cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Stereotactic Body Radiotherapy for Pulmonary Metastases From Soft-Tissue Sarcomas: Excellent Local Lesion Control and Improved Patient Survival

Purpose Patients with pulmonary metastases (PM) from soft-tissue sarcomas (STS) have historically been treated with surgery and/or chemotherapy. Since 2001, we have treated PM with stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT). We postulated that SBRT for PM from STS would yield excellent local control (LC) and overall survival (OS). Methods and Materials Fifty-two patients with PM from STS, diagnosed between 1990 and 2006 at the University of Rochester, were retrospectively reviewed. Most patients received multimodality treatment comprising of surgery, chemotherapy, and/or radiation. SBRT used the Novalis ExacTrac patient positioning platform, vacuum bag immobilization, and relaxed end-expiratory breath hold techniques. Results Leiomyosarcoma (23%), malignant fibrous histiocytoma (19%), and synovial sarcoma (15%) were the most common histologies. Forty-eight percent initially presented with PM, whereas 52% developed PM at a median of 0.7 (0.3–7.3) years after initial diagnosis. Median follow-up from diagnosis of PM was 0.9 (0.3–7.3) years. Fifteen patients underwent SBRT to 74 lesions. Median number of lesions treated was 4 (1–16) per patient and 3.5 (1–6) per session. Preferred dose and fractionation was 50 Gy in 5 Gy fractions. Three-year LC was 82%. No patients experienced Grade ≥3 toxicity. Median OS was 2.1 (0.8–11.5) years for patients treated with SBRT, and 0.6 (0.1–7.8) years for those who never received SBRT (p = 0.002). Conclusions SBRT provides excellent LC of PM and may extend OS. SBRT should be considered for all patients with PM from STS, particularly those who are not surgical candidates. Further investigation is warranted to establish criteria for the use of SBRT for STS patients with PM.
Stroke Location Is Not Associated With Return to Work After First Ischemic Stroke

Background and Purpose —In prior studies, age, race, job category, disability, and cortical functions such as praxis, language, and memory have been associated with vocational outcome, but the influence of stroke location on return to work has never been critically examined. Methods —We examined the influence of stroke location on vocational outcome in patients with clinically confirmed acute ischemic stroke from the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke Stroke Data Bank. Results —Of 143 patients working full time at the time of first ischemic stroke, 23 patients were dead and 120 were alive at 1 year. Employment status was known in 109 (mean age, 55 years; 51 [47%] were white, and 82 [75%] were male). Fifty-eight (53%) had returned to work; most (85%) worked full time. Younger age was positively associated with return to work ( P <0.05). In an age-adjusted analysis, stroke severity as measured by the Barthel Index 7 to 10 days after stroke was negatively associated with return to work ( P <0.001). Higher household income and absence of cortical neurological dysfunction 7 to 10 days after stroke were positively but less strongly associated with return to work ( P <0.08). Stroke location, sex, and depression at time of stroke were not associated with vocational outcome. Conclusions —Our data suggest that stroke location may be less important than other more easily measured factors in predicting vocational outcome.
World-Class Schools: A Strategy to Keep Students at the Bottom.

This paper suggests that the school reform movement related to the World-Class School initiative is not beneficial for selected students. Coupling this initiative with the Goals 2000 standards will only increase the chasm between the have and have-not students. Administering these combined strategies in their present form will result in keeping have-not students at the bottom. Averting this unfortunate outcome will require that the initiative be underwritten by sufficient funding to activate prevention programs of school-linked student support services to address the diverse needs and backgrounds of have-not students.
The Concept of Transmission Primaries in Color Television

This paper deals primarily with the concept of color space as a three-dimensional representation of the means for specifying color. It shows the relationship between the various sets of primaries used by the NTSC in its mathematical description of its form of color and transmission and points out that the I and Q axes, together with Illuminant C, comprise in themselves a set of primaries in color space. This set has been termed the Transmission Primaries.
Respiration of steelhead trout sperm: sensitivity to pH and carbon dioxide

Steelhead trout Oncorhynchus mykiss sperm held in seminal plasma or sperm-immobilizing buffer (pH 8.6) at 10 C consumed O 2 at the rate of 2 nmol O 2 min -1 10 -9 sperm; the rate of O 2 consumption was not different in sperm held for 4 or 24 h. Decreasing the extracellular pH from 8.5 to 7.5 either by diluting semen with buffer titrated with HCl or by increasing the partial pressure of CO 2 in the incubation atmosphere resulted in c. a 40% decrease in the rate of sperm respiration. The data did not, however, support the hypothesis that the precipitous reduction in the capacity for sperm motility that occurs as external pH is reduced is a result of decrease in cellular metabolism. The rate of O 2 consumption of freshly collected semen from different males was not correlated to cellular ATP content or to the proportion of sperm that were motile upon activation; the initial ATP content and sperm motility were positively correlated. The rate of O 2 consumption was not significantly increased following sperm activation or by the addition of an uncoupler of oxidative phosphorylation, carbonyl cyanide p-trifluoromethoxyphenylhydrazone, suggesting that these sperm have little, if any, capacity for increased oxidative metabolism.
The government budget constraint and standard macrotheory

Abstract Christ, Blinder-Solow, Brunner-Meltzer and others have discussed the implications of deficits raising the public's stock of bonds or money. Among the major findings of this literature are that bond-financed deficits may raise income more than money-financed deficits, that the former may lead to instability, and that open market purchases ultimately lower nominal income. This paper shows that these seemingly revolutionary results (though not all of the results of this literature) follow simply from a textbook Keynesian or monetarist model. However, Blinder and Solow's conclusion that crowding-out cannot be complete is refuted.
Maintenance of pregnancy in protein-deficient rats with dietary supplements of methionine.

