cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A phase III randomized trial of dacarbazine and carboplatin with and without tamoxifen in the treatment of patients with metastatic melanoma

BACKGROUND Metastatic melanoma is a disease associated with a poor prognosis, and dacarbazine is still the reference agent. The authors conducted a randomized trial to test the benefit of adding tamoxifen to dacarbazine and carboplatin chemotherapy for previously untreated patients with metastatic melanoma. METHODS Eligible patients with histologically confirmed, measurable metastatic melanoma were randomized to carboplatin 300 mg/m2 and dacarbazine 1 g/m2 administered intravenously on Day 1 with or without tamoxifen 20 mg/day administered orally throughout the treatment period (C + D ± T). Chemotherapy was repeated in 28-day treatment cycles for a minimum of 2 cycles or until disease progression. The study was designed to be stopped after accrual of 28 patients per treatment arm based on 80% power to detect an improvement in response from 20% to 40% among patients treated with tamoxifen. RESULTS A total of 56 patients were randomized; all were evaluable for response and survival. The 2 treatment groups were well balanced for various prognostic factors; 75% of patients had predominant visceral disease. Complete and partial responses combined were 10.7% in the C + D arm and 14.3% in the C + D + T arm (P = 1.0). Median survival was 7 months for C + D and 4.6 months for C + D + T (the difference was not significant). The median time to disease progression was worse for the patients treated with tamoxifen (P = 0.03). Toxicity was similar in the two groups, with no episodes of deep venous thrombosis. CONCLUSIONS The addition of tamoxifen did not improve the response rate, time to progression, or survival compared with chemotherapy with dacarbazine and carboplatin in unselected patients with metastatic melanoma. Cancer 1999;85:1979–84. © 1999 American Cancer Society.
Mutagenesis and carcinogenesis testing in vitro

The development and validation of short-term tests for carcinogens and mutagens are urgently needed if estimates of 70–80% for environmentally induced cancer are valid. Several methods for in vitro testing have been described in microbial and mammalian cells. It is anticipated that a battery of tests will soon be available with high degree of reproducibility and predictability for potential in vivo carcinogenesis. This review discusses those assays currently being implemented in mammalian cells including a brief description of the methodology, advantages, and disadvantages, and the correlation with known in vivo activity.
Polaronic band tails in disordered solids: Combined effects of static randomness and electron-phonon interactions

The band-tail density of states at zero temperature for an electron coupled to a quantized elastic continuum and static disorder is derived from first principles with use of a variational method based on the Feynman path-integral representation of the one-electron propagator. In the absence of static disorder, nonperturbative effects in the electron-phonon interaction associated with small-polaron formation give rise to an exponentially decaying band tail below the free-electron continuum. The density of states projected onto the phonon vacuum exhibits three physically distinct regimes when the electron-phonon coupling is above small-polaron threshold: (i) at shallow energies, there is a shift of the square-root continuum band edge arising from the perturbative emission and reabsorption of virtual phonons; (ii) at intermediate energies, there is a linear exponential band tail of localized states analogous to an Urbach tail arising from quantum fluctuations of the lattice; (iii) at deeper energies, there are strongly localized or self-trapped states associated with the termination of this band tail at the polaron ground state. In the infinite-effective-mass approximation for polaron formation, these results are in close agreement with a simple physical argument based on an optimum potential-well method. In the presence of weak static disorder and electron-phonon coupling near polaron threshold we find substantial synergetic interplay between phonons and disorder. Static potential fluctuations provide nucleation centers for small-polaron formation and an exponential tail appears for any value of the coupling constant. The resulting density of states can be considerably larger than that arising from static disorder and electron-phonon interaction acting individually.
Central organization of crustacean abdominal posture motoneurons: Connectivity and command fiber inputs

