cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Information on bond orientation distributions in lipids and liquid crystals from segmental order parameters

The information content of segmental order parameters in liquid-crystalline lipids is analyzed in terms of orientation distributions. First, we discuss the use of segmental order tensors, determined from motionally averaged NMR anisotropies, for obtaining approximations to the orientation distribution of the director in the molecular segment. In addition to the distribution consisting of second-order spherical harmonics, two physically reasonable five-parameter distributions are examined, and the relation of the two shape parameters of these distributions to the principal order parameters is presented. The usefulness of these distributions for the determination of torsional angles is also discussed. Furthermore, we introduce a novel approach for obtaining model-independent limits to bond orientation probabilities from bond order parameters. The analysis shows, for instance, that the C-H bonds of the glycerol sn-3 CH2 group in phosphatidylcholine, with bond order parameters of -0.22, are oriented preferentially at angles between 52° and 128° from the director. The probability that these bonds are oriented at angles smaller than 30° or larger than 150° is less than 25%. Assuming an upper limit to the ruggedness of the distribution, even more stringent probability limits can be given. For instance, using a minimum standard deviation of 10° for any conformation, a C-H order parameter of -0.22 corresponds to a probability of less than 25% for C-H orientations below 51° and above 129°. The approaches described here are generally applicable to uniaxial liquid-crystalline systems.
Children's attitudes toward sex-role division in adult occupational roles

Kindergarten, fifth-grade, and eleventh-grade participants from a working-class community were presented with a questionnaire of 44 adult occupations and activities. They indicated for each occupation who they thought should do the job: male, female, or either one. They also stated their own future occupational goals. Liberality, defined as the number of “either” responses, increased with age. There was a significant sex difference in the kindergarten, with the females more liberal than the males, but not in the other grade levels. Females named as many different potential adult occupations for themselves as did males. Males and females tended to name occupations traditionally considered appropriate for their own sex, with some tendency for females to also name traditional male occupations.
Effect of estrone on RNA synthesis in preimplantation blastocysts of gonadotrophin-treated immature rats.

RNA synthesis in the preimplantation embryo of gonadotrophin-treated superovulated prepuberal rats was studied in vitro utilizing exogenous uridine-3H precursor. Following incubation with labeled precursor, blastocysts were spread on slides and autoradiographed. Silver grains, indicating location of the isotope, were found over the nuclei and nucleoli of the cells. A large number of nuclei and nucleoli incorporated uridine-3H in blastocysts from intact rats on day 5 of pregnancy. In rats in which delay in nidation was induced by ovariectomy and progesterone treatment, the uptake of radioactive precursor in the nuclei of cells in the blastocysts decreased and there was a significant reduction in the number of nuclei with labeled nucleoli. A single injection of estrone administered 30 hr before incubation on day 9 to rats in which nidation had been delayed markedly increased nuclear and nucleolar incorporation of uridine-3H in the blastocysts. Treatment of blastocysts with RNAse removed most of the incorpor...
Control of CFTR chloride conductance by ATP levels through non-hydrolytic binding.

SITE-SPECIFIC mutation1 and membrane reconstitution2 experiments provide compelling evidence that the product of the gene which is at fault in the disease cystic fibrosis, termed the cystic fibres is transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR)3, is a small-conductance chloride channel activated by phosphorylation4. As transport of chloride ions is passive, the predicted presence of two nucleotide-binding domains in CFTR seems as puzzling as a report5 that ATP hydrolysis is essential to activate the channel. We now find that in the sweat duct, which expresses high levels of CFTR6 and has a very high Cl− conductance7, intracellular concentrations of ATP must be about normal (5 mM)8 for activation of this conductance, apparently by a non-hydrolytic, perhaps allosteric, mechanism. This passive dependence on ATP should mean that even a modest depletion of cell energy levels will significantly lower the energy demands of electrolyte transport by decreasing chloride conductance. We believe this direct coupling between cellular ATP levels and chloride channel activity is an adaptive mechanism to protect the tissue from damage resulting from excessive energy depletion9.
Simultaneous versus staged hepatic resection for colorectal metastases with an intact primary cancer.

Currently, there are approximately 103,170 new cases of colon cancer and 40,290 new cases of rectal cancer diagnosed yearly. Approximately 51,690 deaths occur from colorectal cancers annually. Colon and rectal cancer combined are the fourth most common cancer diagnosis and second most common cause of cancer mortality. While the incidence and mortality are decreasing, about half of all patients will develop metastatic disease. Of these patients, 80e90% develops unresectable liver metastases, which include 20e34% who have synchronous hepatic metastases. Recently published, Fahy presented that there are at least 13 different treatment algorithms for synchronous colon cancer with liver metastases [1]. Certainly, this makes it nearly impossible for physicians to rely on any “standard of care” or “standard approach” for these patients. One constant remains, however; treatment recommendations and decisions should be made in the setting of a multidisciplinary team including an experienced hepatobiliary surgeon. This article is not meant to give a comprehensive review of all the possible algorithms, but aims to discuss the timing of surgical resection of the primary cancer and the metastatic disease. Numerous retrospective articles have been published over the previous 10e15 years looking at surgical outcomes when comparing patients who have synchronous resection of colorectal liver metastases, to patients who have staged resections. The data suggests that a synchronous resection is just as safe as a two-staged approach, i.e. there is no difference in mortality or
Framing entextualization in improv: Intertextuality as an interactional resource

