cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A systematic literature review of magnetic resonance spectroscopy for the characterization of brain tumors.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Proton MR spectroscopy ( 1 H-MR spectroscopy) is a potentially useful adjunct to anatomic MR imaging in the characterization of brain tumors. We performed an updated systematic review of the evidence. METHODS: We employed a standardized search strategy to find studies published during 2002–2004. We reviewed studies measuring diagnostic accuracy and diagnostic, therapeutic, or health impact of 1 H-MR spectroscopy. We abstracted information on study design, 1 H-MR spectroscopy technique, and methodologic quality. We categorized studies into 5 subgroups: (1) metastasis versus high-grade tumor; (2) high-versus low-grade tumor; (3) recurrent tumor versus radiation necrosis; (4) tumor extent; and (5) tumor versus non-neoplastic lesion. RESULTS: We identified 26 studies evaluating diagnostic performance, diagnostic impact, or therapeutic impact. No articles evaluated patient health or cost-effectiveness. Methodologic quality was mixed; most used histopathology as the reference standard but did not specify blinded interpretation of histopathology. One large study demonstrated a statistically significant increase in diagnostic accuracy for indeterminate brain lesions from 55%, based on MR imaging, to 71% after analysis of 1 H-MR spectroscopy. Several studies have found that 1 H-MR spectroscopy is highly accurate for distinguishing high- and low-grade gliomas, though the incremental benefit of 1 H-MR spectroscopy in this setting is less clear. Interpretation for the other clinical subgroups is limited by the small number of studies. CONCLUSION: The current evidence on the accuracy of 1 H-MR spectroscopy in the characterization of brain tumors is promising. However, additional high-quality studies are needed to convince policy makers. We present guidelines to help focus future research in this area.
Thermosensitive plasmid replication, temperature-sensitive host growth, and chromosomal plasmid integration conferred by Lactococcus lactis subsp. cremoris lactose plasmids in Lactococcus lactis subsp. lactis

Evidence is presented that lactose-fermenting ability (Lac+) in Lactococcus lactis subsp. cremoris AM1, SK11, and ML1 is associated with plasmid DNA, even though these strains are difficult to cure of Lac plasmids. When the Lac plasmids from these strains were introduced into L. lactis subsp. lactis LM0230, they appeared to replicate in a thermosensitive manner; inheritance of the plasmid was less efficient at 32 to 40 degrees C than at 22 degrees C. The stability of the L. lactis subsp. cremoris Lac plasmids in lactococci appeared to be a combination of both host and plasmid functions. Stabilized variants were isolated by growing the cultures at 32 to 40 degrees C; these variants contained the Lac plasmids integrated into the L. lactis subsp. lactis LM0230 chromosome. In addition, the presence of the L. lactis subsp. cremoris Lac plasmids in L. lactis subsp. lactis resulted in a temperature-sensitive growth response; growth of L. lactis subsp. lactis transformants was significantly inhibited at 38 to 40 degrees C, thereby resembling some L. lactis subsp. cremoris strains with respect to temperature sensitivity of growth.
Modification of ZnO crystal orientation in dual ion beam sputtering deposition

Abstract The effect of ion irradiation on ZnO thin film's crystal orientation during dual ion beam sputtering deposition is studied. Glass and Si substrates are irradiated during depostion by oxygen and argon ions. The irradiating oxygen ions are swept away from the substrate by a cross-electric field to examine the effect of high energy neutral atoms on crystal orientation. Argon and oxygen positive ions prepared in a saddle field ion gun can effectively form c -axis orientation in ZnO film deposition. But oxygen high energy neutral atoms tend to deform the c -axis orientation of the films. ZnO film prepared by this method is useful in the production of devices with good piezoelectric and pyroelectric properties.
Bird use of saltcedar and cottonwood vegetation in the Middle Rio Grande Valley of New Mexico, U.S.A.*

Riparian vegetation provides important habitat for migrating and breeding birds in the arid south-western United States. Surveys conducted in native cottonwood (Populus fremontii var. wislizeni) and introduced saltcedar (Tamarix chinensis) vegetation during spring, summer and fall were used to compare avian use of these two vegetation types along the Middle Rio Grande Valley in central New Mexico. Bird species richness in cottonwood and saltcedar did not differ during any season, but species composition varied. Overlap in species between the two habitats was lowest in spring and increased in fall, with more species unique to cottonwood than to saltcedar in all seasons. A number of obligate riparian species readily used saltcedar, while others were restricted to areas dominated by native vegetation. Neotropical migrants showed a slight preference for cottonwood in the spring, but some migrant species were detected in saltcedar as well, possibly reflecting the dense nature of this vegetation. However, although saltcedar was used by a number of species, maintenance of native vegetation will be necessary for the persistence of many bird species in the Middle Rio Grande Valley.
On P300 Latency and Correlational Inference

The use of statistical correlations to determine the underlying relationships between P300 latency, memory function, and aging is discussed. Similar correlational patterns obtained over a variety of subject populations can strengthen inferences about the specific associations among these variables. Partial correlation techniques can facilitate such inferences only when all factors are linearly related.
The impact of U.S. money supply announcements on foreign exchange markets: An event study approach

