cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Virginia Mason approach to localized pancreatic cancer.

In 2004, pancreatic cancer represents the fourth most common cause of cancer death for men and women in the United States. More than 30,000 people in this country (and more than 200,000 people worldwide) succumb annually from this disorder [1,2]. According to the National Cancer Database, pancreatic cancer has the worst survival data for any major cancer; 1- and 5-year overall survivals are 20% and 2%, respectively [3]. Various reasons exist for the poor clinical outcomes in pancreatic cancer, including difficulty in disease recognition, frequency of advanced stage at presentation, patient age, patient comorbidity, and pessimism among patients and providers. Pancreatic cancer thus represents one of the supreme challenges to oncologists. Management of pancreatic cancer is equally challenging from the perspective of the surgeon. In the United States, only about 15% of patients with pancreatic cancer are able to undergo surgery with curative intent. Although operative mortality has declined substantially at large-volume centers for pancreaticoduodenectomy over the past several decades, mortality rates in association with this operation remain over 10% at low- and moderatevolume centers [4]. Despite the improvements in operative mortality seen at high-volume centers, median survival after pancreaticoduodenectomy alone for localized disease remains a disappointing 11 to 13 months (Table 1). Furthermore, perioperative morbidity can play a role in the inability to administer adjuvant radiation or chemotherapy to 20% to 30% of resected patients, even in high-volume centers [9]. Thus, many surgical challenges to the management of localized pancreatic cancer remain.
The photochemistry of triarylmethane dyes bound to polyelectrolytes: photoinduced electron transfer involving bound dye monomers and dimers

The photochemistry of two triarylmethane dyes, ethyl violet and crystal violet, bound to poly(methacrylic acid) or poly(acrylic acid) in aqueous solution was investigated. With the use of a large molar excess of polymer (P) residues (P/D > 1000), the dyes (D) were bound as monomeric species. Encapsulation of dye in polymer microdomains was important for solutions with pH < 4, due to the importance of hypercoiled conformations for largely uncharged polyelectrolyte. This compact form provided an effective environment for observation of increased fluorescence and intersystem crossing quantum yields for the bound dye. The semi-reduced and semi-oxidized dye radicals produced on electron transfer between the bound dye monomer triplet and the co-bound electron donor and acceptor reactants (e.g. ascorbic acid and tetranitromethane respectively) were identified by laser flash photolysis. Under alternative conditions of pH and dye loading, for which the polyelectrolytes were substantially charged and maintained less compact, more rod-like conformations (pH 5–9, P/D = 5–100), dyes were shown to be bound as dimer aggregates. On laser excitation (532 nm), the bound dye dimers again produced semi-oxidized and semi-reduced radicals; the semi-oxidized dye radical in turn oxidized the carboxylate group of the polymer at higher pH. The relative quantum yields of radical formation, which varied with pH and the apparent local concentration of the dye, showed non-linear behavior on variation of excitation intensity. A mechanism involving dimer triplet annihilation as a radical source is proposed.
FRET Enabled Real Time Detection of RNA-Small Molecule Binding

A robust analysis and discovery platform for antibiotics targeting the bacterial rRNA A-site has been developed by incorporating a new emissive U surrogate into the RNA and labeling the aminoglycosides with an appropriate fluorescence acceptor. Specifically, a 5-methoxyquinazoline-2,4(1H,3H)-dione-based emissive uracil analogue was identified to be an ideal donor for 7-diethylaminocoumarin-3-carboxylic acid. This donor/acceptor pair displays a critical Forster radius (R0) of 27 A, a value suitable for an A-site-aminoglycoside assembly. Titrating the coumarin labeled aminoglycosides into the emissive A-site construct, labeled at position U1406, shows a decrease in donor emission (at 395 nm) and concurrent increase of the acceptor emission (at 473 nm). Titration curves, obtained by fitting the donor’s emission quenching or the augmentation of the acceptor’s sensitized emission, faithfully generate EC50 values. Titration of unlabeled ligands into the preformed FRET complex showed a continuous increase of the...
Diagnosis of experimental renal trauma

Abstract The major problem in evaluating children with renal injuries is early identification of those who require operation. We have reported improved renal salvage after adopting the policy of studying every child with posttraumatic hematuria by emergency infusion intravenous pyelography. 1,2 In a few instances, particularly in children who might have vascular injuries requiring emergency operation, the infusion pyelogram did not permit an immediate diagnosis. Both arteriography 3 and renal scanning 4,5 have been advocated as the logical next step when visualization by pyelography is inadequate. We compared the diagnostic accuracy of the infusion intravenous pyelogram, the renal arteriogram, and the renal isotope scan in experimental renal injuries.
Neighboring Group participation by the tetrahydrofuran ring

Neighboring group participation in the solvolytic reactions of a series of ω-(2-tetx-a-hydrofuran)alkyl p - bromobenzenesulfonate esters has been investigated. Anchimeric assistance to solvolysis is most pronounced in the case of 3-(2-tetrahydrofuran)propyl p-bromobenzenesulfonate where a 1-oxabicyclo[3.3.0]octane cation can form. A “special salt effect” and an “induced common ion effect” were observed in the acetolysis of this ester. It appears that the tetrahydrofuran ring is about twice as effective as the methoxyl group in neighboring group participation.
Lower bounds for decoherence

