cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The remarkably distensible stomach: Case report highlighting the implications of gastric filling on radiation treatment planning for gastric lymphoma

Radiation therapy plays a prominent role in the management of gastric lymphomas, as it does in nodal and other extranodal lymphomas. The development of 3dimensional treatment planning along with conformal radiation techniques such as intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) have allowed for the accurate treatment of gastric lymphomas while minimizing risks to nearby normal tissue structures. Herein, we report a case of gastric lymphoma that was treated using IMRT. This case highlights important practical considerations when treating gastric lymphomas using radiation therapy. Moreover, as our patient suffered an unfortunate serious complication from treatment, it also highlights the potential risks of radiation therapy in this setting.
Model forecasts of atrazine in Lake Michigan in response to various sensitivity and potential management scenarios

Abstract For more than forty years, the herbicide atrazine has been used on corn crops in the Lake Michigan basin to control weeds. It is usually applied to farm fields in the spring before or after the corn crop emerges. A version of the WASP4 mass balance model, LM2-Atrazine, was used to assess the impact of the historical and future usage of this chemical on lake water concentrations. Long-term model forecasts were performed under various sensitivity and potential management scenarios. The model was calibrated to available lake data and results indicate that atrazine, under average conditions, is decaying very slowly in the lake (0.009/year). This kinetic decay translates into a half-life estimate of 77 years. If the average condition scenario were assumed to remain constant into the future and reflective of conditions in January 1, 2005, it is expected that the lake (excluding Green Bay) would eventually reach a volume-weighted average atrazine concentration of approximately 67 ng/L in the year 2157 (current model prediction is 48 ng/L for year 2011). These forecasted lake-wide concentrations are below known water quality criteria for the protection of aquatic ecosystems.
Framework for ocean observing

• IOC Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO • GEO Group on Earth Observations • CEOS Committee on Earth Observation Satellites • POGO Partnership for Observation of the Global Oceans • SCOR Scientific Committee on Oceanic Research • SCAR Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research • GCOS Global Climate Observing System • GOOS Global Ocean Observing System • JCOMM Joint WMO-IOC Technical Commission for Oceanography and Marine Meteorology • PICES North Pacific Marine Science Organization • ICES International Council for the Exploration of the Sea • CoML Census of Marine Life • IGBP International Geosphere-Biosphere Programme • WCRP World Climate Research Programme
Study of Helium-Neon Laser Amplification at 3.39 μ

The dependence of the gain of a helium–neon laser amplifier for 3.39-μ radiation as a function of input signal power, discharge current, mixture ratio, and total gas pressure has been investigated. A display of these results in the form of plots of the contours of constant amplification on the discharge currentpressure plane for various mixture ratios shows ridges of maximum gain running in the direction of increasing current and decreasing pressure. At high helium-to-neon ratios the ridge has two peaks. The saturation of the gain with input signal has been observed for a wide range of conditions and is in agreement with the theory of White et al.
Alanine-scanning Mutagenesis of α-Helix D Segment of Interleukin-13 Reveals New Functionally Important Residues of the Cytokine

We documented that alpha-helices A, C, and D in human interleukin-13 (IL13) participate in interaction with its respective receptors. We hypothesized that alpha-helix D is the site II of the cytokine that binds IL13Ralpha1, a component of the normal tissue heterodimeric signaling IL13/4 receptor (IL13/4R), and that alpha-helix D independently binds a monomeric IL13Ralpha2 receptor, which is a non-signaling glioma-restricted receptor for IL13. Therefore, we alanine-scanned mutagenized helix D of IL13 to identify the residues involved in the respective receptors interaction. Recombinant muteins of IL13 were produced in Escherichia coli, and their structural integrity and identity were verified. The alanine mutants were tested in functional cellular assays, in which IL13 interaction with IL13Ralpha2 (glioma cells) or an ability to functionally stimulate IL13/4R (TF-1 cells) were examined, and also in binding assays. We found that residues 105, 106, and 109 of the d-helix of IL13 are responsible for interacting with the glioma-associated receptor. Moreover, glutamic acids at positions 92 and 110, and leucine at position 104 was found to be important for IL13/4R stimulation. Thus, alpha-helix D of IL13 is the primary site responsible for interaction with the IL13 binding proteins. We propose a model that illustrates the binding mode of IL13 with cancer-related IL13Ralpha2 and physiological IL13/4R.
The effects of cataract extraction on the visual field of eyes with chronic open-angle glaucoma

