cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Hepatic arterial chemoembolization for management of metastatic melanoma.

OBJECTIVE. Hepatic arterial chemoembolization is an accepted therapy for stage 4 melanoma with liver-dominant metastasis. However, the reports of outcomes are limited. We present our outcomes with hepatic arterial chemoembolization for metastasis of stage 4 melanoma.MATERIALS AND METHODS. Twenty patients with liver-dominant metastasis of ocular or cutaneous melanoma were treated with hepatic arterial chemoembolization. Overall survival and progression-free survival rates were calculated from the first treatment. Patients with intrahepatic tumor progression were treated with additional hepatic arterial chemoembolization. Both overall survival and progression-free survival were analyzed with the Kaplan-Meier method. Tumor pattern on angiography was characterized as either nodular or infiltrative on the basis of angiographic appearance.RESULTS. The 20 patients underwent 46 hepatic arterial chemoembolization sessions (mean, 2.4 sessions; range, 1-5). The mean and median overall survival times were 334 ± 71 an...
Integration within Polygonal Finite Elements

Engineering mechanics formulations of aerospace industry problems overwhelmingly rely upon spatial averaging techniques. Crucial applications in the area of dynamic response analysis and stochastic estimation of material degradation can be cited as important cases. Integration procedures on finite domains underlie physically acceptable averaging processes. Unlike one-dimensional cases, integrals within arbitrary areas and volumes cannot be approximated by a Gaussian form of numerical quadrature. Here the divergence theorem is applied once and twice, respectively, for polygonal and polyhedral integration domains, to construct integrals on boundary wireframes. The sum of Gaussian quadrature values on linear segments of the wireframe yields the final result of numerical integration on a finite element.
Sensing liquid properties with thickness-shear mode resonators

Abstract The responses of smooth- and textured-surface thickness-shear mode (TSM) resonators in liquid are examined. Smooth devices, which viscously entrain a layer of contacting liquid, exhibit a response that depends on the product of liquid density and viscosity. Textured-surface devices, which also trap liquid in surface crevices, pores, etc., exhibit an additional response that depends on liquid density alone. Combining smooth- and textured-surface resonators in a monolithic sensor enables the liquid density and viscosity to be extracted simultaneously.
Dispersion of Channel Gas Black in Rubber. Effect of Stearic Acid and Other So-called Dispersing Agents

Abstract THE completeness of wetting of carbon black by rubber, the consequent state of dispersion of the black, and the effect of the surface forces in the development of reenforcement of the rubber have been the subjects of much deliberation and experimentation. Of special interest has been the effect of stearic acid upon the dispersing power of rubber for carbon black. On the basis of Green's observation (6) that the dispersion of zinc oxide which had previously flocculated in kerosene resulted in a pronounced softening of the mixture, Goodwin and Park (5) concluded that stearic acid has little effect upon the dispersion of carbon black in rubber. They pointed out that stearic acid has a slight softening action in uncured stock and in cured stock containing no zinc oxide, and that the addition of fatty acid to a stock containing no zinc oxide affects its physical properties adversely. Although they considered that these facts furnished slight indications of a dispersing effect by the stearic acid, thes...
On the Creation of Pairs or Positrons by Fast Electrons

By means of the cloud chamber a search was made for the creation of pairs or positrons by electrons of energies between one and 12 Mev, in air, mica, lead and platinum. A total of 2588 traversals of electrons through solid materials, and a total track length of 628 meters in air were examined. The abnormally large cross section for the process, as reported in numerous papers by other workers, was not confirmed. The data found point toward agreement with the theoretical calculations. A test for an anomaly at the threshold (one Mev) was not attempted, because of the difficulty of making a decisive experiment in a cloud chamber under conditions in which the pairs formed would have very small energy. A resum\'e of the literature on the subject of pair and positron formation by electrons, and a rather full discussion of the possibilities for error in the experimental method are given.
Angioscopic valvulotomy: evaluation of a new miniaturized prototype.

This study compares valvulotomy performed by a new experimental instrument delivered through the angioscope with the standard technique used in the in situ arterial bypass procedure. Eighteen mongrel dogs (approximately 20 kg) were anesthetized and both femoral veins were exposed from the groin to the knee. A 2.5-mm-external-diameter angioscope was passed through the medial saphenous vein to just below the proximal superficial femoral vein valve. Under direct vision, an experimental valvulotome passed through one of the angioscope ports cut the valve leaflets. In the contralateral limb, a Mills valvulotome was inserted in the same fashion and blindly cut the valve. Operative time was recorded and difficulties were noted. Bilateral ascending lower limb venography, animal sacrifice, and removal of the vein segment containing the area of previous valvulotomy for gross and histologic study were performed immediately (n = 3), and at 2 (n = 3), 7 (n = 3), 21 (n = 4), and 42 (n = 5) days after valvulotomy. In each case, both techniques had cut the valve leaflets by visual and histologic evaluation. It took significantly longer to perform the operative procedure with the angioscope (8.0 +/- 3.7 min) than with the Mills valvulotome (0.8 +/- 0.4 min) (P less than or equal to .001, Student's ttest). There was no difference in the patency of the venous system by venographic study but evaluation for a histologically normal venous system was more common with the Mills technique. The angioscopic technique demonstrated 8 of 18 samples to be histologically normal versus 14 of 18 by the Mills technique (P less than or equal to .05, chi-square test). Both techniques are effective in valve leaflet incision. The new angioscope device is more technically demanding (e.g., operative time) and may be more traumatic (e.g., histologic study). However, a gross estimation of luminal damage (venography) does not find the angioscopic method more thrombogenic. The new angioscopically directed device for venous valvulotomy does function effectively. However, adaptation to the in situ bypass technique to replace present angioscopic methods or blind valvulotomy methods requires an appraisal of just what degree of intraluminal trauma is permissible before the risks outweigh the possible benefits.
The receptor with high affinity for IgE on rat mast cells is a functional receptor for rat IgG2a.

