cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Propagation of an Equatorial Kelvin Wave in a Varying Thermocline

Abstract We look at the effect of a slow zonal variation in thermocline depth on the propagation of a finite-amplitude Kelvin wave pulse in a single layer model. Dispersive effects are included by also allowing a weak meridional variation in background state. Analytical results are obtained using the method of multiple scales—in essence a WKB approximation. The evolution of wave amplitude riding with the Kelvin wave is found to be governed by a KdV equation with variable coefficients. As expected from energy conservation, the amplitude must increase as the thermocline depth decreases; however, the power appearing in the analog of “Green's Law” is different than that found for shallow water waves impinging on a beach. This modified “Green's Law” is verified using a numerical model. The most interesting conclusion, which is also checked numerically, is that a significant portion of the mass flux carried by a Kelvin wave pulse propagating eastward into a shoaling thermocline (the oceanographically relevant s...
The Drosophila immunoglobulin gene turtle encodes guidance molecules involved in axon pathfinding

Neuronal growth cones follow specific pathways over long distances in order to reach their appropriate targets. Research over the past 15 years has yielded a large body of information concerning the molecules that regulate this process. Some of these molecules, such as the evolutionarily conserved netrin and slit proteins, are expressed in the embryonic midline, an area of extreme importance for early axon pathfinding decisions. A general model has emerged in which netrin attracts commissural axons towards the midline while slit forces them out. However, a large number of commissural axons successfully cross the midline even in the complete absence of netrin signaling, indicating the presence of a yet unidentified midline attractant. The evolutionarily conserved Ig proteins encoded by the turtle/Dasm1 genes are found in Drosophila, Caenorhabditis elegans, and mammals. In Drosophila the turtle gene encodes five proteins, two of which are diffusible, that are expressed in many areas, including the vicinity of the midline. Using both molecular null alleles and transgenic expression of the different isoforms, we show that the turtle encoded proteins function as non-cell autonomous axonal attractants that promote midline crossing via a netrin-independent mechanism. turtle mutants also have either stalled or missing axon projections, while overexpression of the different turtle isoforms produces invasive neurons and branching axons that do not respect the histological divisions of the nervous system. Our findings indicate that the turtle proteins function as axon guidance cues that promote midline attraction, axon branching, and axonal invasiveness. The latter two capabilities are required by migrating axons to explore densely packed targets.
The Effects of Sentence-Combining Instructions on Writing and on Standardized Test Scores

AbstractSpecial instruction in sentence combining has historically elicited the writing of longer sentences among younger or less sophisticated writers. Research also is available that suggests that such instruction may produce a corollary increase in reading comprehension of longer sentences. This study focuses on the parallel increases of scores on two standardized tests Reading Comprehension and Sentence Structure and on the free writing of middle and high school students. Results indicate significant gains among younger students and focused gains among older students.
Critique of tunable infrared lasers

The operating characteristics of tunable infrared semiconductor, spin-flip Raman, difference-frequency, colour centre and vibronic lasers are reviewed for application to spectroscopy at ultra-high resolution. Emphasis is placed on sub-Doppler molecular studies with these lasers.
Effect of metabolic acidosis on hydrogen ion excretion in a pigtail macaque with erythrocyte carbonic anhydrase I deficiency.

AbstractMetabolic acidosis was induced by NH4Cl ingestion in a normal pigtail macaque (Macaca nemestrina) and a pigtail macaque with an inherited deficiency of red cell carbonic anhydrase I (CA I). After this acid stress, both the normal and CA I-deficient animals were able to acidify their urine, and displayed similar hydrogen ion clearance indexes. These findings suggest that a defective red cell CA I, reported in some cases of renal tubular acidosis in humans, is not directly responsible for the impairment of bicarbonate reabsorption in the kidney tubules.
AN ASSESSMENT OF HYDROELASTICITY FOR VERY LARGE HINGED VESSELS

A computational analysis is presented for the effects of waves on very large hinged vessels consisting of several modules, connected by simple hinges. Two generic types of modules are considered: rectangular barges similar to the Megafloat prototype and semi-submersibles similar to those proposed for mobile offshore bases. Most of the computations are for configurations with five modules, each of length 300 m. The results include vertical motions, structural deflections, and hinge shear forces in head and oblique waves. A range of structural stiffness parameters is considered, to permit a quantitative assessment of the importance of hydroelasticity.
Study of EDFA and Raman system transmission reach with 256 Gb/s PM-16QAM signals over three optical fibers with 100 km spans

We compare the transmission performance of three different optical fibers in separate 256 Gb/s PM-16QAM systems amplified with erbium doped fiber amplifiers (EDFAs) and distributed Raman amplification. The span length in each system is 100 km. The fibers studied include standard single-mode fiber, single-mode fiber with ultra-low loss, and ultra-low loss fiber with large effective area. We find that the single-mode fiber with ultra-low loss and the large effective area fiber with ultra-low loss afford reach advantages of up to about 31% and 80%, respectively, over standard fiber measured at distances with 3 dB margin over the forward error correction (FEC) threshold. The Raman amplified systems provide about 50% reach length enhancement over the EDFA systems for all three fibers in the experimental set-up. For the best performing fiber with large effective area and ultra-low loss, the absolute reach lengths with 3 dB margin are greater than 1140 km and 1700 km for the for EDFA and Raman systems, respectively.
Modeling of diffusion in the presence of damage in polymer matrix composites

