cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Novel method to stratify elderly patients with head and neck cancer.

9534 Background: Head and neck cancer (HNC) patients are at high risk of death due to competing events. We hypothesized that a competing event (CE) modeling approach (ref: PMID 24969798), which is ...
Scholarly impact of student authorship on surgical research.

Abstract Background Student authorship (SA) in research utilizes the H-index (Hi), to measure scholarly impact. We analyzed SA rates over time in the Journal of the American College of Surgeons (JACS). Methods We compared Hi of corresponding authors (CA) for articles over time (2006, 2008, 2010, 2012, 2014), comparing those with (SA) and without (nSA) student authors. Results SA doubled over time (70–146; P = 0.02) as did first or second SA rates (21–44; P = 0.22). Mean and Median CA Hi were similar independent of SA involvement. The change in Hi for CAs in 2006, 2008 and 2010 to current Hi (2016) was similar for SA and nSA groups (2006: 22.4 vs. 20.7; 2008: 20.2 vs. 20.6; 2010: 19.2 vs. 18.3; all P > 0.05). Conclusions The number of SA in JACS publications is increasing, without detriment to CA scholarly advancement. Involving students in surgical research should be encouraged.
Innovations in Energy-Climate Education: Integrating Engineering and Social Sciences to Strengthen Resilience

Energy systems around the world are in the midst of major changes as renewable energy expands and related infrastructures and governance regimes adapt to a future with reduced reliance on fossil fuels. At the same time, human societies are also grappling with the consequences of an increasingly unstable and rapidly changing climate. The challenges and opportunities at the energy-climate nexus require educational innovations to more impactfully and effectively integrate engineering and social sciences to strengthen societal resilience.
Comparison of Different Classical, Semiclassical, and Quantum Treatments of Light–Matter Interactions: Understanding Energy Conservation

The optical response of an electronic two-level system (TLS) coupled to an incident continuous wave (cw) electromagnetic (EM) field is simulated explicitly in one dimension by the following five approaches: (i) the coupled Maxwell–Bloch equations, (ii) the optical Bloch equation (OBE), (iii) Ehrenfest dynamics, (iv) the Ehrenfest+R approach, and (v) classical dielectric theory (CDT). Our findings are as follows: (i) standard Ehrenfest dynamics predict the correct optical signals only in the linear response regime where vacuum fluctuations are not important; (ii) both the coupled Maxwell–Bloch equations and CDT predict incorrect features for the optical signals in the linear response regime due to a double-counting of self-interaction; (iii) by exactly balancing the effects of self-interaction versus the effects of quantum fluctuations (and insisting on energy conservation), the Ehrenfest+R approach generates the correct optical signals in the linear regime and slightly beyond, yielding, e.g., the correct ...
Computational Engineering Homogenisation of Steel Reinforced Concrete Plates

The main subject of the paper is the application of the homogenisation method to the analysis of the elastostatic problem for the steel reinforced concrete plate. The upper and lower bounds on the ...
Phycobilisomes Harbor FNR L in Cyanobacteria

ABSTRACT Cyanobacterial phycobilisomes (PBSs) are photosynthetic antenna complexes that harvest light energy and supply it to two reaction centers (RCs) where photochemistry starts. PBSs can be classified into two types, depending on the presence of allophycocyanin (APC): CpcG-PBS and CpcL-PBS. Because the accurate protein composition of CpcL-PBS remains unclear, we describe here its isolation and characterization from the cyanobacterium Synechocystis sp. strain 6803. We found that ferredoxin-NADP+ oxidoreductase (or FNRL), an enzyme involved in both cyclic electron transport and the terminal step of the electron transport chain in oxygenic photosynthesis, is tightly associated with CpcL-PBS as well as with CpcG-PBS. Room temperature and low-temperature fluorescence analyses show a red-shifted emission at 669 nm in CpcL-PBS as a terminal energy emitter without APC. SDS-PAGE and quantitative mass spectrometry reveal an increased content of FNRL and CpcC2, a rod linker protein, in CpcL-PBS compared to that of CpcG-PBS rods, indicative of an elongated CpcL-PBS rod length and its potential functional differences from CpcG-PBS. Furthermore, we combined isotope-encoded cross-linking mass spectrometry with computational protein structure predictions and structural modeling to produce an FNRL-PBS binding model that is supported by two cross-links between K69 of FNRL and the N terminus of CpcB, one component in PBS, in both CpcG-PBS and CpcL-PBS (cross-link 1), and between the N termini of FNRL and CpcB (cross-link 2). Our data provide a novel functional assembly form of phycobiliproteins and a molecular-level description of the close association of FNRL with phycocyanin in both CpcG-PBS and CpcL-PBS. IMPORTANCE Cyanobacterial light-harvesting complex PBSs are essential for photochemistry in light reactions and for balancing energy flow to carbon fixation in the form of ATP and NADPH. We isolated a new type of PBS without an allophycocyanin core (i.e., CpcL-PBS). CpcL-PBS contains both a spectral red-shifted chromophore, enabling efficient energy transfer to chlorophyll molecules in the reaction centers, and an increased FNRL content with various rod lengths. Identification of a close association of FNRL with both CpcG-PBS and CpcL-PBS brings new insight to its regulatory role for fine-tuning light energy transfer and carbon fixation through both noncyclic and cyclic electron transport.
Comparison of Costs of Radical Cystectomy vs Trimodal Therapy for Patients With Localized Muscle-Invasive Bladder Cancer

