cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Marshes with and without sills protect estuarine shorelines from erosion better than bulkheads during a Category 1 hurricane

Acting on the perception that they perform better for longer, most property owners in the United States choose hard engineered structures, such as bulkheads or riprap revetments, to protect estuarine shorelines from erosion. Less intrusive alternatives, specifically marsh plantings with and without sills, have the potential to better sustain marsh habitat and support its ecosystem services, yet their shoreline protection capabilities during storms have not been evaluated. In this study, the performances of alternative shoreline protection approaches during Hurricane Irene (Category 1 storm) were compared by 1) classifying resultant damage to shorelines with different types of shoreline protection in three NC coastal regions after Irene; and 2) quantifying shoreline erosion at marshes with and without sills in one NC region by using repeated measurements of marsh surface elevation and marsh vegetation stem density before and after Irene. In the central Outer Banks, NC, where the strongest sustained winds blew across the longest fetch; Irene damaged 76% of bulkheads surveyed, while no damage to other shoreline protection options was detected. Across marsh sites within 25 km of its landfall, Hurricane Irene had no effect on marsh surface elevations behind sills or along marsh shorelines without sills. Although Irene temporarily reduced marsh vegetation density at sites with and without sills, vegetation recovered to pre-hurricane levels within a year. Storm responses suggest that marshes with and without sills are more durable and may protect shorelines from erosion better than the bulkheads in a Category 1 storm. This study is the first to provide data on the shoreline protection capabilities of marshes with and without sills relative to bulkheads during a substantial storm event, and to articulate a research framework to assist in the development of comprehensive policies for climate change adaptation and sustainable management of estuarine shorelines and resources in U.S. and globally.
Dispersion characteristics of microstrip lines in the vicinity of a coplanar ground

The influence of a coplanar ground on the dispersion characteristics of neighbouring microstrip is studied using the time-domain finite-difference method. Changes in characteristic impedance and propagation constant from those of ideal microstrip are obtained. Further, an imaginary part of the characteristic impedance and a non-negligible attenuation constant are detected at high frequencies.
Bering Sea shifts toward an earlier spring transition

Major changes have occurred in the northern high latitudes in the last two decades. These changes range from decreases in marine mammal populations to stratospheric cooling and permafrost warmings. Over Alaska and northwestern Canada, there is an earlier transition from winter to spring. Alaskan natives who live along the coast of the northern Bering Sea have noted warmer spring temperatures, thinner sea ice, and earlier melting of snow and ice. While winters over the northern Bering Sea are cold and dark, the long hours of daylight during spring and summer, coupled with high concentrations of nutrients, make this region among the most productive in the world. Change in timing of the transition between winter and spring is affecting the ecosystem, which in turn will impact the fishermen and natives who use the Bering Sea's living resources.
Ramanujan's Forty Identities for the Rogers-ramanujan Functions

The Rogers-Ramanujan identities are perhaps the most important identities in the theory of partitions. They were first proved by L.J. Rogers in 1894 and rediscovered by Ramanujan prior to his departure for England. Since that time, they have inspired a huge amount of research, including many analogues and generalizations. Published with the lost notebook is a manuscript providing 40 identities satisfied by these functions. In contrast to the Rogers-Ramanujan identities, the identities in this manuscript are identities between the two Rogers-Ramanujan functions at different powers of the argument. In other words, they are modular equations satisfied by the functions. The theory of modular forms can be invoked to provide proofs, but such proofs provide us with little insight, in particular, with no insight on how Ramanujan might have discovered them. Thus, for nearly a century, mathematicians have attempted to find “elementary” proofs of the identities. In this chapter, “elementary” proofs are given for each identity, with the proofs of the most difficult identities found only recently by Hamza Yesilyurt.
Effect of acute and chronic spinal transection on evoked secretion of adrenal medullary catecholamines in the cat

Eight cats were spinally transected at T3. After an acute (0-5 days) or chronic (15-37 days) period, animals were rendered decerebrate and the effects of visceral (bladder distention) and somatic (sciatic nerve stimulation) stimuli were examined. Epinephrine, norepinephrine and dopamine levels were measured in plasma collected from the left adrenolumbar vein; heart rate and blood pressure were continuously monitored. In chronic animals both visceral and somatic stimuli most frequently evoked prominent increases in blood pressure and the secretion of adrenal medullary catecholamines; the same stimuli caused little change in these parameters in acute animals. These data indicate that a condition similar to the clinical syndrome of autonomic hyperreflexia may be elicited in the chronic spinally transected cat, and that this condition is accompanied by a notable activation of the adrenal medulla.
Thermal Radiation from a Tropospheric Dust Suspension

INCREASING concern is being felt by scientists and laymen alike over the possibility of climate alteration due to increased atmospheric dust. Although the early consensus of most scientists was that increasing the dust content of the atmosphere would tend to cool the Earth, owing to an increased backscatter to space of solar radiation, several investigators have recently published studies indicating that this conclusion may not unconditionally hold true1–3. Thus, the question of whether increased atmospheric aerosol would tend to warm or cool the Earth, via its interaction with solar radiation, remains an open one, awaiting additional data on the solar scattering and absorptive properties of natural and man-made aerosols.
Earth science. Gas hydrates and deglaciations.