Abstract It is now well known that Fick’s Law is frequently inadequate for describing moisture diffusion in polymers and polymer composites. Non-Fickian or anomalous diffusion is likely to occur when a polymer composite laminate is subjected to external stresses that could give rise to internal damage in the form of matrix cracks. As a result, it is necessary to take into account the combined effects of temperature, stress, and damage in the construction of such a model. In this article, a modeling methodology based on irreversible thermodynamics applied within the framework of composite macro-mechanics is presented, that would allow characterization of non-Fickian diffusion coefficients from moisture-weight-gain data for laminated composites. A symmetric damage tensor based on continuum damage mechanics is incorporated in this model by invoking the principle of invariance with respect to coordinate transformations. For tractability, the diffusion-governing equations are simplified for the special case of a laminate, with uniformly distributed matrix cracks, that is subjected to a uniaxial tensile stress. The final form for effective diffusivity obtained from this derivation indicates that the effective diffusivity for this case is a quadratic function of crack density. A finite element procedure that extends this methodology to more complex shapes and boundary conditions is also presented. Comparisons with test data for a 5-harness satin textile composite are provided for model verifications.
Bayes prediction in regressions with elliptical errors

Abstract In this paper the prediction problem is considered for linear regression models with elliptical errors when the Bayes prior is non-informative. We show that the Bayes prediction density under the elliptical errors assumption is exactly the same as that obtained with normally distributed errors. Thus, assuming that the errors have a normal distribution, when the true distribution is elliptical, will not lead to incorrect predictive inferences if the error variance structure is correctly specified. This extends the results of Zellner (1976). Finally, based on Monte Carlo numerical integration procedures, computations are provided in a model with multiplicative heteroscedasticity.
On the use of spectral methods for the determination of fractal dimension

This paper discusses the use of fractal theory for quantitative analysis of profiles from two-dimensional surfaces. The theoretical relationship between spectral parameters and fractal dimension is examined, including the conditions under which the derived relationship between spectral parameters and fractal dimension by Voss (1985) is valid, and the limitations in making inferences from spectral parameters. Applications of fractal theory to geophysical data are also discussed. In particular, it is shown that an amplitude spectrum with a decay corresponding to a fractal dimension of 1.5 can result from the concatenation of time series with decays corresponding to different fractal dimensions. It has been shown that the spectral density of a fractal distribution will be characterized by a power-law decay, but this paper illustrates that a power-law decay is not sufficient to identify a fractal distribution. Although this paper discusses applications to the study of Earth topography, the results are applicable to the study of any one-dimensional profile.
Photodynamics of Porphyric Insecticides

Abstract The discovery of porphyric insecticides was a direct fallout of the discovery and development of photodynamic herbicides. Tetrapyrrole-dependent photodynamic herbicides are compounds that force green plants to accumulate undesirable amounts of metabolic intermediates of the chlorophyll and heme metabolic pathways, namely, tetrapyrroles. In light, the accumulated tetrapyrroles photosensitize the formation of singlet oxygen that kills treated plants by oxidation of their cellular membranes. Demonstration of the potential for tetrapyrrole accumulation in insects was achieved by spraying T. ni larvae with δ-aminolevulinic acid (ALA) and 2,2-dipyridyl (Dpy). Treated larvae were placed overnight in darkness at 28°C in order to allow for tetrapyrrole accumulation. Extraction of treated, dark-incubated larvae with ammoniacal acetone, followed by spectrofluorometric examination of the larval extract, revealed the accumulation of massive amounts of protoporphyrin IX (Proto). A high degree of correlation wa...
Ningyō: An homage to the films of Kawamoto Kihachirō

This article provides a personal as well as scholarly exploration of the short films, and two longer films, by puppet animator Kawamoto Kihachirō (1925–2010), with special attention to the influenc...
Ion Microprobe Study of Plagioclase-Basalt Partition Experiments at Natural Concentration Levels of Trace Elements