Importance Earlier studies on the cost of muscle-invasive bladder cancer treatments lack granularity and are limited to 180 days. Objective To compare the 1-year costs associated with trimodal therapy vs radical cystectomy, accounting for survival and intensity effects on total costs. Design, Setting, and Participants This population-based cohort study used the US Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results–Medicare database and included 2963 patients aged 66 to 85 years who had received a diagnosis of clinical stage T2 to T4a muscle-invasive bladder cancer from January 1, 2002, through December 31, 2011. The data analysis was performed from March 5, 2018, through December 4, 2018. Main Outcomes and Measures Total Medicare costs within 1 year of diagnosis following radical cystectomy vs trimodal therapy were compared using inverse probability of treatment–weighted propensity score models that included a 2-part estimator to account for intrinsic selection bias. Results Of 2963 participants, 1030 (34.8%) were women, 2591 (87.4%) were white, 129 (4.4%) were African American, and 98 (3.3%) were Hispanic. Median costs were significantly higher for trimodal therapy than radical cystectomy in 90 days ($83 754 vs $68 692; median difference, $11 805; 95% CI, $7745-$15 864), 180 days ($187 162 vs $109 078; median difference, $62 370; 95% CI, $55 581-$69 160), and 365 days ($289 142 vs $148 757; median difference, $109 027; 95% CI, $98 692-$119 363), respectively. Outpatient care, radiology, medication expenses, and pathology/laboratory costs contributed largely to the higher costs associated with trimodal therapy. On inverse probability of treatment–weighted adjusted analyses, patients undergoing trimodal therapy had $136 935 (95% CI, $122 131-$152 115) higher mean costs compared with radical cystectomy 1 year after diagnosis. Conclusions and Relevance Compared with radical cystectomy, trimodal therapy was associated with higher costs among patients with muscle-invasive bladder cancer. The differences in costs were largely attributed to medication and radiology expenses associated with trimodal therapy. Extrapolating cost figures resulted in a nationwide excess spending of $468 million for trimodal therapy compared with radical cystectomy for patients who received a diagnosis of bladder cancer in 2017.
An experimental study of the formation of collective memories in social networks

Abstract The psychological research on the formation of collective memories has explored how individuals come to hold similar memories following conversational interactions in social networks. These collective memories are dependent on both individual-level cognitive mechanisms as well as on the social influence exerted during people's conversations. Building on this work, we investigate the impact of the network structure of conversational interactions on the formation of collective memories in 16-member networks. We manipulate two parameters of conversational networks that were previously found to impact information diffusion in networks: network reachability and network clustering. We find that clustering significantly impacts the emerging collective memory, but reachability does not. Additionally, a participant's influence on the content of the network's collective memory depends on both their topological position in the network and on how early their conversations occur in the conversational network.
The Nationwide Landscape of K–12 School Websites in the United States: Systems, Services, Intended Audiences, and Adoption Patterns

This study sought to collect URLs (web addresses) of all K-12 schools in the United States (N = 98,477) and analyze website home page system and service data for all available U.S. institutional websites (n = 65,899). Building upon previous research related to Web 2.0 educational potentials, this first-of-its-kind study sought (a) to provide descriptive results of system and service adoption and website data for all schools in the United States and (b) to detect theorized differences based upon school demographics and service/system type (e.g., open source vs. proprietary). Results indicated that proprietary and purchased systems were much more common than free and open systems, that adoption patterns were generally not meaningfully influenced by demographic data (except for charter school status), and that K-12 institutional adoption of Web 2.0 seems to be more focused on educational uses of these tools that might not strictly be considered pedagogical (e.g., community outreach).
Von Willebrand factor A domain-containing protein 8 (VWA8) localizes to the matrix side of the inner mitochondrial membrane.

Abstract VWA8 is a poorly characterized mitochondrial AAA + ATPase protein. The specific submitochondrial localization of VWA8 remains unclear. The purpose of this study was to determine the specific submitochondrial compartment within which VWA8 resides in order to provide more insight into the function of this protein. Bioinformatics analysis showed that VWA8 has a 34 amino acid N-terminal Matrix-Targeting Signal (MTS) that is similar to those in proteins known to localize to the mitochondrial matrix. Experiments in C2C12 mouse myoblasts using confocal microscopy showed that deletion of the VWA8 MTS (vMTS) resulted in cytosolic, rather than mitochondrial, localization of VWA8. Biochemical analysis using differential sub-fractionation of mitochondria isolated from rat liver showed that VWA8 localizes to the matrix side of inner mitochondrial membrane, similar to the inner mitochondrial membrane protein Electron Transfer Flavoprotein-ubiquinone Oxidoreductase (ETFDH). The results of these experiments show that the vMTS is essential for localization to the mitochondrial matrix and that once there, VWA8 localizes to the matrix side of inner mitochondrial membrane.
Voice-driven modeling: software modeling using automated speech recognition

