cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Outras Vozes : Women's Writings in Lusophone Africa

In this paper we examine the development of women's studies in the Portuguese-speaking African countries of Angola, Mozambique, Cape Verde, Guinea-Bissau, and Sao Tome e Principe. There are notable variations between these nations, as Mozambique has had a strong Gender Studies unit at Universidade Eduardo Mondlane that has supported a range of research projects and publications on women and the law, women's history, and related topics. The other countries have also produced important studies, often focusing on women's experiences in the anti-colonial liberation struggle, and on more recent issues such as women's legal position. The paper draws out the commonalities and differences in approaches to women's studies by providing an overview of the relevant publications over the past thirty years.
Hot water extraction of boron from soils using sealed plastic pouches

Abstract Logistically, the determination of available B in soils is one of the most difficult analysis routinely performed in soil testing laboratories. The purpose of this study was to examine the feasibility of using sealed plastic pouches in place of the traditional glass refluxing apparatus for the hot water extraction of B in soils. Seven northern Idaho soils were collected, spiked with B levels of 0.25, 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0, and 4.0 μg/g, and analyzed for extractable B using both types of vessels. When extraction time was five minutes, extraction of B from soil using glass refluxing apparatus yielded from 0.03 to 0.16 μg/g more extractable B than when sealed plastic pouches were used. This was true for all soils at all B levels. It was determined, however, that equivalent B values were obtained with both procedures when the boiling time with the plastic pouches was increased from 5 to 7 minutes. A procedure for B extraction is proposed using the sealed plastic pouches as extraction vessels. The plasti...
Magnetostrictive effects in Cu/Co/Cu/Fe spin valve structures

Abstract We have investigated the magnetoelastic response of a series of Cu/Co/Cu/Fe multilayer films to applied stress by observing changes in the spin-valve magnetoresistance. The films were prepared by dc magnetron sputtering onto glass or polyimide substrates with individual layer thicknesses ranging from 35 to 50 A. The typical magnetoresistance without external stress is about 1.2%. The strain induced by the applied stress varies from + 1600 (tension) to −1300 (compression) parts per million. We observed a decrease (increase) of coercivity with compressive (tensile) strain for both Fe and Co. This indicates that in the film plane, Fe and Co films have the same positive sign of magnetostriction. The observed coercivity change is about ±10 Oe for the maximum applied strain in both cases. The resulting maximum change in Δ R/R with a 1% strain is about −0.018 (+0.012) at the coercive field of Fe (Co).
The Ultrastructure of Epithelial and Fiber Cells in the Crystalline Lens

Crystalline lenses are often simply described as inside-out stratified epithelial-like organs composed of uniform (hexagonal cross-section profiles) crescent-like cells, arranged end-to-end in concentric shells around a polar axis. In this manner, as light is transmitted through lenses, their highly ordered architecture contributes to transparency by effectively transforming the multicellular organ into a series of coaxial refractive surfaces. This review will attempt to demonstrate that such a description seriously understates the structural complexity that produces lenses of variable optical quality in different species as a function of development, growth, and age. Embryological development of the lens occurs in a similar manner in all species. However, the growth patterns and effects of aging on lens fibers varies significantly among species. The terminally differentiated fiber cells of all lenses are generally hexagonal in cross section and crescent shaped along their length. But, while the fibers of all lenses are arranged in both highly ordered radial cell columns and concentric growth shells, only avian lens fibers are meridian-like, extending from pole to pole. In all other species, two types of fibers defined by different shapes are continuously formed throughout life. The majority of fibers are s-shaped, with ends that do not extend to the poles. Rather, the ends of these fibers are arranged as latitudinal arc lengths within and between growth shells. The overlap of the ends of specifically defined groups of such fibers constitutes the lens suture branches. The location, number, and extent of suture branches within and between growth shells are important considerations in lens function because the shapes of fiber ends, unlike that along fiber length, are very irregular. Consequently, as light is transmitted through sutures, spherical aberration (i.e., focal length variation) is increased. The degree of focal length variability depends on the arrangement of suture branches within and between growth shells, and this architecture varies significantly between species. The lifelong production of additional fibers at the circumference of the lens, culminating in new growth shells, neither proceeds equally around the lens equator, nor features identical fibers formed around the equator. Suture formation commences in the inferonasal quadrant, and continues sequentially in the superotemporal, inferotemporal, and finally the superonasal quadrants. During this process, lens growth produces fibers of specifically defined length and shape as a function of their equatorial location.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
d-Orbital Effects on Stereochemical Non-Rigidity: Twisted TiIV Intramolecular Dynamics

