cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Fibroblasts Rendered Antifibrotic, Antiapoptotic, and Angiogenic by Priming With Cardiosphere-Derived Extracellular Membrane Vesicles.

Abstract Background Cardiosphere-derived cells mediate therapeutic regeneration in patients after myocardial infarction and are undergoing further clinical testing for cardiomyopathy. The beneficial effects of cardiosphere-derived cells are mediated by the secretion of exosomes and possibly other extracellular membrane vesicles (EMVs). Objectives This study sought to investigate the effect of cardiosphere-derived EMVs (CSp-EMVs) on fibroblasts in vitro and tested whether priming with CSp-EMVs could confer salutary properties on fibroblasts in vivo. Methods CSp-EMVs were isolated from serum-free media conditioned for 3 days by cardiospheres. Dermal fibroblasts were primed with CSp-EMVs for 24 h followed by exosomal micro-ribonucleic acid profiling. In vivo, we injected CSp-EMV−primed or −unprimed dermal fibroblasts (or CSp-EMVs) in a chronic rat model of myocardial infarction and defined the functional and structural consequences. Results CSp-EMVs amplified their own biological signals: exposure of “inert” fibroblasts to CSp-EMVs rendered the fibroblasts therapeutic. Intramyocardially injected CSp-EMV−primed (but not unprimed) fibroblasts increased global pump function and vessel density while reducing scar mass. CSp-EMV priming caused fibroblasts to secrete much higher levels of stromal-cell-derived factor 1 and vascular endothelial growth factor and dramatically changed the micro-ribonucleic acid profile of fibroblast-secreted EMVs in vitro. The priming was followed by significant angiogenic and cardioprotective effects. Conclusions CSp-EMVs alter fibroblast phenotype and secretome in a salutary positive-feedback loop. The phenotypic conversion of inert cells to therapeutically active cells reveals a novel mechanism for amplification of exosome bioactivity.
Encapsulation of manganese carbides within carbon nanotubes and nanoparticles

Abstract The structures and morphologies of manganese-filled carbon nanotubes and nanoparticles, produced by an arc-discharge method by using a composite anode, were examined with high-resolution transmission electron microscopy, selected-area electron diffraction, and electron nanodiffraction techniques. The HRTEM images and corresponding diffraction patterns show that various manganese carbides (Mn 3 C, Mn 5 C 2 , Mn 7 C 3 , and Mn 23 C 6 ) were formed within nanotubes and nanoparticles. Most encapsulated Mncarbides appeared as perfect single nanocrystals. Some, however, were found to be twins or crystals with ordered or modulated structures. Compared with other metal encapsulation, manganese encapsulation shows several unique features, such as encapsulation-induced tube distortion, formation of all types of carbides, and the preferential carbon graphitization on manganese carbide surfaces. No evidence has been found for the existence of intermediate phase between carbon sheets and encapsulated nanocrystals.
In vitro effects of citrus oils against Mycobacterium tuberculosis and non-tuberculous Mycobacteria of clinical importance.

We evaluated the in vitro activity of citrus oils against Mycobacterium tuberculosis and other non-tuberculous Mycobacterium species. Citrus essential oils were tested against a variety of Mycobacterium species and strains using the BACTEC radiometric growth system. Cold pressed terpeneless Valencia oil (CPT) was further tested using the Wayne model of in vitro latency. Exposure of M. tuberculosis and M. bovis BCG to 0.025 % cold pressed terpeneless Valencia orange oil (CPT) resulted in a 3-log decrease in viable counts versus corresponding controls. Inhibition of various clinical isolates of the M. avium complex and M. abscessus ranged from 2.5 to 5.2-logs. Some species/strains were completely inhibited in the presence of CPT including one isolate each of the following: the M. avium complex, M. chelonae and M. avium subsp. paratuberculosis. CPT also inhibited the growth of BCG more than 99 % in an in vitro model of latency which mimics anaerobic dormancy thought to occur in vivo. The activity of CPT agai...
Shifting plates in the agrifood landscape: The tectonics of alternative agrifood initiatives in California

Alternative food initiatives are appearing in many places. Observers suggest that they share a political agenda: to oppose the structures that coordinate and globalize the current food system and to create alternative systems of food production that are environmentally sustainable, economically viable, and socially just. This paper examines the potential of these initiatives through the lens of the concepts of ‘alternative and oppositional’ social movements and ‘militant particularism and global ambition’ developed by Raymond Williams and David Harvey. The three sections of this paper review (1) the current discussion of common themes and strategies in agrifood initiatives within the academic literature; (2) the history of these initiatives in California; and (3) results of our interviews with 37 current leaders of California organizations. We suggest that further understanding these initiatives, and success in the goals of the initiatives themselves, requires us to look past their similarities to examine their differences. These differences are related to the social forms and relations that have been established in the places from which these initiatives arise. ‘Social justice,’ in particular, may be difficult to construct at a ‘local’ scale. r 2002 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.
Multi-length-scale theories for scale-up problem and renormalized perturbation expansion

