cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
MAGNETIC FORM FACTOR OF THE NEUTRON AT 600 MEV

The study of electrons scattered inelastically from the deuteron has been extended to 600 Mev. Data at 500 Mev were reported in an earlier paper. Results are presented for seven scattering angles between 45\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{} and 135\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}. A comparison of the deuteron's cross section at these angles with the corresponding free proton cross sections permits a determination of the form factor associated with the magnetic moment distribution of the neutron. Two different methods of analyzing the data are described, and the rms radius of the neutron for an exponential density distribution of the magnetic cloud can be shown to lie between the limits of 0.75\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}${10}^{\ensuremath{-}13}$ cm and 0.95\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}${10}^{\ensuremath{-}13}$ cm. The rms radius of the neutron may be taken to be (0.80\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.10)\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}${10}^{\ensuremath{-}13}$ cm and is very close to the value found for an exponential model of the magnetic cloud in the proton.
Substitutes for Principal Leader Behavior: An Exploratory Study

This study examines the viability of a construct, Substitutes for Leadership, for understanding and explaining principal influence potential. Leadership substitutes act in place of leader behaviors, specifically initiating structure and/or consideration. Interview data were collected to determine whether substitutes exist in the school setting. These data indicated that substitutes may potentially limit principal influence on teachers' work agendas, attitudes, and behavior.
The Effect of Reminiscence Music Therapy Sessions on Changes in Depressive Symptoms in Elderly Persons with Dementia

This study examined the effectiveness of reminiscence focused music therapy treatment on depressive symptoms in elderly people with dementia. Twenty elderly (3 male & 17 female) who were diagnosed as having dementia and residing at 2 different residential care facilities in Florida were assigned to 1 of 4 small groups. Each of the participants served as his or her own control in an O1 O2 X O3 design. The depressive symptoms were measured using Cornell Scale for Depression in Dementia. The differences between the scores of pretest, posttest 1 after a week of 5-day no treatment, and posttest 2 after a week of 5-day reminiscence focused music therapy treatment were compared. A one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Newman-Keuls Multiple Comparison Procedure indicated statistically significant differences between pretest and posttest 2 as well as posttest 1 and posttest 2, while no significant differences were found between pretest and posttest 1. Results indicated that participation in small group reminiscence focused music therapy groups might help to reduce depressive symptoms in elderly people with dementia. Results of behavioral observations and future implications are also discussed.
Hartree-Fock calculations with Wood-Saxon basis functions

Hartree-Fock method to study doubly even nuclei in 2s-1d shell, generating basis functions by Wood-Saxon well
A unique genome-wide association analysis in extended Utah high-risk pedigrees identifies a novel melanoma risk variant on chromosome arm 10q.

Only two genome-wide association (GWA) screens have been published for melanoma (Nat Genet 47:920–925, 2009; Nat Genet 40:838–840, 2008). Using a unique approach, we performed a genome-wide association study in 156 related melanoma cases from 34 high-risk Utah pedigrees. Genome-wide association analysis was performed on nearly 500,000 markers; we compared cases to 2,150 genotypically matched samples from Illumina’s iControls database. We performed genome-wide association with EMMAX software, which is designed to account for population structure, including relatedness between cases. Three SNPs exceeded a genome-wide significance threshold of p < 5 × 10−8 on chromosome arm 10q25.1 (rs17119434, rs17119461, and rs17119490), where the most extreme p value was 7.21 × 10−12. This study represents a new and unique approach to predisposition gene identification; and it is the first genome-wide association study performed in related cases in high-risk pedigrees. Our approach illustrates an example of using high-risk pedigrees for the identification of new melanoma predisposition variants.
Dietary Zinc Requirement of Oreochromis aureus and Effects of Dietary Calcium and Phytate on Zinc Bioavailability

Two experiments were conducted to determine the dietary zinc requirement of fingerling blue tilapia (Oreochromis aureus) and the effects of dietary calcium and phytate on zinc bioavailability. Purified egg white diets containing graded levels of supplemental zinc were fed to fingerling tilapia in triplicate aquaria for 80 days. No overt signs of zinc deficiency were observed; however, scale and bone zinc concentrations of fish fed the various diets were significantly (P < 0.05) affected and increased linearly as dietary zinc increased until plateauing at 20 mg Zn/kg diet and greater. Based on these data, 20 mg Zn/kg of dry diet was determined to be the minimum dietary zinc requirement of blue tilapia. Purified egg white diets containing 20 mg Zn/kg were also supplemented with 0.5 or 2.0% calcium and 0 or 1.5% phytate in a factorial arrangement to determine the effects of these dietary factors on zinc bioavailability. At this level of supplemental zinc, 1.5% phytate significantly (P < 0.05) reduced zinc bioavailability as reflected in scale and bone zinc concentrations; whereas, dietary calcium did not affect zinc bioavailability. Results from this study establish the dietary zinc requirement of blue tilapia and indicate that higher levels of supplemental zinc should be included in practical feeds to compensate for reduced zinc bioavailability caused by dietary phytate.
Sources of plasticity leading to chronic pain and opioid tolerance