The primary objective of this short paper is to demonstrate how the event study methodology may be applied to the foreign exchange market, as suggested by Kwok and Brooks [ll]. The events chosen for the demonstration are the announcements of U.S. money supply. Using the regression approach, previous studies find that the impact of U.S. money supply announcements on the currency markets generally support the policy-anticipation hypothesis. It would be interesting to see whether similar results are obtained with the event study methodolo~ and whether additional insights may be generated using this alternative methodology. In order to encourage event studies in currency markets, Kwok and Brooks [ll] extend the Brown and Warner [l, 21 simulation study to the foreign exchange market. The power of four abnormal return models is examined under different experimental conditions. They consider choice of foreign currency or numeraire, level of abnormal shock, sample size, length of estimation period, market return proxy, and time period examined. Their results show that, under most circumstances, the market model seems to be the best model and that some findings of Brown and Warner in the common stock market are not generalizable to the foreign exchange market. Following the suggestions of Kwok and Brooks, this paper demonstrates how the event study methodology may be applied to examine the impact of U.S. money supply announcements on exchange rates, In examining the impact of U.S. money supply announcements, most of the previous studies (such as Cornell [3], Doukas [5], Ito and Roley [lo], Hakkio and Pearce [S] and Hardouvelis [9]) use a regression equation of the general form:
Open-Label Olanzapine Treatment in Five Preadolescent Children

Olanzapine is a recently introduced atypical neuroleptic agent for which little information is available on its use in children. Open clinical trials of olanzapine treatment were conducted on five hospitalized children (ages 6 to 11 years) with varying diagnoses including bipolar disorder, psychosis not otherwise specified, schizophrenia, and attention-deficit/ hyperactivity disorder. Each patient had failed previous psychotropic medication trials, with a mean of four prior trials. The mean length of olanzapine treatment was 32 days (range, 2 to 7 weeks), and mean daily dose was 7.5 mg/day (range, 2.5 to 1.0 mg/day) or 0.22 mg/kg/day (range, 0.12 to 0.29 mg/kg/day). All children experienced adverse effects, including sedation (N = 3), weight gain of up to 16 pounds (N = 3), and akathisia (N = 2). Three patients showed some clinical improvement, but olanzapine treatment was discontinued in all five children within the first 6 weeks of treatment because of adverse effects or lack of clinically significant therapeutic response, although higher (or lower) doses, slower titration of dosage, or a longer duration of treatment might have produced more favorable results. Psychotic symptoms did not respond in the two patients with evidence of overt hallucinations and paranoid ideation. Improvement was observed in sleep in all five patients and in control of aggression in three. Before controlled trials of olanzapine in children are undertaken, further exploration of dose range and increased duration of treatment on an open basis are warranted. Until more encouraging data are available, clinicians should be cautious and conservative in their predictions about the potential value of olanzapine in treating preadolescent psychiatric disorders.
Crystal structure of a (μ-bis(carbene))dimetal complex of tungsten

The (μ-bis(carbene))ditungsten complex, (CO)5W{(C(OCH2Ph)C(CH2C2H3)(Me)CH2CH2C(OCH2Ph)}W(CO)5 (1) is only the fifth such complex to be crystallographically characterized. The steric demands of one side of the bis(carbene) ligand gives rise to small, but statistically significant differences in the bonding parameters to W. The W=C distances are 2.195(4) and 2.171(6)A. The carbonyltrans to the longest W=C bond has the shortest of the ten W-CO separations (1.994(5)A) and the longest C≡O bond length (1.156(6)A). The planes defined by the two carbene groups have a dihedral angle of 44.5°.
Non-Equilibrium Molecular Dynamics Simulation on Thick Dependence Thermal Conductivities of Semiconductors

With the rapidly increasing demand for efficient, small, light, low cost, and reliable electronic devices, the nano-scale thermal transport properties of semiconductors has become a prominent focus of research. Molecular dynamic simulation has emerged as a powerful compliment to experiment and is beginning to play a crucial role in tailored material properties for improved thermal management of electronic devices.The thermal conductivity of semiconductor has been investigated using the Stillinger-Weber (SW) and the Modified Embedded Atom Method (MEAM) potential model, the dependence of temperature, system size, and simulation time has been investigated.We find this MEAM model to quantitatively reproduce bulk thermal conductivity predictions using the linear extrapolation method comparable to previous literature using the well studied Stillenger-Weber (SW) potential.Copyright © 2012 by ASME
A human health assessment of hazardous air pollutants in Portland, OR.

