cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Linear and nonlinear system approaches in pharmacokinetics: How much do they have to offer? I. General considerations

System approaches in pharmacokinetics are defined as generalizing and simplifying modeling approaches that mathematically model a general property of the pharmacokinetic system without modeling specifically the individual kinetic processes responsible for the general property considered. The rationale for the use of system approaches is discussed and the kinetic basis of some of the approaches is presented. An overview of the approaches is presented together with a comparison to classical approaches involving specific pharmacokinetic models. Examples are given from different application areas involving problems in linear and nonlinear pharmacokinetics and in pharmacodynamics. The advantages, disadvantages, and limitations of the system approaches are discussed. In several application areas the system approach offers some rational methods and procedures with distinct advantages over more traditional approaches.
Sensor and Control Design Issues for Implementation of Real-Time Deposition Rate Control for Plasma Spray

Real-time control offers the potential to reduce plasma spray variations that affect yield and coating quality. Important factors for designing such controllers are discussed including sensor issues, dominant nonlinearities, and cross-coupling interactions. The performance of several alternative strategies to achieve better coating thickness control are evaluated.© 2008 ASME
Nursing Home Personnel Knowledge and Attitudes About Hearing Loss and Hearing Aids

Abstract A questionnaire study of registered nurses, licensed practical nurses and nursing assistants in four nursing homes showed that the majority felt inadequately trained to care for the hearing-impaired. A measure of attitudes towards hearing loss and amplification was positive and not significantly different among the nursing personnel groups. The licensed practical nurses did have a significantly higher knowledge score regarding hearing loss and amplification than the other two groups. Results suggest the need for additional training on hearing loss and the care of hearing aids among nursing home personnel. An outline of an in-service training program for nursing home personnel is also described.
Cropland Retirement and Supply Control in the Great Plains

Supply control has been an important rationale for agricultural commodity policies for the past 60 yr. The principal policy instrument to provide supply control through successive agricultural legislation has been cropland retirement. Both annual (set-asides, cropland diversion, acreage reserve) and long term (Soil Bank, Conservation Reserve Program [CRP]) have been applied. This paper evaluates the effectiveness of annual commodity-specific and general long-term cropland retirement programs toward achieving the supply control objectives of agricultural policies. The analyses indicate that annual cropland retirement programs for wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) have no effect on the amount of wheat produced in the Great Plains. Long-term land retirement programs, such as the CRP, have only limited supply control effectiveness for wheat production in the Great Plains states. Rationale for continuing the CRP includes increased reliance on it for supply control within the more market oriented policy for agriculture. While this analysis finds long-term cropland retirement programs to be more effective for supply control than annual wheat set-asides, the effectiveness of the CRP for controlling the wheat supply from the Great Plains is, at best, limited.
Modeling of Bathymetry-Locked Residual Eddies in Well-Mixed Tidal Channels with Arbitrary Depth Variations

Abstract The concept of the in–out-type exchange flow in estuaries only applies to situations with significant freshwater discharge and/or elongated channels with relatively simple variations in depth and coastline along the channel. In waterways with complex bottom topography, the in–out-type exchange flows may be replaced by residual eddies that are locked to bathymetry. This paper develops an analytic model for such tidally induced residual eddies. The model allows arbitrary depth variations in both along- and across-channel directions. The model produces residual eddies locked to bathymetry features, similar to observations in Wassaw Sound using a ship-mounted ADCP. Analysis indicates that for problems in a “short” channel with standing wave characteristics, the residual circulation is significantly influenced by advection. The frictional effect, however, is dominant and the wave propagation effect cannot be uniformly neglected (i.e., it sometimes can still compete or reinforce the effect of advection...
AUTOPHAGIC VACUOLES PRODUCED IN VITRO: II. Studies on the Mechanism of Formation of Autophagic Vacuoles Produced by Chloroquine

Continuous phase-contrast observations have been made on macrophages following exposure to chloroquine. The initial abnormality is the appearance in the Golgi region of small vacuoles with an intermediate density between that of pinosomes and granules. Over the course of 1–2 hr these vacuoles grow larger and accumulate amorphous material or lipid. Pinosomes or granules frequently fuse with the toxic vacuoles. Chloroquine derivatives can be seen by fluorescence microscopy; the drug is rapidly taken up by macrophages and localized in small foci in the Golgi region. Chloroquine continues to produce vacuoles when pinocytosis is suppressed. Electron microscopic studies of chloroquine effects on macrophages preincubated with colloidal gold to label predominately pinosomes or granules suggest that toxic vacuoles can arise from unlabeled organelles. Later vacuoles regularly acquire gold label, apparently by fusion, from both granules and pinosomes. L cells also develop autophagic vacuoles after exposure to chloroquine. Smooth endoplasmic reticulum apparently is involved early in the autophagic process in these cells. Information now available suggests an initial action of chloroquine on Golgi or smooth endoplasmic reticulum vesicles, and on granules, with alterations in their membranes leading to fusion with one another and with pinosomes.
SOLAR NEUTRINOS AND LOW-ENERGY NUCLEAR CROSS SECTIONS.