Abstract Rat mast cells express high-affinity receptors for IgE (Fcϵ RI) and low-affinity receptors for IgG (Fcγ R). In this study, the capacity of IgG to activate the rat basophilic leukemia (RBL-2H3) and rat peritoneal mast cells was investigated. Immune complexes formed with purified rat IgG and antigen as well as chemically cross-linked rat IgG induced histamine release from RBL-H3 cells. This stimulation was inhibited by pre-incubation of the cells with saturating concentrations of monomeric IgE. With chemically cross-linked rat IgG of each subclass, only IgG2a stimulated histamine release from RBL-2H3 cells and this release was also inhibited by prior saturation of the Fcϵ RI with monomeric IgE. Identical results were obtained with rat peritoneal mast cells. In binding experiments, IgE and cross-linked rat IgG2a bound to rat Fcϵ RI transfected into CHO cells. Monomeric rat IgG2a, cross-linked rat IgG1, IgG2b, IgG2c and rabbit IgG did not bind to Fcϵ RI. Stimulation of RBL-2H3 cells with aggregated IgG2a induced phosphorylation of tyrosines in the β and γ subunits of the Fcϵ RI. Thus, although RBL-2H3 and rat peritoneal mast cells have Fcγ R, the IgG-mediated stimulation of these cells for histamine release was by the Fcϵ RI. Altogether, these data demonstrate that the rat Fcϵ RI is a functional receptor with low affinity for rat IgG2a.
Breakdown of the regulatory control of pyrimidine biosynthesis in human breast cancer cells

The activity of the de novo pyrimidine biosynthetic pathway in the MCF7 breast cancer cells was 4.4-fold higher than that in normal MCF10A breast cells. Moreover, while pyrimidine biosynthesis in MCF10A was tightly regulated, increasing as the culture matured and subsequently down-regulated in confluency, the biosynthetic rate in MCF7 cells remained elevated and invariant in all growth phases. The flux through the pathway is regulated by carbamoyl phosphate synthetase, a component of the multifunctional protein, CAD. The intracellular CAD concentration was 3.5- to 4-fold higher in MCF7 cells, an observation that explains the high rate of pyrimidine biosynthesis but cannot account for the lack of growth-dependent regulation. In MCF10A cells, up-regulation of the pathway in the exponential growth phase resulted from MAP kinase phosphorylation of CAD Thr456. The pathway was subsequently down-regulated by dephosphorylation of P approximately Thr456 and the phosphorylation of CAD by PKA. In contrast, the CAD P approximately Thr456 was persistently phosphorylated in MCF7 cells, while the PKA site remained unphosphorylated and consequently the activity of the pathway was elevated in all growth phases. In support of this interpretation, inhibition of MAP kinase in MCF7 cells decreased CAD P approximately Thr456, increased PKA phosphorylation and decreased pyrimidine biosynthesis. Conversely, transfection of MCF10A with constructs that elevated MAP kinase activity increased CAD P approximately Thr456 and the pyrimidine biosynthetic rate. The differences in the CAD phosphorylation state responsible for unregulated pyrimidine biosynthesis in MCF7 cells are likely to be a consequence of the elevated MAP kinase activity and the antagonism between MAP kinase- and PKA-mediated phosphorylations.
Spare sharing network enhancement for scalable systems

Future systems based on nano-scale devices will provide great potentials for scaling up in system complexity, yet at the same time be highly susceptible to operational faults. While spare units can be used to enhance reliability through the repair-based approaches, redundancy is most effectively utilized if any spare unit can be used to replace any faulty unit. However, such a scheme demands a fully connected network of spare sharing, and will be dreadfully expensive when system size and complexity scale up. In this paper, we focus on scalable systems with spare units shared under interconnect constraints in a limited way. Particularly, we propose an approach to add a small number of connections in the “spare sharing network” to boost system reliability. The proposed methodology identifies and connects the vulnerable units to the exploitable spares, thus strengthening the entire system at low cost. Simulation results confirm that the proposed methodology boosts reliability at the small cost of a few additional interconnections.
Motility and Fertility during Post-Thawing Storage of Bovine Spermatozoa Frozen Concentrated, Thawed, and Re-Extended