Ambient air samples collected from five monitoring sites in Portland, OR during July 1999 to August 2000 were analyzed for 43 hazardous air pollutants (HAP). HAP concentrations were compared to carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic benchmark levels. Carcinogenic benchmark concentrations were set at a risk level of one-in-one-million (1×10−6). Hazard ratios of 1.0 were used when comparing HAP concentrations to non-carcinogenic benchmarks. Emission sources (point, area, and mobile) were identified and a cumulative cancer risk and total hazard index were calculated for HAPs exceeding these health benchmark levels. Seventeen HAPs exceeded a cancer risk level of 1×10−6 at all five monitoring sites. Nineteen HAPs exceeded this level at one or more site. Carbon tetrachloride, 1,3-butadiene, formaldehyde, and 1,1,2,2-tetrachloroethane contributed more than 50% to the upper-bound lifetime cumulative cancer risk of 2.47×10−4. Acrolein was the only non-carcinogenic HAP with hazard ratios that exceeded 1.0 at all five sites. Mobile sources contributed the greatest percentage (68%) of HAP emissions. Additional monitoring and health assessments for HAPs in Portland, OR are warranted, including addressing issues that may have overestimated or underestimated risks in this study. Abatement strategies for HAPs that exceeded health benchmarks should be implemented to reduce potential adverse health risks.
Assessment of ozone air quality standards and public health impact

This study analyzes the relationship of respiratory diseases (asthma and COPD) hospital admissions with daily ozone concentrations and other pollutants in Knoxville, USA for the period 1994 to 1998. After controlling for trend, seasonality, and confounders (meteorology and other pollutants), positive and statistically significant association were found between hospital admissions and ozone levels (1 h and 8 h) recorded on the day of admission by using Poisson regression and Generalizing additive model techniques. We found thresholds in the relationship of ozone and respiratory diseases for each respiratory outcome and ozone. The threshold was between 35 and 40 ppb for 8-h concentration and between 45 and 48 ppb for 1-h concentration. A consistency was observed among the respiratory causes analyzed and the ozone metrics, where asthma presents the higher risk than COPD for the age group of 65 and older and total COPD. These results suggest that an ozone standard less than the current values would be needed to avoid any adverse health effects among the general population. Digestive admission, which was used as a negative control, was not related to ozone.
Oestrogenic modulation of singing in male zebra finches: differential effects on directed and undirected songs

Abstract Male zebra finches, Taeniopygia guttata, sing relatively simple, individually identifiable songs. Songs sung in different contexts sound quite similar, although there are subtle differences between female-directed and undirected songs. Singing depends on gonadal hormones, but gonadal androgens must be converted to oestrogens to stimulate female-directed singing. To determine whether male-directed and undirected songs depend on the same hormonal stimulation as female-directed courtship songs, the production of these three song types was quantified in groups of castrated males treated with either (1) the aromatizable androgen, androstenedione; (2) androstenedione plus the aromatization inhibitor, 1,4,6-androstatriene-3,17-dione (ATD); or (3) androstenedione plus, ATD plus oestradiol. The third group was included to assure that any effects of ATD were specific to its inhibition of oestrogen formation. Inhibiting oestrogen formation had no effects on undirected singing. However, males with oestrogenic metabolites available (i.e. groups 1 and 3) were significantly more likely to direct songs to other birds, both males and females. These males also altered the patterning of their female-directed songs, singing significantly more female-directed songs per bout and singing these songs faster than their undirected or male-directed songs.
The crystal structure of nickel hydride

Nickel hydride is face centered cubic. H occupies the octahedral sites with a H/Ni ratio equal to 0,6 ± 0,1.
Influence of genetic and environmental factors on melanocytic naevi : a lesson from Turner's syndrome

Females with Turner syndrome (TS) are alleged to have increased numbers of melanocytic naevi. Although a high count of acquired melanocytic naevi (AMN) is one of the major risk factors for melanoma, this malignancy has been reported only rarely in patients with TS. The purpose of this study was to explore the effects of environmental and genetic factors on AMN count and density in TS. AMN count and density in 24 patients with TS treated with growth hormone (GH). 24 GH-treated females with GH deficiency (GHD) and 24 normal females were compared in a cross-sectional study. The average AMN density in TS was 50 naevi/m2 as compared with 18 naevi/m2 in the GHD group and 24 naevi/m2 in normal controls (P = 0.001 and P = 0.004, respectively). Duration of GH therapy did not correlate with AMN count (P = 0.44) or AMN density (P = 0.81). The pattern of distribution of naevi between constantly exposed, intermittently exposed and unexposed skin was similar in all groups. Sun exposure was the major factor that affected the regional AMN densities in the control groups, but not in the TS group. The findings of our study indicate that the effects of environmental factors on AMN count and density may vary among genetically different populations. A review of the literature suggested that melanoma is no more prevalent in TS than in the general population.
A Novel Source of Tagged Low-Energy Nuclear Recoils

Abstract For sufficiently wide resonances, nuclear resonance fluorescence behaves like elastic photo-nuclear scattering while retaining the large cross-section characteristic of resonant photo-nuclear absorption. We show that NRF may be used to characterize the signals produced by low-energy nuclear recoils by serving as a novel source of tagged low-energy nuclear recoils. Understanding these signals is important in determining the sensitivity of direct WIMP dark-matter and coherent neutrino-nucleus scattering searches.
High performance liquid chromatography of a new anticancer drug, ADCA--physicochemical properties and pharmacokinetics.

