cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Naltrexone Maintenance Decreases Cannabis Self-Administration and Subjective Effects in Daily Cannabis Smokers.

Given that cannabis use is increasing in the United States, pharmacological treatment options to treat cannabis use disorder are needed. Opioid antagonists modulate cannabinoid effects and may offer a potential approach to reducing cannabis use. In this double-blind, placebo-controlled human laboratory study, we assessed the effects of naltrexone maintenance on the reinforcing, subjective, psychomotor, and cardiovascular effects of active and inactive cannabis. Nontreatment-seeking, daily cannabis smokers were randomized to receive naltrexone (50 mg: n=18 M and 5 F) or placebo (0 mg; n=26 M and 2 F) capsules for 16 days. Before, during, and after medication maintenance, participants completed 10 laboratory sessions over 4–6 weeks, assessing cannabis’ behavioral and cardiovascular effects. Medication compliance was verified by observed capsule administration, plasma naltrexone, and urinary riboflavin. Relative to placebo, maintenance on naltrexone significantly reduced both active cannabis self-administration and its positive subjective effects (‘good effect’). Participants in the placebo group had 7.6 times (95% CI: 1.1–51.8) the odds of self-administering active cannabis compared with the naltrexone group. This attenuation of reinforcing and positive subjective effects also influenced cannabis use in the natural ecology. Naltrexone had intrinsic effects: decreasing ratings of friendliness, food intake, and systolic blood pressure, and increasing spontaneous reports of stomach upset and headache, yet dropout rates were comparable between groups. In summary, we show for the first time that maintenance on naltrexone decreased cannabis self-administration and ratings of ‘good effect’ in nontreatment-seeking daily cannabis smokers. Clinical studies in patients motivated to reduce their cannabis use are warranted to evaluate naltrexone’s efficacy as a treatment for cannabis use disorder.
FREQUENTLY DELETED LOCI ON CHROMOSOME 9 MAY HARBOR SEVERAL TUMOR SUPPRESSOR GENES IN HUMAN RENAL CELL CARCINOMA

Purpose: Loss of various loci on chromosome 9 has been reported in various cancers. To determine the frequency of deletions at different loci of chromosome 9 in renal cell carcinoma microdissected samples of normal renal epithelium and carcinoma from the same patients were analyzed.Materials and Methods: DNA was isolated from microdissected sections of normal and tumor cells of 60 renal specimens, amplified by polymerase chain reaction and analyzed for loss of heterozygosity on chromosome 9 using the 16 microsatellite markers D9S178, D9S157, D9S274, D9S168, D9S285, D9S156, D9S1839, D9S162, IFNA, D9S736, D9S171, D9S1749, D9S273D9S270, D9S153 and D9S170. Loss of heterozygosity was analyzed by a polymerase chain reaction based technique developed at our laboratory.Results: This study showed a high incidence of loss of heterozygosity on chromosome 9 in renal cell carcinoma. Of 60 cases 44 (73%), 24 (40%) and 14 (23%) showed loss of heterozygosity at a minimum of 1, at a minimum of 3 and at 4 or more loci, res...
Transhiatal versus transthoracic esophagectomy for adenocarcinoma of the distal esophagus and cardia

Background Transhiatal esophagectomy is a popular method of resection because of its reported lower morbidity and mortality and similar survival rates compared to transthoracic esophagectomy. A review of recent experience with these two procedures for resection of distal esophageal and cardia adenocarcinoma is reported. Methods F rem 1988 to 1994, 48 patients with adenocarcinoma of the distal esophagus and gastric cardia were resected with intent to cure, 32 by transhiatal esophagectomy (group I) and 16 by transthoracic esophagectomy (group II). The two groups were comparable in terms of patient demographics, preoperative risk factors, tumor stage, tumor differentiation, and involvement of resection margins (all not significant [NS]). Results There was no significant difference in median intensive care unit stay, median hospital stay, incidence of postoperative anastomotic leak, and stricture. Respiratory complications were higher in group I (41% versus 6%, P = 0.01). Hospital mortality was not significantly different for the two groups (group I 3.1% versus group II 0%, NS). Actuarial 5-year survival rates (Kaplan-Meier) were 12% for group I and 39% for group II (NS). Conclusions These results suggest that when compared with transhiatal esophagectomy, the transthoracic approach is at least as safe, has comparable complication and survival rates, and remains an acceptable procedure for resection of adenocarcinomas of the distal esophagus and gastric cardia.
Certified Angus, Certified Patriot: Breeding, Bodies, and Pedigree Practices

The pedigree chart is a cornerstone technology for producing bodies and value in livestock pure breeding. It organizes a cluster of processes, technologies, and discourses gathered under the rubric ‘pedigree practices’. Angus breeders commonly use artificial insemination to import performance ‘genetics’ into their herds, using the ‘expected progeny differences’ predicted by massive pedigree databases that now also contain phenotype data reported by cattle growers. Discourses of biological inheritance, good breeding, and pedigrees arose in the eighteenth century, concomitant with a fascination with races, species, and other biological kinds. A case study from Angus cattle breeding illustrates pedigree practices and the bodies made through them, showing how information and computing technologies, assisted reproductive technologies, and discourses of good breeding, purity, health, and disease leveraged a single bull and the two genetic diseases he carried into the pedigrees of up to 10% of the Angus herd. Te...
Infra-red spectra of GeCl4, GeHCl3, and GeDCl3