SummaryThe supplementation of protein-free diets with 0.2% to 0.4% methionine significantly improved reproductive performance in pregnant rats. It is suggested that the effect of the amino acid supplement was to provide a more beneficial environment for ovum implantation by increasing the efficiency of protein metabolism and perhaps by facilitating decidualization of the uterine endometrium.
Safety and Sensory Evaluation of Canned Rice

Rice, thermally canned as an acid food, was studied to determine if the process would provide a product which was safe and acceptable. Heat penetration studies showed that heat transfer was initially by convection and then by conduction as the rice imbibed sufficient water to restrict the convection currents. Although heat penetration studies indicated that a temperature of 180°F (82°C) was reached in 8 min and inoculated packs processed for 20 minutes in actively boiling water did not support bacterial growth, 30 minutes processing time was required to attain optimum quality. Canned rice, rice with textured vegetable protein (TVP®), Spanish rice, and Spanish rice with TVP were rated acceptable in general appearance, texture and taste. Experimental Spanish rice was rated superior to one and equal to two commercial Spanish rice products in general appearance and flavor. SUMMARY THESE DATA indicate that the process described by Sharp et al. (1981) produced an adequately processed canned rice product. Processing in actively boiling water for 20 min was adequate to destroy the vegetative cells in an inoculated pack while a pH of 4.4 prevented spores from germinating. The potential of the processing method was demonstrated by the development of four products that were rated acceptable.
Spatial distribution of ocean habitat of yearling Chinook (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) and coho (Oncorhynchus kisutch) salmon off Washington and Oregon, USA

We determined the habitat usage and habitat connectivity of juvenile Chinook (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) and coho (Oncorhynchus kisutch) salmon in continental shelf waters off Washington and Oregon, based on samples collected every June for 9 yr (1998–2006). Habitat usage and connectivity were evaluated using SeaWiFS satellite-derived chlorophyll a data and water depth. Logistic regression models were developed for both species, and habitats were first classified using a threshold value estimated from a receiver operating characteristic curve. A Bernoulli random process using catch probabilities from observed data, i.e. the frequency of occurrence of a fish divided by the number of times a station was surveyed, was applied to reclassify stations. Zero-catch probabilities of yearling Chinook and yearling coho salmon decreased with increases in chlorophyll a concentration, and with decreases in water depth. From 1998 to 2006, ∼ 47% of stations surveyed were classified as unfavorable habitat for yearling Chinook salmon and ∼ 53% for yearling coho salmon. Potentially favorable habitat varied among years and ranged from 9 856 to 15 120 km2 (Chinook) and from 14 800 to 16 736 km2 (coho). For both species, the smallest habitat area occurred in 1998, an El Nino year. Favorable habitats for yearling Chinook salmon were more isolated in 1998 and 2005 than in other years. Both species had larger and more continuous favorable habitat areas along the Washington coast than along the Oregon coast. The favorable habitats were also larger and more continuous nearshore than offshore for both species. Further investigations on large-scale transport, mesoscale physical features, and prey and predator availability in the study area are necessary to explain the spatial arrangement of juvenile salmon habitats in continental shelf waters.
Neonatal renal venous thrombosis- a case report describing serial sonographic changes*

Neonatal renal venous thrombosis (NRVT) is a serious complication of newborns. Ultrasound is most useful in detecting NRVT. However, there is no detailed description of the evolution of ultrasound finding in NRVT. Here we report a patient with NRVT with complete ultrasound follow-up. Perivascular streaks were first seen at 3 days of age with a diffusely enlarged and echgenic right kidney. Echolucency then gradually appeared over the medulla area with shrinking renal size. Concomitants loss of renal function was evidenced by dimercaptosuccinic acid scan. The kidney became contracted at the age of 1 year. Since the pathognomonic perivascular streaks were present for only a few days, early ultrasound scanning should be performed for every newborn suspected of having NRVT.
Promoter-selective activation domains in Oct-1 and Oct-2 direct differential activation of an snRNA and mRNA promoter

The promoter specificity of transcriptional activators is generally thought to be conferred by the specificity of the DNA-binding domain, which brings the activation domain to the appropriate promoter sequence. We show here, however, that Oct-1 and Oct-2 can differentially activate transcription not through DNA binding specificity but instead through the use of promoter-selective activation domains. These distinct activation domains lead to stimulation of the U2 small nuclear RNA promoter by Oct-1 and an mRNA promoter by Oct-2. An Oct-2 variant, called Oct-2B, differs from Oct-2 by an Oct-1-related C-terminal extension that results from alternative splicing. This variant gains the ability to activate the U2 small nuclear RNA promoter. Thus, the promoter selectivity of a transcriptional activator can be changed, in this case by alternative splicing, without affecting its DNA binding specificity.
Di-Hydroxylated Soybean Oil Polyols with Varied Hydroxyl Values and Their Influence on UV-Curable Pressure-Sensitive Adhesives