Abstract We have developed a simple, precise and sensitive high performance liquid chromatographic method for a new anticancer drug, ADCA, in biological samples. The assay has an average recovery of 80 ± 1.6% at physiological concentrations, a precision of
Sex differences in the play behavior of immature spotted hyenas, Crocuta crocuta

Abstract Social, locomotor, and object play were studied in a colony of five male and five female peer-reared spotted hyenas during 12 1-hr tests while the animals were 13–19 months of age. Animals were tested in both same-sex and mixed-sex groups and were stimulated to play by the introduction of fresh straw and sawdust bedding. Each test was videotaped and the frequency of each type of play was determined by a time sampling procedure. Females played more frequently than males, however, the category of play which was elevated depended upon the social context during testing. In same-sex tests the frequency of vigorous social play displayed by females markedly exceeded that by males, but no comparable sex difference appeared in mixed-sex tests. Females engaged in locomotor play more frequently than males in mixed-sex tests, but no comparable sex difference appeared in same-sex tests. No sex difference in object play was observed. Two male and two female hyenas were gonadectomized prior to the initiation of the present sequence of tests. The results suggest that gonadectomy during the prepubertal period does not affect the frequency of play behavior. However, the small sample sizes preclude any conclusive determination of the effects of these gonadectomies on play.
Unimolecular Decomposition Pathways of Dimethyl Ether: An ab Initio Study

Primary dissociation pathways have been investigated for dimethyl ether by ab initio molecular orbital methods. Reactants, transition-state structures, and products were fully optimized up to the MP2/6-311G(2df,2p) level of theory. Relative energies have been calculated with the spin-projected PMP4 and CCSD(T) post-Hartree−Fock methods using the 6-311G(2df,2p) and the expanded 6-311++G(3df,3pd) basis sets. At the CCSD(T)/6-311++G(3df,3dp) level, the barrier height for C−O bond fission is predicted to be 81.1 kcal/mol, while that for C−H bond fission is predicted to be 93.8 kcal/mol. These theoretical results agree very well with the experimentally measured barrier heights for these two bond fission channels. However, two new primary dissociation pathways are predicted to be competitive with these bond fission processes. These findings are discussed in light of previous experimental results on dimethyl ether.
A mechanism for sub-surface median crack initiation in glass during indenting and scribing

The initiation of sub-surface median cracks in glass during indenting and scribing is studied. It is shown that the zone of intense deformation under the tool introduces a weak singularity which may have a strong influence on crack initiation. When combined with a crack nucleus, which need only be of the order of the dimensions of the glass network, the weak singularity allows the threshold load for median cracking to be estimated. This estimate is shown to be in good agreement with experimental observations. The analysis explains the sudden transition from brittle to ductile behaviour in glass and also provides a possible explanation for the origin of the elusive “Griffith flaws”.
An Analysis of Published Data on Thyroxine Turnover in Human Subjects

Data on thyroxine turnover measurements in 726 human subjects were extracted from 30 published papers, supplemented with additional information obtained by correspondence with the 21 groups of authors, and subjected to statistical analysis. The analysis studied the effect of sex, age, pubertal status, weight, height and clinical state on 3 dependent variables-the extrathyroidal thyroxine distribution space V ml, the fractional degradation rate b day-1 and the thyroxine turnover rate H4 μg I/day; for these variables there was sufficient information on 432, 577 and 537 subjects, respectively. Sex and pubertal state showed no significant effect on any of the 3 dependent variables. The space V was found dependent only on weight, independent of height and age, and not influenced by any of the clinical states studied except hepatitis and obesity. The degradation rate b was dependent on age, independent of weight and height, and altered significantly in certain clinical states. The turnover rate H4, being propor...
Cell Cycle Progression New Therapeutic Target for Vascular Proliferative Disease

Entry into and progression of vascular cells through the cell cycle is considered a key event in vascular proliferative diseases. Multiple growth factors and cytokines have been found to regulate vascular cell proliferation. However, the machinery regulating cell cycle represents the "final common pathway" of these signaling cascades and thus provides an attractive therapeutic target for the prevention of vascular proliferative diseases. This review focuses on the current understanding of the regulation of the cell cycle machinery especially as it relates to vascular cell biology and the feasibility of targeting cell cycle for the prevention of restenosis after balloon angioplasty and bypass vein graft disease.
Nucleation, growth, and glass formation in an electron-beam surface-processed Cu 47 Zr 53 alloy

A Cu/sub 47/Zr/sub 53/ alloy was surface processed with a directed-energy electron beam. Optical microscopy, x-ray diffraction, and transmission electron microscopy were used to identify the resolidified phases obtained under systematically varied rapid solidification conditions. The results of the investigation indicate that the underlying bulk substrate always nucleates the growth of a crystalline phase that was identified as a metastable CuZr phase with an ordered bcc (B2) structure. The maximum growth velocity of this phase was determined to be between 0.05 +- 0.02 m/s. This limit was compared under different assumptions to the predictions of a reaction rate growth theory. As the solidification speed increased beyond this limit, the crystalline growth eventually ceased and glass formation occurred in the remaining undercooled liquid under rapid cooling conditions. Crystalline particles also nucleated and grew in the liquid at intermediate cooling rates. These particles had a dendritic morphology and were also a CuZr phase with the B2 structure.
Effects of antineoplastic ether lipids on model and biological membranes.