The provocative focus article by Dr. Wilcox does an excellent job of reviewing several mediators of neural activity in the spinal cord and pointing out the interrelationships of several currently hot topics in pain research (and for that matter, neurobiological research in general). Particularly informative is the section on the involvement of excitatory amino acids as neurotransmitters at, and beyond, the first synapse in the spinal cord for nociceptive systems. Wilcox also rightly encourages the development of excitatory amino acid antagonists as potential therapeutic agents for the treatment of pain, and as possible preventatives of chronic pain. Dr. Wilcox makes it clear that his focus article deals with "central hyperalgesia and allodynia, that occur largely within the spinal cord." This major theme is an extension of previous focus arti cles that have stressed the plasticity of the central aspects of the pain system and the mechanisms by which this plasticity is caused.
The Construction and Performance of Large Flash Chambers

The constuction and performance of 12? × 12? flash chambers used in a 340 ton neutrino detector under construction at Fermilab is described. The flash chambers supply digital information with a spatial resolution of 0.2?, and are used to finely sample the shower development of the reaction products of neutrino interactions. The flash chambers are easy and inexpensive to build and are electronically read out.
MO-D-141-04: Brown Adipose Tissue Uptake Comparison Between Pharmacological and Environmental Control in a Pediatric PET Facility

Purpose: Compare analgesic pharmacology vs. environmental means for controlling FDG uptake in brown adipose tissue (BAT) in a pediatric population with neoplasms. Methods: For two years (2009–2011) patients were sorted into two groups. (1) patients that required relaxation (Versed) or general anesthesia (Propofol); group one received ∼1 hour for uptake in a temperature controlled room before drug administration/scanning. (2) patients were warmed in a temperature controlled room for ∼1 hour prior to FDG injection and for ∼1 hour after injection. Patient images were evaluated for the presence of BAT: (0) no BAT uptake, (1) Less than uptake in the liver, (2) equal to uptake in the liver, and (3) greater than uptake in the liver. BAT uptake was investigated in the: neck (left and right), axilla (left and right), diaphragm, mediastinum, posterior thorax, and abdomen/pelvis. BAT uptake was considered in a patient with at least one anatomical region with a score > 0. Point biserial correlation, assuming dichotomous data, was calculated to determine statistical significance using a one‐sided t‐test. Results: Room temperatures for 623 patients were collected. Mean room temperature over the two years was 74.5° ± 1.3°. A total of 361 patients received sedation/anesthesia drugs. 129 patients were randomly selected; 114 patients (88%) had no BAT uptake and 15 (12%) demonstrated uptake. For group two, 143 patients were randomly selected from the 623. Room temperature for patients with BAT uptake (41%) was 74.4° ± 1.4°, and without BAT uptake (59%) was 75.0° ± 1.1°; a statistically significant difference (t‐value was 1.9, critical number was 1.7). Conclusion: A statistically significant improvement in BAT uptake was found for patients held for one hour in rooms with mean temperatures of 75° prior to FDG injection. BAT was not fully controlled using environmental controls as compared to patients that received analgesic pharmacology.
Role of the Vitreous in the Prognosis of Peripheral Uveitis

We studied 116 eyes with peripheral uveitis (mean follow-up, 5.0 years) to ascertain the effect of the vitreous on prognosis. At the initial examination, the prevalence of partial posterior vitreous detachment was significantly higher in eyes with macular edema (27%) than in those without (7%, P = .01). During follow-up, the prevalence of no posterior vitreous detachment initially was significantly higher in eyes that developed macular edema (78%) than in those that did not (22%, P = .01). The prevalence of no or partial posterior vitreous detachment was also significantly higher in eyes with decreased visual acuity of three or more Snellen lines (57% and 38%, respectively) compared with those with visual acuity decreases of two Snellen lines or less (21% and 11%; P = .02 and P = .01, respectively). Eyes with peripheral uveitis with vitreous adhesion may have a less favorable prognosis compared with those with complete posterior vitreous detachment.
Collaborative network of wireless micro-sensors

One of the new features of telecommunication systems is wireless micro-sensor networks. Remote communication using a specific sensor is impossible due to the limited transmitter power and antenna gain of the sensor. In this work, the authors propose a remote communication model using a collaboration procedure between the sensors.
Statistical fusion of lidar, InSAR, and optical remote sensing data for forest stand height characterization: A regional‐scale method based on LVIS, SRTM, Landsat ETM+, and ancillary data sets

[1] A method is presented to characterize forest stand heights in a 110,000 km2 region in the eastern United States surrounding the Chesapeake Bay area, driven by a statistical fusion model solely based on remote sensing data. The predicted map was tested against ground survey data from the Forest Inventory and Analysis (FIA) plot network. Input data to the model were 2003 medium footprint lidar data from the Laser Vegetation Imaging Sensor (LVIS) sensor, interferometric radar data from the 2000 Shuttle Radar Topography Mission (SRTM), 1999–2001 Landsat ETM+ data, and ancillary data sets of land cover and canopy density developed for the 2001 National Land Cover Database. In the presented approach, the interferometric synthetic aperture radar (InSAR), optical, and ancillary data sets were masked to the forested areas of the study region and used to segment the raster data stack. The generated image objects closely represented quasi-homogenous forest stands. For a small region in the study area covered by an LVIS acquisition, LVIS lidar data were then used within the established segments to extract lidar-based mean forest stand heights. Subsequently these LVIS mean stand heights were used as the response variable to the statistical prediction model (randomForest) which had segment-based metrics like mean InSAR height (derived from SRTM minus ground digital elevation model data from the National Elevation Data set), mean optical reflectance (derived from Landsat ETM+ Tassled Cap Data), and ancillary metrics as predictive variables. The model developed over the area where LVIS data were available was then applied to map the entire study region. Independent validation of the model was performed in two ways. First, splitting of the model data stack into training and independent testing populations, i.e., testing on LVIS data. This test was deemed to describe the model performance within the LVIS swath. Second, predicted heights were compared to plot height metrics derived from FIA data in the entire study region, thus testing the validity of the model across the larger study area. Results, which are somewhat tampered by the time disconnect between the various data collections, showed the validity and usefulness of this approach. Independent LVIS testing resulted in a correlation coefficient r = 0.83 with an RMSE of 3.0 m (9% error), independent FIA data tested with r = 0.71 with an RMSE of 4.4 m (13% error).
The Sense of Hearing in Fishes