Both quantum computing and tests of certain theories of quantum measurement require tight control over entanglement of the degrees of freedom of the system with those of the environment. In particular, one wishes to avoid entanglement-induced decoherence due to the confining of the system by the macroscopic apparatus. Nonetheless, when the system interacts with its walls (treated quantum mechanically), there is an inevitable intertwining of degrees of freedom. We show that this need not lead to entanglement, hence decoherence. It will generally lead to error. The wave function optimization required to avoid decoherence is also examined.© (1997) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Characterization of recombinant strains of the Clostridium acetobutylicum butyrate kinase inactivation mutant: need for new phenomenological models for solventogenesis and butanol inhibition?

Two metabolic engineering tools, namely gene inactivation and gene overexpression, were employed to examine the effects of two genetic modifications on the fermentation characteristics of Clostridium acetobutylicum. Inactivation of the butyrate kinase gene (buk) was examined using strain PJC4BK, while the combined effect of buk inactivation and overexpression of the aad gene-encoding the alcohol aldehyde dehydrogense (AAD) used in butanol formation-was examined using strain PJC4BK(pTAAD). The two strains were characterized in controlled pH > or = 5.0 fermentations, and by a recently enhanced method of metabolic flux analysis. Strain PJC4BK was previously genetically characterized, and fermentation experiments at pH > or = 5.5 demonstrated good, but not exceptional, solvent-production capabilities. Here, we show that this strain is a solvent superproducer in pH > or = 5.0 fermentations producing 225 mM (16.7 g/L) of butanol, 76 mM of acetone (4.4 g/L), and 57 mM (2.6 g/L) of ethanol. Strain PJC4BK(pTAAD) produced similar amounts of butanol and acetone but 98 mM (4.5 g/L) of ethanol. Both strains overcame the 180 mM (13 g/L) butanol toxicity limit, without any selection for butanol tolerance. Work with strain PJC4BK(pTAAD) is the first reported use of dual antibiotic selection in C. acetobutylicum. One antibiotic was used for selection of strain PJC4BK while the second antibiotic selected for the pTAAD presence. Overexpression of aad from pTAAD resulted in increased ethanol production but did not increase butanol titers, thus indicating that AAD did not limit butanol production under these fermentation conditions. Metabolic flux analysis showed a decrease in butyrate formation fluxes by up to 75% and an increase in acetate formation fluxes of up to 100% during early growth. The mean specific butanol and ethanol formation fluxes increased significantly in these recombinant strains, up to 300% and 400%, respectively. Onset of solvent production occurred during the exponential-growth phase when the culture optical density was very low and when total and undissociated butyric acid levels were <1 mM. Butyrate levels were low throughout all fermentations, never exceeding 20 mM. Thus, threshold butyrate concentrations are not necessary for solvent production in these stains, suggesting the need for a new phenomenological model to explain solvent formation.
Computation of free oscillations of the earth

Abstract Although free oscillations of the Earth may be computed by many different methods, numerous practical considerations have led us to use a Rayleigh-Ritz formulation with piecewise cubic Hermite spline basis functions. By treating the resulting banded matrix equation as a generalized algebraic eigenvalue problem, we are able to achieve great accuracy and generality and a high degree of automation at a reasonable cost.
Decline in histone H5 phosphorylation during erythroid senescence in chick embryos.

Abstract Previous studies have implicated histone H5 dephosphorylation as a casual factor in genetic inactivation and chromatin condensation during erythroid senescence in adult chickens. We show that histone H5 phosphorylation declines in two stages as various cohorts of erythroid cells senesce in chick embryos. The first decline occurs between 5 and 6 days and coincides with the senescence of primitive erythrocytes. The second decline in H5 phosphorylation occurs between 17 and 19 days of chicken development, when the definitive erythrocytes undergo senescence and chromatin condensation. These results point to a role for histone dephosphorylation during the programed senescence of erythroid cells.
Hemodynamic prerequisites for the occurrence of diastolic mitral valve regurgitation

Abstract The advent of Doppler echocardiography has enabled the noninvasive detection of diastolic mitral regurgitation (MR). 1,2 The description of the hemodynamic prerequisites for the occurrence of this finding remain ill defined. Previous studies combining M-mode echocardiography and intracardiac pressure recordings have demonstrated that atrial systole can induce a temporary reversal of the diastolic atrioventricular pressure gradient leading to a late diastolic apposition of the mitral valve leaflets or pandiastolic mitral valve “locking.” 3 This study examines whether this atrially induced atrioventricular pressure gradient reversal is also responsible for the physiologic mechanism governing diastolic MR.
Adiposity and age of menarche in Hispanic women.