Abstract The rate of capture of solar neutrinos per 37Cl atom is found to be 0.7 × 10−35 sec−1 and 4.9 × 10−35 sec−1 for two extreme assumptions regarding the measured low-energy nuclear cross sections. The dependence of the 8B solar neutrino flux on the low-energy cross-section factor for 3He(α,γ)7Be, S34 is found to be S340.7.
Three-dimensional analysis of pulmonary venous ostial and antral anatomy: implications for balloon catheter-based pulmonary vein isolation.

3D Analysis of LA-PV Anatomy. Background: Balloon ablation catheters using various energy sources are being developed to perform pulmonary vein (PV) isolation to treat atrial fibrillation. Prior evaluations of 2D CT/MR images are limited by the frequent elliptical shape of the PV ostia, the nonorthogonal orientation of the PVs to the left atrial (LA) chamber, and difficulty in appreciating through-slice curvature. To provide anatomical data relevant to balloon catheter ablation, 3D surface reconstructions of LA-PVs were generated and analyzed to define ostial architecture and size. Methods and Results: Using MRI datasets obtained from 101 paroxysmal AF patients, the LA-PVs were segmented to generate 3D LA-PV surface reconstructions. Using both external and endoluminal projections, the PV ostial and antral regions were identified and evaluated. In the left PVs, a common left-sided ostium was identified in 94 patients, with an ostial circumference of 95 ± 15 mm. Branching of the left PVs occurred 0-5 mm away from the common left ostium in 43 patients (43%), 5-15 mm away from the common os in 37 patients (37%), and >15 mm away from the common os in 14 patients (14%). In patients with either distinct left PV ostia, or common os <15 mm (87 patients), the individual LSPV/LIPV ostial circumferences were 67 ± 12 mm and 58 ± 9 mm, respectively. Mean left antral circumference was 114 ± 17 mm. In the right PVs, the ostial circumferences of the RSPV/RIPV were 68 ± 11 mm and 66 ± 11 mm, respectively. Mean right antral circumference was 107 ± 19 mm. Assuming ideal deformation of the LA chamber anatomy, the minimal diameters of a balloon ablation catheter required to isolate 95% of the RSPV, RIPV, LSPV, LIPV, LCPV, left antrum, and right antrum are 29 mm, 28 mm, 29 mm, 24 mm, 40 mm, 46 mm, and 47 mm, respectively. Conclusion: Analysis of 3D surface reconstructions of LA-PV anatomy reveals that balloon catheter-based ablation of the PVs is likely feasible in most patients, but balloon ablation of the common PV antra would he problematic.
Neonatal abstinence syndrome.

Purpose of reviewThis review will discuss the complex nature of maternal and other factors that can affect the infant's display of neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS), clinical presentation and treatment of NAS, and the impact of recent findings on future directions for research.Recent findingsNAS ha
The apparent length of a line as a function of its inclination

Abstract In the first of two experiments reported here, subjects adjusted the length of a variable line until it appeared to be as long as a standard line. There were two sizes of standard line, 3 and 6 inches, and each was shown vertically for some trials and horizontally for others. The variable line was presented in each of the 10° positions from 0° (horizontal), through 90° (vertical), to 170°. The principal results of the first experiment are: (1) Vertical lines look longer than horizontal lines of the same length, but lines tilted 20°-30° to the left of vertical look longer than lines in any other orientation. The results are asymmetrical, because lines tilted to the right of vertical do not look as long as those tilted to the left of vertical. (2) The variability of the settings increases as the angle increases between the standard and variable lines. (3) When they are expressed in percentage terms, the data obtained with the 3-and 6-inch standards are virtually identical, i.e. the data for the 3-i...
A steady-state kinetic investigation of the uricase reaction mechanism.

Abstract The steady-state kinetics of porcine liver uricase has been investigated over an extensive range of both urate and oxygen concentration. Spectrophotometric assay of the accumulation of reaction intermediate which absorbs strongly in the ultraviolet region as well as the oxygen electrode were used to minimize inaccuracies in initial velocity measurements. The Superoxide radical could not be detected as a product of the uricase reaction. Reciprocal plots with both urate and oxygen showed extensive nonlinearity. Mechanisms involving second binding sites on uricase appear unlikely in view of the structural properties of the enzyme. A random substrate binding scheme has been shown to be consistent with all of the nonlinear reciprocal plots and is thus suggested as the most probable mechanism of action for uricase.
The surprising effects of the great recession : losers and winners in Thailand in 2008-2009

In 2009, buffeted by the great recession, Thai gross domestic product fell by 2.3 percent. Using monthly data from the socio-economic surveys of 2007-2010, this paper finds, after controlling for household variables, that real consumption per capita rose in 2009 relative to 2008 for most groups, including the poor, urban and rural households, men, women, and children. The losers were residents of Bangkok, especially those aged 20-29, and those working in sales and services. During the recession year of 2009, school enrollment rates did not fall, and durable goods purchases actually rose; households probably reduced their savings, and also benefitted from the lower food prices that prevailed in 2009. A simulation exercise based on the slowdown in growth of gross domestic product would have missed these effects, as would models based solely on readily-available data series. This points to the importance of country-specific policy analysis, rooted in timely local evidence, including household survey data.
Foraging behavior in early Atlantic cod larvae ( Gadus morhua ) feeding on a protozoan ( Balanion sp.) and a copepod nauplius ( Pseudodiaptomus sp.)

