cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
φ-Value Analysis of Apo-Azurin Folding: Comparison between Experiment and Theory†

Pseudomonas aeruginosa azurin is a 128-residue beta-sandwich metalloprotein; in vitro kinetic experiments have shown that it folds in a two-state reaction. Here, we used a variational free energy functional to calculate the characteristics of the transition state ensemble (TSE) for folding of the apo-form of P. aeruginosa azurin and investigate how it responds to thermal and mutational changes. The variational method directly yields predicted chevron plots for wild-type and mutant apo-forms of azurin. In parallel, we performed in vitro kinetic-folding experiments on the same set of azurin variants using chemical perturbation. Like the wild-type protein, all apo-variants fold in apparent two-state reactions both in calculations and in stopped-flow mixing experiments. Comparisons of phi (phi) values determined from the experimental and theoretical chevron parameters reveal an excellent agreement for most positions, indicating a polarized, highly structured TSE for folding of P. aeruginosa apo-azurin. We also demonstrate that careful analysis of side-chain interactions is necessary for appropriate theoretical description of core mutants.
Hemodialysis vascular access: Variable thrombus-free survival in three subpopulations of black patients

Hemodialysis vascular access-related problems account for most hospitalizations in chronic hemodialysis patients. Although some co-morbid risk factors for early fistula failures have been described, a great deal of unknown exists as to why access survival is favorable in some patients. In this longitudinal study, fistulae patency and thrombosis episodes were monitored from placement date in three groups of end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients who have been on dialysis for > or =90 days. Thirty-six patients (29 male; 80%) with a mean age of 42+/-2 years were monitored. The groups consisted of eight patients with biopsy-confirmed focal segmental glomeruloscierosis (FSGS), 13 with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome-related nephropathy (human immunodeficiency virus [HIV]), and 15 with hypertensive ESRD (hypertensive nephrosclerosis [HTN]) who served as controls. Diabetics and patients aged > or =64 years were excluded. Twenty-five of 36 (69%) fistulae were prosthetic (AVG), while 11 (31%) were native (AVF). The FSGS group was more likely to have an AVG (87.5%), while 54% of the HIV group had an AVG. The thrombosis event rate was significantly greater among the FSGS patients (3/patient-year) than the HIV (0.15/patient-year) and HTN (0.5/patient-year) patients (P < 0.0001 and P < 0.002, respectively). The mean thrombosis-free duration for both AVG and AVF among the HIV and HTN groups were 318.5+/-17 days and 311.7+/-22.5 days, respectively. These were significantly greater than in the FSGS group (26.5+/-7 days; P < 0.0001). The cumulative 1-year patency rate for AVG among the HIV and HTN groups was 85% and 65%, respectively, while that of the FSGS group was 0%. Kaplan-Meier hazard analysis showed that all groups were at risk of access thrombosis as time progressed, but the FSGS group had the highest risk of access thrombosis, which began from the date of placement and increased exponentially with time. The increased thrombosis rate among the patients in the FSGS group correlated with their weight (R = 0.8, P = 0.003) and pre-ESRD 24-hour urinary protein excretion (R = 0.9, P = 0.001). The HIV status appeared to confer enhanced hemodialysis access survival. This may be related to the high rate of native fistulae placement and favorable vascular reactivity to shear stress. Accelerated atherosclerosis and small caliber vessels may be responsible for the poor fistulae outcome among the FSGS group. More studies will be necessary to further explore these findings.
Use of the receptor globulin technology to search for ligands for glycosylphosphatidylinositol-linked cell surface antigens.

Abstract The ability of monoclonal antibodies to several proteins coupled to the membrane by a glycosylphosphatidylinositol anchor to induce T cell activation has suggested that these proteins interact with cellular ligands or counter-receptors. The murine Ly-6 antigens and the closely-related human CD59 antigen play important roles in T cell activation, B cell activation, and cell-cell interactions. Receptor globulins containing the external domains of Ly-6A.2 or CD59 coupled to hinge-CH2-CH3 regions of human IgG1 were generated. When these fusion proteins were used to stain lymphoid tissues, they selectively reacted with B lymphocytes. On mouse B cells, their target antigen is membrane IgM, while their target on human B cells has not been fully defined. These results suggest that Ly-6/CD59-IgM may be a receptor-counter-receptor pair and may play a role in T-B cell interactions.
Peroxynitrite generated in the rat spinal cord induces apoptotic cell death and activates caspase-3.

