cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Study of thromboxane and prostacyclin metabolism in an invitro model of first-trimester human trophoblast

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of our study was to establish an in vitro tissue culture system to studyeicosanoid metabolism in first-trimester trophoblastic tissue. Thromboxane A2, a potent vasoconstrictor, and prostacyclin, a potent vasodilator, were analyzed to evaluate their production in early pregnancy. STUDY DESIGN: Trophoblastic tissue was obtained via transabdominal chorionic vinous sampling from 33pregnancies at 9 to 12 weeks' gestation for cytogenetic diagnosis. Initially, tissue obtained from the cytogenetics lab was morphologically consistent with villous core cells. Through altering cell density and passage, the cells became morphologically consistent with cytotrophoblasts. The cell lines were exposed to arachidonic acid (50 μmol/L) and aspirin (1 to 100 μmol/L) for 24 hours. Thromboxane B2 and 6-keto prostaglandin F2aα were measured by radioimmunoassay. RESULTS: Villous core cells and cytotrophoblasts increased production of thromboxane A2 andprostacyclin in the presence of arachidonic acid (p < 0.002). The villous core cells produced more thromboxane A2 and prostacyclin than cytotrophoblasts (p < 0.02). A significant inhibition of both thromboxane A2 and prostacyclin production was seen in the presence of 100 μmol/L aspirin in both cell types (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: This model may be useful for studying placental function in the first trimester becauseindividual placental compartments can be evaluated in tissue culture. At the cellular level we were not able to detect a preferential decrease in thromboxane A2 production in the presence of aspirin (1 to 100 μmol/L). (Am J Obstet Gynecol 1992;167:1046–52.)
Determination of the Glass Properties of D-Mannitol Using Sorbitol as an Impurity

Due to its strong tendency to crystallize, the glass properties of mannitol cannot be measured directly. However, because mannitol can exist in a fully or partially amorphous state in drug formulations, it is important to determine the glass properties of mannitol. We obtained the glass properties of mannitol by introducing a small amount of sorbitol, an isomer of mannitol, to delay the onset of crystallization. Extrapolation to zero sorbitol concentration yielded the following properties for the mannitol glass: Tg onset = 10.7(o)C, Tg midpoint= 12.6( o)C, Tg end = 18.4 degreesC and DeltaCp = 1.27 J/g/K. In addition, we estimated the following parameters of the mannitol glass from the width of glass transition using the results of Moynihan (J. Am. Ceram. Soc. 1993, 76, 1081) and Angell (J. Phys. Chem. 1994, 98, 13780): DeltaH (at Tg onset) = 103 kcal/mol, D = 11, and T0 = 222 K. The value of T0 is consistent with the Kauzmann temperature TK (236 K) obtained calorimetrically. The properties of the mannitol glass may be useful for predicting the behavior of amorphous mixtures containing mannitol.
Localized Corrosion and Stress Corrosion Cracking Resistance of Friction Stir Welded Aluminum Alloy 5454

Abstract The susceptibility of welded and unwelded samples of Al 5454 (UNS A95454) in the -O and -H34 tempers to pitting corrosion and stress corrosion cracking (SCC) in chloride solutions was studied. Welded samples were fabricated using the relatively new friction stir welding (FSW) process as well as a standard gas-tungsten arc welding process for comparison. Pitting corrosion was assessed through potentiodynamic polarization experiments. U-bend and slow strain rate tests were used to determine SCC resistance. The FSW samples exhibited superior resistance to pitting corrosion compared to the base metal and arc-welded samples. U-bend tests indicated adequate SCC resistance for the FSW samples. However, the FSW samples exhibited discontinuities that probably were associated with remnant boundaries of the original plates. These defects resulted in intermittent increased susceptibility to pitting and, particularly for Al 5454-H34 samples, poor mechanical properties in general.
Deuterium isotope effects on iron core formation in ferritin

We present comparative Mossbauer investigations of nanosized FeOOH and FeOOD biomineral phases nucleated within the 7-nm diameter cavity of horse-spleen apoferritin in order to assess deuterium isotopic effects on nanoscale, bioinorganic lattice structures with extended hydrogen bond networks. Differences in magnetic anisotropy energy, packing density and degree of crystallinity in the resulting iron oxo-hydroxide nanophases obtained via D2O (heavy water) vs. H2O (light water) solution chemistry are noted. These observations point to the possibility of stabilizing new thermodynamic states in the solid-state by utilizing isotope effects, with important implications for new synthetic pathways to novel nano materials.
The effects of tungsten addition on the microtexture and mechanical behavior of tantalum plate

Abstract Microtexture variations in annealed tantalum and tantalum–tungsten alloy plate materials have been studied by orientation imaging microscopy (OIM) and correlated with the mechanical behavior over a strain rate range of 10 −3 s −1 to 3000 s −1 . Plates of nominally pure Ta and Ta–W alloys (2.5, 5 and 10 wt% W), ≈6 mm thick were mechanically tested quasistatically in compression and tension and dynamically via a split Hopkinson pressure bar and punch through shear tests. The results indicate that the unalloyed Ta exhibits anomalous mechanical responses such as inverse barreling or hourglassing in compression and multiple necks in tension, whereas the tungsten containing alloys deform homogeneously. OIM indicates severe texture banding in the pure Ta such that the fraction of grains with near 〈111〉 normals is very high near the centerline of the plate and decreases toward the surfaces. Large deviations from this generic description occur from specimen to specimen. Microtexture analyses of the Ta–W alloys reveals no significant texture gradients but rather a change in overall texture from a 〈111〉 fiber to a 〈100〉 cube texture with the addition of 2.5 wt% tungsten. The evidence suggests that the addition of tungsten results in a more uniform texture and thus homogeneous mechanical response.
Endoplasmic reticulum kifunensine-resistant alpha-mannosidase is enzymatically and immunologically related to the cytosolic alpha-mannosidase.