Food limitation is likely to be a source of mortality for fish larvae in the first few weeks after hatching. In the laboratory, we analyzed all aspects of foraging in cod larvae (Gadus morhua Linnaeus) from 5 to 20 d post-hatching using protozoa (Balanion sp.) and copepod nauplii (Pseudodiaptomus sp.) as prey. A camera acquisition system with two orthogonal cameras and a digital image analysis program was used to observe patterns of foraging. Digitization provided three-dimensional speeds, distances, and angles for each foraging event, and determined prey and fish larval head and tail positions. Larval cod swimming speeds, perception distances, angles, and volumes increased with larval fish size. Larval cod swam in a series of short intense bursts interspersed with slower gliding sequences. In 94% of all foraging events prey items were perceived during glides. Larval cod foraging has three possible outcomes: unsuccessful attacks, aborted attacks, and successful attacks. The percentage of successful attacks increased with fish size. In all larval fish size classes, successful attacks had smaller attack distances and faster attack speeds than unsuccessful attacks. Among prey items slowly swimming protozoans were the preferred food of first-feeding cod larvae; larger larvae had higher swimming speeds and captured larger, faster copepod nauplii. Protozoans may be an important prey item for first-feeding larvae providing essential resources for growth to a size at which copepod nauplii are captured.
Blackbird Repellency of Selected Registered Pesticides

Abstract Bird depredation of agricultural crops is a worldwide problem. New strategies to include chemical repellents are needed to mitigate crop losses. We evaluated 3 preplant seed treatments (Apron XL® LS [Syngenta Crop Protection, Greensboro, NC], Dividend Extreme® [Syngenta], and Maxim® 4 FS [Syngenta]), one foliar insecticide (Karate® with Zeon Technology™ [Syngenta]), and one foliar fungicide (Tilt® [Syngenta]) as potential blackbird repellents in caged feeding trials and a field study. For all repellents tested, red-winged blackbirds (Agelaius phoeniceus) discriminated between untreated and treated rice during preference testing in captivity. We observed a positive concentration–response relationship among birds offered rice treated with 25%, 50%, 75%, 100%, or 200% of the manufacturer label for Dividend Extreme, Karate, and Tilt. Relative to pretreatment, blackbirds ate 32% and 69% less rice treated with 100% and 200% Tilt label rates, respectively, during the concentration–response test. Maximum...
Technique for using films accidentally exposed to light

Abstract Light-exposed films cannot be used clinically because, after processing, they are completely black. Two methods are described in which light-exposed films could be used clinically with application of the principle of solarization: (1) as duplicating films with the use of sunlight and (2) as receptors for images of foliage with the use of sunlight. Ligh-exposed duplicating films could be used as receptors for images of foliage through use of sunlight exposures.
Resolution of pneumobilia as a predictor of biliary stent occlusion

Abstract Objective To predict biliary stent occlusion on computed tomography (CT) from the loss of pneumobilia. Methods A total of 66 patients with common bile duct stents with pneumobilia after initial stent placement had a follow-up CT and diagnostic endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP). Two readers evaluated all CT exams for pneumobilia. Resolution or decrease of pneumobilia on CT was compared with ERCP findings. Results Sensitivity and specificity was 60–64% and 95% with a positive predictive value of 97% and a negative predictive value of 49–51%. Conclusion Resolution or reduction of pneumobilia after stent placement is specific (95%) and is moderately accurate (70–73%) for predicting biliary stent occlusion.
RNA-binding proteins come out of the shadows.

Notch1 has an indispensable role in T cell development and NOTCH1 acts as a potent oncogene in T cell leukemia. New data now reveal the role of RNA-binding proteins in regulating the stability of Notch1 mRNA and the induction of T cell leukemia.
WE‐G‐BRF‐03: A Quasi‐Cine CBCT Reconstruction Technique for Real‐Time On‐ Board Target Tracking of Lung Cancer Treatment