We present here a study of plagioclase/melt partitioning of trace elements at their natural concentration levels, using sample charges from the widely cited plagioclase/melt partitioning experiments of Drake and Weill (1975). In these experiments, sample charges were doped to ∼1 wt% with Sr, Ba, rare earth elements (REE) and Y, but each charge was only doped with one to four elements. Thus, these samples provide an opportunity to compare partition coefficients (Dι) at natural concentration levels with those for doped concentration levels for the same composition of plagioclase, melt and temperature. Plagioclase-glass pairs of seventeen runs at four different plagioclase compositions and temperatures were analyzed by electron microprobe for major elements and some of the doped trace elements and by ion microprobe for undoped Li, Be, B, F, Mg, P, Cl, K, Sc, Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Rb, Sr, Y, Zr, Nb, Cs, Ba, La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu, and Pb. Partitioning of the homovalent substituting ions Sr2+ and Ba2+ show no differences between doped and natural concentration levels. Ion microprobe measured Dι heterovalent substituting ions REE3+ and Y3+ at natural concentration levels (0.3–3 ppm) in samples doped with wt% levels of Sr or Ba are up to three times higher than at doped concentration levels and cannot be explained by analytical artifacts. We discuss possible reasons for this. All trace element Dι data show linear relationships of the forms ln (Dι) = a∗ XAn + b∗ and RT ln (Dι) = a XAn + b in 0.4 < XAn < 0.8 range. Alkalies, alkaline earths, and lanthanides exhibit the same type of compositional dependence within each group of elements. Slopes a∗ and a vary with the increase of the ionic radius within each valence group. The smaller ions of each of these groups exhibit no or positive slopes a∗ and a; the larger ions show negative slopes. The magnitudes of the slopes increase linearly with ionic radii within the same valence group. This relationship allows extrapolation and prediction of the compositional dependence of elements of the same group whose concentrations could not be measured in this work. We present best fit approximation parameters for the RT ln (Dι) = a XAn + b relationship. These can be used in various petrologic applications to reconstruct the primary trace elemental composition of the parental melt from which plagioclase crystallized.
The 50th Birthday of Progressive Multifocal Leukoencephalopathy : New Insights into Pathogenesis

Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML) is an opportunistic demyelinating disease of the central nervous system caused by JC polyomavirus, that was initially described by Astrom, Mancall and Richardson half a century ago (1). PML develops when JC virus productively infects oligodendrocytes leading to their lytic destruction, possibly through mechanisms involving apoptosis, with resulting demyelination. Cases of PML emerging during treatment with several immunomodulatory agents of great therapeutic promise for treatment of immune-mediated neurological and non-neurological disease, including natalizumab (Tysabri), rituximab (Rituxan), and mycophenolate mofetil (CellCept) (see http://www.fda.gov/medwatch/safety/2008/safety08.htm), has re-focused emphasis on understanding the pathogenesis of these devastating and currently untreatable neurological disorder.
LiF/Fe/C nanofibres as a high-capacity cathode material for Li-ion batteries

LiF/Fe/C composite nanofibres with different morphologies were prepared by electrospinning and heat treatment of LiF/ferrocene/polyacrylonitrile (PAN) precursors. X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy were employed to study the structural variations of these composite nanofibres. It was found that Fe nanoparticles and carbon nanofibres were obtained from the thermal decomposition of ferrocene and PAN precursors, respectively. The electrochemical performance was evaluated using the prepared composite nanofibres as the cathode material in lithium half-cells. With uniformly embedded active particles in the carbon nanofibre matrix, the resultant cathode materials presented highly reversible discharge capacities of over 472 mA h g−1.
Reaction Front Evolution during Electrochemical Lithiation of Crystalline Silicon Nanopillars

The high theoretical specific capacity of Si as an anode material is attractive in lithium-ion batteries, al- though the issues caused by large volume changes during cycling have been a major challenge. Efforts have been de- voted to understanding how diffusion-induced stresses cause fracture, but recent observations of anisotropic volume expansion in single-crystalline Si nanostructures re- quire new theoretical considerations of expansion behavior during lithiation. Further experimental investigation is also necessary to better understand the anisotropy of the lithia- tion process. Here, we present a method to reveal the crys- talline core of partially lithiated Si nanopillars with three dif- ferent crystallographic orientations by using methanol to dissolve the Li atoms from the amorphous Li-Si alloy. The exposed crystalline cores have flat {110} surfaces at the pillar sidewalls; these surfaces represent the position of the reaction front between the crystalline core and the amor- phous Li-Si alloy. It was also found that an amorphous Si structure remained on the flat surfaces of the crystalline core after dissolution of the Li, which was presumed to be caused by the accumulation of Si atoms left over from the removal of Li from the Li-Si alloy.
Terminal response times in data communications systems

A response time analysis for a general class of terminals-to-computer subsystem is presented in this paper. The model used is based on the most advanced data communications system in which terminals are connected to Terminal Control Units (TCU) that are in turn connected to local Front-End Processors (FEP). The line control procedures used to interface a TCU and an FEP may be half-duplex Binary Synchronous Communications (BSC), half-duplex Synchronous Data Link Control (SDLC), or full-duplex SDLC. The models presented here can be used to determine bottlenecks in the entire system and to facilitate the initial phase of system design and configuration.
Ring-toric optics in optical data storage applications

We review the relatively short history of the ring-toric lenslet. We discuss ring-toric lenslet design and elements that we have fabricated. We illustrate how a focus-error signal (FES) is measured with a ring-toric lens. We have found that the FES slope. a measure of sensitivity to defocus, is higher for the ring-toric lenslets described in this paper than for other techniques, such as the astigmatic and obscuration methods. We measured an FES slope of 0.63 per micron of defocus. The theoretical FES slope is 1.4 micrometers -1 . Finally, we describe a multi-level DOE fabricated in a single etch using grayscale-photomask technology.
A Tale of Two Reductases: Extending the Bacteriochlorophyll Biosynthetic Pathway in E. coli

