cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Abstract P1-01-05: Effects of preoperative MRI on rate of ipsilateral and contralateral recurrence of breast cancer

Introduction: Preoperative MRI of the breast is the most sensitive imaging modality in the detection of multifocal or multicentric breast cancer, as well as simultaneous contralateral breast cancer. The aim of this retrospective review was to evaluate the effect of preoperative MRI on local control for patients with breast cancer. Methods: The Enterprise Data Warehouse of Northwestern Medicine was searched for women who underwent breast conserving surgery for ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) or primary invasive breast cancer in the interval of 2004-2010. The use of preoperative MRI, and the clinical and therapeutic details of the patients thus identified were extracted by direct review of the electronic medical record. A breast event was defined as a local recurrence in the treated breast more than six months after completion of treatment (ipsilateral) or a new breast cancer in the untreated breast (contralateral). Differences in the frequency of all events (local and distant), for ipsilateral breast events, and for contralateral breast events was evaluated with Cox proportional hazards model, adjusting for patient age, tumor size, nodal status, the presence of triple negative disease, and the use of radiotherapy and systemic therapy. Results: In our cohort of 1097 patients, 526 had preoperative MRI and 571 had no MRI. The patients who had preoperative MRI were younger (59 vs. 66 years, p Conclusions: In analyses adjusted for important prognostic features, the use of preoperative breast MRI was not associated with a reduced hazard of any breast cancer event, or of in-breast events (ipsilateral or contralateral). However, the MRI group had a more adverse tumor and patient profiles; a propensity score analysis will be performed, to further adjust for these differences. These findings add weight to the position that routine use of preoperative MRI for all breast cancer patients is not beneficial. Citation Format: Amanda L Amin, Irene B Helenowski, Thomas E Kmiecik, Shruti R Zaveri, Nora M Hansen, Kevin P Bethke, Seema A Khan. Effects of preoperative MRI on rate of ipsilateral and contralateral recurrence of breast cancer [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Thirty-Seventh Annual CTRC-AACR San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium: 2014 Dec 9-13; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2015;75(9 Suppl):Abstract nr P1-01-05.
Genetic epidemiologic analysis of quantitative phenotypes using gibbs sampling

We analyzed two quantitative traits (Q1 and Q2) provided in the ‘Common Disease’ data set with the aim of detecting both genetic and environmental determinants. We used linear regression for screening measured variables, maximum likelihood segregation and linkage analyses for detecting and localizing unmeasured genes, and Gibbs sampling for joint segregation and linkage analyses with estimation of gene-environment interaction and polygenic effects. For both Q1 and Q2, we successfully detected the unmeasured codominant major gene (MG) that was tightly linked to candidate gene C2. We also detected all of the measured variables used in generating Q1 (age, Q3, candidate gene C5) and Q2 (EF). Although our final models differed slightly from the true data generation models, our multifaceted analytic approach was successful in characterizing the determinants of Q1 and Q2. © 1995 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Interferon-γ Upregulates CCR5 Expression in Cord and Adult Blood Mononuclear Phagocytes

The C-C chemokine receptors CCR5 and CCR3 are fusion coreceptors for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) entry into macrophages. The regulation of their expression influences infectivity by HIV. We report here that interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) a cytokine that has bidirectional effects on HIV infection of macrophages, significantly upregulated CCR5 and CCR3 cell surface expression in human mononuclear phagocytes isolated from placental cord blood and adult peripheral blood. Monocytes treated with IFN-gamma showed increased chemotaxis to the CCR5 ligands macrophage inflammatory protein-1alpha (MIP-1alpha) and MIP-1beta, confirming the functional relevance of IFN-gamma-induced CCR5 expression. However, IFN-gamma suppressed HIV entry into macrophages. Interestingly, we demonstrated that IFN-gamma inhibited cell surface expression of CD4, the major receptor for HIV. This finding may explain the suppressive effect of IFN-gamma on HIV entry into macrophages, despite its enhancing effect on the expression of CCR5 and CCR3 by these cells. In addition, IFN-gamma-induced secretion of C-C chemokines (RANTES, MIP-1alpha, and MIP-1beta) by mononuclear phagocytes may also suppress HIV entry into macrophages. These data provide further evidence for cytokine-mediated regulation of CCR5 expression and are consistent with a novel paradigm in which cytokines regulate HIV infection and leukocyte migration by reciprocal and opposing effects on the expression of CD4 and chemokine receptors.
Young Tableaux: With Applications to Representation Theory and Geometry

Part I. Calculus Of Tableux: 1. Bumping and sliding 2. Words: the plactic monoid 3. Increasing sequences: proofs of the claims 4. The Robinson-Schensted-Knuth Correspondence 5. The Littlewood-Richardson rule 6. Symmetric polynomials Part II. Representation Theory: 7. Representations of the symmetric group 8. Representations of the general linear group Part III. Geometry: 9. Flag varieties 10. Schubert varieties and polynomials Appendix A Appendix B.
A design study on the effect of support and system parameters on the natural frequencies of rotor systems