Abstract We previously demonstrated that the peroxynitrite concentration increases after impact spinal cord injury. This study tests whether spinal cord injury-elevated peroxynitrite induces apoptotic cell death. Peroxynitrite was generated at the concentration and duration produced by spinal cord injury by administering S-morpholinosydnonimine through a microdialysis fiber into the gray matter of the rat spinal cord. Fragmented DNA was visualized by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated deoxyuridine triphosphate-biotin nick end-labeling. Transferase-mediated deoxyuridine triphosphate-biotin nick end-labeling-positive neurons were quantitated by counting the transferase-mediated deoxyuridine triphosphate-biotin nick end-labeling and neuron-specific enolase double-stained neurons along the fiber track in the sections removed at 6, 12, 24 and 48 h post-peroxynitrite exposure. Peroxynitrite significantly increased transferase-mediated deoxyuridine triphosphate-biotin nick end-labeling-positive neurons at all time points examined (P≤0.001) compared with artificial cerebrospinal fluid controls (Two-way analysis of variance followed by Tukey test), peaking at 24 h post-exposure. Electron microscopic observation of characteristic features of apoptosis confirmed peroxynitrite-induced neuronal apoptosis. Total transferase-mediated deoxyuridine triphosphate-biotin nick end-labeling-positive cells were counted in areas near and 0.2 mm away from the fiber track. The counts both peaked at 24 h with no significant difference between the two areas. However, at 6 and 12 h post-exposure the counts were significantly higher near than away from the fiber track (P=0.03 and P=0.007 respectively, paired t test). Immunohistochemical staining indicates caspase-3 was activated by peroxynitrite; this activation peaked at 6 h post-exposure, suggesting that activation of caspase-3 might be an early event in the apoptotic cell death cascade. We conclude that 1) peroxynitrite generated in the cord at the level produced by spinal cord injury induces neuronal apoptosis, indicating a role for peroxynitrite in secondary spinal cord injury; 2) caspase activation might be involved in peroxynitrite-induced neuronal apoptosis; 3) therefore removal of peroxynitrite should reduce secondary cell death after spinal cord injury.
Twisted scalar and spinor strings in Minkowski spacetime

The construction of twisted scalar and spinor field configurations in Minkowski spacetime is described. Twisted field configurations are normally associated with a nonsimply connected space; however, it is shown that it is also possible to construct such configurations in a simply connected space. For each choice of a line in three-dimensional space there exists an inequivalent twisted scalar and spinor field configuration, referred to as strings. The vacuum expectation value of the energy-momentum tensor of such a quantized twisted field is calculated for the case of both scalar strings and spinor strings. It is found to be singular along the chosen line. The energy density off of this line is positive for scalar strings and negative for spinor strings. However, it is shown that the total energy of both types of strings is zero. Nonrelativistic quantum mechanics of these twisted field configurations is discussed, and the eigenfunctions and energy levels of a twisted particle in a Coulomb field are calculated.
Low pressure drop filtration of airborne molecular organic contaminants using open-channel networks

Airborne molecular contamination (AMC) continues to play a very decisive role in the performance of many microelectronic devices and manufacturing processes. Besides airborne acids and bases, airborne organic contaminants such as 1-methyl-2-pyrrolidinone (NMP), hexamethyldisiloxane (HMDSO), trimethylsilanol (TMS), perfluoroalkylamines and condensables are of primary concern in these applications. Currently, the state of the filtration industry is such that optimum filter life and removal efficiency for organics is offered by granular carbon filter beds. However, the attributes that make packed beds of activated carbon extremely efficient also impart issues related to elevated filter weight and pressure drop. Most of the lower pressure drop AMC filters currently offered are quite expensive and are simply pleated combinations of various adsorptive and reactive media. On the other hand, low pressure drop filters, such as those designed as open-channel networks (OCN's), offer good filter life and removal efficiency with the additional benefits of significant reductions in overall filter weight and pressure drop. Equally important for many applications, the OCN filters can reconstruct the airflow so as to enhance the operation of a tool or process. For tool mount assemblies and fan filter units (FFUs) this can result in reduced fan and blower speeds, which subsequently can provide reduced vibration and energy costs. Additionally, these low pressure drop designs can provide a cost effective way of effectively removing AMC in full fab (or HVAC) filtration applications without significantly affecting air-handling requirements. Herein, we will present a new generation of low pressure drop OCN filters designed for the removal of airborne organics in a wide range of applications.
High-efficiency X-band GaAs IMPATT diodes

Epitaxial GaAs diodes have been fabricated giving 651mW CW output power at 10 GHz under room temperature operation. A dc to RF efficiency of 10.1 percent was obtained from a diode operating CW while the measured output of another diode was over 20 mW for 3 mA dc with 70-volt biasing.
The role of gender in an obstetrics and gynecology residency program.

Abstract A brief historical review of the role of female medical students and female physicians in American medicine is presented. The 1985–1986 Council on Resident Education in Obstetrics and Gynecology Residency Data Bank was analyzed for gender distribution. Questionnaire studies were undertaken to study the possible effect of the increasing number of female residents in an obstetrics and gynecology residency program. Queries were sent to current and former residents, the attending staff, and the nursing and anosthesiology staffs. In order to evaluate the national scene, letters were mailed to directors of programs with 20 or more residents. The overall results indicated female residents have a positive effect on residency training.
The determinants of migration between standard metropolitan statistical areas.