Abstract The infra-red spectra of GeCl 4 , GeHCl 3 , and GeDCl 3 were investigated from 300 to 4000 cm −1 . The results for GeCl 4 and GeHCl 3 are in agreement with the previously published Raman data.
Generation and propagation of solar disturbances: a magnetohydrodynamic simulation

Abstract It has been recognized that there are three basic physical agents, namely (i) electromagnetic radiation, (ii) high-energy charged particles, and (iii) enhanced solar wind, resulting from solar activity, which affect the near-Earth and terrestrial environment. In this paper, we restrict our discussion to the subject of the enhanced solar wind. In this context, it is well-known that the most appropriate tool to investigate the generation and propagation of solar disturbances is magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) theory. The most recent progress during the period of the Solar Terrestrial Energy Program (STEP) in these aspects will be presented. In particular, the induced transport of momentum and energy, by coronal mass ejections (CMEs), from the solar surface to the Earths environment (i.e. at 1 AU) will be illustrated by using a self-consistent MHD model of streamer and flux-rope interactions.
Effect of electric field on fracture of piezoelectric ceramics

Closed form solutions for all three modes of fracture for an infinite piezoelectric medium containing a center crack subjected to a combined mechanical and electrical loading were obtained. The explicit mechanical and electrical fields near the crack tip were derived, from which the strain energy release rate and the total potential energy release rate were obtained by using the crack closure integral. The suitability in using the stress intensity factor, the total energy release rate, or the mechanical strain energy release rate as the fracture criterion was discussed.
Modification of Dominant Behavior in School Children: An Attempted Replication:

The two purposes of this study were to determine the differential effectiveness of four combinations of reward and punishment on interpersonal dominant behavior and to see if any modification of responding would still be in evidence after an interval of 1 wk. 100 third and fourth graders, combined in dyads, were randomly assigned to 5 treatment groups: reward-punishment, nonreward-punishment, reward-nonreward, intrinsic reward-nonreward, and control. There were 3 experimental phases: preconditioning, conditioning, and extinction, each phase utilizing a 7-number roulette wheel as the task. Over 50 conditioning trials there was a significant increase in dominant responding by nondominant members, but none of the treatment groups was effective in bringing about this increase. The effects of conditioning were not in evidence 1 wk. later.
Sarcoma and metastatic carcinoma.

Primary tumors of the bone and soft tissue of the pelvis are rare. Proper surgical treatment requires a fundamental knowledge of the biology of malignant musculoskeletal neoplasms. This understanding allows stratification of sarcomas into a staging system. In addition to prognostic value, the careful staging of the neoplasms dictates the type of surgical margins necessary and guides in the use of adjuvant therapy. Limb salvage techniques developed for the reconstruction of major extremity structural deficits can be used for reconstruction of the pelvis. This review first addresses the biologic behavior and staging of malignant musculoskeletal neoplasms. The surgical techniques employed for the resection and the reconstruction of the pelvis are then discussed.
Selection of Optimal Physical Conditions for Mass Propagation of Catolaccus grandis (Hymenoptera: Pteromalidae) Aided by Regression

Effects of temperature, relative humidity, and photoperiod on developmental time, reproductive potential, and rate of increase of Catolaccus grandis (Burks) were evaluated under laboratory conditions. Polynomial multiple regression models were used to estimate optimal levels of the 3 physical factors studied to maximize the reproductive potential and rate of increase of C. grandis . Net reproductive rate (Ro) was used as a measure of reproductive potential, and its maximum value occurred at 27°C, 63% RH, and a photoperiod of 16:8 (L:D) h. Maximum value of the intrinsic rate of increase (rm) of C. grandis occurred at 29°C, 66% RH, and 16:8 (L:D) h. Shortest developmental time within the physical factor levels studied was estimated to occur at 30°C, 67% RH, and 16:8 (L:D) h. Fecundity of C. grandis is maximized at 26°C, 68% RH, and a photoperiod of 16:8 (L:D) h according to regression model estimates.
Where is the line between deep sedation and general anesthesia

The population with familial dysautonomia (FD) presents significant challenges to practitioners in all specialties because of the potential autonomic instability, and GI, sensory, and behavioral disorders. In this issue of the journal, Wengrower et al.(1) report endoscopic procedures on four patients with FD, using deep sedation with midazolam and propofol. They are to be commended in accomplishing these procedures in a group with frequent complications from the syndrome, associated procedures, and possibly the sedation itself.
HABITAT CHARACTERISTICS AND GRASSHOPPER COMMUNITY DYNAMICS ON MIXED-GRASS RANGELAND

