursing personnel. Although the date usually given for the initiation of his work at Sheppard is 1923, there is some indication from the correspondence with Chapman that he might have started as early as the latter part of 1922, either Novemeber or December. At the time, he was a quite young 30 or 31. Of special interest to us today is the fact that Sullivan arranged to have a stenographer take down a number of his interviews with patients during the years 1926 and 1927. These interviews, plus the routine records of staff conferences, including verbatim records of the case presentation, questioning of the patient, and various staff members' comments, constitute the bulk of the data for my presentation. This material enables us to develop some idea of Sullivan's clinical approach to a variety of psychiatric syndromes, as represented either by direct interview or by case conference comments 50 years ago. In this presentation I will outline Sullivan's approach to various clinical topics, and will include sample interviews which illustrate his clinical interviewing technique at that time.
High Molecular Weight Derivatives of Human Fibrinogen Produced by Plasmin III. THEIR NH2-TERMINAL AMINO ACIDS AND COMPARISON WITH THE "NH2-TERMINAL DISULFIDE KNOT

The NH2-terminal amino acid residues of the plasmin derivatives of human fibrinogen (Fragments X, Y, D, and E) were determined and compared with those of undigested fibrinogen. Fibrinogen and Fragments X (mol wt 260,000) and Y (mol wt 155,000) had primarily alanine and tyrosine NH2-terminal residues. Fragment E (mol wt 50,000) also had alanine and tyrosine and in addition contained smaller amounts of glycine and valine residues. Fragment D (mol wt 85,000) had a clearly different complement of NH2-terminal residues, aspartic acid, methionine and valine, and probably derives from the COOH-terminal part of the parent fibrinogen molecule. That the NH2-terminal region of the fibrinogen molecule is present in Fragments X, Y, and E was confirmed by direct comparison of Fragments D and E with the NH2-terminal disulfide knot (mol wt 57,000), a chemical derivative of fibrinogen that contains the NH2-terminal region of fibrinogen, including fibrinopeptides A and B. Fragment E showed striking similarity of NH2-terminal amino acid residues, cysteine content, and antigenic determinants with the NH2-terminal disulfide knot. Thus, a derivative formed by proteolytic degradation of fibrinogen, Fragment E, has been shown to be virtually identical with a derivative formed by chemical degradation, the NH2-terminal disulfide knot. These data are consistent with the hypothesis of asymmetrical proteolysis of fibrinogen by plasmin, retaining the NH2-terminal region of the fibrinogen molecule relatively intact in Fragments X, Y, and E.
Party-Directed Mediation: Pushing the Envelope in Interpersonal Disputes

Mediator styles vary on a number of dimensions. One such factor relates to degree of mediator directiveness. This paper introduces and defends a model - Party-Directed Mediation - that empowers parties involved in interpersonal disputes to increasingly take more responsibility for the resolution of their conflict. In recent decades a number of mediation styles have moved away from mediator-directed approaches for conflicts of an interpersonal nature, with the idea of empowering parties. The Party-Directed Mediation approach pushes the envelope in terms of empowering parties and reducing mediator directiveness. This is mainly accomplished through two somewhat controversial techniques: (1) the pre-caucus (where the mediator meets alone with each party before ever bringing both parties together); and (2) the party-directed joint session (where the parties sit facing across from each other and direct their comments to each other rather than to the mediator). Not all conflicts lend themselves to Party-Directed Mediation. The model is especially designed for conflicts affecting co-workers, neighbors, those involved in family owned businesses and other instances where parties will continue to live or work together after the mediator goes home.
NON-INVASIVE INDICATORS OF RENAL ARTERY STENOSIS (RAS) IN CHILDREN