Voice-driven programming allows engineers to alleviate physical discomfort, pain, and injury. It also has the potential to be faster than typing and assist those with disabilities. While there are a number of solutions to voice-driven programming, Model-Driven Engineering (MDE) has yet to exploit this non-conventional but high-potential approach to software development. Standard convention in MDE practice involves creating software models using a traditional mouse and keyboard combination, or whiteboard sketch hardware. In this position paper, we introduce our vision and ideas for a Voice-Driven Modeling (VDM) approach. Our vision involves a framework that includes 3 phases: Speech Processing, Natural Language Processing, and Context Specific Modeling. We describe these 3 phases in this paper, which others can apply in their attempts to realize VDM. We additionally include our research plans for developing a VDM solution targeted at Simulink models and our early proof of concept capable of implementing several example commands. We establish the pertinence of this work through a survey that finds negligible work on VDM and highlights the potential impact this can have on the field of MDE as a whole. Specifically, it is our position that it can have a positive impact on modelers in general, modelers with disabilities, and domain experts not familiar with modeling. It is our hope that this work helps fuel research in this area, allowing for a new way to develop software models.
The synthesis and versatile reducing power of low-valent uranium complexes.

This Perspective provides a detailed overview of the chemistry of low-valent (di- and trivalent) uranium. The reactivity of uranium(II) and uranium(III) complexes is discussed both to illustrate the general types of reactions that might be expected and to highlight the many unusual modes of reactivity observed with this element. A particular emphasis is given to redox reactions with uranium(III) species, including reduction of small molecules, multi-electron reductions involving redox-active ligands, and formation of uranium–ligand multiple bonds. In addition, redox-neutral adduct formation with uranium(III) complexes as well as the current state of the young field of uranium(II) redox chemistry are also covered. Synthetic protocols to prepare a wide range of low-valent compounds are presented.
T Cells as Guardians of Pain Resolution

Despite successful research efforts aimed at understanding pain mechanisms, there is still no adequate treatment for many patients suffering from chronic pain. The contribution of neuroinflammation to chronic pain is widely acknowledged. Here, we summarize findings indicating that T cells play a key role in the suppression of pain. An active contribution of the immune system to resolution of pain may explain why immunosuppressive drugs are often not sufficient to control pain. This would also imply that dysregulation of certain immune functions promote transition to chronic pain. Conversely, stimulating the endogenous immune-mediated resolution pathways may provide a potent approach to treat chronic pain.
On the Global Existence for the Kuramoto-Sivashinsky Equation

We address the global existence of solutions for the 2D Kuramoto-Sivashinsky equations in a periodic domain $$[0,L_1]\times [0,L_2]$$ with initial data satisfying $$\Vert u_0\Vert _{L^2}\le C^{-1}L_2^{-2}$$ , where C is a constant. We prove that the global solution exists under the condition $$L_2\le 1/C L_1^{3/5}$$ , improving earlier results. The solutions are smooth and decrease energy until they are dominated by $$C L_1^{3/2}L_2^{1/2}$$ , implying the existence of an absorbing ball in $$L^2$$ .
Monoclonal Antibodies in the Study of Human Cancer

Immunization of mice with either intact cells or membrane preparations of cells from either human melanoma or colorectal carcinoma cultures resulted in the production of hybridomas after fusion of mouse splenocytes with mouse myeloma cells. Several species of antibodies secreted by these hybridomas reacted specifically with antigens either present on membranes of horaotypic tumors or, as in the case of anticolorectal antibodies, with antigens secreted by the tumor cells into the medium. Antibody-secreting hybridomas were also produced after Immunization of mice with cells obtained directly from either gastric carcinoma or colorectal carcinoma removed by surgical procedures. Antimolanoma antibody secreted by three clones of three hybridomas was found to recognize the DR antigen present on melanoma cells; normal and EB-transformed lymphocytes, Raji and HEP 2 cells. This antigen was expressed by cells of 12 out of 17 melanomas maintained in culture and 18 out of 28 melanomas tested within 10 culture days after surgical removal of the tumor. Some of the clones of melanomas did not react with the anti-DR hybridoma antibody. On immunoprecipitation of the DR antigen by the monoclonal antibodies from all the surfaces of melanoma cells labeled with 1125, two chains of molecular weight 31,000 (a chain) and 38,000 (B chain) were obtained on polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis.
Large N Expansions

In this chapter we will explore the critical properties of both the linear and nonlinear versions of the O(N) σ -model. By exploiting the simplifications that occur when N is large, we will show that, despite their formal differences, the two models are describing the same physics. This is an example of universality.
In vivo regulatory responses of four Escherichia coli operons which encode leucyl-tRNAs.