This study explores a type of language play among a community of improvisational theater (improv) performers, focusing on their strategic deployment of texts in interactions collected backstage while the troupe prepares for performance. Building on the work of Bauman & Briggs (1990), I adopt a process approach to the analysis of intertextuality, suggesting that community-specific ways of using entextualization, decontextualization, and recontextualization add to the work that has been done on intertextuality, given that it is not merely what texts are used but crucially how they are reshaped that can serve an important social function or the why of intertextuality—in this case explored in the context of member socialization. (Intertextuality, interactional sociolinguistics, ethnography of communication, improvisational theater, improv)*
cAMP Prevents Glucose-Mediated Modifications of Histone H3 and Recruitment of the RNA Polymerase II Holoenzyme to the L-PK Gene Promoter

Glucose and cAMP reciprocally regulate expression of the L-type pyruvate kinase (L-PK) gene by controlling the formation of a complex containing the carbohydrate response element binding protein (ChREBP) and the coactivator CREB binding protein (CBP) on the L-PK promoter. However, the role of posttranslational histone modifications on the opposing effects of glucose and cAMP on the L-PK gene is unknown. Using the highly glucose-sensitive 832/13 rat insulinoma cell line, we demonstrated that glucose regulates acetylation and methylation of various histone residues at the L-PK gene promoter. These glucose-dependent histone modifications correlated with an increase in the recruitment and phosphorylation of RNA polymerase II (Pol II) on the L-PK gene promoter. Conversely, the cAMP agonist forskolin prevented glucose-mediated expression of the L-PK gene by decreasing the acetylation of histones H3 and H4 on the promoter, decreasing the methylation of H3-K4 on the coding region, and increasing the methylation of H3-K9 on the coding region. These changes induced by cAMP culminated with a decrease in the glucose-dependent recruitment of phosphorylated Pol II to the L-PK gene promoter. Furthermore, maneuvers that interfere with the glucose-dependent assembly of ChREBP and CBP on the L-PK promoter, such as increasing intracellular cAMP levels, overexpression of a dominant-negative form of ChREBP, and small-interfering-RNA-mediated suppression of CBP abundance, all altered the acetylation and methylation of histones on the L-PK promoter, which decreased Pol II recruitment and subsequently inhibited transcriptional activation of the L-PK gene. We conclude that the effects of glucose and cAMP are mediated in part by epigenetic modulation of histones.
Organizing shared enterprise workspaces using component-based cooperative hypermedia

Cooperative work in Extended Enterprises needs a flexible shared workspace for team members to access and manipulate shared information objects in a well-coordinated working process. Current shared workspace systems do not adequately support the evolving character of shared workspaces as needed by Extended Enterprises, i.e. the dynamic cooperation processes, various kinds of shared information contents and the set of cooperative tools. In this paper, the usage scenarios and requirements developed in a European Extended Enterprise project are used to derive the requirements for shared enterprise workspaces.Our approach utilizes component-based cooperative hypermedia to organize shared enterprise workspaces that contain team and process structures, information contents and their corresponding tools. The approach extends classical hypertext models to shared hypermedia objects as well as dynamic bindings between these and the Groupware Components working on them. To demonstrate the approach, a prototype system and a prototypical usage scenario are presented.
Clearing up cardiorenal confusion.

In this issue, 2 systematic reviews address the challenges of using troponin levels to diagnose cardiac disease in patients with CKD. The editorialists discuss these findings and view them as a sol...
Daily Stressors and Self-Reported Changes in Memory in Old Age: The Mediating Effects of Daily Negative Affect and Cognitive Interference

This study examined individual differences in exposure to daily stressors and self-reported changes in memory among older adults. A sample of 87 older adults completed measures of daily stressful experiences, negative affect (NA), cognitive interference (CI), and rated their memory compared to six months ago. Results indicated that more frequent exposure to daily stressors was associated with rating one's memory to be worse compared to six months prior. Furthermore, CI, but not NA partially mediated this association. The findings highlight CI as a psychological pathway for understanding the links between daily stress and perceptions of memory and cognition in old age.
A serum substitute promotes osteoblast-like phenotypic expression in cultured cells from chick calvariae.