Purpose: To develop a quasi-cine CBCT reconstruction technique that uses extremely-small angle (∼3°) projections to generate real-time high-quality lung CBCT images. Method: 4D-CBCT is obtained at the beginning and used as prior images. This study uses extremely-small angle (∼3°) on-board projections acquired at a single respiratory phase to reconstruct the CBCT image at this phase. An adaptive constrained free-form deformation (ACFD) method is developed to deform the prior 4D-CBCT volume at the same phase to reconstruct the new CBCT. Quasi-cine CBCT images are obtained by continuously reconstructing CBCT images at subsequent phases every 3° angle (∼0.5s). Note that the prior 4D-CBCT images are dynamically updated using the latest CBCT images. The 4D digital extended-cardiac-torso (XCAT) phantom was used to evaluate the efficacy of ACFD. A lung patient was simulated with a tumor baseline shift of 2mm along superior-inferior (SI) direction after every respiratory cycle for 5 cycles. Limited-angle projections were simulated for each cycle. The 4D-CBCT reconstructed by these projections were compared with the ground-truth generated in XCAT.Volume-percentage-difference (VPD) and center-of-mass-shift (COMS) were calculated between the reconstructed and the ground-truth tumors to evaluate their geometric differences.The ACFD was also compared to a principal-component-analysis based motion-modeling (MM) method. Results: Using orthogonal-view 3° projections, the VPD/COMS values for tumor baseline shifts of 2mm, 4mm, 6mm, 8mm, 10mm were 11.0%/0.3mm, 25.3%/2.7mm, 22.4%/2.9mm, 49.5%/5.4mm, 77.2%/8.1mm for the MM method, and 2.9%/0.7mm, 3.9%/0.8mm, 6.2%/1mm, 7.9%/1.2mm, 10.1%/1.1mm for the ACFD method. Using orthogonal-view 0° projections (1 projection only), the ACFD method yielded VPD/COMS results of 5.0%/0.9mm, 10.5%/1.2mm, 15.1%/1.4mm, 20.9%/1.6mm and 24.8%/1.6mm. Using single-view instead of orthogonal-view projections yielded less accurate results for ACFD. Conclusion: The ACFD method accurately reconstructs snapshot CBCT images using orthogonal-view 3° projections. It has a great potential to provide real-time quasi-cine CBCT images for verification in lung radiation therapy. The research is supported by grant from Varian Medical Systems.
Endometrial carcinoma under the age of 40: reappraisal for oophorectomy in stage I disease.

Abstract Objective: To reappraise the rationale of castration and the necessity of retroperitoneal lymph node biopsy in patients with endometrial carcinoma under the age of 40 years. Methods: A retrospective review of 30 patients under the age of 40 among 815 patients who had primary endometrial cancer treatment was carried out. The review consisted of clinical data, surgical pathology, and survival rates, as well as a comparative study of the literature. Results: The average age was 35.1 years. Three-quarters of the patients (76.6%) had stage I disease. Almost half of them had risk factors for endometrial carcinoma. The pathologic type was adenocarcinoma in 83% and grade 1 in 57%. Among 23 patients with stage I disease, 7 (30.4%) had no residual disease. Even with 16 patients found to have residual disease, 10 had it confined to the endometrium. Ovarian malignancy was only seen in 2 instances. Five demonstrated corpus luteum. Only 3 (13%) had lymph node metastasis and all in advanced disease. Six (20%) of these patients had delayed treatment more than 6 months. The follow-up was 5 months to 19 years. All are living and free of disease in stage I and stage II. Both patients with stage III disease died. Conclusions: In view of low risks in these young women with stage I disease, a thorough surgical staging including lymph node resection is desirable and hysterectomy with ovarian preservation is the treatment of choice. Oophorectomy might be considered in patients with cancer of the ovaries or in advanced stages of disease.
PRESENCE AND ABSENCE OF MAGNETISM IN THIN Ni FILMS

We calculate the magnetization of Ni films, with thicknesses from one to four atomic layers, on Cu(100) and Cu(111) substrates. The substrate acts to suppress the Ni magnetization; on Cu(111) only, results are consistent with a magnetically "dead" monolayer Ni film. The effect of substrate composition and orientation on film magnetization is discussed. We thus explain disparate experimental results.
Hubble Space Telescope and Ground-based Imaging of the Bipolar Proto-Planetary Nebula M1-92: Evidence for a Collimated Outflow*

We present ground-based and Hubble Space Telescope narrowband images of M1-92. M1-92 is a bipolar proto-planetary nebula currently undergoing the transition from asymptotic giant branch star to planetary nebula. Previous spectropolarimetry of this object revealed that the line emission produced in the bipolar lobes is dominated by shock emission. The goal of the current observations is to determine the morphology of the shock-heated gas in order to better understand the origin of this emission. The ground-based images suggest that the shock emission is concentrated in diffuse knots in the bipolar lobes. Our high spatial resolution Wide Field Planetary Camera 2 images demonstrate that the shock emission is the result of a collimated outflow that originates near the central star and impacts the bipolar lobes. The outflow axis appears to be inclined with respect to the bipolar axis of M1-92, suggesting the presence of a precessing or wobbling jet. We discuss these findings in the context of the current models that seek to explain the planetary nebula formation process.
Analysis of Influenza Virus Hemagglutinin Receptor Binding Mutants with Limited Receptor Recognition Properties and Conditional Replication Characteristics