Women with increased adiposity have been shown to have earlier menarche. However, the association between menarche and body fat distribution has been controversial. The present study examined relationships between several anthropometric data and age at menarche in 2,494 women aged 25 to 74 years from the Hispanic Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Early menarche was similarly related to adiposity as measured by body mass index (BMI), skinfolds representative of central adiposity (subscapular and iliac), and skinfolds representative of peripheral adiposity (triceps and calf). These relationships persisted after controlling for a variety of influences such as socioeconomic status; they were consistent in all three ethnic groups studied, but were significant only in Puerto Rican women. Ratios of central/peripheral skinfold measures were not associated with menarche. These analyses describe the relationship between early maturation and overall adiposity in three distinct Hispanic groups and reject a specific association between menarche and central body fat distribution.
Coherent neutrino-nucleus scattering detection with a CsI[Na] scintillator at the SNS spallation source

We study the possibility of using CsI[Na] scintillators as an advantageous target for the detection of coherent elastic neutrino-nucleus scattering (CENNS), using the neutrino emissions from the SNS spallation source at Oak Ridge National Laboratory. The response of this material to low-energy nuclear recoils like those expected from this process is characterized. Backgrounds are studied using a 2 kg low-background prototype crystal in a dedicated radiation shield. The conclusion is that a planned 14 kg detector should measure approximately 550 CENNS events per year above a demonstrated ~7keVnr low-energy threshold, with a signal-to-background ratio sufficient for a first measurement of the CENNS cross-section. The cross-section for the Pb208(νe,e−)Bi208 reaction, of interest for future supernova neutrino detection, can be simultaneously obtained.
The involvement of cell-to-cell signals in the development of a bacterial biofilm

Bacteria in nature often exist as sessile communities called biofilms. These communities develop structures that are morphologically and physiologically differentiated from free-living bacteria. A cell-to-cell signal is involved in the development of Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilms. A specific signaling mutant, a lasI mutant, forms flat, undifferentiated biofilms that unlike wild-type biofilms are sensitive to the biocide sodium dodecyl sulfate. Mutant biofilms appeared normal when grown in the presence of a synthetic signal molecule. The involvement of an intercellular signal molecule in the development of P. aeruginosa biofilms suggests possible targets to control biofilm growth on catheters, in cystic fibrosis, and in other environments where P. aeruginosa biofilms are a persistent problem.
Multiresidue determination of β-lactam antibiotics in milk and tissues with the aid of high-performance liquid chromatographic fractionation for clean up

Abstract Screening of milk shipments for β-lactam antibiotic residues is mandatory in the USA and is widely used in other countries. Interpretation of positive screening test results has been difficult. Only six β-lactam antibiotics are approved for use in food-producing animals in the USA but many others are used in other countries. A multiresidue procedure was developed for identification and quantitation of unknown β-lactam antibiotics. The residues were extracted with acetonitrile and tetraethylammonium chloride. The extract was concentrated by evaporation and filtered. The concentrated extract was then loaded onto an HPLC column in 100% 0.01 M KH2PO4 and eluted with an acetonitrile gradient. Fractions corresponding to analytes of interest were collected and tested for antibiotics using rapid milk screening tests. Fractions testing positive were analyzed by HPLC. The identity of β-lactams was confirmed by treating a replicate with β-lactamase.
Using the Theory of Planned Behavior to Elicit Restaurant Employee Beliefs about Food Safety: Using Surveys Versus Focus Groups

Within the framework of the theory of planned behavior (Ajzen, 1991), this study compared the relative usefulness of utilizing a focus group or survey methodology when eliciting restaurant employees' beliefs about performing three important food safety behaviors (handwashing, using thermometers, and cleaning and sanitizing work surfaces). Restaurant employees completed both a survey and focus group interview assessing their beliefs about food safety. Results obtained through surveys were observed to be comparable to focus groups, suggesting researchers employ the less expensive and less time-consuming survey methodology. The strengths and weaknesses of each method are discussed. Specific salient beliefs (e.g., advantages, barriers, etc.) about the behaviors offer implications for workplace food safety interventions and training.
Paul Stanley Lietman, MD, PhD, 1934–2013

Paul Lietman, former Director of the Division of Clinical Pharmacology at Johns Hopkins, distinguished himself as a superb teacher, uncompromising researcher, and inspiration to many young students, residents, fellows, and faculty. He was especially known for his contributions to anti-infective chemotherapy, doing pivotal studies on the aminoglycosides, acyclovir, and drugs for HIV. His impact was enormous and his influence long-lasting. Clinical Pharmacology & Therapeutics (2013); 94 4, 176–180. doi:10.1038/clpt.2013.156
Temperature dependence of asperity contact and contact resistance in gold RF MEMS switches

Experimental measurements and modeling predictions were obtained to characterize the electro-mechanical response of two different gold contact radio frequency microelectromechanical system (RF MEMS) switches due to variations in the temperature and applied contact voltage. A three-dimensional surface roughness profile from AFM measurements of the top contact surface of a sample RF MEMS switch was used to obtain modeling predictions of the time-dependent deformation of the asperity microcontacts, real areas of contact, number of asperity microcontacts and constriction resistance. The experimental data indicated a decrease in the overall resistance and a decrease in the creep mechanism at 77 K and 5.6 K when compared to measurements at 293 K. At 293 K, there is more contact area per unit time, and the resistance drop from the increase in real contact area dominates the resistance increase due to asperity heating. At 77 K, the creep rate is reduced, and fewer asperities are in contact. At 5.6 K, the change in contact area over time is small, and the contact resistance measurement is dominated by the Joule heating. The data presented and constriction resistance modeling for gold RF MEMS switches show that temperature plays a significant role in the creep deformation and heating of switch contacts.
QUANTITATIVE EEG TO EVALUATE DEPTH OF ANESTHESIA IN THE CAT