A study was conducted in Butte County of western South Dakota to determine the relationships between habitat characteristics and spatial and temporal changes in community structure of grasshoppers on mixed-grass rangeland. Detrended correspondence analysis (DCA) of 29 undisturbed grasshopper communities and correlation analysis of DCA axis values and habitat variables denned specific spatial gradients underlying the community structure of grasshoppers. Results indicated that grasshopper communities changed along a primary gradient of percentage of coverage of grasses, particularly Buchloe dactyloides (Nutt.) Engelm., and a secondary gradient of percentage composition of clay and sand in the soil.DCA of 24 grasshopper communities sampled in 1986 and 1987, multiple regression analysis, and factor analysis were used to determine the relationships between specific habitat characteristics and changes in communities of grasshoppers treated with either a nonselective insecticidal spray (malathion) or a selective insecticidal bait (bran bait with carbaryl). Results indicated that between-year change in community composition, or the difference between post-treatment communities in 1986 and 1987, was positively correlated with percentage of coverage of total grasses and forbs. Community malleability, defined as the tendency of a community to return to its predisturbed state, was greater in habitats with high coverages of Agropyron smithii Rydb. and Carex spp., low coverage of Bouteloua gracilis (H.B.K.) Lag. ex Steud., and low species richness of grasses. Our results emphasize the importance of habitat characteristics in structuring undisturbed grasshopper communities and in community change after perturbation with insecticides.
Treatment of carcinoma of the head and neck with intravenous methotrexate

Partial (9 patients) or complete (11 patients) remission occurred in 20 of 35 patients (57%) with epidermoid carcinoma of the head and neck treated with high-dose intravenous methotrexate. Weekly doses of 60 mg/sq m injected intravenously were used for periods up to 8 to 12 weeks to induce remission. Remission duration ranged from 23 to 604 days, with a mean of 128 days. The same dose administered at 3- to 4-week intervals served to maintain remission. Moderate toxicity occurred except in patients treated twice weekly at a dose of 40 mg/sq m (5 patients) when intoxication was severe.
Replacement of conserved cysteines in human tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases-1.

Abstract Tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases-1 (TIMP-1) is resistant to extremes of temperature and pH. This is thought to be due in part to the presence of six sulfhydryl bridges presumed to maintain the structural integrity of the molecule. As part of a study looking at structure-function relationships, a number of the conserved cysteine residues in TIMP-1 were targeted for replacement with serine. Single and double replacements of these conserved cysteines, as well as replacements around these cysteines, were expressed using a vaccinia virus system and analyzed for functional and structural competence. Analysis by circular dichroism indicated that these mutants maintained secondary structures similar to those of wild-type TIMP-1. Trypsin susceptibility experiments indicated that the tertiary structure of the mutants had not been drastically changed. Analysis of functional competence demonstrated that there were significant changes in some of these mutants. Assays using collagen fibrils or gelatin as substrates indicated that the double mutant C1S/C70S, but not C3S/C99S, had lost inhibitory activity against human fibroblast-type collagenase (FIB-CL) and at high concentrations only had slight activity againstM r 72,000 gelatinase (M r 72,000 gelatinase). Kinetic analysis of TIMP-1 inhibition of FIB-CL cleavage of a peptide substrate indicated that mutants C1S/C70S, C3S/C99S, and CEEC → CQQC retained their ability to inhibit FIB-CL in a manner similar to wild-type TIMP-1, while mutants C1S and C70S showed little inhibitory activity. The mutants C99S and C137S could also inhibit FIB-CL cleavage of the peptide substrate. The results indicated that the degree of inhibition by the TIMP-1 mutants varied somewhat depending on the choice of substrates. Interestingly, replacing both cysteines from a disulfide bond in the wild-type molecule resulted in a more competent inhibitor than either of the single site “parent” mutations. Taken together, these experiments indicate that TIMP-1 can be rendered inactive by the loss of a single cysteine.
Identification of saccharolytic enzymes of Zymomonas mobilis CP4

Studies on sucrose hydrolysis withZymomonas mobilis CP4 have revealed, via electrophoresis and zymogram staining, three enzymes that hydrolyze sucrose. One electrophoretic band corresponds to the well characterized levansucrase, while the two remaining bands appear to be invertases (Inv A and Inv B). Inv A occurs intracellularly in CP4, while Inv B occurs in the supernatant as well as intracellularly.
Decreased Cortical Thickness & Osteopenia in Children with Diabetes Mellitus

A recent study using the photon absorption technique has revealed a high frequency of significant bone loss in diabetic adults regardless of age or duration of diabetes. In this study 107 diabetic children age 4-18 were studied using cortical bone thickness and skeletal maturation as indicators of bone development. Overall, 25% of all diabetic children had cortical thickness values below the five percent limit for normal children. This was more common in boys than girls and was unrelated to duration of diabetes. A modest increase in delayed skeletal maturation did not account for the cortical thinning and osteopenia observed. The cause of the osteopenia of diabetic children remains an enigma.
Ion exposure chambers for small animals.