Abstract Randomness is an essential feature for groundwater ecology and fluid turbulence. The scale-up problem refers to the situation in which the randomness occurs on all scales. Classical dispersion theories are not applicable in this situation due to the coupling between adjacent length scales. The difficulty in theoretical formulations lies in the closure problem — namely, the higher order random quantities emerge in the derivations for the dynamical equations of the lower order random quantities. In this paper, we consider tracer particles driven by a Gaussian random velocity field. We develop a renormalized perturbation expansion method for this problem. Our theory shows that the effective dispersivity has very complicated structures. We introduce a pairwise time ordering approximation to derive an approximate expression for a local diffusion operator. Under this approximation, we develop a multi-length-scale theory which gives analytical predictions for the effective diffusion coefficient and for the size of the mixing region along with its scaling exponent. Our theory has no adjustable parameter. The quantitative theoretical predictions are in excellent agreement with the results from full numerical simulations. © 1997 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved
Effect of initial ion positions on the interactions of monovalent and divalent ions with a DNA duplex as revealed with atomistic molecular dynamics simulations.

Monovalent (Na+) and divalent (Mg2+) ion distributions around the Dickerson-Drew dodecamer were studied by atomistic molecular dynamics (MD) simulations with AMBER molecular modeling software. Different initial placements of ions were tried and the resulting effects on the ion distributions around DNA were investigated. For monovalent ions, results were found to be nearly independent of initial cation coordinates. However, Mg2+ ions demonstrated a strong initial coordinate dependent behavior. While some divalent ions initially placed near the DNA formed essentially permanent direct coordination complexes with electronegative DNA atoms, Mg2+ ions initially placed further away from the duplex formed a full, nonexchanging, octahedral first solvation shell. These fully solvated cations were still capable of binding with DNA with events lasting up to 20 ns, and in comparison were bound much longer than Na+ ions. Force field parameters were also investigated with modest and little differences arising from ion (...
A Multi-Institutional External Validation of the Fistula Risk Score for Pancreatoduodenectomy

Background The Fistula Risk Score (FRS), a ten-point scale that relies on weighted influence of four variables, has been shown to effectively predict clinically relevant postoperative pancreatic fistula (CR-POPF) development and its consequences after pancreatoduodenectomy (PD). The proposed FRS demonstrated excellent predictive capacity; however, external validation of this tool would confirm its universal applicability.
Efficacy and safety of rufinamide in pediatric epilepsy.

Rufinamide is a novel anticonvulsant medication approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2008 for the treatment of seizures associated with Lennox–Gastaut syndrome in patients 4 years of age and older, based upon clinical trials demonstrating clinical efficacy and tolerability. Rufinamide is especially effective for tonic–atonic seizures in Lennox–Gastaut syndrome, but is subsequently proving to be safe and effective in clinical practice for a broad patient population with refractory epilepsy. Although further research and clinical experience is needed, rufinamide holds the promise to positively impact the care of children with epilepsy. In this review, we review the use of rufinamide in pediatric epilepsy, with a focus on efficacy and safety.
Forward plasma membrane flow in growing nerve processes

Nerve growth requires addition of new plasma membrane material, which is generally believed to occur at the growth cone. Local incorporation of a fluorescent lipid analog into the plasma membrane of fast-growing Xenopus neurites revealed an anterograde bulk membrane flow that correlated with neurite elongation. The rate of membrane flow depended on the position of the labeled membrane segment along the neurite, increasing with distance from the soma. This result suggests that new membrane in growing Xenopus neurites is added not at the growth cone but at the cell body and along the neurite.
Global ozone balance in the natural stratosphere

The method of instantaneous rates is a three-dimensional model that takes the observed distribution of atmospheric species and temperature as input data. The distribution of radiation over wavelength, photochemical rate constants, and reaction rates are evaluated in each cell of the three-dimensional grid. For certain problems of restricted scope, definite answers can be given by this approach. For example, it is shown that the Chapman reactions and air motions are insufficient to give a global ozone balance; these factors account for only about 20 percent of the ozone produced below 45 km. There must be other photochemical or chemical reactions that destroy natural stratospheric ozone. The water reactions (H, HO, and HOO radicals) balance about 10 percent of the ozone produced below 45 km. Recently observed concentrations of nitrogen dioxide at up to 36-km elevations are close to those required to destroy the remaining 70 percent of naturally produced ozone. Until enough measurements are made to characterize the vertical, latitudinal, and seasonal distribution of nitrogen dioxide, it will not be known whether yet other substances (such as chlorine, bromine, and metallic oxide particles) play a significant (10 percent or more) role in the natural ozone balance. (auth)
Cataclasis and processes of particle size reduction