Introduction: Quantitative measures derived from the electroencephalogram (qEEG) have been used extensively in human medicine to assess the function of the brain under clinical manipulation (such as anesthesia and sedation), as well as in disease states (such as head trauma, coma and stroke). The goal of this study was to determine if qEEG measures could be used to predict the response of cats under isoflurane concentration to noxious stimuli. Methods: Twelve cats aged 1–2 years were included. Neurological and physical examination, blood chemistries and CBCs were normal in all cats. Anesthesia was induced with isoflurane (ISO) in O2, the cat was intubated and the femoral artery catheterized. The following physiologic data were collected continuously throughout the course of the experiment: temperature, blood pressure, respiratory rate, heart rate, and end-tidal CO2 and ISO concentrations. An Aspect Medical Systems A-1050 monitor was used to continuously record the raw electroencephalogram (EEG) and several qEEG measures including bispectral index (BIS), spectral edge frequency (SEF), burst suppression ratio (BSR), and total EEG power (POW). ISO concentration was maintained constant for 15 minutes, after which a tail clamp was applied for 1 minute. If the cat responded, the concentration was increased 10% and the procedure repeated. If the cat did not respond, the ISO concentration was decreased 10% and the procedure repeated. The minimum alveolar concentration (MAC) was the midpoint between a positive and negative response and, for each cat, this was determined three times. Results: BIS was significantly lower in cats at the lowest concentration at which there was no response (MAC−, 21.3±28.3) than at the highest concentration at which there was a response (MAC+, 63.4±22.1; p<.01, Wilcoxon signed rank). However, in 3/12 cats (25%), BIS was higher at MAC− than at MAC+. Of the other qEEG measures, only BSR was significantly different between MAC− and MAC+ (50.4±34.4 vs. 6.1±19.4, p<.01). Of the physiologic data collected, only respiratory rate was different between MAC− and MAC+ (29.4±10.0 vs. 45.3±17.9, p<.05). Conclusions: These results suggest that qEEG measures may be useful for anesthesia monitoring in cats, but measures that are less species-specific than the BIS may hold more promise. In addition, this work suggests that further studies utilizing qEEG measures for evaluation of sedation during ventilation as well as outcome prediction in animals with head trauma and critical illnesses with CNS complications are indicated.
Global histone profiling by LC–FTMS after inhibition and knockdown of deacetylases in human cells

Abstract Global histone modifications and their putative relevance to short and long term cellular programming have drawn substantial interest in the study of chromatin. Here we describe the use of reverse-phase liquid chromatography coupled to Linear Ion Trap-Fourier Transform Mass Spectrometry (RPLC–LTQ-FTMS) to quickly profile post-translationally modified isoforms and variants for core histone proteins from as few as 5 × 104 cells at isotopic resolution. Such LC–MS profiling greatly facilitated the detection of histones from HeLa S3 or 293T cells experiencing shRNA- or siRNA-knockdown of histone deacetylase (HDAC) 1, 2, 3 or 1 and 2 together. In no case was significant global histone hyperacetylation relative to control cells observed, suggesting possible compensation of deacetylation activity by partially redundant enzymes in the 18-member HDAC family. This contrasts sharply with yeast where genetic deletion of HDAC rpd3 causes massive hyperacetylation. Treatment of cells with TSA and class I selective HDAC inhibitors had similar ability to induce global histone hyperactylation, though to different extents in HeLa S3 vs. 293T cells.
JUDICIAL AND LEGAL RECORDS IN THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES OF GHANA/ACCRA: AN INTRODUCTION FOR USERS

Judicial and legal records in the National Archives of Ghana headquarters repositories are important primary source materials for historians, social scientists, and other researchers, and in particular practicing lawyers. The holdings of the national archives service, both in Accra and its network, cover records relating to the political and bureaucratic activities of government. This paper focuses on the Accra holdings pertaining to judicial and legal records, in order to draw attention to the decisive attractiveness of these record series in general and, in particular, the Accra judicial and legal records to a generation inclined to both quantification and sociological analysis and to provide a guide to prospective users. The headquarters of the national archives service, where the judicial and legal records are located, is situated on Castle Road in Accra near the junction with Barnes Road. The offices are open from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday to Friday. The search room functions between 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. The formal requirement for admission to use the archives materials is the searcher's ticket obtained from the Search Room Officer on the spot.
Endovascular repair of aortic aneurysms: critical events and adjunctive procedures.