Summary Twenty ejaculates of semen from 17 dairy bulls were extended to contain 200×10 6 and 20×10 6 sperm per milliliter in yolk citrate and whole milk extenders and frozen with 7% glycerol. The semen frozen with 200×10 6 sperm per milliliter was re-extended, after thawing, to 20×10 6 sperm per milliliter in yolk citrate, whole milk, skimmilk, and CUE, and the motility of these semen samples wTas estimated during 72 hr of storage at 5C. Freezing semen with 200×10 6 sperm per milliliter resulted in significantly improved motilities (P The average 60- to 90-day nonreturn percentages for semen frozen with 200×10 6 sperm per milliliter and re-extended after thawing to 15×10 6 motile sperm per milliliter in yolk-citrate and CUE was 51.8 and 63.0%, respectively, as measured with a total of 2,062 inseminations made between 24 and 60 hr after thawing. The 63.0% for CUE did not significantly differ from the average of 66.5% for control frozen semen thawed immediately before 675 cows were inseminated (P>.05), but both of these values were significantly higher than the 51.8% for the semen re-extended in yolk citrate (P
Testing a multiple mediation model of Asian American college students' willingness to see a counselor.

Adapting the theory of reasoned action, the present study examined help-seeking beliefs, attitudes, andintent among Asian American college students ( N 110). A multiple mediation model was tested to seeif the relation between Asian values and willingness to see a counselor was mediated by attitudes towardseeking professional psychological help and subjective norm. A bootstrapping procedure was used to testthe multiple mediation model. Results indicated that subjective norm was the sole significant mediatorof the effect of Asian values on willingness to see a counselor. The findings highlight the importance ofsocial influences on help-seeking intent among Asian American college students.Keywords: Asian American, help-seeking attitudes, theory of reasoned action (TRA), social influenceson help-seeking
Alcohol-inducible cytochrome P-450 (P-450ALC).

Of the family of P-450 cytochromes occurring in rabbit liver microsomes, only isozyme 3 a (P-450ALC) is induced by alcohol administration and is effective in catalyzing the reaction: ethanol+02+NADPH+H+ → acetaldehyde +2H2O+NADP+. As judged by immuno-chemical quantitation, P-450ALC is also induced in the animals by other diverse agents, including imidazole, trichlorethylene, acetone, pyrazole, and isoniazid. Evidence has been obtained for the occurrence of a protein immuno-chemically related to P-450ALC in human liver microsomes and of a similar alcohol-inducible protein in the rat and in the normal and alcohol dehydrogenase-deficient deer-mouse. P-450ALC catalyzes the activation of foreign compounds such as acetaminophen, various nitrosamines, and carbon tetrachloride and is therefore believed to play an important role in the enhanced toxicity of these substances accompanying alcohol administration
Hemodynamic effects of duloxetine at supratherapeutic dosages

Background/Aims Hemodynamic effects of duloxetine, a potent dual inhibitor of serotonin and norepinephrine uptake, were evaluated in a study designed to definitively establish the absence of QT prolongation at supratherapeutic exposures. Methods Vital signs were collected in a multicenter, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, crossover study that enrolled 117 healthy women aged 19–74 years. Duloxetine dosages escalated from 60 mg BID to 200 mg BID. Supine and postural vital signs were monitored at baseline, prior to morning dosing, and at steady state. Results Initiation of duloxetine at 60 mg BID caused a 5–7 mmHg increase in supine systolic and diastolic blood pressures that remained stable despite continued dose-escalation. Supine heart rate also increased upon dosing with duloxetine 60 mg BID, but the increase was more gradual and dose-dependent, reaching 10–12 bpm above baseline levels by the end of the 200-mg BID dosing period. Dose-dependent postural changes occurred with duloxetine, which increased throughout dose escalation. Of 11 subjects who met predefined criteria for outliers, only 5 had associated symptoms. All vital signs returned to normal by 1–2 days after stopping the drug. Conclusions Supratherapeutic duloxetine exposures produce minor and generally asymptomatic changes in supine and postural vital signs. Some prehypertensive subjects may become hypertensive upon initial dosing with duloxetine, but this can be predicted from predose values. Clinical Pharmacology & Therapeutics (2005) 77, P27–P27; doi: 10.1016/j.clpt.2004.11.104
Use of an indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (elisa) in the detection of channel catfish, Ictalurus punctatus (Rafinesque), antibodies to Edwardsiella ictaluri

. The use of an indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (elisa) for the detection of channel catfish antibody to Edwardsiella ictaluri is described. Changes in agglutination titre in fish immunized with Edwardsiella ictaluri heat killed whole bacterins or lipopolysaccharides were reflected by corresponding changes in elisa readings. Relatively high correlations were observed among elisa OD readings, computed elisa titres and corresponding agglutination titres.
The Maquiladora industry, adverse environmental impact, and proposed solutions

