cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Republican liberty and border controls

This article examines the normative status of border controls from a neo-republican perspective, grounded in the value of freedom as non-domination. It makes use of Philip Pettit’s account of this kind of freedom and discusses Pettit’s own remarks on the status of border controls. Against Pettit, it argues that the domination generated by border controls is ineliminable given existing political institutions, because such controls cannot avoid subjecting non-citizens to coercion in ways that are not forced to track their interests. The article also argues for an alternative neo-republican account of border controls that does not deny their coerciveness but allows for certain border control policies in non-ideal circumstances.
Epidemiology, risk factors, and the promotion of pancreatic cancer: Role of the stellate cell

There are approximately 277,000 new cases of pancreatic cancer and 266,000 deaths from pancreatic cancer annually, indicating a mortality rate of 96% of the cases diagnosed. Because of the ineffectiveness of therapies, a major emphasis needs to be placed on prevention. This paper reviews the epidemiology and risk factors for pancreatic cancer, and uses this information to propose plausible research directions for determining the biological mechanisms mediating the effects of risk factors on the promotion of pancreatic cancer, with a focus on the pancreatic stellate cell.
Political Social Work

Abstract If social work education should be political, what should be the content of a model political social work curriculum? Reflecting the increasing demand in our profession for a truly culturally diverse, empowerment-based, and social justice-oriented curriculum, the University of Houston developed in a concentration in political social work for the MSW program. This article describes this model curriculum, emphasizing the debates that surround politicized social work education, the importance of political actors and context in the development of the program, and the nature of its “integrated” approach to political social work.
Biographical feature: Melvin P. Weinstein, M.D.

When the name Melvin P. Weinstein is mentioned among friends and colleagues, a number of descriptive phrases and terms are always shared. These include “consummate infectious disease practitioner,” “incredible clinical microbiologist,” “mentor,” “teacher,” “collaborator,” and
Optimal bang-bang controls for a two-compartment model in cancer chemotherapy

A class of mathematical models for cancer chemotherapy which have been described in the literature take the form of an optimal control problem over a finite horizon with control constraints and dynamics given by a bilinear system. In this paper, we analyze a two-dimensional model in which the cell cycle is broken into two compartments. The cytostatic agent used as control to kill the cancer cells is active only in the second compartment where cell division occurs and the cumulative effect of the drug is used to model the negative effect of the treatment on healthy cells. It is shown that singular controls are not optimal for this model and the optimality properties of bang-bang controls are established. Specifically, transversality conditions at the switching surfaces are derived. In a nondegenerate setting, these conditions guarantee the local optimality of the flow if satisfied, while trajectories will be no longer optimal if they are violated.
Keynote Talk: Data by the People, for the People

What can we learn from social media and community-contributed collections of information on the web? The most salient attribute of social media is the creation of an environment that promotes user contributions in the form of authoring, curation, discussion and re-use of content. This activity generates large volumes of data, including some types of data that were not previously available. Even more importantly, design decisions in these applications can directly influence the users' motivations to participate, and hugely affect the resultant data. I will discuss the cycle of social media, and argue that a 'holistic' approach to social media systems, which includes design of applications and user research, can advance data mining and information retrieval systems.
Guys and Dolls: Relational Life in the Technological Era

This paper asserts the current age as perverse, a social paradigm facilitated by explosive technological progression that is rapidly altering the erotic and social dimensions of human relationship. The author employs psychoanalytic and evolutionary theories to explain the ease with which we humanize machines and dehumanize people. The quest and need for love, which combines both discovery and invention, is framed within Winnicott’s concept of the transitional object. A detailed case is presented of a man who lived with a high-end love doll. The case illustrates his simultaneous need to dehumanize women and humanize the doll, as well as his use of the analyst to help him transition from being with a doll to being with a human partner. Questions regarding technology’s growing impact on the future of relationships are surfaced.
CHLOROPLAST DNA VARIATION IN PEARL MILLET AND RELATED SPECIES

ABSTRACT The evolution of specific regions of the chloroplast genome was studied in five grass species in the genus Pennisetum , including pearl millet, and one species from a related genus (Cenchrus). Three different regions of the chloroplast DNA were investigated. The first region included a 12-kilobase pair (kbp) Eco RI fragment containing the 23S, 16S and 5S ribosomal RNA genes, which is part of a larger duplicated region of reverse orientation. The second region was contained in a 21-kbp Sa /I fragment, which spans the short single-copy sequence separating the two reverse repeat structures and which overlaps the duplicated copies of the 12-kbp Eco RI fragment. The third region was a 6-kbp Eco RI fragment located in the large single-copy region of the chloroplast genome. Together these regions account for slightly less than 25% of the chloroplast genome. Each of these DNA fragments was cloned and used as hybridization probes to determine the distribution of homologous DNA fragments generated by various restriction endonuclease digests.—A survey of 12 geographically diverse collections of pearl millet showed no indication of chloroplast DNA sequence polymorphism, despite moderate levels of nuclear-encoded enzyme polymorphism. Interspecific and intergeneric differences were found for restriction endonuclease sites in both the small and the large single-copy regions of the chloroplast genome. The reverse repeat structure showed identical restriction site distributions in all materials surveyed. These results suggest that the reverse repeat region is differentially conserved during the evolution of the chloroplast genome.
Fundamental Physics in Space