The creation of a synthetic microbe that can harvest energy from sunlight to drive its metabolic processes is an attractive approach to the economically viable biosynthetic production of target compounds. Our aim is to design and engineer a genetically tractable non-photosynthetic microbe to produce light-harvesting molecules. Previously we created a modular, multienzyme system for the heterologous production of intermediates of the bacteriochlorophyll (BChl) pathway in E. coli. In this report we extend this pathway to include a substrate promiscuous 8-vinyl reductase that can accept multiple intermediates of BChl biosynthesis. We present an informative comparative analysis of homologues of 8-vinyl reductase from the model photosynthetic organisms Rhodobacter sphaeroides and Chlorobaculum tepidum. The first purification of the enzymes leads to their detailed biochemical and biophysical characterization. The data obtained reveal that the two 8-vinyl reductases are substrate promiscuous, capable of reducing the C8-vinyl group of Mg protoporphyrin IX, Mg protoporphyrin IX methylester, and divinyl protochlorophyllide. However, activity is dependent upon the presence of chelated Mg2+ in the porphyrin ring, with no activity against non-Mg2+ chelated intermediates observed. Additionally, CD analyses reveal that the two 8-vinyl reductases appear to bind the same substrate in a different fashion. Furthermore, we discover that the different rates of reaction of the two 8-vinyl reductases both in vitro, and in vivo as part of our engineered system, results in the suitability of only one of the homologues for our BChl pathway in E. coli. Our results offer the first insights into the different functionalities of homologous 8-vinyl reductases. This study also takes us one step closer to the creation of a nonphotosynthetic microbe that is capable of harvesting energy from sunlight for the biosynthesis of molecules of choice.
Neutrophil kinetics after acute hemorrhage.

SummaryMice were bled and at intervals thereafter, blood neutrophil concentration, blood band/segmented neutrophil ratio and total number of neutrophils per humerus were determined. Within the first 3 hr after hemorrhage maximal increase in the circulating blood neutrophil concentration was observed. However, this was not accompanied by a significant increase in band/seg ratio in the blood nor was it accompanied by a significant decrease in marrow neutrophils. Therefore, the early neutrophilia after hemorrhage probably reflects a shift of intravascular neutrophils from the marginal to the circulating pool. However, between 3 and 6 hr after hemorrhage there was a striking increase in band/seg ratio in blood and a decrease in total marrow neutrophils. Thus, following the initial pseudoneutrophilia caused by demargination, an increase in the rate of release of marrow neutrophils occurred resulting in a decrease in marrow neutrophils and an increase in the band/seg ratio in the blood. It is suggested that thi...
Edaphic control of habitat selection by kangaroo mice (Microdipodops) in three Nevadan populations.

The influence of soil texture on habitat selection by kangaroo mice was evaluted at three areas — Lincoln, Nye, and Pershing Counties, Nevada, where Microdipodops megacephalus and M. pallidus are sympatric.
The many faces of the helix-turn-helix domain: Transcription regulation and beyond

The helix-turn-helix (HTH) domain is a common denominator in basal and specific transcription factors from the three super-kingdoms of life. At its core, the domain comprises of an open tri-helical bundle, which typically binds DNA with the 3rd helix. Drawing on the wealth of data that has accumulated over two decades since the discovery of the domain, we present an overview of the natural history of the HTH domain from the viewpoint of structural analysis and comparative genomics. In structural terms, the HTH domains have developed several elaborations on the basic 3-helical core, such as the tetra-helical bundle, the winged-helix and the ribbon-helix–helix type configurations. In functional terms, the HTH domains are present in the most prevalent transcription factors of all prokaryotic genomes and some eukaryotic genomes. They have been recruited to a wide range of functions beyond transcription regulation, which include DNA repair and replication, RNA metabolism and protein–protein interactions in diverse signaling contexts. Beyond their basic role in mediating macromolecular interactions, the HTH domains have also been incorporated into the catalytic domains of diverse enzymes. We discuss the general domain architectural themes that have arisen amongst the HTH domains as a result of their recruitment to these diverse functions. We present a natural classification, higher-order relationships and phyletic pattern analysis of all the major families of HTH domains. This reconstruction suggests that there were at least 6–11 different HTH domains in the last universal common ancestor of all life forms, which covered much of the structural diversity and part of the functional versatility of the extant representatives of this domain. In prokaryotes the total number of HTH domains per genome shows a strong power-equation type scaling with the gene number per genome. However, the HTH domains in two-component signaling pathways show a linear scaling with gene number, in contrast to the non-linear scaling of HTH domains in single-component systems and sigma factors. These observations point to distinct evolutionary forces in the emergence of different signaling systems with HTH transcription factors. The archaea and bacteria share a number of ancient families of specific HTH transcription factors. However, they do not share any orthologous HTH proteins in the basal transcription apparatus. This differential relationship of their basal and specific transcriptional machinery poses an apparent conundrum regarding the origins of their transcription apparatus.
Hydrologic and Erosion Models to Assess Land Use and Management Practices Affecting Soil Erosion

