cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Longitudinal Associations of PROMIS-29 Anxiety and Depression Symptoms With Low Back Pain Impact in a Sample of U.S. Military Service Members.

Author(s): Dunbar, Michael S; Rodriguez, Anthony; Edelen, Maria O; Hays, Ron D; Coulter, Ian D; Siconolfi, Daniel; Herman, Patricia M | Abstract: IntroductionThe Impact Stratification Score (ISS) is a measure of the impact of chronic low back pain (LBP) consisting of nine Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS-29) items, but no studies have examined the ISS or its association with psychological symptoms in military samples. This study examines longitudinal associations between psychological symptoms and the ISS among military service members.Material and methodsThe study involved secondary data analysis of a sample of active duty U.S. military service members aged 18-50 years with LBP (n = 733). Participants completed the PROMIS-29 at three time points during treatment: baseline (time 1, T1), week 6 of treatment (time 2, T2), and week 12 of treatment (time 3, T3). The impact of LBP was quantified using the ISS (ranging from 8 = least impact to 50 = greatest impact). Psychological symptoms were assessed as PROMIS-29 anxiety and depression scores. Separate autoregressive cross-lagged models examined reciprocal associations of ISSs with anxiety, depression, and emotional distress scores from T1 to T3.ResultsWithin each time point, the ISS was significantly and positively correlated with anxiety and depression. In autoregressive cross-lagged models, anxiety and depression predicted the ISS at the next time point and associations were similar in magnitude (e.g., anxiety T2 to ISS T3: β = 0.12, P l .001; depression T2 to ISS T3: β = 0.12, P l.001). The ISS did not predict future depression or emotional distress scores at any time point, but the ISS at T2 was significantly, positively associated with anxiety scores at T3 (β = 0.07, P = .04).ConclusionPsychological symptoms consistently and prospectively predict the impact of LBP as measured by the ISS among service members undergoing pain treatment. The ISS may also be associated with future anxiety but not depression. PROMIS-29 anxiety and depression items may be useful adjunctive measures to consider when using the ISS to support LBP treatment planning and monitoring with service members.
VLA-4 Targeted Radiopharmaceuticals for Seeing and Treating Metastatic Melanoma

Melanoma is a malignant tumor derived from epidermal melanocytes and is known for its therapeutic resistance, aggressive clinical behavior, and predisposition for late metastasis. Very late antigen 4 (VLA-4) is a transmembrane non-covalent heterodimer (also called integrin alpha 4 beta 1) overexpressed in melanoma tumors that plays an important role in tumor growth, angiogenesis and metastasis by promoting adhesion and migration of cancer cells. There has been increasing interest in targeting this receptor for cancer imaging and therapy. Here we evaluated analogs of the high VLA-4 binding peptidomimetic ligand, LLP2A, for PET-CT imaging (labeled with Ga-68; positron emitter, half-life = 68 min) and targeted radiotherapy (labeled with Lu-177; beta minus emitter, half-life = 6.7 d). The DOTA-PEG4-LLP2A analog was labeled with Ga-68 and Lu-177, and the two agents showed high affinity to VLA-4 in B16F10 mouse melanoma cells (IC50 = 1.56 nM and Kd = 4.1 nM, respectively). B16F10 subcutaneous tumors in C57/BL6 ...
Mechanistic Pathways in the Catalytic Carbonylation of Methanol by Rhodium and Iridium Complexes

Publisher Summary The chapter focuses on the mechanistic pathways in the catalytic carbonylation of methanol by rodium and iridium complexes. Kinetic studies of the rhodium-catalyzed methanol carbonylation reaction show a remarkably simple behavior. The iodide promoter can be charged to the reaction in several different forms without marked differences in the reaction rate being noted. Many different types of rhodium compounds can be charged to the reaction, and at typical reaction temperatures of 1500–2000C, they function as effective catalysts. The generation of the initial metal–carbon bond in the catalytic cycle by reaction of methyl iodide with a metal carbonyl, containing species has been proposed as a key step in both the cobalt and rhodium catalyzed systems. Iridium is also an excellent homogeneous catalyst for the carbonylation of methanol under relatively mild reaction conditions. There are apparently complex interactions among solvent, water, iodide form, and carbon monoxide pressure, and this complicates interpretation. Some general kinetic observation can be studied as (1) the reaction rate is strongly dependent on water concentration, with a decrease in rate being observed at higher water levels; (2) in reaction media containing appreciable concentrations of iodide ion, the reaction rate increases with increasing carbon monoxide pressure; (3) the reaction rate is not first order with respect to methyl iodide concentration as in the rhodium system, but shows an optimum level; and (4) at low iodide levels using methyl acetate as the substrate with low levels of water present, the reaction rate is inversely dependent on carbon monoxide pressure.
A Model of Optimal Dynamic Oil Extraction: Evidence From a Large Middle Eastern Field

We model the economically optimal dynamicoil production decisions of a representative country whose oilfields resemble the largest developed oil field in Saudi Arabia,Ghawar. A government-controlled enterprise may base its oil productiondecisions on criteria other than maximization of the presentdiscounted value of profits. In particular, oil production decisionsare likely to reflect many political, strategic and geopoliticalmotives of the government. Our analysis of the optimal economicdecisions nevertheless enables one to assess the extent to whichlong-run value maximization is being followed. This in turn allowsone to judge the costs that political decisions are imposingin terms of foregone economic output, government revenue andforeign exchange. These costs ought to be of interest to policy-makerswithin Saudi-Arabia and also to external parties interested inmodifying Saudi pricing and production decisions.
Atmospheric tides on Venus: III. The planetary boundary layer