Abstract The effects of medium supplements were tested on embryonic chick calvarial cells in culture. Isolates were divided among four treatment groups: Nu-Serum ™ , chicken serum, fetal bovine serum, or calf serum. Expression of the osteoblastic phenotype was assessed by cell morphology, DNA content, [ 3 H]thymidine incorporation, lactate production, cellular and medium alkaline phosphatase activities, and collagen synthesis. Cells grown in Nu-Serum demonstrated increased alkaline phosphatase activity and a six-fold higher rate of collagen synthesis compared to chicken serum. These cells displayed a polygonal profile, abundant rough endoplasmic reticulum, Golgi apparati, and elaborated an extensive matrix of banded collagen which was well mineralized by day 10 of culture. Although highly mitogenic, chicken serum promoted a more fibroblastoid morphology. Compared to the sera tested, Nu-Serum preferentially promoted the osteoblast-like phenotype in chick calvarial cells in culture.
Paper chromatography of steroid compounds.

Abstract A method for the separation and detection of a wide range of steroid compounds by paper chromatography has been described. The separation of most of the steroids was achieved on alumina-impregnated paper with nonaqueous solvents as the developing agents, but some of the slower-moving adrenal cortical steroids were best separated on plain paper with benzene-water as the solvent. Several methods for the detection of the steroids on the developed chromatograms were employed. The most generally useful method involved the examination of the chromatograms in ultraviolet light after chlorination and spraying with an antimony chloride-acetic anhydride reagent. Quantities ranging from 0.5 to 5.0 μg. of most of the steroids could be detected by this method. Certain correlations between migration and structure of the steroids were noted. The results of the application of the method to extracts of several crude materials have been presented.
Morphogenesis and Polymorphism in Gastrostyla steinii

SYNOPSIS Clonal cultures of the hypotrich protozoan, Gastrostyla steinii, were protargol stained and examined by light microscopy. Morphogenetic stages were noted, as well as variations in the number and distribution of the frontal-ventral-transverse cirri. These cirri, for the purpose of this study only, were delineated into special topographical groups—frontal, medial, and anal. Analyses were made to evaluate possible relationships as to the number of cirri between these groups and for the total number of cirri of the organisms, and, finally, to show likely relationships between morphogenetic events and patterns of cortical variation. An interesting “extra marginal row phenomenon” also was noted and shown to have variations of its own. Cirral polymorphism is presumed to be under genic control with the ultimate individual corticotype under the influence of an underlying gradient. A “stability profile” for the organism and for each cirral group was erected and discussed with emphasis on a gradient mechanism.
Database source coverage: hypes, vital signs and reality checks

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to show that the extent of journal coverage, size and retrospectivity are three of the most commonly advertised features of database content. However, these data by themselves rarely provide a good enough sense of the real breadth of database coverage.Design/methodology/approach – Some easy‐to‐calculate measures can provide vital signs of database coverage, which in turn may trigger in‐depth analysis at the individual journal level. When similar vital signs are produced from comparable databases and database segments, as is done for Arts and Humanities (A&H) sources in Web of Science, Scopus, H.W. Wilson and CSA databases for this paper, the real dimensions of the source coverage can be much better understood.Findings – The decision to almost double the number of A&H journals reinforces the concept of enhancing the breadth of source coverage, obviously at the expense of depth of coverage. It is like those “If it is Tuesday, it must be Belgium” tours, where the emphas...
Developmental relations between sixth nerve motor neurons and their targets in the chick embryo.

The developmental relations between abducens (VI) nerves and their targets, the lateral rectus, quadratus, and pyramidalis muscles, have been examined in the chick embryo from early neural tube stages through 10 days of incubation. Sites of myoblast origins were determined by microinjection of replication-incompetent retroviruses containing the LacZ reporter into paraxial mesoderm corresponding to somitomeres 3-5. Motor neurons and axons were identified by Bodian staining, immunocytochemistry, and application of DiI and DiO to dissected peripheral nerves. Anlage of the dorsal oblique originate in somitomere 3, close to the ventrolateral margin of the mid-to-caudal mesencephalon. Precursors of the lateral rectus arise deep within somitomere 4, beside the future metencephalon (rhombomere “A”). Quadratus and pyramidalis precursors are located between and partially segregated from these other two anlage. VIth nerve axons exit rhombomeres 5 and 6 via multiple median roots, fasciculate, and by stage 17 have elongated rostrally beneath the hindbrain. Immediately caudal to a mesenchymal pre-muscle condensation located deep to rhombomere 2, the VIth nerve separates into two branches. One branch enters the rostral portion of the condensation, from which quadratus and pyramidalis muscles will segregate. This branch projects exclusively from rhombomere 5 and is the accessory abducens nerve. The other branch enters the caudal, presumptive lateral rectus, region of the condensation. This is the abducens nerve, and it projects from cells located in both rhombomeres 5 and 6. These findings indicate that specific matching of motor nerves with their presumptive targets begins prior to the differentiation and segregation of myogenic populations, and that spatial organization of developing eye muscles is initiated well before they interact with connective tissue precursors derived from the neural crest. © 1994 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Labour, Globalization and the State: Workers, Women and Migrants Confront Neoliberalism, by Debdas Banerjee and Michael Goldfield, eds.

Labour, Globalization and the State: Workers, Women and Migrants Confront Neoliberalism, by Debdas Banerjee and Michael Goldfield, eds., London and New York, Routledge Contemporary South Asia Serie...
Cloning of the rat ErbB3 cDNA and characterization of the recombinant protein.