Unilateral and bilateral RAS are significant and potentially correctable causes of secondary hypertension in children. The technical difficulties and risks of angiography led us to do a retrospective analysis of non-invasive predictors of RAS in 10 consecutive hypertensive children who had renal arteriograms. Five had RAS and all had similar preliminary diagnostic evaluations. Patient ages ranged from 2 to 17 years and there were no differences in sex or age distribution between the RAS and non-RAS groups. An abnormal physical examination (abdominal bruit, cafe-au-lait spots) was highly related to RAS. Further, small sample predictive analysis indicated that a high accuracy of RAS classification may be possible utilizing only the variables of absolute elevations of plasma renin activity and BP [s/d 95%] (BP [s/d 95%] is the sum of the age-adjusted difference for systolic and diastolic BP exceeding the 95%). By contrast, poor correlation with the diagnosis of RAS was found with the following: renal scintillation scanning, depression in blood pressure (BP) using saralasin, and plasma aldosterone. We conclude that physical examination, plasma renin activity and BP [s/d 95%] are important predictors of RAS and help in the pre-selection of children needing renal angiography. In addition, the value of performing the other diagnostic tests studied is questioned.
Sparse Principal Component Analysis in Hilbert Space

Technical advances in many areas have produced more complicated high-dimensional data sets than the usual high-dimensional data matrix, such as the fMRI data collected in a period for independent trials, or expression levels of genes measured in different tissues. Multiple measurements exist for each variable in each sample unit of these data. Regarding the multiple measurements as an element in a Hilbert space, we propose Principal Component Analysis (PCA) in Hilbert space. The principal components (PCs) thus defined carry information about not only the patterns of variations in individual variables but also the relationships between variables. To extract the features with greatest contributions to the explained variations in PCs for high-dimensional data, we also propose sparse PCA in Hilbert space by imposing a generalized elastic-net constraint. Efficient algorithms to solve the optimization problems in our methods are provided. We also propose a criterion for selecting the tuning parameter.
Solving the puzzle of supercontinuum generation

Summary form only given. Supercontinuum generation (SCG) is the explosive increase in bandwidth suffered by an intense laser pulse propagating through a medium. Although the details vary, it is a universal phenomenon observed in gasses, liquids, and solids using a wide range of pump pulse energies and widths. It arises due to the complex interplay of the Kerr effect, Raman scattering, ionization, and dispersion. Describing even qualitative features in the SCG spectrum generally requires treating the breakdown of the slowly varying envelope approximation and the interplay between the pulse's spatial and temporal evolution. Yet the effort to understand SCG is worthwhile, since there seems to be little limit to its application as a source of tunable short pulse radiation, in communications, in precision measurement, and even in clinical diagnostics. There have been a number of sophisticated treatments of SCG recently that have greatly raised the standard for the quantitative treatment of this phenomenon. We have introduced a novel measurement technique, the spectrally-resolved double pump, that allows us to settle a number of issues important to the understanding of SCG.
Five Easy Pieces: Case Studies of Entrepreneurs Who Organized Private Communities for a Public Purpose

Many observers are skeptical of claims that private entrepreneurs can perform traditional governmental functions like supporting basic research, keeping WMD away from terrorists, or protecting public health. This article presents five recent counterexamples. These include initiatives designed to establish new health and safety standards in nanotechnology; build a central repository for worldwide mutations data; use on-line volunteers to find cures for tuberculosis; and require biotech companies to screen customer orders for products that can be used to make weapons. In principle, many more initiatives are both possible and desirable. Historically, however, government done little to promote private initiatives and sometimes destabilized them. The article suggests strategies for this overcoming this problem.
Supporting the evolution of a software visualization tool through usability studies

The paper presents a usability study conducted with graduate and undergraduate computer science students, designed to evaluate the effectiveness of a software visualization tool named sv3D, and to provide necessary user data for the evolution of the system. Sv3D is a software visualization tool for comprehension of large software, capable of displaying source code and associated metrics in three dimensions. The participants in the study answered two types of questions: one set provided objective measurements to support the formulated hypotheses with respect to the accuracy and speed of the users answering questions using sv3D; the second set of questions provided subjective measurements that were used to support the evolution of sv3D. We formulated two null hypotheses with respect to accuracy and time respectively. The collected data supported one hypothesis and rejected the other.
The promise of municipal WiFi and failed policies of inclusion: The disability divide