Long ago, Earth experienced a series of especially severe glaciations. A new explanation for deposits laid down at the end of these events centres on the large-scale release of methane from solid gas hydrates.
Effects of stress and motivation on performing a spatial task.

Learning is ubiquitous in the animal kingdom but has been studied extensively in only a handful of species. Moreover, learning studied under laboratory conditions is typically unrelated to the animal’s natural environment or life history. Here, we designed a task relevant to the natural behavior of male African cichlid fish (Astatotilapia burtoni), to determine if they could be trained on a spatial task to gain access to females and shelter. We measured both how successfully animals completed this task over time and whether and how immediate early gene and hormone expression profiles were related to success. While training fish in a maze, we measured time to task completion, circulating levels of three key hormones (cortisol, 11-ketotestosterone, and testosterone) and mRNA abundance of seven target genes including three immediate early genes (that served proxies for brain activity) in nine brain regions. Data from our subjects fell naturally into three phenotypes: fish that could be trained (learners), fish that could not be trained (non-learners) and fish that never attempted the task (non-attempters). Learners and non-learners had lower levels of circulating cortisol compared to fish that never attempted the task. Learners had the highest immediate early gene mRNA levels in the homologue of the hippocampus (dorsolateral telencephalon; Dl), lower cortisol (stress) levels and were more motivated to accomplish the task as measured by behavioral observations. Fish that never attempted the task showed the lowest activity within the Dl, high stress levels and little to no apparent motivation. Data from non-learners fell between these two extremes in behavior, stress, and motivation.
Rotational path partial denture design: A 10-year clinical follow-up—Part I

A conventional removable partial denture that uses a straight path of placement requires that all rests and clasps be seated simultaneously. The incorporation of a dual, curved, or rotational path of placement permits one portion of the framework to be seated first, followed by the remainder of the framework. This procedure usually permits a reduction in the number of clasps in the framework without compromising the biomechanical properties of the prosthesis. Rotational path designs that eliminate clasps reduce tooth coverage by components and often enhance esthetics, thereby contributing to improved patient acceptance.
From Africa to Jamaica. The Making of an Atlantic Slave Society, 1775–1807

Audra A. Diptee. From Africa to Jamaica. The Making of an Atlantic Slave Society, 1775–1807. Gainsville: University Press of Florida, 2010. Pp. i + xiv. 187. Slavery in Jamaica has a long historiog...
Fluoroscopically guided injections into the foot and ankle: localization of the source of pain as a guide to treatment--prospective study.

PURPOSE: To determine the value of injections of local anesthetic and steroids in the foot and ankle in localizing the source of pain and their effect on clinical confidence and decision making. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In 47 patients, fluoroscopically guided injections of local anesthetic and steroid into the foot and ankle were performed in 106 intra- and extraarticular sites. Questionnaires were completed by the referring surgeon before and after injections to evaluate the level of confidence with regard to the source of pain for each site injected and the proposed treatment plan. RESULTS: Forty-three (91%) patients reported pain relief after injections. The level of confidence that the site injected was the source of pain increased in 68 (64%) sites, decreased in 19 (18%) sites, and remained unaltered in 19 (18%) sites (P < .01). The treatment plan was changed from nonsurgical initially to surgical in three (8%) of 36 patients and was changed from surgical to nonsurgical in three (27%) of 11 patients af...
‘PCr overshoot’: a study of the duration in canine myocardium

The phosphocreatine (PCr) overshoot is a well-documented phenomenon and is readily observable by 31P MRS. In addition, a second 31P MRS observation during ischemia with reperfusion is a diminution in ATP levels. Combining these two as the 'PCr Overshoot' the PCr/ATP ratio may provide an index of viability. However little information is available regarding the duration of this 'overshoot'. For this approach to be useful clinically, the duration of this phenomenon must be ascertained. An open chest canine model of 12 min of ischemia followed by reperfusion (6h) was used. A 2 cm surface coil was sutured to the myocardium and spectra were acquired at 4.7 T. Gated spectra were acquired in <2.5 min with an interpulse delay of 5 s. Integrals of the PCr and ATP (beta) resonances were analyzed using a line-fitting routine. Overall, the PCr signal increased from 22.0+/-0.8 to 25.5+/-0.9 and ATP decreased from 11.7+/-0.4 to 10.0+/-0.4 (arbitrary units). The PCr remained elevated for the entire 6h period and the percentage increase was 15.9%. The ATP remained depleted for the entire 6h period and the percentage decrease was 17.0%. Thus, the clinically relevant and readily observable PCr/ATP is a product of both an increase in PCr and a decrease in ATP for a calculated net increase in PCr/ATP of 39.6%. The PCr/ATP ratio of the ischemia group for baseline, ischemia, 6h reflow, were: 2.33+/-0.18, 1.04+/-0.29 and 3.22+/-0.21. We demonstrate that the 'PCr overshoot' is readily observable and can be monitored noninvasively and nondestructively for 6h. Therefore, the 'PCr overshoot' may be a viable marker of reversible injury in this model and may prove to be applicable for detecting myocardial viability in patients.
Etomidate and adrenal insufficiency: The controversy continues