Although border environmental problems emanate from a variety of sources, this article focuses on the problems arizing from toxic materials used in the maquiladora industry, and disposal of the resultant wastes. It is not always possible to trace the sources of hazardous wastes that are improperly and illegally disposed, but the structure of the maquiladora industry may indicate the extent of its involvement in the problem. Certain accounts of the maquiladora industry show it as having four predominant sectors: with 27.8 percent consisting of electric/electronics, 15 percent textiles and apparel, 13.4 percent furniture, and 8.4 percent transportation, mainly autos and auto components (U.S. International Trade Commission 1990:5-14.) Moody's Investors Service highlights two of these industry sectors (autos and electronics) as being among those in peril in the 1990s because of stricter environmental regulations ( El Paso Times 30 April 1991). Additionally, some statistical evidence can be gleaned from manifests filed in response to government regulations requiring returns of hazardous wastes to their country of origin. So it is not surprising that anecdotal evidence of unsafe disposal has led to fears regarding continuing environmental endangerment.
Zero-temperature phase transitions of an antiferromagnetic Ising model of general spin on a triangular lattice

We map the ground-state ensemble of antiferromagnetic Ising model of spin-S on a triangular lattice to an interface model whose entropic fluctuations are proposed to be described by an effective Gaussian free energy, which enables us to calculate the critical exponents of various operators in terms of the stiffness constant of the interface. Monte Carlo simulations for the ground-state ensemble utilizing this interfacial representation are performed to study both the dynamical and the static properties of the model. This method yields more accurate numerical results for the critical exponents. By varying the spin magnitude in the model, we find that the model exhibits three phases with a Kosterlitz-Thouless phase transition at ${\mathrm{S}}_{\mathrm{KT}}$2 and a locking phase transition at ${\mathrm{S}}_{\mathrm{L}}$\ensuremath{\leqslant}3. The phase diagram at finite temperatures is also discussed.
An Experimental Study of Electrorheological Fluid Flow Through a Packed Bed of Glass Beads

This paper shows that pressure drop-flow rate performance of an electrorheological (ER) fluid flowing through a packed bed of glass beads is consistent with a modified Ergun equation for yield stress flow through a packed bed. ER fluids are of scientific and engineering interest due to the sensitivity of their rheological properties on the applied electric field. As far as we know ER fluids have not been studied for flows through porous media. In this work a silica particle–silicone oil suspension is pumped through a rectangular packed bed of glass beads with applied electric fields. The silica particles are observed to form fibrous structures parallel to the electric field that stretch between the beads and extend between the electrodes. The pressure drop-flow rate performance agrees well with the expected performance calculated from a modified Ergun equation for a yield stress fluid flow through the packed bed with the viscosity and yield stress as functions of the applied electric field.
Real-time rendering systems in 2010

We present a case for future real-time rendering systems that support non-physically-correct global illumination techniques by using ray tracing visibility algorithms, by integrating scene management with rendering, and by executing on general-purpose single-chip parallel hardware (CMP's). We explain why this system design is desireable and why it is feasible. We also discuss some of the research questions that must be addressed before such a system can become practical.
Woman in Nineteenth-Century America

The political use of Woman as a universal category, transcending social divisions, has fallen into disrepute. Yet it is necessary, in looking at gender history, to understand not just its obfuscations but its sources and political effects. The essay proposes an intellectual and political history of the uses of the term Woman and a social history of the heterogeneous mixtures of women from different social groups who seized the term and gave it force. Discussing recent scholarship on white and Afro-American women, Stansell argues for the importance of moments of extravagant universalising to the history of women in politics.
Alcohol, Drugs and Violent Crime

The purpose of this paper is to examine the relationship between alcohol and illegal drug regulation, and the incidence of criminal violence in a nationally representative sample of individuals in the United States. The data come from the 1992, 1993 and 1994 National Crime Victimization Surveys. Violence is measured by physical assault, rape/sexual assault, robbery, and alcohol- or drug-involved violent crimes. Results from the preferred specifications indicate that higher beer taxes decrease the probability of assault and alcohol- or drug-involved assault, but not rape or robbery. Higher cocaine prices are associated with lower probabilities of assaults and robberies. States which are classified as decriminalized for marijuana tend to have higher probabilities of assault and robbery, although an alternative measure of the penalty for possession of marijuana, longer jail sentences, confirms the penalty effect only for assault.
High dose rate brachytherapy boost for prostate cancer: a systematic review.

Studies of dose-escalated external beam radiation therapy (EBRT) and low dose rate brachytherapy (LDR-BT) have shown excellent rates of tumor control and cancer specific survival. Moreover, LDR-BT combined with EBRT (i.e. “LDR-BT boost”) is hypothesized to improve local control. While phase II trials with LDR-BT boost have produced mature data of outcomes and toxicities, high dose rate (HDR)-BT has been growing in popularity as an alternative boost therapy. Boost from HDR-BT has theoretical advantages over LDR-BT, including improved cancer cell death and better dose distribution from customization of catheter dwell times, locations, and inverse dose optimization. Freedom from biochemical failure rates at five years for low-, intermediate-, high-risk, and locally advanced patients have generally been 85–100%, 80–98%, 59–96%, and 34–85%, respectively. Late Radiation Therapy Oncology Group grade 3–4 toxicities have also been encouraging with <6% of patients experiencing any toxicity. Limitations of current HDR-BT boost studies include reports of only single-institution experiences, and unrefined reports of toxicity or patient quality of life. Comparative effectiveness research will help guide clinicians in selecting the most appropriate treatment option for individual patients based on risk-stratification, expected outcomes, toxicities, quality of life, and cost.
Crystalline phase development during vacuum conversion of thin barium fluoride precursor films on metallic substrates