The primary purpose of this paper is to analyze the “determinants” of migration between Standard Metropolitan Statistical Areas (SMSA’s) in the United States. The magnitudes in which various factors have influenced inter-SMSA migration are estimated both for the country as a whole and for individual SMSA’s. The “migration elasticities” estimated for individual SMSA’s are in turn used to test several additional hypotheses concerning migrant behavior. Other similar migration studies have found “wrong” signs or insignificant coefficients on certain variables a priori thought to play a crucial role in the migration process. Finally, we present clues to the causes of such “surprising” results.
Race, Class, and Environmental Health: A Review and Systematization of the Literature

This paper analyzes and systematizes the race and class differentials in exposure to toxic hazards and actual health outcomes. Research is categorized into the following: Proximity to known hazards includes (1) presence of hazardous waste sites and facilities (landfills, incinerators, Superfund sites), (2) exposure to air pollution, (3) exposure to various environmental hazards, e.g., toxic releases and hazards in pesticides and foods; Regulation, amelioration and cleanup includes (4) record of decisions (RODs) and cleanups at NPL sites, (5) regulatory action, as measured by assessed fines for environmental pollution; Health effects includes (6) specific health outcomes which are related to environmental burden (e.g., blood lead levels). Proximity to prospective hazards includes (7) sitting decisions for incinerators, hazardous waste sites, and nuclear storage sites. The overwhelming bulk of evidence supports the "environmental justice" belief that environmental hazards are inequitably distributed by class, and especially race.
Socioeconomic Status, Migration, and Morbidity.

(1972). Socioeconomic status, migration, and morbidity. Social Biology: Vol. 19, No. 1, pp. 51-59.
Reactions of group Vb chlorides with boron trichloride and gallium trichloride

The complex, PCl5·GaCl3, was prepared. Several new procedures were developed for the synthesis of PCl5·BCl3, a knowledge of which allows an interpretation to be made concerning its mode of formation. The unusual properties exhibited upon sublimation of PCl5·BCl3 suggested a reversible dissociative process. Similar complexes did not form with chlorides of arsenic and antimony.
Activation of Swelling-activated Chloride Current by Tumor Necrosis Factor-α Requires ClC-3-dependent Endosomal Reactive Oxygen Production

ClC-3 is a Cl−/H+ antiporter required for cytokine-induced intraendosomal reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation by Nox1. ClC-3 current is distinct from the swelling-activated chloride current (IClswell), but overexpression of ClC-3 can activate currents that resemble IClswell. Because H2O2 activates IClswell directly, we hypothesized that ClC-3-dependent, endosomal ROS production activates IClswell. Whole-cell perforated patch clamp methods were used to record Cl− currents in cultured aortic vascular smooth muscle cells from wild type (WT) and ClC-3 null mice. Under isotonic conditions, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) (10 ng/ml) activated outwardly rectifying Cl− currents with time-dependent inactivation in WT but not ClC-3 null cells. Inhibition by tamoxifen (10 μm) and by hypertonicity (340 mosm) identified them as IClswell. IClswell was also activated by H2O2 (500 μm), and the effect of TNF-α was completely inhibited by polyethylene glycol-catalase. ClC-3 expression induced IClswell in ClC-3 null cells in the absence of swelling or TNF-α, and this effect was also blocked by catalase. IClswell activation by hypotonicity (240 mosm) was only partially inhibited by catalase, and the size of these currents did not differ between WT and ClC-3 null cells. Disruption of endosome trafficking with either mutant Rab5 (S34N) or Rab11 (S25N) inhibited TNF-α-mediated activation of IClswell. Thrombin also activates ROS production by Nox1 but not in endosomes. Thrombin caused H2O2-dependent activation of IClswell, but this effect was not ClC-3- or Rab5-dependent. Thus, activation of IClswell by TNF-α requires ClC-3-dependent endosomal H2O2 production. This demonstrates a functional link between two distinct anion currents, ClC-3 and IClswell.
An MMPI comparison of two groups of institutionalized delinquents.

Abstract Two independent studies compared the MMPI performance of 2 groups of matched institutionalized delinquent boys, those who caused trouble in dormitories (SSs) and those who did not (GGs). In the 1st study, Scale 4 was the only statistically significant scale. Cross-validation found no scales statistically significant. Nineteen items which discriminated between SSs and GGs in the 1st study did not hold up in the cross-validation study. It is concluded that the MMPI has questionable value in discriminating between different levels and types of delinquents.
Note on the Poisson index of dispersion

Six1,x2,...,xn representan una muestra de N observaciones independientes de una variable de Poisson, se sabe [2] que el «indice de dispersion» $$z = \sum\limits_{i = 1}^N {(x_i - \bar x)^2 } /\bar x$$ tiene aproximadamente una distribucion χ2 con (N−1) grados de libertad.
Strain-induced phase transformations under high pressure and large shear in a rotational diamond anvil cell: Simulation of loading, unloading, and reloading

Abstract Coupled plastic flow and strain-induced phase transformations (PTs) under high pressure and large plastic shear in a micron scale sample under loading, unloading, and reloading in a rotational diamond anvil cell (RDAC) are studied in detail, utilizing finite element approach. A plastic strain-controlled, pressure-dependent kinetic equation, which describes strain-induced PTs, is used. The effects of four main material parameters in this equation on PTs and plastic flow in RDAC in three-dimensional formulation are systematically analyzed. Multiple experimental phenomena are reproduced and interpreted, including pressure self-multiplication/demultiplication effects, small ‘steps’ on pressure distribution in the two-phase region, simultaneous occurrences of direct and reverse PTs, oscillatory distribution of pressure for weaker high-pressure phase, and a thin layer of high-pressure phase on a contact surface. During unloading, unexpected intensive plastic flow and reverse PT are revealed, which change the interpretation of experimental results. The effect of unloading and reloading paths on PTs is examined. Two types of pressure variations are revealed, which are qualitatively consistent within experimental observations for ZnSe and KCl. Obtained results lead to ways of controlling PTs by varying compression-torsion paths and can be utilized for the search of new high pressure phases, ways to reduce pressure for the synthesis of high pressure phases, and to retain them at ambient pressure.
Pinus taeda L. wood property calibrations based on variable numbers of near infrared spectra per core and cores per plantation