To examine the range of selective processes that potentially operate when poorly binding influenza viruses adapt to replicate more efficiently in alternative environments, we passaged a virus containing an attenuating mutation in the hemagglutinin (HA) receptor binding site in mice and characterized the resulting mutants with respect to the structural locations of mutations selected, the replication phenotypes of the viruses, and their binding properties on glycan microarrays. The initial attenuated virus had a tyrosine-to-phenylalanine mutation at HA1 position 98 (Y98F), located in the receptor binding pocket, but viruses that were selected contained second-site pseudoreversion mutations in various structural locations that revealed a range of molecular mechanisms for modulating receptor binding that go beyond the scope that is generally mapped using receptor specificity mutants. A comparison of virus titers in the mouse respiratory tract versus MDCK cells in culture showed that the mutants displayed distinctive replication properties depending on the system, but all were less attenuated in mice than the Y98F virus. An analysis of receptor binding properties confirmed that the initial Y98F virus bound poorly to several different species of erythrocytes, while all mutants reacquired various degrees of hemagglutination activity. Interestingly, both the Y98F virus and pseudoreversion mutants were shown to bind very inefficiently to standard glycan microarrays containing an abundance of binding substrates for most influenza viruses that have been characterized to date, provided by the Consortium for Functional Glycomics. The viruses were also examined on a recently developed microarray containing glycans terminating in sialic acid derivatives, and limited binding to a potentially interesting subset of glycans was revealed. The results are discussed with respect to mechanisms for HA-mediated receptor binding, as well as regarding the species of molecules that may act as receptors for influenza virus on host cell surfaces.
A B-differentiable equation-based, globally and locally quadratically convergent algorithm for nonlinear programs, complementarity and variational inequality problems

This paper presents a globally convergent, locally quadratically convergent algorithm for solving general nonlinear programs, nonlinear complementarity and variational inequality problems. The algorithm is based on a unified formulation of these three mathematical programming problems as a certain system of B-differentiable equations, and is a modification of the damped Newton method described in Pang (1990) for solving such systems of nonsmooth equations. The algorithm resembles several existing methods for solving these classes of mathematical programs, but has some special features of its own; in particular, it possesses the combined advantage of fast quadratic rate of convergence of a basic Newton method and the desirable global convergence induced by one-dimensional Armijo line searches. In the context of a nonlinear program, the algorithm is of the sequential quadratic programming type with two distinct characteristics: (i) it makes no use of a penalty function; and (ii) it circumvents the Maratos effect. In the context of the variational inequality/complementarity problem, the algorithm provides a Newton-type descent method that is guaranteed globally convergent without requiring the F-differentiability assumption of the defining B-differentiable equations.
Design and implementation of a software simulation engine

Abstract Gate-level logic simulation takes up more CPU time as system complexity increases. A special-purpose system which can cut verification time by several orders of magnitude is described. The Yorktown Simulation Engine (YSE) is a highly parallel programmable machine which can simulate up to 1 M gates at a speed of over 2000M gate simulations per second. It is estimated that the IBM 3081 processor could have been simulated at over 1 000 instructions per second on YSE. Gate-level logic simulation is reviewed and the architecture and hardware implementation of the YSE is described. The software architecture, including compiler, linker and register-level language translator, Ysetran, architecture, are detailed.
Cachectin/TNF: A Macrophage Protein That Induces Cachexia and Shock

Infection may elicit a clinical picture of metabolic and hemodynamic compromise that can deteriorate acutely to shock and death. Alternatively, injury or infection can lead a more indolent course, resulting in a progressive catabolic state that in time may advance to cachexia, organ failure, and death. Recent data suggest a complex array of endogenous humoral- and immunomodulators may orchestrate many of these detrimental responses. It has become clear that cachectin/tumor necrosis factor, a protein secreted by monocytes in response to many inflammatory, and injurious stimuli, holds a pivotal role in these host responses to injury. Circulating levels of this monokine is found in greater abundance and in higher frequency in seriously ill patients. The cellular metabolic response to cachectin/TNF simulates many of the pathophysiologic changes seen in injury and infection. Administration of cachectin/TNF to animals and man can mimic the clinical syndromes of cachexia or endotoxic shock, and neutralization of...
Near-Inertial Ocean Current Response to Hurricane Frederic

Abstract Hurricane Frederic passed with 80 to 130 km of the U.S. Naval Oceanographic Office current meter arrays in water depths ranging from 100 to 470 m near the DeSoto Canyon region, and within 150 km of an Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC) mooring in 1050 m of water. Excitation of near-inertial waves by the moving hurricane was observed throughout the water column along the canyon walls and at the OTEC site. The frequencies of the waves were blue-shifted between 1% to 6% above the local inertial frequency. The horizontal wavelength of 250 km is consistent with an energetic first baroclinic-mode response, but is considerably below the linear theory prediction of 550 km. The inferred vertical wavelengths of the immediate response exceeded 1000 m along the northern and eastern sides of the canyon since the currents throughout the water column increased within hours of the hurricane passage. Later, the vertical wavelengths were about equal to the water depth. The vertical group velocities associated ...
Genome-wide Analysis of Drosophila Circular RNAs Reveals Their Structural and Sequence Properties and Age-Dependent Neural Accumulation

Circularization was recently recognized to broadly expand transcriptome complexity. Here, we exploit massive Drosophila total RNA-sequencing data, >5 billion paired-end reads from >100 libraries covering diverse developmental stages, tissues, and cultured cells, to rigorously annotate >2,500 fruit fly circular RNAs. These mostly derive from back-splicing of protein-coding genes and lack poly(A) tails, and the circularization of hundreds of genes is conserved across multiple Drosophila species. We elucidate structural and sequence properties of Drosophila circular RNAs, which exhibit commonalities and distinctions from mammalian circles. Notably, Drosophila circular RNAs harbor >1,000 well-conserved canonical miRNA seed matches, especially within coding regions, and coding conserved miRNA sites reside preferentially within circularized exons. Finally, we analyze the developmental and tissue specificity of circular RNAs and note their preferred derivation from neural genes and enhanced accumulation in neural tissues. Interestingly, circular isoforms increase substantially relative to linear isoforms during CNS aging and constitute an aging biomarker.
Focal and craniospinal irradiation for patients with intracranial germinoma and patterns of failure