Intracellular recordings and Lucifer dye injections were used to locate five of the six tonic abdominal flexor motoneurons, as well as several of the extensor motoneurons in the fourth abdominal ganglion of the crayfish, Procambarus clarkii. Each motoneuron was identified by its morphology and root records, and each was characterized by its inputs from identified flexion- and extension-evoking interneurons (command fibers). Finally its connections to other motoneurons were examined by current injection experiments. As indicated by others, the somata of most of the tonic flexor motoneurons are electrically silent; recordings were, therefore, made from neuropilar branches, but at unknown locations. The majority of motoneurons were found to be polysynaptically connected to the command neurons, although several apparent monosynaptic excitatory and inhibitory connections were also seen. Coupling between motoneurons was confirmed, but the major functional input to the motoneurons was from premotor interneurons. Coupling between motoneurons and interneurons is also indicated by the data, and may be responsible for the inhibition of some motoneurons seen during depolarizing current injections into other motoneurons. Again, such coupling is shown to be a minor influence in the overall organization of the behavior. The data suggest that flexion and extension behavior is predominantly organized via interneurons including the command fibers rather than by connections among the motoneurons themselves.
Picard: a creative and social online flashcard learning game

Many subjects such as languages, history, biology, geography, law, and medicine require the memorization of large numbers of unstructured facts and vocabulary. While there are many techniques and tools for memorizing such information, sustaining motivation remains a major barrier towards progress in these subjects. In order to help fill this gap, we brainstormed, experimented, and paper-prototyped to create Picard, a Facebook game that intertwines creative and social elements to turn rote learning into a creative, engaging experience. Picard, inspired by Pictionary, encourages players to come up with creative stories and images to help remember a particular card. Players compete and cooperate with their friends on Facebook to create the most memorable and funny mnemonics, called Picards, gaining points when they help themselves or others remember flashcards. Players use these Picards to learn and prove knowledge of the material at spaced intervals, which research has shown to be maximally effective for learning. Our game is the novel combination of an established learning methodology with player creativity and social support for learning. Picard increases player investment in the process of learning by allowing players to create and share useful visual mnemonics, while at the same time motivating and structuring their study habits through spaced-repetition quizzes.
A STUDY OF HEALTH POLICIES IN PUBLIC SCHOOL ADMINISTRATION

MF-$0.76 HC-$1.58 PLUS POSTAGE Communicable Diseases; Environment; First Aid; Handicapped Students; *Health Education; *Health Programs; Lunch Programs; *School Health Services; *School Policy; Writing This study was undertaken to identify, classify, and interpret extant written school health policies. Furthermore, it was planned to ascertain whether schools were using standardized forms or systematic procedures to formulate school health policies. Administrators in school districts representing every geographical area of the U.S. were asked to send any written material available in any area of school health. The greatest number of separate statements concerning health policies and procedures were identified under the following categories: health services, administrative responsibilities, first aid and emergency care, health of school personnel, environmental health, and communicable disease prevention and control. A considerably smaller number of policies were identified and classified under the areas of provisions for handicapped pupils; safety and accident prevention; qualifications, requirements and selection of health teachers; transportation policies; school lunch programs; and health instruction. The lack of definite policies and procedures in health instruction was considered particularly appalling. Health and a written statement of school health policies are of paramount importance to students, parents, teachers, and the community. (PB)
American juvenile justice: Recent trends and issues in youth offending

Trends in juvenile offending in the United States since the 1970s are reviewed. Serious youth violence, co-occurring mental health and substance abuse problems among offenders, female delinquency, and other issues currently confronting the American juvenile justice system are examined. Policy considerations associated with recent trends in juvenile offending among American youth are identified.
Performance comparison of global clock distribution networks on multichip modules based on electrical and optical interconnect technologies

A high-speed low-skew system clock distribution network on a multichip module (MCM) is considered in systems perspective using system bandwidth, allowable system switching energy, number of clock signal fanout nodes supported, and the flexibility of the network structure to accommodate placement and routing requirements of various integrated circuits on MCM. Electrical H-tree networks modeled as lossless transmission lines are designed and evaluated along with guided wave optical H-tree networks. System performance analysis of optical and electrical H-tree networks on MCM suggests that optical H-tree clock distribution network has a superior capability compared to the electrical one by providing larger bandwidth, larger fanout, smaller system switching energy, and a flexible network configuration.© (1995) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Isolation and characterization of a Ustilago maydis glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase-encoding gene