Di-hydroxylated soybean oil (DSO) polyols with three different hydroxyl values (OHV) of 160, 240, and 285 mg KOH/g were synthesized from epoxidized soybean oils (ESO) by oxirane cleavage with water catalyzed by perchloric acid. The DSO were clear, viscous liquids at room temperature. The structure and physical properties of DSO were characterized using titration methods, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), gel permeation chromatography, rheometer, differential scanning calorimetry, and thermogravimetric analysis. The number average molecular weight of DSO160, DSO240, and DSO285 were 1,412, 1,781, and 1,899 g/mol, respectively, indicating that oligomerization occurred during DSO synthesis, which was further confirmed by FTIR. All DSO polyols exhibited non-Newtonian, shear thinning behavior. DSO with higher OHV were more viscous than those with lower OHV. All DSO were thermally stable up to 380 °C. These three DSO were formulated into pressure-sensitive adhesives (PSA) by copolymerizing with ESO using UV curing. The peel adhesion strength of the PSA was significantly affected by the OHV of DSO and DSO content. Maximal PSA adhesion strength of 4.6 N/inch was obtained with DSO285 and a DSO/ESO weight ratio of 0.75.
Shinto, Japan's spiritual roots

Illustrates the beliefs of Japan's oldest religion, its ceremonies, rituals, and festivals, and its connection with Japannese art, history, Buddhism, and even sumo wrestling.
A novel subunit separation procedure for cryptomonad phycoerythrin 545.

Abstract A method to separate phycoerythrin 545, isolated from the cryptomonad alga, Rhodomonas lens , into two subunits has been developed. The method uses no denaturants (urea, guanidine, detergent) but relies on dissociation of the dimeric protein and subsequent aggregation of the β subunit at pH 3.0. The absorption spectra and amino acid composition of the subunits are presented. The spectra of the α subunit was red-shifted relative to β in both pH 3.0 buffer and in acidic 8.0 M urea.
On the existence and regularity of solutions of a quasilinear mixed equation of Leray-Lions type

Our aim in this article is to study the existence and regularity of solutions of a quasilinear elliptic-hyperbolic equation. This equation appears in the design of blade cascade profiles. This leads to an inverse problem for designing two-dimensional channels with prescribed velocity distributions along channel walls. The governing equation is obtained by transformation of the physical domain to the plane defined by the streamlines and the potential lines of fluid. We establish an existence and regularity result of solutions for a more general framework which includes our physical problem as a specific example.
A peptide model of the copper-binding region of lysyl oxidase

The copper-binding site of lysyl oxidase remains extremely poorly characterized and although models have been suggested for copper(II) coordination by three histidine ligands, as has been found for other copper-containing amine oxidases, there has been no experimental confirmation of these suggestions. In this work, two synthetic peptides with 24 and 34-amino acid residues, respectively, were chosen from the highly conserved histidine-rich sequence previously suggested as the copper-binding region of lysyl oxidase. These peptides each bind one equivalent of Cu(II), at the same site in the two peptides. Spectroscopic (NMR, electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR), CD, visible absorption and fluorescence) techniques were employed to investigate the nature of the resulting complexes. The results indicate that at neutral pH three histidine ring nitrogen atoms and one carboxylate oxygen atom coordinate as the in-plane ligands of the copper, which is in an approximately tetragonally-distorted octahedral geometry. Modeling of the copper-peptides using the consistent force field (CFF91) produces a minimum energy configuration with three histidines and one water molecule as the copper ligands. CD, EPR and fluorescence results are reported for lysyl oxidase and compared with results for the peptides.
Radio station standards for acceptable advertising

A radio station may reject any commercials it does not wish to carry-except those placed by candidates for political office-and managers or a designated employee can review each advertising submission and decide if it is proper for the overall content of the station. This business activity, generally referred to as the “clearance process,” was noted by several deregulation advocates as a viable substitute for government involvement in advertising regulation and consumer protection (e.g., Anonymous, 1988; Colford, 1987; Gordon, 1988; Hamm, 1988). This study requested descriptions of the standards and procedures for commercial review practices used by U.S. commercial radio stations. The primary question is how readily radio station managers will use their power to reject advertising, and under what conditions they decide to use that power. The literature is dominated by descriptions and assessments of procedures and guidelines of the more “visible” media such as television and magazines (e.g., Kaplan and Houlberg, 1988; Rotfeld and Parsons, 1989; Rotfeld et al., 1990b; Sewell and Jennerjahn, 1982; Zanot, 1985). To date, the concerns of radio stations have been virtually ignored, even though commercial radio stations carry well over $6 billion of advertising every year (Statistical Abstract of the United States, 1988). The only published report of radio practices is found as a minor part of a 1967
Learning social medicine in the Bronx: an orientation for primary care residents.