Abstract Four Escherichia coli operons, the leuV operon which encodes tRNA(1Leu), the leuX operon which encodes tRNA(6Leu), the metT operon which encodes tRNA(3Leu), and the argT operon which encodes tRNA(1Leu), were examined for the stringent response induced by serine hydroxamate and for growth rate-dependent regulation. In nuclease protection assays, the leuV operon displayed the stringent response in response to leucine starvation, analog inhibition, and growth of a temperature-sensitive leucyl-tRNA synthetase mutant at nonpermissive temperatures. The leuV operon also exhibited the stringent response in multicopy plasmids. The promoters of all four leucyl operons were fused to the gene for beta-galactosidase and inserted into the chromosome by using bacteriophage lambda. All except the leuX promoter displayed growth rate-dependent regulation, consistent with the recent report that the concentration of tRNA(6Leu) actually decreases as growth rate increases. The leuV promoter fused to the beta-galactosidase gene showed a decrease in efficiency in the presence of extrachromosomal copies of rRNA genes. All chromosomal tRNA genes examined showed decreased transcriptional activity following a stringent response, but the leuX gene responded to a lesser extent (3-fold versus 10-fold or more) than the others. Primer extension analysis of this promoter showed little if any response to serine hydroxamate treatment, suggesting that multiple levels of control may exist or that promoter context effects are important in regulation.
White privilege, juvenile justice, and criminal identities: a qualitative analysis of the perceptions and self-identification of incarcerated youth

This study examines in-depth interview data from thirty male juveniles incarcerated in a private correctional facility in the Midwest. Comparing the perceptions and experiences of 14 white male youth with 8 Native American, 4 black, and 4 Latino participants, white privilege was reflected in responses involving perceptions of the self as a ‘criminal’. Youth of all races described the effect of correctional facilities on their self-identification as a ‘criminal’ and youth of color were more likely than white youth to report the feeling that other community members viewed them as criminal before and after being arrested. Overall these findings demonstrate the ‘clean slate’ that white youth begin with compared to youth of color. Ultimately, time spent in a correctional facility appears to liken white youth’s perception of themselves as criminals to the self-identification of youth of color. Policy implications include implementing alternatives to incarceration, such as community service requirements to reint...
Data integration and knowledge discovery in life sciences

Recent advances in various forms of omics technologies have generated huge amount of data. To fully exploit these data sets that in many cases are publicly available, robust computational methodologies need to be developed to deal with the storage, integration, analysis, visualization, and dissemination of these data. In this paper, we describe some of our research activities in data integration leading to novel knowledge discovery in life sciences. Our multistrategy approach with integration of prior knowledge facilitates a novel means to identify informative genes that could have been missed by the commonly used methods. Our transcriptomics-proteomics integrative framework serves as a means to enhance the confidence of and also to complement transcriptomics discovery. Our new research direction in integrative data analysis of omics data is targeted to identify molecular associations to disease and therapeutic response signatures. The ultimate goal of this research is to facilitate the development of clinical test-kits for early detection, accurate diagnosis/prognosis of disease, and better personalized therapeutic management.
Control Moment Gyro Development and Test

Hardware characteristics of control moment gyro /CMG/, determining nonlinearity effects on performance by simulation
Sinus thrombectomy for purulent cerebral venous sinus thrombosis utilizing a novel combination of the Trevo stent retriever and the Penumbra ACE aspiration catheter: the stent anchor with mobile aspiration technique

Intracranial complications of sinusitis are rare but life threatening. We present a case of a 17-year-old woman with sinusitis who deteriorated over the course of 12 days from subdural empyema and global purulent cerebral venous sinus thrombosis. The patient was managed with surgery and mechanical thrombectomy utilizing a novel ‘stent anchor with mobile aspiration technique’, in which a Trevo stent retriever (Stryker) was anchored in the superior sagittal sinus (SSS) while a 5 MAX ACE reperfusion catheter (Penumbra) was passed back and forth from the SSS to the sigmoid sinus with resultant dramatic improvement in venous outflow. The patient was extubated on postoperative day 3 and was discharged with minimal lower extremity weakness on postoperative day 11. This is the first report using the Trevo stent retriever for sinus thrombosis. It is important to keep these rare complications in mind when evaluating patients with oral and facial infections.
Review and demonstration of ultra-low-emittance photocathode measurements

This paper reports the development of a simple and reliable apparatus for measuring ultra-low emittance, or equivalently the mean transverse energy from cryogenically cooled photocathodes. The existing methods to measure ultra-low emittance from photocathodes are reviewed. Inspired by the available techniques, we have implemented two complementary methods, the waist scan and voltage scan, in one system giving consistent results. Additionally, this system is capable of measuring the emittance at electric fields comparable to those obtained in DC photoinjectors.
Youth and traffic safety: The effects of driving age, experience, and education

This paper examines the effect of driving age, driving experience, and mandatory driver's education on traffic fatalities of youth. Data are examined for 47 states, nine years and for ages 15-17. It is found that the age of drivers is an important determinant of fatalities, and that the propensity toward fatalities is greater at younger ages. This age effect is not offset to any major degree by the lack of experience of new drivers at later ages.
Ascospore discharge in Pleospora herbarum (Pers.) Rabenh. (Dothideales) stimulated by near-ultraviolet radiation

An isolate of P. herbarum from beet seed failed to discharge ascospores in darkness but did so when exposed to light either continuously or cyclically (12 h light/12 h dark). When colonies with mature asci were subjected to a regime of alternating light and darkness for 54 days at a constant temperature of 20°C, ascospores were discharged over the entire period. Maximum discharge occurred on the 23rd day; few spores were liberated towards the end of the period. Light-induced spore discharge occurred over a wide temperature range (10–30°C) with the optimum being approximately 14–23°C. When light of different wavelengths (300 nm-infrared) was tested, only near-ultraviolet (310–330 nm) radiation stimulated ascospore discharge. Vertical height of ascospore discharge was also determined. When ascospores were trapped above colonies over a range of heights (2–80 mm), most spores were caught at 2 mm; none was caught at heights above 30 mm. The number of spores trapped at 30 mm was only 1.3% of the capture at 2 mm.
Cortical transplants reveal CNS trophic interactions in situ.