Abstract Objective: We sought to define the learning curve relative to the incidence and range of intraoperative problems and to establish guidelines for troubleshooting during the endovascular repair of infrarenal aortic aneurysms. Methods: We prospectively evaluated our first 75 consecutive cases over a 12-month period and focused on perioperative critical events and adjunctive procedures as categorical outcome measures collected during the operation. Patients were separated into three groups on the basis of the date of their operation, such that group 1 consisted of our first 25 cases, group 2 our next 25 cases, and group 3 our last 25 cases. Results: At least one critical event and adjunctive procedure marked 67 (89%) of 75 cases. In 51%, there were at least two critical events and adjunctive procedures. There were no immediate open conversions or intraoperative deaths. Access problems occurred in 28% of the 75 cases and were addressed by use of brachial-femoral artery access (30%), iliac artery/aortic bifurcation balloon angioplasty (8%), and iliofemoral conduits (4%). Graft foreshortening was the most common deployment event (44%), necessitating distal covered extensions. Iliac graft limb twists and kinks occurred in 12% of cases and were managed with balloon angioplasty and uncovered stents. General incidents included balloon ruptures (10%), arterial dissections (6%), iliac artery rupture (2.6%), and lower extremity ischemia (4%). The two cases of iliac artery rupture were managed with distal covered extensions, and there were no cases of atheroemboli. Intraoperative endoleaks were encountered in 44% of the cases and included proximal attachment sites (15%), distal attachment sites (9%), type 2 sources, and "blushes." Management of intraoperative endoleaks included proximal/distal covered extensions and re-ballooning. Our 30-day endoleak rate was 20%. The incidence of critical events did not decrease in the latter one third compared with the first two thirds of cases. Conclusions: Critical events occur frequently during endovascular repair of aortic aneurysms. The intraoperative problems range from the common endoleaks, access and deployment issues, and balloon ruptures, to rare but life-threatening complications such as iliac artery rupture. A toolbox of accessories that includes wires, catheters, large balloons, covered proximal and distal extensions, and uncovered stents is essential given the frequency of adjunctive procedures. Successful aortic endografting requires more than mere familiarity with basic endovascular techniques. (J Vasc Surg 2001;33:1226-32.)
Summary of the SRNT treatment network preconference workshop--tobacco use treatment development: challenges, opportunities, and new methods.

The mission of the Society for Research on Nicotine and Tobacco (SRNT) Treatment Network is twofold: (a) to provide SRNT members who work in tobacco dependence treatment research, an opportunity to network with one another and exchange scientific ideas; and, (b) to provide scientific support and advice on matters of tobacco dependence treatment research. The goal of the Treatment Network is to advance this mission by maintaining a Treatment Network Web site and Listserv, supporting Treatment Network activities at SRNT annual meetings and collaborating with other tobacco treatment organizations, such as TreatTobacco.Net and the Association for the Treatment of Tobacco Use and Dependence. As part of this mission, the Treatment Network sponsored a half-day preconference workshop prior to the 2013 SRNT Annual Meeting in Boston – Tobacco Use Treatment Development: Challenges, Opportunities, and New Methods. A total of 89 people enrolled in the workshop. The goal of the workshop was to advance the use of novel experimental designs and to promote the consideration of key theoretical and methodological questions as researchers develop and test tobacco dependence treatments. The workshop included invited talks and a poster session where trainees and junior investigators
Development and initial application of an in vitro model of apoptosis in rodent cholangiocytes

Although histological data suggest that cholangiocytes die by apoptosis in human liver diseases, no information exists on the mechanisms of cholangiocyte apoptosis. Thus our aims were to establish an in vitro model of cholangiocyte apoptosis and to test the hypothesis that changes in intracellular ions would cause apoptosis in cholangiocytes by a protease-sensitive pathway. A large number of proapoptotic agents were ineffective in inducing apoptosis in rat or human cholangiocytes in culture; in contrast, beauvericin, a K+ ionophore, caused apoptosis in both cell lines, despite their expression of Bcl-2. Although beauvericin decreased intracellular K+ and increased intracellular Ca2+, abolishing the K+ gradient did not prevent beauvericin-induced apoptosis; in contrast, omission of extracellular Ca2+ inhibited apoptosis by 42%. The interleukin-1 beta-converting enzyme (ICE) family protease inhibitor, Z-Val-Ala-Asp chloromethylketone, inhibited apoptosis in a concentration-dependent manner. By Northern blot analysis, cholangiocytes expressed the mRNA for three members of the ICE protease family: ICE, ICE/ CED-3 homologue-1 (ICH-1), and cysteine protease P-32 (CPP-32). Cleavage of a substrate for CPP-32-like protease activity, but not a substrate for ICE and ICH-1, increased after beauvericin treatment. In summary, we have established an in vitro model of apoptosis in cholangiocytes. Our data suggest that beauvericin-induced apoptosis occurs by a Ca(2+)-dependent CPP-32 protease-sensitive pathway despite cholangiocyte expression of Bcl-2.
The effect of environmental storage conditions on bone marrow fat determination in three species.