The particle size distribution (P.S.D.) of fragmented geological materials is affected by the fragmentation process, initial size distribution, number of fracturing events, energy input, strain, and confining pressure. A summary of literature shows that the fractal dimension (D) of the P.S.D. is increased by the number of fracturing events, energy input, strain, and confining pressure. Cenozoic cataclasis of granite, granodiorites, gneisses and arkose seen in cores from the Cajon Pass dritlhole, southern California, produced P.S.D.s with values of D that varied from 1.88 to 3.08. Each rock type has a characteristic and more limited range of D. Areas of dilatant texture and mode I fracture-fillings have low average values (2.32 and 2.37) compared to an average value of 2.67 in shear fracture-fillings. D has a good inverse correlation with average particle size. Data from fault rocks in the San Gabriel fault zone, southern California (ANDERSON et al., 1983) have been reanalyzed to show that values of D are higher (2.10 5.52) and average particle size is lower than the Cajon Pass samples, but the ranges of values overlap, and the inverse correlation between D and average particle size is extended. Microstructural observations combined with these results suggest that three processes contributed to particle size reduction during cataclasis. The first process of feldspar alteration, which leads to low values of D, has not been previously recognized. The second process is probably constrained comminution (SAMMIS et al., 1987), since the average D in shear fracture-fillings is close to the value of 2.58 predicted by this theory. A further stage of particle size reduction is demonstrated by an increase of D with cataclasis. This third process is selective fracture of larger particles, which may also operate during localization and the cataclastic flow-to-faulting transition as observed in experiments. A transition from constrained comminution to selective fracture of large particles, and increasing D values with cataclastic evolution and grain size reduction, may be general features of experimental and natural cataclasis.
Therapist responsiveness to child engagement: flexibility within manual-based CBT for anxious youth†

Therapy process research helps delineate common and specific elements essential to positive outcomes as well as develop best practice training protocols. Child involvement and therapist flexibility were rated in 63 anxious youth (ages 8-14) who received cognitive-behavioral therapy. Therapist flexibility, defined as therapist attempts to adapt treatment to a child's needs, was hypothesized to act as an engagement strategy that serves to increase child involvement during therapy. Flexibility was significantly related to increases in later child engagement, which subsequently predicted improvement in posttreatment diagnosis and impairment. Therapist flexibility was not associated with earlier measures of child engagement, so a mediation model could not be supported. It was also hypothesized that the impact of flexibility would be greatest for cases who began treatment highly disengaged (i.e., early involvement would moderate the effect of flexibility). Basic descriptive data supported this model, but formal analyses failed to confirm. Further descriptive analyses suggest therapists employ a range of adaptations and a profile of flexible applications within a manual-based treatment is provided. Treatment, measurement, and dissemination issues are discussed.
Whitman, Race, and Literary History: A Recently Recovered Dialogue

Transcribes and analyzes a Whitman manuscript from the Huntington (New York) Public Library, examining the significance of Whitman's writing around a newspaper clipping about "Greeks, Romans, and Hebrews," on which he comments and with which he argues, "reinscribing the literary and cultural contributions of non-European, non-Judeo-Christian people."
The temperature dependence of nickel-ion damage in nickel

Abstract The temperature dependence of void and dislocation structures was studied in high-purity nickel irradiated with 2.8 MeV 58Ni+ ions to a displacement density of 13 displacements per atom (dpa) at a displacement rate of 7 × 10 −2 dpa/sec over the temperature range 325 to 625°C. Dislocation loops, with no significant concentrations of voids, were observed in specimens irradiated at 475°C and below. Specimens irradiated between 525 and 725°C contained both voids and dislocations. The maximum swelling was measured as 1.2% at 625°C. Analysis of the data by theoretical models for void nucleation and growth indicated that the swelling in the present experiment was principally limited by void growth at low temperatures and by void nucleation at high temperatures. The data were also compared with previously reported neutron and nickel-ion irradiation results.
The effects of parental divorce on adult tobacco and alcohol consumption

I use data from the 1977-1994 National Opinion Research Council General Social Survey to examine the impact of parental divorce on the alcohol and tobacco consumption of adult offspring. Divorce greatly increases the likelihood of being a smoker and, for men, a problem drinker. Parental remarriage completely offsets the effects of parental divorce on men's drinking but does not substantially affect cigarette use. Respondent socioeconomic characteristics accounted for a portion of the relationship between parental divorce and smoking but did not affect rates of problem drinking. Social control and psychosocial adjustment--two established explanations for the effects of parental divorce--could not adequately explain my findings.
In vivo and in vitro propagation of intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms.

Intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms (IPMNs) are one of the three known curable precursor lesions of invasive pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma, an almost uniformly fatal disease. Cell lines from IPMNs and their invasive counterparts should be valuable to identify gene mutations critical to IPMN carcinogenesis, and permit high-throughput screening to identify drugs that cause regression of these lesions. To advance the study of the biological features of IPMNs, we attempted in vivo and in vitro growth of selected IPMNs based on the hypothesis that IPMNs could be grown in the most severely immunodeficient mice. We examined 14 cases by implanting them into nude, severe combined immunodeficient (SCID), and NOD/SCID/IL2Rγnull (NOG) mice, in addition to direct culture, to generate tumor xenografts and cell lines. One sample was directly cultured only. Thirteen tumors were implanted into the three types of mice, including 10 tumors implanted into the triple immunodeficient NOG mice, in which the majority (8 of 10) grew. This included five IPMNs lacking an invasive component. One of the explanted IPMNs, with an associated invasive carcinoma, was successfully established as a cell line. Tumorigenicity was confirmed by growth in soft agar, growth in immunodeficient mice, and the homozygous deletion of p16/cdkn2a. Epithelial differentiation of the cell line was documented by cytokeratin expression. Patient origin was confirmed using DNA fingerprinting. Most non-invasive IPMNs grow in NOG mice. We successfully established one IPMN cell line, and plan to use it to clarify the molecular pathogenesis of IPMNs.
Direct NMR measurements of the F 19 -Mn transferred hyperfine interaction in Mn: Pb F 2