Background Critically ill patients often require emergency intubation. The use of etomidate as the sedative agent in this context has been challenged because it may cause a reversible adrenal insufficiency, potentially associated with increased in-hospital morbidity. We compared early and 28-day morbidity after a single dose of etomidate or ketamine used for emergency endotracheal intubation of critically ill patients. Methods In this randomized, controlled, single-blind trial, 655 patients who needed sedation for emergency intubation were prospectively enrolled from 12 emergency medical services or emergency departments and 65 intensive care units in France. Patients were randomly assigned by a computerized random-number generator list to receive 0-3 mg/kg of etomidate (n = 328) or 2 mg/kg of ketamine (n = 327) for intubation. Only the emergency physician enrolling patients was aware of group assignment. The primary endpoint was the maximum score of the sequential organ failure assessment during the first 3 days in the intensive care unit. We excluded from the analysis patients who died before reaching the hospital or those discharged from the intensive care unit before 3 days (modified intention to treat). This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT00440102. Findings 234 patients were analyzed in the etomidate group and 235 in the ketamine group. The mean maximum SOFA score between the two groups did not differ significantly (10.3 [SD 3.7] for etomidate vs. 9.6 [3.9] for ketamine; mean difference 0.7 [95% CI 0.0-1.4], p = 0.056). Intubation conditions did not differ significantly between the two groups (median intubation difficulty score 1 [IQR 0-3] in both groups; p = 0.70). The percentage of patients with adrenal insufficiency was significantly higher in the etomidate group than in the ketamine group (OR 6.7, 3.5-12.7). We recorded no serious adverse events with either study drug. Interpretation Our results show that ketamine is a safe and valuable alternative to etomidate for endotracheal intubation in critically ill patients, and should be considered in those with sepsis.
Initial synaptic efficacy influences induction and expression of long-term changes in transmission.

Abstract Long-term depression (LTD) of glutamatergic and electrotonic transmission can be induced at mixed synapses between eighth nerve fibers and the goldfish Mauthner (M) cell in vivo, by pairing weak presynaptic tetani with postsynaptic inhibition. This LTD can be reversed by stronger tetani that produce long-term potentiation (LTP). Moreover, the depression is more likely to occur and tends to last longer when the initial synaptic efficacy is high--that is, if the synaptic strength is first potentiated. In addition, when synaptic efficacy is initially elevated, a weak tetanization that usually results in a gradually developing potentiation instead produces no change in chemical transmission and even a depression of electrotonic coupling. Thus, the modifications in synaptic transmission caused by a certain tetanizing protocol depend upon the history of synaptic efficacy. This last concept provides an experimental basis for theoretical models concerned with pre- and postsynaptic contributions to the regulation of synaptic plasticity.
The Descent of Rights and the Descent of Persons

Explication and evaluation of the relative ethnographic and theoretical merits of several constructions of “descent” and “descent groups” (by W. H. R. Rivers, M. Fortes, and W. Goodenough, among others) reveals that relations of descent can have right and duty values only where patri- or matrifiliation is the necessary and sufficient condition for inclusion in a social group. Therefore, only unilineally constituted groups should be described as descent groups.
Regional Normal Liver Tissue Density Changes in Patients Treated with Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy for Liver Metastases

A quantitative approach to evaluate stereo tactic body radiation therapy (SBRT)-induced normal liver tissue changes in patients with liver metastases was performed. 104 non-contrast treatment follow-up computed topography (CT) scans of 35 patients who received SBRT between 2004 and 2011 were retrospectively analyzed (range, 0.7-36 months, median, 8.1 months). The dose distributions from planning CTs were mapped to follow-up CTs using rigid registration. SBRT-induced normal liver density changes on post-SBRT follow-up CT scans were evaluated at approximately 4, 8, 12, 18, and 36 months. Dose-response curves (DRCs) were generated over the entire patient population by computing the mean Hounsfield unit (HU) in liver regions corresponding to dose bins ranging from 0-55 Gy in 5 Gy intervals. A hypo dense radio logic change in irradiated liver linearly related to dose (slope, -0.13 AHU/Gy) was observed, with significant mean CT changes of-9.3 ± 0.64 AHU and-9.8 ± 0.75 AHU at 45-50 Gy and 50-55 Gy, respectively. Furthermore, the data revealed that SBRT induces this hypo dense radiation reaction with demarcation set by the 30 to 35 Gy iso dose volume.
The enhancement of in vitro survival and chondrogenesis of limb bud cells by cartilage conditioned medium.