Ion exposure chambers that have been designed and tested for use in biological and behavioral research with small animals are described in this report. The chambers exhibit an acceptable degree of uniformity in ion concentration, current density, and electric field within the exposure area. Gaseous by-products of corona discharge (O3 and NO2) have been measured and found to be less than .01 ppm and less than .1 ppm, respectively. Filtered air is fed to the individual exposure chambers, and temperature and humidity are well controlled. Noise due to corona and the air delivery system has been measured.
Computer networks as human system interface

With the dramatic increase of network bandwidth and decrease of network latency and because of development of new network programming technologies, the dynamic websites provide dynamic interaction to the end user and at the same time implement asynchronous client-server communication in the background. Many applications are being deployed through the computer and are becoming more popular and are effective means in computing and simulation. Running software over the Internet introduced in this paper is one of the applications of computer networks which enhance interaction between human and CAD tools while computer networks are used as a human system interface. Instead of the required design, software must be installed and license purchased for each computer where software is used, now only one user interface handled by a network browser will be required. Furthermore, instead of purchasing a software license for each computer, the software can be used on a pay per use basis. The application of running software over the Internet has some advantages: all users can access and use software remotely from all over the world by Web browsers; because of only one software on the central machine, so it is working independently with the operating systems which is the limitation of most software; and the most important thing is software developers can protect their intellectual property when the Web browsers are used as the user-friendly GUIs (Graphical User Interface). However, running software over the Internet also has some issues that need to be addressed, especially in case of applications requiring a long simulation process. One of the big issues is how users can control the simulation process and how users can use it at the same time without overloading the system. This requires the GUI to have the ability to create some controlling tools to manipulate it with full functions. In order to do that, the simulation speed is traded off so that the software has the capability to understand and process requests from users.
Single portal endoscopic carpal tunnel release: modification of Menon’s technique and data from 65 cases

The purpose of our study is to make a follow-up evaluation of endoscopic carpal tunnel release under focal anesthesia using the Wolf single portal system. A total of 65 patients with a mean age of 50 years undergoing 79 procedures were retrospectively studied. Preoperative complaints, intraoperative findings, and postoperative results of all the patients were recorded. Follow-up was conducted at 1, 5, 12, and 24 weeks and at 1 year postoperatively. Wound pain, analysis of satisfaction, Levine functional status scales, and surgical complications were included. No patients sustained iatrogenic neurovascular injury or hematoma formation. The average Levine functional severity score decreased from 2.82 points preoperatively to 1.2 points at the most recent survey. One case recurred at 1 year after the surgery and subsequently underwent open release. Surgery using the Wolf single portal system under focal anesthesia is a safe and efficacious option for endoscopic carpal tunnel release.
Collective Risk Decisions in the Presence of Many Risks1

SUMMARY This paper reports the results of laboratory investigations of individual and group decision making regarding willingness to pay to reduce risks when more than one risk is present. It is found that group decision making environments improve the overall decisions when the consequence of the decision is common to all members of the group. When the consequences are individual, group decisions are less likely to improve upon individual decisions. The latter effect appears to be due to the unwillingness of individuals to engage in communication when they are not bound by a group decision. The conclusion is that both discussion and common outcomes are necessary for group decisions to be superior to individual decisions. ZUSAMMENFASSUNG Diese Studie enthalt die Ergebnisse einer experimentellen Untersuchung des Entscheidungs-prozesses von Gruppen und Individuen uber die Zahlungsbereitschaft, Risiken zu reduzieren, wenn mehrere Risiken gleichzeitig auftreten. Dabei wird festgestellt, dass Gruppenentscheidungen Einzelentscheidungen uberlegen sind, wenn die Konsequenzen der Entscheidung fur alle Mitglieder der Gruppe identisch sind. Wenn die Konsequenzen der Entscheidung nur einzelne betreffen, verrin-gert sich die Wahrscheinlichkeit, dass Gruppenentscheidungen besser als Einzelentscheidungen sind. Dies lasst sich vermudich auf die mangelnde Bereitschaft einzelner zuruckfuhren, am Kommunikationsprozess teilzunehmen, wenn sie selbst nicht von der Gruppenentscheidung betroffen sind. Wir kommen zu dem Ergebnis, dass sowohl eine gemeinsame Diskussion als auch ein gemeinsames Ergebnis vorhanden sein miissen, damit Gruppenentscheidungen individuellen Ent-scheidungen uberlegen sind. RESUME Cet article presente les resultats ďanalyses de laboratoire consacrees au role joue par la decision collective ou individuelle dans la determination du prix susceptible ďětre paye pour reduire ľexposition aux risques quand ceux-ci sont nombreux. Les resultats montrent que le cadre de decision collective ameliore les decisions prises globalement lorsque leurs consequences sont partagees par tous les membres du groupe. En outre, dans le cas des consequences individuelles, les decisions collectives ne semblent pas affecter les decisions prises individuellement. Ce dernier resultat paraitt ětre du au refus des individus ďechanger ľinformation surtout lorsqu'ils ne sont pas contraints par la decision collective. Ľetude conclue que la communication ainsi que les consequences communes sont necessaires pour que les decisions collectives soient preferables aux decisions individuelles.
Effective thermal properties of viscoelastic composites having field-dependent constituent properties