Purpose To investigate effects of cataract extraction and intraocular lens placement on the visual field of eyes with chronic open-angle glaucoma. Methods A retrospective review was conducted of 41 eyes of 41 patients with visually significant cataract and chronic open-angle glaucoma who had undergone automated static perimetry within 6 months before and 6 months after phaco-emulsification with intraocular lens placement. Results Comparison of preoperative and post-operative testing showed that the mean visual acuity, foveal threshold, and mean deviation improved significantly ( P P ≤ .03). Eyes not receiving miotics preoperatively did not have a significant postoperative change in the mean pattern and corrected pattern standard deviations. Increasing severity of glaucoma-related visual field loss was significantly associated with less improvement in the postoperative mean deviation ( P = .0001). Only two (5%) of 41 eyes had worsening of the mean deviation of 1.0 dB or greater. The foveal threshold improved more than the mean deviation did but not significantly more, except in eyes with severe visual field loss. Conclusions Cataract extraction resulted in statistically significant improvement in visual acuity and foveal threshold in most eyes with glaucoma. In eyes with mild or moderate glaucoma-related damage, the mean deviation often improved significantly after cataract extraction, but improvement was less predictable in eyes with severe or end-stage damage. The pattern and corrected pattern standard deviations may be reliable indicators of glaucoma-related damage in eyes with cataract but without constricted pupils.
Why we sleep: the temporal organization of recovery.

Why we sleep seems like a simple question, yet it has baffled scientists for generations. Based on recent data, Emmanuel Mignot argues that the function of sleep is essentially a resilient form of cellular recovery, organized anatomically and temporally by natural evolution, that has taken on additional functions over time.
Insertion and replication of the Pseudomonas aeruginosa mutator phage D3112.

D3112 is a temperate bacteriophage of P. aeruginosa with heterogeneous sequences at one extremity of the virion DNA molecule. Infection of strain PAO1 with phage D3112 results in a 40- to 65-fold increase in the frequency of ami mutants resistant to fluoroacetamide. Nine ami::D3112 prophages have been mapped to distinct sites within the ami locus by Southern blotting experiments with a cloned ami+ probe. All prophages have the same restriction map as the D3112 genome extracted from phage particles. The position of D3112 insertions correlates with the phenotype and reversion behavior of the ami mutants. Induction of D3112cts prophages results in amplification of internal prophage segments as discrete restriction fragments before the terminal viral fragments are visible as sharp hybridizing species. This indicates that D3112 replication is accompanied by recombination of prophage termini to numerous sites in the bacterial genome. Chromosomal junction fragments of an ami::D3112cts prophage are maintained through most of the replication cycle but are cleaved shortly before cell lysis, apparently by the viral encapsidation system.
Spontaneous regression of pulmonary metastases from transitional cell carcinoma

Spontaneous regression of metastatic cancers occurs rarely and has been reported only once for pulmonary metastases from transitional cell carcinoma. Two cases of spontaneous complete regression of lung metastases from transitional cell carcinoma are presented. In one case, regression occurred after a course of radiation to the primary bladder cancer, but in the other patient, lung lesions disappeared without treatment to the primary or metastatic cancers. The factors that alter the tumor-host relationship to allow spontaneous regression of cancers are unknown, but observation of these phenomena may help reveal parameters that influence tumor progression in the majority of cancer patients.
Work In Progress: WE CAN: Introducing High School Girls to Electrical Engineering

The WECAN program is designed to introduce high school female students to concepts in Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE). The program is focused on young women who have completed a pre-calculus class during their junior year of high school. A two week summer camp will be held beginning in the summer of 2006. During the camp, we will cover approximately 60% of the course content contained in our freshman level ECE course. The camp is limited to female students only - those wishing to receive credit for EE 1304 may do so by completing a distance learning component of the course. Follow-up efforts will continue during students' senior high school year (2006-07) to maintain contact and enhance recruiting efforts, as well as to determine for project evaluation purposes whether students who attended the camp enroll in engineering school.
Thin film scintillation detectors for evaporation residue detection: angular distributions and coincidence trigger

Abstract A thin film scintillation detector has been used to measure the angular distribution of evaporation residues from the reaction 142 MeV 32 S + 27 Al. Measurements were carried out from 5° to 30° with respect to the beam. Good separation of heavy residues from elastic scattering was demonstrated by two dimensional scatter plots of time-of-flight versus light output, even for positions well inside the grazing angle. The angular distributions compare very well with published data obtained with silicon semiconductor detectors. The ability to withstand radiation and give good separation of residues from elastics, even at high count rates, makes the thin film scintillation detector an excellent trigger for coincidence experiments.
Helping Reluctant Readers "Stick" To It

A two-phase program in a university center that uses a new version of some well-known motivational techniques.
In the flow: a finely controlled approach to catalyzed nanowire growth

A breakthrough in semiconductor nanowire synthesis that allows fine control over axial heterostructuring was recently advanced by Hollingsworth and co-workers.1 The report also reveals fascinating mechanistic aspects of catalyzed nanowire growth. Catalyzed wire or whisker growth was discovered by Wagner and Ellis in 1964.2 They found that gold droplets on a silicon substrate catalyze silicon wire growth under chemical-vapor-deposition conditions. Gaseous precursors react at the gold-droplet surfaces, depositing silicon into solution within the gold droplets. The droplets become supersaturated, inducing precipitation of crystalline silicon upon the substrate. As precipitation occurs only at the droplet–silicon interfaces, the silicon crystallites acquire pseudo-cylindrical wire morphologies as they grow upward from the substrate. The gold-catalyst droplets rise elevator-like from the substrate, riding upon the tips of the growing wires. Wagner and Ellis2 named this method ‘vapor-liquid-solid’ or ‘VLS’ growth after the three participating phases: the vaporous precursors, liquid catalyst droplets and solid silicon wires.
Techniques Affecting Precision and Accuracy in Hydrolysis Rate Constant Determinations of Volatile Organic Compounds Using Jeffers′ Zero Headspace Reaction Bulbs