Abstract Dissociated stage 21–28 chick embryo limb bud cells showed an increasing ability to produce cartilage colonies in vitro with in vivo maturation. In addition dissociated stage 21–28 chick embryo limb bud cells exposed to cartilage conditioned medium continuously or only for 48 hr prior to subculture showed an enhanced (as much as 15-fold) ability to form differentiated cartilage colonies. By this criterion, cells were more responsive to conditioned medium prior to stage 25. Conditioned medium from fibroblast cultures caused an inhibition of cartilage colony formation, suggesting that the effect is cell-type specific. Besides increasing cartilage colony formation by enhanced cell survival, the incorporation of S35O4 into isolated glycosaminoglycans is also stimulated when limb bud cells are exposed to cartilage conditioned medium. The results support a model for cell differentiation which involves the enhancement of a particular differentiated capacity by a diffusible cell-type-specific macromolecule.
Vector meson emission by leptons in nuclear coulomb fields

Abstract It is proposed that experiments be undertaken which study the emission of ϕ, ω, and ϱ 0 by very high energy electrons or muons incident on the Coulomb fields of high- Z nuclei. A determination of the cross section for this process would provide an indirect way of measuring decay rates of the type V → l + + l − where V = ϕ , ω , and ϱ 0 and l ± = e ± , μ ± . The cross section for the reaction l ± + Z → l ± + V + Z , where V is emitted from a lepton-lepton-meson vertex, is derived and some estimates are made of background processes.
Carbon-14 labelling of acarbose – a challenge over more than 20 years†

Acarbose is a potent α-glucosidase inhibitor which is used successfully as a drug for the treatment of type II diabetes. The compound prevents enzymes of the α-glucosidase group from cleaving carbohydrates. For the investigation of pharmacokinetics and drug metabolism a first carbon-14 labelling synthesis was performed in 1981. According to the pharmaceutical production process, the radiosynthesis was performed by fermentation. Due to limited radiolytic stability, repeated radiosyntheses were necessary. Finally, carbon-14 labelling was optimized to prepare [14C]acarbose on a gram scale with a significant increase of the radiochemical yield. The aspects of the fermentation over a period of about 20 years are described focussing the attention on the optimized radiosynthesis. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Effects of Nosema fumiferanae (Microsporida) on Fecundity, Fertility, and Progeny Performance of Choristoneura fumiferana (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae)

Female eastern spruce budworm, Choristoneura fumiferana (Clemens), inoculated sublethally as fourth or fifth instars with Nosema fumiferanae (Thomson), exhibited significant reductions in size, fecundity, and total egg complement. Mating success and egg fertility were similar for treated and control insects. The presence of disease improved the positive correlation between fecundity or total egg complement and female pupal weight without significantly reducing the slope. Toyal egg complement was negatively correlated with disease load. A subsample of progeny reared from each fertile mating indicates 100% transovarial transmission efficiency at the spore dosages provided. Diseased progeny experienced twice the larval mortality, and surviving individuals were approximately 25% smaller and took 17% longer to complete development than healthy progeny. Material disease laod was a significant, positive factor in percentage progeny mortality and male pupal weight.
Nuclear data sheets for A = 190

Abstract Experimental nuclear structure and decay data for nuclides of mass A=190 have been evaluated. This work supersedes the previous evaluation by M. R. Schmorak, published in Nuclear Data Sheets 9, 401 (1973). Because of the new experimental results which are incorporated, the present evaluation involves a complete revision of the level structure of every mass-190 nuclide except 190Ir. It covers significant new results not included in the recent evaluation by R. E. Doebler and E. Browne (Table of Isotopes, 7th Edition, ed. by C. M. Lederer and V. S. Shirley, p. 1213ff, John Wiley and Sons, Inc. (1978)) for the following nuclides and reactions or decay schemes: 190Os from 189Os(n,γ) and Coulomb excitation; 190Pt from (HI,xnγ) reactions and 192Pt(p,t); 190Au from 191Ir(α,5nγ); 190Hg from (HI,xnγ) reactions; 190Tl from 190Pb e decays; 190Pb from 154Gd(40Ar,4nγ). Of the nuclei readily studied by nuclear reactions, little is presently known of the odd-odd 190Ir, and there are only sketchy, preliminary data on high-spin states of 190Au, which is expected to have a low-lying 11- isomer whose decay has not been observed. A recent measurement of the g-factor for the 24.1-ns isomer in 190Hg suggests strongly that this state decays by an unobserved transition, whose existence requires confirmation.
AGU Launches Innovative Open Access, Transdisciplinary Journal: Earth's Future

AGU announces the addition of a new publication to its journals program: Earth's Future. An exploration of global change and sustainability, the new journal will emphasize the Earth as an interactive, evolving system under the influence of the human enterprise and will reflect the risks and opportunities associated with environmental changes and challenges.
Embryotoxicity elicited by inhibition of γ-glutamyltransferase by Acivicin and transferase antibodies in cultured rat embryos

Abstract Acivicin (also known as AT-125) and IgG isolated from goat anti-γ-glutamyltransferase antiserum were used to inhibit the activity of γ-glutamyltransferase (GGT, EC 2.3.2.2) in rat conceptuses cultured from Days 10 to 11 of gestation. Inhibition of GGT by either Acivicin or anti-GGT IgG produced embryotoxicity and malformations, although each compound produced a unique spectrum of effects. Acivicin, at an initial concentration in the culture medium of 5 μ m , produced a marked decrease in yolk sac vasculature and was associated with embryonic malformations such as neural tube necrosis, microophthalmia, and cephalic edema after 24 hr exposure. These malformations were accompanied by significant decreases in both embryonic and yolk sac protein, yolk sac GGT activity, as well as embryonic glutathione (GSH) levels. In contrast, anti-GGT IgG produced no apparent effects on yolk sac vasculature or protein after exposure of conceptuses to an initial concentration of 50 μg IgG/ml culture medium, even though equal inhibition of yolk sac GGT (30%) was achieved by each inhibitor. Exposure to IgG (50 μg/ml) for 24 hr was associated with decreased embryonic protein; decreased levels of GSH in the embryo were observed after both 3 and 24 hr. The dichotomy of effects on the yolk sac by the two compounds indicates that Acivicin produced these effects by mechanisms other than by GGT inhibition alone. These results demonstrate that inhibition of GGT in rat embryos undergoing organogenesis can elicit embryotoxic effects and produce alterations in GSH levels. The capacity of the anti-GGT antibody to inhibit the GGT activity in the yolk sac (while having no apparent effect on yolk sac morphology), and yet influence the embryo by decreasing protein and GSH levels, underscores the important role of the yolk sac during the highly sensitive stages of organogenesis.
Falling Through the Cracks: Children Who Are Exceptions to the RTI Identification Process