The dynamic characteristics of a rotor bearing system are significantly influenced by system parameters like damping, support stiffness, etc. A study on the effect of these parameters on the natura...
Femtosecond pulse processing for applications in broadband optical communications

We review spectral methods for shaping and processing of femtosecond pulses. Potential applications to broadband communications, including optical code-division multiple-access, dispersion compensation, and parallel to serial conversion for high-speed optical pulse sequence generation, are discussed.
Subwavelength imaging opportunities with planar uniaxial anisotropic lenses

The imaging properties of a uniaxial anisotropic slab lens, where the dielectric tensor components are of the opposite sign, are studied as a function of the structure parameters. While hypothetical parameters yield various levels of performance, a design principle to achieve good subwavelength resolution is suggested. The anisotropy can be implemented with a metal-insulator stack.
On the nature of short range growth inhibition in juvenile lobsters homarus

Abstract By means of compartmental analysis of two experiments manipulating flow rate, short-range density-dependent growth inhibition in juvenile lobsters ( Homarus ) was shown to implicate a rapidlydecaying or ephemeral substance. Pulsed production of a long-lived inhibitor was ruled out as a sole explanation of the effect. Behavioral observations eliminated the hypothesis that reduced growth of inhibited animals was causally related to their increased locomotory activity. Implications for chemical ecology of the effects of ephemeral agents upon growth and behavior are discussed.
Intestinal Membrane Permeability and Hypersensitivity In the Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common gastrointestinal disorder in which the underlying pathophysiology is poorly understood; however, increased intestinal permeability in diarrhea-predominant IBS patients has been reported. Here we demonstrate that diarrhea-predominant IBS (D-IBS) patients display increased intestinal permeability. We have also found that increased intestinal membrane permeability is associated with visceral and thermal hypersensitivity in this subset of D-IBS patients. We evaluated 54 D-IBS patients and 22 controls for intestinal membrane permeability using the lactulose/mannitol method. All subjects ingested 5g of lactulose and 2g of mannitol in 100ml of water after which their urine was collected. We also evaluated the mean mechanical visual analogue scale (M-VAS) pain rating to nociceptive thermal and visceral stimulation in all subjects. All study participants also completed the FBDSI scale. Approximately 39% of diarrhea-predominant IBS patients had increased intestinal membrane permeability as measured by the lactulose/mannitol ratio. These IBS patients also demonstrated higher M-VAS pain intensity reading scale. Interestingly, the IBS patients with hypersensitivity and increased intestinal permeability had a higher FBDSI score (100.8 + or - 5.4) than IBS patients with normal membrane permeability and sensitivity (51.6 + or - 12.7) and controls (6.1 + or - 5.6) (p<0.001). A subset of D-IBS patients had increased intestinal membrane permeability that was associated with an increased FBDSI score and increased hypersensitivity to visceral and thermal nociceptive pain stimuli. Thus, increased intestinal membrane permeability in D-IBS patients may lead to more severe IBS symptoms and hypersensitivity to somatic and visceral stimuli.
Differential approximation for radiant energy losses in nonequilibrium plasmas

Abstract The radiation source function for a nonequilibrium plasma or gas is expanded in a Taylor series in optical depth. The series is truncated and the resulting simplified form is used to express the local radiant energy loss as a differential expression. An example of an isolated, optically thick resonance line having the Lorentz profile for its wings is considered.
Effects of adenosine triphosphate and metals upon an electron transport system in mitochondria.

IN the course of studies on oxidative phosphorylation coupled with the succinoxidase system of rat-liver mitochondria, it was found that adenosine triphosphate, alone and with certain metals, significantly accelerated reduction of triphenyltetrazolium chloride to triphenylformazan.
Current aspects of soy protein fractionation and nomenclature

Significant advances have been made recently in studying the basic physico-chemical properties of the major soy storage proteins and their subunits using such techniques as differential solubility, ion exchange chromatography, gel filtration chromatography, immunoelectrophoresis, isoelectric focusing and dissociating gel electrophoresis. This paper reviews and discusses the principal findings from this work and summarizes the current status of the nomenclature of the major soy storage proteins, e.g., 11S glycinin, 7S β-conglycinin and γ-conglycinin and their subunits.
Delamination growth from face sheet seams in cross-ply titanium/graphite hybrid laminates

A test program was conducted to study the fatigue delamination behavior of titanium/graphite hybrid laminates (TiGr) with seams in the titanium face sheets. Tension fatigue experiments were conducted at ?18°C, 21°C (room temperature), 93°C, and at 177°C on cross-ply, [Ti/0/90/02]s, titanium/graphite hybrid laminates (TiGr). The delamination growth rate obeyed a power-law function of the applied strain energy release rate range. The prefactor on the power-law function showed a strong dependence on temperature. In addition, experiments were performed on laminates with ±30° plies. The primary damage mode in this lay-up was edge delamination of the interior plies. Analysis of the [Ti/0/90/±?]s family of laminates indicated that for angles greater than 10°, edge delamination would be the dominant damage mode in coupon specimens.
Cavernous hemangioma of the adrenal gland: MR findings