We developed a new, coupled, hydrologic-erosion model and a targeted field data-collection program to quantify hillslope soil erosion rates and sediment yield in semiarid regions. While the methodology has a wide range of actual and potential applications, we use military training activities as an example. The methodology is applied at the Yakima Training Center (YTC) in south central Washington, USA where most erosion and transport occurs during extreme events of short duration, often associated with rapid rain-induced snowmelt on frozen soil. The distributed hydrologic and soil erosion modeling system is used to simulate continuous water balance and soil thermal state throughout all seasons of the year. We estimated surface runoff and sediment yield for relatively undisturbed areas as well as from roads, firebreaks, and vehicle tracks associated with training activities at the study site. Field data were collected on over 100 hillslope profile transects across the YTC to parameterize, test, and evaluate...
Atmospheric turbidity from polarization of outgoing visible radiation

From a comparison between high altitude measurements of the polarization of visible radiation over various natural surfaces with those computed for molecular and turbid atmospheres, some estimates of the aerosol parameters such as the exponent of the power law distribution and the limiting radii for the particles obtained are presented.
Quantum inelastic scattering study of isotope effects in ozone stabilization dynamics

Abstract The stabilization of O + O 2 by collision with Ar is calculated using a quantum inelastic scattering approach with full-dimensional bound and unbound O 3 vibrational wavefunctions. Calculations of the stabilization probability are presented for seven combinations of 16 O, 17 O and 18 O atoms, at one total energy, zero impact parameter, and three initial orientations of Ar with respect to a body-fixed coordinate system. The importance of van der Waals well bound states and the probable importance of long-lived resonant states for stabilization is shown. Comparison of ratios of calculated stabilization probabilities with experimental rate constant ratios shows encouraging and consistent agreement.
'Acute on chronic' effect of depot leuprolide in patients with stage D2 cancer of prostate.

During a phase III open study of depot leuprolide for stage D2 cancer of the prostate, we studied the effect of depot leuprolide on chronic leuprolide users. To determine whether there was a transient elevation of testosterone or luteinizing hormone (LH) 4-24 h and 3-5 days following the monthly injections, we monitored the changes of testosterone and LH before injection and 24 h post-injection in 10 patients who have been under depot leuprolide Rx for 24-36 weeks, and in 35 patients before injection and 3-5 days post-injection who have received depot leuprolide for 8-24 weeks prior to monitoring. Comparison of the data between pre-injection within 24 h and 3-5 days post-injection showed no significant changes of testosterone and LH values between these levels for either testosterone (P = 0.31) or LH (P = 0.45). We therefore conclude that there was no 'acute on chronic' effect of depot formulation in chronic users of depot leuprolide.
The Van Der Waals Forces in Gases

A calculation of van der Waal's potential of two atoms at large separation has been carried out for hydrogen and helium. The method depends upon a representation of the perturbed wave function of the system as $\ensuremath{\psi}={\ensuremath{\psi}}_{0} (1+vR)$ where ${\ensuremath{\psi}}_{0}$ is the unperturbed wave function, $v$ the perturbing potential and $R$ is a function of the radial coordinates of the electrons. The method is equally well adapted to the calculation of polarizabilities. A computation of the mutual energy of two hydrogen atoms confirms the results of Eisenschitz and London. The polarizability of helium is calculated as 0.210\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}${10}^{\ensuremath{-}24}$ cc which agrees well with the experimental value, 0.205\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}${10}^{\ensuremath{-}24}$. The mutual energy of two helium atoms is found to be -3.18 $\frac{{E}_{0}}{{(\frac{R}{{a}_{0}})}^{6}}$. A correlation between the mutual energy of the two molecules, $\ensuremath{\epsilon}$, and the polarizability, $\ensuremath{\alpha}$, is obtained: $\ensuremath{\epsilon}=\frac{\ensuremath{-}1.36{{\ensuremath{\nu}}_{0}}^{\frac{1}{2}}{{a}_{0}}^{\frac{3}{2}}{a}^{\frac{3}{2}}{E}_{0}}{{R}^{6}}$ where ${\ensuremath{\nu}}_{0}$ is the number of electrons in the highest quantum state in the molecule, ${E}_{0}$ the energy of the hydrogen atom in the normal state, and $R$ is the separation of the molecules. By means of this formula, the van der Waals cohesive pressure constant is calculated for Ne, A, ${\mathrm{N}}_{2}$, ${\mathrm{H}}_{2}$, ${\mathrm{O}}_{2}$, and C${\mathrm{H}}_{4}$.
The effect of ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) and EDTA plus salicylate on acute cadmium toxicity and distribution.

Abstract The lethality of various dosages of intravenously administered cadmium (as CdCl2) was tested in female Swiss Webster mice weighing 30–45 g which were given CaNa2-ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) (0.5 mmol/kg ip) or CaNa2EDTA plus sodium salicylate (SA, 2 mmol/kg ip) immediately after the Cd injection. In mice given saline instead of a chelator the LD50 for Cd was about 3.5 mg Cd/kg. Mice given either EDTA or EDTA + SA were protected from the lethal effects of Cd up to 5 mg Cd/kg. No difference in survival was found between animals treated with either EDTA + SA or EDTA alone at any dosage of Cd. The tissue concentrations of a sublethal dosage (1 mg Cd/kg) of radiolabeled Cd (109Cd) injected intraveneously were measured in blood, plasma, heart, lung, pancreas, spleen, small intestine, kidney, stomach, bone, brain, liver, and muscle of mice also treated with various dosages of EDTA with or without a fixed dosage of salicylate (2 mmol/kg). EDTA, in dosages as low as 0.3 mmol/kg, significantly decreased the concentration of Cd found in most tissues. The addition of sodium salicylate to the chelator therapy did not significantly alter tissue Cd concentrations when compared to that found in mice given EDTA alone.
SU‐E‐T‐458: Instability of Electronic Portal Imaging Device Responses for Intensity Modulated Irradiation