Wireless technologies, especially those deployed by municipalities, have been offered as one way to enhance access to society at large, including people with disabilities and others on the wrong side of the digital divide. One of the promises of municipal WiFi, is free or low-cost service promised in the public interest of citizens. This paper presents research on the current state of municipal wireless network design and policies with regard to people with disabilities in the United States. A comparative analysis was undertaken of a sample of 48 municipalities to ascertain the degree of accessibility to, or sensitivity of, municipal wireless systems, and three case studies were examined for the unforeseen effects of deploying municipal WiFi in different locations. Secondly, the effectiveness of goals toward eradicating the "disability divide" are analyzed to see if policies toward people with disabilities fair well as systems are deployed, and we discuss legal implications of municipal WiFi models. Because many people with disabilities are already affected by disparities in education and income, further marginalization of their communication and information access creates a greater barrier to their access to critical information needs, and participation in a community.
Performance evaluation of channel length downscaling of various high voltage AlGaN/GaN power HEMTs

Channel length downscaling characteristics of various lateral AlGaN/GaN high electron mobility transistors (HEMTs) are simulated. Quasi-constant-field scaled MOS channel HEMTs show superior performance over two-dimensional electron gas (2DEG) channel HEMTs at deep submicron channel lengths. The adverse effects of deep submicron channel length on threshold voltage, drain-induced barrier lowering, subthreshold swing, transconductance and on-off current ratio are seen to be much less pronounced in MOS channel HEMTs compared with 2DEG channel HEMTs. Switching capabilities of enhancement mode HEMTs at different channel lengths are evaluated and compared using a new intrinsic maximum switching frequency (fm,IG) figure-of-merit.
Integrating the Boyer Report into Architectural Engineering Technology Education at the University of Hartford

Building Community: A New Future for Architectural Education and Practice by Ernest L. Boyer and Lee D. Mitgang of the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching, 1996, was intended to be a “comprehensive study of education and practice for the 21st century.” It was commissioned by the five national architectural organizations that joined together with a common goal of seeing the need for an independent study of professional education and practice: the American Institute of Architects (AIA), the Association of Collegiate Schools of Architecture (ACSA), the American Institute of Architects Students (AIAS), the National Council of Architectural Registration Board (NCARB), and the National Architectural Accrediting Board, Inc. (NAAB). The Boyer report identified problems, opportunities, and challenges not only for the primary audience of architecture educators and practitioners but also others in higher education. Boyer and Mitgang challenged architects and educators to “a new vision.” This vision would connect architecture schools and the profession more effectively to the changing social context. The academy was challenged with providing A Connected Curriculum. Practicing architects were challenged with providing A Unified Profession. The Boyer report, “urged schools to prepare future architects for lives of civic engagement, of Service to the Nation” [1]. The authors of Building Community were optimistic that the challenges could be met and we have taken on this challenge.
Nanoparticles: Imaging electrocatalysts in action

A surface plasmon resonance imaging technique can be used to probe electrocatalytic reactions occurring on individual nanoparticles.
Fold Change of Nuclear NF-κB Determines TNF-Induced Transcription in Single Cells

Summary In response to tumor necrosis factor (TNF), NF-κB enters the nucleus and promotes inflammatory and stress-responsive gene transcription. Because NF-κB deregulation is associated with disease, one might expect strict control of NF-κB localization. However, nuclear NF-κB levels exhibit considerable cell-to-cell variability, even in unstimulated cells. To resolve this paradox and determine how transcription-inducing signals are encoded, we quantified single-cell NF-κB translocation dynamics and transcription in the same cells. We show that TNF-induced transcription correlates best with fold change in nuclear NF-κB, not absolute nuclear NF-κB abundance. Using computational modeling, we find that an incoherent feedforward loop, from competition for binding to κB motifs, could provide memory of the preligand state necessary for fold-change detection. Experimentally, we observed three gene-specific transcriptional patterns that our model recapitulates by modulating competition strength alone. Fold-change detection buffers against stochastic variation in signaling molecules and explains how cells tolerate variability in NF-κB abundance and localization.
The coadsorption of ethylene and CO on Ru(001)