The isomerization dynamics of tris-catecholate complexes have been investigated by variable-temperature NMR methods, demonstrating that the intramolecular racemization of Δ and Λ enantiomers of d0 TiIV is facile and faster than that of d10 GaIII and GeIV analogues. Activation parameters for the racemization of K2[Ti23] (H22 = 2,3-dihydroxy-N,N‘-diisopropylterephthalamide) were determined from line shape analysis of 1H NMR spectra {methanol-d4: ΔH⧧ = 47(1) kJ/mol; ΔS⧧ = −34(4) J/molK; ΔG⧧298 = 57(3) kJ/mol; DMF-d7: ΔH⧧ = 55(1) kJ/mol; ΔS⧧ = −16(4) J/molK; ΔG⧧298 = 59(3) kJ/mol; D2O (pD* = 8.6, 20% MeOD): ΔH⧧ = 48(3) kJ/mol; ΔS⧧ = −28(10) J/molK; ΔG⧧298 = 56(3) kJ/mol}. The study of K2[Ti43] (H24 = 2,3-dihydroxy-N-tert-butyl-N‘-benzylterephthalamide) reveals two distinct isomerization processes: faster racemization of mer-[Ti43]2- by way of a Bailar twist mechanism (D3h transition state) {Tc ≈ 242 K, methanol-d4}, and a slower mer⇌fac [Ti43]2- isomerization by way of a Rây−Dutt mechanism (C2v transition...
The role of statisticians in international science policy

There are precious few statisticians involved in science policy, either nationally or internationally. In this paper I will, in an unusually personal way for a scientific journal, describe some of the possibilities for policy work and the potential impact such work can have. An example is the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. I will also discuss ways that organizations, individuals, and the statistical community as a whole can get involved in policy aspects of research. And policy research is unavoidably political! Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Moving beyond dualism: A dialogue with Western European and American Indian views of spirituality, nature, and science

Abstract Western European and Native American approaches to spirituality, nature, and science have implications for policy decisions now and into the Twenty First century. This essay explicates traditional American Indian and Western European philosophic and spiritual views of nature in order to promote dialogue and inform choices that are crucial regarding the future of the biosphere. A concept of nature, then, is more than just an explanation of how living things interact with one another. It also serves as a reference point for deciphering the meaning of existence itself. Jeremy Rifkin
Some ab initio LCAO-MO-SCF studies of the electronic structure of cyclopropaneag]

Abstract Ab initio LCAO-MO-SCF calculations have been carried out on cyclopropane, using three different uncontracted Gaussian basis sets. When employing only s and p orbitals, the results were close to those obtained in the other recent quantum-mechanical studies dealing with this molecule. Addition of d character caused pronounced changes in a pair of degenerate molecular orbitais describing the CC bonds. The-dimensional electron-density plots are presented for these orbitals as well as for the total molecule. In addition, an ab initio LCAO-MO-SCF calculation was carried out on butane, the geometry of which was chosen so that the two middle carbon atoms and their four associated hydrogens exhibited exactly the same coordinates as those of a C 2 H 4 segment ofcyclopropane, A difference plot between these two molecule segments demonstrates the existence of “bent bonds” in cyclopropane as well as a build up of electronic charge in the center of its ring.
Comparison of nonretarded and mentally retarded children on tasks involving direct and rule-governed imitation.

The influence of intellectual level and social reinforcement on imitation learning was examined. Tasks involving direct and rule-governed imitation of a model were presented to 20 mentally retarded and 20 nonretarded children. The children within each group were randomly assigned to either an affective (“good-fine”) or an informative (“correct-right”) social reinforcement condition. Reinforcement, administered on a fixed ratio (FR4) schedule, was contingent on the child's imitative behavior. A multivariate analysis of variance showed that both the Population X Reinforcement Type interaction and the Reinforcement main effect were significant. Univariate follow-up tests showed that only rule-governed imitation contributed significantly to the multivariate effects. Analysis of simple effects indicated that retarded children performed optimally under affective reinforcement, while the nonretarded children performed highest under informative reinforcement.
Gradient mapping of pattern ground characteristics from a photomosaic of the IBP tundra biome site near Barrow, Alaska

An air photographic mosaic covering an area of 44.5  105 m z was subdivided into 741 rectangular cells (60  100 m). Pattern frequency, center relief, shape, and wedge image clarity were tabulated using three states for each character on a nominal scale. These state variables were converted to an htterval scale by the application of a spatial smoothing filter. The new values were subjected to a principal components analysis which indicated that a parsimonious classification of pattern spatial variation couM be constructed by equally weighting the first three nominal variables (frequency, relief, shape). The maps derived from this scheme indicate the areas on the tundra surface where polygon evolution may be occurring at the present time.
BF3-Mediated Addition of Lithium Phenylacetylide to an Imine: Correlations of Structures and Reactivities. BF3·R3N Derivatives as Substitutes for BF3·Et2O

BF3-mediated additions of lithium phenylacetylide (PhCCLi) to the N-(n-butyl)imine of cyclohexane carboxaldehyde were investigated. IR spectroscopic investigations reveal dramatic aging effects on ...
The National Institutes of Health and their sponsorship of clinical trials.