Near infrared (NIR) spectroscopy provides a rapid, non-destructive method for the estimation of several wood properties of increment cores. NIR spectra are collected from adjacent sections of the s...
Costal osteochondroma spicule associated with pleural effusion

Costal osteochondromas are a rare cause of lung injury. We report a 7-year-old male who presented with chest pain, cough, and left-sided pleural effusion following a fall. Imaging identified a 2 cm costal osteochondroma, which was resected with a thoracoscopic-assisted segmental rib resection.
Oral soft tissues in hereditary epidermolysis bullosa

Epidermolysis bullosa (EB) is associated with diverse oral manifestations, which can potentially involve both hard and soft tissues, depending on the specific EB subtype. This study determined the frequency and extent of oral soft tissue involvement in the inherited forms of EB. Examination of 216 affected persons revealed significant differences in the oral soft tissue involvement among the various types of EB. The frequency of oral involvement was greater in the dominant dystrophic (81.1%) and simplex (generalized, 58.6%; localized, 34.7%) types than previously reported. The marked frequency of oral blistering was similar in both major subtypes of junctional (Herlitz, 83.3%; non-Herlitz, 91.6%) and recessive dystrophic EB (generalized, 100%; localized, 92.3%). Obliteration of the oral vestibule, ankyloglossia, and microstomia were consistent findings in generalized recessive dystrophic EB. Oral milia were present in all major EB categories, most prevalently in the dystrophic forms, but were not seen in all the distinct EB subtypes. These findings indicate that although there are no pathognomonic intraoral soft tissue manifestations in the various forms of inherited EB, there are predictable patterns of involvement associated with specific subtypes of this disease. Understanding the oral involvement associated with EB may aid clinicians in the development of more advanced therapeutic approaches that are compatible with and directed at the unique characteristics of each EB subtype.
718 ABNORMALITIES IN FAT-SOLUBLE VITAMIN STATUS AT THE TIME OF DIAGNOSIS IN INFANTS WITH CYSTIC FIBROSIS IDENTIFIED BY NEWBORN SCREEN

We have previously reported evidence of early protein malnutrition in some infants with cystic fibrosis (CF) identified by the newborn screening method using serum immunoreactive trypsinogen. We now report very early abnormalities in the status of fat-soluble vitamins in 6 of 10 infants (mean age, 5.7 weeks; range, 3-8 weeks) with CF identified by screening in 1984. Plasma retinol (PR) and γ and α-tocopherol (α-Toc) levels were measured by HPLC. Retinol binding protein (RBP) levels were measured by radial immunodiffusion. Total serum lipids, serum albumin, calcium, and phosphorus were measured by standard methods. Four infants had low levels of serum albumin (<3.2 g/dL), low levels of α-Toc (<3.0 μg/ml), and low total tocopherols/total serum lipid ratios (<0.6 mg/gm). Three of these infants had RBP levels of 1.5 mg/dl (normal, 1.4-3.3 mg/dL). PR levels were low in 5 infants (<20 μg/dL). PIVKA-II assays (by plasma immunoelectropheresis before and after BaCC3 absorption, representing noncarboxylated prothrombin specific for Vitamin K deficiency) were negative in all infants. Serum calcium and phosphorus levels were not low, suggesting adequate Vitamin D status. We conclude that as early as 6 weeks of age, some infants with CF have biochemical deficiencies of the fat-soluble vitamins A and E. However, these infants, all of whom had parenteral Vitamin K prophylaxis at birth, were not Vitamin K deficient.
EUS-guided drainage of a diverticular abscess as an adjunct to surgical therapy.

612 GASTROINTESTINAL ENDOSCOPY VOLUME 58, NO. 4, 2003 Current affiliations: Division of Gastroenterology and Division of GI, Tumor and Endocrine Surgery, University of Colorado Health Sciences Center, Denver, Colorado. Reprint requests: Yang K. Chen, MD, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of Colorado Hospital, Anschutz Centers for Advanced Medicine, 1635 N. Ursula St., Mail Stop F735, Aurora, Colorado 80010-0510. Copyright © 2003 by the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy 0016-5107/2003/$30.00 + 0 PII:S0016-5107(03)01966-7 EUS-guided drainage of a diverticular abscess as an adjunct to surgical therapy
A Rat Model of Chronic Postinflammatory Visceral Pain Induced by Deoxycholic Acid