Abstract Three cDNA fragments that encoded all but the extreme N terminus of the rat ErbB3 protein were cloned by low-stringency screening of a rat liver cDNA library with a human ERBB3 probe. The remaining 5′-end of the cDNA was generated by a reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction method, and a single full-length rat ErbB3 cDNA was assembled. A comparison of the deduced amino acid (aa) sequences of human and rat ErbB3 was made, and the effects of certain aa substitutions in the putative protein tyrosine kinase domain were considered. The rat ErbB3 cDNA was subsequently expressed in cultured NIH-3T3 mouse fibroblasts, in which a high level of approx. 180-kDa recombinant ErbB3 (re-ErbB3) was generated. The rat re-ErbB3 produced in transfected fibroblasts was responsive to the polypeptide, heregulin, a known ligand for ErbB3. Challenge of transfected fibroblasts with heregulin stimulated the phosphorylation of rat re-ErbB3 on Tyr residues and promoted its association with the p85 subunit of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase. Together, these results indicate that a fully functional rat ErbB3 cDNA has been isolated, and that fibroblast cells expressing this cDNA will be suitable for investigations of the signal transduction mechanism of ErbB3.
41. FDA and Nanotech: Baby Steps Lead to Regulatory Uncertainty

of the FDA is to ensure that drugs, medical devices, vaccines, veterinary products, and tobacco products reaching the consumer are both safe and effective. It is also responsible for the safety of foods (including dietary supplements and food additives), dyes and cosmetics. Obviously, many of these products utilize nanotechnologies or contain nanomaterials. Should these products be regulated? If so, how and to what degree? These are some of the questions the FDA is grappling with in relation to “ nanogovernance ” (Box 41.1 ). Internationally, regulatory guidance for nanotechnology is generally lacking. In fact, regulatory agencies around the world continue to struggle in their efforts to develop new, meaningful regulatory defi nitions and balance them with policies that are already in place (Section 41.3 ). However, guidance is critically needed to provide clarity and legal certainty to manufacturers, policymakers, healthcare providers, and the consumer. Common sense warrants that some sort of guidance, oversight, or regulation by the FDA is in order, but so far it has chosen to regulate nanomedicines and nanoproducts solely via what is 41.
THE GENUS OF CLOSED 3-BRAIDS

The problem of finding the genus of a given link type of braid index 3 is solved by constructive methods. The results depend upon a new solution to the conjugacy problem in B3. In this solution, conjugacy classes are represented by shortest words in terms of cyclically symmetric elementary braids which are used as generators in the new presentation of B3. By related results of Bennequin [2] and of Birman and Menasco [4], the minimal spanning surfaces are described by these shortest words. An effective algorithm is given to find these shortest words starting with an arbitrary 3-braid representative of the link. It is proved that up to an easily described family of exceptional cases, a link of braid index 3 has a unique isotopy class of minimal spanning surfaces. The growth functions of B3 and its conjugacy classes are also given here.
Clinical and Economic Impact of Adverse Drug Reactions in Hospitalized Patients

OBJECTIVE:To identify the classes of drugs that most commonly cause adverse drug reactions (ADRs) and the characteristics of these ADRs and to determine the economic impact of ADRs on patients' length of stay and hospitalization costs.METHODS:Data on ADRs from patients admitted to a hospital in New Jersey were collected, studied, and analyzed over a five-month period. To determine the economic impact of ADRs, patients who experienced ADRs during hospitalization were matched to controls. Each ADR was rated with regard to its severity, the patients' outcomes were determined, and specific classes of medications were identified as particularly causative of ADRs.RESULTS:A total of 196 patients experienced ADRs; 131 of these individuals were matched with 1338 patients who did not experience an ADR, based on their diagnosis-related group code. The leading causal drugs according to therapeutic class were antiinfective (17%), cardiovascular (17%), antineoplastic (15%), and analgesics/antiinflammatory agents (15%)....
Same-day ultrasound guidance in reoperation for locally recurrent papillary thyroid cancer

Background Reoperation for locally recurrent papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) is technically difficult and associated with higher morbidity. This study evaluated the use of same-day ultrasound guidance (SDUS) as an adjunct. Methods We compared 2 cohorts of consecutive patients with a single impalpable focus of recurrent PTC. Group I (August 2001-January 2004) was explored based on results of imaging. Group II (April 2004-January 2007) had an additional SDUS, performed before incision with indelible skin marking directly over the lesion. Outcome measures included failure to resect, lesion size, and postoperative change in thyroglobulin. Results In group I, in 3 of 6 cases the surgeon was unable to find the preoperatively imaged focus. By contrast, all 19 group II patients had successful resection of the lesion facilitated by SDUS (P Conclusions When focused resection of recurrent PTC is considered appropriate, SDUS guidance is an efficient and useful adjunct, allowing resection of lesions as small as 6 mm.
Forced evaporative cooling in a holographic atom trap