Abstract Studies were undertaken to evaluate the relationship of the recently described (S. Weng and R. G. Spiro, 1993, J. Biol. Chem. 268, 25656–25663) rat liver kifunensine (KIF)-resistant mannosidase (ER mannosidase II) to the mannose-trimming enzyme of cytosol. We observed that the ER mannosidase II manifests a large number of catalytic and immunological properties similar to those of the cytosolic α-mannosidase, which contrast with the quite different characteristics of the KIF-sensitive enzyme (ER mannosidase I). In addition to a mutual resistance to KIF inhibition, the cytosolic enzyme and ER mannosidase II have comparable susceptibility to blocking by swainsonine and 1,4-dideoxy-1,4-imino- D -mannitol, and the latter agent was found to function effectively both in vitro and in vivo. The cytosolic and ER II mannosidases were alike in specifically excising the terminal mannose of the α1,6-linked chain of Man 9 GlcNAc to yield Man 8 GlcNAc isomer C; in preferentially hydrolyzing polymannose–GlcNAc 1 over polymannose–GlcNAc 2 substrates; and in cleaving p -nitrophenyl α- D -mannoside. An immunological cross-reactivity between cytosolic mannosidase ( M r 105 kDa) and ER mannosidase II ( M r 82 kDa), neither of which is N-glycosylated, was established, suggesting that the latter is translocated posttranslationally into the lumen of the ER compartment in which we found it to be present as a soluble protein. Since antibodies directed against a sequence near the C-terminal end of the cytosolic enzyme reacted with ER mannosidase II while those against a sequence close to the N-terminus did not, it is likely that a proteolytic cleavage of the latter segment takes place during or after translocation. The absence in ER mannosidase II of the pronounced cobalt activation of the cytosolic enzyme suggests that the portion of the polypeptide chain removed during the 105- to 82-kDa conversion includes the binding domain for this ion.
Microenterprise development and the entreprenurial poor: including the excluded

Microenterprise develpment has received much attention as being a participatory strategy that can potentially alleviate poverty by including the excluded in the process of development. But recent controversies regarding the purposes, processes and profitability of alternative microenterprise development techniques suggest that participation means different things to different people. A review of three types of microenterprise development institutions suggests that while some programme policies discourage participation, others encourage ‘inclusion’ only in token. Only a few programmes support genuine participation of the entreprenurial poor. Key policy issues related to the participatory principles, benefits and costs of microenterprise development are discussed. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Cleaving of solid single mode polymer optical fiber for strain sensor applications

Abstract Single mode polymer optical fibers (smPOFs) can be applied for measuring large strains in numerous applications, such as civil engineering infrastructure assessment and health monitoring. Because of the large light attenuation of solid smPOFs, small lengths of the fiber would need to be coupled to silica optical fibers (SOFs) for practical applications of the smPOF as a strain sensor. This coupling requires smooth cleaving of the smPOFs. In this work, several cleaving techniques previously demonstrated to provide smooth cross-sections of multimode POFs were applied to the smPOF. From these techniques, hot-knife cutting was determined to be a feasible method for cleaving when the blade was heated to 80 °C and the smPOF heated in the range of 30 °C to 40 °C. In addition, focused ion beam machining which produces high-precision cleaves of the solid smPOF cross-section, was performed to set a bench mark and thus evaluate the quality of cleaving from other methods used in this study.
Analysis of cationic elements in liquid samples by x-ray

Abstract Plant analyses methods have expanded immensely to document plant mineral element deficiency and toxicity disorders and to note mineral element interactions. Experiments were conducted to determine the feasibility of using cation exchange papers for the extraction of cationic elements from solutions to be analyzed by x‐ray fluorescence. The cationic elements Al, Fe, Mn, Zn, and Cu were effectively extracted from solutions by one exchange resin paper disk if solutions were passed several times through the exchange resin paper. Calcium and Mg were extracted from solutions if two or three separate exchange papers were used, and K was not extracted from solutions with the use of up to five separate exchange papers. The relatively high concentrations of K in solutions and the relatively low exchange capacity of ion exchange resin papers apparently prevented the effective removal of K from solution. The detectability limits on the exchange resin disks by this technique were <2.8 μg Al, 0.5 μg Fe, 0.10 μ...
Cumulative effect of anatomical risk factors for schizophrenia : An MRI study