Abstract In situ X-ray diffraction has been used to study the conversion of ∼3000 A thick, evaporated barium fluoride precursor films to YBCO on buffered metal substrates for a range of conversion time, ramp rate, water vapor pressure, oxygen pressure, and temperature. All films were taken from the same continuously processed tape. Critical current densities as high as 1.34 MA/cm 2 have been obtained for a precursor reaction rate of 2.0 A/s. Higher reaction rates (up to 17 A/s) lead to lower critical current densities and incompletely developed YBCO. The reaction rate increases with increasing P H 2 O , increasing T , and decreasing P O 2 . The reaction rate increases linearly with increasing P H 2 O for the range of pressures used here (0.0125–5.0 mTorr). The formation of non-epitaxial YBCO is generally associated with lower T and higher reaction rate, whereas the formation of barium cerate, which results from a reaction of the precursor and the CeO 2 -capped substrate, is generally associated with higher T and lower reaction rate. General trends in the formation of crystalline phases during conversion may serve as a baseline for development of higher rate conversion processing for thicker, higher performance YBCO.
Estimation of Rainfall Interstation Correlation

Abstract This study discusses questions of estimating correlation coefficient of point rainfall as observed at two measuring stations. The focus is on issues such as sensitivity to sample size, extreme rain events, and distribution of rainfall. The authors perform extensive analysis based on a two-point data-driven rainfall model that simulates the intermittence and extreme variability of rainfall using a bivariate mixed-lognormal distribution. The study examines the commonly used product–moment estimator along with an alternative transformation-based estimator. The results show a high level of bias and variance of the traditional correlation estimator, which are caused mostly by significant skewness levels that characterize rainfall observations. Application using data from a high-density cluster indicated the advantages of using the alternative estimator. The overall aim of the study is to draw the attention of researchers working with rainfall to some commonly disregarded issues when they seek accurate...
A framework for knowledge discovery and evolution in databases

A concept for knowledge discovery and evolution in databases is described. The key issues include: using a database query to discover new rules; using not only positive examples (answer to a query), but also negative examples to discover new rules; and harmonizing existing rules with the new rules. A tool for characterizing the exceptions in databases and evolving knowledge as a database evolves is developed. >
Grounding spatial prepositions for video search

Spatial language video retrieval is an important real-world problem that forms a test bed for evaluating semantic structures for natural language descriptions of motion on naturalistic data. Video search by natural language query requires that linguistic input be converted into structures that operate on video in order to find clips that match a query. This paper describes a framework for grounding the meaning of spatial prepositions in video. We present a library of features that can be used to automatically classify a video clip based on whether it matches a natural language query. To evaluate these features, we collected a corpus of natural language descriptions about the motion of people in video clips. We characterize the language used in the corpus, and use it to train and test models for the meanings of the spatial prepositions "to," "across," "through," "out," "along," "towards," and "around." The classifiers can be used to build a spatial language video retrieval system that finds clips matching queries such as "across the kitchen."
Calcium regulation of sodium hypersensitivities of sos3 and athkt1 mutants.

T-DNA disruption mutations in the AtHKT1 gene have previously been shown to suppress the salt sensitivity of the sos3 mutant. However, both sos3 and athktl single mutants show sodium (Na + ) hypersensitivity. In the present study we further analyzed the underlying mechanisms for these non-additive and counteracting Na + sensitivities by characterizing athktl-1 sos3 and athktl-2 sos3 double mutant plants. Unexpectedly, mature double mutant plants grown in soil clearly showed an increased Na + hypersensitivity compared with wild-type plants when plants were subjected to salinity stress. The salt sensitive phenotype of athktl sos3 double mutant plants was similar to that of athktl plants, which showed chlorosis in leaves and stems. The Na + content in xylem sap samples of soil-grown athktl sos3 double and athktl single mutant plants showed dramatic Na + overaccumulation in response to salinity stress. Salinity stress analyses using basic minimal nutrient medium and Murashige-Skoog (MS) medium revealed that athktl sos3 double mutant plants show a more athktl single mutant-like phenotype in the presence of 3 mM external Ca 2 + , but show a more sos3 single mutant-like phenotype in the presence of 1 mM external Ca 2 + . Taken together multiple analyses demonstrate that the external Ca 2 + concentration strongly impacts the Na + stress response of athktl sos3 double mutants. Furthermore, the presented findings show that SOS3 and AtHKT1 are physiologically distinct major determinants of salinity resistance such that sos3 more strongly causes Na + overaccumulation in roots, whereas athktl causes an increase in Na + levels in the xylem sap and shoots and a concomitant Na + reduction in roots.
Homography-based change detection for space-based satellite inspection