This chapter chronicles the evolution of experiments from 1966 through 2011 that led to determining what fish listen to. By 2009, it became clear that goldfish are listening to the soundscape, like most other animals. This conclusion is based on three conceptions: (1) the fish brain is similar in morphotype to all vertebrate brains; (2) the goldfish, at least, has the processing power to analyze complex soundscapes; and (3) the processing of fish vocalizations couldn’t be a determining factor in the evolution of fish hearing. Goldfish possess the sense of hearing required to process the various sources likely making up a fish’s soundscape. They seem to be able to process the acoustic spectrum. They can process reverberations and reflections and various temporal patterns, and some species can locate the sources of sound using binaural hearing. Suggested here, then, is the notion of environmental soundscapes as the most probably important sources of information to organisms. Environmental information exists to be exploited for appropriate behavior with respect to audible sound sources and events, and fish have the capacity to exploit it for general orientation. This is what fish and other species listen to.
Abstract 1343: Protective effect of catechol-O-methyltransferase in human renal cell carcinogenesis

Exposure to carcinogenic catechol estrogens plays a role in the development of kidney cancer. Catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) neutralizes the genotoxic effects of these compounds by methoxylation. Although reduced activity of COMT has been suggested as a risk factor for estrogen-associated cancers, its critical role in kidney cancer and underlying mechanisms of renal cell carcinogenesis are largely unknown. To address the role and function of COMT in renal cell carcinomas (RCC), we initially determined levels of COMT in normal kidney and clear cell RCC. The expression of COMT mRNA was down-regulated in clear cell RCC tissues as determined by quantitative PCR. Low expression of COMT protein in clear cell RCC tissues was also confirmed by immunohistochemical counting of staining score (2.5 vs. 0.5 in normal kidney and clear cell RCC, respectively, p Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 102nd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2011 Apr 2-6; Orlando, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2011;71(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 1343. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2011-1343
Poly(acrylate‐b‐styrene‐b‐isobutylene‐b‐styrene‐b‐acrylate) Block Copolymers via Carbocationic and Atom Transfer Radical Polymerizations

A series of polyacrylate‐polystyrene‐polyisobutylene‐polystyrene‐polyacrylate (X‐PS‐PIB‐PS‐X) pentablock terpolymers (X=poly(methyl acrylate) (PMA), poly(butyl acrylate) (PBA), or poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA)) was prepared from poly (styrene‐b‐isobutylene‐b‐styrene) (PS‐PIB‐PS) block copolymers (BCPs) using either a Cu(I)Cl/1,1,4,7,7‐pentamethyldiethylenetriamine (PMDETA) or Cu(I)Cl/tris[2‐(dimethylamino)ethyl]amine (Me6TREN) catalyst system. The PS‐PIB‐PS BCPs were prepared by quasiliving carbocationic polymerization of isobutylene using a difunctional initiator, followed by the sequential addition of styrene, and were used as macroinitiators for the atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) of methyl acrylate (MA), n‐butyl acrylate (BA), or methyl methacrylate (MMA). The ATRP of MA and BA proceeded in a controlled fashion using either a Cu(I)Cl/PMDETA or Cu(I)Cl/Me6TREN catalyst system, as evidenced by a linear increase in molecular weight with conversion and low PDIs. The polymerization of MMA wa...
Role of diffusive, photovoltaic, and thermal effects in beam fanning in LiNbO3

We analyze the steady-state (Gaussian) beam fanning in LiNbO3 from the nonlinearly coupled Kukhtarev equations by including both diffusive and photovoltaic effects and by adding the thermal effect in the calculation. There is good agreement between theory and experiment. The results show a symmetric beam-fanning pattern whose size depends on the beam waist and the power. Possible applications of our results in nondestructive testing of material parameters and optical limiting are discussed.
Design of optical communications data links

This paper is primarily an overview of data link design efforts in IBM pertinent to local area networks (LANs) using both multimode fiber (MMF) and single-mode (SMF) links, with emphasis on MMF links operating at short wavelengths. Device models (laser and receiver) and multimode fiber models are discussed, as well as noise aspects (modal and mode partition noise). In addition, new simulation and measurement results for a 20-Gb/s 1-km-long link are presented.
Ca2+-dependent and Ca2+-independent mechanisms for phosphatidylinositol hydrolysis and 32P-labeling during cholinergic stimulation of the rat submaxillary gland in vitro.