BACKGROUND. The authors compared the patterns of failure in patients with intracranial germinoma who were managed with either chemotherapy and focal irradiation or with craniospinal irradiation (CSI). METHODS. A retrospective review was conducted on 21 patients with intracranial germinoma and treated with radiotherapy (RT) to the central nervous system at The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center from 1981 to 2002. The study group was comprised of 13 males and 8 females with a median age at diagnosis of 19 years. Nine patients received chemotherapy prior to focal RT. Twelve patients received CSI. RESULTS. The actuarial 10-year survival rate for all patients was 86%. The overall survival rate at 10 years was 89% for patients who received focal RT and 83% for patients who received CSI (P = .73). The 10-year local control rate in the brain for patients who received focal irradiation was 59% compared with 100% for patients who received CSI (P = .08). The rate of distant control in the spine at 5 years was 62% for patients who received focal irradiation and 100% for patients who received CSI (P = .04). CONCLUSIONS. Although focal techniques of irradiation with chemotherapy are attractive methods that limited the volume irradiated, the strategy appeared to be associated with increased rates of failures in the brain and spine. Cancer 2006. © 2006 American Cancer Society.
Modeling disease progression in outcomes research.

Outcomes research in radiology alms to establish a relationship between radiologic interventions, such as diagnostic imaging examinations and image-guided therapies, and changes in patient health status. This relationship can provide valuable information to decision makers who are interested in adopting a new medical technology and/or existing technology into a new clinical area while simultaneously accounting for health care costs. Data derived from outcomes research that quantify the health effects and costs of a particular intervention are often incorporated into a cost-effectiveness analysis, as recommended by the Panel on Cost-Effectiveness in Health and Medicine (1). In general, primary data derived from outcomes research are obtained from carefully designed clinical trials. However, because clinical trials can be expensive and require long study 'periods, alternative methods to outcomes research are often desirable and sometimes sufficient, particularly for a preliminary cost-effectiveness analysis. This article supports the position that, if possible, mathematical models based on published data should be incorporated into outcomes research before resources are committed to a clinical trial. For example, from published data on the physiologic and epidemiologic characteristics of a specified disease, a mathematical model may be derived to describe the time-dependent progression of the disease.
Implementation of a prototype slow positron beam at the NC State University PULSTAR reactor

Abstract A prototype beam system was designed and tested to verify the potential of utilizing the North Carolina State University PULSTAR reactor in generating slow positrons. An annealed tungsten converter/moderator was placed at the end of beam tube ♯6 near the PULSTAR core and surrounded by 0.5-mm-thick cadmium cover. Fission and cadmium capture γ-rays were used to drive pair production reactions in the tungsten. The positrons emitted from tungsten were electrostatically focused and guided using a magnetic solenoid until they reached the exit of the biological shield. An aluminum plate that was placed near the exit served as an annihilation target for the positrons. A coincidence counting system was set up to measure the true coincidence rate of the 511 keV annihilation photons that are produced once the slow positrons strike the aluminum target. The data demonstrated the production and control of slow positrons at a rate greater than 10 7 e + /s.
Hybridization and the evolution of reef coral diversity.

Hundreds of coral species coexist sympatrically on reefs, reproducing in mass-spawning events where hybridization appears common. In the Caribbean, DNA sequence data from all three sympatric Acropora corals show that mass spawning does not erode species barriers. Species A. cervicornis and A. palmata are distinct at two nuclear loci or share ancestral alleles. Morphotypes historically given the name Acropora prolifera are entirely F 1 hybrids of these two species, showing morphologies that depend on which species provides the egg for hybridization. Although selection limits the evolutionary potential of hybrids, F 1 individuals can reproduce asexually and form long-lived, potentially immortal hybrids with unique morphologies.
In vivo fatigue loading of the rat ulna induces both bone formation and resorption and leads to time-related changes in bone mechanical properties and density

Fatigue loading triggers bone resorption and is associated with stress fractures. Neither the osteogenic response nor the changes in bone mechanical properties following in vivo fatigue loading have been quantified. To further characterize the skeletal response to fatigue loading, we assessed bone formation, mechanical properties, density and resorption in the ulnae of 72 adult rats subjected to a single bout of in vivo loading followed by 0, 6, 12 or 18 days of recovery. Axial, compressive loading (peak force 13.3 N, 2 Hz) was applied to the right forelimb until the ulna was fatigued to a pre-determined level. The left forelimb served as a contralateral control. The primary osteogenic response to fatigue loading was woven bone formation that occurred on the periosteal surface of the ulnar diaphysis and was significantly greater in loaded limbs versus controls at 6, 12 and 18 days (p 0.05) and by day 18 had increased 20% beyond controls (p < 0.01). Bone cross-sectional area, moment of inertia, and mineral content increased with recovery time (p < 0.01), consistent with the increases in woven bone formation and mechanical properties. Intracortical resorption space density and osteoclast density also increased with recovery time (p < 0.05), indicating activation of intracortical remodeling. In summary, our findings demonstrate the remarkable ability of the adult skeleton to rapidly form periosteal woven bone and thereby offset the negative structural effects of acute fatigue damage and subsequent intracortical resorption.
Regulative Ability of the Prospective Cardiogenic and Vasculogenic Areas of the Primitive Streak During Avian Gastrulation