Abstract Background: Although schizophrenic and control subjects differ on a variety of neuroanatomical measures, the specificity and sensitivity of any one measure for differentiating between groups are low. This study investigated the cumulative effect of deviant brain structure on diagnosis. Methods: Hemisphere and third ventricle volume and the normalized (Talairach) location of three association cortex sulcal landmarks were measured on high-resolution MRI scans in 37 male patients with schizophrenia and 33 male control subjects matched on age, handedness, and parental socioeconomic status. Results: While there were few group differences on individual anatomical measures, the 10 variables reliably discriminated between the two groups when used in concert in a discriminant function analysis (F[10,59] = 3.6, p p Conclusions: This is the first study to demonstrate that schizophrenics can be distinguished from matched controls on the basis of brain anatomy alone. The risk of schizophrenia may depend on the total amount of neural deviance, rather than on anomalies in a single structure or circuit.
Direction or reversal of preshunt portal blood flow as determinants of outcome up to 1 year after small-diameter prosthetic H-graft portacaval shunt.

Abstract Partial portal decompression (PPD) is gaining popularity in the treatment of portal hypertension. We have achieved PPD in over 80 patients by utilizing an 8-mm prosthetic H-graft portacaval shunt (HGPCS). We have been pleased with the infrequency of encephalopathy and liver failure after shunting. While maintenance of portal blood flow would presumably play a role in outcome after shunting, changes in portal hemodynamic occurring within the first year after shunting are generally unknown. In 31 patients (Child's class 6% A, 61% B, 32% C) of an average age of 55 ± 13.3 (SD) years undergoing HGPCS, clinical outcome was prospectively evaluated relative to the direction of portal blood flow determined before and after shunting and at 1 year after shunting using color-flow Doppler ultrasound. Preshunt hepatopetal flow reversed in 2/29 (7%) patients with shunting and in an additional 5/27 (18%) patients by 1 year after shunting. Death (due to alcoholism in 1, old age in 1) and encephalopathy (Child's class A = 1, B = 2, C = 1) were uncommon by 1 year after shunting. Eighty-one percent had excellent outcome (alive without encephalopathy or rebleeding) at 1 year. Though preshunt hepatopetal flow is generally maintained postshunt and after one year, maintenance of hepatopetal flow does not ensure an excellent outcome and reversal of hepatopetal flow does not predispose to a suboptimal outcome. Outcome up to 1 year after HGPCS is not determined by direction or reversal of portal blood flow.
French‐and English‐language broadcasting in Quebec: The evolution of radio and television in a bilingual society

This study explores both English‐and French‐language broadcasting in Que‐bec. First, the background of Quebec's electronic media is placed within the Canadian context by reviewing the country's broadcasting history and regulation. Second, there is a discussion of Quebec language issues, especially as they concern the media. Finally, some of the specifics of both radio and television broadcasting in the predominantly French‐speaking province are analyzed in light of Canadian regulation and new communication technology, especially cable.
A numerical study of reignition induced by a diffusion flame

We present a numerical study of the reignition of a cold reactant mixture by the interaction with a nearby diffusion flame. This reignition mechanism may be an important process in turbulent non-premixed flames at high rates of strain where quenched sections of the stoichiometric surface are folded by the turbulent flow and come in close proximity with other burning flame sections. We consider an idealized one-dimensional setup containing the fundamental ingredients that are expected to contribute to this reignition mode. One- and two-step irreversible chemical mechanisms with heat release levels typical of practical hydrocarbon fuels are considered. It is observed that a slow moving reignition kernel originates on the high-temperature region of the burning flame in the one-step chemistry case owing to small leakage of oxidizer from the cold-mixture side. This kernel gradually moves, increasing the local temperature above that provided by diffusion and eventually leads to thermal runaway with the formatio...
Social Inequality without Social Stratification

Les changements observes au sein de societes industrielles tres developpes ont rendu a nouveau pertinentes certaines distinctions theoriques, que I'on avait ecartees comme purement terminologiques dans la litterature sociologi-que sur la stratification. Un petit nombre de sociologues ont pretendu avec insistance recemment que la notion de classe sociale etait devenue de moindre importance dans I'etude de la societe contem-poraine. Acceptant la perspective realiste, adoptee par des theoriciens tels que Marx, Schumpeter, Weber et Warner, ils ont refuse de limiter le phenomene des classes sociales aux differences de revenu, de statut ou, en general, d'influence. Dire que les classes disparaissent, ce n'est pas nier que l'inegalite subsiste. Le fait que les demarcations entre les classes s'estompent peut meme faciliter, au niveau ideologi-que, le dementi des inegalites et les rendre, en fait, moins visibles. Les sociologues americains, de facon generale, ont refuse de voir separement comme problemes l'existence des classes, d'une part, et l'existence d'un eventail d'inegalites de divers types, d'autre part; ce refus est du a des preventions methodologiques, theoriques et ideologiques. En dernier lieu, disons que les classes n'ont pas besoin d'etre des groupes hereditaires afin de se perpe-tuer. La tendance vers le developpement d'une meritocratie peut (i) produire de nouvelles classes non hereditaires, lesquelles co-existeraient avec l'egalite de possibilites, ou bien (ii) affermir une situation ou des differences prononcees persistent en l'absence de classes.
Carcinoma of the Ampulla of Vater: Patterns of Failure Following Resection and Benefit of Chemoradiotherapy