Abstract Ca 2+ was required for carbachol-induced decreases in phosphatidylinositol (PI) and increases in phosphatidic acid (PA) concentrations during incubation of rat submaxillary gland fragments, but was not required for increases in [ 32 P] P i incorporation into these phospholipids. Like carbachol, A23187 provoked a Ca 2+ -dependent decrease in PI mass. These results suggest concomitant operation of two separate mechanisms for stimulating PI hydrolysis and 32 P labeling of PA and PI during carbachol action: one mechanism is not dependent on external Ca 2+ and is manifested by rapid labeling in a relatively small PA-PI pool; the other mechanism is dependent on Ca 2+ and involves a large PA-PI pool which appears to have a relatively slow renewal (labeling) rate.
Brachymeria lasus: effects of nutrient level on in vitro larval growth of a chalcid insect parasite.

Abstract Exponential weight gain equations and growth rates were determined during larval development of Brachymeria lasus reared aseptically on chemically defined media with varying amino acid and glucose levels. The rate of weight gain increased from 0 to 2% dietary glucose and mean growth rate increased from 160 to 260 μg/mg · day. Similar results were observed for larvae reared on media containing 1 to 4% free amino acids. At higher nutrient levels, growth rate and rate of weight gain declined and maximal growth occurred at dietary osmolalities of 500–700 mOsm/kg. A further experiment utilizing nutritionally inert l -glucose suggested that this osmolality range does not reflect the optimal for growth but rather the point at which the detrimental effects of dietary osmotic pressure exceed the nutritive benefit of the dietary ingredients.
Contributory roles of innate properties of cetyl alcohol/gelucire nanoparticles to antioxidant and anti-inflammation activities of quercetin

The protective effects of synthetic lung surfactant Exosurf® (containing cetyl alcohol) against endotoxin-induced inflammation have been demonstrated in the literature. Thus, it is envisioned that nanoparticles loaded with quercetin (Q-NPs) prepared with binary mixtures of cetyl alcohol (CA) and Gelucire 44/14® (gelucire) as matrix materials will be capable of overcoming some of the protracted challenges confronting clinical application of quercetin and possess innate protective activity against inflammatory responses, which could be synergistic with quercetin. The NPs were stable in simulated biological media while retaining their particle size and spherical morphology. Further analysis by gel permeation chromatography, spectroscopic analysis (ultraviolet–visible, fluorescence, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy) indicated entrapment of quercetin in NPs. Q-NPs effectively enhanced xanthine oxidase inhibitory and free radical scavenging effect of quercetin. Furthermore, Q-NPs showed marked reduction (compared to quercetin alone) in production of nitric oxide and cytokine (interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor alpha) from lipopolysaccharide-activated macrophages. Superiority of Q-NPs over quercetin alone was confirmed from in vivo anti-inflammatory efficacy studies in BALB/c mice. Data from additional studies with blank NPs (without quercetin) showed that the NPs reported herein most likely possessed intrinsic protective properties against LPS-induced inflammation. Although further mechanistic studies are warranted, the overall work depicted a novel approach of possible exploiting innate protective properties of NPs in quercetin delivery for treating oxidative stress and inflammation.
Bovine dermis: a novel biologic substitute for autologous tissue in sling surgery.

Women at high risk for sling failure (advanced age, previous surgical failure, and intrinsic sphincter deficiency) underwent either bovine dermis (BOV) or autologous rectus fascia (ARF) pubovaginal sling at two hospitals. “Global cure” encompassed stress, emptying, anatomic, protection, and instability (SEAPI) composite = 0 and subjective satisfaction. Cure of stress urinary incontinence (SUI cure) equaled SEAPI (S) = 0 and negative cough-stress test. Eighty-five women (48 ARF, 37 BOV) completed a 12-month evaluation. Preoperative SEAPI and quality of life indices (QOL) were not statistically different (NS). “Global cure” for ARF and BOV was 60.4% and 54.1%, respectively (NS). “SUI cure” for ARF and BOV was 81.3% and 83.8%, respectively (NS). Postoperative SEAPI and QOL indices were significantly improved for each material; improvement was similar between ARF and BOV groups (NS). BOV is a promising substitute for ARF in women at high risk for surgical failure. Longer follow-up is needed before indications for this material are expanded.
Genetic Relationship between Fiber and Sugarcane Yield Components

Sugarcane (Saccharum spp.) fiber, the dry, water-insoluble component of the stalk, is an important quality component because of its inverse relationship to juice extraction and milling efficiency. Sugarcane cultivars in temperate regions are enhanced with S. spontaneum L. germplasm to provide increased vigor and cold tolerance. Unfortunately, S. spontaneum L. clones typically have low recoverable sucrose and high fiber content(.)
Role of Implantable Cardioverter-Defibrillators in Patients With Methadone-Induced Long QT Syndrome