Adrenal hemangioma is considered a rare tumor and is pathologically similar to hemangiomas found elsewhere in the body. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings thought to be highly suggestive of this neoplasm are presented. Correlation with pathologic findings in this case, as well as imaging and pathologic findings in other reported cases, is provided.
Algebraic grid generation for an afterbody with finite-span, tapered fins

An algebraic technique is presented for the generation of a 3-D grid about a pointed afterbody with four tapered, finite-span fins. The grid topology is largely determined by a polar-type singularity which passes through the tip parallel to the body centerline. A 3-D grid is generated by stacking a sequence of 2-D grids on predetermined ''blank'' surfaces in the fin and tip regions. On each blank surface a grid of the C type is computed by a combination of conformal mapping and transfinite interpolation. The method is an extension of previous work for the generation of a 3-D grid about an afterbody with four constant-chord, infinite-span fins. An example grid is presented to illustrate the method, and its characteristics are discussed.
Pectin in controlled drug delivery – a review

Controlled drug delivery remains a research focus for public health to enhance patient compliance, drug efficiency and reduce the side effects of drugs. Pectin, an edible plant polysaccharide, has been shown to be useful for the construction of drug delivery systems for specific drug delivery. Several pectin derived formulations have been developed in our laboratory and tested in vitro, ex vivo, and in vivo for the ability to deliver bioactive substances for therapeutic purposes in the context of interactions with living tissues. Pectin derivatives carrying primary amine groups were more mucoadhesive and have shown potential in nasal drug delivery and other mucosal drug delivery. Pectin derivatives with highly esterified galacturonic acid residues are more hydrophobic and able to sustain the release of incorporated fragrances for a prolonged duration. Less esterified pectin derivatives are able to penetrate deeper into the skin and may be useful in aromatherapy formulations. Pectin, in combination with zein, a corn protein, forms hydrogel beads. The bound zein restricts bead swelling and retains the porosity of the beads; the pectin networks shield the zein from protease attack. The complex beads are ideal vehicles for colon-specific drug delivery. Studies presented in this paper indicate the flexibility and possibility to tailor pectin macromolecules into a variety of drug delivery systems to meet different clinical requirements.
Ab initio thermodynamic properties of stoichiometric phases in the Ni–Al system

Abstract In this work the thermodynamic properties of Al, Ni, NiAl and Ni 3 Al were obtained through ab initio methods. Through the use of density functional theory within the generalized gradient approximation and projector augmented-wave (PAW) pseudopotentials, the 0 K energetics of the structures were calculated. The supercell method was used to calculate the vibrational contributions to the free energy. The contribution of electronic degrees of freedom to the total free energy was also included in the calculations. The resulting free energy was used to calculate the enthalpies and entropies of the structures investigated. The comparison with experimental data is satisfactory, and the calculations compare well with recent results using linear response theory.
Remarks on the Method of Paired Comparisons: the Effect of Non-Normality in Thurstone's Comparative Judgment Model:

Scale values of stimulus-objects Oj (j = 1, 2 ... n) are calculated in Thurstone's comparative judgment model under the assumption that the perceived difference between each pair (Oj, Ok), with respect to the attribute being scaled, is normally distributed across a population of subjects. The present study considered the amount of error introduced into Thurstone scale values when difference distributions are not normal. Non-normal distributions were simulated for objects O j, having known true scale values; and corresponding scale values were derived from this aberrant data. The discrepancy between true and derived scale values thus provided a measure of error. As expected, the amount of error in derived values increased as the degree of non-normality increased. However, the magnitude of error did not reach serious proportions except for distributions that were both extremely non-normal and heterogeneous in shape.
A workshop for speech communication, K‐6

(1978). A workshop for speech communication, K‐6. Communication Education: Vol. 27, No. 4, pp. 343-346.
Three-dimensional object constancy: coherence of a simulated rotating sphere in noise.

Southeast Missouri State University, Cape Girardeau, Missouri 63 701 The maintenance of constant and coherent percepts of three-dimensional objects, even in the midst of visual noise, is important to our ability to navigate the environment. In the present experiments, observers viewed computer-animated simulations of three-dimensional spheres rotating around the vertical axis in depth. In the first experiment, the addition of noise in the form of randomly moving display elements reduced subjects’ judgments of depth and the accuracy of their rotation-direction judgments, although the phenomenal appearance of three-dimensional structure was maintained throughout. In the second experiment, a change from frame to frame in the orientation of the vectors that composed the simulation reduced, but did not destroy, perceived depth and rotation-direction accuracy. The effect of a change in orientation between vectors of successive frames of a simulation depended upon the length of those vectors. It is argued thatdynamic perspective— the information provided by movement and perspective together—is a significant factor in the maintenance of threedimensional object constancy.
STUDY ON THE BIOGENESIS OF CATECHOLAMINES IN PHEOCHROMOCYTOMA TISSUE CULTURE.