Abstract This article discusses late emerging reading disabilities (RD) and provides possible explanations for false negatives that occur in the RTI process. In addition to providing a theoretical ...
Quantitation of site-specific HPV 16 DNA methylation by pyrosequencing

Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a necessary but insufficient cause of cervical cancer. Factors influencing transcription, such as epigenetic silencing through viral DNA methylation, may impact neoplastic progression. Pyrosequencing technology was applied to quantify methylation at 19 cytosine guanine dinucleotide (CpG) sites in the L1 3' and long control region (LCR) of HPV 16 DNA using cell lines, CaSki ( approximately 400 integrated copies of HPV 16) and SiHa (1-2 integrated copies of HPV 16) that differ in their transcriptional activity. Methylation levels ranged from 20 to 100% in CaSki and from 0 to 85% in SiHa over the entire 19 CpG sites, with a >40-fold difference in the methylation levels of their promoter and enhancer regions (SiHa<2% and CaSki 79%). The method was successful at a limiting dilution of 1-4 HPV 16 DNA copies/3000 cells, a level compatible with most clinical samples. The results were not affected by fixation in methanol-based liquid cytology collection fluid or method of extraction. Conditions optimized with cell lines were applicable to fixed exfoliated cervical cells. Pyrosequencing provides a quantitative site-specific assessment of methylation at multiple CpG sites without cloning, and is thus suited to large-scale molecular epidemiologic studies.
The male rape victim: Evaluation and treatment

The medical literature offers little guidance in the evaluation of male victims of sexual assault. The statutes are a confusing patchwork of conflicting and sexually biased laws. Children and adolescents probably represent the majority of patients, and are typically engaged by subterfuge, often with adults known to the child. Forcible assault, common in adult victims, is not characteristic in the pediatric age group. The evaluation and treatment of the sexually abused male victim is similar to his female counterpart. Physicians and emergency department staff must be knowledgeable regarding their responsibilities to these patients, and concerned with the medical, legal and psychological ramifications of sexual assault.
Anomalous Mitral Arcade in Twin-Twin Transfusion Syndrome

Background—Echocardiography has documented acquired pulmonary stenosis and cardiomyopathy in recipient fetuses in twin-twin transfusion syndrome. At autopsy, we also have identified anomalous mitral arcade, a rare valve deformity associated with mitral regurgitation. Methods and Results—To identify a profile for anomalous mitral arcade, we compared clinicopathological data from 11 sets of autopsied twin-twin transfusion syndrome fetuses, including 4 twin pairs in whom the recipient had anomalous mitral arcade (affected) and 7 pairs in whom both had structurally normal mitral valves (unaffected). Anomalous mitral arcade was characterized by a thick fibrous band at the free margin of the leaflets tethering papillary muscles and absent/short tendinous cords. One affected recipient also had pulmonary stenosis and tricuspid valve dysplasia. In all 11 sets, recipient hearts were larger than paired donor hearts. All 11 recipients had moderate to severe cardiac dysfunction by echocardiography. Echocardiography di...
Prone hypofractionated whole-breast radiotherapy without a boost to the tumor bed: comparable toxicity of IMRT versus a 3D conformal technique.

Purpose We report a comparison of the dosimetry and toxicity of three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy (3D-CRT) vs. intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) among patients treated in the prone position with the same fractionation and target of the hypofractionation arm of the Canadian/Whelan trial. Methods and Materials An institutional review board–approved protocol identified a consecutive series of early-stage breast cancer patients treated according to the Canadian hypofractionation regimen but in the prone position. Patients underwent IMRT treatment planning and treatment if the insurance carrier approved reimbursement for IMRT; in case of refusal, a 3D-CRT plan was used. A comparison of the dosimetric and toxicity outcomes during the acute, subacute, and long-term follow-up of the two treatment groups is reported. Results We included 97 consecutive patients with 100 treatment plans in this study (3 patients with bilateral breast cancer); 40 patients were treated with 3D-CRT and 57 with IMRT. IMRT significantly reduced the maximum dose (Dmax median, 109.96% for 3D-CRT vs. 107.28% for IMRT; p p p = 0.03, chi-square test) and Grade 2 to 3 subacute hyperpigmentation ( p = 0.01, Fisher exact test). With a minimum of 6 months' follow-up, the treatment was similarly well tolerated in either group, including among women with large breast volumes. Conclusion Hypofractionated breast radiotherapy is well tolerated when treating patients in the prone position, even among those with large breast volumes. Breast IMRT significantly improves dosimetry but yields only a modest but confirmed benefit in terms of toxicities. If a concurrent boost to the tumor bed is not required, a conformal 3D-CRT approach can adequately deliver prone whole-breast hypofractionation radiotherapy.
AC susceptibility study of A d=3 random field ising model system: Fe0.46Zn0.54F2