Four types of microsurgical experiments were conducted to analyze heart and blood vessel development during gastrula stages of avian embryos, stages during which prospective cardiogenic and vasculogenic cells reside within the primitive streak. Experiments addressed whether cells not normally destined to form heart could form heart when given the opportunity to do so and vice versa; cells destined to form rostral levels of the heart (or, alternatively, head blood vessels) could form caudal levels of the heart (or, alternatively, trunk blood vessels) and vice versa; the early endoderm imparts rostrocaudal organization to the heart and associated blood vessels; and ingression of cells from the primitive streak and their subsequent migration into the mesodermal mantle is a cell-autonomous event for migrating cells. Our results demonstrate the lability of prospective cardiogenic and vasculogenic cells of the primitive streak, both in terms of the type of mesodermal structures they are capable of forming (or of being formed from) and in terms of the rostrocaudal patterning of the cardiovascular system. In addition, our results show that cell ingression and migration is directed by environmental cues and is not a cell-autonomous process for migrating cells. Finally, our results suggest that patterning of the cardiovascular system occurs after cells enter the mesodermal mantle, presumably through cell-cell inductive interactions. However, the early endoderm is not the primary source of the patterning influence. What is the source remains to be established.
Diabetes and oral health: an overview.

ABSTRACT Background Diabetes is a common disease with concomitant oral manifestations that impact dental care. The purpose of this review is to summarize the prevalence, signs, symptoms, diagnosis and treatment of diabetes, as well as dental treatment considerations for the patient with diabetes. Conclusions Safely managing the patient with diabetes requires effective communication among multiple health care providers. Dentists must be familiar with techniques to diagnose, treat and prevent stomatological disorders in patients with diabetes. Practice Implications Dental practitioners will be treating more patients with diabetes in the future, and this article provides an overview of the systemic and oral aspects of the disease that impact dental treatment.
VITAMIN E CONCENTRATION IN NEWBORN'S SERUM AFTER TOPICAL USE OF VITAMIN E BY NURSING MOTHERS

VITAMIN E CONCENTRATION IN NEWBORN'S SERUM AFTER TOPICAL USE OF VITAMIN E BY NURSING MOTHERS
Black Consciousness and Self-Esteem:

The literature on self-esteem among Blacks has indicated conflicting and inconclusive results, and there has been little attempt to assess the possible relationship between measured self-esteem and measured Black consciousness. The present research used the Draw-A-Person Test (DAP) as a non- phenomenological measure of self-esteem, the Janis-Field Feeling of Inadequacy Scale (JF) as a phenomenological measure of self-esteem, and the Banks Black Consciousness Survey (BCS). Results showed that for males and females BCS did not correlate with DAP. The correlation between BCS and JF was slightly negative for males and nil for females. A factorial analysis of variance revealed that males and older students scored higher on BCS, but there were no differences among college majors and no interaction effects. On the JF, males showed higher self-esteem than females and students majoring in the social sciences were highest among the majors. The DAP showed no significant differ ences whatever.
Beth’s theorem in cardinality logics

We prove that the Beth definability theorem fails for a comprehensive class of first-order logics with cardinality quantifiers. In particular, we give a counterexample to Beth’s theorem forL(Q), which is finitary first-order logic (with identity) augmented with the quantifier “there exists uncountably many”.
Development of new polymeric matrices for high performance composites

Abstract High performance monomers based on the precursor trifluoroacetophenone and phenylphosphine oxide have recently been generated. The resulting monomers are important intermediates for a variety of thermally stable polymers such as polyimides and polybenzoxazoles. The pendant aryl group in both systems is nonplanar and affords polymeric systems that are amorphous as well as soluble and processable when end-capped and cyclized in solution. The aryl groups also contribute to excellent thermooxidative stability and indeed the systems are comparable to the better known ‘six F’ based systems. The phosphorus containing monomers also contribute to high glass transition temperatures, processability and flame resistance. The synthesis and characterization of processable aromatic polyimides and polybenzoxazoles will be reported. Glass transition temperatures of 420°C have been achieved with the polyimide derived from the 3F diamine and pyromellitic dianhydride. The 4-BDAF monomer has been used to obtain semicrystalline polyimides. Fully cyclode-hydrated isotropic polybenzoxazoles have also been prepared by an acid catalyzed reaction in o -dichlorobenzene at only 170°C. The resulting materials show excellent thermooxidative stability and solubility in N -methylpyrrolidinone. These materials are candidates for matrix resin and structural adhesive applications. An overview of the synthesis and characterization of these materials will be provided.
Finding the best mismatched detector for channel coding and hypothesis testing