This study introduces a micromechanical model for predicting effective thermal properties (linear coefficient of thermal expansion and thermal conductivity) of viscoelastic composites having solid spherical particle reinforcements. A representative volume element (RVE) of the composites is modeled by a single particle embedded in the cubic matrix. Periodic boundary conditions are imposed to the RVE. The micromechanical model consists of four particle and matrix subcells. Micromechanical relations are formulated in terms of incremental average field quantities, i.e., stress, strain, heat flux and temperature gradient, in the subcells. Perfect bonds are assumed along the subcell’s interfaces. Stress and temperature-dependent viscoelastic constitutive models are used for the isotropic constituents in the micromechanical model. Thermal properties of the particle and matrix constituents are temperature dependent. The effective coefficient of thermal expansion is derived by satisfying displacement and traction continuity at the interfaces during thermo-viscoelastic deformations. This formulation leads to an effective time–temperature–stress-dependent coefficient of thermal expansion. The effective thermal conductivity is formulated by imposing heat flux and temperature continuity at the subcells’ interfaces. The effective thermal properties obtained from the micromechanical model are compared with analytical solutions and experimental data available in the literature. Finally, parametric studies are also performed to investigate the effects of nonlinear thermal and mechanical properties of each constituent on the overall thermal properties of the composite.
Fine-needle aspiration of extranodal and extramedullary hematopoietic malignancies.

There is relatively little information concerning the use of fine-needle aspiration (FNA) to diagnose extranodal and extramedullary hematopoietic malignancies. Seventy-one such cases diagnosed by FNA form the basis of this study. Seventy-one cases of FNAs performed between 1988 and 1998 on extranodal and extramedullary hematopoietic malignancies were reviewed in order to evaluate the usefulness of this technique in diagnosing these entities as well as to assess patterns of relapse. There were 45 male and 26 female patients ranging in age from 29-86 years (mean, 68 years). Sixty-six patients had a previous history of a hematopoietic malignancy. Aspirates from 65 of these patients were consistent with the patient's known primary. One aspirate of a paravertebral mass from a multiple myeloma patient showed extramedullary hematopoiesis. The remaining five aspirates were cases of multiple myeloma that first presented as soft tissue masses. The most common malignancies were lymphoma: 52 cases (73%), 48 large cell lymphomas, four mixed small and large cell lymphoma; followed by multiple myeloma: 12 cases (17%); leukemia: four cases (5.4%); Hodgkin disease: two cases (2.8%); and one case of extramedullary hematopoiesis. The aspirate sites were soft tissue: 23 cases (32%); bone: 17 cases (24%); kidney: 14 cases (20%); liver: 11 cases (15%); lung: three cases (4%); adrenal: two cases (3%); and eye: one case. The interval between primary diagnosis and FNA was 1-36 months (mean, 13 months). In conclusion, 98% of the aspirates were neoplastic in patients with a known history of hematopoietic malignancies. The most common site of involvement was soft tissue in 23 (32%) cases. In five patients with multiple myeloma, the FNA diagnosis prompted a work-up to find the primary site of involvement. FNA is a useful technique in assessing extranodal and extramedullary hematopoietic malignancies.
A Methodological Reflection on the Process of Narrative Analysis: Alienation and Identity in the Life Histories of English Language Teachers

beliefs on grammar teaching. RELC Journal, 30, 1-17. Kalaja, P., Menezes, V., & Barcelos, A. M. F. (2008). Narratives of learning and teaching EFL. London, England: Palgrave Macmillan. Kanno, Y. (2003). Negotiating bilingual and bicultural identities: Japanese returnees betwixt two worlds. Mahwah, NT: Lawrence Erlbaum. Lam, W. S. E. (2006). Re-envisioning language, literacy, and the immigrant subject in new mediascapes. Pedagogies: An International Journal, 1 , 171-195. Levy, M. (2009). Technologies in use for second language learning. The Modern Language Journal, 93, 769-782. Lieblich, A., Tuval-Mashiach, R., & Zilber, T. (1998). Narrative research: Reading analysis and interpretation. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage. Madge, C., Meek, J., Wellens, J., 8c Hooley, T. (2009). Facebook, social integration and informal learning at university: "It is more for socializing and talking to friends about work than for actually doing work." Learning ' Media and Technology, 34, 141-155. Norton, B. (2000). Identity and language learning: Gender , ethnicity and educational change. London, England: Longman. Nunan, D., 8c Choi, J. (Eds.). (2010). Language and culture: Reflective narratives and the emergence of identity. New York, NY: Routledge. Oxford, R. L. (1996). When emotion meets metacognition in language learning histories. International Journal of Educational Research, 23, 581-594. Pavlenko, A. (2007). Autobiographic narratives as data in applied linguistics. Applied Linguistics, 28, 163-188. Riessman, C. K. (2008) . Narrative methods for the Human Sciences. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage. Selwyn, N. (2009) . The digital native myth and reality. Perspectives, 61, 364-379. Szesztay, M. (2004). Teachers' ways of knowing. ELT Journal, 58, 129-136. Thorne, S. L. (2008). Transcultural communication in open internet environments and massively multiplayer online games. In S. Magnan (Ed.), Mediating discourse online (pp. 305-327). Amsterdam, The Netherlands: John Benjamins. Xu, S., 8c Connelly, F. M. (2009). Narrative inquiry for teacher education and development: Focus on English as a foreign language in China. Teaching and Teacher Education, 25, 219-227.
Virus-induced gene silencing (VIGS) of genes expressed in root, leaf, and meiotic tissues of wheat.