Abstract Five days after transplanting fetal rat posterior cortex into newborn host rats with posterior cortex lesions, the host's dorsal lateral geniculate nucleus (dLGN) contains 2–5 times as many neurons as the dLGN of lesion-only controls. This effect is temporary and restricted to neurons created later in dLGN neurogenesis. Similar transplants of cerebellar plate are ineffective. These findings suggest that intracranial transplants of CNS tissue can be a source of specific trophic support to particular host neurons.
Association between CYP3A5 and blood pressure in nigerian males

Background Recent data suggest that the Cytochrome P4503A5 (CYP3A5) genotype may play a role in hypertension in African-Americans (Givens R, et al., JAppl Physiol 2003; 95:1297–300). Data have also shown that CYP3A5 is expressed in the kidney and may play a role in renal sodium retention (Haehner BD, et al., Mol Pharmacol 1996; 50:52–59). Methods We determined the CYP3A5 genotype and measured blood pressure by manual sphygmomanometry in 105 Nigerian subjects. Genomic DNA was extracted from buccal washings. Each subject's age, height, weight, pulse rate, and blood pressure was recorded. Real Time-PCR was performed on the samples to determine the CYP3A5 genotype. Results 68% of the subjects were homozygous for the wild-type allele (*1/*1), 31% were heterozygous (*1/*3), and 1% were homozygous for the reduced-activity allele (*3/*3). The frequency distributions of the data are in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium (see Table). The study had greater than 80% power to detect a 5 mmHg or greater difference between groups with respect to blood pressure and no significant difference was detected. The *3/*3 group was not used for comparison since it contained only 1 subject. Conclusions A correlation between CYP3A5 genotype and blood pressure has previously been suggested in literature. However, in this study no significant difference was detected between homozygous (*1/*1) and heterozygous (*1/*3) groups for blood pressure or any other clinical parameter tested. Clinical Pharmacology & Therapeutics (2005) 77, P55–P55; doi: 10.1016/j.clpt.2004.12.099 Table 1. Average Clinical Results based on CYP3A5 genotype of 105 Nigerian males. The study had greater than 80 power to detect a 5 mmHg difference in blood pressure CYP3A5 Genotype Number of subjects (n = 106) Age Height (m ± SD) Weight (kg ± SD) Body Mass Index (BMI ± SD) Systolic Blood Pressure (mmHg ± SD) Diastalic Blood Pressure (mmHg ± SD) *1 *1 71 23.3 ± 2.7 1.72 ± 0.1 64.2 ± 10.4 21.6 ± 2.8 112 ± 15 72 ± 10 *1 *3 33 24.4 ± 2.6 1.71 ± 0.1 65.9 ± 13.1 22.3 ± 3.3 113 ± 11 72 ± 11 *3 *3 1 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A p-value for comparison of values between *1 *1 and *1 *3 groups 0.14 0.60 0.33 0.18 0.73 0.79
Diagnostic modalities for distant metastasis in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma: Are we changing life expectancy?

Objectives/Hypothesis: To determine if the various imaging modalities for distant metastasis (DM) diagnosis alters life expectancy in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). Study Design: Retrospective. Methods: One hundred seventy patients (mean age, 59.1 years; male:female, 135:35) with HNSCC who developed DM were reviewed. The main outcome measures were the method of DM diagnosis and time from DM diagnosis to death while controlling for clinical parameters (age, gender, tobacco status, primary tumor site, initial TNM classification, number and site of DM, administration of palliative chemotherapy). Results: Tumor subsites were: 40 oral cavity, 75 oropharynx, 36 larynx, 10 hypopharynx, one nasopharynx, and eight unknown primary. Of the patients, 16.5% (28/170) had distant metastasis at presentation; the remaining 142 patients were diagnosed with DM at a median of 324 days from diagnosis. Although patients diagnosed with DM by positron-emission tomography (PET) scan were more likely to have multiple DM sites (P = .0001), there were no differences in life expectancy in patients who were diagnosed with or without PET scan (median, 185 vs. 165 days, P = .833). There were no differences in life expectancy based on age, gender, site of primary tumor, or number/site of DM. The use of palliative chemotherapy resulted in a significantly longer life expectancy (median, 285 vs. 70 days; P = .001). Conclusions: Although a PET scan is more likely to diagnose multiple DM sites, there was no difference in life expectancy based on imaging modality. Patients who are symptomatic from their distant metastasis have a worse life expectancy, and palliative chemotherapy was able to increase life expectancy, even in patients who were symptomatic from the distant metastasis.
Historical Disturbance and Contemporary Floodplain Development along an Ozark River, Southwest Missouri