Ampullary carcinoma is a rare malignancy. Despite radical resection, survival rates remain low with high rates of local failure. We performed a single-institution outcomes analysis to define the role of concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CRT) in addition to surgery. A retrospective analysis was performed of all patients undergoing potentially curative pancreaticoduodenectomy for adenocarcinoma of the ampulla of Vater at Duke University Hospitals between 1976 and 2009. Time-to-event analysis was performed comparing all patients who underwent surgery alone to the cohort of patients receiving CRT in addition to surgery. Local control (LC), disease-free survival (DFS), overall survival (OS), and metastases-free survival (MFS) were estimated using the Kaplan–Meier method. A total of 137 patients with ampullary carcinoma underwent Whipple procedure. Of these, 61 patients undergoing resection received adjuvant (n = 43) or neoadjuvant (n = 18) CRT. Patients receiving chemoradiotherapy were more likely to have poorly differentiated tumors (P = .03). Of 18 patients receiving neoadjuvant therapy, 67% were downstaged on final pathology with 28% achieving pathologic complete response (pCR). With a median follow-up of 8.8 years, 3-year local control was improved in patients receiving CRT (88% vs 55%, P = .001) with trend toward 3-year DFS (66% vs 48%, P = .09) and OS (62% vs 46%, P = .074) benefit in patients receiving CRT. Long-term survival rates are low and local failure rates high following radical resection alone. Given patterns of relapse with surgery alone and local control benefit in patients receiving CRT, the use of chemoradiotherapy in selected patients should be considered.
β3-Receptor Agonists for Overactive Bladder—New Frontier or More of the Same?

The new information generated over the last decade on the physiology/pharmacology of the normal bladder and on the pathophysiology of the overactive bladder has resulted in the introduction of a new therapeutic principle, β3-adrenoceptor (AR) agonism, and the approval of mirabegron, a selective agonist at β3-ARs. It may be asked in what respects the β3-AR agonists as a group, and mirabegron in particular, differ from the antimuscarinics, and what can clinically be gained by the β3-AR agonists. In this short review, the mechanisms of action, clinical efficacy, and adverse effect profiles of the two groups of drugs are compared and discussed.
Control of thermal deformation in dielectric mirrors using mechanical design and atomic layer deposition

A mechanical design technique for optical coatings that simultaneously controls thermal deformation and optical reflectivity is reported. The method requires measurement of the refractive index and thermal stress of single films prior to the design. Atomic layer deposition was used for deposition because of the high repeatability of the film constants. An Al2O3/HfO2 distributed Bragg reflector was deposited with a predicted peak reflectivity of 87.9% at 542.4 nm and predicted edge deformation of −360 nm/K on a 10 cm silicon substrate. The measured peak reflectivity was 85.7% at 541.7 nm with an edge deformation of −346 nm/K.
Upward electron beams measured by DE-1: A primary source of dayside region-1 Birkeland currents

Measurements made by the High Altitude Plasma Instrument on DE-1 have shown that intense upward electron beams with energies from about 20 eV to about 200 eV are a common feature of the region just equatorward of the morning-side polar cusp. Computations of the currents carried by these beams and by the precipitating cusp electrons show excellent agreement with the simultaneous DE-1 magnetometer measurements for both upward and downward Birkeland currents. The data indicate that cold ionospheric electrons, which carry the downward region-1 Birkeland currents on the morning side, are accelerated upward by potential drops of a few tens of eV at altitudes of several thousand kilometers. This acceleration process allows spacecraft above those altitudes to measure routinely the charge carriers of both downward and upward current systems.
Acute cold/restraint stress inhibits host resistance to Listeria monocytogenes via β1-adrenergic receptors

Abstract We previously reported that acute cold/restraint stress (ACRS) significantly inhibits host resistance to Listeria monocytogenes ( LM ) in BALB/c mice and that the sympathetic nervous system plays a major role in this inhibition. Here, we have further investigated the involvement of adrenergic receptor (ADR) subtypes. β-ADR antagonist propranolol, but not α-ADR antagonist phentolamine significantly enhanced host resistance of ACRS mice. Pro-inflammatory cytokine (IL-6, IL-1β, and TNFα) and IFNγ levels positively correlated with the LM levels in all groups of mice. Furthermore, β1-ADR antagonist atenolol but not β2-ADR antagonist ICI118,551 significantly decreased LM burden in ACRS mice. In addition, SCID mice on the same genetic background (BALB/c), which have no adaptive immune potential, were used to assess the immune responses targeted by ACRS. ACRS-induced suppression of host resistance was not observed in SCID mice, and propranolol pretreatment provided no further improvement of host resistance, indicating that ACRS mainly affects adaptive immunity, which is less critical in mice with greater innate than adaptive immunity. In summary, the data suggest that ACRS inhibition of host resistance to LM is mediated through β1-ADR stimulation, which appears to directly or indirectly modify activation of T cells or subsequent T cell functions involved in adaptive immunity, thus inhibiting overall host resistance. Interestingly, with heightened innate immunity and the absence of adaptive immunity, as observed in the SCID mice, ACRS does not affect host resistance, which emphasizes the importance of innate immunity in defense against bacterial infection.
Preservation of renal reserve in chronic renal disease.