Patients with methadone-induced long-QT syndrome may experience Torsades de Pointes (TDP) or aborted sudden death requiring the placement of implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICDs). Outcomes after ICD implantation in these patients are unknown. Eight patients presenting with methadone-induced long-QT syndrome and episodes of symptomatic TDP were followed after having undergone ICD implantation. The study group included 5 women and 3 men (mean age 48.5 ± 5 years) receiving methadone doses of 204 ± 173 mg. All but 1 subject had preserved ventricular function (mean left ventricular ejection fraction 61 ± 1.1%). All of the patients had prolonged QTc intervals (mean 613 ± 71 ms) while taking methadone. After ICD implantation, 6 of the 8 patients continued treatment with methadone as a result of intractable dependence. Over a mean follow-up period of 27 months, 1 patient expired from unknown causes. Three of those patients had interrogation-proved ICD shocks for TDP. In conclusion, patients with methadone-induced long-QT syndrome and TDP are at high risk for recurrent arrhythmic events if methadone is continued. This small cohort of patients suggests that ICDs may be lifesaving in those subjects who continue taking methadone after initial episodes of TDP.
Synthesis and in vitro biological activity of 4α-(2-propenyl)-5α-cholest-24-en-3α-ol: A 24,25-dehydro analog of the hypocholesterolemic agent 4α-(2-propenyl)-5α-cholestan-3α-ol

4Alpha-(2-propenyl)-5alpha-cholestan-3alpha-ol (LY295427) was previously identified from a Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cell-based low density lipoprotein receptor/luciferase (LDLR/Luc) assay to be a potent transcriptional activator of the LDL receptor promoter in the presence of 25-hydroxycholesterol. To investigate the effect of the 24,25-unsaturation in the D-ring side chain (desmosterol D-ring side chain) on antagonizing the repressing effect of 25-hydroxycholesterol, 4alpha-(2-propenyl)-5alpha-cholest-24-en-3alpha-ol (17), a 24,25-dehydro analog of LY295427, was thus synthesized from lithocholic acid via the formation of 3alpha-[[(1,1-dimethylethyl)dimethylsilyl]oxy]-4alpha- (2-propenyl)-5alpha-cholan-24-al (15). Test results showed that 17 had an EC30 value of 2.6 microM, comparable to 2.9 microM of LY295427, in the CHO cell-based LDLR/Luc assay in the presence of 25-hydroxycholesterol. Apparently, the built-in 24,25-unsaturation in the D-ring side chain of 17 had added little effect to antagonizing the repressing effect of 25-hydroxycholesterol. In the [1-14C-acetate]cholesterol biosynthesis inhibition assay, 17 at 10 microg/ml (23 microM) has been shown to inhibit the cholesterol biosynthesis in CHO cells by 38% relative to the vehicle control; whereas LY295427 showed no inhibition in the same assay in our previous studies. In contrast to LY295427, the built-in 24,25-unsaturation in the D-ring side chain of 17 has conferred an inhibitory effect on cholesterol biosynthesis in CHO cells. In summary, the observed LDL receptor promoter activity of 17 is related to its ability to prevent 25-hydroxycholesterol from exerting the repressing effect via an undetermined mechanism and, in part, to inhibit the cholesterol biosynthesis.
Diskitis in children.

Thirty-six patients diagnosed with diskitis from 1978 to 1988 and followed for an average of 29.2 months were reviewed. The study included 23 boys and 13 girls with an average age of 5.3 years. The initial symptoms varied, but distinct clinical patterns emerged and were identifiable in different age groups. Both the leukocyte count and sedimentation rate were elevated. Routine roentgenograms were positive for intervertebral disk space narrowing in 82% of cases, technetium bone scans positive in 72%, and magnetic resonance imaging positive in all recent cases. Treatment consisted of bed rest for all patients, plaster casts for 50%, antibiotics for 40%, and traction for 23%. Regardless of the treatment combination, the course of the disease in most children is benign. At the completion of the study, all patients were asymptomatic including three children who had recurrences. In spite of being asymptomatic, 74% had persistent roentgenographic changes. The administration of antibiotics appears to be appropriate when indicated, i.e., failure to respond to immobilization. Disk space aspiration or biopsy should be reserved for those cases that are refractory to immobilization and antibiotics.
Sequence of a rabbit sperm zona pellucida binding protein and localization during the acrosome reaction.

Abstract The interaction of the mammalian spermatozoon with the oocyte's extracellular matrix or zona pellucida is a critical first step leading to successful fertilization. In this cell-extracellular matrix interaction it is the carbohydrate of the zona pellucida which serves as the sperm receptor and the surface of the spermatozoon which provides the lectin-like adhesion molecules. To better understand sperm-zona pellucida binding we have analyzed one specific zona binding protein (ZBP). This study has determined the mRNA sequence encoding a mammalian testis and sperm specific protein of 16,891 Da, which we have designated Sp17. Analysis of Sp17 revealed that the MRNA is present in rabbit, mouse, and human testes but not in any somatic tissue tested. In the rabbit, Sp17 is the 17-kDa member of the rabbit sperm autoantigen family of sperm specific autoantigens and is encoded by two mRNAs of 0.9 and 1.1 kb. Each mRNA has a unique 5′ untranslated region but both have identical coding regions. The deduced amino acid sequence of the Sp17 ZBP showed several interesting features, including a similarity to the N-terminal of human testis cAMP-dependent protein kinase. Localization of Sp17 on live spermatozoa using antibodies to recombinant Sp17 or to the Sp17 peptide, G22C, revealed that the peptide backbone of Sp17 is inaccessible until the acrosome reaction begins. However, an paraformaldehyde fixed, acrosome intact spermatozoa, the peptide backbone is accessible to the antibodies which localize Sp17 to the apical surface. In the rabbit as well us other similar species in which the corona radiata (granulosa) cells adhere tightly to the zona pellucida and synthesize zona glycoproteins, the fertilizing spermatozoon my have already begun the acrosome reaction within the cumulus oophorus. Thus, the rabbit sperm surface would be modified to expose the Sp17 polypeptide during the final phase of cumulus passage and consequently Sp17 would be available for initial zona binding. The present study has also demonstrated that recombinant Sp17 can bind zona pellucida, dextran, and dextran sulfate.
Booms and busts in United States financial markets