Barley stripe mosaic virus (BSMV)-based virus-induced gene silencing (VIGS) is an effective strategy for rapid functional analysis of genes in wheat leaves, but its utility to transiently express genes, and silencing in other tissues including root, flower, and developing grains, has not been demonstrated in monocots. We monitored green fluorescent protein (GFP) expression to demonstrate the utility of BSMV as a transient expression vector and silenced genes in various wheat tissues to expand VIGS utility to characterize tissue-specific genes. An antisense construct designed for coronatine insensitive1 (COI1) showed an 85% decrease in COI1 transcript level in roots accompanied by a 26% reduction in root length. Similarly, silencing of seed-specific granule-bound starch synthase by antisense and hairpin constructs resulted in up to 82% reduction in amylose content of the developing grains. VIGS of meiosis-specific genes demonstrated by silencing wheat homologue of disrupted meiosis cDNA1 (DMC1) by an antisense construct resulted in a 75–80% reduction in DMC1 transcript level accompanied by an average of 37.2 univalents at metaphase I. The virus-based transient GFP expression was observed in the leaf, phloem, and root cortex at 10–17 days post-inoculation. A novel observation was made that 8–11% of the first selfed generation progeny showed VIGS inheritance and that this proportion increased to 53–72% in the second and to 90–100% in the third generations. No viral symptoms were observed in the progeny, making it possible to study agronomic traits by VIGS. VIGS inheritance is particularly useful to study genes expressing during seed germination or other stages of early plant growth.
A night vision neuron gets a day job.

During the day, certain retinal ganglion cells respond specifically to dark, approaching stimuli. A study finds that the retinal circuit that gives rise to this response makes use of an amacrine cell that was previously known for its role in night vision circuitry, demonstrating that some neurons lead double lives.
Effect of chemotherapy delays and dose reductions on progression free and overall survival in the treatment of epithelial ovarian cancer.

Abstract Introduction Hematologic, gastrointestinal, and neurologic complications are common side effects of the platinum and taxane-based chemotherapy used in the primary treatment of epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC). These side effects and the impact of the resultant chemotherapy dose modification on disease free interval have not been extensively studied. The goal of this study was to determine the effect of chemotherapy delays and dose reductions on progression free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS). Methods A review of patients with primary epithelial ovarian, peritoneal, and fallopian tube carcinoma treated between 1/2000 and 12/2007 was performed. Inclusion criteria were advanced stage disease and first line chemotherapy with a platinum and taxane regimen. Cox proportional hazard models were used to determine the effect of chemotherapy reductions and delays on PFS and OS. Results One hundred and fifty seven patients met the inclusion criteria. Patients were divided into four groups: no delays or reductions (48%), delay only (27%), reduction only (8%), and both delay and reduction (18%). The mean number of delays/reductions per patient was 1.1 (range=0–5) and therapy was delayed a mean of 8days. The most common reasons for delays/reductions were neutropenia (n=51), thrombocytopenia (n=45), and neuropathy (n=18). There were no differences detected in PFS or OS between groups. Conclusions There were no differences detected in survival between patients who required dose adjustments and treatment delays and those who did not. The lack of association between survival and chemotherapy alterations suggests that in specific circumstances patients with advanced ovarian cancer should have individualized treatment plans.
Selenium and trace element mobility affected by periodic displacement of stratification in the Great Salt Lake, Utah.

The Great Salt Lake (GSL) is a unique ecosystem in which trace element activity cannot be characterized by standard geochemical parameters due to the high salinity. Movement of selenium and other trace elements present in the lake bed sediments of GSL may occur due to periodic stratification displacement events or lake bed exposure. The water column of GSL is complicated by the presence of a chemocline persistent over annual to decadal time scales. The water below the chemocline is referred to as the deep brine layer (DBL), has a high salinity (16.5 to 22.9%) and is anoxic. The upper brine layer (UBL) resides above the chemocline, has lower salinity (12.6 to 14.7%) and is oxic. Displacement of the DBL may involve trace element movement within the water column due to changes in redox potential. Evidence of stratification displacement in the water column has been observed at two fixed stations on the lake by monitoring vertical water temperature profiles with horizontal and vertical velocity profiles. Stratification displacement events occur over periods of 12 to 24 h and are associated with strong wind events that can produce seiches within the water column. In addition to displacement events, the DBL shrinks and expands in response to changes in the lake surface area over a period of months. Laboratory tests simulating the observed sediment re-suspension were conducted over daily, weekly and monthly time scales to understand the effect of placing anoxic bottom sediments in contact with oxic water, and the associated effect of trace element desorption and (or) dissolution. Results from the laboratory simulations indicate that a small percentage (1%) of selenium associated with anoxic bottom sediments is periodically solubilized into the UBL where it potentially can be incorporated into the biota utilizing the oxic part of GSL.
Teaching software maintenance with open source software: Experiences and lessons