Background: Primary care educators face the challenge of teaching the social context of health and disease to clinicians. Description: Since 1975, the Residency Program in Social Medicine has trained clinicians to practice in urban underserved communities. During Orientation Month, 1st-year residents are relieved of inpatient duties and participate in learning activities addressing social and cultural aspects of health. Learning objectives include understanding patients’ social context, their community, and the role of physicians as professionals. Recent innovations include incorporating an overall theme, weekly case studies, “triple jump” exercises, community mapping projects, patient-led community tours, and theme-specific visits to community institutions (e.g., prisons). Evaluation: Residents complete weekly formative evaluations, a summative evaluation, and narrative reflections. Faculty complete an evaluative questionnaire. Conclusions: Orientation is a highly rated and valued part of our curriculum....
A Sex‐Specific Affiliative Contact Behavior in Indian Ocean Bottlenose Dolphins, Tursiops sp.

A variety of signals are employed by animals to establish, mediate and advertise social bonds. Gentle contact behaviors, such as grooming in primates, are an important class of affiliative signals that may provide direct benefits (e.g. stress reduction, parasite removal) in addition to their signal information. Unlike other kinds of signals (e.g. male displays) examples of affiliative contact behaviors restricted to one sex are rare. Here we describe a strongly sex-biased affiliative behavior ‘contact swimming’, in female bottlenose dolphins in Shark Bay, Western Australia. Females were more likely to be observed contact swimming than males and the presence of males likely influenced this behavior. This is surprising given that female relationships have been characterized as weak. Female dolphins are sometimes herded and harassed by males and contact swimming occurs most often between females in malebiased groups. Contact swimming may serve as a signal of cooperation between females. Possible direct benefits include stress reduction and assisted locomotion.
Effects of CMP slurry additives on the agglomeration of alumina nanoparticles 1: General aggregation rate behavior

The aggregation behavior for 150 nm alumina particles suspended in 1 mM KNO3 solutions with various additives used in chemical mechanical planarization of copper was investigated. Three behaviors were observed: no aggregation, reversible aggregation where large agglomerates formed almost instantaneously, and steady aggregation where particle sizes grew over the duration of the measurement. In general steady aggregation occurred at high pH for all suspensions, while no aggregation occurred at acidic pH, except with suspensions with sodium dodecyl sulfate, where reversible aggregation was observed. No aggregation was observed at near neutral pH for all suspensions. Zeta potential and isoelectric points for each suspension were also measured.
Memory for general and specific sentences.

Cued recall indicated that memory was better for sentences containing specific verbs (e.g., scratched) than for sentences containing general verbs (e.g., injured). When synonymic verb responses were included, however, the general-specific difference was eliminated. Also, for complete sentence recall, subject nouns were better retrieval cues than verbs or object nouns. nt]mis|This research was supported by National Science Foundation Research Grant GB-22664 to L. Starling Reid and by a grant to the author from the Denison University Faculty Development Activities Program. Thanks are due Bill Stehle and Larry Giordano, who assisted in data collection and analysis.
Microscopic analysis of intermediate-energy proton scattering from 58Ni and 208Pb

Abstract This work is one of the few to study a variety of collective and single-particle states in heavy N ≠ Z nuclei using a microscopic single-step formalism applied to intermediate-energy proton scattering. A survey is given of some of the past microscopic analyses of intermediate-energy proton scattering. Elastic and inelastic scattering data on 58 Ni and 208 Pb obtained in the energy range of 280 to 500 MeV have been analyzed. All charge (proton) densities used have been obtained from electron scattering, while for the neutron densities we assume ϱ o = ( N / Z ) ϱ p . Two effective interactions were used, the free Love-Franey and the density dependent Paris-Hamburg interactions. Our microscopic calculations qualitatively describe the data in a manner similar to that obtained using a macroscopic collective model analysis.
The 1.8 A structures of leech intramolecular trans-sialidase complexes: evidence of its enzymatic mechanism.

Intramolecular trans-sialidase from leech (Macrobdella decora) is the first member of the sialidase superfamily found to exhibit strict specificity towards the cleavage of terminal Neu5Acalpha2-->3Gal linkage in sialoglycoconjugates. Its release of 2,7-anhydro-Neu5Ac instead of Neu5Ac indicates that it catalyzes an intramolecular trans-sialosyl reaction. Crystal structures of its complexes with an inactive substrate analogue 2-propenyl-Neu5Ac, and with the product 2,7-anhydro-Neu5Ac, have been determined to 1.8 A resolution. The boat conformation of the pyranose observed in the complexes supports the proposed enzymatic mechanism that O7 of an axial 6-glycerol group attacks the positively charged C2 of the intermediate. A generalized mechanism is proposed for the sialidase superfamily.
Invited Commentary---Commentary on Structural Modeling in Marketing: Review and Assessment

Chintagunta, Erdem, Rossi, and Wedel (2006) (CERW) discuss many different issues related to the use of structural models in marketing. They use examples of structural models that involve both consumer demand and supply-side competition to provide a critical assessment of the strengths and weaknesses of structural modeling and its future in marketing. While they have done a very nice job, the purpose of this commentary is to provide additional discussion of the three issues raised in their paper.
Formation of bromochlorodibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans from the high-temperature oxidation of a mixture of 2-chlorophenol and 2-bromophenol.