In order to maintain space situational awareness, it is necessary to maintain surveillance of objects in Earth orbit. A system of space-based imaging sensors could make much more detailed inspections of the existing resident space objects (RSOs). However, in order to preserve bandwidth, it is desirable to send the groundstation only a subset of all images which are taken by the inspection system. This paper presents a change detection algorithm which can detect changes in the appearance of an RSO. A new inspection image is compared to a previously taken base image. In each image, the translation vector and rotation matrix between the camera and the RSO, or pose, is slightly different. Assuming that the points making up each image of the RSO are within a single plane, it is possible to generate a planar homography which is a linear mapping between the two images. The homography is used to estimate the rotation and translation between the camera coordinate systems. This knowledge can be used to warp the inspection image so that it appears as though it was taken from the same coordinate system as the base image. Finally, basic morphological image processing and image thresholding techniques are used to perform change detection. The algorithm was evaluated by applying it to raytraced inspection images exhibiting varying lighting and pose conditions. Simulation results show that the algorithm can reliably detect damage to the RSO or the rendezvous of a suspicious object.
Pervasive genetic hitchhiking and clonal interference in forty evolving yeast populations

Whole-genome whole-population sequencing is used to examine the dynamics of genome-sequence evolution in Saccharomyces cerevisiae populations for 1,000 generations; this reveals patterns of sequence evolution driven by pervasive genetic hitchhiking and interference, and shows that beneficial mutations that escape drift and increase in frequency typically occur in cohorts. Lateral gene transfer through genetic hitchhiking and clonal interference are known to contribute to evolutionary outcomes in laboratory evolution experiments. However, the role of these phenomena in determining the dynamics of genome sequence evolution remains to be determined. This study examines in detail the long-term dynamics of genome evolution in 40 experimental yeast populations. Results demonstrate the pervasive importance of clonal interference and hitchhiking at the genomic sequence level across many replicate populations. In addition, beneficial mutations that escape drift and increase in frequency typically travel through populations in clusters. The dynamics of adaptation determine which mutations fix in a population, and hence how reproducible evolution will be. This is central to understanding the spectra of mutations recovered in the evolution of antibiotic resistance1, the response of pathogens to immune selection2,3, and the dynamics of cancer progression4,5. In laboratory evolution experiments, demonstrably beneficial mutations are found repeatedly6,7,8, but are often accompanied by other mutations with no obvious benefit. Here we use whole-genome whole-population sequencing to examine the dynamics of genome sequence evolution at high temporal resolution in 40 replicate Saccharomyces cerevisiae populations growing in rich medium for 1,000 generations. We find pervasive genetic hitchhiking: multiple mutations arise and move synchronously through the population as mutational ‘cohorts’. Multiple clonal cohorts are often present simultaneously, competing with each other in the same population. Our results show that patterns of sequence evolution are driven by a balance between these chance effects of hitchhiking and interference, which increase stochastic variation in evolutionary outcomes, and the deterministic action of selection on individual mutations, which favours parallel evolutionary solutions in replicate populations.
Hyaluronan digestion controls DC migration from the skin

The breakdown and release of hyaluronan (HA) from the extracellular matrix has been hypothesized to act as an endogenous signal of injury. To test this hypothesis, we generated mice that conditionally overexpressed human hyaluronidase 1 (HYAL1). Mice expressing HYAL1 in skin either during early development or by inducible transient expression exhibited extensive HA degradation, yet displayed no evidence of spontaneous inflammation. Further, HYAL1 expression activated migration and promoted loss of DCs from the skin. We subsequently determined that induction of HYAL1 expression prior to topical antigen application resulted in a lack of an antigenic response due to the depletion of DCs from the skin. In contrast, induction of HYAL1 expression concurrent with antigen exposure accelerated allergic sensitization. Administration of HA tetrasaccharides, before or simultaneously with antigen application, recapitulated phenotypes observed in HYAL1-expressing animals, suggesting that the generation of small HA fragments, rather than the loss of large HA molecules, promotes DC migration and subsequent modification of allergic responses. Furthermore, mice lacking TLR4 did not exhibit HA-associated phenotypes, indicating that TLR4 mediates these responses. This study provides direct evidence that HA breakdown controls the capacity of the skin to present antigen. These events may influence DC function in injury or disease and have potential to be exploited therapeutically for modification of allergic responses.
Methods for Casting Subterranean Ant Nests

The study of subterranean ant nests has been impeded by the difficulty of rendering their structures in visible form. Here, several different casting materials are shown to make perfect casts of the underground nests of ants. Each material (dental plaster, paraffin wax, aluminum, zinc) has advantages and limitations, which are discussed. Some of the materials allow the recovery of the ants entombed in the casts, allowing a census of the ants to be connected with features of their nest architecture. The necessary equipment and procedures are described in the hope that more researchers will study this very important aspect of ant natural history.
Quantifying hydrogen peroxide in iron-containing solutions using leuco crystal violet