Purpose: To investigate the response of electronic portal imaging device(EPID) in integration mode for intensity modulated beams including step‐ and‐shoot (SS) and sliding window (SW) deliveries. Methods: We evaluated EPID dose response measurements of open, SS, and SW irradiations. We designed three beams using 6MV x‐rays with 10×10 cm2 field size. For the SS irradiation, two MLC leaves with 0.5 cm opening outside 10 × 10 cm2 were discontinuously moved by 10 cm during each segmental irradiation among ten segments of the entire delivery. For the SW beam, the same MLC leaves were continuously moved by 10 cm ten times during the delivery. The employment of the same open beam area ensures the same dose irradiation by the three. Monitor units were varied. We additionally investigated the dose linearity of EPID response. We used EPID‐ADU1000 operated with IAS3 system for the integrated acquisition. Results: The SS delivery showed a deviation greater than 2% from the open beam, if a segment employed less than 10 MUs. If it employed greater than 10 MUs, then a deviation less than 1% was observed. The SW delivery showed a maximum deviation of 1.4% at the lowest MU. The open beam irradiation showed linearity within 0.8%, the SW irradiation 1.2%, and the SS irradiation 1.7%. Conclusions: The SS delivery is associated with a greater error than the SW delivery due to beam instability at the start of acquisition and reading loss during MLC movement. Using large monitor units greater than 10 MUs/segment can minimize the deviation for the SS delivery from open beam. The linearity of EPID response to dose was better with the SW delivery than the SS delivery. This study will help understand dosimetric response of EPID for the SS delivery. This study was in part supported by Varian Medical Systems, Inc.
Hydrolytic degradation of poly(ethylene oxide)-block-polycaprolactone worm micelles

Spherical micelles and nanoparticles made with degradable polymers have been of great interest for therapeutic application, but degradation-induced changes in a spherical morphology can be subtle and mechanism/kinetics appears poorly understood. Here, we report the first preparation of giant and flexible worm micelles self-assembled from degradable copolymer poly(ethylene oxide)-block-polycaprolactone. Such worm micelles spontaneously shorten to generate spherical micelles, triggered by polycaprolactone hydrolysis, with distinct mechanism and kinetics from that which occurs in bulk material.
Compensatory increase in USP14 activity accompanies impaired proteasomal proteolysis during aging

The deubiquitinating enzyme, USP14, found in association with the proteasome is essential in mediating ubiquitin trimming and in ensuring ubiquitin-homeostasis. As aging is accompanied by a significant decline in proteasomal proteolysis in primary human T lymphocytes, we evaluated the contributory role of USP14 in this decline. Our studies for the first time demonstrate that enzymatic activity of proteasome-associated USP14 is significantly higher in T cells obtained from elderly donors. Additionally, such an increase in USP14 activity could be mimicked by chemically inhibiting the proteasome, using lactacystin. Thus, USP14 activity appears to be reciprocally regulated by the catalytic function of the 26S proteasome. To determine whether the inhibition of USP14 activity counter regulates proteasomal proteolysis, T cells pretreated with a small molecule inhibitor of USP14, IU1, were activated and assessed for IκBα degradation as a measure of proteasomal proteolysis. While T cells obtained from young donors demonstrated increased degradation of IκBα, those from the elderly remained unaffected by IU1 pretreatment. Taken together, these results demonstrate that the decrease in proteolysis of proteasomal substrates during aging is independent of the increased USP14 activity and that the reciprocal regulation of USP14 and proteasomal catalytic activity may be necessary to maintain cellular ubiquitin homeostasis.
A hollow complete lower denture

A technique was described that greatly reduces the weight of an exceptionally heavy lower denture by as much as 25%. When weight of a denture may be a contributing factor to the successful resolution of a patient's problem, the hollow denture should be considered.
Metastatic pattern of malignant melanoma: A study of 216 autopsy cases

Abstract The metastatic pattern and causes of death were analyzed by autopsy of 216 patients with histologically proven advanced malignant melanoma. These cases constituted 3 per cent of all the autopsies done for cancers from 1959 to 1954 at Roswell Park Memorial Institute, Age range was from six to eighty-six years, with a median value of 49.5 years. Male to female ratio was 1.5:1. Multiple organ metastases were present in 95 per cent of the patients. The most common organs involved were lymph nodes (73.6 per cent), lungs (71.3 per cent), liver (58.3 per cent), brain (49.1 per cent), bone (48.6 per cent), heart (47.2 per cent), adrenal glands (46.8 per cent), and gastrointestinal tract (43.5 per cent). Single organ metastasis was extremely uncommon in malignant melanoma of cutaneous origin. The incidence of histologically different, second primary cancer was 7.4 per cent. The most common cause of death was respiratory failure because of massive involvement of lungs in addition to pleura. The second leading cause of death was complications of brain metastases (increased intracranial pressure and hemorrhage). The median survival was twenty-four months. It appears that this is a selected group of patients with a worse prognosis than expected overall.
Expression of the 71 kDa dystrophin isoform (Dp71) evaluated by gene targeting