Protein-induced increases in glomerular filtration rate (GFR), termed renal reserve, is said to be abrogated with the onset of renal disease. However, this notion is inconsistent with the results from animal studies which suggest that alterations in protein intake modulate the glomerular hemodynamics in experimental renal disease. Accordingly, 12 normal subjects and 15 patients with renal disease received a protein meal providing 1 glkg body weight protein. The subjects were pretreated with either placebo or an angiotensin I converting enzyme inhibitor, enalapril. A significant ( P
Heterobimetallic Dinitrogen Complexes That Contain the {[N3N]Mo−NN}- Ligand

{[N3N]Mo−NN}2Mg(THF)2 reacts with FeCl2 at −20 °C in a mixture of ether, THF, and toluene to yield paramagnetic {[N3N]Mo−NN}3Fe (1), an X-ray study of which shows it to contain iron in a trigonal planar environment. X-band ESR, iron-57 Mossbauer spectroscopy, and magnetic susceptibility studies of 1 confirm that it contains high-spin Fe(III) in an anisotropic magnetic environment. Addition of DMPE to toluene solutions of 1 results in loss of [N3N]MoN2 from the coordination sphere to give {[N3N]Mo−NN}2Fe(DMPE) (2). SQUID magnetic susceptibility and Mossbauer data are in accord with formulation of 2 as a high-spin Fe(II) complex. {[N3N]Mo−NN}2Mg(THF)2 reacts with VCl4(DME) and VCl3(THF)3 in THF to give paramagnetic {[N3N]Mo−NN}3VCl (3) in 28−42% yield. A second paramagnetic complex is also produced in these reactions and has been identified by X-ray crystallography as {[N3N]Mo−NN}2VCl(THF) (4). Several zirconium/molybdenum dinitrogen complexes have been prepared by the reaction between {[N3N]Mo−NN}2Mg(THF)2...
Perceived threat and PTSD symptoms in women undergoing surgery for gynecologic cancer or benign conditions.

Objective: We sought to examine levels of perceived threat and traumatic stress symptoms both before and in the short- and long-term period after surgery and associated care in women diagnosed with gynecologic cancer or benign conditions. Methods: Women with advanced-stage cancer (n=22), early-stage cancer (n=31), benign gynecologic disease (n=33), and no disease (n=25; post-annual pelvic examination) completed questionnaires (Perceived Threat, Impact of Event Scale (IES), and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD Checklist (PCL)) on three occasions: 1 week before surgery (Time 1), 7 weeks after surgery or comparable time (Time 2), and 16 months after surgery (Time 3). Results: Perceived threat did not differ across disease groups at Time 1, but there were differences at both later times (F(2, 93.1)=11.83; p<0.001; group×time interaction); women with advanced cancer reported the highest levels. IES scores were consistently higher for the disease groups compared with the no-disease group (F(3,104.2)=11.19; p<0.001), but were not significantly different from one another. IES scores declined over time, most markedly for the three disease groups (group×time interaction (F(6,163.8)=2.60; p=0.02). Survival analysis indicated significant differences across the groups in risk of estimated PTSD [Wilcoxon χ2 (3, N=96)=7.83, p=0.050] with 34% of advanced cancer, 16% of early cancer, and 15% of benign disease groups reaching estimated PTSD criteria. Conclusions: Women with gynecologic cancer, regardless of stage, and women with benign conditions experience heightened traumatic stress at the time of diagnosis, and some continue to be distressed many months afterwards. Broad-based screening and intervention for traumatic stress symptoms may be warranted. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Resection Margins in Carcinoma of the Head of the Pancreas: Implications for Radiation Therapy

A retrospective review of the pathology and clinical course of 72 patients undergoing resection of carcinoma of the head of the pancreas was undertaken to identify the frequency of tumor involvement at standard surgical transection margins (stomach, duodenum, pancreas, and bile duct) as well as the peripancreatic soft tissue margin and the potential clinical significance of these findings. Of 72 patients undergoing resection, 37 patients (51%) were found to have tumor extension to the surgical margins. The most commonly involved margin was peripancreatic soft tissue (27 patients) followed by pancreatic transection line (14 patients) and bile duct transection line (4 patients). For 37 patients with tumor present at a resection margin, there were no survivors beyond 41 months. No difference in survival or local control was seen between 14 patients receiving postoperative radiation therapy and 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) compared with 23 patients not receiving additional treatment. In contrast, the 5-year actuarial survival and local control of 35 patients undergoing resection without tumor invasion to a resection margin was 22% and 43%, respectively. The 5-year survival and local control of 16 patients receiving adjuvant radiation therapy and 5-FU was 29% and 42%, respectively, whereas these figures were 18% and 31% for 19 patients not receiving adjuvant therapy (p > 0.10). Because residual local tumor after resection is common, preoperative radiation therapy may be beneficial in this disease. It should minimize the risk of dissemination during operative manipulation and facilitate a curative resection by promoting tumor regression. Because local failure rates approach 60% after resection and adjuvant therapy even in cases having clear resection margins, intraoperative radiation therapy to the tumor bed at the time of resection also might be considered. Protocols evaluating the feasibility and efficacy of preoperative radiation therapy and resection with intraoperative radiation therapy for patients with pancreatic cancer are underway.
Sphere of influence graphs in general metric spaces