Space has brought opportunities for an impressively wide range of new experiments in fundamental physics, and done so in an unexpected variety of ways. Important results have already been obtained in gravitational physics, particle physics, and condensed matter physics. Another arena where much can be expected is laser cooling and atomic physics, especially the area of Bose–Einstein condensation. From the engineering view, one of the most remarkable features of this field is the range of new technologies it has developed: large scale cryogenics, new gyroscopes, new star trackers, new kinds of thermometer, advanced attitude and translational control systems, new metrology and quartz manufacturing techniques, ultra-low magnetic field systems, advanced particle detectors, and proportional thrusters, many with applications far beyond the missions for which they were originally conceived. Particularly interesting from a management and educational view has been the intense required collaboration between engineers and physicists and the successful connections established between space agencies, universities, and aerospace industry. Keywords: Atom interferometers; critical exponent; drag-free; equivalence principle; fundamental physics; general relativity; gravitational radiation; helium Lambda point; microgravity; particle astrophysics
Monnet changes everything? Capitalism, currency and crisis in Jacques Becker’s Touchez pas au grisbi (1954) and Jacques Audiard’s Un prophète (2009)

Both Jacques Becker’s 1954 film Touchez pas au grisbi and Jacques Audiard’s 2009 film Un prophete are explorations of France’s place in a changing global economic and political landscape. Becker’s film, with its emphasis on imported gold, currency exchange, and the illusory promise of wealth and security, functions as a commentary on France’s entry into the neo-liberal economy via its participation in the American-backed European Recovery Program or Marshall Plan. Audiard’s film, released more than 50 years later, explores the consequences of globalization through France’s transition to the European Union. This film, released one year after the European Economic Recovery Plan designed to counteract the failures of the eurozone, also explores the nation at a moment of economic crisis and change.
The craton: Its effect on the distribution of seismicity and stress in North America

The gross distribution of seismicity in North America suggests the interior platform and shield provinces are relatively stable and significantly affect the intraplate stress field. Focal mechanisms and in-situ stress measurements indicate the cratonic areas of North America must be relatively immobile with respect to the eastern and western portions of the continent. Simple kinematic models are presented to illustrate the importance of the craton in any attempt to explain the general pattern of intraplate stress and seismicity in North America.
Monte Carlo methods in fuzzy linear regression II

We apply our new fuzzy Monte Carlo method to a certain fuzzy linear regression problem to estimate the best solution. The best solution is a vector of crisp numbers, for the coefficients in the model, which minimizes one of two error measures. We use a quasi-random number generator to produce random sequences of these crisp vectors which uniformly fill the search space. We consider an example problem and show this Monte Carlo method obtains the best solution for both error measures.
Docosahexaenoic Acid and Amino Acid Contents in Pasteurized Donor Milk are Low for Preterm Infants.

Objective To evaluate whether pasteurized donor human milk meets the nutritional needs of preterm infants in terms of free fatty acid and amino acid contents. Study design Milk samples were prospectively collected from 39 donors to the Mothers' Milk Bank of Ohio. The fatty acid and amino acid compositions in donor milk samples were measured before and after pasteurization, and values were compared with previously published findings and preterm infant nutrition guidelines. The nutritional adequacy of donor milk for preterm infants was based on estimated daily intake of 150 mL/kg. Statistical significance was adjusted to account for multiple comparisons. Results Pasteurization did not appreciably affect donor milk composition. Docosahexaenoic acid level (0.1 mol wt %), and concentrations of glycine, aspartate, valine, phenylalanine, proline, lysine, arginine, serine, and histidine in donor milk were all significantly lower than previously reported concentrations in milk. Conclusions Donor milk is not substantially affected by pasteurization, but has low concentrations of docosahexaenoic acid and amino acids. Targeted nutritional supplementation of human donor milk for feeding preterm infants might be warranted.
Laparoscopic Spleen-Preserving Distal Pancreatectomy: The Technique Must Suit the Lesion

Splenic preservation is currently recommended during minimally invasive surgery for benign tumors of the distal pancreas. The aim of this study was to evaluate the outcomes of patients undergoing laparoscopic spleen-preserving distal pancreatectomy, with particular attention paid to the technique used for spleen preservation (splenic vessel ligation vs preservation). A review of consecutive patients who underwent laparoscopic distal pancreatectomy with the intention of splenic preservation was conducted. Patient demographics, operative data, and outcomes were collected and analyzed. Fifty-five consecutive patients underwent laparoscopic distal pancreatectomy with the intention of splenic preservation; 5 required splenectomy (9 %). Of the remaining 50 patients, 31 (62 %) had splenic vessel ligation, and 19 (38 %) had vessel preservation. Patient demographics and tumor size were similar. The vessel ligation group had significantly more pancreas removed (95 vs 52 mm, P < 0.001) and longer operative times (256 vs 201 min, P = 0.008). Postoperative outcomes, complication rates, and splenic viability were similar between groups. Laparoscopic spleen-preserving distal pancreatectomy is a safe operation with a high rate of success (91 %). Vessel ligation was the chosen technical strategy for lesions that required resection of a greater length of pancreas. We found no advantage to either technique with respect to outcomes and splenic preservation. Operative approach should reflect technical considerations including location in the pancreas.
Edge detection comparison study and discussion of a new methodology