Abstract The adsorption and decomposition of ethylene on clean and CO postsaturated Ru(001) was studied with high resolution electron energy loss spectroscopy (HREELS), static secondary ion mass spectrometry (SSIMS) and temperature programmed desorption (TPD). Ethylene, which adsorbs molecularly on Ru(100) in a di-σ bonded structure, decomposes above 150 K to ethylidyne (CCH 3 ). Carbon monoxide does not alter the selectivity but may influence the mechanistic pathway to CCH 3 . In the absence of CO, CCH 3 decomposes between 300 and 330 K with both C-C and C-H bond cleavage to form predominantly C and H. Small amounts of C x H form at high ethylidyne coverages. Postsaturation with CO raises the CCH 3 decomposition temperature by 40 K and increases the selectivity to C x H species. This selectivity change is attributed to the inhibition of C-C bond cleavage in the presence of near-saturation amounts of CO and points to an important role for CO in guiding catalytic hydrocarbon formation from CO-H 2 mixtures.
An examination of the homentropic Euler equations with averaged characteristics

Abstract This paper examines the properties of the homentropic Euler equations when the characteristics of the equations have been spatially averaged. The new equations are referred to as the characteristically averaged homentropic Euler (CAHE) equations. An existence and uniqueness proof for the modified equations is given. The speed of shocks for the CAHE equations are determined. The Riemann problem is examined and a general form of the solutions is presented. Finally, numerically simulations on the homentropic Euler and CAHE equations are conducted and the behaviors of the two sets of equations are compared.
The Metascholar Initiative: AmericanSouth.Org and MetaArchive.Org

The MetaScholar Initiative is a collaborative endeavor to explore the feasibility and utility of scholarly portal services developed in conjunction with Open Archives Initiative (OAI) metadata harvesting technologies. The MetaScholar Initiative comprises two projects, the MetaArchive and AmericanSouth projects, both funded by grants from the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation totaling $600,000. These two projects have created two metadata aggregation networks connecting some 24 libraries, archives, museums, and electronic text centers. Each network has an associated portal being created under the guidance of teams composed of scholars, librarians, archivists, and technologists. The MetaScholar Initiative is studying issues such as metadata normalization, alternative forms of scholarly communication through portals, and the process of facilitating smaller archival institutions in providing better access to their collections through the OAI Protocol for Metadata Harvesting (OAI‐PMH). The MetaScholar Initiative is based at Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia.
Prenatal Achondroplasia in a Jersey

Abstract A viable case of achondroplasia (ankylosis) is described. The afflicted individual was a female Jersey delivered normally after a 273-day gestation, and weighing 21.8kg at birth. No known cases among relatives have been reported, although considerable published research shows the trait to be inherited.
Next steps in cross-cultural research on intimate partner violence

(2004). Next steps in cross-cultural research on intimate partner violence. Injury Control and Safety Promotion: Vol. 11, No. 2, pp. 139-140.
The crystal structure of 5‐amino‐6‐chloro‐4‐nitro‐2‐(β‐D‐ribofuranosyl)‐2H‐pyridazin‐3‐one

The nucleoside, 5-amino-6-chloro-4-nitro-2-β-D-ribofuranosyl-2H-pyridazin-3-one (4), was synthesized as part of a study to prepare potential chemotherapeutic compounds. An X-ray crystal structure study of the compound was initiated in order to substantiate its formula and to examine its conformation and absolute configuration. The structure was determined using direct methods and refined to an R of 0.020 (Rw = 0.024). The compound has a glycosyl torsion angle of 71.2°. The structure contains three intermolecular hydrogen bonds and one intramolecular hydrogen bond.
The orienteering problem in the plane revisited

We consider the orienteering problem: Given a set P of n points in the plane, a starting point r ∈ P, and a length constraint B, one needs to find a tour starting at r that visits as many points of P as possible and of length not exceeding B. We present a (1−e)-approximation algorithm for this problem that runs in nO(1/e) time, and visits at least (1−e)kopt points of P, where kopt is the number of points visited by the optimal solution. This is the first polynomial time approximation scheme (PTAS) for this problem. The algorithm also works in higher dimensions.
Early neonatal group B streptococcal disease: degree of colonisation as an important determinant.