The homogeneous, gas-phase oxidative thermal degradation of a 50:50 mixture of 2-bromophenol and 2-chlorophenol was studied in a 1 cm i.d., fused silica flow reactor at a concentration of 88 ppm, with a reaction time of 2.0 s, over a temperature range of 300 to 1000 °C. Observed products in order of decreasing yield included the following: dibenzo-p-dioxin (DD), 4-bromo-6-chlorodibenzofuran (4-B,6-CDF), phenol, 4,6-dibromodibenzofuran (4,6-DBDF), 2,6-dibromophenol, 4,6-dichlorodibenzofuran (4,6-DCDF), 2-bromo-4-chlorophenol, 2,4-dibromophenol, 2-chloro-4-bromophenol, 4-monobromodibenzofuran (4-MBDF), 4-monochlorodibenzofuran (4-MCDF), dibenzofuran (DF), 1-monobromodibenzo-p-dioxin (1-MBDD), 1-monochlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (1-MCDD), 2,4,6-tribromophenol, naphthalene, chloronaphthalene, bromonaphthalene, chlorobenzene, bromobenzene, and benzene. The results are compared and contrasted with previous results reported for the oxidations of pure 2-chlorophenol and 2-bromophenol as well as results for the pyrolysi...
Synthesis of Amine-Terminated Aliphatic Polycarbonates via Al(Et)2(OR)-Initiated Polymerizations

New aliphatic polycarbonates derived from trimethylene carbonate (1) (TMC, 1,3-dioxan-2-one),have been prepared by ring opening polymerization. The synthesis is achieved by using new aluminum alkoxide initiators which allow for the incorporation of controlled functionality in the resulting polymer. The synthesis of poly(TMC) with nitrophenyl end groups was achieved by using initiators of the form, Al(Et)3-x(OR)x; where x = 1−2, R = −(CH2)2PhNO2. The end groups could be reduced to give the corresponding aminophenyl end-capped poly(TMC). In these polymerizations, molecular weight is proportional to the monomer/intiator ratio, with each polymer chain containing one nitrophenyl or aminophenyl functionality.
Multiscale modeling of the impact of textile fabrics based on hybrid element analysis

Abstract In this work, a multi scale modeling approach has been developed to simulate the impact of woven fabrics using a finite element (FE) analysis. A yarn level of resolution is used in the model. This approach, referred to as the hybrid element analysis (HEA) is based on decreasing the complexity of the finite element model with distance away from the impact zone based on the multiscale nature of the fabric architecture and the physics of the impact event. Solid elements are used to discretize the yarns around the impact region, which transition to shell elements in the surrounding region. A new method for modeling the shell yarns is incorporated that more accurately represents the contours of the yarn cross section. Impedances have been matched across the solid–shell interface to prevent interfacial reflections of the longitudinal strain wave. The HEA method is validated by first applying it to the FE model of a single yarn for which an analytical solution is known. The HEA method is then applied to a woven fabric model and validated by comparing it against a baseline model consisting of yarns discretized using only solid elements.
Biofilm extracellular DNA enhances mixed species biofilms of Staphylococcus epidermidis and Candida albicans.

Background Polymicrobial infections are responsible for significant mortality and morbidity in adults and children. Staphylococcus epidermidis and Candida albicans are the most frequent combination of organisms isolated from polymicrobial infections. Vascular indwelling catheters are sites for mixed species biofilm formation and pose a significant risk for polymicrobial infections. We hypothesized that enhancement of biofilms in a mixed species environment increases patient mortality and morbidity.
Body size, physical attractiveness, and body image among young adult women: Relationships to sexual experience and sexual esteem

Although links between women's sexuality and body size, attractiveness, and body image may seem apparent, little empirical work has been conducted on this topic. In the current study, young adult women (N = 192) completed questionnaires and were weighed and rated for facial attractiveness. In general, current body size, experimenter‐rated facial attractiveness, and self‐rated facial and bodily attractiveness were related in some ways to current relationship status and sexual experience. General body dissatisfaction, avoidance of social settings due to appearance concerns, and degree of investment in one's physical appearance were unrelated to relationship status and sexual experience. Higher sexual esteem was related to subjective views of attractiveness, but not to actual body size or experimenter ratings of facial attractiveness.
The inner alarm clock

The Timing of Sleep and Wakefulness: On the Substructure and Dynamics of the Circadian Pacemakers Underlying the Wake–Sleep Cycle. Studies of Brain Function, Vol.3. J.T. Enright. Pp.263. (Springer-Verlag: 1980.) Flexi DM49, $29.
Analysis of gene expression in cotton fiber initials

Background Cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) fibers are trichomes that initiate from the ovule epidermis. Little is known about the developmental pathway causing fiber to differentiate from ovular epidermal cells even though limits on the number of cells that differentiate into fiber will limit yield.
Genetic linkage analysis using pooled DNA and infrared detection of tailed STRP primer patterns