Differential scanning calorimetry and electron spin resonance were utilized to measure the effects of di-ether glycerophospholipid analogs (EL) on the physical properties of model membranes and on the membrane fluidity of HL60 leukemic cells. 1-Octadecyl-2-methyl-rac-glycero-3-phosphocholine (ET-18-OMe) and 1-thiohexadecyl-2-ethyl-rac-glycero-3-phosphocholine (ET 16S-OEt) lower the transition temperature of dimyristoylphosphatidylcholine vesicles in a range of concentrations between 0.5 and 15 mol %. Studies conducted on the interaction of EL with a wide spectrum of different phospholipids, namely dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine, 1-hexadecyl-2-palmitoylphosphatidylcholine, dipalmitoylphosphatidylethanolamine, and dielaidoylphosphatidylethanolamine confirmed the ability of EL to effect the physical properties of model membranes. Changes in calorimetric enthalpy were observed only with phosphatidylethanolamine-containing phospholipids. ET-18-OMe and ET-16S-OEt increased the membrane fluidity of HL60 leukemic cells labeled with the fatty acid spin label probe 5-nitroxystearate. These data demonstrate the ability of EL to partition into phospholipidic domains and to change their physical properties. Furthermore, they affect the membrane fluidity of whole cells. These effects indicate an interaction between EL and the plasma membrane which may be of importance in determining the cytotoxic activity against tumor cells exerted by EL.
Feasibility of Localized Substrate Thinning for Reduced Dislocation Density in CdTe/Si Heterostructures

HgCdTe heteroepitaxy on low-cost, large-lattice-mismatched substrates such as Si continue to be plagued by large threading dislocation densities that ultimately reduce the operability of the thermal imaging detector array. Molecular-beam epitaxy (MBE) of 10 μm- to 15 μm-thick CdTe buffer layers has played a crucial role in reducing dislocation densities to current state-of-the-art levels. Herein, we examine the possibility that growth on locally back-thinned substrates could prove advantageous in further reducing dislocation densities in the CdTe/Si heteroepitaxial system. Using defect decoration techniques, a decrease in dislocation (etch-pit) density of up to ~42% has been measured in CdTe regions where the underlying Si substrate was chemically back-thinned to ~20 μm. A theoretical understanding is proposed, where a substrate-thickness-dependent dislocation image force is a likely cause for the experimentally observed reduction in threading dislocation density. These observations raise the prospect of combining localized substrate thinning with other techniques to further reduce dislocation densities to levels sought for HgCdTe/CdTe/Si and other large-lattice-mismatched systems.
Interfacial dislocations: Symposium in Honor of J.H. van der Merwe on the 50thanniversary of his discovery Foreword

In 1949 Frank and van der Merwe published the seminal series of papers: “One Dimensional Dislocations” in Proc. Royal Soc. (1949) that began a 50 year effort in understanding the science of heteroepitaxial boundaries. The pioneering work of J.H. van der Merwe in providing analytical expressions for the energy of arrays of interfacial dislocations has found its way into many aspects of epitaxy and descriptions of interphase boundaries. The three sessions in this symposium of all invited talks started with a 50 year overview by van der Merwe of the development of interfacial energy of dislocation arrays and explored the application of these ideas primarily to epitaxy. Additional talks addressed various aspects of dislocation arrays, such as nucleation and obstacles to misfit dislocation generation and their kinetics. This special symposium was organized in St. Louis, Missouri on October 11 and 12, 2000 at the Fall TMS Meeting. The sessions were entitled: Interfacial Dislocations: Symposium in Honor of J. H. van der Merwe on the 50 Anniversary of His Discovery. Contributors included, in order of presentations: F.R.N. Nabarro, Doris Kuhlmann-Wilsdorf, Terence Mitchell, L.B. Freund, Gary J. Shiflet, H.I. Aaronson, J.P. Hirth, R.A. Rapp, Eric Kvam, Max W.H. Braun, W.A. Jesser, Robert Hull and David Jesson. The organizers are grateful for all the people who joined in as authors and participants to make the event a success.
Functionality Analysis of an Open Source Repository System: Current Practices and Implications