Background & Aims: Chronic visceral hyperalgesia is considered an important pathophysiologic symptom in irritable bowel syndrome (IBS); previous gastrointestinal inflammation is a potent etiologic factor for developing IBS. Although there are several animal models of adult visceral hypersensitivity after neonatal perturbation or acute colonic irritation/inflammation, current models of postinflammatory chronic visceral hyperalgesia are unsatisfactory. The aim of this study was to establish a model of chronic visceral hyperalgesia after colonic inflammation in the rat. Methods: Deoxycholic acid (DCA) was instilled into the rat colon daily for 3 days and animals were tested for up to 4 weeks. Results: DCA induced mild, transient colonic inflammation within 3 days that resolved within 3 weeks. An exaggerated visceromotor response, referred pain to mechanical stimulation, increased spinal Fos expression, and colonic afferent and dorsal horn neuron activity were apparent by 1 week and persisted for at least 4 weeks, indicating chronic dorsal horn hyperexcitability and visceral hyperalgesia. There was no spontaneous pain, based on open field behavior. There was a significant increase in opioid-receptor activity. Conclusions: DCA induces mild, transient colitis, resulting in persistent visceral hyperalgesia and referred pain in rats, modeling some aspects of postinflammatory IBS.
Community Colleges and the “Promise” of Public Sociology: A College President’s Perspective

Public sociology in a community college setting offers great possibilities for the advancement of our discipline. As open access institutions whose stakeholders range from high school students dually enrolled in college to retirees epitomizing the ethos of lifetime learning, community colleges attract a diverse populace whose stock of life experiences resonates with sociological concepts. In this article I discuss how a well-known sociologist impacted a diverse audience, illustrating both the promise and the pitfalls of sociology for the public. I then situate “public sociology” within the context of my role as a college president and discuss how I have utilized a sociological imagination to structure the central themes of a successful capital campaign.
Topological phase transitions in periodically modulated quantized metal films

Electronic topological phase transitions (ETT) are predicted for any quantized metal films with a periodically modulated boundary commensurate with the bulk lattice. While the thickness of the film at which ETT occurs is determined almost exclusively by the period of the boundary modulation, the value of the band gaps and the amplitude of the singularities are proportional to the amplitude of the corrugation. The gaps in the energy spectrum lead to a strong anisotropy of conductivity. These novel quantum effects can be detected in measurements of the density of states and conductivity as a function of the film thickness. Experiments that could lead to these observations are proposed.
Modeling intervention efficacy for high-risk women. The WINGS Project.

This study evaluates the effectiveness of two strategies—communication and condom skills training—for increasing condomprotected sex in a sample of 510 high-risk women ages 17 to 61. Baseline and 3...
The Equilibrium Properties and Microstructure of Mixtures of Colloidal Particles with Long-Range, Soft Repulsions.

Abstract Osmotic pressure and elastic moduli of bimodal suspensions of particles experiencing long-range, soft repulsions were measured. At fixed osmotic pressure, the total suspension volume fraction, φ, varies linearly as the mixing ratio φl/φ is increased from 0 to 1. Here φlis the volume fraction of large particles based on total suspension volume. This result suggests the suspensions studied here are phase separated into domains containing primarily small and primarily large particles and is not expected for hard sphere suspensions where, at fixed osmotic pressure, φ passes through a maximum as φl/φ is increased. Elastic moduli are well described by a model based on a composite microstructure where the domains of pure large and small particles must have the same osmotic pressure which fixes the local particle volume fraction and hence the elastic modulus in each phase. The existence of phase separation is supported by electron micrographs taken on samples prepared by rapidly drying suspensions with volume fractions near 0.6.
Formation of manganese enediyne complexes from manganese alkynylcarbene complexes

Abstract Dimerization of the alkynylcarbene complex (C5H4Me)(CO)2MnC(Tol)CCTol (10) occurred at 65 °C to give a mixture of E- and Z-enediyne complexes [(C5H4Me)(OC)2Mn]2[η2,η2-TolCC(Tol)CC(Tol)CCTol] (13). Thermolysis of alkynye complexes 10 at higher (100 °C) temperature led to the formation of manganese-free E- and Z-enediynes TolCC(Tol)CC(Tol)CCTol (14-E and 14-Z). Attempted synthesis of the tethered bis-(alkynylcarbene) complex Cp(OC)2MnC(Ph)CCCH2CH2CH2CCC(Ph)Mn(CO)2Cp led instead to the cyclic enediyne complex [Cp(OC)2Mn]2[η2,η2-PhCCC(CH2CH2CH2)CCCPh] (19), from which the metal-free enediyne 1,2-bis(phenylethynyl)cyclopentene (20) was released by thermolysis at 90 °C.
Exploring fantasy sports and its fan base from a CRM perspective

The fantasy sports industry relies highly on efficient customer relationship management (CRM) for much of its success. The ability for a provider to deliver quick, accurate and descriptive information to its consumers will result in customer loyalty and retention. Through separate hypothesis-testing and exploratory analysis, gender biases and extremely high levels of security were found within a web-enabled and professional sample of 200 respondents. The factor-based constructs were found to be, in order of the greatest explained variance, factor-based constructs as, in order of the greatest explained variance, fantasy sophistication, vendor issues, demographic maturity, participation issues, work-related internet use, mobile use and mobile users, resulting in seven factor-based scores with significant combined variance of 65.503%. While the fantasy sports industry does have a very strong, natural fan base to draw from, it is clear that the that the industry is doing a number of CRM-based initiatives well and marketing the game to its fans to keep them coming back to their websites with increasing frequency.
Construction of Near Isogenic Lines for Pericarp Color and Evaluation on Their Near isogenicity in Rice