Abstract A method is described for growing pheochromocytoma in stationary culture. Pheochromocytoma cells were grown successfully for 22 days in Eagle's Basal Medium (EBME) and Morgan, Morton, and Parker's Medium No. 199 (M199) with retention of cellular metabolic characteristics. Evidence is presented confirming Blaschko's hypothesis on the biogenesis of adrenaline in man. Catecholamines as well as l -dopa (3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine) were shown to be present in all tissue cultures assayed. These studies further indicate that, starting with l -tyrosine as precursor, the pheochromocytoma cells produce l -dopa, dopamine, noradrenaline, and adrenaline in tissue culture. A significant difference was found in the ratios of noradrenaline to adrenaline (NE/A) in the two media. The ratios of noradrenaline to adrenaline in EBME and M199 media were found to be 2.53 ± 1.46 and 0.60 ± 0.41, respectively. Further evaluation of these findings and the possible role of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) and l -methionine are included in this study.
What's in a name or signature? The anthroponymy, autography, and communal identification of Christian communities in early Castilian Toledo and Norman Sicily

This article demonstrates that the language of a Christian's name or signature was not always a reliable indicator of the individual's communal identification within the multi-lingual milieux of early Castilian Toledo and Norman Sicily, lands with immigrant Latin Christian and indigenous Mozarab populations on one hand and Latin Christian, Arab-Christian, and Greek-Christian populations on the other hand. Rather, one's immigrant or indigenous origins played a much more important role in communal identification, thanks in large part to the presence in each region of intra-Christian judiciaries and non-Latinate Christian notarial traditions. The terms “anthroponymy” and “autography” are employed to describe the nature of one's name and signature, respectively.
Putting Students First: How Colleges Develop Students Purposefully

Putting Students First: How Colleges Develop Students Purposefully, is the result of a three year long research project by the Braskamp, Trautvetter, and Ward. The authors use assessment instruments, phone interviews, and site visits to select ten faith-based colleges that promote "the kind of liberal learning that more secular institutions can only wish for." The extensive research for this book involved ten institutions: Bethune-Cookman College, Creighton University, Hamline University, Hope College, Pacific Lutheran University, The College of Wooster, Union University, the University of Dayton, Villanova University, and Whitworth College. These institutions were selected because they have put students first in their mission, shown a commitment to holistic development, demonstrated the desire to assist students in their faith development, and have been shaped by their link to a church denomination. While this book has chosen to focus on faith based institutions, it can be beneficial to professionals fro...
Bukhara and the Muslims of Russia: Sufism, education, and the paradox of Islamic prestige

Allen Frank's important contribution to the history of both Central Asia and the Volga-Ural region of Russia draws predominantly from a rich Tatar-language manuscript, Tarikh-i Barangawi (History o...
SU‐FF‐J‐65: Intrinsic Accuracy of I‐Beam's Coordinate Positioning System Technology

Purpose: I-Beam, a 3D-ultrasound guided prostate localization system, uses Coordinate Positioning System (CPS) Technology in registering live ultrasound images of the patient to the treatment machine coordinate system. The goal of this study is to verify the accuracy of I-Beam's camera system and its precision in localizing the US images to the isocenter. Method and Materials: The first part of the study was to examine the I-Beam camera system for integrity in tracking the probe position while translating the US probe in 3D-space. We then examined alignment correctness when registering the captured US images and contours. A robotic arm of the Nomos BAT system was used for accurate translations. Both the arm and camera system were fixed to the treatment couch. Longitudinal translations of the camera system were confirmed by the Nomos Auto-crane. An ultrasound phantom mimicking pelvic anatomy was employed in quantifying the precision of the image localization and contour alignment. The phantom was translated to known distances, recapturing the 3D-ultrasound volume, and aligned the contours to determine the shifts computed by the I-Beam system. Results: X-, Y- and Z- translations recorded by the robotic system were subtracted from the coordinates of the camera system in computing the errors. When the camera system was repositioned within ±10 cm of the 3D-space, the CPS technology predicted the ultrasound probe position within ±0.5 mm. The absolute deviations were (mean ± SD): 0.3±0.2, 0.2±0.2 and 0.2±0.2 in lateral, longitudinal and vertical directions, respectively. I-Beam's image registration and contour alignment were accurate within ±1mm. Conclusion: The I-Beam camera system is accurate to within ± 0.5mm in tracking the US probe position. Phantom measurement showed the US image acquisition and the contour alignment is also accurate within ±1mm. These new tests assured that the I-Beam system is accurate in tracking, image-registration and alignment.
Planning an AdaTEC/AdaJUG meeting