The James River Basin (3,770 km2) in the Ozark Plateaus of Missouri was largely settled by the 1850s. However, little is known about how it responded to and recovered from early land disturbance. This study characterizes the distribution and thickness of historical overbank sedimentation along the upper James River through topographic surveys, subsurface floodplain sediment sampling, and historical aerial photo analysis. Stratigraphic markers used for this study include buried soils, metal tracers from mining operations, and cesium-137. Between 0.5 and 1 m of overbank deposition occurred on floodplains since settlement, with the highest rates coinciding with peak corn production in the late 1800s. A contemporary shelf has been developing in disturbance reaches since the 1880s. However, aerial photo records show that much of the channel has been stable since the 1950s. Current channel capacity at the floodplain stage is near the Q1.5 year flood, suggesting that it is adjusted to the current flood regime. H...
On configurations of symbolic equations of motion for rigid multibody systems

An algorithmic procedure for generating symbolic equations of motion for rigid multibody systems based on a Matrix-Vector approach is presented in this paper. The ease of computation and power inherent in this approach are demonstrated through a series of illustrative examples. Various techniques such as simultaneous generation of second order differential equations of motion and conversion to first order differential equations of motion in Hamiltonian variables, generalized coordinates transformation, order reduction using holonomic and nonholonomic constraint equations and block construction of equations of motion for the compound system from the equations of motion of the sub-systems are described.
Canopy radiation‐ and water‐use efficiencies as affected by elevated [CO2]

Summary This study used an environmentally controlled plant growth facility, EcoCELLs, to measure canopy gas exchanges directly and to examine the effects of elevated [CO2] on canopy radiation- and water-use efficiencies. Sunflowers (Helianthus annus var. Mammoth) were grown at ambient (399 μmol mol−1) and elevated [CO2] (746 μmol mol−1) for 53 days in EcoCELLs. Whole canopy carbon- and water-fluxes were measured continuously during the period of the experiment. The results indicated that elevated [CO2] enhanced daily total canopy carbon- and water-fluxes by 53% and 11%, respectively, on a ground-area basis, resulting in a 54% increase in radiation-use efficiency (RUE) based on intercepted photosynthetic active radiation and a 26% increase in water-use efficiency (WUE) by the end of the experiment. Canopy carbon- and water-fluxes at both CO2 treatments varied with canopy development. They were small at 22 days after planting (DAP) and gradually increased to the maxima at 46 DAP. When canopy carbon- and water-fluxes were expressed on a leaf-area basis, no effect of CO2 was found for canopy water-flux while elevated [CO2] still enhanced canopy carbon-flux by 29%, on average. Night-time canopy carbon-flux was 32% higher at elevated than at ambient [CO2]. In addition, RUE and WUE displayed strong diurnal variations, high at noon and low in the morning or afternoon for WUE but opposite for RUE. This study provided direct evidence that plant canopy may consume more, instead of less, water but utilize both water and radiation more efficiently at elevated than at ambient [CO2], at least during the exponential growth period as illustrated in this experiment.
Using inhomogeneity to raise the superconducting critical temperature in a two-dimensional XY model

Superconductors with low superfluid density are often dominated by phase fluctuations of the order parameter. In this regime, their physics may be described by XY models. The transition temperature Tc of such models is of the same order as the zero-temperature phase stiffness helicity modulus , a long-wavelength property of the system: Tc=A 0 . However, the constant A is a nonuniversal number, depending on dimensionality and the degree of inhomogeneity. In this Brief Report, we discuss strategies for maximizing A for two-dimensional XY models; that is, how to maximize the transition temperature with respect to the zerotemperature, long-wavelength properties. We find that a framework type of inhomogeneity can increase the transition temperature significantly. For comparison, we present similar results for Ising models.
Expression, purification and reconstitution of the C-terminal transmembrane domain of scavenger receptor BI into detergent micelles for NMR analysis.

Abstract Scavenger receptor class B type I (SR-BI), the high density lipoprotein (HDL) receptor, is important for the delivery of HDL–cholesteryl esters to the liver for excretion via bile formation. The focus on therapeutic strategies aimed at reducing cholesterol levels highlights the critical need to understand the structural features of SR-BI that drive cholesterol removal. Yet, in the absence of a high-resolution structure of SR-BI, our understanding of how SR-BI interacts with HDL is limited. In this study, we have optimized the NMR solution conditions for the structural analysis of the C-terminal transmembrane domain of SR-BI that harbors putative domains required for receptor oligomerization. An isotopically-labeled SR-BI peptide encompassing residues 405–475 was bacterially-expressed and purified. [ U - 15 N]-SR-BI(405–475) was incorporated into different detergent micelles and assessed by 1 H– 15 N-HSQC in order to determine which detergent micelle best maintained SR-BI(405–475) in a folded, native conformation for subsequent NMR analyses. We also determined the optimal detergent concentration used in micelles, as well as temperature, solution buffer and pH conditions. Based on 1 H– 15 N-HSQC peak dispersion, intensity, and uniformity, we determined that [ U - 15 N]-SR-BI(405–475) should be incorporated into 5% detergent micelles consisting of 1-palmitoyl-2-hydroxy- sn -glycero-3-phospho-[1′-rac-glycerol] (LPPG) and data collected at 40 °C in a non-buffered solution at pH 6.8. Furthermore, we demonstrate the ability of SR-BI(405–475) to form dimers upon chemical crosslinking. These studies represent the first steps in obtaining high-resolution structural information by NMR for the HDL receptor that plays a critical role in regulating whole body cholesterol removal.
Local electrochemical oxidation/reduction: first step towards a new lithography?