The inheritance of purple pericarp was studied through genetic analysis using F2, BC1F1 and F3 from a cross between a purple pericarp rice variety Zixiangnuo and a white pericarp rice variety Chunjiangnuo 2. Seven pairs of near isogenic lines (NILs) for pericarp color of rice were further constructed. Genetic analysis indicated that the purple pericarp was controlled by two complementary genes (Pb and Pp). Agronomic trait analysis and polymorphism analysis using SSR markers on these seven pairs of NILs were used in the evaluation of near-isogenicity. No significant differences in agronomic traits were found except 1000-grain weight between the NILs. The polymorphic SSR markers for the parents were only detected in target segments of the five pairs of NILs different in Pb, which revealed the ideal near isogenicity of them. However, for the two pairs of NILs different in Pp, the polymorphic markers for the two parents were detected as well as in non-targeted segments of chromosomes 11 and 12, respectively.
A New High-Temperature Superconducting (HTS) 700-MHz Insert Magnet for a 1.3-GHz LTS/HTS NMR Magnet

Upon the totally unexpected theft of the original 600 MHz HTS insert that occurred in December 2011, we were forced to examine our entire 1.3 GHz NMR Magnet program anew and determined that a combination of a 600 MHz LTS magnet and a 700 MHz HTS insert (H700) would yield a 1.3 GHz LTS/HTS magnet that meets the technical specifications consistent with economic constraints. Although this new 700 MHz HTS insert still comprises, as H600, a YBCO inner coil and a Bi2223 outer coil, it incorporates innovative design features. In addition to presenting the major design parameters of the new H700, we discuss here its key electromagnetic and mechanical issues.
Multi-source and multi-directional shear wave generation with intersecting steered ultrasound push beams

Elasticity imaging is becoming established as a means of assisting in diagnosis of certain diseases. Shear wave-based methods have been developed to perform elasticity measurements in soft tissue. Comb-push ultrasound shear elastography (CUSE) is one of these methods that apply acoustic radiation force to induce the shear wave in soft tissues. CUSE uses multiple ultrasound beams that are transmitted simultaneously to induce multiple shear wave sources into the tissue, with improved shear wave SNR and increased shear wave imaging frame rate. We propose a novel method that uses steered push beams (SPB) that can be applied for beam formation for shear wave generation. In CUSE beamforming, either unfocused or focused beams are used to create the propagating shear waves. In SPB methods we use unfocused beams that are steered at specific angles. The interaction of these steered beams causes shear waves to be generated in more of a random nature than in CUSE. The beams are typically steered over a range of 3 to 7° and can either be steered to the left (−θ) or right (+θ).We performed simulations of 100 configurations using Field II and found the best configurations based on spatial distribution of peaks in the resulting intensity field. The best candidates were ones with a higher number of the intensity peaks distributed over all depths in the simulated beamformed results. Then these optimal configurations were applied on a homogeneous phantom and two different phantoms with inclusions. In one of the inhomogeneous phantoms we studied two spherical inclusions with 10 and 20 mm diameters, and in the other phantom we studied cylindrical inclusions with diameters ranging from 2.53 to 16.67 mm. We compared these results with those obtained using conventional CUSE with unfocused and focused beams. The mean and standard deviation of the resulting shear wave speeds were used to evaluate the accuracy of the reconstructions by examining bias with nominal values for the phantoms as well as the contrast-to-noise ratio in the inclusion phantom results. In general the contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) was higher and the bias was lower using the SPB method compared with the CUSE realizations except in the largest inclusions. In the cylindrical inclusion with 10.4 mm diameter, the CNR in CUSE methods ranged between 18.52 and 22.02 and the bias ranged between 5.50 and 11.12%, whereas for SPB methods provided CNR values between 23.07 and 48.90 and bias values between 3.78 and 9.22%. In a smaller cylindrical inclusion with diameter of 4.05 mm, CUSE methods gave CNR between 14.69 and 22.28 and bias ranging between 28.95 and 29.28%, whereas the SPB methods provided CNR values between 16.7 and 25.2 and bias values varying from 25.54 to 30.44%. The SPB method provides a flexible framework to produce shear wave sources that are widely distributed within the field-of-view for robust shear wave speed imaging.
Invariant natural killer T cells suppress the neutrophil inflammatory response in a mouse model of cholestatic liver damage.

Background & Aims NK1.1 + TCRαβ int CD1-restricted T (NKT) cells are a unique subset of T lymphocytes that are believed to have an immunoregulatory role in a wide range of diseases. Most mouse NKT cells express a T-cell receptor that contains an invariant Vα14Jα18 chain and recognizes antigenic glycolipids presented in association with major histocompatibility complex class Ib (CD1d) molecules. These invariant NKT (iNKT) cells have been implicated in cholestatic liver injury. Methods We examined the role of iNKT cells in liver injury associated with biliary obstruction in mice with ligations of the common bile duct. Results The number of activated iNKT cells increased markedly in the livers of mice following bile duct ligation. Plasma alanine aminotransferase levels, an indicator of liver injury, were significantly higher in iNKT cell–deficient (Jα18 −/− ) mice compared with wild-type mice following bile duct ligation. Photo image analysis of histologic sections confirmed that more damage was present in the livers of Jα18 −/− mice; liver damage correlated with increases in keratinocyte-derived chemokine (KC) and macrophage inflammatory protein-2 (MIP-2) production as well as neutrophil sequestration. Liver injury was significantly reduced in Jα18 −/− mice treated with anti-KC and anti–MIP-2 or rendered neutrophil deficient before bile duct ligation. Similarly, Jα18 −/− mice that were injected with iNKT cells before bile duct ligation exhibited significant decreases in neutrophil accumulation and liver damage. Conclusions These data document the role of iNKT cells in suppressing the neutrophil proinflammatory response and neutrophil-dependent cholestatic liver damage.
Probability functions for components of theDendroctonus frontalis—Host tree population system and their potential use with population models