A comparison study of well known edge detection methods (Sobel, Prewitt, Canny, LoG, Zerocross, Roberts) for binary images revealed that these methods have a tendency to distort images, especially under noisy conditions, with some methods exhibiting image distortion even under noiseless conditions. While Sobel, Prewitt, and Canny performed better overall, it was observed that they do not completely filter out noise (Gaussian, Poisson, Salt & Pepper, and Speckle). In addition, the scores dropped dramatically when edges within 0 pixel offset were considered.
High antigen dose and activated dendritic cells enable Th cells to escape regulatory T cell-mediated suppression in vitro.

CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cells (Tregs) are critical for peripheral tolerance and prevention of autoimmunity. In vitro coculture studies have revealed that increased costimulation breaks Treg-mediated suppression in response to anti-CD3 or antigen. However, it was unclear whether loss of suppression arose from inactivation of Tregs or whether increased stimulationcaused Th cells to escape suppression. We have investigated conditions that allow or override Treg-mediated suppression using DO11.10 TCR-transgenic T cells and chicken ovalbumin peptide 323–339-pulsed antigen-presenting cells. Treg suppression of Th proliferation is broken with potent stimulation, using activated spleen cells and high antigen dose, but is intact at low antigen dose. Costimulation with CD80 and CD86 expressed on activated dendritic cells was essential for Th cell escape from suppression at a high antigen dose. Potently stimulated Tregs were functional since they reducedlevels of IL-2, IFN-γ, IL-4 and Th CD25 expression in cocultures. Furthermore, Tregs responding to high antigen dose and activated splenocytes retained the ability to suppress proliferation, but only of Th cells responding to a sub-optimal dose of independent antigen. Together, our results demonstrate that under conditions of strong antigen-specific stimulation, Tregs remain functional, but Th cells escape Treg-mediated suppression.
Ambulatory blood pressure monitoring and echocardiography—Noninvasive techniques for evaluation of the hypertensive patient

Abstract Clinic blood pressure measurements have only limited ability to determine which hypertensive patients are at greatest risk of cardiovascular events. Ambulatory blood pressure monitoring allows for noninvasive measurement of blood pressure throughout the 24-hour period. This may help to clarify discrepancies between blood pressure values obtained in and out of the clinic and confirm the presence of white-coat hypertension, broadly defined as an elevated clinic blood pressure but a normal ambulatory blood pressure. Ambulatory blood pressure values have been shown to have a better relationship to cardiovascular morbidity and mortality and end-organ damage than clinic blood pressure values. Further, patients with white-coat hypertension appear to be at greater risk of cardiovascular morbidity and end-organ damage than a normotensive population, although they are at less overall risk than a hypertensive population. Hypertensive heart disease is characterized by diastolic dysfunction, increased left ventricular mass, and coronary flow abnormalities. Left ventricular hypertrophy increases the risk of coronary heart disease, congestive heart failure, stroke, ventricular arrhythmias, and sudden death. A variety of invasive and noninvasive techniques are described herein that measure left ventricular mass, diastolic function, and coronary blood flow abnormalities. Most antihypertensive treatments promote regression of left ventricular hypertrophy and reversal of diastolic dysfunction, which may decrease symptoms of congestive heart failure and improve survival. Copyright © 1999 by W.B. Saunders Company Progress in Cardiovascular Diseases, Vol. 41, No. 6 (May/June), 1999: pp 397-440
Optimizing the Covalent Cationization Method for the Mass Spectrometry of Polyolefins

Previously a new method was introduced for the mass spectrometry of saturated polyolefins whereby an organic cation is covalently bonded to the polymer to produce the necessary ionization for the creation of intact gas-phase macromolecules by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI).1 In the present study that methodology was further optimized to produce mass spectra for higher molecular mass materials than had been achieved previously. NIST Standard Reference Material polyethylenes were extensively studied and found to give molecular masses that were systematically low, typically about two-thirds of the values determined classically. However, when comparison was made between conventional copper metal cationization of end-functionalized polybutadiene and the same material hydrogenated and subsequently covalently cationized, excellent agreement was found when the molecular mass distributions of these two materials were compared. Reasons for this discrepancy are explored and discussed.
Temperature dependence of CsI(Tl) gamma-ray excited scintillation characteristics