The complete nucleotide sequence of the glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase gene from the corn smut fungus Ustilago maydis is reported. The gene encodes a 337-amino acid protein, parts of which show sequence identity to corresponding regions of GAPDH-encoding genes from other organisms. A single, putative 407-bp intron interrupts the tenth codon. Codon usage is highly biased for codons ending in cytosine.
Desensitization of the human D1 dopamine receptor: Evidence for Involvement of both cyclic AMP-dependent and receptor-specific protein kinases

Abstract Human SK-N-MC neurotumor cells express D1 dopamine receptors coupled to adenylyl cyclase. Following exposure of the cells to dopamine, there was a time- and dose-dependent loss of dopamine responsiveness that involved both a reduction in the maximum response (Vmax) and a shift to less sensitivity in the dose response (Kact). Although the shift in Kact occurred more rapidly than the reduction in Vmax, both effects were completed within a 20-min exposure of the cells to dopamine. During this rapid period of desensitization, there was no loss of D1 receptors from membranes prepared from dopamine-treated cells, but there was a reduction in the proportion of agonist high-affinity binding sites. More prolonged exposure to D1 agonists led to a progressive loss of binding activity. The desensitization was homologous as exposure of the cells, which have β1-adrenergic receptors, to isoproterenol did not alter their response to dopamine. A shift in Kact but not in Vmax was observed when membranes from control cells were incubated with dopamine, ATP, and the catalytic subunit of cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA). To pursue the role of protein kinases in the desensitization process, cells were transiently made permeable, loaded with a PKA inhibitor or with heparin, an inhibitor of the β-adrenergic receptor kinase, and exposed to dopamine. The PKA inhibitor blocked the shift in Kact, whereas heparin inhibited the reduction in Vmax. Our results suggest that desensitization of human D1 dopamine receptors involves both PKA and a receptor-specific kinase and that the action of both kinases in intact cells requires agonist-occupied receptors.
Isolated sinus node dysfunction in an infant with developmental delay.

We present a case of an infant with developmental delay, a structurally normal heart, and prolonged sinus pauses that suffered an unmonitored cardiac arrest while in the hospital. An investigation into the etiology of her sinus pauses did not reveal a definitive cause, and she continued to have pauses up to 15 s in duration. Her history of the cardiac arrest and the duration of the pauses guided the physicians’ recommendations and the family’s decision to undergo pacemaker implantation prior to discharge from the hospital.
Protecting Human Rights in a Global Economy: Challenges for the World Trade Organization

Since the late 1980s, the ascendancy of market economics coupled with a revolution in information technology has accelerated the process of globalization while institutions of international governance have been unable or unwilling to catch up. Privatization and the related phenomena of deregulation, structural adjustment, and a myriad of new bilateral, regional and multilateral trade and investment agreements have proceeded without credible efforts to conceptually and practically address their impacts on legally protected human rights. This paper addresses the tensions and potential synergies between the two legal regimes governing trade and investment and human rights. Trade and investment agreements, as well as the practices of international business, must be held accountable to existing human rights law. The spirit of human rights law must frame the development of trade law if either is to achieve its goals. While human rights violations existed long before this period of rapid economic integration, the growing number of sectors covered by multilateral trade and investment agreements has set the stage for a new variety of human rights abuses which have not yet been suitably addressed. There is a need to evolve new laws and policies in a manner that overcomes the post-war legacy of isolation between human rights institutions and economic institutions. This is something that the World Trade Organization, other multinational organizations, and all of mankind should address.
Quantitative X-ray fluorescence analysis using monochromatic synchrotron radiation

Abstract The use of high-intensity, tunable monochromatic X-rays for the quantitative analysis of biological and geochemieal specimens at the 10 −8 g level is described. Incident X-rays were obtained from the new LBL-Exxon permanent magnet wiggler beamline at the Stanford Synchrotron Radiation Laboratory. The sample detector geometry was designed to make optimal use of polarization advantages for background reduction. Questions regarding the sensitivity and accuracy of the measurements were studied with particular emphasis on the advantages of tuning the X-ray energies for optimum excitation for specific elements. The implications of these measurements with respect to the use of X-ray microprobe beams will be discussed.
Oxidative stabilization of oriented acrylic fibres—morphological rearrangements