Abstract The aim of this research study is to examine the functionality development of the open source repository system: DSpace. The data on DSpace repositories' implementation practices were collected from the DSpace User Registry during September 2013–March 2014. A total of 545 repositories in the registry indicated specific system function customizations, representing 533 unique institutions from 95 countries worldwide. The findings indicate that U.S.A. and India are the top two countries to have adopted DSpace. The majority of the DSpace digital repositories are created by academic institutions, which indicates a strong representation of academic institutions in the use of DSpace. The major adopted system functions are statistics, Dublin Core Meta Toolkit, Manakin Themes, and language packages. Most DSpace members use the repository system as their institutional and learning resource repositories. The top content types are conference papers, research documents, and learning/teaching materials. The implications of the findings are also discussed.
Evaluation of the performance of RAM with the Regional Air Pollution Study data base

Abstract The RAM air quality simulation model's performance is examined using the Regional Air Pollution Study (RAPS) Level-7 data base. Time series analyses were performed to test the adequacy of RAM in simulating the dynamics of pollutants in the atmosphere. Power spectrum and auto-correlation analyses show that the predicted concentrations do not have the same temporal characteristics as the observations during the winter period. Both paired and unpaired analyses are included to critically examine the model performance. The paired comparisons, including those performance measures suggested by the AMS Woods Hole workshop, indicate a better agreement between predicted and observed data at the rural sites than at the urban sites. When the data are segregated according to wind speed and atmospheric stability class, it is found that there is very little agreement between the predicted and measured concentrations under extreme stability (either very unstable or very stable) and low wind speed (less than 2 ms−1 conditions. The measured and predicted daily maximum concentrations are subjected to the ‘bootstrap’ sampling procedure to develop the distribution of the differences between observed and predicted concentrations. These distributions suggest that the errors are random, and, therefore, RAM cannot be calibrated to improve model performance within the urban area. Further, the analyses suggest that improvement of RAM's performance may be realized through a better characterization of area source emissions within the urban area and the inclusion of other physical processes such as a fumigation algorithm in the model.
Sustained attention in children at risk for schizophrenia: findings with two visual continuous performance tests in a new sample.

In partial replication of an earlier study, 35 children at high risk for schizophrenia, 25 children at high risk for affective disorder, and 53 normal control children from a new sample of 7- to 12-year-old subjects were tested with two new visual continuous performance tests. Response levels and intrasubject variability were analyzed separately. Multivariate analyses on factor scores derived from response levels indicate that “groups” is a significant predictor for a factor reflecting discriminability (or sensitivity) for the more difficult of these tests but not for the less difficult one, and that high risk for schizophrenia is associated with lower performance. Factor scores and multiple regresion analyses were used to dichotomize subjects as to whether or not they are low performance outliers. A significantly larger proportion of subjects from the high risk for schizophrenia group than from the control groups were low performance outliers. Among subjects that developed psychopathology in adolescence, subjects at high risk for schizophrenia were more likely to have contributed low performance outliers early during childhood.
PPARγ and NF-κB regulate the gene promoter activity of their shared repressor, TNIP1

Human TNFAIP3 interacting protein 1 (TNIP1) has diverse functions including support of HIV replication through its interaction with viral Nef and matrix proteins, reduction of TNFα-induced signaling through its interaction with NF-κB pathway proteins, and corepression of agonist-bound retinoic acid receptors and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPAR). The wide tissue distribution of TNIP1 provides the opportunity to influence numerous cellular responses in these roles and defining control of TNIP1 expression would be central to improved understanding of its impact on cell function. We cloned 6kb of the human TNIP1 promoter and performed predictive and functional analyses to identify regulatory elements. The promoter region proximal to the transcription start site is GC-rich without a recognizable TATA box. In contrast to this proximal ~500bp region, 6kb of the promoter increased reporter construct constitutive activity over five-fold. Throughout the 6kb length, in silico analysis identified several potential binding sites for both constitutive and inducible transcription factors; among the latter were candidate NF-κB binding sequences and peroxisome proliferator response elements (PPREs). We tested NF-κB and PPAR regulation of the endogenous TNIP1 gene and cloned promoter by expression studies, electrophoretic mobility shift assays, and chromatin immunoprecipitations. We validated NF-κB sites in the TNIP1 promoter proximal and distal regions as well as one PPRE in the distal region. The ultimate control of the TNIP1 promoter is likely to be a combination of constitutive transcription factors and those subject to activation such as NF-κB and PPAR.
How many members must an orthopaedic department have to teach effectively

Although the subject matter contained in the curriculum of a medical school has expanded continuously, the time to present this material to the students has diminished. With the abandonment of most lectures in clinical subjects, students have been exposed to the surgical specialties by short required rotations through the services. Often these rotations are offered only as electives. However, the surgical specialties such as orthopaedic surgery have increased considerably in subject matter and scope. It no longer is possible to present the subject in a series of 10 or 12 lectures given by full-time or part-time faculty. Instead, to showcase the subject of orthopaedic surgery requires a clinical service that contains the full spectrum of the specialty from athletic injuries to scoliosis. Only in this way can the specialty attract the bright and capable students who will become the leaders of orthopaedics in the future. To field such a panoply of specialists requires a combined effort by the school, the hospital, and the private sector.
The role of one-carbon compounds in citric acid biosynthesis.