Abstract The gamma-ray excited, temperature dependent scintillation characteristics of CsI(Tl) are reported over the temperature range of −100 to + 50°C. The modified Bollinger-Thomas and shaped square wave methods were used to measure the rise and decay times. Emission spectra were measured using a monochromator and corrected for monochromator and photocathode spectral efficiencies. The shaped square wave method was also used to determine the scintillation yield as was a current mode method. The thermoluminescence emissions of CsI(Tl) were measured using the same current mode method. At room temperature, CsI(Tl) was found to have two primary decay components with decay time constants of τ1 = 679±10 ns (63.7%) and τ2 = 3.34±0.14 μs (36.1%), and to have emission bands at about 400 and 560 nm. The τ1 luminescent state was observed to be populated by an exponential process with a resulting rise time constant of 19.6±1.9 ns at room temperature. An ultra-fast decay component with a
Thermal effects of metamorphic fluids in subduction zones

In subduction zones, large volumes of fluid are released from the subducting slab during prograde metamorphism of hydrated oceanic crust. Once released, metamorphic fluids tend to migrate upward owing to buoyancy. Fluid migration can affect the thermal structure of a subduction zone by (1) advecting heat and (2) causing retrograde (hydration, carbonation) reactions in the hanging wall. Under most P - T conditions, the volumetric heat capacities of H 2 O and rocks are similar; therefore, the thermal effects of fluid migration and uplift are comparable. Calculations suggest that advective heat transport by fluid flow causes relatively minor thermal effects. Pervasive upward fluid flow results in thermal effects analogous to regional uplift rates on the order of 0.2 mm/yr. Fluid flow channelized along the subduction shear zone translates the local thermal structure of the shear zone updip at ∼1 mm/yr. A more important thermal effect results from exothermic retrograde reactions in the hanging wall that release ∼30 kJ/mol of H 2 O consumed. Retrograde reactions significantly retard cooling of the hanging wall just as prograde reactions retard warming of the subducting slab.
Disfluency rates in conversation: effects of age, relationship, topic, role, and gender.

After reviewing situational and demographic factors that have been argued to affect speakers' disfluency rates, we examined disfluency rates in a corpus of task-oriented conversations ( Schober & Carstensen, 2001) with variables that might affect fluency rates. These factors included: speakers' ages (young, middle-aged, and older), task roles (director vs. matcher in a referential communication task), difficulty of topic domain (abstract geometric figures vs. photographs of children), relationships between speakers (married vs. strangers), and gender(each pair consisted of a man and a woman). Older speakers produced only slightly $higher disfluency rates than young and middle-aged speakers. Overall, disfluency rates were higher both when speakers acted as directors and when they discussed abstract figures, confirming that disfluencies are associated with an increase in planning difficulty. However, fillers (such as uh) were distributed somewhat differently than repeats or restarts, supporting the idea tha...
Tracking and imaging humans on heterogeneous infrared sensor arrays for law enforcement applications

We present a plan for the integration of geometric constraints in the source, sensor and analysis levels of sensor networks. The goal of geometric analysis is to reduce the dimensionality and complexity of distributed sensor data analysis so as to achieve real-time recognition and response to significant events. Application scenarios include biometric tracking of individuals, counting and analysis of individuals in groups of humans and distributed sentient environments. We are particularly interested in using this approach to provide networks of low cost point detectors, such as infrared motion detectors, with complex imaging capabilities. By extending the capabilities of simple sensors, we expect to reduce the cost of perimeter and site security applications.
Domain-opening and dynamic coupling in the α-subunit of heterotrimeric G proteins

Heterotrimeric G proteins are conformational switches that turn on intracellular signaling cascades in response to the activation of G-protein-coupled receptors. Receptor activation by extracellular stimuli promotes a cycle of GTP binding and hydrolysis on the G protein α-subunit (Gα). Important conformational transitions occurring during this cycle have been characterized from extensive crystallographic studies of Gα. However, the link between the observed conformations and the mechanisms involved in G-protein activation and effector interaction remain unclear. Here we describe a comprehensive principal component analysis of available Gα crystallographic structures supplemented with extensive unbiased conventional and accelerated molecular dynamics simulations that together characterize the response of Gα to GTP binding and hydrolysis. Our studies reveal details of activating conformational changes as well as the intrinsic flexibility of the α-helical domain that includes a large-scale 60° domain opening under nucleotide-free conditions. This result is consistent with the recently reported open crystal structure of Gs, the stimulatory G protein for adenylyl cyclase, in complex with the α2 adrenergic receptor. Sets of unique interactions potentially important for the conformational transition are also identified. Moreover simulations reveal nucleotide-dependent dynamical couplings of distal regions and residues potentially important for the allosteric link between functional sites.
Eurídice Honoris y Carlos Reynel. 2003. Vacíos en la colección de la flora de los Bosques Húmedos del Perú