Diurnal solar heating of Venus' surface produces variable temperatures, winds, and pressure gradients within a shallow layer at the bottom of the atmosphere. The corresponding asymmetric mass distribution experiences a tidal torque tending to maintain Venus' slow retrograde rotation. It is shown that including viscosity in the boundary layer does not materially affect the balance of torques. On the other hand, friction between the air and ground can reduce the predicted wind speeds from about 5 to about 1 m/sec in the lower atmosphere, more consistent with the observations from Venus landers and descent probes. Implications for aeolian activity on Venus' surface and for future missions are discussed.
Nuclear pore disassembly from endoplasmic reticulum membranes promotes Ca2+ signalling competency.

The functionality of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) as a Ca2+ storage organelle is supported by families of Ca2+ pumps, buffers and channels that regulate Ca2+ fluxes between the ER lumen and cytosol. Although many studies have identified heterogeneities in Ca2+ fluxes throughout the ER, the question of how differential functionality of Ca2+ channels is regulated within proximal regions of the same organelle is unresolved. Here, we studied the in vivo dynamics of an ER subdomain known as annulate lamellae (AL), a cytoplasmic nucleoporin-containing organelle widely used in vitro to study the mechanics of nuclear envelope breakdown. We show that nuclear pore complexes (NPCs) within AL suppress local Ca2+ signalling activity, an inhibitory influence relieved by heterogeneous dissociation of nucleoporins to yield NPC-denuded ER domains competent at Ca2+ signalling. Consequently, we propose a novel generalized role for AL – reversible attenuation of resident protein activity – such that regulated AL (dis)assembly via a kinase/phosphatase cycle allows cells to support rapid gain/loss-of-function transitions in cellular physiology.
Valuation of Loan CDS and CDX

The Loan CDS (LCDS) contract is in some aspects similar to a standard unsecured CDS contract, except for two main features. First, the underlying reference obligation for LCDS is secured loan. Second, the LCDS contract is canceled if there is no reference obligation available, whereas a CDS contract remains outstanding until event of a default. In this paper we first introduce a structural approach for pricing the LCDS as an extension of the corporate CDS. We then develop a general intensity based model for the pricing and trading of LCDS contract. Solutions to which can be obtained under Affine Jump Diffusion specifications through a set of Riccati equations and explicit formula are derived under the CIR parameterization. Finally, we generalize the results for pricing the LCDX tranche products and extend the single factor Gaussian copula model to take into account the cancellation risk.
Industrial Big Data Analytics and Cyber-physical Systems for Future Maintenance & Service Innovation

Abstract With the rapid advancement of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) and the integration of advanced analytics into manufacturing, products and services, many industries are facing new opportunities and at the same time challenges of maintaining their competency and market needs. Such integration, which is called Cyber-physical Systems (CPS), is transforming the industry into the next level. CPS facilitates the systematic transformation of massive data into information, which makes the invisible patterns of degradations and inefficiencies visible and yields to optimal decision-making. This paper focuses on existing trends in the development of industrial big data analytics and CPS. Then it briefly discusses a systematic architecture for applying CPS in manufacturing called 5C. The 5C architecture includes necessary steps to fully integrate cyber-physical systems in the manufacturing industry. Finally, a case study for designing smart machines through the 5C CPS architecture is presented.
Analysis of conservation in the Fas-associated death domain protein and the importance of conserved tryptophans in structure, stability and folding

Computational and experimental studies focusing on the role of conserved amino acids for folding and stability is an active and promising area of research. To date however, only a small fraction of the potential superfamilies have been investigated. To further expand our understanding we present the results of a bioinformatics analysis of the death domain superfamily. The fold consists of a six helical bundle with a Greek-key topology. Our sequence and structural studies have identified a group of conserved hydrophobic residues and corresponding long-range interactions, which we propose are important in the formation and stabilization of the hydrophobic core and native topology. Six conserved hydrophilic residues were additionally identified and may play a functional role during apoptosis. We also report the establishment of an experimental system that will facilitate studies to test the role of the conserved residues in folding and stability. Equilibrium unfolding and refolding studies of a model superfamily member, Fas-associated death domain protein indicate that the process is cooperative, two-state and reversible. Stopped-flow fluorescence studies reveal that the folding is rapid and biphasic with the majority of the hydrophobic core forming in the first phase. Site-directed mutagenesis studies indicate that conserved tryptophans 112 and 148 are important to structure, native state stability and folding. These results present the earliest conservation analysis and biophysical characterization of the Fas-associated death domain.
A Tale of Two Politico-Economic Systems: Implications for Entrepreneurship in Central and Eastern Europe

Following the collapse of socialism in the late 1980s, Central and Eastern European countries initiated attempts to adopt capitalist economic frameworks and promote entrepreneurship. However, persi...
Intricacies of Bevacizumab-Induced Toxicities and Their Management:

Objective:To review the serious and common toxicities of bevacizumab and describe their incidence, risk factors, presentation, pathophysiology, and management.Data Sources:Literature for this review article was collected from PubMed, MEDLINE, and the proceedings of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (2000–November 2008). The key terms used in the search were: bevacizumab, vascular endothelial growth factor, angiogenesis inhibitors, toxicity, toxicity management, and adverse event.Study Selection And Data Extraction:Review articles, preclinical studies, and all published Phase 1–3 clinical trials were reviewed. The references listed in identified articles were examined for additional publications.Data Synthesis:The biomedical literature from 2000 to 2008 confirms that bevacizumab carries serious and potentially life-threatening toxicity risks and emphasizes the importance of early recognition, continuous monitoring, and prompt management of these toxicities. Such toxicities include hemorrhage/bleedi...
Differential weight restoration on olanzapine versus fluoxetine in identical twins with anorexia nervosa.

Objective No studies have compared the response to selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors and atypical antipsychotics in anorexia nervosa. This case study examines such a comparison.
Canalizing Kauffman Networks: Nonergodicity and Its Effect on Their Critical Behavior

Boolean networks have been used to study numerous phenomena, including gene regulation, neural networks, social interactions, and biological evolution. Here, we propose a general method for determining the critical behavior of Boolean systems built from arbitrary ensembles of Boolean functions. In particular, we solve the critical condition for systems of units operating according to canalizing functions and present strong numerical evidence that our approach correctly predicts the phase transition from order to chaos in such systems.
Designing a custom architecture for DCT using NISC technology

This paper presents design of a custom architecture for discrete cosine transform (DCT) using no-instruction-set computer (NISC) technology that is developed for fast processor customization. Using several software transformations and hardware customization, we achieved up to 10 times performance improvement, 2 times power reduction, 12.8 times energy reduction, and 3 times area reduction compared to an already-optimized soft-core MIPS implementation.
Genetic and phylogenetic analyses of human T-cell lymphotropic virus type I variants from Melanesians with an without spastic myelopathy

Molecular variants of human T-cell lymphotropic virus type I (HTLV-I) have been isolated recently from lifelong residents of remote Melanesian populations, including a Solomon Islander with tropical spastic paraparesis/HTLV-I-associated myelopathy (TSP/HAM) or HTLV-I myeloneuropathy. To clarify the genetic heterogeneity and molecular epidemiology of disease-associated strains of HTLV-I, we enzymatically amplified, then directly sequenced representative regions of thegag, pol, env, andpX genes of HTLV-I strains from Melanesians with and without TSP/HAM, and aligned and compared these sequences with those of HTLV-I strains from patients with TSP/HAM or adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma and from asymptomatic carriers from widely separated and culturally disparate populations. Overall, the HTLV-I variant from the Solomon Islander with TSP/HAM, like HTLV-I strains from asymptomatically infected Melanesians, diverged by approx 7% from cosmopolitan HTLV-I strain. No disease-specific viral sequences were found. Gene phylogenies, as determined by the unweighted pair-goup method of assortment and by the maximum parsimony method, indicated that the Melanesian and cosmopolitan strains of HTLV-I have evolved along separate geographically dependent lineages, one comprised of HTLV-I strains from Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands, and the other composed of virus strains from Japan, India, the Caribbean, Polynesia, the Americas, and Africa. The total absence of nonhuman primates in Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands precludes any possibility that the Melanesian HTLV-I strains have evolved recently from the simian homolog of HTLV-I.
Search from an unkown distribution an explicit solution

This paper derives the optimal strategy of a searcher who searches with recall from an unknown distribution and who holds Dirichlet beliefs. Providing his priors are accurate, this searcher will immediately accept an offer which would have terminated his search had he known for sure the distribution, but if unlucky he may eventually accept a lower wage. In the latter case, as he accumulates more experience, he is increasingly reluctant to do so. This paper also explains why some workers become discouraged.
Keyhole technique for autologous brachiobasilic transposition arteriovenous fistula

Background Autologous brachiobasilic transposition arteriovenous fistulas (AVFs) are desirable but require long incisions and extensive surgical dissection. To minimize the extent of surgery, we developed a catheter-based technique that requires only keyhole incisions and local anesthesia. Methods The technique involves exposure and division of the basilic vein at the elbow. A guidewire is introduced into the vein, and a 6F "push catheter" is advanced over the guidewire and attached to the vein with sutures. Gently pushing the catheter proximally inverts, or intussuscepts, the vein. Side branches that are felt as resistances when pushing the catheter forward are localized, clipped, and divided under direct vision. Throughout the procedure, the endothelium always remains intraluminal. The basilic vein is externalized at the axilla without dividing it proximally and is tunneled subcutaneously, where it is anastomosed to the brachial artery. Results Thirty-two patients underwent the procedure—31 as outpatients. The mean duration of operation was less than 90 minutes. All patients tolerated the procedure well, and 31 required only intravenous sedation and local anesthesia. At a mean follow-up of 8 months, the primary patency rate of AVFs in patients with basilic vein diameters of 4 mm or more on preoperative duplex ultrasonography was 80%, vs 50% for those with vein diameters less than 4 mm. Overall, 78% of patent AVFs were being successfully accessed and 22% were still maturing at last follow-up. Conclusions Autologous brachiobasilic transposition AVFs can be created by using catheter-mediated techniques that facilitate the mobilization and tunneling of the basilic vein through small incisions. Medium-term data suggest that the inversion method results in acceptable maturation and functionality of AVFs created with this technique.
A unified monotone iterative technique for semilinear elliptic boundary value problems