During 1987, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) celebrated their 100th anniversary. The NIH constitute the principal biomedical research arm of the the United States Government. The 1985 NIH budget was $5.1 billion; that amount represent s less than 2% of total U.S. health costs [1]. The NIH began as the one-room Laboratory of Hygiene in the Marine Hospital on Staten Island, New York, which was primarily a bacteriological laboratory. When the Laboratory was moved to Washington, D.C., in 1891, its name was changed to the Hygienic Laboratory. In 1912, the Laboratory was designated as part of the Public Health Service, which was authorized to study and investigate diseases of man and conditions influencing propagation and spread of disease and to issue publications on these topics [2]. Research grants to be awarded to outside institutions were first authorized in 1918 to support the U.S. Army's fight against venereal disease. A total of $400,000 was authorized for extramural awards during that year [2]. An Act of Congress in 1930 transformed the Hygienic Laboratory to the National Institute of Health. The Act also created fellowships for the agency and authorized the U.S. Government to accept donations for use in studying diseases and their prevention and cure. Also in 1930, 92 acres of land that eventually became the nucleus of the present 306-acre NIH campus in Bethesda, Maryland, was donated to the government [2]. The Division of Research Grants was established in 1946 as part of the effort to promote research into diseases and impairments of mankind. In 1948 the National Institute of Health became the National Institutes of Health, consisting of the National Cancer Institute (created in 1937), the National Heart Institute, the National Institute of Dental Research, the National Institute of Mental Health, the National Microbiological Institute, and the Experimental Biology and Medicine Institute. The NIH Clinical Center was opened in 1953 [1]. The NIH spent approximately 4% of its total budget on clinical trials between 1975 and 1979 [3]. The majority of these trials were funded through
Transient expression of a neurofilament protein by replicating neuroepithelial cells of the embryonic chick brain

An immunohistochemical survey was carried out on frozen sections of the early embryonic chick brain between 1 and 6 days of incubation, with antisera to the three neurofilament proteins (NF-L, NF-M, NF-H). Large numbers of replicating neuroepithelial cells were found to express one of these proteins, NF-M, generations before the existence of any postmitotic neuroblasts (Days 1-2 1/2 of incubation). NF-L and NF-H could not be detected. Not all primordial brain regions contained NF-M-positive cells, but in those that did, every cell was positive. These regions included the dorsal forebrain, optic vesicles, and dorsal hindbrain, but not the dorsal midbrain. All cells in all regions of the cephalic neural tube contained vimentin, whether or not they also contained NF-M. This NF-M expression was transient in the sense that later generations of these NF-M-positive neuroepithelial cells became NF-M negative, before finally giving rise to some descendents that ultimately express all three NF proteins. This transient NF-M expression was found in certain other cells of early embryos, including cardiac myoblasts. The identity of the component in these early neural and nonneural tissues, that bound the antibody, was demonstrated to be identical to adult brain NF-M by one- and two-dimensional immunoblots. These findings demonstrate an unusual kind of biochemical heterogeneity among neuroepithelial cells, and they are relevant to considerations regarding lineage analysis and lineage "markers" in the vertebrate central nervous system.
Orientation of Hippodamia convergens (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) Larvae to Volatile Chemicals Associated with Myzus nicotianae (Homoptera: Aphidiidae)

Larval coccinellids are thought to exhibit random search behavior but recent work has suggested that closer analysis of search paths could reveal more olfaction-driven behavior than previously realized. To test this idea, the use of volatile chemical cues by larvae of the coccinellid Hippodamia convergens Guerin-Meneville in searching for prey tobacco aphids, Myzus nicotianae Blackman, were studied. Larvae (second, third, and fourth instars) were exposed to three volatile sources; aphids alone, aphids on tobacco leaves and tobacco leaves previously exposed to aphids. Larvae were placed in an arena and their search path traced onto a grid then divided into seven different components relating approach angles and velocities at various time intervals. In general, older larvae were more efficient at searching than were younger ones. Older larvae had lower approach angles and higher approach velocities associated with treatments than did younger larvae. Different search behavior components responded differently to the various treatments but in most cases significant effects attributable to olfactory cues were obtained. The results support the potential use of olfactory cues by these larvae and suggest that a more extensive set of analyses and treatments should be conducted.
Stereotactic navigation for placement of pedicle screws in the thoracic spine

OBJECTIVEPedicle screw fixation in the lumbar spine has become the standard of care for various causes of spinal instability. However, because of the smaller size and more complex morphology of the thoracic pedicle, screw placement in the thoracic spine can be extremely challenging. In several publi
The Continuum Mechanics of Solid Polymers

Abstract The field of continuum mechanics treats the response of continuous bodies to externally applied forces. Molecular structure is disregarded and the body is pictured as a continuum without gaps or empty spaces. These external forces can deform the body and set it into motion. The motion of a rigid body depends only on its mass and mass distribution, not on its composition. The deformation of the body, however, depends upon its internal constitution and is characterized by “constitutive equations” or “rheological equations of state.” These equations describe the relation between the stress and strain of the material.
An outbreak of contact dermatitis in farm workers

Fourteen of twenty-six migrant workers developed contact dermatitis at a single tomato-strawberry farm in Tennessee. Investigation identified one of eleven pesticides used by the farmer, 2,4-dichloro-6-(o-chloroanilino)-s-triazine anilazine; Dyrene), as the cause of the dermatitis in six of seven workers who were available for patch testing. As a result of this investigation, the label on Dyrene has been revised to warn users of possible sensitization.
Reflective Journaling and Assessment