Hace 400 anos el historiador Garcilaso de la Vega lamento que el imperio de los Incas hubiese sido «destruido antes de ser conocido.» Hoy en dia esas antiguas palabras nos producen un escalofrio a los biologos quienes exploramos la flora y fauna peruana, ya que la megadiversidad biologica del Peru corre el mismo riesgo en la actualidad. Si bien es de amplio conocimiento que la exploracion biolo- gica del pais se encuentra escandalosamente incompleta, mas frecuente es oirlo en las conversaciones melancolicas de los biologos que verlo investigado con el detalle que merece, como un tema de estudio valioso en si. En mayo del presente ano se publico un libro que pretende dar una respuesta detallada y cuantitativa a la pregunta ?Cuanto se han explorado los bosques humedos peruanos?
Charge expulsion, charge inhomogeneity, and phase separation in dynamic Hubbard models

Dynamic Hubbard models are extensions of the conventional Hubbard model that take into account the fact that atomic orbitals expand upon double occupancy. It is shown here that systems described by dynamic Hubbard models have a tendency to expel negative charge from their interior to the surface and to develop charge inhomogeneity and even phase separation in the bulk. These effects are associated with a lowering of the electronic kinetic energy. We propose that these models may explain the charge inhomogeneity and negatively charged grain boundaries observed in cuprate oxides and other materials.
Residue-Level Prediction of HIV-1 Antibody Epitopes Based on Neutralization of Diverse Viral Strains

Delineation of antibody epitopes at the residue level is key to understanding antigen resistance mutations, designing epitope-specific probes for antibody isolation, and developing epitope-based vaccines. Ideally, epitope residues are determined in the context of the atomic-level structure of the antibody-antigen complex, though structure determination may in many cases be impractical. Here we describe an efficient computational method to predict antibody-specific HIV-1 envelope (Env) epitopes at the residue level, based on neutralization panels of diverse viral strains. The method primarily utilizes neutralization potency data over a set of diverse viral strains representing the antigen, and enhanced accuracy could be achieved by incorporating information from the unbound structure of the antigen. The method was evaluated on 19 HIV-1 Env antibodies with neutralization panels comprising 181 diverse viral strains and with available antibody-antigen complex structures. Prediction accuracy was shown to improve significantly over random selection, with an average of greater-than-8-fold enrichment of true positives at the 0.05 false-positive rate level. The method was used to prospectively predict epitope residues for two HIV-1 antibodies, 8ANC131 and 8ANC195, for which we experimentally validated the predictions. The method is inherently applicable to antigens that exhibit sequence diversity, and its accuracy was found to correlate inversely with sequence conservation of the epitope. Together the results show how knowledge inherent to a neutralization panel and unbound antigen structure can be utilized for residue-level prediction of antibody epitopes.
Neuroimmunophilin Ligands Protect Cavernous Nerves after Crush Injury in the Rat: New Experimental Paradigms

The pathophysiology after radical prostatectomy involves among other things neural injury [1]. Even in nerve-sparing surgery, manipulation, traction, and stretching of the cavernous nerves occurs, leading to a variety of sequelae such as apoptosis of smooth muscle and endothelium, reduction in the density of nerves staining for nitric oxide synthase, up-regulation of fibrogenic cytokines such as transforming growth factor b, and smooth muscle fibrosis and loss [2,3]. Added to this, the chronic absence of erection secondary to cavernous nerve neurapraxia results in failure to achieve cavernosal oxygenation with the potential for further structural damage to the cavernosal smooth muscle [4]. Pharmacologic neuromodulation, the concept that medications can be used to either protect or regenerate nerves exposed to trauma, is far from new [5]. For over a decade such a concept has been explored, albeit in animal models. In tibial, facial, and sciatic nerve injury models a number of agents have been shown to effect neuromodulation. These agents include immunophilin ligands, rapamycin, minocycline, and erythropoietin. The class of agents most studied is that of immunophilin ligands, a group of agents, including cyclosporine and FK506 (also known as tacrolimus), a group of agents that bind to immunophilin ligands, and cellular signaling proteins present in immune and neural tissue [6]. At this time the means by which these agents affect neuromodulation has not been fully elucidated.
Experiences with an R&D project control model

Traditional R & D project cost control systems relate only expenditures with elapsed time, rather than expenditures and achievement with time. Achievement reporting is generally considered separately from cost reporting. A theoretical control model relating cost and achievement with time for R & D projects is developed and described. This model is shown to provide early warnings of impending project failures, a more conceptual pinpointing of the forces affecting these impending failures, and a detailed analysis of the achievement-per-dollar spent. Controlling by dollars-spent-pertime period is shown to potentially yield erroneous conclusions. These results are based on an application of the model to chemical development projects and from an application of the model to a representative sample of chemical research projects at the Monsanto Company. The relationships of these results to the overall development of an integrated planning and control system at the Monsanto Company are shown.
Two‐pion interferometry as a signal for the quark‐gluon plasma

Long lived drops of plasma are discussed as a signal of the existence for the quark‐gluon plasma. The correlation measurements required to infer such a state are discussed.
A configurable dual-frequency transmit/receive system for acoustic angiography imaging