Diagnostic laboratories are frequently required to assess the antemortem nutritional condition of deceased animals. The percentage of fat in the bone marrow is used to diagnose starvation because this fat depot is typically the last in the body to be depleted. Diagnosticians rely on measurement of bone marrow adipose content using fat solvent-extraction methods; however, the effects of tissue storage conditions before processing have not been fully assessed. The current study focuses on evaluating the effects of 3 storage conditions (refrigeration (4uC), freezing (220uC), and ambient temperature (9.9-34.4uC)) on the percentage of fat in the bone marrow from 3 species. Equine, bovine, and canine humeri and femurs were removed within 24 hr of death from adult animals in adequate body condition and then stored as described for a minimum of 30-60 days. Bone marrow was harvested from these tissues at the time of necropsy and after 30-60 days. Percentage of fat was measured using an automated solvent extractor. Mean percentage of fat in the bone marrow in initial equine, bovine, and canine samples was 81.75%, 86.33%, and 59.96%, respectively. The results indicate that bovine and equine percentage of fat in bone marrow does not change after 30-60 days, regardless of the storage condition, whereas the fat content from canine tissues varies when stored at ambient temperatures. Results suggest that postmortem interval and environmental conditions of samples must be considered in the postmortem evaluation of bone marrow fat concentration in at least some species.
Quantum dot semiconductor lasers

The formation of coherently strained islands during the growth of strained heterostructures has been exploited to form an array of quantum dots. The shape and size of the islands vary with growth parameters, but exhibit the electronic properties of zero-dimensional systems. One or multiple, vertically coupled, layers of such quantum dots can form the gain region of a separately confined heterostructure (SCH) laser. The properties of such InGaAs/GaAs self-organized quantum dot lasers are described here. The lasers exhibit temperature independent operation up to 100 K and beyond. Typical threshold currents of 200 μm long room temperature lasers vary from 6 to 20 mA. The small-signal modulation bandwidths of ridge waveguide lasers are 5–7.5 GHz at 300 K and increased to >20 GHz at 80 K. We believe that electron-hole scattering intrinsically limits the high-speed performance of these devices, in spite of differential gains as high as ~ 7× 10-14 cm2 at room temperature. Wavelength switching is demonstrated in these devices and preliminary results on long-wavelengths intersubband quantum dot light emitters are also presented.
Collecting Image Annotations Using Amazon's Mechanical Turk

Crowd-sourcing approaches such as Amazon's Mechanical Turk (MTurk) make it possible to annotate or collect large amounts of linguistic data at a relatively low cost and high speed. However, MTurk offers only limited control over who is allowed to particpate in a particular task. This is particularly problematic for tasks requiring free-form text entry. Unlike multiple-choice tasks there is no correct answer, and therefore control items for which the correct answer is known cannot be used. Furthermore, MTurk has no effective built-in mechanism to guarantee workers are proficient English writers. We describe our experience in creating corpora of images annotated with multiple one-sentence descriptions on MTurk and explore the effectiveness of different quality control strategies for collecting linguistic data using Mechanical MTurk. We find that the use of a qualification test provides the highest improvement of quality, whereas refining the annotations through follow-up tasks works rather poorly. Using our best setup, we construct two image corpora, totaling more than 40,000 descriptive captions for 9000 images.
CDM-ESD induced damage in components using stacked-die packaging

CDM-ESD robustness of stacked-die packages is investigated and compared with single-die packages. The peak discharge current is not increased significantly by die stacking. The inter-die signal interfaces are shown to be well protected against CDM by placing just a small ESD protection clamp at the receiver, if certain package integration guidelines are followed.
The Shifting Middle Ground: Amazonian Indians and Eco-Politics

Over the past decade in Brazil, the convergence between international environmentalism and indigenous cultural survival concerns led to an unprecedented internationalization of local A native struggles. The Indian-environmentalist alliance has benefited both parties, but recent events suggest that it may be unstable and may pose political risks for native people. The limitations of transnational symbolic politics as a vehicle for indigenous activism reflect tensions and contradictions in outsiders' symbolic constructions of Indian identity.
Isotopic constraints on the provenance of fine-grained sediment in LGM tills from the Ross Embayment, Antarctica

The major element, trace element and Nd, Sr, and Pb isotopic compositions were determined for the b63 μm sediment fraction of fourteen onshore tills and twenty-one offshore tills in the Ross Sea and surrounding areas, Antarctica. The purpose was to determine the provenance of tills deposited on the continental shelf of the Ross Sea during the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM) and to assess the relative importance of the West and East Antarctic ice sheets in providing ice to the Ross Embayment during this time. Onshore tills exposed around the margins of the Ross Embayment associated with specific ice streams and outlet glaciers have Nd and Pb compositions that vary regularly with geographic position, reflecting changes in the age and isotopic compositions of basement rocks along the Ross Sea margin. Specifically, till eNd values range from −5.6 to −9.9 for the West Antarctic (Siple Coast) ice streams and the southern Transantarctic Mountains, while the eNd in the central portions of the mountains range from −11.9 to −14.9. Uranogenic Pb becomes less radiogenic in the same direction. The composition of Late Quaternary tills from the Ross Sea also varies geographically, with the b63 μm fraction from both the western and eastern Ross Sea tills having higher eNd values (−5.8 to −7.5 and −3.8 to −6.9, respectively) than the till in the central Ross Sea (−7.1 to −12.5). Tills in the eastern Ross Sea (most proximal to West Antarctica) have isotopic and chemical compositions identical to onshore till from West Antarctica and the southern Transantarctic Mountains and were most likely derived from these areas. Tills in the western Ross Sea with the highest eNd values have low wt.% SiO2 (46%), and high Ni, Nb, Ta and Sr contents requiring a large component of material eroded from extrusive igneous rocks from the adjacent Late Cenozoic McMurdo Volcanic Field. In contrast, tills in the central Ross Sea were most likely related to ice emanating from the central Transantarctic Mountains that flowed north across the Ross Embayment to the continental shelf margin. Overall, our data provide further direct evidence for the model described in a previously published companion paper [K.J. Licht, J.R. Lederer, J.R. Swope, Provenance of LGM glacial till (sand fraction) across the Ross Embayment, Antarctica, Quat. Sci. Rev. 24 (2005) 1499–1520.] that ice derived from the East Antarctic ice sheet was active and responsible for LGM till deposition throughout the western half of the Ross Sea (including the central Ross Sea). As a result, models for the past and future dynamics of the Antarctic ice sheets must account for a major East Antarctic contribution to the Ross ice sheet.
Femoral vessel injuries: analysis of factors predictive of outcomes.