Summary The role of carbon dioxide, formic acid, and methanol in the formation of citric acid from sucrose by Aspergillus niger has been investigated. It was shown that labeled carbon dioxide enters the citric acid molecule via known reactions of CO 2 -fixation and the tricarboxylic acid cycle; the label was found predominantly in the C-1 and C-6 positions. In addition, some labeling was discovered in the C-2 and C-5 carbons, possibly due to reversals in the cycle. Formic acid appeared to be oxidized to carbon dioxide before being incorporated into citric acid. Methanol was not utilized appreciably by A. niger for organic acid synthesis under the conditions of the experiment.
MINORITY OVERREPRESENTATION: A CASE FOR ALTERNATIVE PRACTICES PRIOR TO REFERRAL

Although the problem of minority overrepresentation in special educa- tion programs for the mildly handicapped has been widely recognized and documented, the factors responsible for such an overrepresentation remain the source of much controversy. The most popular explanation continues to be the presence of systematic bias in the assessment process, particularly with regard to intelligence testing. Unfortunately, attempts at isolating and controlling specific facets of this bias have been largely unsuccessful. Furthermore, preoccupation with this problem has detracted our attention from a much more pressing concern: the identification and provision of effective instructional services prior to referring minority students to special education. The purpose of this manuscript was to describe alternative approaches to dealing with the overrepresentation problem. Specifically, we have highlighted the importance of using alternative instructional strategies prior to referral, and have described five practices that appear to hold promise in this area.
Susceptibility to collagen-induced arthritis: cytokine-mediated regulation.

Collagen-induced arthritis is an animal model of inflammatory polyarthritis that is induced in susceptible strains of rats and mice by intradermal immunization with heterologous type II collagen emulsified in complete Freund's adjuvant. Previous studies have demonstrated that disease induction is highly MHC-restricted, with only mice of H-2(q) or H-2(r) haplotypes being susceptible. We have used a panel of both susceptible and resistant strains of mice in which either IFN-gamma or IL-10 signaling has been abolished by gene deletion and show that disease can be readily induced in several resistant strains of the H-2(b) and H-2(d) haplotype; susceptibility was highly dependent on IL-12. IL-4 was also shown to be crucial for disease induction in this model. These results suggest that both Th1 and Th2 cytokines may be important in the etiopathogenesis of disease and that disease susceptibility may be a function of a dysregulated cytokine environment.
Truth and consequences: a qualitative exploration of HIV disclosure in older adults

While the number of older adults living with HIV/AIDS has increased substantially in recent years, research on HIV disclosure among this population is extremely limited. Studies on disclosure have typically not recruited older persons or have excluded age as a variable in the analysis. This study reports qualitative data from 25 in-depth interviews with older adults living with HIV disease. The ages ranged from 50-72 (mean 56.1; SD = 5.75). The interviews resulted in a model of disclosure patterns consisting of seven themes including protective silence, anticipatory disclosure, violations of confidentiality, unintentional disclosure and intentional disclosure. Approximately one quarter of informants had the confidentiality of their HIV status violated by others. Reasons for disclosure and non-disclosure given by older persons were similar to research among younger persons. Older individuals who intentionally disclosed their status to the broader society held generativity and the education of others (particularly younger adults) as important reasons for their actions.
A Theoretical Neural Integrator

A neural network model is introduced which approximates the behavior of an integrator. It is developed from cells that are physiologically realistic. Requirements for insensitivity of network function to cell threshold distribution are derived, and network performance as the forward-path element of a neuromuscular control system is analyzed. The response of the ``integrator'' to sustained inputs is derived and shown to approximate the desired proportionality of input magnitude and rate of change of output. Finally, deviations from physiological realism are discussed and the visual accommodation system is described as an example of a biological servomechanism in which a neural integrator seems probable.
Moral Choices and Global Desires: Feminine Identity in a Transnational Realm

Global changes during the last three decades have greatly altered the spatial and moral orientations of individuals in Nepal. This has caused a reordering of gender relations that has influenced the life experience of many women, challenging existing notions of feminine identity. Here, I apply a feminist psychological anthropology to understanding the ways in which social transformations in Nepal have shaped the hopes, ideals, and actions of a particular young woman who has been empowered, rather than burdened and displaced, by the changes of globalization. Her example shows how an analysis of individual lives can illuminate the motivating forces and differential effects of globalization and demonstrates that attention to gender is necessary for understanding the complex relationship between power and experience.
Enhanced osteoblastic differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells seeded in RGD-functionalized PLLA scaffolds and cultured in a flow perfusion bioreactor.