Financial crises, booms and busts are an inherent part of the capitalist system. The current financial crisis that began in 2007 has reignited the debate about the causes and consequences of previous economic downturns. While some look at the differences among crises, both historical and as related to the specific mechanics of the shock triggering a crisis, others emphasize their similarities across countries and historical episodes. This paper presents an overview of the history of financial crises, primarily in the United States. The conclusion is that these crises are similar and are likely to reoccur.
HOMER: a human organ-specific molecular electronic repository.

Background Each organ has a specific function in the body. “Organ-specificity” refers to differential expressions of the same gene across different organs. An organ-specific gene/protein is defined as a gene/protein whose expression is significantly elevated in a specific human organ. An “organ-specific marker” is defined as an organ-specific gene/protein that is also implicated in human diseases related to the organ. Previous studies have shown that identifying specificity for the organ in which a gene or protein is significantly differentially expressed, can lead to discovery of its function. Most currently available resources for organ-specific genes/proteins either allow users to access tissue-specific expression over a limited range of organs, or do not contain disease information such as disease-organ relationship and disease-gene relationship.
A fast VLSI adder architecture

An architecture for performing fixed-point, high-speed, two's-complement, bit-parallel addition by using the carry-free property of redundant arithmetic and a fast parallel redundant-to-binary conversion scheme is presented. The internal numbers are represented in radix-2 redundant digit form, and the inputs and the output of the adder are represented in two's-complement binary form. The adder operands are added first in a radix-2 redundant adder to produce the result in radix-2 digit (-1, 0, 1) form. This result is converted to two's-complement binary form using the parallel conversion scheme. The high-speed conversion for long words is achieved through the use of a novel sign-select operation. The proposed adder, referred to as the sign-select conversion adder, is faster than all previous high-speed two's-complement binary adders for large word lengths. The implementation is highly regular with repeated modules and is very well suited for VLSI implementation. >
A mass failure model for the initial degradation of fault scarps, with application to the 1959 scarps at Hebgen Lake, Montana

Abstract Calculation of earthquake scarp ages from scarp morphology usually assumes that scarp materials reach their angle of repose immediately after a rupture. However, observations of the 1959 Hebgen Lake, Montana, earthquake scarp and similar features worldwide confirm that scarps require a finite period of mass failure to reach the initial conditions for hillslope diffusion, so the age of features less than 1000 yr old cannot be accurately estimated with methods based only on the linear diffusion equation. We apply a numerical model of this interval of mass failure degradation to vertical initial-angle scarps from the 1959 rupture at Hebgen Lake, Montana. The mass failure rate coefficient, R M , ranges from 1.0×10 -2 to 1.2×10 -1 m·yr -1 for young scarps at Hebgen Lake and nine other locations, and has little or no dependence on climate conditions such as annual temperature range or average rainfall. Including an interval of mass failure gives more accurate age estimates where a scarp age is of the same order as the characteristic mass failure relaxation time of 10–1000 yr.
Managing Drinking Water Supplies

ABSTRACT Efforts to provide safe drinking water cannot begin at the treatment plant. Processes occurring in the watershed can adversely influence drinking water reservoirs, and understanding linkages between these processes and reservoir water quality provides the basis for protecting or improving source water quality. Since the presence of molecules responsible for taste, odor and algal toxin problems, and for the formation of disinfection by-products (DBP) is often related to reservoir trophic conditions, sound and cost-effective water treatment approaches must include considerations for reservoir management. Source water management efforts should include both watershed management, as a means to reduce the loading of materials to the reservoirs, and in-reservoir treatments that ameliorate or minimize the symptoms of eutrophication. Discussed here are considerations for maintaining safe drinking water, water quality assessment approaches, and common methods for managing reservoir water quality.
Negotiating Negotiation: The Collaborative Production of Resolution in Small Claims Mediation Hearings

The purpose of this paper is to analyze how participants in mediation hearings get ideas for resolution of the dispute on the table for negotiation and bargaining. The data used are 15 small claims...
Ginseng and other herbal medicines that interact with warfarin.