Summary During a period of 5 years (1 January 1977 to 1 January 1982) 145 infants colonised with group B streptococci (GBS) were admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit of the University Children's Hospital, Utrecht. In 87 of these infants (6o %) vertical transmission of GBS was established; in 43 of these 87 infants (49%) the degree of colonisation was moderate to heavy. Early-onset (EO) GBS disease arose in 21 of 145 infants (attack rate: 14·5%). Of the 43 infants moderately to heavily colonised with GBS, however, 19 suffered from EO GBS disease (attack rate: 44·2%), whereas there were only two cases among the 44, lightly colonised infants (attack rate: 4·5%), a highly significant difference ( P P Infants moderately to heavily colonised with GBS at birth appear to have a significantly higher risk of developing serious GBS disease (EO or PS) than do infants only lightly colonised.
Regulation of Yeast Sirtuins by NAD+ Metabolism and Calorie Restriction

The Sir2 family proteins (sirtuins) are evolutionally conserved NAD(+) (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide)-dependent protein deacetylases and ADP-ribosylases, which have been shown to play important roles in the regulation of stress response, gene transcription, cellular metabolism and longevity. Recent studies have also suggested that sirtuins are downstream targets of calorie restriction (CR), which mediate CR-induced beneficial effects including life span extension in an NAD(+)-dependent manner. CR extends life span in many species and has been shown to ameliorate many age-associated disorders such as diabetes and cancers. Understanding the mechanisms of CR as well as the regulation of sirtuins will therefore provide insights into the molecular basis of these age-associated metabolic diseases. This review focuses on discussing advances in studies of sirtuins and NAD(+) metabolism in genetically tractable model system, the budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. These studies have unraveled key metabolic longevity factors in the CR signaling and NAD(+) biosynthesis pathways, which may also contribute to the regulation of sirtuin activity. Many components of the NAD(+) biosynthesis pathway and CR signaling pathway are conserved in yeast and higher eukaryotes including humans. Therefore, these findings will help elucidate the mechanisms underlying age-associated metabolic disease and perhaps human aging.
Deposit insurance reform: What are the issues and what needs to be fixed?

Abstract The current problems in the commercial banking industry have led to widespread calls for reform of the deposit insurance contract on the grounds that it promotes moral hazard. We review the empirical evidence for the significance of moral hazard as an important cause of the present crisis. We then evaluate various reform proposals grouped into two broad classes: proposals that seek to impose greater discipline on bank stockholders, and proposals to increase the disciplinary role of bank debtholders. Finally, we identify some issues that have received inadequate attention in the literature on bank regulation.
Complete convergence theorem for a competition model

In this paper we consider a hierarchical competition model. Durrett and Swindle have given sufficient conditions for the existence of a nontrivial stationary distribution. Here we show that under a slightly stronger condition, the complete convergence theorem holds and hence there is a unique nontrivial stationary distribution.
Delivery of sodium cromoglycate by pressurized aerosol

Summary Sodium cromoglycate (SCG) has recently been formulated as a pressurized aerosol. Twenty-five asthmatic outpatients taking SCG via the Spinhaler were studied in a double-dummy, double-blind cross-over trial in which subjects took Spincaps containing 20 mg of SCG for 2 months, and for the alternate 2 months were treated with SCG aerosol delivering 1 mg/actuation. There was no evidence of clinical deterioration occurring during the period on aerosol SCG. During this period however cough frequency was significantly lower and when data for the 8-13 and 14-46 year age groups were analysed separately, this decrease was seen to be confined to the younger group. Furthermore, this group but not the adults, showed a significant improvement in morning peak expiratory flow rate. We conclude that the aerosol preparation of SCG is a useful alternative to delivery by Spinhaler for patients who are able to coordinate, and that it may have special advantages for children.
Signals of Genetic Quality and Maternal Investment Capacity: The Dynamic Effects of Fluctuating Asymmetry and Waist-to-Hip Ratio on Men’s Ratings of Women’s Attractiveness

Fluctuating asymmetry (FA) and waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) are frequently studied physical attractiveness variables in social and evolutionary psychology. FA represents deviations in bilateral symmetry—differences between left and right body parts. WHR is the ratio of the smallest part of the waist to the largest part of the hips. Although FA and WHR are important mate preference criteria, research has not examined their joint influence on attraction. Thus, 140 heterosexual male undergraduates ranked—and 118 rated—the attractiveness of 10 photographs of rear-facing nude women. Women’s FA and WHR were negatively related to attractiveness separately, after controlling for each other and after controlling for body mass index (BMI). An FA × WHR interaction emerged, such that men’s preferences for lower WHRs increased as FA decreased, even after controlling for BMI. FA and WHR affected attractiveness in ways consistent with the information they carry and its likely effects on offspring quality.
Design and performance of a high-resolution image sensor for color TV applications