Background Femoral vessel injuries are the most common vascular injuries treated in a Level I trauma center. No studies have identified risk factors for survival and complications. Study design We performed a retrospective, 132-month study that included univariate and multivariate analyses. Results We studied 204 patients with 298 vessel injuries: 204 were arterial, 94 were venous. Mean age (± SD) was 29±13 years and mean Injury Severity Score (± SD) was 17±8. There were 176 (86%) penetrating injuries and 28 (14%) blunt injuries. Arterial repairs included: reverse saphenous vein graft bypass, 108 (53%); primary repair, 53 (26%); PTFE, 21 (10.2%); ligation, 13 (6.4%); and vein patch, 9 (4.4%). Venous repairs included: ligation, 49 (52%); primary repair, 41 (44%); and bypass, 4 (4%). Fasciotomies included: calf, 56 (27%); thigh, 25 (12%); traumatic amputations, 6 (3%); and delayed amputations, 0. Overall survival rate was 91% (186 of 204), and adjusted survival was 95% (excluding emergency department thoracotomy deaths). There were 1 or more complications in 47 (23%), including wound infection, 31 (15%); venous thrombosis, 6 (3%); bleeding, 5 (2.5%); ARDS, 4 (2%); and arterial thrombosis, 1 (0.5%). Predictors of mortality were age>45 years, Injury Severity Score>25, common femoral artery injury, associated venous and abdominal injury, hypotension, hypothermia, and acidosis; coagulopathy in the operating room and the need for PTFE repair also predicted outcomes. Predictors of postoperative complications were intraoperative hypotension, arterial intimal injury, bony fracture, and thoracic injury. Conclusions Although survival and limb salvage rates are high for femoral vessel injuries, these injuries incur high complication rates. Independent predictors for mortality are: Injury Severity Score > 25, Glasgow Coma Scale 28, presence of coagulopathy in the operating room, presence of two or more vascular signs, and age > 45 years.
Using peer critique to promote learning

The purpose of this Writer's Forum is to suggest a peer critique strategy and to present a rubric that can help students become more self-regulated learners who are capable of carefully assessing their own work and who can benefit from specific feedback provided by a critical friend. Too often assignment directions are not completely followed resulting in incomplete learning, lower grades, and frustration on the part of both the student and teacher who are forced to spend additional time rewriting and re-correcting. By becoming skilled in how to use a rubric to guide their efforts and by learning how to benefit from suggestions made by a critical friend, students have an increased opportunity to help each other as they work together toward the successful completion of assignments. Potential challenges along with potential solutions and benefits are also discussed.
Effect of habitat complexity on biological control by the red imported fire ant (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) in collards

A potentially important and understudied biological control agent in US agroecosystems is the red imported fire ant, Solenopsis invicta Buren. Red imported fire ants may be particularly important biological control agents because we can manipulate their abundance with changes in habitat complexity. The effect of habitat complexity on biological control by fire ants was determined using plots of collards intercropped with white clover (complex habitat) and simple collard monocrops. The most economically significant pests of collards are larvae of the diamondback moth (DBM), Plutella xylostella (L.). Predation of DBM larvae by fire ants was more rapid and efficient in the intercrop than the monocrop. Red imported fire ants were 23% less abundant in the intercrop than the monocrop, however, suggesting that fire ants had a greater per capita effect on DBM survival in the complex habitat. Red imported fire ant predation of DBM larvae was significantly affected by larval density. Red imported fire ants also reduced the survival of leaf beetles, another economically significant pest taxa, by 45%. Furthermore, collard leaf damage tended to be inversely related to fire ant density and fire ants were more effective at reducing crop damage in the complex intercrop. Our study indicates the ability of red imported fire ants to be effective biological control agents and suggests that increasing habitat complexity can enhance red imported fire ant efficacy and herbivore control.
TRANSFORMATIVE CAPACITY: CONTINUAL STRUCTURING BY INTERTEMPORAL TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER

The ability to maintain internally developed technology over time is important for corporate vitality. We label this ability transformative capacity and suggest that it depends on how well a firm accomplishes three tasks, These tasks are: the choice of technologies, their maintenance over time, and their reactivation and synthesis when required. To establish the need for transformative capacity, we first discuss time lags in the development of technologies and markets to suggest that not all technologies developed by firms can be utilized immediately. We then examine dimensions of technological knowledge that affect knowledge transfer over time. Next, we build on the resource-based view of the firm to discuss how firms can create transformative capacity. The concluding discussion focuses on the implications of transformative capacity for the analysis and management of technological investments as a way to maintain corporate vitality.
Disruption of glutamate receptors at Shank-postsynaptic platform in Alzheimer's disease

Synaptic loss underlies the memory deficit of Alzheimer's disease (AD). The molecular mechanism is elusive; however, excitatory synapses organized by the postsynaptic density (PSD) have been used as targets for AD treatment. To identify pathological entities at the synapse in AD, synaptic proteins were screened by quantitative proteomic profiling. The critical proteins were then selected for immunoblot analysis. The glutamate receptors N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) receptor 1 and α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid (AMPA) receptor 2 (GluR2) were substantially lost; specifically, the loss of GluR2 was up to 40% at PSD in AD. Shank proteins, the organizers of these glutamate receptors at excitatory synapses, were dramatically altered in AD. The level of Shank2 was increased, whereas the protein level of Shank3 was decreased. Further, the Shank3 protein was modified by ubiquitin, indicating that abnormal activity of the ubiquitin–proteasome system may lead to Shank3 degradation in AD. Our findings suggest that disruption of glutamate receptors at the Shank-postsynaptic platform could contribute to destruction of the PSD which underlies the synaptic dysfunction and loss in AD.
Campaigns, Reflection, and Deliberation: Advancing an O-S-R-O-R Model of Communication Effects

Recent communication research concerning participatory politics has found that the effects of media, especially campaign ads, conventional news, and online political resources, are largely mediated through interpersonal discussion about politics. This article extends this line of theorizing about the role of political conversation in citizen competence by testing an O-S-R-O-R model of campaign communication mediation, a modification and extension of the longstanding O-S-O-R model of communication effects. This model combines insights from iterations of the communication mediation model (McLeod et al., 2001; Shah et al., 2007) and cognitive mediation model (Eveland, 2001; Eveland, Shah, & Kwak, 2003) to theorize a set of the interrelated reasoning (R) processes that channel the influences of campaign exposure and news consumption on political engagement. Three key mediators of campaign and news influence are postulated: face-to-face political conversation, online political messaging, and cognitive reflection. We provide empirical evidence to test this model by merging two datasets: (1) tracking of the content and placement of campaign messages in the 2000 and 2004 election cycles, and (2) surveys of traditional and digital media consumption and levels of campaign participation during these same elections. Findings reveal that political conversation, political messaging, and cognitive reflection mediate the effects of campaign advertising exposure and news consumption on political participation and knowledge, providing considerable support for our theory. This O-S-R-O-R model helps organize a large body of theorizing and research on campaigns and conversation in the communication sciences.
Observed structure of mesoscale convective systems and implications for large-scale heating

The model for the idealized tropical mesoscale convective system proposed by Houze (1982) is examined. Observations of the structure of mesoscale convective systems are used to determine the applicability of the conceptual model. Data on the vertical distribution of vertical air motion in the convective and stratiform regions of mesoscale convective systems are discussed and the treatment of this distribution in Houze's model is considered.
Density of red alder (Alnus rubra) in headwaters influences invertebrate and detritus subsidies to downstream fish habitats in Alaska

We investigated the influence of red alder (Alnus rubra) stand density in upland, riparian forests on invertebrate and detritus transport from fishless headwater streams to downstream, salmonid habitats in southeastern Alaska. Red alder commonly regenerates after soil disturbance (such as from natural landsliding or timber harvesting), and is common along streams in varying densities, but its effect on food delivery from headwater channels to downstream salmonid habitats is not clear. Fluvial transport of invertebrates and detritus was measured at 13 sites in spring, summer and fall during two years (2000–2001). The 13 streams encompassed a riparian red alder density gradient (1–82% canopy cover or 0–53% basal area) growing amongst young-growth conifer (45-yr-old stands that regenerated after forest clearcutting). Sites with more riparian red alder exported significantly more invertebrates than did sites with little alder (mean range across 1–82% alder gradient was about 1–4 invertebrates m−3 water, and 0.1–1 mg invertebrates m−3 water, respectively). Three-quarters of the invertebrates were of aquatic origin; the remainder was of terrestrial origin. Aquatic taxa were positively related to the alder density gradient, while terrestrially-derived taxa were not. Streams with more riparian alder also exported significantly more detritus than streams with less alder (mean range across 1–82% alder gradient was 0.01–0.06 g detritus m−3 water). Based on these data, we predict that headwater streams with more riparian alder will provide more invertebrates and support more downstream fish biomass than those basins with little or no riparian alder, provided these downstream food webs fully utilize this resource subsidy.