Abstract A recently published method for measurement of hydrolysis rate constants for volatile organic compounds in aqueous samples was adopted for use in our laboratory. In applying the method, we developed the capability to make the zero-headspace reaction bulbs and used them to measure the hydrolysis rate constant for 1,1,1 trichloroethane. After establishing and mastering the critical points of the technique, we were able to determine an acceptable neutral hydrolysis rate constant (kn = 7.98 E-2 min−1, 115°C) that was within 17% of the value calculated using the Arrhenius parameters of Jeffers method. A detailed description of our experiences while learning this technique and becoming proficient in its use is provided with the belief that our experiences would benefit other analytical chemists.
Determination and identification of amino acids by thermometric titration and nmr spectroscopy

Abstract Thermometric titration coupled with NMR spectroscopy provides an elegant method of determination and identification of individual amino acids, and their binary mixtures. Experimental details and interpretation of thermometric and NMR spectroscopic data are presented.
Unimodal thresholding for edge detection

In this paper a novel non-parametric method is proposed for unimodal thresholding in an edge detection context. The proposed method assigns a point in a ROC (receiver operating characteristic) space to each possible threshold without the need of a reference binary image. The optimal point and the required corresponding threshold is then determined in the ROC graph. The Berkeley Segmentation Dataset has been used to evaluate the performance of the proposed method, which is compared with another two recent proposals and Otsu method.
Welfare reform and child fostering: Pinpointing affected child populations

Objective. The objective of our research is to examine the impact of New Jersey's welfare reform called the Family Development Program (FDP) on child fostering among children on welfare. Methods. The research and analytical methods we use include an experimental design and probit regressions. Results. Our results show that FDP impacts are confined to children of short-term welfare recipients (new cases) but affects both African-American and white children in this welfare group. Among new cases, FDP decreases the probability of African-American children living in foster families, resulting in a 28 percent change from the baseline prevalence rate of 7.2 percent. In contrast, FDP increases the likelihood of white children living in foster families, leading to a 70 percent change from the baseline occurrence rate of 1.4 percent. Conclusions. We conclude by discussing the policy implications of such segmented impacts of welfare reform for vulnerable child populations.
Three-dimensional structures and turbulence closure of the wake developing in a wall shear layer

The turbulent wake interacting with the rotating wall shear layer is investigated analytically and numerically. The turbulent wakes of the rotating blades in a compressor which are interacting with the rotating hub-wall boundary layer are analyzed. A modified version of the closure model of the pressure-strain correlation term in the Reynolds stress transport equation is developed to predict the effect of rotation, which is appreciable for the present flow because the thick hub-wall boundary layer is interacting with the rotor wake. It is noted that the Poisson type equation for the pressure-strain correlation has an extra rotation term when the entire flow field is rotating. This extra rotation term is modeled to accommodate the effect of rotation. In addition, the standard correction for the wall effect is incorporated for the utilized Reynolds stress closure model. The rotation-modified Reynolds stress closure model is used to predict the present flow, and the predictions are compared with the experimental data. The experimental data reveal that the characteristics of the three-dimensional turbulent wake interacting with the wall shear layer are considerably altered by the effects of the wall and the rotation. These features are predicted with good accuracy by the turbulence closure model developed.
High-nuclearity metal-cyanide clusters: synthesis, magnetic properties, and inclusion behavior of open-cage species incorporating [(tach)M(CN)3] (M = Cr, Fe, Co) complexes.

The use of 1,3,5-triaminocyclohexane (tach) as a capping ligand in generating metal−cyanide cage clusters with accessible cavities is demonstrated. The precursor complexes [(tach)M(CN)3] (M = Cr, F...
Canine cyclic haematopoiesis: bone marrow adherent cell influence of CFU-C formation.

Canine cyclic haematopoiesis (CH) appears to be a multipotential stem cell defect, possibly due to an intrinsic marrow defect. The in vitro adherent marrow cells of the cyclic haematopoietic (CH) dog were cultured as underlayers beneath normal dog nonadherent marrow cells. The marrow granulocyte-committed colony forming units (CFU-C) of the normal dog nonadherent cells were cyclically influenced by the CH adherent cell underlayers. The CH adherent cells collected on the ninth or tenth day following the onset of neutropenia did not stimulate CFU-C formation while those collected on the sixth day stimulated as many as 108 colonies. The CH adherent cells collected on other cycle days supported increased CFU-C formation with the exception of cycle day 3 which inconsistently stimulated growth. These data show that the CH marrow in vitro adherent cells alternately stimulate and inhibit in vitro granulopoiesis of normal dog marrows.
Prevalence of Dental Caries and Dental Fluorosis in Areas with Optimal and Above-optimal Water Fluoride Concentrations: a 10-Year Follow-up Survey