A unified approach to monotone iterative techniques is developed for elliptic boundary value problems when the nonlinear term involved admits a splitting of a difference of two monotone functions. The results obtained, using both the classical and variational methods, include several known results as well as some interesting new ones.
Routine Transition Zone and Seminal Vesicle Biopsies in All Patients Undergoing Transrectal Ultrasound Guided Prostate Biopsies are Not Indicated

ABSTRACTPurpose: Transrectal ultrasound guided biopsies of the transition zone and seminal vesicles have been useful in select patients. More widespread use of these additional biopsies has been proposed. The efficacy of routine transition zone and seminal vesicle biopsies was examined.Materials and Methods: From January 1988 to October 1994, 736 transrectal ultrasound guided systematic sextant biopsies were performed. From October 1994 to July 1995, 161 consecutive patients underwent transrectal ultrasound with systematic sextant, transition zone and seminal vesicle biopsies.Results: Of the 736 patients undergoing only sextant biopsies 309 (42.0%) had cancer and 24 (3.3%) required repeat biopsy, compared to 55 (34.2%) and 4 (2.5%) of 161 undergoing combined sextant, transition zone and seminal vesicle biopsies. Prostate cancer was found only in the systematic sextant biopsies in 43 of the former 55 patients (78.2%), and in the transition zone and systematic sextant biopsies in 11 (20.0%). One patient (1....
Enhanced rates of monophenyl terephthalate hydrolysis in aluminum oxide suspensions

Abstract Monophenyl terephthalate (MPT−), an anionic carboxylic acid ester, is subject to base-catalyzed hydrolysis in the neutral to alkaline pH range. The present study shows that MPT− hydrolysis rates in buffered 10 g/liter aluminum oxide suspensions are more than an order of magnitude higher than rates in homogeneous solution. Hydrolysis rates in silica suspensions are the same as in homogeneous solution. Aluminum oxide surface-enhanced hydrolysis rates attain a maximum at pH 5.8 and are diminished by increases in ionic strength. The extent of MPT− adsorption and rates of surface-enhanced hydrolysis as a function of pH and ionic strength are consistent with a mechanism involving attack of specifically adsorbed MPT− by hydroxide ions in the diffuse layer. Other specifically adsorbable organic pollutants should experience a similar surface enhancement of base hydrolysis on aluminum oxide surfaces.
Progesterone antagonism of the oestrogen receptor and oestrogen-induced uterine growth

PROGESTERONE has long been considered an antagonist of oestrogen action1. The delicate balance and interactions between these ovarian hormones are essential for many reproductive functions. Early studies in chick oviducts and uteri of rats and mice have shown that the simultaneous administration of progesterone and oestrogen resulted in inhibition or modification of oestrogen-induced growth of these target organs2–5. One possible mechanism by which progesterone could be antagonistic to oestrogen is by suppressing the quantity of cytoplasmic oestrogen receptor. It is generally held that the mechanism by which oestrogen, O, stimulates uterine growth depends on the binding of O to cytoplasmic receptors, Rc, to form RCO complexes6. These RCO complexes are translocated to nuclear sites where they probably stimulate nuclear events that cause the uterus to grow7. Translocation and nuclear accumulation of receptor–oestrogen complexes, RnO, are accompanied by a concomitant decrease in the quantity of Rc (ref. 8). During the period when Rc is reduced, the uterus is insensitive to additional exogenous oestrogen9. Gradually Rc is replenished by processes which may involve reutilisation and/or resynthesis8. Work from our laboratory indicates that the mechanism of action of non-steroidal oestrogen antagonists resides in their inability to stimulate the replenishment of the cytoplasmic oestrogen receptor, Rc, thereby rendering oestrogen responsive tissues less sensitive to oestrogen10,11. The possibility that progesterone might also act as an oestrogen antagonist by reducing the amount of oestrogen Rc has been suggested12,13. In this report, we demonstrate that progesterone does decrease the quantity of oestrogen receptors by interfering with the replenishment of Rc and that this decrease results in a reduced sensitivity of uterine tissue to oestrogen.
An assessment of social sciences coverage by four prominent full-text online aggregated journal packages

The cost effectiveness and quality of full-text journals are analyzed for four prominent online aggregated journal packages: EBSCOhost Academic Search FullTEXT, UMI Proquest Direct Periodicals Research II, IAC’s Expanded Academic ASAP, and H.W. Wilson’s OmniFile. Price data from EBSCO’s Librarians’ Handbook are used to assess the total and average value of social sciences journals in each package. Quality of social sciences journals coverage is compared based on citation impact factors as recorded in Journal Citation Reports—Social Sciences Edition.
Continuous White Noise to Reduce Resistance Going to Sleep and Night Wakings in Toddlers.