The $^{19}\mathrm{F}$-Mn transferred hyperfine interaction $\stackrel{\ifmmode \tilde{}\else \~{}\fi{}}{A}$ in Mn: Pb${\mathrm{F}}_{2}$ has been determined by direct observation of the NMR of $^{19}\mathrm{F}$ nuclei nearest neighbor to the ${\mathrm{Mn}}^{2+}$ impurity. The angular dependence of the NMR of three inequivalent sites was studied for applied fields in the (110) plane and was fitted with the values ${A}_{s}=33.82$ MHz and ${A}_{p}=7.82$ MHz. The NMR was unobservable for $Tg2$ K, suggesting rapid electronic spin relaxation. For $Tl1.5$ K, NMR was observed in the eigenstates of the ${\mathrm{Mn}}^{2+}$ with ${S}_{z}=\frac{5}{2} \mathrm{and} \frac{3}{2}$; the linewidth $\ensuremath{\Delta}H$ became temperature independent and probably inhomogeneously broadened, with a pronounced angular variation.
Enzymic determination of D-galactose, D-arabinose, and their homologs.

Abstract The enzymes d -galactose dehydrogenase and d -arabinose dehydrogenase were demonstrated to be applicable to the quantitative determination of d -galactose (and homologs) and d -arabinose (and homologs), respectively. The enzymic reactions were quite specific. When coupled with β-galactosidase, d -galactose dehydrogenase could be used in the quantitative determination of β-galactosides.
Mortuary patterns in burial caves on Mangaia, Cook Islands

The behavioural, cultural, and political implications of archaeological human remains in non-mortuary, possibly culinary, contexts requires that we understand the range of mortuary practices in a particular region. Although several rockshelter sites on Mangaia, Cook Islands have yielded burned, fragmentary human bones in earth ovens that seem to support archaeological models and ethnohistoric accounts of ritual sacrifice and cannibalism, the absence of data on the range of Mangaian mortuary patterns obscures these interpretations. We describe burial patterns based on 40 above-ground interments representing at least 92 individuals in caves of Mangaia, Cook Islands, in order to begin to develop an island-wide perspective on mortuary patterns. Sampling both pre- and post-European contact sites we found that multiple interments dominate probable pre-contact burials (73%, 19 of 26) and single interments dominate post-contact contexts (80%, eight of ten burials), probably reflecting the influence of Christianity on mortuary ritual. Subadults were more frequent in all post-contact contexts suggesting alternative burial places, probably church cemeteries, for adults. Burial cave remains are broadly consistent with ethnohistoric accounts of interment in caves, however, they also illustrate additional burial practices and differences between time periods, such as primary body position and the role of multiple-individual interments, which are not discussed ethnohistorically. The mortuary practices in Mangaian burial caves differ from burials associated with marae and seem completely unrelated to the presence of highly fragmentary and burnt human remains in pre-contact rockshelter middens elsewhere on the island. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The positive inotropic effect of pyruvate involves an increase in myofilament calcium sensitivity.

Pyruvate is a metabolic fuel that is a potent inotropic agent. Despite its unique inotropic and antioxidant properties, the molecular mechanism of its inotropic mechanism is still largely unknown. To examine the inotropic effect of pyruvate in parallel with intracellular calcium handling under near physiological conditions, we measured pH, myofilament calcium sensitivity, developed force, and calcium transients in ultra thin rabbit heart trabeculae at 37 °C loaded iontophoretically with the calcium indicator bis-fura-2. By contrasting conditions of control versus sarcoplasmic reticulum block (with either cyclopiazonic acid and ryanodine or with thapsigargin) we were able to characterize and isolate the effects of pyruvate on sarcoplasmic reticulum calcium handling and developed force. A potassium contracture technique was subsequently utilized to assess the force-calcium relationship and thus the myofilament calcium sensitivity. Pyruvate consistently increased developed force whether or not the sarcoplasmic reticulum was blocked (16.8±3.5 to 24.5±5.1 vs. 6.9±2.6 to 12.5±4.4 mN/mm2, non-blocked vs. blocked sarcoplasmic reticulum respectively, p<0.001, n = 9). Furthermore, the sensitizing effect of pyruvate on the myofilaments was demonstrated by potassium contractures (EC50 at baseline versus 20 minutes of pyruvate infusion (peak force development) was 701±94 vs. 445±65 nM, p<0.01, n = 6). This study is the first to demonstrate that a leftward shift in myofilament calcium sensitivity is an important mediator of the inotropic effect of pyruvate. This finding can have important implications for future development of therapeutic strategies in the management of heart failure.
How Data Dependent is a Nonlinear Subdivision Scheme? A Case Study Based on Convexity Preserving Subdivision