Abstract We have recently shown that it is possible to electrochemically oxidize c -axis La 2 CuO 4 thin films grown on different substrates. The electrochemical oxidation was subsequently performed on a local scale , i.e. oxygen-rich regions were induced in an otherwise oxygen deficient matrix. This extra oxygen created superconducting regions in the insulating matrix. This new lithographic technique does not require the addition or removal of large amounts of material, nor does it induce significant height differences.
Observations on spermiogenesis in sciara coprophila

The mitochondria in the male germ cells of Sciara exhibit peculiarities as regards both morphological characteristics and distribution. In form. they show superficial similarity with those of some of the scorpions, while their distribution may be peculiar to the genus and depend on unusual meiotic divisions.
The Industrial Advance Program of the Federal Reserve System

Theory of the original Federal Reserve Act, 229.— Early emergency lending provisions, 231.— Emergency loan legislation, 233.— Industrial advances by the federal reserve banks, 241. —Provisions of the Act, 245.— Launching the program, 249.— Development of the program, 253.—Procedure in handling applications, 253.— Safety of loans, 256.— Profitability to the reserve banks, 263.— Necessity for the program, 264.— Reserve bank competition, 271.— Conclusions, 272.
Effects of Unemployment on Health in a Community Survey: Main, Modifying, and Mediating Effects

Results from a community survey in a sample of high-unemployment census tracts in southeastern Michigan showed significant elevations of depression, anxiety, somatization, and self-reported physical illness among the currently unemployed. These adverse effects were largely reversed by reemployment. Subsequent analyses documented modifying effects of social support, self-concept, and coping. We also found two mediating processes that account for the overall effects of current unemployment: (a) the intervening effects of financial strain, and (b) an influence of unemployment in creating heightened vulnerability to other stressful life events. The implications of these results for the design and implementation of preventive interventions are briefly discussed.
Microcell mediated chromosome transfer maps the Fanconi anaemia group D gene to chromosome 3p

Fanconi anaemia (FA) is an autosomal recessive disorder characterized by progressive pancytopenia, short stature, radial ray defects, skin hyper-pigmentation and a predisposition to cancer1,2. Cells from FA patients are hypersensitive to cell killing and chromosome breakage induced by DNA cross-linking agents such as mitomycin C (MMC) and diepoxybutane (DEB)3,4. Consequently, the defect in FA is thought to be in DNA crosslink repair. Additional cellular phenotypes of FA include oxygen sensitivity5,6, poor cell growth7 and a G2 cell cycle delay8,9. At least 5 complementation groups for Fanconi anaemia exist, termed A through E10,11. One of the five FA genes, FA(C), has been identified by cDNA complementation12, but no other FA genes have been mapped or cloned until now. The strategy of cDNA complementation, which was successful for identifying the FA(C) gene has not yet been successful for cloning additional FA genes. The alternative approach of linkage analysis, followed by positional cloning, is hindered in FA by genetic heterogeneity and the lack of a simple assay for determining complementation groups. In contrast to genetic linkage studies, microcell mediated chromosome transfer utilizes functional complementation to identify the disease bearing chromosome13. Here we report the successful use of this technique to map the gene for the rare FA complementation group D (FA(D)).
How Do the Cerebral Hemispheres Contribute to Encoding Spatial Relations

environmental factors. The Journal of Compara tive Neurology, 327, 97-111. Koivisto, M. (1997). Time course of semantic acti vation in the cerebral hemispheres. Neuropsy chologia, 35, 497-504. Marsolek, C.J., Kosslyn, S.M., & Squire, L.R. (1992). Form-specific visual priming in the right cerebral hemisphere. Journal of Experi mental Psychology: Learning, Memory, and Cog nition, 18, 492-508. Moliese, D. (1980). Hemispheric specialization for temporal information: Implications for the perception of voicing during speech percep tion. Brain and Language, 11, 285-299. Posner, M.I., Petersen, S.E., Fox, P.T., & Raichle, M.E. (1988). Localization of cognitive opera tions in the human brain. Science, 240, 1627 1631.
Rapid upslope shifts in New Guinean birds illustrate strong distributional responses of tropical montane species to global warming

Temperate-zone species have responded to warming temperatures by shifting their distributions poleward and upslope. Thermal tolerance data suggests that tropical species may respond to warming temperatures even more strongly than temperate-zone species, but this prediction has yet to be tested. We addressed this data gap by conducting resurveys to measure distributional responses to temperature increases in the elevational limits of the avifaunas of two geographically and faunally independent New Guinean mountains, Mt. Karimui and Karkar Island, 47 and 44 y after they were originally surveyed. Although species richness is roughly five times greater on mainland Mt. Karimui than oceanic Karkar Island, distributional shifts at both sites were similar: upslope shifts averaged 113 m (Mt. Karimui) and 152 m (Karkar Island) for upper limits and 95 m (Mt. Karimui) and 123 m (Karkar Island) for lower limits. We incorporated these results into a metaanalysis to compare distributional responses of tropical species with those of temperate-zone species, finding that average upslope shifts in tropical montane species match local temperature increases significantly more closely than in temperate-zone montane species. That tropical species appear to be strong responders has global conservation implications and provides empirical support to hitherto untested models that predict widespread extinctions in upper-elevation tropical endemics with small ranges.
Diffuse galactic annihilation radiation and the present rate of galactic nucleosynthesis