ABSTRACT White noise generators were turned on at 75 dB at bedtime and kept on all night to treat resistance going to sleep and night wakings in one-year-old toddlers. In a multiple baseline design four sets of parents recorded duration of resistance going to sleep, number of night wakings, completed surveys of their child's feeding and sleeping patterns and the Parenting Stress Index (PSI). Three of four toddlers were sleeping better at the end of treatment; however, one child's night wakings returned at follow-up when white noise was discontinued. All parents were comfortable with the white noise and most would recommend it to others. White noise may be effective for childhood night wakings and resistance going to sleep without being combined with other validated treatments.
Characterization of the (Na+ + K+)-ATPase in a membranous preparation from the optic ganglion of the squid (Loligo pealei)

(1) A membrane fraction enriched in (Na+ + K+)-ATPase (EC 3.6.1.3) was obtained from optic ganglia of the squid (Loligo pealei) by density gradient fractionation of membranes followed by treatment with either SDS or Brij-58. The resulting membrane had an (Na+ + K+)-ATPase specific activity of approx. 2 units/mg and was >95% ouabain-sensitive. (2) The (Na+ + K+)-ATPase had a Km for ATP of 0.42 ± 0.04 mM and a pH optimum of 7.0. It was inhibited by ouabain with a Ki of 0.32 ± 0.04 μM. (3) Optimum monovalent cation concentrations were: 240 mM NaCl, 60 mM KCl, tested with NaCl + KCl = 300 mM. (4) The Mg2+ dependence of hydrolysis varied with the absolute ATP concentration. At 3 mM ATP, theKm for Mg2+ was 0.86 ± 0.10 mM, and at 6 mM ATP, the Km was 1.86 ± 0.44 mM. High levels of Mg2+ caused inhibition of hydrolysis. (5) The interactions of Na+ and K+ were examined over a range of conditions. K+ levels caused modulations in the Na+ dependence in the range of 1–150 mM. (6) The (Na+ + K+)-ATPase prepared from squid optic ganglion displays properties similar to those of the sodium pump in injected nerves.
Fractal Dimension of Bioconvection Patterns

Shallow cultures of the motile algal strain, Euglena gracilis, were concentrated to 2 x 10 to the 6th organisms per ml and placed in constant temperature water baths at 24 and 38 C. Bioconvective patterns formed an open two-dimensional structure with random branches, similar to clusters encountered in the diffusion-limited aggregation (DLA) model. When averaged over several example cultures, the pattern was found to have no natural length scale, self-similar branching, and a fractal dimension (d about 1.7). These agree well with the two-dimensional DLA.
Increasing the Initiation Efficiency of Ruthenium-Based Ring-Opening Metathesis Initiators: Effect of Excess Phosphine

Ring-opening metathesis polymerization (ROMP) has evolved into a valuable tool for the polymer chemist. The polymerization is generally mild and well controlled, and a large pool of readily available cyclic olefins (monomers) can be polymerized to nearly any size or shape. Employing the Ru-based initiator 1 (or its more active derivative 2) permits incorporation of high degrees of functionality and affords polymers with novel mechanical, electronic, and more recently biological properties. However, the polydispersity indices (PDIs) of the polymers obtained from initiator 1 are generally broad (between 1.3 and 1.5), which arises from an unfavorable rate of initiation (k_i) relative to propagation (k_p) as well as considerable secondary metathesis (“backbiting”). This creates difficulties when attempting to accurately predict polymer molecular weight a priori or when preparing well-defined block copolymers (where complete initiation is necessary). A recent disclosure from Gibson and co-workers revealed that the initiation efficiency of 1 was enhanced when the PCy_3 ligands were substituted with Cy_2PCH_2Si(CH_3)_3. When the resulting complex (3) was used to initiate the ROMP of norbornene derivatives (similar to 4), the k_i/k_p was found to be 4.35 (up from 0.06 when initiated with 1), and the resulting polymers were nearly monodispersed (PDIs ∼ 1.1). The enhanced initiation was attributed to a combination of the lower basicity and smaller size of Cy_2PCH_2Si(CH_3)_3 (relative to PCy_3) which respectively helped facilitate phosphine dissociation (a key step in Ru-based ROMP, see below) and increase monomer accessibility.
In Situ Oxalic Acid Injection to Accelerate Arsenic Remediation at a Superfund Site in New Jersey.

Environmental context Arsenic is one of the most common contaminants at US Superfund sites; therefore, establishing techniques to accelerate As remediation could benefit many sites. In a pilot scale study, we determined that addition of oxalic acid to the subsurface has the potential to increase arsenic release from sediments and possibly improve remediation efficiency by pump and treat techniques. Because pump and treat remediation can require many decades to sufficiently decrease contaminant levels, methods for improving remediation could lead to substantial savings in time and resources. Abstract Arsenic is a prevalent contaminant at a large number of US Superfund sites; establishing techniques that accelerate As remediation could benefit many sites. Hundreds of tonnes of As were released into the environment by the Vineland Chemical Co. in southern New Jersey during its manufacturing lifetime (1949–1994), resulting in extensive contamination of surface and subsurface soils and sediments, groundwater, and the downstream watershed. Despite substantial intervention at this Superfund site, sufficient aquifer clean up could require many decades if based on traditional pump and treat technologies only. Laboratory column experiments have suggested that oxalic acid addition to contaminated aquifer solids could promote significant As release from the solid phase. To evaluate the potential of chemical additions to increase As release in situ and boost treatment efficiency, a forced gradient pilot scale study was conducted on the Vineland site. During spring and summer 2009, oxalic acid and bromide tracer were injected into a small portion (~50m2) of the site for 3 months. Groundwater samples indicate that introduction of oxalic acid led to increased As release. Between 2.9 and 3.6kg of As were removed from the sampled wells as a result of the oxalic acid treatment during the 3-month injection. A comparison of As concentrations on sediment cores collected before and after treatment and analysed using X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy suggested reduction in As concentrations of ~36% (median difference) to 48% (mean difference). Although further study is necessary, the addition of oxalic acid shows potential for accelerating treatment of a highly contaminated site and decreasing the As remediation time-scale.
A plot study of ground‐water resources in Peoria County, Illinois