This article describes the design and development leading to the fabrication of a high-performance frame-transfer CCD image sensor which can be used in a wide variety of consumer imaging applications, based on file NTSC color TV standard. The sensor is built using the virtual-phase CCD technology and has 488 lines and 780 pixels per line. The antiblooming structure incorporated in the device uses an electron-hole recombination principle, and the sensor is suitable for attachment of a separate striped color filter. Device processing and design considerations derived from the two-dimensional simulations of potential profiles are discussed together with other important parameters such as dynamic range, resolution, charge transfer efficiency, reduction of hot-hole effects, and clocking requirements. Some details of the cell layouts in various regions of the device are also briefly described. The overall sensor performance and application potential are demonstrated by showing the image reproductions of several test charts.
Evolutionary Divergence of Circadian and Photoperiodic Phenotypes in the Pitcher-Plant Mosquito, Wyeomyia smithii:

For decades, chronobiologists have investigated the relationship between the circadian clock that mediates daily activities and the photoperiodic timer that mediates seasonal activities. The main experiment used to infer a circadian basis for photoperiodic time measurement is the Nanda-Hamner protocol (NH). Herein, the authors compare additive and nonadditive (dominance and epistasis) genetic effects that lead to the divergence of populations of the pitcher-plant mosquito, Wyeomyia smithii, for critical photoperiod (CPP) and amplitude of the rhythmic response to NH for 3 temporal-geographic scales: 1) Over geological time between populations in northern and southern clades, 2) over millennial time between populations within the northern clade, and 3) over generational time between lines selected for long and short CPP from within a single population. The authors show that the pattern of additive, dominance, and epistatic effects depends on the time scale over which populations or lines have diverged. Patterns for genetic differences between populations for CPP and response to NH reveal similarities over geological and millennial time scales but differences over shorter periods of evolution. These results, and the observation that neither the period nor amplitude of the NH rhythm are significantly correlated with CPP among populations, lead the authors to conclude that the rhythmic response to NH has evolved independently of photoperiodic response in populations of W. smithii. The implication is that in this species, genetic modification of the circadian clock has not been the basis for the adaptive modification of photoperiodic time measurement over the climatic gradient of North America.
Reduced Acute Vascular Injury and Atherosclerosis in Hyperlipidemic Mice Transgenic for Lysozyme

Hyperlipidemia promotes oxidant stress, inflammation, and atherogenesis in apolipoprotein E-deficient (ApoE (−/−) ) mice. Mice transgenic for lysozyme (LZ-Tg) are resistant to acute and chronic oxidative stress and have decreased circulating levels of pro-oxidant advanced glycation end-products (AGEs). Herein we report that TIB-186 macrophages transduced with adenovirus-expressing human LZ (AdV-LZ) containing the AGE-binding domain facilitated AGE uptake and degradation and that AdV-LZ-transduced macrophages and peritoneal macrophages from LZ-Tg mice suppressed the AGE-triggered tumor necrosis factor-α response. We assessed atherosclerosis in LZ-Tg mice crossed with ApoE (−/−) mice (LZ/ApoE (−/−) ) and found increased serum LZ levels and decreased AGE and 8-isoprostanes levels, although hyperlipidemia remained similar to ApoE (−/−) controls. Atherosclerotic plaques and neointimal lesions at the aortic root and descending aorta were markedly decreased (by 40% and 80%, respectively) in LZ/ApoE (−/−) versus ApoE (−/−) mice, as were inflammatory infiltrates. The arterial lesions following femoral artery injury in LZ/ApoE (−/−) mice were suppressed (intimal to media ratio decreased by 50%), as were AGE deposits and vascular smooth muscle cell activation, compared to ApoE (−/−) mice. Despite hyperlipidemia, development of atheroma and occlusive, inflammatory arterial neointimal lesions in response to injury was suppressed in LZ/ApoE (−/−) mice. This effect may be due to the antioxidant properties of LZ, which is possibly linked to the AGE-binding domain region of the molecule.
A molecular dynamics simulation of rotational flow induced by a left circularly polarized high-energy infrared laser field