Objectives: This paper presents findings for dental caries and fluorosis from an October 1990 follow-up survey in Illinois and compares results with those obtained from two similar school-based examinations conducted in 1980 and 1985 within the same communities. Methods: The seven study sites were grouped into four categories according to the approximate relation of their water fluoride concentration to the recommended optimal fluoride level for the area. Tests for differences in dental caries and dental fluorosis across the four water fluoride groupings and three examinations were conducted. Results: DMFS scores for children who resided in communities with above-optimal water fluoride levels did not change significantly from 1980 through 1990. At the optimal water fluoride concentration, caries scores did not change substantially from 1980 to 1985; however, the mean DMFS score in 1990, 1.9, was significantly lower than caries levels observed during the two previous exams. In the optimally fluoridated area, the proportion of fluorosed tooth surfaces increased significantly from 1980 to 1985, but then declined by 1990 to the level observed in 1980 for both age groups. Conclusions: The results suggest that: (1) in the optimally fluoridated community, the apparent increase in the prevalence of dental fluorosis observed from 1980 to 1985 did not continue from 1985 to 1990; and (2) at above-optimal water fluoride concentrations, dental fluorosis either remained stable or demonstrated no sustained increase over the decade.
Staged repair of pentalogy of cantrell with tetralogy of Fallot

We report a successful two-stage repair of tetralogy of Fallot associated with pentalogy of Cantrell. The first stage, performed in the neonatal period, consisted of repairing the omphalocele, separating the peritoneal from the pericardial cavities, and covering the heart. The second stage, performed at 6 years of age, consisted of complete intracardiac repair and placing the heart in the chest. The patient is alive and well 18 months after the operation.
Effect of a charge relay on the vibrational frequencies of carbonmonoxy iron porphine adducts: the coupling of changes in axial ligand bond strength and porphine core size.

The effect of a charge relay involving Asp-His-Fe in peroxidase enzymes is explored using density functional theory (DFT) calculations of vibrational spectra and potential energy surfaces of carbonmonoxy model systems. The series of models consists of a carbonmonoxy iron porphine molecule with a trans imidazole ligand hydrogen-bonded to six different partners at the N‰ position. Calculations on the oxy system and on models of the Asp-His-Ser catalytic triad of serine proteases were also performed to obtain an understanding of how the redistribution of charge in these systems may contribute to enzymatic function. The goal of the study is to relate the experimental frequencies in resonance Raman and Fourier transform infrared studies to bonding that is important for the function of heme enzymes. Calculations of both axial and in-plane modes exhibit trends that agree with experimental data. Comparisons of the charge distribution on the different models show that polarization of iron carbonomonoxy bonds consistent with the mechanism for peroxidase function leads to a frequency reduction in the C-O stretching mode OCO. The combination of axial trans U-bonding and ﷿-bonding effects that include expansion of the porphine core result in little change in the Fe -C stretching frequency OFe-CO in the series of molecules studied with different N‰-H hydrogen bonding. A particular role for the core size is discussed that demonstrates the applicability of trends observed in vibrational spectroscopy of hemes to the charge relay mechanism and other axial ligation effects. The bonding interactions described account for the increase in electron density on bound diatomic ligands, which is required for peroxidase function.
Implementing a Computerized Charge Capture System to Improve Billing Work Flow and Reduce Errors in Data Entry

Background : Traditional paper-based billing operation has experienced a high illegibility error rate and the need for an extended processing time to cope with the billing tasks related to physician reimbursement. We hypothesized that information technology can be adopted to improve the effectiveness of the billing interface, assist in record keeping, and enhance financial outcomes of clinical practice. Methods : A computerized charge capture system was designed and deployed to test our hypothesis that information technology could reduce illegibility during data entry and improve patient record keeping and billing work flow. Results : Physicians found that electronic juxtaposition of the pilot system with the electronic medical record was helpful in patient data verification from the progress note. The pilot system was successfully designed to assist physicians in improving information access, and to reduce significant illegibility errors during data entry. Conclusion : Although overall technical improvements may provide access to desired information, major barriers to data entry and flawed health plan management systems still hamper the efficient implementation and financial outcomes of the adoption of clinical information systems in this time-pressured environment.
A Probable Cave Breccia in Middle Cambrian Limestone, Southern Nevada: Petrography and Paleomagnetic Constraints on the Time of Formation

ABSTRACT A spectacular limestone breccia, which occurs at or near the contact between the Carrara Formation (Early-Middle Cambrian) and Bonanza King Formation (Middle Cambrian) in the Desert Range, southern Nevada, probably reflects a cave that has subsequently collapsed and "healed." The breccia blocks are angular; represent a diverse suite of shallow-water limestones that can be recognized laterally in undisputed strata; and exhibit clean truncation of late diagenetic fabrics, such as stylolites and blocky spar cements, at clast edges. In the blocks, the in situ directions of a secondary magnetization have been scattered. The age of this magnetization probably lies in the range Late Cretaceous to mid-Cenozoic, which suggests that the time of brecciation is no older than Late Cretaceous. The reccia must be older than late Tertiary, however, because it is truncated by Basin-and-Range normal faulting.
Constraints on Movement Phenomena in Sentence Processing: Evidence from Event-related Brain Potentials