Detailed investigation of the within-tree population system ofDendroctonus frontalisZimmermann has resulted in a large data base consisting of abundance estimates for various life stages. This data base was used to construct histograms for transformed estimates and several life stage indices. Histograms were also constructed for transformed values of adult residence time, brood development time, and several host-tree characteristics.
Curcumin inhibits UV radiation-induced skin cancer in SKH-1 mice

ObjectiveAs skin cancer incidence increases, research has focused on novel chemopreventive agents that inhibit tumor formation. In prior experimentation, curcumin, a naturally occurring food substance and anticarcinogenic agent, inhibited cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma xenograft growth. We hypothesize curcumin will inhibit UVB radiation–induced skin cancer growth in mice, approximating a human chemopreventive model.Study DesignRandomized experimental animal and laboratory study.SettingLouisiana State University Health Sciences Center-Shreveport, Louisiana.Subjects and MethodsSKH-1 mice were pretreated with oral or topical curcumin or oral or topical control (n = 11/group) for 14 days. Mice received UVB radiation 3 times weekly for 24 weeks or were not radiated. Number of tumors formed and time to tumor onset for each mouse were recorded through tumor harvest after week 24. Tumor multiplicity and time to tumor onset were compared.ResultsTime to tumor onset was significantly shorter in control mice compa...
Distinctly different purpura on different arms

A 44-year-old woman, with severe lupus-associated renal failure needing haemodialysis, was admitted with purpura on both arms. Only the eruptions on her left arm were painful. Blood test results showed low platelets (6×109 per L), reduced complement activity, and high concentrations of antibodies to double-stranded DNA and ribonucleotide protein. Examination showed purpura aff ecting both arms, with a distinctly asymmetric appearance. Closer inspection of the right arm showed fl at, painless confl uent ecchymosis (fi gure A). By contrast, the left arm showed haemorrhagic vesicular (fi gure B) eruptions in a dermatomal pattern (fi gure C). Histological examination of a sample from one of the vesicles revealed multinucleated giant cells supportive of herpes zoster. Both the left-sided arm pain and haemorrhagic vesicles responded well to valaciclovir treatment. Skin bruising (ecchymosis) can result from several mechanisms, giving rise to distinct patterns and terminology. Purpura refers broadly to the spectrum of patterns and mechanistic processes that arise from extravasation of blood into skin. When purpuric eruptions are diminutive or pinpoint in size, they are termed petechiae. Purpura can result from dangerously low platelet concentrations (eg, idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura), impaired platelet function (eg, eff ect of aspirin), congenital or acquired clotting disorders (eg, haemophilia or disseminated intravascular coagulation), or from an intense infl ammatory or structural injury to the blood vessel wall (eg, vasculitis vs scurvy). Various patterns include palpable purpura overlying the buttocks and legs (eg, Henoch-Schonlein purpura), involvement of palms and soles (eg, disseminated meningococcal or gonococcal infection), and a dermatomal distribution arising from concomitant herpes zoster infection and profound thrombocytopenia (fi gure C). Lancet 2009; 374: 1010
Salt Utilization Studies with Poultry 2. Optimum Particle Size of Salt for the Young Chick

Abstract EVIDENCE was obtained in previous studies at this station indicating that the growth rate of chicks fed graded dietary levels of common salt or sodium chloride was dependent upon the particle size of the salt (Dilworth et al., 1970). It was further determined that chick growth was not affected by variation in the slight amount of water insolubles normally present in the rock salts used in these experiments. The objective of this study was to determine the optimum particle size of dietary salt needed to maximize chick growth. EXPERIMENTAL The chicks used in these experiments were day old, broiler-strain cockerels obtained from a commercial hatchery. All chicks were wing-banded and placed in electrically heated battery brooders with raised wire floors. The test diets and tap water were provided ad libitum. The sodium deficient basal was a simplified corn-soybean meal diet used in previous studies (Dilworth et al., 1970). The calculated…
Performance characteristics of a gated fiber-optic-coupled dosimeter in high-energy pulsed photon radiation dosimetry

Abstract Fiber-optic-coupled dosimeters (FOCDs) are a new class of in vivo dosimetry systems that are finding increased clinical applications. Utility of FOCDs has been limited in dosimetric applications due Cerenkov-ray signal contamination. The current study reports on the characterization of a novel FOCD, with a gated detection system for the discrimination and effective elimination of the direct contribution of Cerenkov radiation, for use in the radiotherapeutic realm. System reproducibility, linearity and output dependence on dose rate, energy, field size, and temperature response were characterized for 6, 10, and 15 MV photon energies. The system exhibited a linear response to absorbed dose ranging from 1 to 2400 cGy and showed little dependence to dose rate variations. Overall system reproducibility was 0.52% with no field-geometry and temperature dependence.
Electron interferometry with nanogratings