The mapping of a disease locus to a specific chromosomal region is an important step in the eventual isolation and analysis of a disease causing gene. Conventional mapping methods analyze large multiplex families and/or smaller nuclear families to find linkage between the disease and a chromosome marker that maps to a known chromosomal region. This analysis is time consuming and tedious, typically requiring the determination of 30,000 genotypes or more. For appropriate populations, we have instead utilized pooled DNA samples for gene mapping which greatly reduces the amount of time necessary for an initial chromosomal screen. This technique assumes a common founder for the disease locus of interest and searches for a region of a chromosome shared between affected individuals. Our analysis involves the PCR amplification of short tandem repeat polymorphisms (STRP) to detect these shared regions. In order to reduce the cost of genotyping, we have designed unlabeled tailed PCR primers which, when combined with a labeled universal primer, provides for an alternative to synthesizing custom labeled primers. The STRP pattern is visualized with an infrared fluorescence based automated DNA sequencer and the patterns quantitated by densitometric analysis of the allele pattern. Differences in the distribution of alleles between pools of affected and unaffected individuals, including a reduction in the number of alleles in the affected pool, indicate the sharing of a region of a chromosome. We have found this method effective for markers 10 - 15 cM away from the disease locus for a recessive genetic disease.© (1996) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
New and Emerging Techniques in Cartilage Repair: Matrix-Induced Autologous Chondrocyte Implantation

The management of full-thickness articular cartilage defects is a challenging problem for orthopaedic surgeons. It has limited potential for healing and can be a significant source of pain, often leading to loss of function. Multiple cartilage repair strategies have been attempted. Matrix-induced autologous chondrocyte implantation has been shown to produce hyaline-like cartilage into chondral defects. The goal of this review is to provide the current principles and technique of the matrix-induced autologous chondrocyte implantation procedure along with reported clinical outcomes with its use.
Proprioception interventions to improve cervical position sense in cervical pathology

Background: Non-specific cervical pain is a common pathology and is difficult to treat. Various types of treatment interventions have been used individually or in combination. Proprioception training has been suggested as an aspect of intervention for cervical pathology but no systematic review has been conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of cervical proprioception retraining on reposition sense. Methods: A systematic review of the literature was performed to evaluate the effectiveness of proprioception interventions to improve cervical position sense (PS) in patients with pathology. A modified American Academy of Cerebral Palsy and Developmental Medicine method was used to systematically grade the level of evidence. In addition, a meta-analysis was performed on the intervention effects on PS or pain. Findings: PS was measured in 11 studies; seven used a laser pointer while four used motion detection instrumentation. Various treatment interventions, including deep cervical flexor activation, eye-head ...
The process engineer's workbench

A workstation-based implementation of a software system aimed at VLSI fabrication process synthesis is described. The system provides a versatile user interface to a number of process design aids, and incremental simulation capability, and an attractive graphical display of simulation results. >
Optical monitoring of glucose demand and vascular delivery in a preclinical murine model

Targeted therapies such as PI3K inhibition can affect tumor vasculature, and hence delivery of imaging agents like FDG, while independently modifying intrinsic glucose demand. Therefore, it is important to identify whether perceived changes in glucose uptake are caused by vascular or true metabolic changes. This study sought to develop an optical strategy for quantifying tissue glucose uptake free of cross-talk from tracer delivery effects. Glucose uptake kinetics were measured using a fluorescent D-glucose derivative 2-( N -(7-Nitrobenz-2-oxa-1,3-diazol-4-yl)Amino)-2-deoxy-Dglucose (2-NBDG), and 2-( N -(7-Nitrobenz-2-oxa-1,3-diazol-4-yl)Amino)-2-deoxy-L-glucose (2-NBDLG) was used as a control to report on non-specific uptake. Vascular oxygenation (SO 2 ) was calculated from wavelength-dependent hemoglobin absorption. We have previously shown that the rate of 2-NBDG delivery in vivo profoundly affects perceived demand. In this study, we investigated the potential of the ratio of 2-NBDG uptake to the rate of delivery (2-NBDG 60 /R D ) to report on 2-NBDG demand in vivo free from confounding delivery effects. In normal murine tissue, we show that 2-NBDG 60 /R D can distinguish specific uptake from non-specific cell membrane binding, whereas fluorescence intensity alone cannot. The ratio 2-NBDG 60 /R D also correlates with blood glucose more strongly than 2-NBDG 60 does in normal murine tissue. Additionally, 2-NBDG 60 /R D can distinguish normal murine tissue from a murine metastatic tumor across a range of SO 2 values. The results presented here indicate that the ratio of 2-NBDG uptake to the rate of 2-NBDG delivery (2- NBDG 60 /R D ) is superior to 2-NBDG intensity alone for quantifying changes in glucose demand.
PTSD, depression, and their comorbidity in relation to suicidality: cross-sectional and prospective analyses of a national probability sample of women.

Background: A growing body of literature implicates major depressive disorder (MDD) and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) as risk factors for suicidal ideation (SI) and suicide attempts (SA), though research has not adequately examined their differential contributions to increasing suicide risk prospectively or cross-sectionally. Methods: The contribution of these disorders and their comorbidity to SI and SA was examined using a national household probability sample of women (N=3,085) and covarying for trauma history, substance abuse, and demographic variables. Results: Cross-sectional analyses indicated that lifetime comorbidity of MDD and PTSD were associated with much higher prevalence of SI than either diagnosis alone; prevalence of SI was elevated and comparable for PTSD and MDD only. Comorbid diagnosis and PTSD only groups displayed greater prevalence of SA than those with MDD only. Lastly, a 2-year prospective analysis indicated that PTSD only at baseline was predictive of greater subsequent SI risk than MDD only, though comorbid diagnosis did not differ from either PTSD only or MDD only. Conclusions: PTSD appears to be a particularly strong predictor of SI and SA. Overall, only 16% of women with lifetime SA did not have a history of MDD or PTSD, highlighting the importance of assessing these variables when assessing suicide risk. Language: en
Inter-comparison of the longwave infrared channels of MODIS and AVHRR/NOAA-16 using simultaneous nadir observations at orbit intersections