Abstract The ac parallel susceptibility χ'(T) was measured in fields 0 ⩽ H ⩽ 2 T, for the d = 3 RFIM system Fe0.46Zn0.54F2. At H = 0 χ'(T) exhibits an asymmetric cusp, as predicted. With increasing H, the cusp transforms into a H-broadened peak whose shift and width scale as H2/φ. Negligible hysteresis was observed between FC and ZFC.
Cognitive Behavioral Treatment for Insomnia in Veterans with Long-Standing Posttraumatic Stress Disorder: A Pilot Study

This uncontrolled pilot study assessed the effects of cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia in veterans with long-standing posttraumatic stress disorder. Male veterans with current chronic insomnia and PTSD (n = 8; M age = 58.6, SD = 3.0; 87.5% African American, 12.5% European American; 87.5% Vietnam Veterans, 12.5% 1st Gulf War Veterans) reported a trauma related to their military service. Participants appeared for five weekly individual sessions of cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia and completed one-week assessments of objective sleep (actigraphy) and subjective sleep (sleep diaries), the Insomnia Severity Index, and measures of functioning, posttraumatic stress disorder, and psychological distress both before and after treatment. Paired t tests revealed significant posttreatment improvements for various subjective assessments of sleep patterns but actigraphy-defined sleep was unchanged. Measures of functioning, nightmares, and posttraumatic stress disorder severity were also unchanged at po...
Dynamic adsorption of carbon dioxide on microporous carbons

Abstract The dynamic adsorption of CO 2 , at a partial pressure of about 4 Torr (total pressure, 1 atm), has been studied on two relatively pure carbon sieves and one commercial active carbon at 25°C. Regeneration of the carbon activity over a number of adsorption-desorption cycles has also been studied. The capacity of the carbon for CO 2 and its regeneration depends not only upon the porous nature of the carbon but also on the amount and type of the impurities present on the carbon surface. The results show that a substantial proportion of CO 2 adsorbed on the active carbon is held on impurities, the carbon with its large surface area acting as a support for these impurities.
Indium tin oxide on InP by pulsed laser deposition

Abstract Indium tin oxide (ITO) films with a resistivity of the order of 6 × 10−4 Ω cm were deposited at room temperature on InP by pulsed laser ablation. The resistivity of the films was further reduced to less than 2 × 10−4 Ω cm if the deposition was done at a substrate temperature of 310 °C. The enhanced blue response of the photovoltaic device of ITO/InP deposited at room temperature indicated improved collection efficiency near the ITO-InP interface. The dark current—voltage measurements indicated higher excess current at lower bias for the devices fabricated at 310 °C.
Molecular mechanism of spider silk elasticity.

Abstract Spider major ampullate (drag-line) silk is an extracellular fibrous protein which has impressive characteristics of strength and elasticity. This silk has been hypothesized to predominantly consist of a single protein, containing regions of antiparallel β-sheets which are interspersed with amorphous segments responsible for its elastic properties. A rubber-like mechanism has been suggested to account for this elasticity, but the specific molecular mechanism is unknown. Using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) we found evidence of either helix formation or reorientation of preexisting helices when axial tension is applied to the spider silk fiber. CD studies of a peptide derived from the silk gene repeat sequence show that it can form β-sheets at high temperatures while α-helices are induced in 2,2,2-trifluoroethanol. These results suggest a possible molecular mechanism for the elasticity of spider silk fibers. It is proposed that the elastic process involves the formation and disruption of α-helical Ala-rich regions which are interspersed among stable β-sheet domains.
Gossypol. Synthesis and in vitro spermicidal activity of isomeric hemigossypol derivatives

Three isomeric hemigossypol derivatives (3, 4, 5) have been synthesized. Two of these derivatives (3, 4) and one synthetic intermediate (7) have been shown to have activity comparable to gossypol (1) in a sperm motility assay.
Ab-initio calculation, using ab-initio pseudopotentials, of some electronic properties of ethane, methylsilane and disilane

Abstract Recently-developed ab-initio pseudopotentials are employed for the calculation of electronic energy levels and internal rotation barriers in C 2 H 6 , CH 3 SiH 3 and Si 2 H 6 . The calculations are performed at the experimental internal geometry, using double-zeta quality gaussian basis sets. The results show that the errors caused by the use of the pseudo-potential are negligible compared to those of limited basis-set size, so that the pseudopotentials can indeed be used to replace the core electrons.
Psychomotor performance and monoamine function in bipolar and unipolar affective disorders