Let @g = {X"1..., X"n} be a set of points in a metric space (n >= 2). Let r"i, denote the minimum distance between X"i and the other points in @g. The sphere of influence at X"i is the open ball with center X"iand radius r"i. The sphere of influence graph has vertex set @g with an edge joining a pair of distinct vertices provided the corresponding spheres of influence intersect. This proximity graph was introduced by Toussaint to model computer vision and pattern recognition problems in the Euclidean plane. We discuss the abstract properties of sphere of influence graphs in general metric spaces with emphasis on normed linear spaces. Our work generalizes and simplifies some theorems in the literature on sphere of influence graphs and lays the groundwork for future work.
Characterization of the inositol monophosphatase gene family in Arabidopsis

Synthesis of myo-inositol is crucial in multicellular eukaryotes for production of phosphatidylinositol and inositol phosphate signaling molecules. The myo-inositol monophosphatase (IMP) enzyme is required for the synthesis of myo-inositol, breakdown of inositol (1,4,5)-trisphosphate, a second messenger involved in Ca2+ signaling, and synthesis of L-galactose, a precursor of ascorbic acid. Two myo-inositol monophosphatase -like (IMPL) genes in Arabidopsis encode chloroplast proteins with homology to the prokaryotic IMPs and one of these, IMPL2, can complement a bacterial histidinol 1-phosphate phosphatase mutant defective in histidine synthesis, indicating an important role for IMPL2 in amino acid synthesis. To delineate how this small gene family functions in inositol synthesis and metabolism, we sought to compare recombinant enzyme activities, expression patterns, and impact of genetic loss-of-function mutations for each. Our data show that purified IMPL2 protein is an active histidinol-P phosphatase enzyme in contrast to the IMPL1 enzyme, which has the ability to hydrolyze D-galactose 1-P, and D-inositol 1-P, a breakdown product of inositol (1,4,5)-triphosphate. Expression studies indicated that all three genes are expressed in multiple tissues, however, IMPL1 expression is restricted to above-ground tissues only. Identification and characterization of impl1 and impl2 mutants revealed no viable mutants for IMPL1, while two different impl2 mutants were identified and shown to be severely compromised in growth, which can be rescued by histidine. Analyses of metabolite levels in impl2 and complemented mutants reveals impl2 mutant growth is impacted by alterations in the histidine biosynthesis pathway, but does not impact myo-inositol synthesis. Together, these data indicate that IMPL2 functions in the histidine biosynthetic pathway, while IMP and IMPL1 catalyze the hydrolysis of inositol- and galactose-phosphates in the plant cell.
The Role of Parental and Adolescent Attributions in Adjustment of Adolescents with Chronic Illness

Previous literature has demonstrated the sepa- rate contributions of parental attributions and adolescent attributions to psychosocial adjustment of adolescents with chronic illness. However, it is unknown whether parental attributions affect adolescents' mental health directly or indirectly by influencing the youths' attributional style. This study evaluated the direct and indirect (through adolescent attributions) effects of parental attributions on internalizing and externalizing problems of adolescents with chronic ill- ness. Adolescents (N = 128; M = 14.7 years) diagnosed with cystic fibrosis or diabetes and their caregivers com- pleted measures of attributional style and adolescent adjustment. Parents' optimistic attributions were associated with fewer adolescent internalizing and externalizing prob- lems. These effects were partly mediated by adolescent attributions. These results suggest that targeting both adolescent and parent attributions may be important for improving adolescents' adjustment to a chronic illness.
The Effects of Hydrostatic Pressure on Living Aquatic Organisms V. Eurybiotic Environmental Capacity as a Factor in High Pressure Tolerance

Study on the total spectrum of organisms (72 species) subjected to hydrostatic pressure as of this date allows one to established categories of pressure tolerance (resistance): Extremely high – eurybiotic forms (1000–1200 atm), High – marine littoral, planktonic, freshwater (600–1000 atm), Moderate – marine littoral, planktonic, freshwater (400–600 atm), Low – planktonic, freshwater (100–300 atm), Extremely low – planktonic, freshwater (0–100 atm). The average pressure tolerance of marine littoral species is higher than that of planktonic species but not significantly different from freshwater species. Eurybiotic species which are not marine seem to show the highest pressure tolerance.
Learning Disabilities and Conductive Hearing Loss Involving Otitis Media

This article examines the relationship between mild conductive hearing loss associated with otitis media and auditory, language, and academic performance of children. The nature of conductive hearing loss in children is explained. A review or research studies focuses on the following topics: (1) prevalence of otitis media among learning disabled children, (2) effects of early-onset, persistent otitis media on auditory, language, and academic skills of children, and (3) effects of early onset, resolved otitis media on auditory, language, and academic skills of children. Suggestions are made for identifying children who may be at risk for developing psychoeducational sequelae. In addition, approaches to intervention with at-risk children and directions for future research are presented.
Prisoner Reentry Programming: Who Recidivates and When?