Software Engineering (SE) careers are overwhelmingly devoted to the maintenance and evolution of existing, large software systems, where the key challenge is code comprehension especially in the face of inadequate documentation and support. SE courses must thus prepare students to meet this challenge. Open Source Software (OSS) furnishes a valuable source of realistic, sizeable projects for inculcating the appreciation and skills involved in code comprehension and evolution. This paper describes experiences and lessons learnt in using OSS projects to teach an introductory, sophomore/junior-level SE course with an emphasis on comprehension, maintenance, and evolution. Students' reactions and undertakings, acquired through participant observation and homework assignments, suggest that OSS can meaningfully illustrate comprehension and evolution difficulties. Finally, it describes the characteristics of OSS projects that are conducive to highlighting maintenance challenges.
Generating 5-axis NC roughing paths directly from a tessellated representation

We describe a system that generates 5-axis roughing tool paths directly from a tessellated representation of a body. Instead of decomposing the shape into manufacturing primitives, we generate tool paths directly from the shape of the workpiece using measures of accessibility avoid collisions. There are three stages in our approach: visibility computation, posture definition and path interpolation. In the first stage, we use the concept of visibility to determine the directions from which a point in the delta-volume is likely to be accessible to an observer located outside the convex envelope of the object and describe a technique to compute this information rapidly using graphics hardware. However, visibility does not ensure accessibility because visibility cannot account for the diameter of the tool, the tool-holder or the spindle. In the posture definition stage, a local search is performed in the neighborhood of the visibility direction using rapid collision avoidance. The output of this step is a set of valid tool postures for every sample point in the delta-volume. Finally, all that remains to be done is to connect the valid postures into a valid continuous tool path. This is not a trivial task because the tool must not interfere with the part while interpolating between valid postures. In the third stage of our approach we interpolate collision free tool paths by performing NC simulation and path correction within the loop of path generation using rapid collision detection algorithms.
Simultaneous determination of the nonlinear-elastic properties of skin and subcutaneous tissue in unconfined compression tests.

Background/aims: The compressive nonlinear-elastic properties of soft tissues are usually determined using unconfined compression tests. To determine the nonlinear-elastic behavior of skin and subcutaneous tissue using a conventional approach, the skin and subcutaneous tissue had to be separated before testing. Using such an approach, measurement errors may be increased as a consequence of the reduced specimen dimensions and cumulative experimental errors. In the present study, we propose a novel method to determine the nonlinear-elastic behaviors of the skin and the subcutaneous tissue simultaneously using specimens of skin/subcutaneous composites. Methods: The stress/strain curves of skin and subcutaneous tissues are derived from stress/strain curves of soft tissue specimens with different skin/subcutaneous height ratios. There is no need to separate the skin from the subcutaneous tissue in the tests, thereby improving the reliability and reducing measurement errors. In order to demonstrate the application of the proposed approach, unconfined compression tests with skin/subcutaneous tissues collected from the front paws of pigs were conducted. Results/Conclusion: Using the proposed approach, stress/strain relationships of the skin and the subcutaneous tissue were derived from data determined in eight unconfined compression tests. The obtained stress/strain curves were consistent with published experimental data. Compared with conventional methods, the proposed approach is not only more efficient but also more reliable.
Studies on biosorption of zinc(II) and copper(II) on Desulfovibrio desulfuricans

Abstract The objectives of these studies are to determine the equilibrium concentration and kinetics of metal sorption on sulfate-reducing bacteria (SRB) isolates. Adsorption establishes the net reversible cellular metal uptake and is related to SRB metal toxicity and the effects of environmental factors. Results from biosorption equilibria and kinetics of copper(II) and zinc(II) ions on Desulfovibrio desulfuricans and the effects of adsorption of these metals on SRB are discussed. Adsorption studies were conducted using stationary phase cells with equilibrium uptake at 24 h and pHs in the range of 4–7. Equilibrium adsorption in milligram of metal/g dry cell for copper(II) of 2.03 (pH 4.0) and 16.7 (pH 5.0) and zinc(II) of 6.40 (pH 5.5), 13.8 (pH 6.0), 39.2 (pH 6.2) and 49.6 (pH 6.6) was measured experimentally. Negligible biosorption of copper and zinc was found below pH 4.0, with metal sorption increasing within a limited range of pH mainly due to the neutral and/or deprotonated state of binding ligands on cell walls. Competition of metal ions during biosorption was investigated by conducting sorption experiments with Zn(II) using potassium phosphate buffer (KP) and deionized/distilled water. Zn(II) sorption capacity was lower in KP buffer than deionized water due to competition from potassium ions. Scanning Electron Microscope micrographs indicated that metal biosorption on SRB may be related to the production of extracellular polymeric substance (e.g., polysaccharide).
Accessory pathway localization by QRS polarity in children with Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome.