Summary form only given. We present progress on evaporative cooling of rubidium atoms in a holographic atom trap. Adiabatically decreasing the intensity of our YAG laser results in phase space densities greater than 1/2.
Changing attitudes toward energy conservation: The effect of self‐generated thoughts on the salience of a two‐sided persuasive communication

The most logical place to start addressing a new energy ethic and its implications for daily life is the elementary school. While young children tend not to be big energy users, they can be taught to view energy in a different way from the way their parents view it. This can be accomplished by elementary teachers in much the same way that they try to teach good health habits or the practice of looking both ways before crossing the street. Perhaps the elementary school is also the place to begin introducing the idea that energy conservation does not necessarily mean doing with less, but using energy more wisely. Teachers serve as a vital link between what society thinks is important and what is taught to elementary age children. This is especially true when considering that the attitudes that teachers possess can be easily passed on to their students (Hone & Carswell, 1969) and thus reflected in their future behavior (Ajzen & Fishbein, 1980). It is desirable, therefore, that an ethical procedure be identified that enhances the probability of teachers including energy conservation topics in the elementary school curriculum. The persuasive communication model of attitude change has been demonstrated to function as such an ethical procedure within the context of science education (Grabowski, Shrigley, & Welliver, 1980; Koballa & Shrigley, 1983).
Parallel transistor level circuit simulation using domain decomposition methods

This paper presents an efficient parallel transistor level full-chip circuit simulation tool with SPICE-accuracy. The new approach partitions the circuit into a linear domain and several non-linear domains based on circuit non-linearity and connectivity. The linear domain is solved by parallel fast linear solver while nonlinear domains are parallelly distributed into different processors and solved by direct solver. Parallel domain decomposition technique is used to iteratively solve the different partitions of the circuit and ensure convergence. Different domain decomposition techniques are discussed. Orders of magnitude speedup over SPICE is observed for sets of large-scale VLSI circuits.
Mining complex clinical data for patient safety research: a framework for event discovery

Successfully addressing patient safety requires detecting medical events effectively. Given the volume of patients seen at medical centers, detecting events automatically from data that are already available electronically would greatly facilitate patient safety work. We have created a framework for electronic detection. Key steps include: selecting target events, assessing what information is available electronically, transforming raw data such as narrative notes into a coded format, querying the transformed data, verifying the accuracy of event detection, characterizing the events using systems and cognitive approaches, and using what is learned to improve detection.
Neural Network Modeling of Voluntary Single-Joint Movement Organization I. Normal Conditions

Motor learning and motor control have been the focus of intense study by researchers from various disciplines. The neural network model approach has been very successful in providing theoretical frameworks on motor learning and motor control by modeling neural and psychophysical data from multiple levels of biological complexity. Two neural network models of voluntary single-joint movement organization under normal conditions are summarized here. The models seek to explain detailed electromyographic data of rapid single-joint arm movement and identify their neural substrates. The models are successful in predicting several characteristics of voluntary movement.
An antisense oligonucleotide against H1 inhibits the classical sodium current but not ICa(TTX) in rat ventricular cells.

ICa(TTX) is a sodium current component, functionally distinct from the main body of sodium current, seen in cardiac and other cells. To determine if ICa(TTX) channels are a separate isoform from the classical cardiac sodium channels, we exposed rat ventricular cells in primary culture to an antisense oligonucleotide (AON) directed against rH1 (rNav1.5): 5′-CTCCTCATACCCTCT-3′. The homologous human sequence has been identified (and confirmed by us on HEK 293 cells) as effective against hH1 expressed heterologously. Scrambled sequence (5′-CCCCCCTTATCTACT-3′) controls were also included. The AON (10 μm; day 2 of exposure) reduced the classical sodium current by 69.6 % compared to untreated and 60.8 % compared to scrambled sequence (10 μm; day 2 of exposure) controls (mean ±s.e.m. maximum peak inward current density of −8.23 ± 0.60 pA pF−1, 18 cells, for untreated; −6.37 ± 0.79 pA pF−1, 16 cells, for scrambled sequence; and −2.50 ± 0.31 pA pF−1, 18 cells, for AON-treated cells). The two control groups are not significantly different from each other, but are both significantly different from the AON-treated group (P < 0.001). The inhibition was specific for sodium channels, with no significant AON effect on the L-type calcium current. This confirms that H1 generates the classical cardiac sodium current. This same AON at the same concentration and time of exposure had no significant effect on ICa(TTX) (mean of −4.72 ± 0.55, 15 cells; −5.47 ± 0.53, 13 cells; and −5.04 ± 0.63 pA pF−1, 15 cells, for untreated controls, scrambled controls and AON treated, respectively). Hence, ICa(TTX), which is functionally distinct from the classical cardiac sodium current, is encoded by a distinct gene.
Factors influencing survival in high-grade gliomas