Event-related potentials (ERPs) were recorded from 13 scalp electrodes while subjects read sentences, some of which contained a violation of constraints on constituent movement (subjacency or the empty category principle). In two experiments, the first word that indicated a violation elicited a widely distributed positive-going wave with a nonset between 250 and 300m sec and a duration of several hundred milliseconds. This effect was similar to the positive shifts that have been observed in response to other types of syntactic violations (P600), but qualitatively distinct from the N400 response elicited by semantically/pragmatically anomalous words. These findings are taken as an indication that movement constraints can be applied during the earliest stages of sentence processing, perhaps in conjunction with the creation of phrase structure. We evaluate the hypothesis that the P600 is a general electrophysiological marker of syntactic anomaly.
Agro-biodiversity and international law - a conceptual framework

This paper lays out the international legal framework currently governing agro-biodiversity management which emphasizes private property rights and thus provides incentives for the private sector to participate in agriculture. We argue that the attendant commercialization of agriculture has failed to protect the rights of local farmers and generally not contributed to meeting the food needs of every human being. Moreover, it has contributed to the erosion of the genetic base necessary for the further development of agro-biodiversity. We contend that the legal framework can only foster the fulfillment of everyone's food needs if agro-biodiversity is recognized as a common heritage of humankind.
Tibial eminence fracture with meniscal entrapment

Controversy has existed regarding the treatment of tibial eminence fractures in children. It has been widely assumed that closed manipulation of the knee resulting in radiographic reduction of the fragment is acceptable. We present a case report of a trapped medial meniscus, even after apparent successful closed reduction of an incompletely displaced tibial eminence fracture. The integrity of meniscii cannot be inferred radiographically. Arthroscopic evaluation allows reduction of a trapped meniscus and suture fixation of the fragment is easily accomplished.
Removing the self-imposed labels of pharmacists.

The profession of pharmacy continues to evolve and move forward, focusing on the patient-centered care concept as a member of the health care team. As pharmacists secure provider status with permanent current procedural terminology codes and continue to provide medication therapy management services
Purification, Structures and Functions of the Nuclear RNA Polymerases from Higher Plants

Eukaryotic organisms contain three classes of nuclear DNA-dependent RNA polymerases (EC 2.7.7.6) which can be distinguished 1) chromatographically, 2) by their differential sensitivities to inhibition by the fungal toxin α-amanitin, 3) by their subunit structures, 4) by their intranuclear localizations, and 5) by the types of genes which they transcribe1.
A 9b, 1.25ps Resolution Coarse-Fine Time-to-Digital Converter in 90nm CMOS that Amplifies a Time Residue

A 9 b 1.25 ps two step time-to-digital converter is implemented in 90 nm CMOS. It uses a new circuit to amplify the time residue, and compensates mismatch with subrange normalization. DNL and INL are, respectively, plusmn0.8 LSB and plusmn2 LSB. It can be used as a phase detector with digital output.
INITIAL RESPONSES OF FOREST UNDERSTORIES TO VARYING LEVELS AND PATTERNS OF GREEN-TREE RETENTION

Timber harvest with ''green-tree'' retention has been adopted in many tem- perate and boreal forest ecosystems, reflecting growing appreciation for the ecological values of managed forests. On federal forest lands in the Pacific Northwest, standards and guidelines for green-tree retention have been adopted, but systematic assessments of eco- system response have not been undertaken. We studied initial (1-2 yr) responses of vascular understory communities to green-tree retention at six locations (blocks) in western Oregon and Washington, using a factorial design with retention at contrasting levels (15% vs. 40% of initial basal area) and spatial patterns (trees dispersed vs. aggregated in 1-ha patches). Direction of compositional change (expressed in ordination space) was similar among treatments within each block, but the magnitude of change was consistently larger at 15% than at 40% retention; pattern of retention had little effect on compositional change. Despite major changes in vegetation structure, early-seral (ruderal) herbs contributed little to plant abundance and richness in most treatments. For many forest understory groups, declines in abundance or richness were significantly greater at 15% than at 40% retention. However, pattern of retention had surprisingly little effect on treatment-level response; although changes within forest aggregates were small, declines in adjacent areas of harvest were generally greater than those in corresponding dispersed treatments. Late-seral herbs were particularly sensitive to these effects, with more frequent extirpations from plots within the harvested portions of aggregated treatments than from dispersed treatments. Plot-to- plot variation in understory abundance and richness within treatments increased after har- vest, but level and pattern of retention had little effect on the magnitude of this change. We suspect that the initial responses of forest understories to green-tree retention are me- diated, in large part, by associated patterns of disturbance and slash accumulation that differ significantly with level and pattern of retention. Because these represent short-term re- sponses, future sampling will be necessary to understand the broader implications of struc- tural retention harvests. We predict that, as effects of disturbance diminish with time, effects of canopy structure will increasingly shape patterns of compositional and structural de- velopment in the understory.
Efficient Registration of 3D SPHARM Surfaces