During and after the October 1983 AdaJug/AdaTEC meetings, the Texas Instruments conference team received numerous inquiries for additional information concerning the techniques used in organizing and preparing for the conference. This article is a synopsis of a paper that chronicles the effort that went into those meetings, and shares the benefit of our experience with future meeting hosts. Our conference was an unexpectedly large one, and our conference team was considerably challenged. While the techniques and procedures identified in this paper proved very successful, we would urge any potential future host to contact the leadership of either AdaTEC or AdaJUG for further guidance and policies.
Introduction to the special issue on governance

(1998). Introduction to the special issue on governance. The Social Science Journal: Vol. 35, No. 4, pp. 477-491.
Ionization and H abstraction in laser photolysis of TMPD. A time-resolved pulsed EPR study

Abstract Photoreactions of N,N,N′,N′-tetramethyl-para-phenylenediamine (TMPD) in alcohols were investigated. Radicals and radical ions created by the laser excitation at 308 nm were detected by means of time-resolved pulsed electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR). The results are consistent with the involvement of the excited triplet state which ionizes or abstracts H atom from the solvent. This short-lived state was identified through the sign of multiplet spin polarization in radical pairs. A triplet mechanism polarization in relatively polar alcohols (such as 2-propanol and cyclohexanol) was observed. In less polar alcohols (octanol, decanol) the H abstraction seems to be the major reaction route. Contrary to Murai et al. we did not find any evidence for singlet-correlated radical ion pairs with J > 0.
Nutrient utilization of differing forage-to-concentrate ratios by growing Holstein heifers.

Abstract Traditionally, high-forage, low-concentrate diets fed ad libitum have been the primary system of feeding dairy heifers. However, high-concentrate diets can be fed at restricted intakes to reach desired rates of gain and increase nutrient efficiency. A total mixed ration containing high corn silage (CS; HCS: 77% CS, 23% concentrate) or low CS (LCS: 67% concentrate, 33% CS) was fed at restricted intakes in 2 trials to evaluate nutrient utilization by growing heifers. In the first trial, 4 ruminally cannulated heifers (298±16kg of body weight) were fed to study differences in rumen pH, volatile fatty acid and ammonia concentrations, and mass of rumen contents. In situ determinations were made on the total mixed ration and CS. Low CS rations were digested more rapidly in situ when compared with HCS (4.5 vs. 2.3±0.3%/h), and no differences were observed in CS digestibility when incubated in the rumen of heifers fed either ration. Mean rumen pH tended to be lower for LCS than for HCS (5.9 vs. 6.2±0.1). Individual and total rumen volatile fatty acid concentrations and rumen ammonia concentration were not different between treatments. Total mass of rumen contents was lower for LCS. In the second trial, four 6-mo-old heifers (172±14kg of body weight) and four 12-mo-old heifers (337±10kg of body weight) were used. Digestibility of dry matter was greater for the LCS than the HCS diet in both age groups (76.3 vs. 71.1% for 12-mo-old heifers; 71.4 vs. 68.9% for 6-mo-old heifers). Apparent digestibility of N was not different between treatments; however, retained N was higher for the LCS diets for both age groups. Fecal output was significantly reduced in the LCS diets for both age groups. Feeding low-forage, high-concentrate diets to growing dairy heifers at restricted intakes, although more highly digestible, resulted in few significant differences in rumen fermentation patterns and lower fecal output.
Reduction of alcohol selection by pargyline in mice.

Drugs which increase brain levels of serotonin (5-HT) have frequently been found to cause a decrease in voluntary ethanol consumption. Results obtained with parachlorophenylalanine (pCPA), which decreases 5-HT, have been less consistent. The present investigation compared the effects of pCPA on alcohol selection with those of pargyline, a monoamine oxidase inhibitor which increases brain levels of 5-HT. Ingestion of a 10% ethanol solution was assessed in male C57BL/6J mice given daily injections of 250 or 300 mg/kg pCPA, 50 mg/kg pargyline, or saline. An additional control group received no treatment. A two-bottle preference procedure was employed, and ethanol and water intake were recorded during a pretreatment period (11 days), a treatment period (8 days), and a posttreatment period (10 days). Like other agents which increase 5-HT, pargyline produced a depression in ethanol intake which lasted beyond the time of drug administration. pCPA had no effect on ethanol ingestion either during the period of drug administration or afterwards.
Developing innovative thinking among engineering undergraduates: Examining the role of slate enabled technology

This paper reports the planned implementation for a NSF sponsored study that is being undertaken to examine whether effective use of instructional technology, specifically slate enabled technology, has an impact on the innovative thinking skills among engineering undergraduates enrolled in large lecture classes. The methodology used in this study a quasi-experimental mixed method approach utilizing a control and treatment group. Findings from the planned study can be used to improve innovative thinking skills through effective pedagogical approaches which may include employment of various forms of slate enabled instructional technology.
Effects of sputtered metal oxide films on the ceramic-to-metal bond