The mismatched-channel formulation is generalized to obtain simplified algorithms for computation of capacity bounds and improved signal constellation designs. The following issues are addressed: (i) For a given finite dimensional family of linear detectors, how can we compute the best in this class to maximize the reliably received rate? That is, what is the best mismatched detector in a given class? (ii) For computation of the best detector, a new algorithm is proposed based on a stochastic approximation implementation of the Newton-Raphson method, (iii) The geometric setting provides a unified treatment of channel coding and robust/adaptive hypothesis testing.
The Last Interglacial Stage: Definitions and marine highstand, North America and Eurasia

Abstract Delineation of the boundary between the Last Interglacial (LIG) and the last (Wisconsinan) Glacial Stage in North America represents a critical, yet unresolved issue. Subdivisions of the late Pleistocene are based on oxygen isotope, ice cover, and pollen stratigraphic data. Boundaries defined by isotope chronology hinge on complex interrelationships between δ18O in foraminifer tests, ice volumes stored on land, and coeval sea-level position. In the absence of adequate pollen-stratigraphic documentation, Pleistocene subdivision boundaries were harder to establish in North America than in Europe. Time-transgressive pollen zones revealed increased lengths of the climatically-floristically defined LIG from the European subarctic to the Mediterranean. Conflicting definitions of “Sangamon,” as representing only the last interglacial of minimum ice cover and higher temperatures or broadly defined, “sensu lato,” also incorporating early part of the Last (Wisconsinan) Glacial Stage persist in the North American literature. The exclusively interglacial age of the Sangamon Geosol, originally used in dating the Sangamonian Stage proved untenable. Designation of an “Eowisconsinan” interval corresponding to Susbtages MIS 5d-a also lacks merit. Despite climate- and vegetation-related discrepancies, pollen- and coastal deposit-based comparisons between Europe and North America during MIS 5 and the Holocene are useful in establishing the climate history of the North American Sangamonian and subsequent early Wisconsinan substages. An overarching MIS 5 cooling trend represented by scattered subarctic and high-mountain ice accumulation events followed the MIS 5e Eemian–Sangamonian temperature peak. Adoption of the general European practice that asymmetrically splits MIS 5 into a short MIS 5e interglacial and a long early Wisconsinan Glacial (MIS 5d-a) interval is preferred in North America as well. Subdivisions in the normalized δ18O curve that serve as the chronological framework and the wealth of European pollen data support this approach. While multiple pre-Sangamon Pleistocene marine-paralic intervals do occur on the NW Gulf coast, all pre-Sangamon Pleistocene marine and brackish-inshore deposits had been removed by erosion in the NE coastal plain. A single inshore-nearshore marine sediment and highstand interval is well-documented in this region. The LIG highstand sequence correlates with varied Eemian marine and paralic MIS 5e deposits encountered along northern and western European, Siberian, and additional shores. Apart from reliably dated Sangamonian S Florida coral reefs, identification and dating of LIG highstand deposits remain highly problematical in SE Atlantic shore terraces.
Cameras and crowds in transportation tracking

Active transportation is an important contributor to physical activity. Understanding active transportation trends and transportation mode share is important to public health research and city planners. Objective measurement of active transportation can be costly and time-consuming, and existing camera-based algorithms, while developing, are functionally limited to specific settings and distances. In this study, 28,992 publicly available webcam images from two intersections in Washington, D.C., were used to establish trends in active transportation. Amazon Mechanical Turk workers were found to be reliable identifiers of pedestrian and vehicular activity, data validated against trained research assistant image annotation. Webcam and crowdsource annotation provides a cost-effective alternative to traditional objective measures of active transportation and mode share through the use of publicly available wireless webcams. Additional research is needed to expand the utility and external validity of publicly available imaged-based active transportation methodology and image annotation.
Food supplement use and related beliefs: Survey of community college students

Abstract Food supplement use and related health beliefs were evaluated in 502 community college students from Arizona. Regular users (37%) were students who reported using supplements weekly or daily, while sporadic users (25%) reported taking supplements less than once per week; the remaining 38% were nonusers. The most popular supplements were vitamin C, multiple vitamins, multivitamins plus minerals, calcium, and vitamin E. Amino acids, garlic, aloe vera, yeast, and fish oil were the most popular unconventional supplements reported. Significantly more users than nonusers believed that food supplements increased pep and energy, reduced stress, were necessary to ensure proper nutrition, were needed if people felt tired and run down, and that vitamin C could prevent colds. The findings revealed that supplement use was prevalent among young adults and that supplement users perceived more health benefits of food supplements than nonusers.
Synthesis of highly loaded and well‐controlled magnetic beads via emulsion polymerization

Superparamagnetic iron oxide (SPIO) incorporated polystyrene beads of uniform size distribution (∼170 nm) and high magnetic content (∼40%) are synthesized by emulsion styrene polymerization in the presence of functionalized SPIO. The role of surface functionality on the polymerization process and SPIO incorporation is investigated by carrying out styrene emulsion polymerizations with different functionalities on SPIO. A unique combination of oleic acid and (2-acetoacetoxy) ethyl methacrylate as surface ligands for SPIO is used to attain the best magnetic beads. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 2013