This article provides the results of a multi-year evaluation of one state's prison reentry program and its impact on the success of offender participants as measured by certain recidivism outcomes, defined here as yielding a positive urinalysis, returning to prison, and having a new conviction. Using propensity score matching, the recidivism outcomes of an equivalent comparison group are also presented. A discussion of the plausible reasons why reentry program participants returned to prison earlier and in greater numbers is provided, and recommendations for additional evaluation strategies are proposed.
From Perceptions to Connections: Informing Information Literacy Program Planning in Academic Libraries Through Examination of High School Library Media Center Curricula

Academic librarians are challenged to provide instruction to freshmen who demonstrated varied levels of research skills. To investigate how extensively particular information literacy skills are addressed at the secondary level, the authors distributed a nationwide survey to school library media specialists. Results reveal a common set of skills that respondents perceive they teach in depth and a common set of skills that are perceived as neglected. Qualitative data identify hindrances to information literacy instruction in high schools. Avenues for collaboration between academic and school librarians are suggested as a means to closing the knowledge gap between high school and college.
A simple preparative procedure to extract and purify protein G from group G streptococci.

Abstract A rapid method for the solubilization of the bacterial type III Fc binding protein, protein G, from a group G streptococcus is described. Treatment of intact bacteria with cyanogen bromide results in the solubilization of a homogeneous Mr ∼ 50,000 protein which retains IgG and human serum albumin binding properties. The solubilized protein could be purified to homogeneity by molecular sieving chromatography and retained all of the functional properties of the native protein.
Analysis of Evolving Surface Urban heat Island in NW Arkansas

Rapid urbanization leads to increase in land surface temperature (LST), deterioration in environmental quality, and ultimately global warming. Northwest Arkansas is currently going through a rapid urbanization process. Urban heat island refers to the elevated nigh time temperature of urban areas with respect to the more vegetative rural areas. The objective of this study was to estimate the LST, land use and land cover change and biomass areas, and to analyze the overall effect of vegetation and urbanization on LST of NW Arkansas in the last 10 years, from 1996 to 2006. Landsat 5 (path26, row35) image from March 2, 1996, April 17, 2001 and March 14, 2006 was used for urban heat island (UHI) analysis. The Landsat images were classified into five major classes namely forest, urban, soil, grass and water. The urban area in Benton and Washington County increased from 0.67% in 1996 to 2.00% in 2001 and 4.1% in 2006. Land surface temperatures were retrieved from thermal band of landsat-5 for the three different years. The mean temperature of the two-county area drastically increased from 9.24degC in 1996 to 12.11degC in 2001 and 18.78degC in 2006. The Normalized vegetation index (NDVI), which is an indicator of biomass decreased from 0.38 to 0.34 for this period. The rate of increase in the urban area and the decrease in NDVI in the last 10 years has altered the spring time temperature distribution. The mean temperature difference between forest and urban areas increased from 1.76degC to 3.3degC in the last 10 years. This information is critical in various fields such as atmospheric sciences and climatology for understanding the weather pattern, the environmental impact of urbanization, and to better manage our environment.
Differential polarization of alveolar macrophages and bone marrow-derived monocytes following chemically and pathogen-induced chronic lung inflammation

Alveolar macrophages and BDMCs undergo sequential biochemical changes during the chronic inflammatory response to chemically induced lung carcinogenesis in mice. Herein, we examine two chronic lung inflammation models—repeated exposure to BHT and infection with Mycobacterium tuberculosis—to establish whether similar macrophage phenotype changes occur in non-neoplastic pulmonary disease. Exposure to BHT or M. tuberculosis results in pulmonary inflammation characterized by an influx of macrophages, followed by systemic effects on the BM and other organs. In both models, pulmonary IFN-γ and IL-4 production coincided with altered polarization of alveolar macrophages. Soon after BHT administration or M. tuberculosis infection, IFN-γ content in BALF increased, and BAL macrophages became classically (M1) polarized, as characterized by increased expression of iNOS. As inflammation progressed in both models, the amount of BALF IFN-γ content and BAL macrophage iNOS expression decreased, and BALF IL-4 content and macrophage arginase I expression rose, indicating alternative/M2 polarization. Macrophages present in M. tuberculosis-induced granulomas remained M1-polarized, implying that these two pulmonary macrophage populations, alveolar and granuloma-associated, are exposed to different activating cytokines. BDMCs from BHT-treated mice displayed polarization profiles similar to alveolar macrophages, but BDMCs in M. tuberculosis-infected mice did not become polarized. Thus, only alveolar macrophages in these two models of chronic lung disease exhibit a similar progression of polarization changes; polarization of BDMCs was specific to BHT-induced pulmonary inflammation, and polarization of granuloma macrophages was specific to the M. tuberculosis infection.
Single-exposure complementary aperture phase microscopy with polarization encoding

We introduce a single-exposure widefield system of producing phase gradient images by dividing the illumination and detection apertures into two oblique complementary components and encoding them using polarization. A Wollaston prism splits the images formed by the two respective aperture halves to allow both components to be simultaneously imaged by a single camera. By producing images characteristically similar to differential interference contrast while using a darkfield illumination scheme, sensitivity to weak phase gradients is improved.
Crown architecture of short-rotation, intensively cultured Populus. III. A model of first-order branch architecture