Abstract In a preliminary small-scale simulation, a high-energy, infrared frequency, left circularly polarized laser field has been used to induce rotational motion in liquid water at 293 K. The effect on the molecular dynamics has been analyzed subsequently using a range of molecular autocorrelation and cross correlation functions. The field symmetry is such as to make possible the existence in the laboratory and moving frames of reference of new cross correlation functions. The simulation shows laboratory-frame birefringence in the orientational and rotational velocity autocorrelation functions. The appearance of birefringence is coincident with that of cross correlations in the laboratory frame, and could be used experimentally for their determination, with computer simulation as an interpretative method.
Neuroglial-specific factors and the regulation of retrovirus transcription

Retroviruses have been implicated as causative agents of a variety of human diseases including malignancy, immune system dysfunction, and neurologic disorders. Despite the isolation of various retroviral agents from patients suffering from malignant neoplasias and neurologic disorders, only the human T-cell lymphotropic virus type I (HTLV-I) and the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) have been definitively accepted as etiologic agents of human disease (Hjelle, 1991; Gessain and Gout, 1992; Rosenblatt, 1993). Because of their increasingly defined roles in disease progression, the replication of HTLV-I and HIV is an important focus for understanding the pathogenic processes resulting from viral infection. Of particular interest are the molecular mechanisms by which expression of retroviral genomes is regulated by their regulatory units, the long terminal repeats (LTR), in a manner specific to the cellular targets which they infect.
Nonuniformity of the oligodendroglial ensheathment of axons during myelination in the developing rat central nervous system. A serial section electron microscopical study

Analysis of serial electron micrographs of 5-day-old rat lumbar spinal cord white matter reveals a bidirectional nature to the oligodendroglial ensheathment of some axons during myelination. The direction of the early ensheathment spiral was observed to be reversed at different cross-sectional levels of the same developing internode by the superposition of either the clockwise- or the counterclockwise-directed layer on its opposite. Several variations of this bidirectional pattern are described. In each case presented, bidirectionality within an internode was associated with the extension of a vermicular (worm-like) process from one of the ensheathing layers. The position of the vermicular process on the axonal perimeter generally coincided with the location of the tip of the layer of the early ensheathment spiral from which it was derived. This pattern of bidirectionality stands in contrast to the pattern of spiral reversal observed through a node of Ranvier. The distribution of ensheathing cytoplasm cannot be explained by a simple spiral wrapping hypothesis. Such findings, however, do suggest that the growth of early axonal ensheathment occurs in a random fashion consistent with helical extension around the axon, like the thread of a screw, rather than concentric spiraling of a uniform sheet of cytoplasm.
Breastfeeding After Gestational Diabetes Pregnancy: Subsequent obesity and type 2 diabetes in women and their offspring

Breastfeeding provides important health benefits to both women and their offspring. Health benefits of lactation for women include a lower risk of breast and ovarian cancer (1) and possibly protection against type 2 diabetes (2). For the offspring, breastfeeding confers protection against both undernutrition and overnutrition during early childhood (3) and may lower risk of developing obesity, hypertension, cardiovascular disease, and diabetes later in life (4–7). Postnatal feeding is one of several critical or sensitive developmental periods (fetal life, adiposity rebound in childhood, and adolescence) hypothesized to result in “metabolic programming” of future chronic disease risk (8,9). In developed countries, there is a robust association between breastfeeding and a lower risk of becoming overweight during childhood and adolescence, even after accounting for maternal obesity and family lifestyle behaviors (10–13). Moreover, greater protection against childhood overweight is associated with more prolonged exclusive breastfeeding. In the U.S., the association of breastfeeding and lower risk of childhood overweight has been observed in Caucasians, but not among low-income Hispanics or African-Americans. Fetal life is another important developmental period influencing future health. Maternal gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) alters the intrauterine milieu for fetal development that may affect risk factors for chronic disease later in life (14). In some (15–18), but not all (19) studies, offspring of GDM mothers may be more likely to become overweight and to develop type 2 diabetes later in life. A combination of genetic, intrauterine, and postnatal factors contribute to development of childhood obesity and type 2 diabetes in the offspring of women with GDM. Whether breastfeeding affects the future health of offspring of women with GDM is uncertain based on limited and conflicting findings from studies of Native Americans or women with diabetes during pregnancy. Furthermore, no studies that examined the …
Effects of irradiance and ultraviolet radiation on photoadaptation in the zooxanthellae of Aiptasia pallida: primary production, photoinhibition, and enzymic defenses against oxygen toxicity