We present an electron interferometer based on near-field diffraction from two nanostructure gratings. Lau fringes are observed with an imaging detector, and revivals in the fringe visibility occur as the separation between gratings is increased from $0.2\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\text{to}\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}2.7\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\mathrm{mm}$. The oscillations in visibility depend predictably on the wavelength of incident electrons. This verifies that $5\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\mathrm{keV}$ electrons diffracted by nanostructures remain coherent after propagating farther than the Talbot length, and hence proves that a Talbot-Lau interferometer for electrons can be built with nanostructure gratings. Distorted fringes due to a phase object are used to demonstrate an application for this type of electron interferometer.
Lagrangian flow in the California Undercurrent, an observation and model comparison

Abstract During the period 1992–1998, 38 isobaric RAFOS floats were deployed to sample the subsurface flow of the California Undercurrent. The deployments, released over the California continental slope west of San Francisco, have sampled robust year-round poleward subsurface flow associated with the Undercurrent most seasons and the combined inshore current and Undercurrent in winter. Two other types of flow have been seen: a region of weak flow with little net displacement just west of the California Undercurrent, and an active westward propagating eddy field. This eddy field appears to be the primary mechanism for moving floats from the Undercurrent into the ocean interior. The observations and statistics from the RAFOS floats are compared with Lagrangian estimates of particles tracked in a global high resolution ocean simulation in order to evaluate the fidelity of the model along an eastern boundary. The results show that the model reproduces the general character of the flow reasonably well, but underestimates both the mean and eddy energies by a substantial amount.
Classifier neural net with complex-valued weights and square-law nonlinearities

A new pattern recognition classifier neural net (NN) is described that uses complex-valued weights and square-law nonlinearities. We show that these weights and nonlinearities inherently produce higher-order decision surfaces and thus we expect better classification performance (PC). We refer to this as the piecewise hyperquadratic neural net (PQNN) since each hidden layer neuron inherently provides a hyperquadratic decision surface and the combination of neurons provides piecewise hyperquadratic decision surfaces. We detail the learning algorithm for this PQNN and provide initial results on synthetic data showing its advantages over the backpropagation and other NNs. We also note a new technique to provide improved classification results when there are significantly different numbers of samples per class.© (1993) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
An application of ranked set sampling for mean and median estimation using USDA crop production data

Ranked set sampling (RSS) is a sampling approach that leads to improved statistical inference in situations where the units to be sampled can be ranked (either through some subjective judgment or via the use of an auxiliary variable) relative to each other prior to formal measurement. It has the most promise for leading to improved methodology in situations where ranking of the items to be sampled can be carried out relatively easily and cheaply compared to the effort and expense required for actual quantification of the characteristic of interest. Although the theoretical benefits of RSS in estimation and statistical inference have been extensively demonstrated in the literature, the methodology has not yet been widely adopted by practitioners. The aim of this study is to use a crop production dataset from the United States Department of Agriculture to demonstrate the practical benefits of RSS relative to the more commonly used simple random sampling in estimation of the mean and median of a population. The results of our study provide clear evidence that the use of RSS can lead to substantial gains in precision of estimation for both of these situations.
“Fish-Incision” Brachioplasty

Redundant skin and soft tissue on the upper arms occurs commonly following massive weight loss. Patients suffer enormously from a deformity that is readily visible and not easily hidden. First described by Correa-Iturraspe and Fernandez [1], brachioplasty is a surgical procedure that directly addresses this deformity. In 2007 alone, the ASAPS reported that 21,870 brachioplasties were performed, a sevenfold increase over the period of ten years. Several surgical techniques to achieve arm rejuvenation have been described (Table 30.1). All of these procedures seek to achieve the following common goals: excision of skin and soft tissue, reposition the skin flaps to improve the upper arm contour, and minimize the scar. In patients with a large volume of upper arm skin and fat, the usual demarcations and landmarks are difficult to identify since the traditional bony and skin surface markings are altered due to laxity and fat. Preoperatively, the planning of the surgical procedure is critical and complex. Operatively, the placement of scars and amount of resection plays an important role in determining the outcome. Lastly, in terms of patient satisfaction, two issues continue to be problematic: the length and visibility of the scar; and the anatomy of the axillary fold. Poor contour correction, webbing of the axilla, and widened, visible scars often require revision surgery.
Black Panther Radical Factionalization and the Development of Black Anarchism

Racial justice social movements often fragment when their goals do not seem completely achievable. Former participants in the radical Black freedom struggles of the 1960s and 1970s, most of whom were Black Panther Party (BPP) members (and also participants in the Black Liberation Army) and identified with Marxist-Leninism, became disaffected with the hierarchical character of the Black Panthers and came to identify with anarchism. Through the lens of radical factionalization theories, Black anarchism is seen as a radical outgrowth of the Black freedom struggle. Black anarchists were the first to notably prioritize a race analysis in American anarchism. This tendency has a number of contemporary manifestations for anarchism, including Anarchist People of Color caucuses within the movement, and, more indirectly, the many anarchist strategies and organizations that share similarities with the BPP, prior to its centralization.