There are many ways of making ground-water investigations. Some lead to comprehensive results, others do not. In most cases the problem at hand will influence the approach and the final lelection of the best method of procedure. Many factors are to be considered such as the time available, the existence or lack of available data and analysis, supply of technical personnel, financial support, and the attitude of local interests toward cooperation.
A cochlear heterodyning architecture for an RF fovea

We describe a novel wireless receiver architecture that is a broadband generalization of narrowband heterodyning systems commonly used in radio. It can be constructed with cochlea-like traveling-wave structures. We show how this architecture exploits the efficiency of cochlear spectrum analysis to perform parallel, multi-scale analysis of wideband signals. We discuss analogies between spectrum analysis in our architecture and the process of successive-subranging analog-to-digital conversion. When combined with our prior work on an RF cochlea, such architectures may be useful in cognitive radios for creating “RF foveas” that select the narrowband components present within wideband, but spectrally sparse signals.
On the fracture mechanics of piezoelectric solids

Abstract A fracture mechanics analysis is developed within the realm of two-dimensional linear piezoelectricity. The asymptotic expressions for the electromechanical fields in the vicinity of the crack are deduced, and their behavior is illustrated through several examples. The modelling of the electric field's effects on crack arrest and crack skewing constitutes one of the important features of this article.
From food security to food insecurity: The case of Iraq, 1990–91

The article explains Iraq's precipitous decline into food insecurity following its military invasion of Kuwait. Food security and insecurity are defined and then examined in the Iraqi context. Five vulnerabilities are identified that were activated by international retaliation against Iraq, including the UN Security Council's embargo on trade between Iraq and the rest of the world and the Gulf War itself. The emergence and intensification of food insecurity are analyzed step by step, followed by consideration of how food security might be restored in Iraq. An Appendix assesses whether Iraq experienced famine in 1991.
Effects of the motions of a platform-mounted payload on the nutational stability of a dual-spin spacecraft - A Galileo case study

In the presence of spacecraft nutation, tracking of an inertially fixed target by the Galileo scan platform requires the use of two control loops to move the scan platform and the stator in such a way as to compensate for spacecraft motion. The effect of these control loops on spacecraft nutational stability is examined using an eigenvalue analysis approach as well as several computer analysis packages. It was found that the actions of these control loops tend to drive nutation to the point of neutralizing, and even overpowering the damping actions of the spacecraft nutation damper, for pointing directions close to the spacecraft's poles. Stable and unstable zones are mapped out for two sets of spacecraft mass properties, and contributions of rotor asymmetry and stator flexibility are also discussed.
Polymorphisms of the AURKA ( STK15/Aurora Kinase ) Gene and Breast Cancer Risk (United States)

AURKA is an important protein in the regulation of G2 to M transition during mitosis. Due to this regulatory function, it has been hypothesized to be a potential cancer susceptibility gene. Two non-synonymous polymorphisms (F31I and V57I) have been associated with breast cancer risk in prior studies. We sought to confirm these findings in a large case control study nested within a prospective cohort, the Nurses' Health Study. Post-menopausal women who were homozygous for the 31I and 57V alleles had an increased risk of invasive breast cancer (OR 1.63, 95% CI 1.08–2.45). We also performed a meta-analysis to summarize the findings of this and prior studies of association between the F31I polymorphism and breast cancer risk (Summary OR 1.29, 95% CI 1.08–1.53, p-heterogeneity = 0.29). These results confirm prior findings that AURKA represents a low penetrance breast cancer susceptibility gene.
Influence of ground-state conformations on the intramolecular amidofuran Diels-Alder reaction.

Various factors that influence the rate of the intramolecular Diels−Alder reaction of amidofurans were investigated with density functional theory calculations using the Becke3LYP/6-31G* model. Conformational effects imposed by the placement of a carbonyl group within the tether, combined with a rotational bias about the C(2)−N bond, account for the observed rate differences in the thermal chemistry of these amidofurans.
Permeability and material characteristics of vulcanized latex film during and following cyclic fatigue in a saline environment