The regularity of the limit function of a linear subdivision scheme is essentially irrelevant to the initial data. How data dependent, then, is the regularity of the limit of a nonlinear subdivision scheme? The answer is the most obvious---it depends. In this paper, we prove that the nonlinear convexity preserving subdivision scheme developed independently by Floater and Micchelli [M. S. Floater and C. A. Micchelli, Approximation Theory, Marcel Dekker, New York, 1998, pp. 209-224] and Kuijt and van Damme [F. Kuijt and R. van Damme, Constr. Approx., 14 (1998), pp. 609-630] exhibits a rather strong nonlinear, data-dependent, behavior: For any $\nu \in (1,2)$, there exists initial convex data such that the critical Holder regularity of the limit curve is exactly $\nu$. We also show that the limit function of any initial data always has Holder regularity less than 2, unless if restricted to a subset of the domain at which the initial data is sampled from the convex branch of a rational polynomial of degree 2 over degree 1. This result stands in contrast to what is reported in several recent publications on nonlinear subdivision schemes [I. Ur Rahman, I. Drori, V. C. Stodden, D. L. Donoho, and P. Schr{oder, SIAM J. Multiscale Modeling and Simulation, submitted, 2005; G. Xie and T. P.-Y. Yu, Constr. Approx., 22 (2005), pp. 219-254; G. Xie and T. P.-Y. Yu, Advances in Constructive Approximation, 2004, pp. 519-533; I. Daubechies, O. Runborg, and W. Sweldens, Constr. Approx., 3 (2004), pp. 399-463; T. P.-Y. Yu, Cutting corners on the sphere, preprint available at http://www.rpi.edu/~yut/Papers/CuttingCorners.pdf, 2005], in which various families of nonlinear subdivision schemes are either proved or empirically observed to have rather weak nonlinearity in the sense that they produce limit curves with smoothness insensitive to initial data.
Intranasal infusion of melanocortin receptor four (MC4R) antagonist to rats ameliorates development of depression and anxiety related symptoms induced by single prolonged stress.

Abstract Brain melanocortinergic systems and specifically melanocortin receptor four (MC4R) are implicated in modulation of anxiety- and depressive-like behavior induced by mild or moderate stress. Here we examine whether blockage of central MC4Rs with HS014 before severe traumatic stress may protect against development of anxiety and depression co-morbid with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Male rats were treated intranasally (IN) with vehicle or varied doses of HS014, 30 min prior to single prolonged stress (SPS) animal model of PTSD. IN administration of 100 μg HS014 pre-SPS improved despair behavior in forced swim (FS) immediately after immobilization stress part of SPS protocol. During all 4 intervals of 20 min FS these rats spent less time immobile than rats given vehicle or 3.5 ng HS014. This dose of HS014 also had a long-term beneficial effect manifested as reduction of immobility time in forced swim test performed after SPS. However, both HS014 doses were effective in ameliorating development of anxiety-like behavior after traumatic stress. Thus, rats given IN HS014 prior to SPS exhibited less open arms (OA) visits in elevated plus maze (EPM), spent longer time in OA and less in closed arms, had lower anxiety index, higher risk assessment and more head dips over borders in OA. They also spent longer time in the center of the open field and defecated less. Reduced grooming behavior in EPM was observed with 100 μg HS014. This is the first study revealing pronounced resilience effects of HS014 on development of behavioral symptoms co-morbid with PTSD.
The Virtuous Body at Work: The Ethical Life as Qi 氣 in Motion

This essay argues that moral self-cultivation as described in the Confucian tradition involves the cultivation of the body. Preparing the body in certain ways, perhaps by making it healthy, is a necessary part of moral self-cultivation. This claim includes: (a) nourishing the body in a proper way is a first step in moral self-cultivation, and the bodily care is instrumentally valuable to one’s flourishing life; (b) making and keeping a healthy body is partly constitutive of a moral well-being and hence bodily care is also intrinsically valuable to a flourishing life. This perspective on embodied virtue is established through a discussion of qi. The body as the storehouse of qi is not only a passive reservoir of knowledge that serves as moral guidance, but also actively plays an indispensable and integral role in activities related to one’s moral transformation. A well-cared for body provides a moral agent with the temporal and spatial possibility for moral refinement and an enhanced good life.
A One-Step Synthesis of a Poly(iptycene) through an Unusual Diels−Alder Cyclization/Dechlorination of Tetrachloropentacene

We have discovered the first reaction of a substituted pentacene molecule as a dienophile. A surprisingly clean Diels−Alder self-coupling of Cl4Pn leads to a novel ladder polymer, poly(iptycene), which can be converted to a conducting carbon at relatively low temperature (600−900 °C). Theoretical calculations of the former reaction suggest a biradical asymmetric mechanism, despite highly symmetric reactants.
Psychosocial interventions to improve quality of life in prostate cancer survivors and their intimate or family partners

Purpose The primary purpose was to test the effectiveness of two telephone-delivered psychosocial interventions for maintaining and improving quality of life (QOL) (psychological, physical, social, and spiritual well-being) among 71 prostate cancer survivors and the 70 intimate or family partners who were supporting them in their recovery.
Point scatterer modeling of complex targets

In this paper, a novel point scatterer model is introduced that is able to accurately represent complex targets. It is well known that radar measurement data are highly sensitive to minute azimuth angle shifts or trivial target structure variations. Signal fluctuations caused by relative phase differences among scatterers is commonly regarded as the source of this sensitivity. This sensitivity can be demonstrated through interference of just two point scatterers. Less well known are the effects of “phase jumps”, and the results of matched filtering. All of these are included in our model. Results for 3-D representations of T-72 tank models are generated. Target length and range profile variability patterns are extracted from the target models and compared with real target measurement data, the MSTAR dataset. They show remarkably close similarity in both comparisons.
A Qualitative Investigation of Panelists' Experiences of Standard Setting Using Two Variations of the Bookmark Method