Acoustic angiography is a high-resolution imaging modality for small vascular structure. It utilizes the nonlinear backscatter of microbubble contrast agents (MCAs) to delineate blood vessels. In acoustic angiography, where MCAs are insonified with high rarefractional pressures at resonance frequency (6.5MHz), high-order harmonics (30 MHz) become more evident and can be utilized to produce high-resolution images for detecting small vascular structures. We developed a configurable dual-frequency system platform dedicated to acoustic angiography. The system consists of pulse generation, data acquisition and signal processing blocks. It is controlled by a field programmable gate array (FPGA), which enables flexible programming, and many on-board processing and stimulation modes. The system was shown to be capable of acoustic angiography as well as traditional B-mode imaging.
Role of Androgen Deprivation Therapy in Early Salvage Radiation Among Patients With Prostate-Specific Antigen Level of 0.5 or Less

Abstract Background The Radiation Therapy Oncology Group 96-01 randomized trial demonstrated the benefit of adding androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) to salvage radiotherapy for an increasing prostate-specific antigen (PSA) after prostatectomy, but it is unknown whether modern patients followed with ultrasensitive PSA and salvaged at a low PSA (ie, ≤ 0.5) also benefit from ADT. Patients and Methods The cohort comprised 108 patients who received radical prostatectomy (RP), were followed by ultrasensitive PSA, and received salvage radiotherapy at a PSA of 0.5 or less. Sixty patients had negative margins, and 48 patients had positive margins at RP. Cox multivariable regression analysis was performed to identify factors associated with time to secondary PSA failure and included PSA at salvage, year of treatment, Gleason score, ADT use, margin status, T stage, and PSA doubling time. Occurrence of distant metastases was documented. Results Median follow-up after radiation was 63.09 months. A total of 24 patients had a distant metastasis. In all patients, ADT use was associated with a decreased risk of recurrence (hazard ratio [HR], 0.44; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.25-0.79; P = .006). On subgroup analysis, ADT was associated with a decreased risk of failure among patients with negative margins (HR, 0.27; 95% CI, 0.12-0.61; P = .002), but not among men with positive margins (HR, 0.78; 95% CI, 0.29-2.10; P = .63). Conclusions Even patients followed with ultrasensitive PSA and salvaged early with a PSA ≤ 0.5 seem to benefit from the addition of ADT to salvage radiation. However, this benefit seemed to be limited to men with negative margins; thus, men with positive margins and PSA ≤ 0.5 may be good candidates for salvage radiation alone.
Effect of opioid receptor ligands on the μ-S196A knock-in and μ knockout mouse vas deferens

We have determined the effect of naltrexone, naloxone, [D-Ala2,D-Leu5]enkephalin (DADLE), and morphine on the mu-S196A opioid receptor knock-in and mu-opioid receptor knockout mouse vas deferens preparations. The antagonists, naltrexone and naloxone, exhibited agonist activity and possessed IC50 values that were 14- and 37-fold greater than morphine on the S196A preparation. Morphine was found to be threefold more potent at S196A relative to wild-type mu-opioid receptor. The mouse vas deferens data suggest that S196 in transmembrane helix 4 of the mu-opioid receptor modulates efficacy. It is proposed that this may be due to decreased dimerization of the receptor. Identical IC50 values of DADLE obtained on the wild-type, S196A knock-in, and mu-opioid receptor knockout preparations support the absence of mu-delta heterodimers in the mouse vas deferens.
Transdiagnostic processes in psychopathology: in memory of Susan Nolen-Hoeksema.

This special section honors Dr. Susan Nolen-Hoeksema's influential work dedicated to improving our understanding of psychopathology. Dr. Nolen-Hoeksema adopted a transdiagnostic perspective to identify mechanisms that underlie many emotional disorders such as cognitive processes and emotion regulation. Her work on the role of rumination and the role of gender differences in psychopathology not only advanced our understanding of important risk factors that cut across disorders but also inspired the development of improved prevention and intervention efforts.
Cold Region Applications for In-Place Inclinometers Based on Microelectromechanical Systems Technology: Four Evaluation Case Studies

Inclinometer probes are an industry standard for measuring ground movement; however, this technology has drawbacks, including costly trips for manual measurements, operator error, and limited measurements caused by casing deformation. Relatively new in-place inclinometers based on microelectromechanical systems (M-IPIs) consist of microelectromechanical systems accelerometer segments separated variously by flexible joints or field connection systems and encased in a watertight housing. M-IPIs provide nearly continuous ground movement measurements, accommodate greater ground movement because of their flexibility, and may contain temperature sensors, useful for applications in frozen ground. Two M-IPIs from different manufacturers were evaluated at four research sites in Alaska (a) to monitor creep in frozen ground (vertical installation), (b) to identify and monitor a slide shear zone (vertical installation), (c) to monitor thaw settlement under a newly constructed embankment (horizontal installation), and...
Individualism/collectivism and group travel behavior: a cross‐cultural perspective