This is a continuing series of quarterly articles on lessons learned and best practices in civil engineering education. The intent of the series is to reinforce good practices, describe new or developing practices, and provide a forum for what works well and what does not. It is hoped that this series will be an important quarterly read for all civil engineering educators and all those interested in what’s going on in civil engineering education today. Authors and topics will vary from issue to issue. Contact the associate editor, Norbert Delatte, if you wish to contribute to an upcoming issue.
Introduction: Theorizing and Studying Religion

Abstract Though religion appears to play a prominent role in the contemporary political and cultural landscape of the United States and elsewhere, relatively few geographers are contributing toward a better appreciation of this phenomenon. A 2001 review of the field countered earlier charges of incoherence by noting particular strengths in geographic research on religion, and more recent publications by geographers have appeared, but the overall picture has not yet matched the strong wave of media treatment and popular interest in religion. A basic question is whether religion really matters in the world today. This question has been addressed in a highly prominent recent debate over secularization theory, which raises important implications for the relevance of geography and suggests the need for both theoretical and empirical contributions. The articles in this theme section comprise the contributions of five geographers toward theorizing and studying religion. Our broad intent is to reinvigorate discou...
Endothelial dysfunction: its role in hypertensive coronary disease.

Purpose of review Coronary artery disease is the major cause of death worldwide. Hypertension is a major risk factor for developing coronary disease. It is now recognized that endothelial dysfunction is an early marker of coronary artery disease before structural changes to the vessel wall are apparent on angiography or intravascular ultrasound and that it has a prognostic value in predicting cardiovascular events in hypertensive patients. This review addresses recent developments in hypertension-induced endothelial dysfunction. Recent findings Hyperaldosteronism causes endothelial dysfunction independent of high blood pressure. Exaggerated exercise blood pressure response has been related to endothelial dysfunction. Cyclosporin-A-induced endothelial dysfunction is related to reduced cholesterol content in caveolae. Chronic kidney disease induces changes in caveoli-1 and thus contributes to the reduced nitric oxide bioavailability, and causes oxidative stress independent of the high blood pressure. Asymmetric dimethylarginine plays a role in endothelial dysfunction in hypertensive patients independent of insulin resistance. 20-Hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid is an independent predictor of hypertension in postmenopausal women. Endothelial dysfunction precedes and predicts the development of hypertension in postmenopausal women. Oral treatment with L-arginine improves endothelial dysfunction in hypertensives and lowers the blood pressure. Summary The pathophysiology of endothelial dysfunction in hypertension is multifactorial. Recent findings have contributed to our understanding of mechanisms of endothelial dysfunction and support a role for early intervention to prevent irreversible vascular and organ damage.
The evolutionarily triumphant G-protein-coupled receptor.

Among all of the known proteins in the human genome, the G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) may be the most versatile. They know how to manipulate the evolutionary forces that govern diversity by copying one ancestral gene and turning it into thousands of different proteins that can transduce light
Evidence from model peptides relating to the denaturation of proteins by lithium salts.

IN an earlier communication1 we reported that mixtures of N-methylacetamide (NMA) or N,N-dimethylacetamide (DMA) with strong aqueous lithium bromide show viscosities much higher than those calculated on the assumption of ideal mixing. This was termed ‘relative viscosity’, which is different from the usual use of this term. It was proposed that the high viscosity is caused by aggregation arising from carbonyl–lithium (I) and carbonyl–water–lithium (II) associations. Dots indicate hydrogen bonds, and dashes ion-dipole interactions. These associations were also considered to occur in protein denaturation. We now report evidence for the existence of both types of association, as well as peptide-anion associations.
Sweet's syndrome as a dermatological manifestation of underlying coronary artery disease.

Summary We report an unusual case of a 50-year-old female with no significant past medical history who reported with a sudden eruption of painful erythematous papules accompanied by fever. Clinical and pathological findings were consistent with acute febrile neutrophilic dermatosis (or Sweet's syndrome). Two weeks later, she complained of chest pain and was diagnosed with non-ST elevation myocardial infarction. Coronary angiogram demonstrated stenosis of right coronary artery and left Circumflex artery. Subsequent workup to identify underlying malignant or autoimmune disorders was negative. She refused to undergo percutaneous coronary intervention and was treated conservatively with steroids, resulting in dramatic resolution of skin lesions. Six months later, the patient was readmitted with similar complaints including fever, generalized rash, and chest pain. Electrocardiography demonstrated old infero-lateral wall infarction. Cardiac enzymes were not elevated. Repeat workup failed to identify underlying systemic disorder except coronary artery disease (CAD). She recovered following administration of steroids and continued to receive medical therapy for CAD. This case demonstrates an unusual association between Sweet's syndrome and CAD in an adult female. Sweet's syndrome is considered to be a reactive phenomenon of underlying systemic disorders. Therefore, patients presenting with Sweet's syndrome should be evaluated for CAD, especially in the absence of underlying malignant or autoimmune disorders.
Expression and p75 neurotrophin receptor dependence of cholesterol synthetic enzymes in adult mouse brain.