The importance of stress or fatigue as a source of latex glove failure has been mentioned in several recent studies, but little work has been done to examine the underlying mechanism of these failures. The present work was undertaken to develop techniques for very early detection of structural changes in glove barriers. This was accomplished by monitoring the ion permeability and electrical properties of vulcanized latex glove material during cyclic fatigue in saline. Alteration in the conductance and capacitance of the membrane during the fatigue cycle showed that catastrophic failure of the material was preceded by deviation in the conductance of the membrane 8–10 min before rupture of the material. Disruption of the material coincided with capacitive “discharge” of and ion transport across the membrane. Follow-up examination by optical (100×) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) revealed failure of the original fibril network structure surrounding the latex particles. Failure corresponded to processes consistent with repeated stress and rupture of the fibrils responsible for maintaining membrane integrity. Cyclic creep-strain measurements were carried out on the latex glove material. The estimated strain during cyclic fatigue was consistent with use during normal flexing of the glove finger. The fatigue life-time of the glove material was found to be about 2 h. Based on these studies, we conclude that failure of the glove material due to hole formation is preceded by gradual thinning (and weakening) of the membrane in localized regions. This suggests that latex inhomogeneities (defects) are the ultimate cause of failure. These findings confirm the importance of stress in explaining the source of some glove material failures, especially those failures not obviously accompanied by sharp instrument or needle penetrations. The results of the fatigue study emphasize the importance of changing gloves during prolonged use. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. 1 J Appl Polym Sci 64 553–566, 1997
Charge separation and minority carrier injection in P3HT-silicon heterojunction solar cells

In this work we investigate the behavior of carrier absorption and minority carrier injection in heterojunction solar cells fabricated by spin-coating the organic semiconductor poly(3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT) on n-type crystalline silicon. Using this structure we recently demonstrated a device with open-circuit voltage (V OC ) of 0.59 V and short-circuit currents (I SC ) of 22 mA/cm2 at AM 1.5 conditions [1–2]. In this paper we show, using capacitance-voltage characteristics, that there is a large depletion region in silicon which is responsible for the separation of photogenerated carriers. Furthermore, by measuring minority carrier storage times, we show that the dominant forward-bias dark-current component in these devices is the injection of minority carriers from the anode, through P3HT, in to silicon. This confirms that P3HT functions as a p-type heterojunction contact to silicon that blocks electrons but not holes, explaining the high V OC we observe.
Eysenck's theory of incubation: a critical analysis.

Abstract Eysenck's theory of incubation is summarized. Arguments and evidence concerning its validity and potential value are presented.
The repair of orally contaminated bone defects with cancellous bone chips

Abstract Two cases of dentigerous cysts are reported in which the bone defects were repaired with cancellous bone chips in the presence of oral contamination. In Case 1 an extraoral approach was used in order to facilitate enucleation of the cyst, and to pack the defect adequately with bone chips. The cyst was infected and there was contamination of the wound with oral fluids via a fistula which existed between the cyst and the oral cavity. In Case 2 an intraoral approach was used because of convenience and accessibility of the cyst through the oral cavity. Bone-bank bone was used because of its availability and convenience. In the conventional method of handling bone defects resulting from removal of bone cysts, benign tumors, or osteomyelitis of the jaws, the defect is permitted to heal by granulation. The process of frequent packing and irrigation of such a cavity requires many months to heal. In large bone defects several years elapse before bony regeneration is complete. In the presence of adequate antibiotic therapy the repair of such defects with cancellous bone chips is feasible, and the regeneration of the bone is markedly accelerated.
Driver sensitivity to brake pulse duration and magnitude

Adaptive cruise control (ACC) requires that the driver intervene in situations that exceed the capability of ACC. A brake pulse might provide a particularly compatible means of alerting the driver to situations in which the acceleration authority of the ACC has been exceeded. This study examined the sensitivity of the driver to brake pulses of five different amplitudes (0.01–0.025 g) and five different durations (50–800 ms). Drivers were sensitive to accelerations as low as 0.015 g. Pulse duration interacted with pulse amplitude, such that moderate duration pulses were more detectable than long and short duration pulses at intermediate levels of pulse amplitude. A power function with an exponent of 1.0 accounted for 99% of the variance in drivers’ sensitivity to pulse amplitude; however, a power function with an exponent of 0.23 accounted for only 70% of the variance in drivers’ sensitivity to pulse duration. These results can help designers create ACC algorithms and develop brake pulse warnings.
Cyanide tolerance in millipedes: The biochemical basis☆

Abstract 1. 1. The millipedes Euryurus leachii and Pleuroloma flavipes butleri produce HCN in their defensive secretion. They have a high resistance to HCN vapors, injected cyanide and azide compared to the cockroaches Blattella germanica and Blaberus discoidalis . 2. 2. Failure of cyanide to penetrate, ability to tolerate anaerobiosis and detoxication were ruled out as the resistance mechanism in the millipedes. 3. 3. Mitochondrial respiration in E. leachii was very resistant to cyanide although general mitochondrial properties resembled those of the cockroaches. 4. 4. Evidence favors the existence of a resistant terminal oxidase rather than an excess of cytochrome oxidase as the reason for mitochondrial insensitivity.
CORRELATION OF HARD X-RAY AND TYPE III BURSTS IN SOLAR FLARES

Correlations between X-ray and type 3 radio emission of solar bursts are described through a bivariate distribution function. Procedures for determining the form of this distribution are described. A model is constructed to explain the correlation between the X-ray spectral index and the ratio of X-ray to radio intensities. Implications of the model are discussed.
The generation of substituted classical secondary 2-norbornyl cations