Purpose – The article aims to discuss the relationship of culture and tourist behavior. The focus of the study is to propose an extended research framework related to individualism/collectivism culture and group travel intention. The article seeks to argue that group travel intention and behavior is not only influenced by the cultural background of individualism or collectivism, but also a function of several factors including social, political, and economic influence, as well as personal background of individual travelers.Design/methodology/approach – The article investigates the major current research and methodological issues in cross‐cultural tourist behavior studies. By reviewing and assessing important concepts related to this particular theoretical topic, the study proposes a conceptual framework based on the extensive literature review and discussion.Findings – The study proposes that personal background, as well as social, political, and economic factors all moderate the relationship between cult...
Personal and participatory socializers of the perceived legitimacy of aggressive behavior in sport

Recent international attention from the media and professional organizations has focused increasingly on violent incidents in sport. The present study developed and used the Sport Behavior Inventory (SBI) to examine personal and participatory variables that influence the socialization of the perceived legitimacy of aggressive sport behavior in children and adolescents ages 8-19 enrolled in public schools. In phase I of this study, the psychometric properties of the SBI as a measure of perceived legitimacy were evaluated in terms of content validity, structural validity, internal consistency, convergent validity, and discriminant validity. A multiple regression analysis in phase II indicated that increases in athletes' perceptions of the legitimacy of aggressive sport behavior were positively related to age, being male, and contact sport participation. Results were discussed in relation to the social factors that contribute to the development of perceptions of legitimacy for aggressive sport behavior, and future research uses for the SBI.
Fetal 'space-suit' hydrops in the first trimester: differentiating risk for chromosome abnormalities by delineating characteristics of nuchal translucency

Detecting first trimester fetuses with pan-body hydrops, giving the appearance of a 'space-suit,' is associated with a marked increased risk for chromosome abnormalities. In 30 consecutive fetuses prospectively characterized by space-suit hydrops, detected at or before 13.9 weeks' gestation, 26 (86.7%) were characterized by chromosome abnormalities. However, as opposed to the preponderance of autosome abnormalities among first-trimester fetuses with prominent nuchal translucencies, 15 of the 26 fetuses (57.7%) with abnormal complements were characterized by sex chromosome aneuploidies. Genetic counselling and consideration of invasive prenatal testing is warranted when space-suit hydrops is detected in the first trimester.
Molecular Mechanisms of Neurotropic Herpesvirus Invasion and Spread in the CNS

Abstract TIRABASSI, R.S., R.A. TOWNLEY, M.G. ELDRIDGE AND L.W. ENQUIST. Molecular mechanisms of neurotropic herpesvirus invasion and spread in the CNS. NEUROSCI. BIOBEHAV. REV. 22 (6) 709–720, 1998.—Pseudorabies virus (PRV) is a herpesvirus in the subfamily alphaherpesvirinae (the alpha herpesviruses). After primary infection at mucosal surfaces, PRV infects the peripheral nervous system in its natural host (swine) with occasional invasion of the central nervous system. When other hosts (including cows and rodents) are infected, the infection almost always gives rise to fatal disease in the CNS as a result of infection of peripheral neurons and subsequent spread to the brain. Part of the ability to cause fatal CNS disease can be attributed to a viral glycoprotein called gE. Viruses lacking gE are thought to be less virulent because they do not spread efficiently from cell to cell. Based on a set of gE mutations we have constructed, we suggest that these two phenotypes of cell–cell spread and virulence reflect separate functions of the gE protein. In this report, we show that viruses carrying these new gE mutations have marked reduction in virulence, yet spread efficiently in defined neural circuits in the rat brain. As such, they offer new insight and opportunities for understanding of viral disease and host response to injury, as well as in the construction of viral tracers of neuronal connections.
Plasmodium gallinaceum: development in Aedes aegypti maintained on various carbohydrate diets.

Abstract Fructose, galactose, glucose, maltose, melibiose, and trehalose were evaluated for their nutritional and survival values for Aedes aegypti. The development of the exogenous stages of Plasmodium gallinaceum was evaluated by counting and averaging the number of oocysts developing on the midguts of Aedes aegypti. The nutritional and survival value for A. aegypti was greatest on glucose, sucrose, and fructose and lowest on galactose and melibiose. Mosquitoes maintained on fructose produced the greatest numbers of oocysts. Only two other sugars, galactose and melibiose produced more oocysts than their respective controls. Glucose and maltose, both of which had high nutritive and survival value for A. aegypti were less efficient than the control (sucrose) for the development of P. gallinaceum.
Age as an Independent Risk Factor for Postoperative Morbidity and Mortality After Total Joint Arthroplasty in Patients 90 Years of Age or Older

The population of patients over 90 years of age has experienced the fastest growth in recent years. The number of primary total joint arthroplasties (TJA) has also been increasing. Our objectives were to examine in-hospital morbidity, mortality and resource consumption following primary TJA in patients older than 89 years at the national level. Nationwide Inpatient Sample was used to identify 8,340,167 patients who underwent TJA between 1993 and 2008, 58,355 (0.7%) were 90 years of age or older. Older patients were at higher risk of developing cardiac (OR 2.5; 95% CI 2.4-2.6), neurological (OR 2.1; 95% CI 1.8-2.4), respiratory complications and higher risk of mortality (OR 11.5; 95% CI 10.93-12.1) after controlling for baseline comorbidities. Age is an independent risk factor for postoperative complications and mortality. Our data can be used to educate patients on the risks before undergoing primary TJA and aid physicians in assessing and adjusting perioperative risk.
Sodium on the Surface of Activated Carbons as a Factor Enhancing Reactive Adsorption of Dibenzothiophene