To investigate the function of the major non-muscle dystrophin isoform, Dp71, we substituted a β-galactosidase (βgal) reporter gene for Dp71 by homologous recombination in embryonic stem cells. Staining for βgal activity in chimeric mice revealed Dp71 promoter activity in glial cells in the CNS, in neurons of the inner nuclear and inner plexiform layers of the retina, and in the kidney tubules and collecting ducts. Our observations demonstrate that Dp71 is widely expressed in the adult CNS (retina, cerebellum, cerebral cortex, ependyma, and choroid) as well as the adult kidney epithelium and suggest a broad function for Dp71 in differentiated tissues.
Sensor Networks for In-Situ Failure Identification in Woven Composites

This paper presents experimental measurements of the response of woven composite laminates to multiple low-velocity impacts. Damage initiation and progression occur at multiple physical and temporal scales in heterogeneous materials, including fiber breakage, matrix cracking, delamination and matrix relaxation. The sensor networks/interrogators were therefore chosen specifically to provide insight into the order and progression of different failure modes. Measurements of the contact force between the impactor and composite are measured throughout impact. Additionally, the dissipated energy per impact event is also calculated from the impactor velocity. Surface mounted and embedded fiber Bragg grating sensors are used for the measurement of the laminate response. Peak wavelength measurements are performed during impact at 1 kHz, while full-spectral scanning is performed at 5 Hz during relaxation period of the laminate immediately after impact and quasi-statically to measure post-impact residual strain states within the laminate. The results highlight the depth of information embedded within the FBG full-spectral data sensors, as well as the added insight to be gained from combined global-local measurements.© 2009 ASME
Increased upper airway resistance to breathing during sleep in the cat

Abstract At the onset of sleep, upper airway resistance shifted to higher levels which were maintained throughout sleep. With each inspiration, there was a decrease in upper airway resistance. These respiratory changes in resistance were smaller in wakefulness (on low baseline resistances) than those in nonrapid eye movement sleep (on high baseline resistances). In rapid eye movement sleep, modulations with inspiration were diminished and were intermittently absent, and baseline resistance was high.
A new tarsal gland in ants and the possible role in chemical communication

Mise en evidence d'une nouvelle glande tarsienne qui serait la source d'un signal chimique de retour au gite
Present State and Future Prospects: A Review of Cooperative Groups' Adjuvant and Neoadjuvant Trials in Breast Cancer

Abstract In patients with operable breast cancer, adjuvant hormonal therapy and adjuvant chemotherapy result in significant and long-term reductions in the rates of disease recurrence and death. These reductions are evident in both patients with node-negative as well as in those with node-positive disease. However, several issues in the adjuvant treatment of breast cancer still remain unresolved. These issues were recently considered at the 2000 National Institutes of Health (NIH) Consensus Development Conference, which reviewed the current state of knowledge on adjuvant therapy and outlined strategies for future research. In the area of adjuvant hormonal therapy, tamoxifen is still the gold standard, and present evidence supports the use of tamoxifen for patients with estrogen receptor (ER)-positive tumors irrespective of age, menopausal status, nodal status, or tumor size. Optimal duration of tamoxifen therapy is about 5 years. Future research directions include evaluating the benefit of extending tamoxifen beyond 5 years, the contribution of ovarian ablation, and the role of hormonal manipulations involving selective ER modulators and aromatase inhibitors instead of or in addition to tamoxifen. In the area of adjuvant chemotherapy, polychemotherapy regimens have been consistently found to be superior to single agents, and anthracycline-containing regimens produce a small but statistically significant improvement in survival when compared with regimens not containing an anthracycline. High-dose adjuvant chemotherapy with stem cell support has not been proven superior to standard regimens. Neoadjuvant therapy offers the possibility of testing in vivo the sensitivity of individual tumors to particular cytotoxic regimens and, hence, of improving ultimate disease control, as well as reducing the extent of local therapy. The contribution and optimal integration of taxanes in the adjuvant setting are yet to be established but are the subject of intense research effort. Similarly, novel targeted therapies such as trastuzumab and bisphosphonates are currently being evaluated in adjuvant studies.
The Relationship of Precipitation and Black-Tailed Jack Rabbit Populations in Kansas