Cnidarians which contain symbiotic algae are constantly faced with the challenges of a changing photic regime and a hyperoxic environment. Zooxanthellae (Symbiodinium sp.) from the sea anemone Aiptasia pallida (Verrill), collected and cultured at Bermuda Biological Station in 1986, exhibit a suite of compensatory responses to changes in irradiance, ultraviolet radiation (UV), and to the toxicity resulting from their interaction with photosynthetically produced oxygen. Superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase inactivate superoxide radicals (O2 -) and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), which are mediators of oxygen toxicity, show an increase in specific activity with irradiance and in response to UV, both in cultured zooxanthellae (CZ) and freshly isolated zooxanthellae (FIZ) from acclimated anemones. CZ and FIZ exposed to environmentally realistic UV levels show a 30 to 40% increase in SOD activities compared with zooxanthellae exposed to similar irradiances without UV. CZ consistently show higher activities of both SOD and catalase compared to FIZ. Both CZ and FIZ exhibit changes in chlorophyll content and in the relationship between photosynthesis and irradiance which suggest photoadaptive changes in CO2-fixing enzymes, the photosynthetic-electron transport system, or in photosynthetic unit size (PSU). UV has a greater effect on the photosynthetic capacity (P max) of FIZ when compared to CZ acclimated at an equivalent irradiance with or without a UV component. UV also enhances the photoinhibition observed at high irradiance in both CZ and FIZ. Differences in enzyme activity between CZ and FIZ suggest an important role for the host in the protection of zooxanthellae against the direct effects of environmentally realistic UV while the photosynthetic performance of zooxanthellae in situ may not be as well protected.
Computation of interferences between three-dimensional objects and the optimal packing problem

Abstract The related problems of computing the separation/interference distance between two three-dimensional objects and clearance/protrusion distance between an object and a container wall occur frequently in industry. A method for computing these distances by solving appropriate optimization problems is presented. The method can treat three-dimensional objects with curved sides. The problem of optimally packing objects into a container is also discussed. The packing problem is also solved as an optimization problem The separation/interference and clearance/protrusion problems become subproblems to the packing problem. Examples are presented in the paper.
The relationship between rates of [3H]uridine and [3H]adenine incorporation into RNA and the measured rates of RNA synthesis during the cell cycle

Abstract The rates of [5- 3 H]uridine uptake into Chinese hamster V79 cells and its incorporation into RNA increase 10-fold during the cell cycle. In contrast, the rates of [ 3 H]adenine uptake and incorporation increase only 2-fold over the same time period. The pattern of [ 3 H]thymidine uptake into cells is unlike that of either [5- 3 H]uridine or [ 3 H]adenine, suggesting that transport of each of these nucleic acid precursors behaves differently during the cell cycle. The rates of RNA synthesis during the cell cycle were measured by relating the amount of [ 3 H]adenine incorporated into RNA to the specific radioactivity of the [ 3 H]ATP pool at 6 different time intervals. The rate of RNA synthesis doubles during the cell cycle. The cellular ATP pool undergoes a 2-fold increase, and the specific radioactivity of the [ 3 H]ATP pool remains constant. [ 3 H]adenine incorporation in this system provides a better measure of RNA synthetic rate than does [ 3 H]uridine.
TUNISIAN VICTORY AND ANGLO-AMERICAN FILM PROPAGANDA IN WORLD WAR II

(1996). Tunisian Victory and Anglo‐American Film Propaganda in World War II. The Historian: Vol. 58, No. 3, pp. 517-530.