Multivariate analyses have consistently identified a number of patient, tumor, and treatment variables that are significant prognostic factors for overall survival in patients with high-grade glioma. Age, performance status, mental status, tumor grade and histology, and extent of surgical resection are among the most significant prognostic factors influencing survival. Recently, we showed that normal versus abnormal baseline Folstein mini-mental status examination score is a significant prognostic factor in younger patients (age </=42), suggesting that mental status may be a more important determinant of clinical outcome than physical functioning in patients with high-grade glioma. Among tumor variables, tumor grade and histology appear to have the greatest effect on survival. A recursive partitioning analysis of three Radiation Therapy Oncology Group trials showed that among patients under 50 years of age, astrocytoma with anaplastic or atypical foci was associated with significantly improved survival compared with glioblastoma. An oligodendroglial component was also associated with improved survival in patients with grade 3 astrocytoma. In addition, combined loss of chromosome arms 1p and 19q is associated with improved chemosensitivity and overall survival in patients with pure oligodendroglioma. Among the treatment variables tested, extent of resection appears to be the most consistent prognostic factor. Gross total resection is associated with significantly improved survival compared with biopsy only. These models are capable of grouping patients into distinct prognostic subgroups with median survivals ranging from less than 5 to more than 50 months and thus provide useful information for future clinical trial design.
Effects of local-scale removals on feral swine populations in southern Texas

Feral swine (Sus scrofa) are one of the most threatening mammalian pest species in North America owing to the damage they cause to natural habitats and agroecosystems, and the risk of disease transmission they pose to wildlife, livestock, and humans. The long-term (> 1 year) effects of lethal control efforts on feral swine populations at local scales are largely unknown. Using a panel of molecular markers, we assessed the effects of lethal control efforts on selected populations of feral swine in southern Texas. We collected tissue samples from two sites during removal campaigns, extracted and amplified DNA, and assessed population structure, genetic clustering, and immigration. We removed 145 individuals (9.7 swine per km2) at one site and 204 individuals (6.6 swine per km2) at another site. Fixation indices, Bayesian clustering, and assignment tests based on allele frequencies all produced similar results, indicating little or no differentiation among removals at either site. Localized feral swine remov...
Nanofiber composite membranes with low equivalent weight perfluorosulfonic acid polymers

Two low equivalent weight perfluorosulfonic acid (PFSA) polymers (825 EW and 733 EW) were successfully electrospun into nanofibers by adding as little as 0.3 wt% of high molecular weight poly(ethylene oxide) as a carrier polymer. The electrospun fiber morphology transitioned from cylindrical filaments to flat ribbons as the total concentration of PFSA + carrier in solution increased from 5 wt% to 30 wt%. PFSA nanofiber mats were transformed into defect-free dense membranes using a four-step procedure: (i) annealing the PFSA polymer during which time intersecting fibers were welded to one another at cross points (ii) mechanically compacting the mats to increase the volume fraction of nanofibers to ∼75%, (iii) imbibing an inert polymer, Norland Optical Adhesive (NOA) 63, into the mats (to fill entirely the void space between nanofibers) and then crosslinking the NOA with UV light, and (iv) removing the poly(ethylene oxide) carrier polymer by boiling the membrane in 1.0 M H2SO4 and then in deionized water. The resulting membranes exhibited higher proton conductivities than that of commercial Nafion 212 membrane (0.16 S/cm at 80 °C and 80% relative humidity and 0.048 S/cm at 80 °C and 50% relative humidity for a membrane with 733 EW nanofibers), with low water swelling (liquid water swelling of 18% for membrane with high conductivity). The proton conductivity of both EW nanofiber composite membranes increased linearly with the PFSA nanofiber volume fraction, whereas gravimetric water swelling was less than expected, based on the volume fraction of ionomer. There was a significantly improvement in the mechanical properties of the nanofiber composite membranes, as compared to recast homogeneous PFSA films.
Bone histomorphometric changes in the femoral neck of aging and ovariectomized rats

Background: This study characterizes the changes in cortical and cancellous bone and cross sectional moment of inertia of the femoral neck from aging and ovariectomized (ovx'd) rats to determine their role in the previously reported ovx-induced reduction of mechanical strength in the femoral neck. Methods: Undecalcified double-fluorescent lableled cross sections of femoral neck of 3.5-, 5.5-, 6.5-, and 8.5-month-old female rats and rats ovx'd at 3.5 months for 2, 3, and 5 months of 45 rats were studied. The estimated endocortical and trabecular surfaces, cortical and cancellous bone histomorphometry, and cortical moment of inertia were determined. Results: The femoral neck was adding cortical bone between 3.5 and 5.5 months of age by increasing cortical thickness and decreasing marrow cavity area. No change of cortical bone mass was found between 5.5 and 8.5 months and the same amount of cancellous bone was observed between 3.5 and 8.5 months of age. Ovariectomy-induced cancellous, but not cortical bone loss. The loss was due to a transient ovx-induced negative bone balance that by 5 months post-ovx produced a 42% loss in trabecular bone while the histomorphometry profiles were the same as controls. The crosssectional moment of inertia increased with age but did not differ significantly between ovx'd and controls. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that the ovx-induced cancellous bone loss could be a contributing factor to the reduced mechanical strength in the femoral neck of ovx'd rats reported previously. © 1995 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
COMPARISON OF 10-0 POLYPROPYLENE AND 10-0 NYLON SUTURES IN RAT ARTERIAL ANASTOMOSIS