The present study combines chemical and mechanical stimuli to modulate the osteogenic differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). Arg–Gly–Asp (RGD) peptides incorporated into biomaterials have been shown to upregulate MSC osteoblastic differentiation. However, these effects have been assessed under static culture conditions, while it has been reported that flow perfusion also has an enhancing effect on MSC osteoblastic differentiation. It is clear that there is a need to combine RGD modification of biomaterials with mechanical stimulation of MSCs via flow perfusion and evaluate its effects on MSC differentiation down the osteogenic lineage. In this study, the effect of different levels of RGD modification of poly(L-lactic acid) scaffolds on MSC osteogenesis was evaluated under conditions of flow perfusion. It was found that there is a synergistic enhancement of different osteogenic markers, due to the combination of flow perfusion and RGD surface modification when compared to their individual effects. Furthermore, under conditions of flow perfusion, there is an RGD surface concentration optimal for differentiation, and it is flow rate-dependent. This report underlines the significance of incorporating combined biomimesis via biochemical and mechanical microenvironments that modulate in vivo cell behaviour and tissue function for more efficient tissue-engineering strategies. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Does Social Capital Act as a Buffer Against HIV Risk Among Migrant Men in Sub-Saharan Africa?

The 2007 World Bank data on HIV/AIDS for sub-Saharan Africa indicates that 22.5 million adults and children over 15 are living with HIV, including 1.7 million new infections. AIDS killed approximately 2.3 million people in the same year, making this region by far the worst affected by the HIV/AIDS epidemic. This paper proposes a macro-level model for understanding the spread of disease within the context of migration. We use social capital theory to generate a framework for exploring how migration might serve as a conduit for the disease transmission. Specifically, we investigated male migrants in the Republic of Angola and argued that a migrant laborer's movement away from his village diminishes his social capital in terms of social support, norms, and networks while stresses from migration could prove to be conducive to the spread of the HIV virus. We use univariate, bivariate, and multivariate analyses to explore the relationship between migration and HIV risk while considering social capital as the in...
A taxonomy for diabetes educational interventions

Diabetes education is a cornerstone of diabetes self-care management. Despite terrific progress in refining educational interventions, the diabetes literature continues to contain substantial inconsistencies in reporting the elements of educational interventions. This unnecessary variation in the quality of reporting has led to difficulties in understanding the results of educational research in diabetes. We provide a taxonomy that should prove helpful, both in the conceptual design of diabetes educational interventions and in the reporting of those interventions. An application of this taxonomy to 30 diabetes educational randomized controlled trials is presented to highlight the extent of variation in diabetes educational interventions.
Quantitative diffuse optical tomography for small animals using an ultrafast gated image intensifier

The quantitative accuracy of fluorescence and biolumines- cence imaging of small animals can be improved by knowledge of the in situ optical properties of each animal. Obtaining in situ optical property maps is challenging, however, due to short propagation dis- tances, requirements for high dynamic range, and the need for dense spatial, temporal, and spectral sampling. Using an ultrafast gated im- age intensifier and a pulsed laser source, we have developed a small animal diffuse optical tomography system with multiple synthetic modulation frequencies up to 1 GHz. We show that amplitude and phase measurements with useful contrast-to-noise ratios can be ob- tained for modulation frequencies over the range of 250 to 1250 MHz. Experiments with tissue simulating phantoms demon- strate the feasibility of reconstructing the absorption and scattering optical properties in a small animal imaging system. © 2008 Society of
Health effects of short-term inhalation of nitrogen dioxide and ozone mixtures.

Abstract The effects of single and multiple daily 3-hour exposures to nitrogen dioxide (NO 2 ) and ozone (O 3 ) mixtures on the resistance to streptococcal pneumonia were investigated. The concentrations of NO 2 ranged from 1.5 to 5.0 ppm, and those of O 3 , from 0.05 to 0.5 ppm. The effect of a single exposure to the mixture was additive, whereby the excess mortality rates were equivalent to those induced by the inhalation of each individual pollutant. The ability to clear inhaled bacteria from the lungs was diminished in mice exposed to the NO 2 O 3 mixtures for 3 hours. This impairment was manifested by the increased frequency of isolation of Streptococcus from the lungs for up to 6 days after the respiratory challenge. Excess mortalities observed after 20 daily 3-hour exposures suggested that a synergistic effect might be present upon repeated inhalation of pollutant mixtures, that made them more effective in reducing resistance to respiratory infection. The results emphasize the need for the establishment of primary air quality standards for short-term NO 2 exposures.
Performance efficiency of swim fins

Abstract Design improvements on swim fins are most difficult, if not impossible, to assess quantitatively by swimmers alone. In order to make reliable measurements of swim fin performance, an instrumented mechanical swimming device was developed and operated in a water tank. Using this facility, the performance of the more popular conventional fins and that of a new design concept were evaluated. The comparative performance of the various fins was correlated with their physical characteristics.
The determination of free ϵ-amino groups of lysine in proteins using 19F NMR spectroscopy☆

Abstract The amount of free ϵ-amino groups of lysine residues in proteins can be determined by a fast and straightforward method based on the use of 19F NMR spectroscopy. Unsubstituted ϵ-amino groups are trifluoroacetylated with the reagent, S-ethyl trifluorothioacetate, in dimethyl sulfoxide solution, and the number of such groups is quantitatively determined using standard 19F NMR techniques. The method is evaluated using the following proteins: α-lactalbumin, β-lactoglobulin, bovine serum albumin, β-casein, and lysozyme.