The application of a thin oxide film is seen as a method of improving the ceramic-to-metal bond. Using sputter coating to form oxide films allows control of its thickness. The thickness of the oxide layer can also be controlled by sputter coating. Films produced by sputtering, in themselves, have superior bond strengths in that the high-energy levels that are used in the technique drive the coating material into the atomic lattice of the substrate material (dental gold). Remaining to be determined are optimum film thickness and the oxide to be used. However, the present study opens a field of study showing promise of improving porcelain-to-metal bonding in dental restoration.
Abiotic Degradation of Hexahydro-1,3,5-trinitro-1,3,5-triazine in the Presence of Hydrogen Sulfide and Black Carbon

We report that hexahydro-1,3,5-trinitro-1,3,5-triazine (RDX) was rapidly destroyed by sulfides in the presence of black carbon, forming nitrite and formaldehyde, rather than toxic nitrosated reduction products. Although traditionally viewed as inactive sorbents, black carbons have been noted to participate in the destruction of certain contaminants, such as azo dyes, via quinonoid groups. However, in our experiments sulfide modification of quinones did not seem to be involved. Although at least 1.2 mM sulfides were needed for the reaction to proceed, abiotic natural attenuation of RDX in marine sediments may occur, because these concentrations are found in certain marine sediments, together with black carbon. In the absence of natural black carbons, synthetic black carbons, such as activated carbon, may be added to sediments. As compared with other in situ techniques, such as bioremediation and zero-valent iron cutoff trenches, which often generate nitrosated byproducts, this in situ, abiotic technique may be an attractive alternative.
Regulation of GLUT4 gene expression by arachidonic acid. Evidence for multiple pathways, one of which requires oxidation to prostaglandin E2.

We have previously described the ability of arachidonic acid (AA) to regulate GLUT4 gene expression (Tebbey, P. W., McGowan, K. M., Stephens, J. M., Buttke, T. M., and Pekala, P. H.(1994) J. Biol. Chem. 269, 639-644). Chronic exposure (48 h) of fully differentiated 3T3-L1 cells to AA resulted in an ∼90% suppression of GLUT4 mRNA accumulation. This decrease was demonstrated to be due to a 50% decrease in GLUT4 gene transcription as well as a destabilization of the GLUT4 message (t1/2 decreased from 8.0 to 4.6 h). In the current study we have identified, at least in part, the mechanism by which AA exerts its effects on GLUT4 expression. Compatible with a cyclooxygenase mediated event, the AA-induced suppression of GLUT4 mRNA was abolished by pretreating the cells with the inhibitor, indomethacin. Consistent with this observation, exposure of the cells to 10 μM PGE2 mimicked the effect of AA, in contrast to products of the lipoxygenase pathway which were unable to suppress GLUT4 mRNA content. Quantification of the conversion of AA to PGE2 demonstrated a 50-fold increase in PGE2 released into the media within 7 h of AA addition. Cyclic AMP levels were also increased 50-fold with AA treatment consistent with PGE2 activation of adenylate cyclase. Various long chain fatty acids, including the nonmetabolizable analog of AA, eicosatetraenoic acid (ETYA), also decreased GLUT4 mRNA levels. The effect of ETYA, a potent inhibitor of both lipo- and cyclooxygenases and a potent activator of peroxisome proliferator activated receptors (PPARs), suggested the presence of a second pathway where nonmetabolized fatty acid functioned to suppress GLUT4 mRNA levels. Further support for a PPAR-mediated mechanism was obtained by exposure of the cells to the classic PPAR activator, clofibrate, which resulted in a ∼75% decrease in GLUT4 mRNA content. Nuclear extracts prepared from the adipocytes contained a protein complex that bound to the PPAR responsive element (PPRE) found in the promoter of the fatty acyl-CoA oxidase gene. When the adipocytes were treated with either AA or ETYA, binding to the PPRE was disrupted, consistent with an ability of these fatty acids to control gene expression by altering the occupation of a PPRE. However, a perfect PPRE has yet to be identified in the GLUT4 promoter, but this does not rule the possibility of a PPAR playing an indirect role in the AA-induced GLUT4 mRNA suppression.
Dispel those computer myths

In the future, it will be the continued responsibility of User Services to educate everyone concerning the basics of computing. Part of our responsibility is to disseminate accurate information to those people who do not use the computer, but still whose lives are greatly affected by computer technology. Everyday these people participate in transactions which rely upon a computer. Through the educational efforts of User Services, everyone can comfortably enter the mainstream of a computer-oriented society.
Observations of crack initiation in laser-glazed iron alloys

Le glacage par laser est un procede de durcissement de surface dans lequel un faisceau laser d'energie elevee est utilise pour fondre une couche mince de surface du materiau. Pour etudier l'influence du glacage laser sur les proprietes de rupture des aciers et pour determiner les raisons montrant les similarites entre les prefissures de fatigue et les ruptures dues au glacage par laser, un programme d'essai de flexion a 3 points, statique a ete entrepris
How Cristina Garcia lost her accent, and other Latina conversations