Abstract Background: Affective disorders are associated with prominent psychomotor abnormalities that may be related to changes in arousal or motivation due to altered catecholamine function. Methods: We investigated relationships between performance on psychomotor tests of motor speed (reaction time and tapping speed) and visual tracking (trail making and dot placement) and catecholamine system function including cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) or urinary concentrations of catecholamines or their metabolites. Subjects were medicine-free inpatients with unipolar depression or with manic, depressive, or mixed episodes of bipolar disorder, and healthy controls matched by gender and stratified by age. Results: Unipolar and bipolar depressed patients were impaired in motor speed, dexterity, and visual tracking, whereas manic and mixed patients did not differ from controls. Tapping speed correlated positively with CSF 3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenylglycol in healthy controls and with CSF homovanillic acid in bipolar depressed subjects. Increased catecholamine function correlated with slowing in all other measures for patients with bipolar disorder. Relationships between catecholamines and psychomotor function were weaker in unipolar depressed subjects. Psychomotor function was related to severity of depression in bipolar, but not in unipolar, patients. Conclusions: These data suggest that catecholamine systems are associated with increased arousal and psychomotor impairment in patients with bipolar disorder. Similar behavioral changes have different neurotransmitter relationships in unipolar disorder.
Realistic human walking paths

Pedestrian navigation is a complex function of human dynamics, a desired destination, and the presence of obstacles. People cannot stop and start instantaneously and their turning abilities are influenced by kinematic and dynamical constraints. A realistic model of human walking paths is an important development for entertainment applications and many classes of simulations. We present a novel behavioral model of path planning that extends previous models through its significant use of pedestrian performance statistics that were obtained during a suite of experiments. We develop an original interpretation of quantitative metrics for measuring a model's accuracy, and use it to compare our path planning approach to a popular contemporary method. Results indicate that this new path planning model better fits natural human behavior than previous models.
Off-loading neuropathic wounds associated with diabetes using an ankle-foot orthosis

Patients with chronic diabetes have a broad spectrum of associated peripheral neurologic deficits that culminate in an increased susceptibility to ulcer formation. The authors focus on the use of the ankle-foot orthosis as both a treatment and a definitive solution for achieving ulcer closure and for minimizing the chance of ulcer recurrence in the ambulatory patient. An analysis of the pathologic forces encountered, and the solution achieved with the ankle-foot orthosis is presented. In addition, the results from a clinical pilot study in subjects with recalcitrant ulcers secondary to Charcot's neuroarthropathy are presented.
Joint tests for quantitative trait loci in experimental crosses

Selective genotyping is common because it can increase the expected correlation between QTL genotype and phenotype and thus increase the statistical power of linkage tests (i.e., regression-based tests). Linkage can also be tested by assessing whether the marginal genotypic distribution conforms to its expectation, a marginal-based test. We developed a class of joint tests that, by constraining intercepts in regression-based analyses, capitalize on the information available in both regression-based and marginal-based tests. We simulated data corresponding to the null hypothesis of no QTL effect and the alternative of some QTL effect at the locus for a backcross and an F2 intercross between inbred strains. Regression-based and marginal-based tests were compared to corresponding joint tests. We studied the effects of random sampling, selective sampling from a single tail of the phenotypic distribution, and selective sampling from both tails of the phenotypic distribution. Joint tests were nearly as powerful as all competing alternatives for random sampling and two-tailed selection under both backcross and F2 intercross situations. Joint tests were generally more powerful for one-tailed selection under both backcross and F2 intercross situations. However, joint tests cannot be recommended for one-tailed selective genotyping if segregation distortion is suspected.
Studies on the use of propylene carbonate as a high-voltage insulator

A research program has been initiated to determine if propylene carbonate can be used as an insulator in the high-voltage accelerator field. Electrical properties, such as dielectric strength, resistivity, frequency response, and surface tracking, have been investigated. Initial tests show that propylene carbonate can be deionized to several M Omega -cm and that the electric field strength of plastic laminates immersed in it is several times higher than that of laminates immersed in oil. These tests reveal that a materials compatibility problem exists but that it will not be so severe as to limit propylene carbonate usage in this field. >
Lost letter returns on five topics from urban waterfront, and smaller rural communities.

Summary.-OF 850 lerters "lost" in Florida, 339 (39.9%) were returned in the mail and indicated across 5 addressees, 2 sizes of community, and 2 destinations, community size and addressees' affiiiations were associated with returned responses, but not destinations. These findings seem to indicate that there was no bias in he willingness of people to help some strangers with a mailing address in another Florida county. The similarities of our findings with other measures of public response were discussed. The lost letter technique is a research tool for measuring community sentiment toward political organizations, includmg deviant ones (5). Milgram, et al. (5) addressed stamped letters to fictitious persons, some considered differing in conformity to conventional social norms, and dstributed a large number of them in various public locations where they could be found by passersby. It was assumed that a passerby would either ignore the letter, respond to it but not take it, or pick it up and take it with them possibly for return in the mail. Presumably, a letter finder's attitude toward a particular person or group might affect this decision. Thus, the dependent variable was subjects' whgness to pick up and return in the mail these "lost letters." By changing the name of the organization in the address of the lost letter, varied rates of return for each political group were noted by Mdgram et al. (5).
The Yugoslav Investment Auctions

Introduction, 88. — I. Yugoslav experience with investment auctions, — II. The theory of investment auctions, 102. — III. Conclusions, 114.
Spin valves with cobalt-ferrite pinning layers