The selection of suture materials is an important factor in further improving the results of microsurgical operations. In this study, two kinds of nonabsorbable suture materials, 10-0 polypropylene and 10-0 nylon monofilament, were compared in end-to-end anastomosis of 66 femoral arteries of adult rats. Both suture types were of identical size (70 μm needle/28 μm suture) and each artery received eight sutures. The vessels were harvested at various intervals from 2 hr to 180 days postoperatively and were evaluated by pathology, radiology, and tensile strength test. The results show that both sutures are capable of achieving excellent long-term patency (100%) of anastomosed sites. Polypropylene suture was equivalent to nylon in mechanical integrity of the anastomosis sites but was superior in handling, knotting, and biocompatibility. These physical and biological properties of polypropylene sutures may offer the benefits of diminished early and late complications at anastomosis sites and reduced operation time. Enhancement of contrast against surrounding tissue may make polypropylene a superior alternative to nylon sutures for microsurgical use. © 1993 Wiley-Liss Inc.
The sensitivity of tree growth to air mass variability and the Pacific Decadal Oscillation in coastal Alabama

This study investigates the relationship between tree growth and air mass type variability, using the spatial synoptic classification (SSC) in a bottomland slash pine forest in coastal Alabama (USA). The use of an air mass approach in dendroclimatology is somewhat unconventional and has not been fully explored. However, we believe that it may be useful because the air mass approach represents a holistic and comprehensive measure of surface conditions. Cores from 36 slash pines (Pinus elliotti) were extracted and ring widths were measured to the nearest 0.01 mm. The cores were then cross-dated and a standardized ring index series was established. Relationships were explored between the index series and several climate variables and teleconnections. The index series showed significant relationships with SSC air mass types and SSC air mass ratios, but insignificant results with teleconnections. Specifically the Dry Tropical air mass type was negatively correlated with tree growth while Moist Moderate was positively correlated. Concomitantly, Dry Tropical : Moist Moderate, Dry Tropical : Moist Tropical, and Dry Moderate : Moist Moderate air mass ratios also showed negative correlations. Positive Pacific Decadal Oscillation (PDO) sea surface temperatures were also associated with significant moisture and air mass variability in the region, although the PDO did not have a significant relationship with tree growth. The significance between SSC air mass variability and tree growth in the humid subtropical climate of coastal Alabama has favorable implications for dendroclimatological research in drier environments where trees are more sensitive to climatic variables.
The State of Authorship Attribution Studies: Some Problems and Solutions

The statement, ’’Results of most non-traditional authorship attribution studies are not universally accepted as definitive,'' is explicated. A variety of problems in these studies are listed and discussed: studies governed by expediency; a lack of competent research; flawed statistical techniques; corrupted primary data; lack of expertise in allied fields; a dilettantish approach; inadequate treatment of errors. Various solutions are suggested: construct a correct and complete experimental design; educate the practitioners; study style in its totality; identify and educate the gatekeepers; develop a complete theoretical framework; form an association of practitioners.
Effects of metabolic level on the body size scaling of metabolic rate in birds and mammals

Metabolic rate is traditionally assumed to scale with body mass to the 3/4-power, but significant deviations from the ‘3/4-power law’ have been observed for several different taxa of animals and plants, and for different physiological states. The recently proposed ‘metabolic-level boundaries hypothesis’ represents one of the attempts to explain this variation. It predicts that the power (log–log slope) of metabolic scaling relationships should vary between 2/3 and 1, in a systematic way with metabolic level. Here, this hypothesis is tested using data from birds and mammals. As predicted, in both of these independently evolved endothermic taxa, the scaling slope approaches 1 at the lowest and highest metabolic levels (as observed during torpor and strenuous exercise, respectively), whereas it is near 2/3 at intermediate resting and cold-induced metabolic levels. Remarkably, both taxa show similar, approximately U-shaped relationships between the scaling slope and the metabolic (activity) level. These predictable patterns strongly support the view that variation of the scaling slope is not merely noise obscuring the signal of a universal scaling law, but rather is the result of multiple physical constraints whose relative influence depends on the metabolic state of the organisms being analysed.
Culturally relevant pedagogy: clashes and confrontations

Culturally relevant pedagogy: clashes and confrontations, by Lisa Scherff and Karen Spector, Plymouth, Rowman & Littlefield Education, 2011, 208 pp., $33.95 (paperback), ISBN 978-1-607-09420-3 Cult...
Performance of coherent receivers with hybrid SC/MRC over Nakagami-m fading channels

A performance analysis of two hybrid selective combining/maximal ratio combining (SC/MRC) diversity receivers over Nakagami-m (1960) fading channels with a flat multipath intensity profile is presented and numerically compared with that of the conventional SC and MRC schemes. Numerical results for particular cases of interest show that the bit error rate (BER) degradation arising from the use of hybrid SC/MRC instead of MRC is independent of the average signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) regardless of the severity of the fading and that MRC provides a higher rate of improvement than the hybrid SC/MRC as the severity of fading decreases.
Differential charge-domain bilinear-Z switched-capacitor pseudo-N-path filters