The consumption of herbal medicines is increasing rapidly worldwide. Ginseng is one of the most widely used herbal medicines in the world, for its physical, mental and sexual effects. It is one of the best-selling herbs in the United States [1]. The recent report that ginseng may paradoxically decrease the anticoagulant effect of warfarin [1] was the third such report, the first two being published in 1997 [2] and 2003 [3]. There are several species of ginseng, the four major ones being Chinese or Korean ginseng (Panax ginseng), Siberian ginseng (Eleutherococcus senticosus), American ginseng (Panax quinquefolium) and Brazilian ginseng (Pfaffia paniculata) [2,4,5], containing various amounts of ginsenosides [6]. Ginseng usually tends to cause bleeding and thus may potentiate the anticoagulant effect of warfarin [7–9]. Besides ginseng, there are other herbal medicines that may potentiate the action of warfarin, such as danshen [10–14] and dong quai [15]. Because herbal prescriptions are often combined preparations, causal attribution is often difficult [16]. Because 33% of Chinese patients take herbal medicines [17], it is very important for every physician to be aware of the possibility of such drug interactions when excessive bleeding, unsuspected increase or decrease of the prothrombin time or international normalized ratio, or difficulty in regulating the warfarin dosage that is encountered in any patients on warfarin therapy who have otherwise been under good anticoagulant control [10].
Measurement of early spontaneous recovery from aphasia with stroke

The amount of spontaneous change in aphasia was quantified in 44 right-handed patients who were aphasic following a first and unihemispheric stroke. All were initially tested less than 14 days after onset and were reevaluated at a mean of 30 days. The Porch Index of Communicative Ability was administered for objective and precise measurement. Forty-one of the patients demonstrated significant improvement, a finding which must be taken into account in evaluating any claims for effectiveness of speech therapy.
High endothelial venules in involved and uninvolved psoriatic skin: recognition by homing receptors on cytotoxic T lymphocytes

We report the presence of tannic acid staining material in the intercellular spaces between adjacent endothelial cells of the high endothelial venules (HEVs) in psoriatic skin, which appears to be recognized by T8 (cytotoxic/suppressor) lymphocytes, as the presence of HEVs was found to be related to the presence of T8 lymphocytes in the epidermis. As HEVs with similar tannic acid staining material were also observed in peripheral lymph nodes, we suggest that this material may serve as a marker for HEVs recognized by the T8 lymphocyte subset. T8 + lymphocytes were found in the epidermis at 5 min and I h after tape-stripping of uninvolved skin of psoriatic patients with active disease, but not until 24 h in a psoriatic patient in remission. The prior existence of HEVs in uninvolved psoriatic skin could account for the rapid egress of T8 lymphocytes from the vasculature to the epidermis in response to trauma.
The new development economics

Abstract The theory of rural organization based on rational peasants in environments where information is imperfect and costly provides a simple explanation for a wide variety of phenomena in LDCs. It provides insights into both why sharecropping is so widespread and why it takes on the particular forms that it does; it provides an explanation of the interlinkage of credit and land markets, and of cost sharing. The paper argues that this theory provides a better explanation of these phenomena than do the competing theories. This theory can be viewed as an important application of a more general paradigm, the “Imperfect Information Paradigm,” which has been useful in explaining economic phenomena under a wide variety of settings: under competition, oligopoly, and monopoly; in labor markets, capital markets, in insurance markets, and product markets; and in developed and less developed countries.
Medical image storage system for content-based retrieval

Large image databases have been designed and used in various applications and in content-based retrieval systems. Medical Imaging modalities have been developed in the past each uniquely designed to specific imaging modality based on the image pathobiological medium. This paper presents an approach to improve the process of image storage and retrieval based on image data representation model that integrates both metadata and content description. The low level features and the labels associated with the salient objects extracted from the mages are stored in an ORDBMS (Object Relational Database Management systems) using Oracle. Our technique, which combines the image descriptors obtained by a unified approach phases of image segmentation and annotation, has a good time complexity and the experimental results on several image datasets.
The role of magnetic resonance imaging in the diagnostic evaluation of malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors

Background and Aims: Malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors (MPNSTs) are the leading cause of mortality in patients with neurofibromatosis type-1 (NF1)); however, they may also arise sporadically. Differences in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) features between MPNSTs arising in NF1 subjects versus non-NF1 subjects have not been studied before. The accuracy of MRI in distinguishing MPNSTs from benign peripheral nerve sheath tumors (BPNSTs) has also been debated. The objective of this study was to determine the potential differentiating MRI features between (a) NF1-related and non-NF1-related MPNSTs and (b) MPNSTs and BPNSTs. Materials and Methods: We retrospectively evaluated the MRI studies of 21 patients (12 NF1 subjects and nine non-NF1 subjects) with MPNSTs and 35 patients with BPNSTs. In all studies, the lesions were assessed in terms of size, margins, T1 and T2 signal characteristics, internal architecture, pattern of contrast enhancement, invasion of adjacent structures and necrosis/cystic degeneration as well as for the presence of tail-, target- and split-fat signs. Results: MPNSTs of NF1 subjects occurred at an earlier age and displayed a higher incidence of necrosis/cystic degeneration compared with MPNSTs of non-NF1 subjects. Compared with BPNSTs, MPNSTs were significantly larger at the time of diagnosis and demonstrated a higher incidence of ill-defined margins (specificity 91%, sensitivity 52%) and invasion of adjacent structures (specificity 100%, sensitivity 43%). Conclusions: Differences exist between NF1-related and non-NF1-related MPNSTs regarding the age of occurrence and MRI appearance. In the MRI evaluation of peripheral nerve sheath tumors, the presence of ill-defined tumor margins and/or invasion of adjacent structures are highly specific for malignancy.
Low carbon dioxide concentrations can reverse stomatal closure during water stress