On the basis of the results described in the literature on the reactivity of sodium toward DBT and its derivates, the effect of sodium dispersed on the surface of a carbonaceous support on the removal of DBT from hexane solution at ambient conditions has been investigated. Since the main objective of this paper is to demonstrate the effect of sodium on the reactive adsorption of DBT from an organic solvent, hexane was chosen as a model solvent. As adsorbents, two carbons with and without sodium on the surface were investigated. The carbons are obtained by carbonization of polystyrene−sulfonic acid−co-maleic acid in sodium salt at 800 °C in nitrogen. The results show that sodium present on the surface of carbon takes part in the reaction with DBT in which sodium metalates and sodium sulfides are formed.
Simulation of arsenic partitioning in tributaries to drinking water resevoirs.

Arsenic released by bottom sediments was determined by experiments in which the sediments were artificially re-suspended using a particle entrainment simulator (PES) to simulate river conditions. Sediment cores were collected from various tributaries to drinking water reservoirs in Connecticut spiked with arsenic, and run in the PES at simulated bed-flow shear stresses from 0.0 to 0.6 N/m2. Under equilibrium conditions, the dissolved fraction of arsenic was found to range from 8.3 to 22.1 μg/l, which in most cases exceeded EPA Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL) of 10 μg/l. Experimental results from these simulations have shown that bed-flow shear stress causes an increased concentration of dissolved arsenic, most notably at shear stresses of 0.4, 0.5, and 0.6 N/m2. For the solid phase under equilibrium, the concentrations of arsenic ranged between 71 and 275 mg/kg. The average concentration of arsenic on the solid phase as well as partitioning coefficient values (K p) were highest at initial shear stress. This was attributed to the higher fraction of colloidal material and finer organic particles in the suspended solid mixture. Particles of such nature proved to have higher affinity to arsenic. K p values were determined from PES data and were found to range from 4,687 to 24,090 l/kg. However, on a mass load basis, the amount of arsenic found in suspended sediment increased with the increase of shear stress. Similarly, the amount of arsenic in the solid phase increased significantly for sites with high Volatile Organic Carbon (VOC) content. Because of the influence of Total Suspended Solids (TSS) and VOC concentrations on K p, the use of the PES is more appropriate in obtaining K p values that would be found under real stream conditions when compared to the traditional way of measuring K p using a jar study technique.
Role of gonadal hormones in diet selection and food utilization in female rats

Abstract Patterns of dietary self-selection were examined in ovariectomized and sham-operated female rats. Self-selection animals were offered separate dietary sources of protein, carbohydrate, and fat. Control animals were offered ground Purina Rodent Chow. Food intakes, water intakes, and body weights were measured daily for all animals. During a 19-day baseline period, selecting animals chose approximately one third of their daily caloric intake from each of the three diet sources. Following this baseline period, half of the self-selection animals and half of the control animals received bilateral ovariectomies, while the remaining animals in each diet group received sham-operations. Following ovariectomies, both self-selection and control animals significantly increased food intakes and rate of weight gains above baseline values. In contrast, sham-operated animals did not increase food intakes or rate of weight gain following surgery. When weight gain was calculated as a function of caloric intake, ovariectomized animals gained nearly twice as much weight per kilocalorie consumed as sham-operated animals. Ovariectomized animals showed no changes in diet selection after surgery, while sham-operated animals showed a slight decrease in the percentage protein selected. Differences between self-selection patterns in ovariectomized animals and in animals with other forms of experimentally-induced obesity suggest distinct metabolic patterns may underlie various forms of obesity.
Expectation of an upcoming large postural perturbation influences the recovery stepping response and outcome

Tripping during locomotion, the leading cause of falls in older adults, generally occurs without prior warning and often while performing a secondary task. Prior warning can alter the state of physiological preparedness and beneficially influence the response to the perturbation. Previous studies have examined how altering the initial "preparedness" for an upcoming perturbation can affect kinematic responses following small disturbances that did not require a stepping response to restore dynamic stability. The purpose of this study was to examine how expectation affected fall outcome and recovery response kinematics following a large, treadmill-delivered perturbation simulating a trip and requiring at least one recovery step to avoid a fall. Following the perturbation, 47% of subjects fell when they were not expecting the perturbation whereas 12% fell when they were aware that the perturbation would occur "sometime in the next minute". The between-group differences were accompanied by slower reaction times in the non-expecting group (p < 0.01). Slower reaction times were associated with kinematics that have previously been shown to increase the likelihood of falling following a laboratory-induced trip. The results demonstrate the importance of considering the context under which recovery responses are assessed, and further, gives insight to the context during which task-specific perturbation training is administered.