Near nadir observations in the 11μm and 12 μm bands of the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) onboard the TERRA spacecraft and the Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer (AVHRR) onboard the NOAA-16 spacecraft are collected at their orbit intersections, where both MODIS and AVHRR view the Earth and its atmosphere at the same location within 30 seconds in the Arctic region. Sample data with 1 km resolution from spatially uniform areas are taken for direct inter-comparison of the scene radiance and brightness temperatures at around 270 K. Then a pixel-by-pixel match between the MODIS and AVHRR observations is performed to evaluate their correlation at different scene temperatures. The results show that MODIS and AVHRR observations agree well (difference less than 0.3 K) for both the 11μm and 12 μm bands, although their band correlation exhibits a slightly non-linear trend for scene temperatures greater than 285 K. The performance of MODIS is considered a good predictor of the performance of the National Polar-orbiting Operational Environmental Satellite System (NPOESS)/Visible Infrared Imager/Radiometer Suite (VIIRS), the future replacement of AVHRR. The direct comparison of MODIS and AVHRR observations is therefore considered a risk reduction study for VIIRS.
Estimating correlation matrices that have common eigenvectors

Abstract In this paper we develop a method for obtaining estimators of the correlation matrices from k groups when these correlation matrices have the same set of eigenvectors. These estimators are obtained by utilizing the spectral decomposition of a symmetric matrix; that is, we obtain an estimate, say P , of the matrix P containing the common normalized eigenvectors along with estimates of the eigenvalues for each of the k correlation matrices. It is shown that the rank of the Hadamard product, P P, is a crucial factor in the estimation of these correlation matrices. Consequently, our procedure begins with an initial estimate of P which is then used to obtain an estimate P such that P ⊙ P has its rank less than or equal to some specified value. Initial estimators of the eigenvalues of Ωi, the correlation matrix for the ith group, are then used to obtain refined estimators which, when put in the diagonal matrix Di as its diagonal elements, are such that P D i P ′ has correlation-matrix structure.
Numerical Methodology in Fatigue Analysis: Basic Formulation

Numerical simulation of fatigue crack growth in pavements could provide a simple and fast method to assess the resistance of the pavement to crack initiation and propagation under applied traffic l...
TY1 IN VITRO INTEGRATION : EFFECTS OF MUTATIONS IN CIS AND IN TRANS

Mutations within the TYB gene of Ty1 encoding integrase (IN) as well as alterations in its substrate, a linear DNA molecule, were examined for their effects on in vitro IN activity, using a recently developed physical assay. Five different codon-insertion mutations, two frameshift mutations, and one missense mutation, previously identified as transposition-deficient mutations, were tested. Virus-like particles, the source of IN, from two different protease mutants and a reverse transcriptase mutant exhibited near-normal to normal IN activity. Two frameshift mutations mapping within the phylogenetically variable C-terminal domain of IN resulted in significant in vitro IN activity. In contrast, three mutations within the amino-terminal conserved domain of IN completely abolished IN activity. When the substrate termini were mutated, we found that substrates with as few as 4 bp of Ty1 termini were capable of efficiently generating integration products. Surprisingly, certain substrates that lacked obvious similarity to Ty1 termini were also readily integrated into both linear and circular targets, whereas others were not used as substrates at all. Termini rich in adenosine residues were among the more active substrates; however, certain substrates lacking terminal adenosine residues can form small quantities of integration products, including complete integration reactions.
Amylase in Amphioxus

SPECIMENS of Amphioxus caribbaeum collected while working at the Tortugas Laboratory of the Carnegie Institution of Washington were examined with respect to the amylase present in the gut. Determinations were carried out by the micro-method of Linderstrom-Lang and Holter as modified by Holter and Doyle1. The intestine was divided into three regions, namely, hepatic caecum, proximal intestine and lower intestine. The gut was split open, washed, and the area of each piece measured. When examined for amylase activity, the relative activities per unit area were found to be: caecum, 62; proximal intestine, 41; lower intestine, 30.
ANPP ESTIMATES FROM NDVI FOR THE CENTRAL GRASSLAND REGION OF THE UNITED STATES

Several studies have suggested the existence of a positive relationship be- tween the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) derived from AVHRR/NOAA satellite data and either biomass or annual aboveground net primary production (ANPP) for different geographic areas and ecosystems. We calibrated a 4-yr average of the ingegral of the NDVI (NDVI-J) using spatially aggregated values of ANPP. We also provided an estimate of the energy conversion efficiency coefficient (?) of Monteith's equation. This is the first attempt to calibrate a standard NDVI product for temperate perennial grasslands. We found a positive and statistically significant relationship between NDVI-I and ANPP for grassland areas with mean annual precipitation between 280 and 1150 mm, and mean annual temperature between 40 and 20'C. Depending on the method used to estimate the fraction of photosynthetic active radiation, the energy conversion officency coefficient was constant (0.24 g C/MJ), or varied across the precipitation gradient, from 0.10 g C/MJ for the least productive to 0.20 g C/MJ for the most productive sites.
Distribution, 14C chronology, and paleomagnetism of latest Pleistocene and Holocene lava flows at Haleakalā volcano, Island of Maui, Hawai‘i: A revision of lava flow hazard zones