Abstract All possible stereoisomers of 5-cyano- and 6-cyano-2-norbornyl tosylate have been synthesized (except the endo, endo isomer) and solvolyzed in 97% hexafluoroisopropanol. The rates and products are most easily interpreted in terms of classical ions. An approximate model of substituent effects allows an estimate of anchimeric assistance in the parent norbornyl ion to be a factor of about 540 at 25° and 18 at 125°.
Effect of a High Carbohydrate Diet on Apoprotein-B Catabolism in Man

We have previously demonstrated that while VLDL-TG production increased in subjects fed high CHO diets, VLDL apo-B production did not change. To further define the effects of high CHO diets on apo-B metabolism in man, we studied the catabolism of this apoprotein in VLDL, IDL, and LDL in three hypertriglyceridemic subjects during control and high CHO diets. 125I-VLDL was injected intravenously into subjects and 18 blood samples obtained over the following 48-hr period. VLDL, IDL, and LDL were isolated by sequential ultracentrifugation at each time point and the specific radioactivity of apo-B in each lipoprotein class was determined. A multicompartmental analysis was utilized to analyze the three radioactivity curves obtained in each study. The major change in apo-B catabolism during the high CHO diet involved the conversion of VLDL apo-B to LDL apo-B. During the control diet, 40%–62% of VLDL apo-B was converted to LDL apo-B while during the high CHO period, only 16%–42% of VLDL apo-B was converted to LDL. The reduction in conversion resulted from two separate processes. First, direct catabolism of VLDL apo-B without conversion to higher density lipoprotein classes increased during the high CHO diet. Second, although during the control period approximately 25% of VLDL apo-B was converted directly to LDL apo-B (without passing through the IDL density range), essentially no VLDL apo-B degradation occurred via this route during the high CHO period. Thus, although the rate of VLDL apo-B secretion into plasma was the same during both diet periods, significant alterations in the routes of catabolism of apo-B occurred on the high CHO diet.
Urinary-type plasminogen activator (uPA) and its receptor (uPAR) in squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity

OSCC (oral squamous cell carcinoma) is the most common oral malignancy and is estimated to affect approx. 350000 new patients worldwide this year. OSCC is characterized by a high degree of morbidity and mortality, as most patients exhibit local, regional and distant metastasis at the time of diagnosis. Recent genome-wide screening efforts have identified the serine proteinase uPA (urinary-type plasminogen activator, also known as urokinase) as a strong biomarker for prediction of poor disease outcome and a key candidate for molecular classification of oral neoplasms using a ‘gene signature’ approach. The proteinase uPA binds a surface-anchored receptor designated uPAR (uPA receptor), focalizing proteolytic activity to the pericellular milieu. Furthermore, uPA–uPAR can interact with transmembrane proteins to modify multiple signal transduction pathways and influence a wide variety of cellular behaviours. Correlative clinical data show elevated uPA–uPAR in oral tumour tissues, with tumours exhibiting high levels of both uPA and uPAR as the most invasive. Combined in vitro , pre-clinical and clinical data support the need for further analysis of uPA–uPAR as a prognostic indicator as well as a potential therapeutic target in OSCC. Abbreviations: AP, activator protein; EGF, epidermal growth factor; EGFR, EGF receptor; ERK, extracellular-signal-regulated kinase; fMLP, N-formylmethionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine; FPRL1, formyl peptide receptor-like 1; GPI, glycosylphosphatidylinositol; LXA4R, lipoxin A4 receptor; MEK, mitogen-activated protein kinase/ERK kinase; MT1-MMP, membrane type 1 matrix metalloproteinase; NF-κB, nuclear factor κB; OSCC, oral squamous cell carcinoma; PAI-1, plasminogen activator inhibitor-1; siRNA, small interfering RNA; uPA, urinary-type plasminogen activator; scuPA, single-chain uPA; uPAR, uPA receptor; uPARAP, uPAR-associated protein
The Behavior and Stability of Iron‐Ascorbate Complexes in Solution

The thermodynamic stability constants for ferric and ferrous ascorbate complexes, change in net redox potential with pH, and efficacy of bathophenanthroline as an iron reagent in the presence of ascorbate were determined. The stability constants for the ferric and ferrous ascorbate complexes were found to be in the range 1.90 × 103 to 2.61 × 104 and 7.69 × 10-3 to 6.95 × 10-2, respectively. The stability of ferric ascorbate over a wide range of pH values suggests its potential use as an iron additive in foods. Redox potential decreased with an increase in pH. Bathophenanthroline analysis of these solutions for free iron proved to have limitations in the presence of ascorbate.
High Temperature Characteristics of 4H-SiC RESURF-Type JFET

400V/2.5A 4H-SiC JFETs having a reduced surface field (RESURF) structure were fabricated. Measurements on the on-resistance, blocking and switching characteristics at high temperature were carried out. It was confirmed that the JFET has smaller dependence of on-resistance on temperature than a Si-MOSFET and positive temperature dependence of the breakdown voltage. It was also confirmed that the JFET has fast switching characteristics, that is, the turn-on and turn-off times are about 15 ns and 10 ns, at 200 °C as well as at 25 °C. A demonstration of a DC-DC converter using a module consisting of the JFET was carried out at a junction temperature of 200 °C. Stable continuous switching operation of the JFET at a junction temperature of 200 °C was confirmed.