We present SHREC, an efficient algorithm for registration of 3D SPHARM (spherical harmonic) surfaces. SHREC follows the iterative closest point (ICP) registration strategy, and alternately improves the surface correspondence and adjusts the object pose. It establishes the surface correspondence by aligning the underlying SPHARM parameterization. It employs a rotational property of the harmonic expansion to accelerate its step for parameterization rotation. It uses a hierarchical icosahedron approach to sample the rotation space and searches for the best parameterization that matches the template. Our experimental results show that SHREC can not only create more accurate registration than previous methods but also do it efficiently. SHREC is a simple, efficient and general registration method, and has a great potential to be used in many shape modeling and analysis applications.
Interobserver Variability in the Determination of Upper Lobe- Predominant Emphysema*

Abstract Background:Appropriateness for lung volume reduction surgery is often determined based on the results of high-resolution CT (HRCT) scanning of the chest. At many centers, radiologists and pulmonary physicians both review the images, but the agreement between readers from these specialties is not known. Methods:Two thoracic radiologists and three pulmonologists retrospectively reviewed the HRCT scans of 30 patients with emphysema involved in two clinical studies at our institution. Each reader assigned an emphysema severity score and assessed upper lobe predominance, using a methodology similar to that of the National Emphysema Treatment Trial. In addition, the percentage of emphysema at –910 Hounsfield units was objectively determined by density mask analysis. Results:For the emphysema severity scores, (Spearman) correlation between readers ranged from 0.59 (p = 0.0005) to 0.87 (p Conclusions:In a group of patients with varying emphysema severity, interobserver agreement in the determination of upper lobe-predominant disease was poor. Agreement between readers tended to be better in cases with clear upper lobe predominance as determined by densitometry.
Relationships of cadmium, mercury, and selenium with nutrient reserves of female lesser scaup (Aythya affinis) during winter and spring migration

Trace elements may have important effects on body condition of ducks during spring migration, because individuals are experiencing energetically costly events (e.g., migration, nutrient reserve accumulation, pair formation, feather molt, and ovarian follicle development). We examined relationships among hepatic cadmium, mercury, and selenium concentrations (microg/g dry wt) and nutrient reserves (lipid, protein, and mineral) of female lesser scaup (Aythya affinis) during winter and spring migration at four locations within the Mississippi Flyway (LA, IL, and MN, USA, and MB, Canada). Selenium concentrations (range, 3.73-52.29 microg/g dry wt) were positively correlated with lipid reserves (F1,73 = 22.69, p < 0.001, type III partial r2 = 0.24), whereas cadmium was negatively correlated with lipid reserves (F1,73 = 6.92, p = 0.010, type III partial r2 = 0.09). The observed relationship between cadmium and lipid reserves may be cause for concern, because lipid reserves of females declined by 55 g (47%), on average, within the range of observed cadmium concentrations (0.23-7.24 microg/g dry wt), despite the relatively low cadmium concentrations detected. Mean cadmium concentrations were higher in Minnesota (1.23 microg/g dry wt) and Manitoba (1.11 microg/g dry wt) than in Louisiana (0.80 microg/g dry wt) and Illinois (0.69 microg/g dry wt). However, mean cadmium concentrations predict lipid reserves of females to be only 11 g lower, on average, in Minnesota than in Illinois. Previous research documented that lipid reserves were 100 g lower in Minnesota than in Illinois; consequently, cadmium is unlikely to be the sole cause for decreases in lipid reserves of females during late-spring migration.
Development of a real-time RT-PCR assay for detecting EGFRvIII in glioblastoma samples.

Purpose: Epidermal growth factor receptor variant III (EGFRvIII) is an oncogenic, constitutively active mutant form of the EGFR that is commonly expressed in glioblastoma and is also detected in a number of epithelial cancers. EGFRvIII presents a unique antigenic target for anti-EGFRvIII vaccines and it has been shown to modulate response to EGFR kinase inhibitor therapy. Thus, detection in clinical samples may be warranted. Existing patents preclude the use of anti-EGFRvIII antibodies for clinical detection. Further, frozen tissue is not routinely available, particularly for patients treated in the community. Thus, detection of EGFRvIII in formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) clinical samples is a major challenge. Experimental Design: We developed a real-time reverse transcription-PCR (RT-PCR) assay for detecting EGFRvIII in FFPE samples and analyzed 59 FFPE glioblastoma clinical samples with paired frozen tissue from the same surgical resection. We assessed EGFRvIII protein expression by immunohistochemistry using two distinct specific anti-EGFRvIII antibodies and examined EGFR gene amplification by fluorescence in situ hybridization. Results: The FFPE RT-PCR assay detected EGFRvIII in 16 of 59 (27%) samples, exclusively in cases with EGFR amplification, consistent with the expected frequency of this alteration. The FFPE RT-PCR assay was more sensitive and specific for detecting EGFRvIII than either of the two antibodies alone, or in combination, with a sensitivity of 93% (95% confidence interval, 0.78-1.00) and a specificity of 98% (95% confidence interval, 0.93-1.00). Conclusion: This assay will facilitate accurate assessment of EGFRvIII in clinical samples and may aid in the development of strategies for stratifying patients for EGFRvIII-directed therapies.
A misconception in biology: Amino acids and translation