[1] New mapping and 60 new radiocarbon ages define the age and distribution of latest Pleistocene and Holocene (past 13,000 years) lava flows at Haleakalā volcano, Island of Maui. Paleomagnetic directions were determined for 118 sites, of which 89 are in lava flows younger than 13,000 years. The paleomagnetic data, in conjunction with a reference paleosecular variation (PSV) curve for the Hawaiian Islands, are combined with our knowledge of age limitations based on stratigraphic control to refine age estimates for some of the undated lava flows. The resulting volumetric rate calculations indicate that within analytical error, the extrusion rate has remained nearly constant during the past 13,000 years, in the range 0.05–0.15 km3/kyr, only about half the long-term rate required to produce the postshield strata emplaced in the past ∼1 Myr. Haleakalā's eruptive frequency is similar to that of Hualālai volcano on the Island of Hawai‘i, but its lava flows cover substantially less area per unit time. The reduced rates of lava coverage indicate a lower volcanic hazard than in similar zones at Hualālai.
Banking on Agriculture: A Review of the World Development Report 2008

The World Bank's World Development Report 2008 repackages the development trope that assumes small-scale agriculture to be poor and inefficient and/or redundant in a world of supply shortages despite food abundance. The ‘new agriculture for development’ replaces smallholder knowledge with corporate inputs to channel food through ‘value chains’ to markets comprised of those with purchasing power. This essay questions the Bank's new vision, arguing that ‘new wine in old bottles’ will continue to supply affluence rather than ‘feed the world’ and sustain its agricultures, especially at a time when land is being commandeered for luxury foods (e.g. the livestock complex, all-season vegetables and fruits) and biofuels, neither of which feed the poor. Ironically, the reproduction of poverty remains the Bank's main source of legitimacy.
Energy-level alignment and work function shifts for thiol-bound monolayers of conjugated molecules self-assembled on Ag, Cu, Au, and Pt

Abstract Ultraviolet photoemission spectra have been used to study the interfacial electronic structure of self-assembled monolayers of 4,4′-bis-(phenylethynyl) benzenethiol, 2-naphthalenethiol, and 3-(naphthalen-2-yl)propane-1-thiol chemisorbed on Ag, Cu, Au, and Pt. The binding energy of the highest occupied π -state and the work function of the modified surface, though dependant on the molecule, were nearly independent of the substrate.
q− Fractional Inequalities

Estudiamos el tipo q−fraccional Poincare, el tipo Sobolev y el tipo integral de inecuaciones de Hilbert-Pachpatte, involucrando a q−fraccional derivados de funciones. Damos tambien las versiones generalizadas.
Rifaximin for Hepatic Encephalopathy

Objective:To evaluate the efficacy of rifaximin for the treatment of hepatic encephalopathy (HE).Data Sources:All articles were accessed via PubMed (January 1960–December 2008), Cochrane Library, and Iowa Drug Information Service (1966–December 2008) using the terms rifaximin and hepatic encephalopathy. In addition, reference citations from publications identified were reviewed.Study Selection and Data Extraction:All articles in English identified from the data sources were evaluated. Fifteen studies that evaluated the efficacy, safety, and/or cost-effectiveness of rifaximin for the treatment of HE are reviewed in this article.Data Synthesis:HE is a neuropsychiatric syndrome that develops in patients with acute or chronic liver failure. There are a number of accepted theories explaining the pathophysiology of HE. Currently, pharmacologic therapies include nonabsorbable disaccharides (lactulose) and antibiotics (neomycin and metronidazole). Recent studies have shown a possible benefit with a newer, nonabso...
The View from Vesuvius: Italian Culture and the Southern Question

Nelson Moe. Berkeley, CA: University of California Press, 2002. xv and 349 pp., plates, notes, biblio., and index. $50.00 cloth (ISBN 0-520-22652-6). Giovanni Verga, often described as the greatest...
Natural vibrations of shear deformable cantilevered skewed trapezoidal and triangular thick plates

Abstract In a recent companion paper, the efficacy of higher-order shear deformable, C0 continuous, Lagrangian isoparametric plate finite element analyses has been demonstrated on cantilevered skewed (parallelogram) thick plates. The present work extends the method to include skewed thick plates having trapezoidal and triangular planforms, and is the first known vibrational study of such plates. Extensive and accurate nondimensional frequency tables and graphical charts are presented for a series of trapezoidal plates showing the effect of aspect ratio, chord ratio, thickness ratio, and skew angle. The need for the present higher-order shear deformable plate finite element method for skewed trapezoidal plate vibrations increases as the skew angle increases and as the aspect ratio, chord ratio, and thickness ratio decreases. Some theoretical and experimental data hitherto published for delta and skewed triangular cantilevered plates are compared with results obtained using the present finite element method. No published theoretical results for cantilevered skewed trapezoidal and triangular thick plates are known to exist.