Summary form only given. The authors present cobalt ferrite (CoFe/sub 2/O/sub 4/) as a pinning layer for spin valves. This is the first use of an insulating ferrimagnet in spin valve pinning. A minor R-H loop of a typical cobalt ferrite pinned spin valve, taken in /spl plusmn/2 kOe, is shown. The structure is: 400 /spl Aring/ CoFe/sub 2/O/sub 4//30 /spl Aring/ Co/25 /spl Aring/ Cu/5 /spl Aring/ Co/40 /spl Aring/ NiFe/30 /spl Aring/ Ru. High /spl Delta/R/R (>12%) is observed as are high sheet resistance and pinning fields of 25.5 Ohm/square and 1500 Oe, respectively.
Applied Geography in the Provision of Educational Services

Education is a pervasive and prominent part of society. Just in the arena of the provision of educational services, opportunities for involvement abound. Schools are everywhere, arranged at defined hierarchical levels, and operating within an elaborate structure of control, for private as well as public education.
Prospective Associations of Co-Rumination with Friendship and Emotional Adjustment: Considering the Socioemotional Trade-Offs of Co-Rumination

Co-ruminating, or excessively discussing problems, with friends is proposed to have adjustment tradeoffs. Co-rumination is hypothesized to contribute both to positive friendship adjustment and to problematic emotional adjustment. Previous single-assessment research was consistent with this hypothesis, but whether co-rumination is an antecedent of adjustment changes was unknown. A 6-month longitudinal study with middle childhood to midadolescent youths examined whether co-rumination is simultaneously a risk factor (for depression and anxiety) and a protective factor (for friendship problems). For girls, a reciprocal relationship was found in which co-rumination predicted increased depressive and anxiety symptoms and increased positive friendship quality over time, which, in turn, contributed to greater co-rumination. For boys, having depressive and anxiety symptoms and high-quality friendships also predicted increased co-rumination. However, for boys, co-rumination predicted only increasing positive friendship quality and not increasing depression and anxiety. An implication of this research is that some girls at risk for developing internalizing problems may go undetected because they have seemingly supportive friendships.
Effects of Music upon Emotional Content of Tat Stories

Summary Thirty-one Ss in Experiment 1 indicated by their responses on a semantic differential type questionnaire that four different musical selections aroused different emotions. The musical selections that produced the greatest contrast in emotional reports were used in Experiment 2 in which 60 stories written about an ambiguous picture were judged to have significantly different emotional content depending on whether the authors wrote while tension-producing music, calming music, or no music was played.
An analysis of borrowing policies for escrow transactions in a replicated data environment

Three issues in the context of escrow-based methods, are addressed. It is shown that full serializability can be guaranteed for escrow transactions by means of repeat semantics, that is, a transaction which fails is rerun in a special mode. The author describes a crash recovery protocol consistent with the concurrency control scheme used. An analysis is made, by means of a simulation model, of several different borrowing policies for escrow transactions and the best one is identified. >
In vitro efficacy of a polyhexamethylene biguanide-impregnated gauze dressing against bacteria found in veterinary patients.

Objective— To evaluate the in vitro efficacy of polyhexamethylene biguanide (PHMB)-impregnated gauze dressing in limiting the growth of bacteria both within and underneath the dressing. Study Design— In vitro study. Methods— Squares of PHMB-impregnated and control gauze were placed on agar plates inoculated with 1 of 11 bacterial species, including 8 multi-resistant organisms. Growth under the gauze was assessed qualitatively after 24-hour incubation. Repeated use of sponges was used to evaluate residual inhibitory activity against Micrococcus lutea and Staphylococcus schleiferi ss. schleiferi. In a second procedure, PHMB-impregnated and control gauze squares were placed in sterile plastic wells and inoculated with 1 of 5 bacterial species, including Pseudomonas spp. and Klebsiella spp. Inhibition of bacterial growth within and underneath the dressing after 24-hour incubation was evaluated by quantifying the numbers of bacteria on the well floor and within each square. Results— PHMB-impregnated gauze provided greater inhibition of growth of 4/4 Gram-positive species and 2/6 Gram-negative species on inoculated plates compared with control gauze. Residual inhibitory activity of PHMB-impregnated gauze was significantly greater against M. lutea on all days and against S. schleiferi ss. schleiferi on days 1 and 4 compared with control. No bacteria were recovered from inoculated PHMB-impregnated gauze squares placed in sterile wells or from the well floor underneath. More than 9 × 105 colony-forming units (CFU) were recovered from inoculated control samples placed in sterile wells and more than 8.4 × 104 CFU were recovered from control well floors. Conclusion— PHMB-impregnated gauze dressing, when placed on inoculated agar plates, reduces growth of underlying bacteria, particularly Gram-positive species. Wet-inoculated PHMB-impregnated dressing prevents growth of Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria both within and underneath the dressing. Clinical Relevance— PHMB-impregnated dressings may be useful for reducing contamination of underlying wounds by bacterial pathogens.
The Connectivity of Orofacial Systems

Abstract Acknowledging the dynamical properties of neural networks allows insight into the functional segregation and integration of cerebral areas. From a theoretical viewpoint, the complexity of ...