AP Localization by QRS Polarity in Children. Introductions: Location of the accessory pathway (AP) in Wolff-Parkinson-White (WPW) syndrome can be determined accurately by the QRS polarity on resting ECG. These ECG characteristics may be different in children, and no algorithm has yet been tested. Methods and Results: A total of 153 resting ECGs of symptomatic children with WPW syndrome were retrospectively analyzed. The anatomic AP location had been established fluoroscopically at eight possible sites during radiofrequency catheter ablation. Two independent observers predicted AP location on blinded ECGs with a QRS polarity algorithm for adults using leads II, III, aVL, V 1 , and V 2 . Subsequently, the QRS polarity for all individual ECG leads was evaluated and a new algorithm for children was devised. With the adult algorithm, the observers correctly predicted only 55% to 58 % of AP locations. The septal and right-sided pathways often were inseparable, and mid-septal and parahisian pathways were missed. In the new children's algorithm, left lateral, left posteroseptal, and posteroseptal pathways shared a positive or intermediate QRS polarity on V 1 , with the left lateral pathway separated by a positive QRS polarity on lead III. Negative QRS polarity on lead V 1 and positive QRS polarity on lead V 3 were shared by right posteroseptal, mid-septal, parahisian, and anteroseptal pathways, with the latter two having a positive QRS polarity on lead aVF. Right lateral pathways had negative QRS polarity on lead V 1 and negative or intermediate QRS polarity on lead V 3 . Overall accuracy for these five regions was 90%. Conclusion: AP characterization by QRS polarity in children with WPW syndrome is more diverse than in adults and requires other ECG leads to establish five AP regions.
Changes in patterns and synthesis of proteins in embryonic neural retina studied by 2-dimensional gel electrophoresis

Abstract Changes in protein patterns during early differentiation of embryonic neural retina (chick) were studied by 2-dimensional gel electrophoresis. The procedures employed here made it possible to visualize the overall population of proteins present in the tissue at a given time and, on the same gel to distinguish labeled from unlabeled proteins. 2-Dimensional gels were stained by a highly sensitive silver stain to visualize, map and quantitate proteins (and polypeptides) resolved by electrophoresis; the same gels were then autoradiographed in order to differentiate between actively synthesized and pre-existing proteins at each developmental stage. The effectiveness of this combinative analysis was first verified by identifying and localizing glutamine synthetase, an inducible enzyme marker of retina differentiation. Next, protein patterns in retina tissue at 2 embryonic ages were compared. Of the large number of spots visualized by the above methods approximately 10% showed distinct qualitative-quantitative developmental changes; these were grouped into 7 classes representative of major modes of alteration of protein patterns during cell differentiation.
Inelastic scattering of 46 MeV protons from 12C

Abstract The differential cross sections for the excitation of nine levels of carbon have been measured each at 35 angles from 15° to 150°. The cross sections for the 4.4 and 9.6 MeV levels have a typical relative accuracy of 3%, while the measurements for the 7.7, 10.8, 11.8, 12.7, 14.1, 15.1 and 16.1 MeV levels have a typical accuracy of 10%. The cross sections decrease by from one to three orders of magnitude through the measured angular range. Levels at 13.3 and 16.6 MeV were not observed. The angular distributions have been compared with distorted wave calculations using both macroscopic and microscopic approaches.
Curcumin-Based Anti-Prostate Cancer Agents

Prostate cancer possesses the highest occurrence rate and is the second-paramount disease that causes cancer-affiliated death among men in the United States. Approximately 30,000 men die each year of castration-resistant prostate cancer due to the inevitable progression of resistance to first-line treatment with docetaxel. The safety profile of dietary curcumin in humans has been well-documented, and its therapeutic prospect in treating prostate cancer, especially for castration-resistant prostate cancer, has been evidenced in several cell culture systems and human xenograft mouse models. The critical disadvantage of curcumin as a drug candidate is its low bioavailability caused by poor water solubility and rapid in vivo metabolism. Curcumin is characteristic of regulating multiple targets, representing a good example for the philosophy to search for multitargeted drugs in the realm of drug design and drug development. This feature, together with its potential in treating castration-resistant prostate cancer and its safety profile, enables curcumin to serve as an ideal lead compound for the design and syntheses of curcumin-based agents with improved potential for the clinical therapies of prostate cancer. Several researches aiming to improve its bioavailability and potency resulted in the discovery and development of a wealth of curcumin-based compounds with an enhanced anticancer potential and/or an improved pharmacokinetic profile. This review starts with a brief summarization of the prospect of curcumin in treating prostate cancer and its mechanisms of action, then provides an in-depth overview of current development of curcumin-based anti-prostate cancer agents and their structure-activity relationships, and ends with the syntheses and pharmacokinetic studies of curcumin.
Comparison and Categorization in the Development of Relational Similarity

4 experiments investigated the development of children's ability to recognize perceptual relational commonalities such as symmetry or monotonicity. In Experiment 1, 6- and 8-year-olds were able to recognize higher-order relational similarity across different dimensions (e.g., size/saturation) and across different polarities (e.g., increase/decrease), whereas 4-year-olds could recognize higher-order relational matches only when they were supported by lower-order commonalities (e.g., size/size but not size/saturation matches). Further experiments tested how the processes of comparison and categorization affected 4-year-olds' ability to recognize relational similarity. The results of the experiments supported the hypothesis that comparison and categorization processes lead to changes in children's representations of relational structure, enabling them to recognize more abstract commonalities. A computational model lent further support to the claims.
The Klein-Gordon equation and scattering theory

Abstract Using our previously developed theory, we prove the main conclusions of scattering theory for the Klein-Gordon equation under hypotheses weaker than presently known. We consider more general equations and obtain stronger results.