Leaf water potentials below threshold values result in reduced stomatal conductance (g s ). Stomatal closure at low leaf water potentials may serve to protect against cavitation of xylem. Possible control of g s by leaf water potential or hydraulic conductance was tested by drying the rooting medium in four herbaceous annual species until g s was reduced and then lowering the [CO 2 ] to determine whether g s and transpiration rate could be increased and leaf water potential decreased and whether hydraulic conductance was reduced at the resulting lower leaf water potential. In all species, low [CO 2 ] could reverse the stomatal closure because of drying despite further reductions in leaf water potential, and the resulting lower leaf water potentials did not result in reductions in hydraulic conductance. The relative sensitivity of g s to internal [CO 2 ] in the leaves of dry plants of each species averaged three to four times higher than in leaves of wet plants. Two species in which g s was reputed to be insensitive to [CO 2 ] were examined to determine whether high leaf to air water vapor pressure differences (D) resulted in increased stomatal sensitivity to [CO 2 ]. In both species, stomatal sensitivity to [CO 2 ] was indeed negligible at low D, but increased with D, and low [CO 2 ] partly or fully reversed closure caused by high D. In no case did low leaf water potential or low hydraulic conductance during drying of the air or the rooting medium prevent low [CO 2 ] from increasing g s and transpiration rate.
Effects of Integrating Cultivar Resistance and Fungicide Application on Fusarium Head Blight and Deoxynivalenol in Winter Wheat

Wegulo, S. N., Bockus, W. W., Hernandez Nopsa, J., De Wolf, E. D., Eskridge, K. M., Peiris, K. H. S., and Dowell, F. E. 2011. Effects of integrating cultivar resistance and fungicide application on Fusarium head blight and deoxynivalenol in winter wheat. Plant Dis. 95:554-560. Fusarium head blight (FHB) or scab, incited by Fusarium graminearum, can cause significant economic losses in small grain production. Five field experiments were conducted from 2007 to 2009 to determine the effects on FHB and the associated mycotoxin deoxynivalenol (DON) of integrating winter wheat cultivar resistance and fungicide application. Other variables measured were yield and the percentage of Fusarium-damaged kernels (FDK). The fungicides prothioconazole + tebuconazole (formulated as Prosaro 421 SC) were applied at the rate of 0.475 liters/ha, or not applied, to three cultivars (experiments 1 to 3) or six cultivars (experiments 4 and 5) differing in their levels of resistance to FHB and DON accumulation. The effect of cultivar on FHB index was highly significant (P < 0.0001) in all five experiments. Under the highest FHB intensity and no fungicide application, the moderately resistant cultivars Harry, Heyne, Roane, and Truman had less severe FHB than the susceptible cultivars 2137, Jagalene, Overley, and Tomahawk (indices of 30 to 46% and 78 to 99%, respectively). Percent fungicide efficacy in reducing index and DON was greater in moderately resistant than in susceptible cultivars. Yield was negatively correlated with index, with FDK, and with DON, whereas index was positively correlated with FDK and with DON, and FDK and DON were positively correlated. Correlation between index and DON, index and FDK, and FDK and DON was stronger in susceptible than in moderately resistant cultivars, whereas the negative correlation between yield and FDK and yield and DON was stronger in moderately resistant than in susceptible cultivars. Overall, the strongest correlation was between index and DON (0.74 ≤ R ≤ 0.88, P ≤ 0.05). The results from this study indicate that fungicide efficacy in reducing FHB and DON was greater in moderately resistant cultivars than in susceptible ones. This shows that integrating cultivar resistance with fungicide application can be an effective strategy for management of FHB and DON in winter wheat.
Two sides of the ostracism coin: How sources and targets of social exclusion perceive themselves and one another

Ostracism involves two parties: The group doing the exclusion (i.e., sources) and the target of the exclusion. Research on social exclusion has often focused on the targets. The current study, however, considers the experiences of both sources and targets. Members of four-person groups were randomly assigned to the roles of targets or sources of exclusion, and then interacted in a face-to-face setting. Participants’ perceptions of themselves and other group members were then evaluated and also compared with control group members. Although targets were negatively affected by exclusion, the sources of exclusion also suffered negative consequences. In addition, these interactions (which were videotaped) were coded by independent judges. The observational data revealed that people use a variety of behaviors to exclude a target, and more stringent forms of exclusion corresponded to more negative outcomes.
Integrative Health and Healing as the New Health Care Paradigm for the Military

Background: The field of integrative health and healing (IH2) is emerging out of the dark recesses of "voodoo" stereotypes and into the light as a new and much needed health care paradigm. It is a philosophy of health and healing that seeks to place patients as the preeminent players in health management, disease prevention, and injury recovery. There is an emphasis of patient responsibility, which includes a holistic approach that merges allopathic with complementary medicine. Objective: The aim of this article is to explore the historical origins of integrative medicine and investigate the future role of the IH2 paradigm. Methods: This article reviews current available data and information regarding complementary and alternative medicine utilized in civilian and military populations as the basis for a new paradigm for a system of care-a system that empowers patients. Conclusions: The current U.S. health care system is reactive and disease-based, with a focus on reductionism. This system is not serving us well. IH2 is a new model of cost-effective patient-centered health care.