Populations of black-tailed jack rabbits (Lepus californictis ssp.) have increased to near plague proportions at various times in many western states. The limited records show that western Kansas has experienced two population increases of such proportions and that both have occurred during droughts (Wooster 1935, Carter 1939, Bronson 1957). The subspecies present in this region is L. c. vmelanotis. The economy of western Kansas is principally agricultural and, when large numbers of these animals are present, excessive crop damage may result. Reports of crop damage in 1954-'55 and 1955-'56 reached proportions unheard of since the drought of the mid-1930's. "Rabbit (Irives," common methods of destruction in the 1930's, were held again in many western counties. Unconfirmed reports stated that as many as a thousand or more jack rabbits were killed on some of these drives. A study of the ecology of this hare, its population fluctuations, reproduction, habits and economic effects was begun in July of 1956 and is continuing. This paper presents data on the changes in the number of jack rabbits on a study area in relation to the termination of a five-year drought (19521956). The possible relation between the data collected on the study area and the long-term population fluctuations of this species in Kansas is explored. Thorough studies of the ecology of L. californzicuts ssp. have been made in Arizona by Vorhies and Taylor ( 1933) and in California by Lechleitner (1956). Woodbury (1955) charted anl annual cycle of these animals in Utah.
EXPERIMENTAL NEPHRITIS IN RATS INDUCED BY INJECTION OF ANTI-KIDNEY SERUM : I. PREPARATION AND IMMUNOLOGICAL STUDIES OF NEPHROTOXIN.

Nephritis can be induced in rats by the injection of anti-kidney sera obtained from rabbits immunized with suspensions of perfused rat kidney. Anti-kidney sera, thus prepared, contain a number of antibodies capable, on injection into rats, of inducing a severe anaphylactoid reaction with general vascular manifestations that involve the kidney as well as other organs. These sera also contain a nephrotoxic agent that affects the kidney primarily. The nephrotoxic effect is characterized clinically by severe persistent albuminuria with casts, and transient anasarca during the acute disease, but no significant hematuria occurs. When a severe anaphylactoid reaction is superimposed on the nephrotoxic injury, hematuria is an outstanding feature. Nephrotoxin is demonstrable in vivo and is not related quantitatively to the precipitins in the anti-kidney serum against kidney extract. It is most readily obtained by immunization with kidney suspensions, but may occasionally appear after injections of other organ preparations; it does not result from immunization with erythrocytes or serum. Nephrotoxin is present in the globulin fraction of anti-kidney serum. The nephrotoxic action of anti-kidney serum is easily removed by absorption with kidney cells or fat-free kidney tissue. Similar preparations of liver likewise remove it, but less readily. Neither kidney, liver, or brain lipids affect it, nor does absorption with red blood cells or serum. Nephrotoxin appears to be an antibody that is relatively organ specific in its affinities. It differs from the more common antibodies involved in reverse anaphylaxis in one respect, at least: The animal rapidly becomes desensitized against the latter and fails to react, whereas desensitization to nephrotoxin is difficult to secure.
Functional analysis of spontaneous movements in preterm infants

Spontaneous movements of premature infants between 25 and 34 weeks conceptional age were observed for 1 hr on two or three occasions. Subjects had low-risk prognoses and were clinically stable at the time of testing. Behavioral acts were scored using a 0/1 time sampling technique in 60 continuous, 1-min time blocks. Temporal associations between individual movements were found using chi-square analyses. Some associated behaviors contained combinations consistent with neonatal action patterns, for example, single and bilateral leg kicking, head turning, and mouthing. Features of state organization were also evident in that general motor activity (GM), which has been used as a marker of active sleep (AS) in neonates, was found to cluster temporally with startle, facial, and head movements but not eye movements. Behavioral quiescence (> or = 5 s) was dissociated from AS-related behaviors (GM, facial, head, and eye movements). Combinations of state-segregated behaviors were more likely to exhibit co-occurrence within 1-min intervals in infants 30 weeks conceptional age and older.
Critical Analysis of Attitude Measurement in Health Education, 1927–57

Abstract The past 30 years have added little to our knowledge of attitude measurement in health education. Some 15 scales have appeared in the literature, but few of these have been successfully refined and standardized. This study critically reviews these scales, and brings the interested reader up to date in this all important area. It also poses several questions which, it is hoped, will stimulate thought and perhaps even a little research. A greater understanding of attitudes and how they are developed and measured is necessary to further health education outcomes. This will not be realized until health educators themselves lend their time and talents to the solution of the many problems in this area.
Adventures in Implementing a Testing Program

What are the ways in which a testing program can run aground? What are some suggestions for avoiding these problems?
Central Pain Syndrome: Pathophysiology, Diagnosis and Management

Canavero S, Bonicalzi V. New York, NY 10013, Cambridge University Press, 2007, hardcover, 382 pp, illus, ISBN: 978-0-521-86692-7, $90. This comprehensive, evidence-based text addresses the history, presentation, diagnosis, and treatment of central pain syndrome (CPS). The authors have done an outstanding job of organizing all of the literature on this topic and then arranging the information in such a manner that the reader can quickly find sections on a specific area …
Crisis Communication in Dark Times: The 2011 Mouse River Flood in Minot, North Dakota

Crisis communication is an essential aspect of disaster and crisis management for governments; this is particularly true for local governments, which are first into an event response and last out, and on the front lines of response and recovery. In this article, crisis communication is reviewed generally and then in the context of the 2011 Souris (Mouse) River flood in Minot, North Dakota. Using analysis of primary interview data, I deliberate on the potential that exists for public communication to enhance the responsiveness of government in addressing the public’s needs under threat of hazard or disaster. Results and discussion of the analysis are provided. I find that the city learned from the challenges of the flood in a way that suggests improved responses for future events. The case represents an expression of good governance in what have been dark times for the public sector.