A model was developed to describe the first-order branch architecture of Populus clones grown under short-rotation, intensive culture. Four basic model components describe branch location along the tree bole, orientation of the branch in the plane in which it arises, taper of the branch, and the relation between leaf surface area supported by the branch and branch size. Branch arrangement along the tree bole was found to be symmetric for portions of the bole containing branches. Branch orientation was well described by assuming curvature to be constant, and branch taper was successfully modeled using a simple power function. Branch surface area was determined to be the most appropriate predictor of leaf surface area supported by the branch. Combining the four model components in a computer program allows an analysis of the dynamics of Populus crowns not previously possible.
Design technology co-optimization in technology definition for 22nm and beyond

The successful scaling of CMOS technology through many generations has carried with it an implicit assumption that the most effective geometries for assembling circuits does not change significantly. As the ability to scale the physical dimensions becomes increasingly difficult in patterning and process, this assumption no longer leads to an optimal solution. This paper reviews a pragmatic process combining the design and technology development disciplines to optimize the technology definition, particularly in the critical levels design rules, as early in the definition process as possible.
An Online RFID Laboratory Learning Environment

Due to the increasing demand for RFID expertise and the existence of a knowledge gap between industry and academia in this domain, work has been stimulated to help spread understanding in this field and bridge the gap between theoretical examinations and industrial practices. Among the encouraged work, there is the Integrated Auto-ID Technology for Multidisciplinary Undergraduate Studies (I-ATMUS) project that involved developing an online learning environment for RFID technology with a remotely controllable laboratory system. Technological resources can now be accessed by learners through the Web technology to apply appropriate configurations to the system, conduct experiments using RFID technology, and perform statistical analysis on the acquired data. The developed educational tool was used by two sets of students, who showed improvements in their confidence, knowledge, and skills.
The Real Unconscious: Psychoanalysis as a Theory of Consciousness

Inquiries into hallucinatory wish fulfillment and the unconscious converge and, by distinguishing the concept of the unconscious in psychoanalysis from that of cognitive psychology, serve to bring out what is most essential to the psychoanalytic conception. Freud's topographical model is used to stress that the psychoanalytic unconscious can be understood only in relation to theories of consciousness and wishing. Moreover, in contrast to the cognitive conception, psychoanalysis holds that the processing of thought in the human mind is inseparable from the activity of desire. This leads to further psychoanalytic reflections on the interrelation of conscious and unconscious, wishing and thinking, and, in consequence, on transference and the mechanism of unconscious fantasy.
The association of gastrointestinal symptoms with weight, diet, and exercise in weight-loss program participants

Background & Aims: Studies on the relationship between gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms and obesity are limited. Research on the relationship between GI symptoms (including irritable bowel syndrome [IBS]), weight, and weight-related behaviors are rare. This study assessed rates of GI symptoms in a sample of obese patients in a weight-loss program and explored relationships among GI symptoms and obesity, binge eating, dieting (fat and fruit/fiber consumption), and physical activity. Methods: A total of 983 participants (70% women) had a mean body mass index (BMI) of 33.2 ± 5.7 kg/m2 (range, 25.1–60.8 kg/m2) and a mean age of 52.7 ± 12.4 years (range, 20.4–89.8 y). Participants completed a questionnaire about diet and physical activity and a standardized self-report Rome II questionnaire assessing IBS status and GI symptoms. Results: In bivariate analyses BMI was associated positively with abdominal pain and diarrhea whereas healthier diet (lower fat and higher fruit/fiber intake) and higher physical activity were associated with fewer GI symptoms. In multivariate models BMI was not associated with GI symptoms; physical activity remained a protective factor. Conclusions: Although physiologic mechanisms still need to be explored, associations between GI symptoms and diet and exercise behaviors may have implications for the treatment of both obesity and GI symptoms.
Heterospecific information about predation risk influences exploratory behavior

Use of socially derived information from other species is common in many types of decision making, but particularly in predation avoidance. In communities with diverse prey that share generalist predators, public information concerning predator location, type, or activity is often used by heterospecifics. Given that exploration and exploitation of the environment is constrained by predator avoidance, exactly how information about predators affects subsequent prey behavior is of increasing interest. In this study, we tested how social information (predation threat encoded in antipredator vocalizations of the tufted titmouse, Baeolophus bicolor) influences the exploratory behavior (movement, vigilance, and space use) of Northern cardinals (Cardinalis cardinalis). Cardinals, placed inside a small flight cage equipped with an array of perches, experienced randomly assigned playback treatments of titmouse antipredator vocalizations that varied in threat level. Exploratory behavior was videotaped during 3 periods—Before (B), During (D), and After (A) playbacks of titmouse calls. When titmouse vocalizations encoding more dangerous and immediate predation threats were played, cardinals significantly reduced active movements but increased visual scanning relative to subjects hearing calls that encoded low threat levels. Furthermore, they were also slower to return to prethreat behavior. Thus, we conclude that cardinals interpreted the antipredator signals correctly and responded accordingly, adjusting their activities to potentially reduce risk (decreasing movement and increasing vigilance). Our work demonstrates specifically how the trade-off between exploration (comprised of both movement and sensory scanning) and predator avoidance is actuated via spatial decision making in the cardinal. Key words: antipredator vocalization, exploratory behavior, heterospecific information, novel environment. [Behav Ecol]