Only a small number of qualitative studies have investigated panelists' experiences during standard-setting activities or the thought processes associated with panelists' actions. This qualitative study involved an examination of the experiences of 11 panelists who participated in a prior, one-day standard-setting meeting in which either the traditional bookmark method or the single-passage bookmark method was used. Data were collected using in-depth focus group interviews. A whole text analysis resulted in three major categories. Many participants found the fundamental task of choosing a specific item as a bookmark to be inherently difficult. Some also deviated from the prescribed bookmark procedure and relied on alternative strategies that were highly resistant to change. Participants' views of item difficulty and correct item order also directly impacted the bookmarking process. Implications of the findings for standard-setting procedures and for further research are also addressed.
Commingling of magmas in the Bjerkrem-Sogndal lopolith (southwest Norway): evidence for the compositions of residual liquids

A detailed re-examination of some of the more fractionated portions of the Bjerkrem-Sogndal lopolith (BSL) has provided evidence for widespread mixing between quartz mangeritic and monzonoritic (Eia-Rekefjord) magmas. The higher-temperature monzonoritic liquids are preserved as chilled pillows within quartz mangerite. Chemical compositions of these and other fine-grained monzonorites suggest that they are chilled residual liquids related to the BSL, and that they were in equilibrium with the more fractionated cumulates of the BSL. The chilled monzonoritic liquids appear to define a fractionation trend of increasing SiO2 (up to 60 wt. %). The quartz mangerites appear to represent separate partial melts derived from the country rock.
Impact of animal waste lagoon effluents on chlorpyrifos degradation in soils

Animal-derived lagoon effluents are a good source of inorganic nutrients and organic matter; however, they may impact the degradation and transport of soil-applied pesticides. The degradation of chlorpyrifos in poultry-, swine-, and cow-derived effluents and effluent-soil matrices were studied using batch and column incubation studies. Chlorpyrifos was degraded by aerobic microbial processes in animal-derived lagoon effluents. Microbial community analysis by denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis of polymerase chain reaction-amplified 16S ribosomal ribonucleic acid genes showed that a single band became dominant in effluent during chlorpyrifos degradation. In soils, both biotic and abiotic degradation contributed significantly to the overall dissipation of chlorpyrifos. Large differences in degradation rates were observed between soils, with the fastest rate observed in soil with higher pH and cation-exchange capacity. Effluents appeared to have only a minor effect on chlorpyrifos degradation in soils, although effluent-induced increases in soil-solution pH over time may enhance hydrolysis by a few percent in low-pH soils. Soil properties, not effluent properties, appear to control chlorpyrifos degradation under laboratory conditions; however, the impact on changes in soil properties and microbial ecology with long-term effluent irrigation warrants further investigation.
Stimulation of ion transport by ascorbic acid through inhibition of 3':5'-cyclic-AMP phosphodiesterase in the corneal epithelium and other tissues.

Abstract Ascorbic acid stimulates active transport of Cl − by the isolated intact corneas. The effect is not present in corneas previously stimulated by theophylline, an inhibitor of 3′: 5′-cyclic-AMP phosphodiesterase (EC 3.1.4.17), and vice versa, theophylline has no action after stimulation with ascorbic acid. This indicated inhibition of 3′: 5′-cyclic-AMP phosphodiesterase by ascorbic acid. Assay of phosphodiesterase using 3 H-labeled cyclid AMP of frog and rabbit corneal epithelial homogenates showed an inhibitory effect of ascorbic acid. Concentration of 5 mM produced 16% inhibition with 20 mM producing 46 %. This compares with 58 % inhibition by theophylline at 5 mM. Phosphodiesterase activity is mostly soluble in frog corneal epithelium but in rabbit 45 % is particulate. Soluble and particulate fractions are inhibited by ascorbate, but in rabbits greater inhibition (50 %) was observed in the particulate fraction than in the soluble fraction. Other tissues showed inhibition also: frog retina 12 %, rat brain (caudate nucleus) 48 %, rabbit brain 14 %, rabbit liver 16 %. It is concluded that ascorbate produces an increase in cyclic AMP content of corneal epithelium and other tissues by inhibition of 3′: 5′-cyclic-AMP phosphodiesterase. This action may be one of the main functions of the high ascorbic acid content of ocular tissues and explain some of the effects of high dosis of ascorbate in other systems.
SBC2012 CFD Challange: Computational Hemodynamics of Intracranial Aneurysm Using the Finite Volume Solver Ansys Fluent

The Vascular Biomechanics and Biofluids Laboratory is located in the Department of Biomedical Engineering at the University of Texas at San Antonio. The laboratory operates under the direction of Prof. Ender A. Finol, who has been working in computational hemodynamics for nearly a decade. For this challenge, the CFD simulations were performed by post-doctoral fellow Vitaly O. Kheyfets using the CFD solver Ansys Fluent v13 (Canonsburg, PA).© 2012 ASME
Effect of carbon vacancies on carbide work functions.