Abstract Normal brain function depends critically on cholesterol. Although cholesterol is synthesized locally in the adult brain, the precise anatomical localization of cholesterogenic enzymes is not known. Here we show that 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A reductase (HMG-CoAred) and 7-dehydrocholesterol reductase (7dhcred), the first and last enzymes, respectively, in the cholesterol biosynthesis pathway, are co-expressed in neurons throughout adult murine brain. Co-localization is most prominent in cortical, hippocampal, and cholinergic neurons. Since adult hippocampal and cholinoergic neurons express p75 neurotrophin receptors (p75NTR) we hypothesized that p75NTR regulates expression of cholesterogenic enzymes. Treatment of Neuro2a neuroblastoma cells or primary cerebellar cultures with siRNA downregulates p75NTR and decreases the expression level of HMG-CoAred and 7dhcred. Native neuroblastoma cell lines with differential expression of p75NTR differentially express 7dhcred; 7dhcred expression correlates with p75NTR expression. This suggests that, in p75NTR-expressing cells, p75NTR regulates cholesterol synthesis through regulation of HMG-CoAred and 7dhcred expression. The unexpected localization of cholesterogenic enzymes in adult neurons suggests that at least some adult neurons retain the ability to synthesize cholesterol.
Sintering theory for crystalline solids

The usual assumption that sintering is driven by differences in surface curvature is known to be a weak component of sintering theory for crystalline solids.1,2 Another usual assumption of sintering theory--the implicit assumption that temperature gradients need not be considered--may often be mistaken. Experimental observations with which these assumptions are not consistent are cited in the next section of this paper.
Rapid and high throughput separation technologies--steady state recycling and supercritical fluid chromatography for chiral resolution of pharmaceutical intermediates.

Abstract The SSR and SFC techniques were used for the enantiomeric resolution of three pharmaceutical intermediates at various sample scales. The separation conditions, the sample purities and yields, the productivities and the solvent consumptions were discussed in three case studies in this paper. In case (I), the SSR process was used for a low selectivity resolution of 2.0 kg of pharmaceutical intermediate. By using this separation process, a productivity of 750 g racemate/kg stationary phase/day was achieved, while solvent usage was minimized (∼200 l/kg racemate). Case (II) pertained to the effectiveness of the SSR process. Productivity using SSR techniques increased by a factor of 4.5, while solvent usage decreased by a factor of 4.1 when compared to the productivity and solvent usage of batch HPLC. Case (III) compared SFC purification to HPLC purification. The SFC process was more effective in terms of an increase in productivity and a reduction in solvent usage. Based on these results, it appears that SSR and SFC are very useful choices at the early stage of the drug development for a high throughput and a rapid turn around of samples.
An improved spread spectrum technique for robust watermarking

This paper introduces a new watermarking modulation technique, which we call improved spread spectrum (ISS). Unlike in traditional spread spectrum (SS), in ISS the carrier signal does not act as a noise source; leading significant performance gains. In typical examples, the gain of ISS over SS is 20 dB or more in signal-to-noise ratio or 20 orders of magnitude or more in error probability. The proposed method achieves roughly the same noise robustness gain as quantization index modulation (QIM). Nevertheless, while QIM is quite sensitive to amplitude variations, ISS is as robust in practice as traditional SS.
Employment Hardship and Rural Minorities: Theory, Research, and Policy:

Rural racial and ethnic minorities are among the poorest of all Americans. This article situates their plight both theoretically and empirically in the context of employment hardship. Defined by access to employment and job quality, employment hardship is more prevalent among nonmetropolitan African Americans, Hispanics, and Native Americans than it is among either their central city counterparts or non-Hispanic whites. The strengths and limitations of both individuallevel frameworks (e.g., human capital) and macro-level theories (e.g., uneven development) in explaining the economic double jeopardy faced by rural minorities are discussed. Policy recommendations designed to ameliorate employment hardship are presented.
Factors Influencing Seed Species Selection by Wild Birds at Feeders

Seed preferences of wild birds may be a result of factors such as bill and seed morphology, handling time, nutritional content of the seed, and foraging behavior of the bird. To examine factors influencing seed choice of 10 species of birds that regularly visit bird feeders in the United States and Canada, we collected data on bird visits, bill size, seed size, and nutritional content of seeds for 10 seed types commonly used in bird seed blends. The presence of an outer hull, protein content, and the ratio of bill volume to seed volume were the most important variables determining seed choice. Fiber and fat content were less important. Results from this study help us understand why birds that use feeders use the seed types they do, and ultimately, may improve the composition of seed species and individual seeds found in bird food blends.
Intelligent data layout mechanism for high-performance image retrieval