Abstract Observations of positron annihilation radiation from the inner region of the Galaxy show that there are two components of the radiation: a steady, diffuse galactic disk component and a variable component from discrete, presumably compact sources. Here we focus on the observations of the diffuse galactic emission and their implications for the present galactic rate of iron nucleosynthesis. We discuss recent calculations of the nucleosynthetic yield and the survival of positrons in supernova ejecta, expected from current supernova models. These calculations show that positrons from the β + decay of nucleosynthetic 56 Co→ 56 Fe→, 44 Sc→ 44 → 44 Ca, and 26 Al → 26 Mg, can easily account for the observed galactic annihilation radiation, and they suggest a present galactic rate of 56 Fe nucleosynthesis of ≈(0.8 ± 0.5) M ⊙ per 100 yr.
Characterization of ischemia-induced loss of epithelial polarity.

Total renal ischemia for various time intervals (0–50) min) resulted in the rapid and duration-dependent redistribution of polarized membrane lipids and proteins in renal proximal tubule cells. Following only 15 min of ischemia, apical membrane enrichment of NaK-ATPase, normally a basolateral membrane (BLM) enzyme, had increased (1.6±0.6vs. 2.9±1.2,P<0.01). In vivo histochemical localization of NaK-ATPase showed reaction product throughout the apical microvillar region. PTH-stimulatable adenylate cyclase, another BLM protein, was also found in ischemic but not control apical membrane fractions. One dimensional SDS-PAGE showed four bands, present in control BLM and ischemic apical membranes, which could not be found in control apical membrane fractions. Immunohistochemical localization of leucine aminopeptidase (LAP) showed the enzyme was limited to the apical domain in control cells. Following ischemic injury (50 min), LAP staining could be seen within the cell and along the BLM. Following 24 hr of reperfusion, the BLM distribution of LAP was further enhanced. With cellular recovery from ischemic injury (5 days), LAP was again only visualized in the apical membrane. Duration-dependent alterations in apical and BLM lipids were also observed. Apical sphingomyelin and phosphatidylserine and the cholesterol-tophospholipid ratio decreased rapidly while apical phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylinositol increased. Taken together, these results indicate renal ischemia causes rapid duration-dependent reversible loss of surface membrane polarity in proximal tubule cells.
Numerical and experimental study on statistical stability of ultrawideband time-reversal imaging

We present a numerical study on the statistical stability of ultrawideband (UWB) time-reversal (TR) imaging in random media. We show that stable images can be obtained by using sufficiently wide bandwidth even in the absence of deterministic knowledge of the actual forward propagation media. We investigate the effect of array aperture size and spatial deployment (limited aspect versus full aspect) on the image stability. We verify our results by carrying out UWB measurements in random media composed of discrete dielectric scatterers.
Evaluation of Complex Human Performance: The Promise of Computer-Based Simulation.

Western societies, and the United States in particular, heavily depend on the measurement and evaluation of complex human behavior for the training and placement of their profes sional workers. Multiple-choice instruments are the current norm for wide-scale measure ment and evaluation efforts. These instruments contain fundamental problems in the following areas: subject cueing, restricted responseformat, lack of individualization, and the relatively unexplored issue of testing individuals on what they say they will do rather than what they actually do. Computer-based management simulations may provide solutions to these problems, appear scoreable, reliable, offer increased validity, and are better suited to performance measurement. Evaluation of complex human behavior by computer-based simulation promises an improvement in measurement technique ; how ever, acceptance of the methodology depends upon a culturally perceived need to improve the evaluation of professional personnel.
Vertical and horizontal heat transfer within an oceanic surface mixed layer

Abstract A well-mixed warm layer forms at the sea surface in cases of light to moderate winds and strong solar insolation. In one such case the heat content changes and irradiative absorption were measured throughout the layer enabling the determination of the local heat balance within the layer, which is between the outward flow of heat per unit volume; f ; the absorbed radiation, i ; and the heat content change rate, ∂h / ∂t . The quantity f represents both vertical and horizontal flows of heat. The horizontal components are due to a large-scale advection and local variability. The latter are removed from the reduced data by use of a reference temperature from below the layer, while the former are very small compared to the other components of the heat balance; thus f ultimately represents a vertical heat transport. The data indicate that with weak solar insolation, heat was transported upward in the top meter and downward below. With strong insolation the heat transfer was downward at all depths. In the uppermost meter of the water, f almost exactly balanced i , while below the top meter f balanced ∂h / ∂t . Because a stable density interface formed at the bottom of the layer due to turbulent mixing and radiative heating in the layer, it should inhibit non-conductive heat fluxes from the bottom of the layer. These measurements verify this and show f to be very small below the interface.
Cepstral processing using spread spectra for cable diagnostics

The use of Cepstrum (homomorphic deconvolution) processing simplifies cable discontinuity identification as compared to conventional time-domain reflectometry. Additionally, signal sources which approximate noise sources are fabricated and used; the use of signal sources whose spectral energies lie beyond the low-frequency power line harmonics permits minimization of a major interference contribution.