After briefly reviewing some prominent efforts to construct a genealogy of Latino literature, I offer the intertextual relationship of Cristina Garcia's Dreaming in Cuban to Sandra Cisneros’ The House on Mango Street as a gesture towards building bridges between apparently discrete Hispanic-American traditions and complicating patriarchal conceptions of literary tradition based on nationality and bloodlines. Garcia's novel, by “signifying” on particular tropes from The House on Mango Street, by recounting the history of the del Pino family in both Cuba and New York, and by showing the conflicted relationships which different Latino groups forge in the United States, positions itself as the inheritor of hybrid versions of Latin American, Caribbean, and North American cultures. Dreaming in Cuban thus paints a portrait of Latina experience and of the Latina novel as what Juan Flores calls “pan-ethnic.” I will examine the tropological ways in which Dreaming in Cuban theorizes identity and literary tradition through its own textuality and intertextuality.
Comprehensive Cardiac Pacemaker Information System: Basis for a Regional Follow‐up Network

The capabilities of a mini-computer-oriented permanent pacemaker information system are described. Extensive patient and pacer functional data are maintained in readily accessible files which may be displayed on a CRT terminal or printed out. Selective sorting of stored information may be accomplished according to any desired set of inclusive or exclusive criteria. Intelligent, comprehensive patient follow-up has been greatly facilitated through application of the system. In view of the rapidly expanding pacemaker population, it is suggested that cooperative regional networks operating with comparable information storage and retrieval structures will provide the only means for adequate patient surveillance and compilation of necessary pacemaker data.
Effect of enzymatic methylation of yeast iso-1-cytochrome c on its isoelectric point

Abstract Yeast iso-1- unmethylated and methylated apocytochrome c were synthesized in vitro by translating yeast cytochrome c mRNA, and by subsequently methylating the protein product. Unmethylated and methylated iso-1-holocytochrome c were extracted from Saccharomyces cerevisiae. By employing a column isoelectrofocusing technique, the pI values of these proteins were determined. The pI values of unmethylated and methylated apocytochrome c were found to be 9.60 and 8.70, respectively, with a difference of 0.90 pI unit. On the other hand, the pI values of unmethylated and methylated holocytochrome c were 9.72 and 9.68, respectively, with a difference of 0.04 unit. Therefore, although the pI values of both apo- and holocytochrome c decreased by methylation, methylation of apocytochrome c had a more profound effect on the pI of the protein. The result also indicated that conjugation of heme to apocytochrome c increased its pI value, resulting in the more “compact” and basic structure of the protein. The observed magnitude of the pI change subsequent to the methylation of apocytochrome c (decrease of 0.90 unit) seemed to be contradictory to the predicted increase in the value, since the positive charge is fixed on the quaternary amino group of trimethyllysine and there is no proton to titrate. Trimethylation of ϵ-NH2 group of Res-72 lysine of apocytochrome c could disrupt any possible hydrogen bond formed by the nitrogen atom of Res-72 lysine residues, as visualized by a space-filling model. The model and observed shift in the “effective charge” of the protein strongly suggest that conformational change in the apoprotein takes place upon methylation. This presumably altered conformation along with the decrease in pI caused by methylation may play a role in enhancement of apocytochrome c import into mitochondria.
Groups of projective planes with differing numbers of point and line orbits

Abstract We give examples of infinite projective planes with collineation groups having differing numbers of orbits on points and on lines, solving a problem posed by Cameron [9] and attributed to Kantor. Some of our examples are Desarguesian.
SPECKLE STATISTICS IN THE PHOTON LOCALIZATION TRANSITION

We review the statistics of speckle in the Anderson localization transition for classical waves. Probability distributions of local and integrated transmission and of the evolution of the structure of the speckle pattern are related to their corresponding correlation functions. Steady state and pulse transport can be described in terms of modes whose speckle patterns are obtained by decomposing the frequency variation of the transmitted field. At the same time, transmission can be purposefully manipulated by adjusting the incident field and the eigenchannels of the transmission matrix can be found by analyzing sets of speckle patterns for different inputs. The many aspects of steady state propagation are reflected in diverse, but simply related, parameters so that a single localization parameter encapsulates the character of transport on both sides of the divide separating localized from diffusive waves.
Playing Nicely With Others

Column Editor's Note. Leadership entails working with a variety of personalities that may be difficult when personal styles do not mesh. Effective leaders figure out ways to work with many behavior...
Thermodynamic properties of aluminum