Trends in medical imaging indicate that the storage requirements for digital medical datasets require a more efficient, scalable storage architecture for large-scale RIS/PACS to support high-speed retrieval for multiple concurrent clients. As storage and networking technologies mature, the cost of applying such technologies in medical imaging has become more economically viable. We propose to take advantage of such economies of scale in technology to provide an effective network workstation storage solution for achieving (1) faster display and navigation response time, (2) higher server throughput and (3) better data storage management. Full-field direct digital mammography presents a challenging problem in the design of digital workstation systems for screening and diagnosis. Due to the spatial and contrast resolution required for mammography, the digital images are large (exceeding 5K X 6K X 14 bits approximately equals 60MB per image) and therefore difficult to display using commercially available technology. We are developing clinically useful methods of storing, displaying and manipulating large digital images in a medical media server using commercial technology. In this paper we propose an Intelligent Grid-based Data Layout Mechanism to optimize the total response time of a reading by minimizing the speed of image access (data I/O time) and the number of data access requests to the server (queueing effects) during the image navigation. A Navigation Threads Model is developed to characterize the performance of many navigation threads involved in the course of performing a reading session. In our grid-based data layout approach, a large 2D direct-digital mammogram image is divided spatially into many small 2D grids and is stored into an array of magnetic disks to provide parallel grid-based readout services to clients. Such a grid- based approach not only provides fine-granularity control, but also provides a means of collecting statistical information about the distribution of Region of Interests (ROI) for a given image in the storage systems. Hence, it provides statistical rules to guide image navigation and guidelines for reorganizing the data layout within the storage server (replication of ROI blocks) dynamically; hence, better load balancing can be achieved and the overall image navigation throughput for the system can be maximized. Given the same buffer capacity and data access mode, this technique can statistically guarantee the maximum image retrieval time, and can scale-up easily without significant performance degradation. Throughout this paper, we assume that a high- speed network is used in our client/server model and network latency (data communication cost) is minimal compared to data I/O cost. In addition, the cost of reporting diagnostic results associated with the total response time is assumed to be negligible.© (1998) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Evolution of human Y-chromosome DNA

We have used human male-specific 3.4 kb Hae III restriction endonuclease fragments to explore the evolutionary history of man's Y-chromosome. We have identified four sets of reiterated, sequences on the basis of their relative sequence homology with autosomal DNA. The sequences account for approximately 40% of the human Y-chromosome, are interspersed within the same 3.4 kb Hae III fragments, are heterogeneous and contain all reiterated DNA previously demonstrated to be specific for the Y-chromosome (it-Y DNA). Y-specific 3.4 kb Hae III sequences do not reassociate with either human female or ape DNA at standard reassociation criteria. However, approximately half of it-Y DNA (cross reacting it-Y) reassociates with both human female and ape DNA at reduced reassociation criteria. The remaining half (Y-specific it-Y) retains its specificity for the human Y-chromosome. These two sets of it-Y DNA have distinct reiteration frequencies and thermal stabilities with their Y-chromosome homologs. Non-Y-specific 3.4 kb Hae III sequences reassociate with both human female and ape DNA at standard reassociation criteria. The abundance of these non-Y-specific sequences decreases as a function of their evolutionary distance from man. One subset of non-Y-specific 3.4 kb Hae III sequences forms stable duplexes with human Y-chromosome DNA and with human and ape autosomal DNA. No detectable base-mismatch occurs among these homologs suggesting complete conservation of these sequences during primate evolution. The second subset of Non-Y-specific Hae III sequences form stable duplexes with human Y-chromosome DNA but highly mismatched duplexes with human and ape autosomal DNA.
2-Fatty Acrylic Acids: New Highly Derivatizable Lipophilic Platform Molecules

This paper reports the incorporation of an alpha-methylene unit into fatty acid skeletons. Since the new olefin is conjugated with the carboxylate, it is susceptible to 1,4-(Michael) additions. We have used multifunctional thiols and amines for additions at the methylene. The resulting products possess clusters of functionality grouped at one end of a hydrophobic tail. These structural patterns will be of use in the design of new types of bio-based surfactants and polymers. One particularly promising pattern of functionality that can be obtained through oxidation and reduction chemistry is a 2-fatty 1,2,3-propanetriol, or a lipophilized glycerol moiety.
Safety and efficacy of lenalidomide (Revlimid®) in recurrent ovarian and primary peritoneal carcinoma

Abstract Objectives To conduct a phase I trial to determine the safety and toxicity profile of a novel immunomodulatory drug, lenalidomide, in recurrent ovarian and primary peritoneal cancer. The secondary objective is to evaluate the efficacy profile and quality of life (QOL) parameters in patients receiving this treatment. Methods Patients with recurrent ovarian or peritoneal cancer who received standard staging surgery and at least one prior platinum-based chemotherapy regimen were treated with single-agent oral lenalidomide 25 mg daily for 21 days of a 28-day cycle. Toxicities were monitored by patient report, physical exam, and laboratories. Response was assessed by imaging, physical exam, and CA-125. Therapy was discontinued with disease progression and/or unacceptable toxicity. Results 20 patients with recurrent ovarian or peritoneal cancer were enrolled and received 70 completed 28-day cycles and 10 partial cycles of lenalidomide therapy. The majority of adverse events were grades 1–2, including fatigue (25/80 cycles), nausea/vomiting (23/80), constipation (13/80), abdominal pain (17/80), rash (12/80), neutropenia (12/80), and anemia (12/80). Grade 3 toxicities occurred in 12 of 80 cycles (14%) and no grade IV toxicities were observed. Eleven patients completed ≥ 2 cycles and were evaluable for response. Nine achieved stable disease (SD) of at least 3 months, with four patients maintaining SD for > 6 months. The mean time to progression was 5.8 months (range 2–12 months). Conclusion Overall, oral lenalidomide was well tolerated and may have some activity as a single agent in this heavily pre-treated population. Further studies combining lenalidomide with cytotoxic treatments may be warranted in this disease setting.
ADENOSINE DEAMINASE DEFICIENCY AND CHONDRO-OSSEOUS DYSPLASIA: 230