The transition-metal carbides are commonly formed with a substantial density of carbon vacancies. Here we examine the effect of carbon vacancies on the surface properties, primarily the work functions, of HfC and TaC. The method used is a full-potential linear-muffin-tin-orbital formulation, with a supercell approach for obtaining variations in the vacancy distribution. We find that the differing signs of the vacancy-induced changes in the work functions of HfC and TaC are essentially determined by the differing effect of vacancies on the relative position of the Fermi energies in the two materials.
Sites of Epicarp Lesion and Kernel Necrosis in Relationship to Symptoms and Phenology of Pistachio Fruit

Pistachio ( Pistacta vera L.) (‘Kerman’) fruits with fresh-appearing epicarp lesion (EL) symptoms caused by leaffooted bugs ( Leptoglossus spp.) or stinkbugs ( Thyanta pallidovirens Stal) (or both) were collected periodically, and the sites of EL or kernel necrosis (KN) symptoms were recorded. In addition, the sites of KN were determined in randomly collected pistachio samples. Fruit pericarp firmness was determined on symptomless healthy fruits on the base (stem end) and apex of fruits. The percentage of EL initiated at the fruit base increased from about 40% at the end of May to 80% at the beginning of August, suggesting a shift of feeding habits of leaffooted bugs and stinkbugs. Moreover, 60-74% of the Kn symptoms were found at the stem end and along the suture line, in areas of lower pericarp firmness and delayed lignification. Apparently, leaffooted bugs and stinkbugs can locate these softer areas even though they are not visually distinct.
Eigenvalue decomposition of meson correlators

Euclidean space hadronic correlators are computed in quenched QCD at a small quark mass using truncations of quark propagators which include or exclude low eigenvalue eigenmodes of the Dirac operator. High modes provide the dominant contribution to parity averaged correlators, especially at short distances. Differences of correlators of opposite parity receive most of their contributions from low modes and are much smaller in size than parity averages at short distances. The pion propagator in any correlator to which it couples receives a large contribution from low modes, while the tensor meson correlator receives a tiny contribution from low eigenmodes.
Preliminary Geotechnical Evaluation of Deep Borehole Facilities for Nuclear Waste Disposal in Shales

Recently Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) has completed a comparative evaluation of five sedimentary rocks (Croff et al., 1986), shales, sandstones, anhydrite, chalk, and carbonates, to determine their relative potential as host media for the disposal of radioactive wastes. It was determined that various rock mass characteristics of shale indicate many positive features with respect to emplacement of radioactive wastes within these formations. Shale possesses certain characteristics that are considered to be positive attributes in determining its potential as a host material for waste repositories: unfractured shale has (1) a very low permeability, (2) a high ion exchange capacity, and (3) is relatively plastic, a characteristic that can promote self-healing of fractures and ensure low permeability; in addition, shale strata in the United States are located at appropriate depths and have large lateral and vertical extent. However, it is to be noted that shales can have a low compressive strength and may creep readily. Further, the constitutive relationship for shale at great depths has not been completely investigated, and information on the mechanical properties of shale is very limited.
Emergence of group A beta-hemolytic streptococci resistant to erythromycin in Athens, Greece.

Over the past few years, several studies have documented the increasing prevalence of group A beta-hemolytic streptococci (GABHS) strains resistant to erythromycin in many European countries and the USA [1-4]. A recent publication demonstrated resistance rates of over 15% in strains recovered from Greek children as well [5]. The aim of the present study was to record the current trends regarding erythromycin resistance among GABHS isolates in Greece and to investigate the possible relationship between this resistance and patient age and/or the isolation period.
Determining the movement of objects from a sequence of images

Discusses the problem of determining the three-dimensional model and movement of an object from a sequence of two-dimensional images. A solution to this problem depends on solving a system of nonlinear equations using a modified least-squared error method. Two views of six points or three views of four points are needed to provide an overdetermined set of equations when the images are noisy. It is shown, however, that this numerical method is not very accurate unless the images of considerably more points are used.
SU-E-J-108: Template Matching Based On Multiple Templates Can Improve the Tumor Tracking Performance When There Is Large Tumor Deformation

Purpose: Recently, template matching has been shown to be able to track tumor motion on cine-MRI images. However, artifacts such as deformation, rotation, and/or out-of-plane movement could seriously degrade the performance of this technique. In this work, we demonstrate the utility of multiple templates derived from different phases of tumor motion in reducing the negative effects of artifacts and improving the accuracy of template matching methods. Methods: Data from 2 patients with large tumors and significant tumor deformation were analyzed from a group of 12 patients from an earlier study. Cine-MRI (200 frames) imaging was performed while the patients were instructed to breathe normally. Ground truth tumor position was established on each frame manually by a radiation oncologist. Tumor positions were also automatically determined using template matching with either single or multiple (5) templates. The tracking errors, defined as the absolute differences in tumor positions determined by the manual and automated methods, when using either single or multiple templates were compared in both the AP and SI directions, respectively. Results: Using multiple templates reduced the tracking error of template matching. In the SI direction where the tumor movement and deformation were significant, the mean tracking error decreased from 1.94 mm to 0.91 mm (Patient 1) and from 6.61 mm to 2.06 mm (Patient 2). In the AP direction where the tumor movement was small, the reduction of the mean tracking error was significant in Patient 1 (from 3.36 mm to 1.04 mm), but not in Patient 2 ( from 3.86 mm to 3.80 mm). Conclusion: This study shows the effectiveness of using multiple templates in improving the performance of template matching when artifacts like large tumor deformation or out-of-plane motion exists. Accurate tumor tracking capabilities can be integrated with MRI guided radiation therapy systems. This work was supported in part by grants from NIH/NCI CA 124766 and Varian Medical Systems, Palo Alto, CA.
Assay to Evaluate the Reaction Kinetics of Chondroitin AC Lyase Produced by Cytophaga columnaris