Hydrogen peroxide is present in many natural waters and wastewaters. In the presence of Fe(II), this species decomposes to form hydroxyl radicals, that are extremely reactive. Hence, in the presence of Fe(II), hydrogen peroxide is difficult to detect because of its short lifetime. Here, we show an expanded use of a hydrogen peroxide quantification technique using leuco crystal violet (LCV) for solutions of varying pH and iron concentration. In the presence of the biocatalyst peroxidase, LCV is oxidized by hydrogen peroxide, forming a colored crystal violet ion (CV+), which is stable for days. The LCV method uses standard equipment and allows for detection at the low microM concentration level. Results show strong pH dependence with maximum LCV oxidation at pH 4.23. By chelating dissolved Fe(II) with EDTA, hydrogen peroxide can be stabilized for analysis. Results are presented for hydrogen peroxide quantification in pyrite–water slurries. Pyrite–water slurries show surface area dependent generation of hydrogen peroxide only in the presence of EDTA, which chelates dissolved Fe(II). Given the stability of CV+, this method is particularly useful for field work that involves the detection of hydrogen peroxide.
Pulsed-waveguide laser

A pulsed-waveguide CO 2 laser is described for which no electronic pulser is required because the discharge properties of the waveguide laser and the external resistance and capacitance form a relaxation oscillator. Peak powers of 15 W were obtained at repetition rates up to 20 kHz for the 10-cm discharge.
On the adjacent equilibrium method in the stability theory of conservative elastic continua

Abstract The relationship of the adjacent equilibrium method, the regular perturbation method and the energy method for neutral equilibrium is studied. It is shown that unlike the adjacent equilibrium method, the regular perturbation method yields, for the problems under consideration, non-homogeneous perturbation equations and that adjacent states of equilibrium do not exist at the bifurcation point. These results are then compared with the result of the energy criterion for neutral equilibrium V2[u] = 0. It is found that although the physical arguments are different in the three methods, the resulting stability equations are identical; thus showing why the adjacent equilibrium argument, even for cases when it is incorrect, yields correct critical loads. This is followed by a discussion of an incorrect derivation of a stability condition and a notion about a load type introduced in the stability literature, which are consequences of the assumption of the general existence of adjacent equilibrium states at bifurcation points.
Dwarfism in Diverse Genetic Backgrounds 3. Effects of Dietary Protein

Abstract The relationship between dietary protein and the sex-linked dwarf gene, dw, was examined in lines of chickens selected bidirectionally for high and low eight-week body weight. The feeding of diets containing 18, 23, and 28% crude protein did not significantly influence either body size or egg production traits in any of the populations studied. It was concluded that previously documented dietary effects on these traits were not the result of differences in crude protein.
Functional Interaction of CCR4-NOT Proteins With TATAA-Binding Protein (TBP) and Its Associated Factors in Yeast

The CCR4-NOT transcriptional regulatory complex affects expression of a number of genes both positively and negatively. We report here that components of the CCR4-NOT complex functionally and physically interact with TBP and TBP-associated factors. First, mutations in CCR4-NOT components suppressed the his4-912delta insertion in a manner similar to that observed for the defective TBP allele spt15-122. Second, using modified HIS3 promoter derivatives containing specific mutations within the TATA sequence, we found that the NOT proteins were general repressors that disrupt TBP function irrespective of the DNA sequence. Third, increasing the dosage of NOT1 specifically inhibited the ability of spt15-122 to suppress the his4-912delta insertion but did not affect the Spt- phenotype of spt3 or spt10 at this locus. Fourth, spt3, spt8, and spt15-21 alleles (all involved in affecting interaction of SPT3 with TBP) suppressed ccr4 and caf1 defects. Finally, we show that NOT2 and NOT5 can be immunoprecipitated by TBP. NOT5 was subsequently shown to associate with TBP and TAFs and this association was dependent on the integrity of TFIID. These genetic and physical interactions indicate that one role of the CCR4-NOT proteins is to inhibit functional TBP-DNA interactions, perhaps by interacting with and modulating the function of TFIID.
Making sustainability accountable: a valuation model for corporate performance

Corporate Sustainability refers to business strategies that create long-term shareholder value while adding social and environmental values to external stakeholders as well. Reviews from current research work show that there is a critical need for a quantitative method to evaluate business sustainability performance and incorporate it into company's management and decision-making processes. This research develops a valuation model to account the values and costs of corporate sustainability strategies in terms of economic prosperity, environmental quality and social justice. A sustainability index system is developed to assess the company's economic, environmental and social performance, as well as their interactions. An additive utility function combines all the indices in correspondence with the decision makers' value structure and examines how social and environmental investments impact a company's bottom line. A business case of an electronic company is studied to illustrate the implementation of the value model. This valuation model will shed valuable light on the accountability of external values and costs that are not captured by traditional financial methods.
Internal Rotation and Scapular Position Differences: A Comparison of Collegiate and High School Baseball Players

Abstract Context: Conditions such as labral and rotator cuff injuries have been linked with decreases in glenohumeral internal-rotation and increases in external-rotation motion. Also, decreased glenohumeral internal rotation is strongly associated with scapular dyskinesis. Objective: To compare healthy collegiate and high school baseball players' glenohumeral joint range of motion and scapular position. Design: Cross-sectional study. Setting: Institutional research laboratory. Patients or Other Participants: Thirty-one male National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I collegiate (age = 20.23 ± 1.17 years, height = 186.24 ± 5.73 cm, mass = 92.01 ± 7.68 kg) and 21 male high school baseball players (age = 16.57 ± 0.76 years, height = 180.58 ± 6.01 cm, mass = 79.09 ± 11.51 kg). Main Outcome Measure(s): Glenohumeral internal and external rotation and scapular upward rotation were measured with a digital inclinometer. Scapular protraction was measured with a vernier caliper. All variables ex...
DESCRIPTION OF A CULEX PIPIENS GYNANDROMORPH FROM NEW YORK CITY