Purine metabolism was investigated in an in vitro model of adenosine deaminase (ADA) deficiency in rabbit epiphyseal growth plate (EGP) and articular cartilage (AC) to elucidate the biochemical basis for the poorly understood chondro-osseous dysplasia that occurs with ADA deficiency. Deoxyadenosine (dado) in the presence of EHNA, an ADA inhibitor, is toxic in a dose dependent fashion to EGP in organ culture as determined by LDH release. Dado or EHNA alone as well as adenosine, homocysteine thiolactone and deoxyguanosine alone or in combination are not toxic. The model is not toxic to mature AC. The combination of 100 μM dado and 5 μM EHNA causes decreased radiolabeled thymidine, glycine and SO4 incorporation (92%, 64%, and 36%, respectively) by EGP cartilage in organ culture for 5 days but does not affect isotope incorporation in AC. Incubations of released chondrocytes in the model causes deoxyATP accumulation in EGP and AC cells at 48 hours. ATP concentrations are undetectable at 48 hours in EGP cells but 1.4 ± 0.4 nmol/106 AC cells. These data demonstrate a selective toxic effect of the combination of dado and an ADA inhibitor to EGP cartilage and suggest that the chondro-osseous dysplasia of ADA deficiency is the consequence of the deficiency state. ADA deficiency may cause altered chondrocyte function and viability by ATP depletion.
Dosing of Oral Sumatriptan: A Review of Our First 104 Patients

Background.—The introduction of oral sumatriptan in the United States at doses of 25 and 50 mg, compared with 100-mg tablets worldwide, has created the need to develop a protocol for appropriate dosing. Methods.—We evaluated the first 104 patients in our practice to treat two migraine attacks with oral sumatriptan. For their first treatment with oral sumatriptan, patients were evaluated on their response to 25-mg tablets and the total number of tablets taken. For their second treatment, patients were evaluated on their response to sumatriptan, number of 25-mg tablets taken, and dosage prescribed for future migraines. Results.— Table 1. Response to Treatment and Number of 25-mg Tablets Taken Response to Treatment, No. (%) of Patients Good Fair Poor 1 2 3 4 First headache 51 (55) 19 (21) 22 (24) 35 (34) 64 (62) 4 (4) 1 (1) Second headache 70 (78) 12 (13) 8 (9) 28 (28) 51 (51) 3 (3) 18 (18) After the second treatment, 41 patients (40%) continued therapy with 25-mg tablets, 54 (53%) were prescribed 50-mg tablets, 2 patients (2%) were prescribed two 50-mg tablets, and 5 patients (5%) were prescribed injectable sumatriptan. Seventy patients had previously used injectable sumatriptan, while 34 had not previously used sumatriptan. There were no significant differences in their response to oral sumatriptan. Conclusion.—Oral sumatriptan was effective in clinical practice at doses of 25 and 50 mg. The majority of patients required more than one 25-mg tablet for a migraine attack, reflecting both inadequacy of dosing for some migraines and recurrence of headache, yet 40% of patients continued on treatment with 25-mg tablets. There were no significant differences in response to therapy in patients being switched from injectable to oral sumatriptan compared with those initiating therapy with oral sumatriptan. Both tablet strengths of oral sumatriptan are useful in clinical practice.
Pointwise Copositive Polynomial Approximation on Arcs in the Complex Plane

We prove a Dzjadyk type theorem for the approximation of a real-valued function $$f$$ that changes its sign finitely many times on a Dini-smooth Jordan arc $$L$$ in the complex plane. The approximation is by harmonic polynomials which are copositive with $$f$$ on $$L$$ .
The effect of potential-sensitive molecular probes on the thermal phase transition in dimyristoylphosphatidyl choline preparations

Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) has been employed to determine the effect of five commonly employed extrinsic potential-sensitive probes on phase transitions of multilamellar suspensions of L-alpha-dimyristoylphosphatidylcholine (DMPC). At mol% values of less than five, the effect of these probes on the excess heat capacity curve in the vicinity of the gel to liquid crystal phase transition can be described by an equation based on the formation of ideal solutions in both phases. Even at up to 4 mol%, these dyes only moderately reduce the enthalpy change associated with this transition, but cause a marked decrease in the size of the cooperative unit parameter. The excess heat capacity profile for diS-C3-(5) is represented by the ideal solution equation, even at 12 mol%, whereas the suspensions with the other probes present at this level have profiles covering large temperature ranges. Multiple peaks appear at the higher levels for the negatively charged oxonols V and VI, and merocyanine 540, a result consistent with the presence of well-defined microdomains or even phase separation. The enthalpy change associated with the transition near 15 degrees C involving packing in the headgroup region is decreased significantly, indicating that the probes probably affect the lipid headgroup conformation, even at low levels. The cyanine probe diS-C3-(5) causes the heat capacity profile of small unilamellar vesicles to be transformed very rapidly into one similar to that of the vortexed lipid preparations, presumably by a dye-mediated vesicle fusion process, enhanced by the surface location of this probe. All our results are consistent with diS-C3-(5) being located on the surface of the bilayer in both phases, but a penetration of the other probes into the hydrocarbon region, at least in the liquid crystal phase.
Rescue of Obesity-Induced Infertility in Female Mice due to a Pituitary-Specific Knockout of the Insulin Receptor

Obesity is associated with insulin resistance in metabolic tissues such as adipose, liver, and muscle, but it is unclear whether nonclassical target tissues, such as those of the reproductive axis, are also insulin resistant. To determine if the reproductive axis maintains insulin sensitivity in obesity in vivo, murine models of diet-induced obesity (DIO) with and without intact insulin signaling in pituitary gonadotrophs were created. Diet-induced obese wild-type female mice (WT DIO) were infertile and experienced a robust increase in luteinizing hormone (LH) after gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) or insulin stimulation. By contrast, both lean and obese mice with a pituitary-specific knockout of the insulin receptor (PitIRKO) exhibited reproductive competency, indicating that insulin signaling in the pituitary is required for the reproductive impairment seen in DIO and that the gonadotroph maintains insulin sensitivity in a setting of peripheral insulin resistance.
Modulating active stiffness affects head stabilizing strategies in young and elderly adults during trunk rotations in the vertical plane.

Healthy young and elderly adults were asked to actively modulate neck muscle stiffness during random rotations of the trunk in the vertical plane. Angular velocity of head with respect to trunk and myoelectric activity of semispinalis capitis and sternocleidomastoid muscles were recorded. A MANOVA was performed on group, condition, and frequency variables. A gain and phase drop at 2.15 Hz in young adults indicated neural (i.e. reflex) damping of system mechanics. In the elderly, a steady rise in gain and drop in phase (P<0.0002) was indicative of a second order underdamped system. Even when instructed to not intervene elderly subjects exhibited cocontraction. Ineffective reflex mechanisms may underlie the emergence of this strategy.
Surgical management of failed colon interposition

Background: Complications following colon interposition may be acute or chronic and often devastating. Creative strategies are needed to preserve the conduit or develop alternatives when the conduit cannot be salvaged. Methods: The records of patients undergoing revision surgery of colon interposition between 1965 and 2005 were reviewed. Results: Thirty-five patients underwent 48 operative revisions. Nineteen patients underwent one operation, nine required multiple operations to manage one problem and seven developed more than one distinct problem requiring several operative interventions. The mostcommon indications for revision surgery were redundancy (n = 13), stricture (n = 11), and loss of intestinal continuity (n = 8). The most common revisional operations were anastomotic revision (n = 13), segmental colonic resection (n = 6), and stricturoplasty (n = 4). Swallowing function was restored in 32 of 35 patients. Loss of intestinal continuity was successfully reversed in six of sevenpatients.Therewerenointraoperativedeaths.Fourpatientsrequiredre-operationaftera failedrevisionatourinstitution.Swallowingwas restored in three of four patients. Conclusions: Complications that develop after colon bypass present major challenges for surgeons to maintain swallowing and quality of life. We present successful strategies to manage these devastating complications. It is the largest report dealing with a wide variety of complications of colon bypass. # 2008 European Association for Cardio-Thoracic Surgery. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
On the making of an experience: the effects of breaking and combining experiences on their overall evaluation

How do people create overall evaluations for experiences that change in intensity over time? What ‘rules’ do they use for combining such diAerent intensities into single overall evaluations? And what factors influence these integration rules? This paper starts by examining the relationship between the patterns of experiences over time and their overall evaluations. Within this framework, we propose and test the idea that the rules for combining such experiences depend on whether the experiences are perceived to be composed of single or multiple parts (i.e. continuous or discrete). In two experiments we demonstrate that an experience’s level of cohesiveness moderates the relationship between its pattern and overall evaluation. The results show that breaking up experiences substantially reduces the impact of patterns on overall evaluations. In addition, we demonstrate that continuously measuring momentary intensities produces a similar eAect on this relationship, causing us to speculate that providing continuous intensity responses causes subjects to self-segment the experience. Copyright # 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Reduction in the Modulus of Elasticity in Orthodontic Wires

The modulus of elasticity of stainless steel orthodontic wires was found to be 20% below the normally assumed range of 19.3 to 20.0 X 104 MPa (28.0 to 29.0 × 106 psi). Use of the latter value can result in significant computational errors in orthodontic applicance mechanics. The lower modulus was attributed to severe cold drawing.