The charge-domain bilinear-Z transformation is used in conjunction with a fully-differential pseudo-N-path filter design to create a design that has strong potential in the high-frequency bandpass domain. Both low-pass and high-pass N-path designs are examined theoretically and relative comparisons made of component and op-amp gain-sensitivity. Analysis by SWITCAP of component-sensitivity shows that the largest frequency-varying sensitivity is 0.064 dB per 1% component variation. A discrete prototype HP-two-path differential stray-insensitive filter was built as a test vehicle. Results are presented for a design with a bandpass center-frequency of two kHz and a bandwidth of 20 Hz. The clock feedthrough noise was shifted out of the passband by the use of z to z/sup -N/ transformation. Mirror frequency components were found to be about 55 dB below the signal level. >
Delegating slotting allowance authority to the sales force

Abstract Slotting allowances are payments manufacturers make to retailers in exchange for product distribution. An important question manufacturers face is whether their salespeople should have the authority to allocate these payments and, if so, what are the implications of doing so. Unfortunately, although slotting allowances have been investigated in the literature, there is little guidance on these issues. Providing such guidance is important because slotting allowances are both costly to manufacturers and frequently demanded by retailers. Therefore, we introduce slotting allowance authority into the literature and suggest that it is positively related to customer loyalty toward the salesperson; however, this relationship largely depends on a customer's relationship motivation. Specifically, we offer a contemporary view of customer motivation by demonstrating that the relationship between slotting allowance authority and customer loyalty is less and more positive with increasing levels of intrinsic relationship motivation and extrinsic relationship motivation , respectively. Moreover, our results indicate a conditional process model whereby slotting allowance authority impacts sales growth through customer loyalty conditioned upon intrinsic- and extrinsic relationship motivations.
Audit Committees Oversight Of Information Technology Risk

This exploratory study examines the role of the audit committee in overseeing information technology (IT) risk. We address the degree of audit committee oversight of specific IT risks, as well as factors associated with variations in audit committee IT oversight. Based on responses from 39 audit committee members, we found (1) little audit committee emphasis on oversight of IT risks, (2) audit committees involved with IT oversight focus on more traditional risks (e.g., monitoring), while very little attention is devoted to IT acquisition and implementation, and (3) the amount of IT oversight is positively associated with the responding members auditing experience and prior familiarity with the COBIT model for assessing IT risks. Audit committee independence, diligence, and expertise, company size, and industry were not significantly associated with IT oversight.
The Staphylococcal Fibronectin Receptor: Evidence for Its Importance in Invasive Infections

Fibronectin binds specifically and irreversibly to Staphylococcus aureus. The expression of fibronectin-binding sites correlates with the invasiveness of the isolate. It has been suggested that the fibronectin receptor of S. aureus is either a protein or a carbohydrate that localizes at the surface of the bacterium, permitting interactions of the bacteria with the fibronectin of the host. Sites at which S. aureus typically initiates infection are rich in fibronectin, e.g., blood clots and subendothelium; the cells of the luminal surface of intact endothelium are among the few cell types that are relatively devoid of fibronectin. Removal of fibronectin receptors from S. aureus by mechanical means or by growing the bacteria in an antibiotic-containing medium decreases their ability to adhere. Thus, the fibronectin receptor appears to play a role in the initiation of S. aureus infections. These findings offer hope for the development of a vaccine that will prevent invasive disease-if the S. aureus fibronectin receptor(s) can be purified, proves to be immunogenic, and inhibits bacterial adherence to host tissues.
Verification of the Unified Coordinate System by the Method of Manufactured Solutions

Although computational fluid dynamics has revolutionized aerodynamic analysis, it has remained less useful for preliminary design because of the difficulties associated with generating a computational grid. Hui’s unified coordinate system has the potential to alleviate this concern by virtue of its automatically generated grid, but the method needs more study and development. We present a formal verification of the unified coordinate system in one dimension using both exact and manufactured solutions, including an integrative extension of the method of manufactured solutions which allows for discontinuities. This will provide the framework necessary to evaluate algorithmic improvements to the method, and provide confidence in the unified coordinate system as a tool for aerodynamic design, where its unique characteristics make it an extremely valuable alternative to traditional methods. First-order convergence is observed with a first-order method, while convergence is less for discontinuous solutions, as expected. The integrative method of manufactured solutions performs well, providing formal verification with a discontinuous, manufactured, solution.
The Genus Beloneuria (Plecoptera: Perlidae)

The genus Beloneuria is reviewed and characters necessary for recognition of its 3 included species are figured. Beloneuria jamesae , sp. nov., and Beloneuria stewarti , sp. nov., are described for the male and female and holotype male and allotype female specimens are designated. Scanning electron photomicrographs of eggs are presented for the 3 known species.