Morphology and internal anatomy of a Culex pipiens L. bipolar gynandromorph that was collected on September 3, 2005 in a gravid trap at Springfield Park in the borough of Queens, New York City, NY is presented. The head of the mosquito possessed male palpi, compared to the rest of the body, which had female anatomical and morphological characteristics. The relation of morphological characteristics to physiological responses of the gynandromorph is discussed.
A network control theory approach to virus spread mitigation

The purpose of this article is to 1) introduce network control theory as a promising analytical tool in mitigating the spread of biological and computer viruses, and 2) advance the methodology for spread control to account for the constraints, variations, and heterogeneities that are ubiquitous in homeland-security applications.
Gastroenteritis in NF-κB-Deficient Mice Is Produced with Wild-Type Camplyobacter jejuni but Not with C. jejuni Lacking Cytolethal Distending Toxin despite Persistent Colonization with Both Strains

Campylobacter jejuni continues to be a leading cause of bacterial enteritis in humans. However, because there are no readily available animal models to study the pathogenesis of C. jejuni-related diseases, the significance of potential virulence factors, such as cytolethal distending toxin (CDT), in vivo are poorly understood. Mice deficient in NF-kappaB subunits (p50(-/-) p65(+/-)) in a C57BL/129 background are particularly susceptible to colitis induced by another enterohepatic microaerobe, Helicobacter hepaticus, which, like C. jejuni, produces CDT. Wild-type C. jejuni 81-176 and an isogenic mutant lacking CDT activity (cdtB mutant) were inoculated into NF-kappaB-deficient (3X) and C57BL/129 mice. Wild-type C. jejuni colonized 29 and 50% of the C57BL/129 mice at 2 and 4 months postinfection (p.i.), respectively, whereas the C. jejuni cdtB mutant colonized 50% of the C57BL/129 mice at 2 p.i. but none of the mice at 4 months p.i. Although the C57BL/129 mice developed mild gastritis and typhlocolitis, they had robust immunoglobulin G (IgG) and Th1-promoted IgG2a humoral responses to both the wild-type strain and the C. jejuni cdtB mutant. In contrast, 75 to 100% of the 3X mice were colonized with both the wild type and the C. jejuni cdtB mutant at similar levels at all times examined. Wild-type C. jejuni caused moderately severe gastritis and proximal duodenitis in 3X mice that were more severe than the gastrointestinal lesions caused by the C. jejuni cdtB mutant. Persistent colonization of NF-kappaB-deficient mice with the wild type and the C. jejuni cdtB mutant was associated with significantly impaired IgG and IgG2a humoral responses (P < 0.001), which is consistent with an innate or adaptive immune system defect(s). These results suggest that the mechanism of clearance of C. jejuni is NF-kappaB dependent and that CDT may have proinflammatory activity in vivo, as well as a potential role in the ability of C. jejuni to escape immune surveillance. NF-kappaB-deficient mice should be a useful model to further study the role of CDT and other aspects of C. jejuni pathogenesis.
Does the presence of non-breeders enhance the fitness of breeders? An experimental analysis in the clown anemonefish Amphiprion percula

The stability of animal societies depends on individuals’ decisions about whether to tolerate or evict others and about whether to stay or leave. These decisions, in turn, depend on individuals’ costs and benefits of living in the group. The clown anemonefish, Amphiprion percula, lives in groups composed of a breeding pair and zero to four non-breeders. To determine why breeders accept the presence of non-breeders in this species I investigated the effect of non-breeders on multiple components of the breeders’ fitness. Non-breeders did not assist breeders in any obvious way. Experimental removal of non-breeders had no significant effect on the survival, growth, or reproductive success of breeders. Experimental removal of one of the breeding pair showed that non-breeders had little effect on the time taken for a widowed breeder to recommence breeding. The results indicate that the presence of non-breeders neither enhances, nor reduces, the fitness of breeders in A. percula. I suggest that non-breeders might modulate their effect on the fitness of breeders, either by reducing the costs they inflict or by increasing the benefits they provide, such that it just pays breeders to tolerate, rather than to evict, them. This study illustrates that animal societies can be stable even when some individuals gain nothing from the association.
Criminality and Homeless Men: An Empirical Assessment

This paper examines the relationship between criminality and homelessness by tracking a random sample of homeless males through the police department records of a large Southwestern city over a 27-month period. When compared with data on criminality in the general population of males within the city over the same period, these data show that while the homeless have a higher overall arrest rate, the majority of offenses for which they are arrested are for public intoxication, followed by theft/shoplifting, violation of city ordinances, and burglary. The findings also suggest that criminality among homeless men varies with time on the streets and contact with the mental health system. Drawing on ethnographic data, these findings are explained in part in terms of criminalization, stigmatization, and adaptation processes. The findings challenge the depiction of homeless men as serious predatory criminals, and suggest a number of theoretical and policy implications.