A persistent error has been observed among students in introductory biology and genetics. In interviews and examinations, many students express the belief that amino acids are produced by genetic translation (protein synthesis). The evidence suggests that at least four underlying factors contribute to error occurrence: (1) strong word association between the terms “amino acids” and “proteins”, (2) confusion resulting from familiar and unfamiliar levels of generality and specificity, (3) conflict resulting from the dual roles of some proteins as participants in and products of translation, and (4) lack of knowledge about the actual origins of amino acids in cells. Implications for teaching are discussed.
Adaptive Development of Connectionist Decoders for Complex Error-Correcting Codes

We present an approach for development of a decoder for any complex binary error-correcting code (ECC) via training from examples of decoded received words. Our decoder is a connectionist architecture. We describe two separate solutions: A system-level solution (the Cascaded Networks Decoder); and the ECC-Enhanced Decoder, a solution which simplifies the mapping problem which must be solved for decoding. Although both solutions meet our basic approach constraint for simplicity and compactness, only the ECC-Enhanced Decoder meets our second basic constraint of being a generic solution.
Gene Unscrambler for detangling scrambled genes in ciliates

Summary: Scrambled genes are surprisingly common in some species of ciliates. Until now there was no software available to analyze automatically these genes. We present here a program that can automatically align the macronuclear and micronuclear forms of a gene, outputting the location of the macronuclear destined segments and pointer sequences. Availability: A web version of the program is available free of charge and can be accessed at http://oxytricha.princeton.edu/GeneUnscrambler.htm
Preservation of freeze-dried liposomes by trehalose

One of the practical difficulties with the frequently proposed use of liposomes for delivery of water-soluble substances to cells in whole organisms is that liposomes are relatively unstable during storage. We have studied the ability of trehalose, a carbohydrate commonly found at high concentrations in organisms capable of surviving dehydration, to stabilize dry liposomes. With trehalose both inside and outside the bilayer, almost 100% of trapped solute was retained in rehydrated vesicles previously freeze-dried with 1.8 g trehalose/g dry phospholipid. Trehalose is very effective at inhibiting fusion between liposomes during drying, as assessed by freeze-fracture and resonance energy transfer between fluorescent probes incorporated into the bilayer. However, inhibition of fusion alone does not account for the preservation of the dry liposomes, since the concentration of trehalose required to prevent leakage is more than 10-fold that required to prevent fusion. We provide evidence that stabilization of the dry liposomes requires depression of transition temperature and consequent maintenance of the constituent lipids in the dry liposomes in a liquid crystalline phase.
An intelligent page store for concurrent transaction and query processing

An intelligent page store is proposed that provides two paths for accessing data. Update and transaction traffic are presented the current version of the data by the page store. Complex queries against the same data are presented a recent transaction consistent snapshot of the data. Periodically, new snapshots are created for access by new queries. By using an implicit versioning scheme, the page store maintains one copy of most of the data, while providing consistent access. This scheme allows the transaction and query systems to be independently optimized. The authors show that transaction performance is largely unaffected by concurrent queries, and disks are used efficiently since a query copy of the database is obviated. >
Erythropoietin receptor-dependent erythroid colony-forming unit development: capacities of Y343 and phosphotyrosine-null receptor forms

Red cell development depends on the binding of erythropoietin (EPO) to receptors expressed by erythroid colony-forming units (CFUe) and the subsequent activation of receptor-bound Janus kinase (Jak2). Jak2 then mediates the phosphorylation of receptor tyrosine sites and the recruitment of 25 or more Src homology 2 domain-encoding proteins and associated factors. Previous studies have shown that an EPO receptor form containing Jak2-binding domains plus a single phosphotyrosine(343) (PY(343))-STAT5-binding site provides all signals needed for erythroid cell development. However, roles for PY(343) and STAT5 remain controversial, and findings regarding PY-null receptor activities and erythropoiesis in STAT5-deficient mice are disparate. To study activities of a PY-null EPO receptor in primary cells while avoiding compensatory mechanisms, a form retaining domains for Jak2 binding and activation, but lacking all cytoplasmic tyrosine sites, was expressed in transgenic mice from a GATA1 gene-derived vector as a human epidermal growth factor receptor- murine EPO receptor chimera (EE-T-Y343F). The bio-signaling capacities of this receptor form were investigated in CFUe from thiamphenicol-treated mice. Interestingly, this PY-null EPO receptor form supported CFUe development (in the absence of detectable STAT5 activation) at efficiencies within 3-fold of those levels mediated by either an EE-T-Y343 form or the endogenous EPO receptor. However, EE-T-Y343F-dependent Ter119(+) erythroblast maturation was attenuated. In tests of cosignaling with c-Kit, EE-T-Y343F nonetheless retained full capacity to synergize with c-Kit in promoting erythroid progenitor cell proliferation. Thus, EPO receptor PY-dependent events can assist late erythropoiesis but may be nonessential for EPO receptor-c-Kit synergy.
Pulmonary Embolism with Vertebral Augmentation Procedures