This work reviews and discusses the data on the thermodynamic properties of aluminum available through May 1984. However, two papers dated 1985 which are useful to this work are also included. These properties include heat capacity, enthalpy, enthalpy of transition and melting, vapor pressure, and enthalpy of vaporization. The recommended values for heat capacity cover the temperature range from 0.1 to 2800 K. The recommended values for enthalpy, entropy, Gibbs energy function, and vapor pressure cover the temperature range from 298.15 to 2800 K.
Assessing the Health of Case-Oriented Semi-structured Business Processes

Semi-structured processes arise extensively in various industries such as government, insurance, banking and healthcare and are characterized by their flexibility and data-driven nature. Case management systems are evolving to handle the growing demand for providing operational support to knowledge workers involved in these processes. While enabling flexibility in human actions is an integral part of these systems, this capability increases the potential for errors in case handling. We propose a new paradigm of case health aimed at providing knowledge workers and supervisors a case health service to continuously and objectively assess both the current state of a case instance and provide a prognosis for the future state of the instance. The case health service is composed of constituent services each of which provide case health indicators and can be combined in flexible ways to determine the overall health of an instance. We have implemented case health with respect to a simulated credit card dispute scenario modeled in IBM Case Manager and evaluated the utility of computing the case health of running instances of the credit card dispute scenario. Results indicate the utility of incorporating case health in a case management system in terms of early detection of undesired outcomes and abnormal execution patterns in running case instances.
Upper gastrointestinal tract endoscopy in inflammatory bowel disease

Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy is used to evaluate upper gastrointestinal symptoms in patients with inflammatory bowel disease. This article discusses the procedure, which may allow for the diagnosis of Crohn's disease of the esophagus, stomach, and/or duodenum. Biopsies of normal gastric mucosa in patients with indeterminate colitis may be helpful in making a diagnosis of Crohn's colitis. Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy may allow for therapeutic intervention in terms of bleeding and stricturing disease.
Queuing analysis of dynamic spectrum access subject to interruptions from primary users

Interruption from primary users is a key factor impacting the performance of secondary users in cognitive radio networks. Based on a simplified model of primary user interruptions (Markov chain), queuing analysis is carried out for two-server-single-queue and single-server-two-queue cases. A semi-analytic result is obtained for the generating function of queue length in the two-server-single-queue case. The average queue length is obtained from solving a group of linear equations for the single-server-two-queue case. The maximal packet arrival rates versus different service rates and interruption parameters are obtained via numerical simulations.
How much justice can technology afford? The impact of DNA technology on equal criminal justice

New technology is changing the administration of criminal justice. Among the most prominent of such changes is the development of forensic DNA technology, which includes a forensic assay with potentially enormous discrimination and sensitivity and the development of large databases based on that assay. This article considers the likely impact of DNA technology on the race, class, and gender inequalities that are acknowledged facets of the American criminal justice system. The article focuses on two major consequences of the development of DNA technology: the increasing, though still modest, reliance on DNA recovered from scenes to investigate crimes; and the rise of large criminal identification databases based on genetic profiles. It is often suggested that DNA is an egalitarian technology that will have a leveling effect on criminal justice administration. Although DNA technology does mitigate inequality in some cases, it may also exacerbate inequality in less obvious ways. Copyright , Beech Tree Publishing.
Design of an Autonomous Jumping Microrobot

This paper presents the design and initial results for an autonomous jumping microrobot. At the millimeter size scale, jumping can offer numerous advantages for efficient locomotion, including dealing with obstacles and potentially even latching onto other larger mobile hosts. Robot design is divided into four primary areas: energy storage, actuation, power, and control. Like its biological inspiration, the flea, a jumping microrobot requires an energy storage system to store energy and release it quickly to jump. Silicone micro rubber bands have been fabricated and assembled into the microrobot for this task. To stretch these micro rubber bands, electrostatic inchworm motors are chosen as actuators due to their high forces, long throw, and low input power requirements. Finally, solar cells and a microcontroller have been chosen to power and control the microrobot. A small-scale version of this system has been prototyped with the solar cells and a simple 4-bit microcontroller driving an inchworm motor. Separately, an inchworm motor has been demonstrated pulling and storing 4.9 nJ of energy in a micro rubber band. Finally, initial tests with a probe-loaded robot prototype have demonstrated a microrobot which can potentially jump 1.2 cm straight up.
Detection and assessment of wood decay in glulam beams using a through-transmission ultrasonic approach

A glulam beam retired from the field and without visible indications of wood decay was used. Towards detection and assessing wood decay, X-ray computer tomography and ultrasonic measurements were carried out. It was observed that decrease in mass density with increasing levels of wood decay affects x-rays attenuation and allows radioscopy to detect and assess wood decay. Furthermore, it was also observed that the decrease in mass density and stiffness caused by wood decay affects ultrasonics measurements. It was observed that ultrasonic velocity and stress wave features such as time of arrival, area under the power spectral density curve, energy, and frequency of maximum amplitude allows detection and assessment of wood decay. Results show that results from both X-ray computer tomography and ultrasonic measurements are consistent with each other and can be used to detect and assess wood decay in structural lumber.