Abstract The development of an assay to quantitate chondroitin AC lyase activity of Cytophaga columnaris isolates is described. Assay conditions were defined by using C. columnaris originally isolated from channel catfish Ictalurus punctatus, coho salmon Oncorhynchus kisutch, goldfish Carassius auratus, and striped bass Morone saxatilis affected with clinical columnaris disease. Supernatant and cellular components of broth cultures exhibited strong activity, and rates of chondroitin sulfate degradation ranged from 20.0 to 81.4 μg/(mL.h) for the cell component and from 35.4 to 83.4 μg/(mL.h) for the supernatant. Degradation rates were calculated by simple linear regression analysis, and most correlations ranged from −0.90 to −1.00. The assay provided results within 2–3 h, and the enzyme is active under a wide range of pH (5–9) and temperature (10–50°C) conditions. The assay can be used as a simple diagnostic aid to differentiate C. columnaris from Cytophaga psychrophila, but more importantly, as a quantita...
Segmentation and tracking of cytoskeletal filaments using open active contours

We use open active contours to quantify cytoskeletal structures imaged by fluorescence microscopy in two and three dimensions. We developed an interactive software tool for segmentation, tracking, and visualization of individual fibers. Open active contours are parametric curves that deform to minimize the sum of an external energy derived from the image and an internal bending and stretching energy. The external energy generates (i) forces that attract the contour toward the central bright line of a filament in the image, and (ii) forces that stretch the active contour toward the ends of bright ridges. Images of simulated semiflexible polymers with known bending and torsional rigidity are analyzed to validate the method. We apply our methods to quantify the conformations and dynamics of actin in two examples: actin filaments imaged by TIRF microscopy in vitro, and actin cables in fission yeast imaged by spinning disk confocal microscopy.
N = 2 super-Riemann surfaces

Abstract Super-Riemann surfaces are generalized to N ⩾ 2. Basis differentials and tensors are defined. For even N , a distinction between general O( N ) surfaces and SO( N ) (untwisted) surfaces arises. This is treated in detail for N = 2, and some examples are given. There is a short discussion of the N = 2 extension of SL 2 and Beltrami differentials.
Dimensions of purchase-decision involvement: Affective and cognitive involvement in product and brand

The purpose of this study is to demonstrate that purchase-decision involvement (PDI) can be considered a multidimensional construct consisting of four lower order constructs (that is, cognitive vs affective involvement and product vs brand involvement) and to show the usefulness of measuring these four types of involvement to marketing and advertising managers. The results from the confirmatory factor analysis procedure using a sample of 688 college students support the distinction of the proposed dimensions and suggest a new product classification plot that could provide marketers with more interpretable insights for marketing strategies.
Low energy electron attachment to gaseous chromium oxides

Abstract Chromium oxide (CrO3) was vaporized from a Knudsen cell into the ionization chamber of a time-of-flight mass spectrometer. The ions CrO3−, (CrO3)2− and (CrO3)3− were observed. The dimer and trimer showed resonance capture processes at approximately O eV electron energy. In addition, the dimer ion was formed by dissociative resonance capture at three resonances having onsets at 2·8, 3·8 and 4·8 eV. These are attributed to formation of (CrO3)2− from the neutral pentamer, tetramer and trimer respectively. When the appearance potentials are corrected for excess energy the electron affinity of (CrO3)2 is found to be 1·6 ± 0·3 eV. The trimer ion exhibited two dissociative resonance capture peaks at 2·7 and 4·1 eV attributable to the formation of (CrO3)3− from the pentomer and tetramer respectively. Excess energy could not be measured, but the electron affinity was estimated to be approximately 1·8 eV.
Air-surface exchange of mercury with soils amended with ash materials.

Abstract Air-surface exchange of mercury (Hg) was measured from soil low in Hg (0.013 mg/kg) amended with four different ash materials: a wood ash containing ∼10% coal ash (0.070 mg/kg Hg), a mixture of two subbituminous coal fly ashes (0.075 mg/kg Hg), a subbituminous coal ash containing ∼10% petroleum coke ash (1.2 mg/kg Hg), and an ash from incinerated municipal sewage sludge (4.3 mg/kg Hg) using a dynamic flux chamber. Ash was added to soil to simulate agricultural supplements, soil stabilization, and pad layers used in livestock areas. For the agricultural amendment, ∼0.4% ash was well mixed into the soil. To make the stabilized soil that could be used for construction purposes, ∼20% ash was mixed into soil with water. The pad layer consisted of a wetted 1-cm layer of ash material on the soil surface. Diel trends of Hg flux were observed for all of the substrates with significantly higher Hg emissions during the day and negligible flux or deposition of Hg during the night. Hg fluxes, which were measu...