With the prevalence of an aging American population on the rise, osteoporotic vertebral fractures are becoming a common occurrence, resulting in an increase in vertebral augmentation procedures and associated complications such as cement leakage, vertebral compressions, and pulmonary embolism. We describe a patient who presented with respiratory distress three years following kyphoplasty of the lumbar vertebra. Computed tomography (CT) angiogram of the chest confirmed the presence of polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) cement in the lung fields and pulmonary vessels. We conducted a systematic review of the published literature identifying effective management strategies for the treatment of vertebroplasty-associated pulmonary embolism.
Age-Related Differences in a Usability Study Measuring Accuracy, Efficiency, and User Satisfaction in Using Smartphones for Census Enumeration: Fiction or Reality?

Age-related differences were investigated in a usability study of an application developed for U.S. Census Bureau enumerators to collect survey data and automate their time and expenses. Accuracy, efficiency and satisfaction measures were collected as participants used a smartphone to answer typical tasks. Usability flaws were also identified with the application. Results indicate that in general there were no differences with task accuracy and efficiency when comparing all tasks, however when looking at individual tasks, the task that had the most usability flaws also revealed age-related differences for accuracy and efficiency --- that is older adults were less accurate and took longer to complete. Surprisingly, there were age-related differences with the user satisfaction of the application such that older adults were less satisfied with the application than younger adults. Tying age-related differences to usability flaws highlights the importance of designing optimal applications for all users.
Flotation Behavior of Chalcopyrite and Molybdenite in the Presence of 2,3-Disulfanylbutanedioic Acid

The effect of 2, 3-disulfanylbutanedioic acid( DMSA) on the flotability of chalcopyrite and molybdenite with kerosene as a collector was investigated. The interaction mechanism between the DMSA and minerals was explored via Zeta potential analysis and quantum-chemistry calculation. Flotation results showed that DMSA has strong depression effect on chalcopyrite but slightly inhibition effect on molybdenite. Optimal separation efficiency is obtained when DMSA concentrate was only 1 /9 ~ 1 /13 of sodium sulphide. According to the results of Zeta potential test,DMSA adsorbs both on chalcopyrite and molybdenite surface,but the adsorption ability of DMSA on chalcopyrite surface is much stronger than that on molybdenite.The results of quantum-chemistry calculation indicated that electrochemical reaction only occurs between DMSA and chalcopyrite but not between DMSA and molybdenite.
Preparing Educators for a Diverse World: Understanding Sexual Prejudice among Pre-Service Teachers

An important role of schooling in the U.S. is to prepare students for engagement in the diverse world. This means that education personnel must be aware of, acknowledge, and respect all dimensions of diversity, including gender and sexual diversity. Relatedly is the teacher's role in managing a safe and inclusive classroom climate for all students. Since school bullies frequently target gender and sexually diverse (GSD) students, K-12 teachers are required to manage their classroom culture so that bullying behavior toward all students, including GSD students, is stopped. GSD students who are bullied frequently miss school, earn lower grades, and may decide not to complete post-secondary education. The effects of bullying based upon actual or perceived gender or sexual difference can last a lifetime. Sexual prejudice of educational personnel may inhibit the development of safe learning environments for all students and the preparation of students for a future in diverse environments. This research investigates sexual prejudice among pre-service teachers in one teacher preparation program and relates sexual prejudice to teacher demographic characteristics.
THEORY OF TRANSIENT OPTICAL NONLINEARITIES IN SEMICONDUCTORS

A theory of femtosecond transient optical nonlinearities in semiconductors is presented and evaluated to describe the coherent transmission oscillations and the optical Stark effect of the exciton.
Introduction: Villains and victims: Excavating the moral panics of sexuality

The now-infamous case of the “West Memphis Three”—three young men who faced life imprisonment after allegedly murdering three young boys in West Memphis, Arkansas in 1993—reveals the potential danger, volatility, and impact of the moral panics of sexuality. Faced with the devastation of finding three boys tied up and drowned in a nearby drainage ditch, the townspeople, police officials, and legal counsel constructed an elaborate story with all the elements of a moral panic: Satanic witchcraft, sexual torture and mutilation, and violent teenage masculinity. In reality, of course, the men faced eighteen years of imprisonment for a crime they did not commit. The so-called Satanic rituals never happened, the “sexual torture” had been committed by a group of turtles living in the ditch, and the supposedly violent men had never even spoken to the boys. The likely perpetrator, a stepfather visible in plain sight the entire time, had gone free, aided by the whirlwind of decades-long sexual panic (West of Memphis 2012). The town had, as Gayle Rubin warned, become “dangerously crazy about sexuality.”