Changes in orientational and lateral order when an acrylic fibre is treated thermally at temperatures just below where stabilization reactions occur rapidly are characterized experimentally. Significant morphological rearrangements are shown to precede the onset of these reactions and also during these reactions. These changes are found to depend on the dimensional constraints imposed during thermal annealing. If shrinkage is allowed, the orientation of the ordered phase in the fibres increases but only at the expense of significant orientational relaxation in the less ordered fraction. Imposing dimensional constraints during annealing leads to a rapid increase in the overall order of the precursor. Possible ways of taking advantage of this tendency in a high-temperature drawing are discussed.
On Conformally Compact Einstein Manifolds

One of the new ideas under investigation in string theory is ADS/CFT correspondence. It has a beautifulmathematicalformul ation and provides new stimuli and insights to the study of conformally compact Einstein manifolds. By the work of Lee [14] and recent results of Witten-Yau [22] we expect that there should be a very interesting relationship between the geometry of a conformally compact Einstein manifold and the conformalgeometry of its conformalinfinity. In this paper we establish several results which support this philosophy. A common theme in the approach is Bochner technique. In Section 3 we prove the following theorem. Theorem 1.1. Let (M, g) be a conformally compact Riemannian manifold of dimension n+1 with Ric ≥− n.
Marine geology of Rodriguez Seamount

Abstract Rodriguez Seamount is an elliptical volcanic feature 56 km west of San Miguel Island, California. Its base lies at a depth mid-way between the oceanic floor and Arguello Plateau, but the flat summit lies at 675 m, 425 m shoaler than the adhacent 1100 m deep shelf-break of the plateau. Dredging and coring operations show the cone to be composed of hawaiite, an alkalic basalt. Relict authigenic sediments are localized on the summit, and mixed authigenic and hemipelagic sediments at least 1 kn thick form the continental rise surrounding the base of the cone. A complex channel system in the thick wedge of sediments of the rise east of the seamount suggests that the submarine profile of equilibrium has been grossly exceeded by an influx of sediment during the Pleistocene. Bathymetric orientation and lithologic character show the seamount to be part of the regional pinnate pattern of the local East Pacific Basin. Evidence provided by volcanic and sedimentary materials suggests that the cone was built to sea level, truncated by wave erosion, and then subsided to its present level through compaction and possibly extrusion of underlying sediments plus isostatic crustal compensation. Rates of sedimentation, plus biologic, mineralogic and tectonic characteristics indicate a Late Miocene age. If the adjacent plateau represents a wave-cut terrace, its bathymetric position suggests planation which pre-dates the formation of the seamount.
Effects of pharmacological intervention on arterial stiffness using pulse wave velocity measurement.

Abstract Arterial stiffness is an independent and powerful marker of all-cause mortality and cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Pharmacological studies have shown that it is feasible to improve arterial stiffness or to slow its progression with a number of lifestyle modifications or pharmacological agents including antihypertensive, statins, nitrates, and others. Therapeutic improvement of arterial stiffness has been reported to be associated with an improvement of cardiovascular prognosis. Assessment of pharmacological treatment on arterial stiffness needs to include several important aspects in order to avoid inadequate conclusions. Among these parameters: 1) the arterial site : effects of treatment may differ according to the arterial site with differences between radial (muscular) and carotid (elastic) artery; 2) the duration of treatment : long-term treatment is usually needed to assess the arterial effect; and 3) the dose of drug used is also of major importance : the dose-effect relationship varies for the same drug, whether the blood pressure reduction or the arterial effect is considered. In general, high doses are usually needed for the arterial wall property modification. This review is focused on the effects of major pharmacological treatment on arterial stiffness because it has been considered recently as the “gold standard”; effects on other arterial hemodynamic parameters such as central blood pressure are not reviewed.
Cholesterol Deposition in the Chicken Ovarian Follicle

Abstract THE rate of transfer of materials into the ovarian follicle is rapid (Knight and Schechtman, 1954), and it occurs at a non-linear rate (Warren and Conrad, 1939; Romanoff, 1943) which is maximum at about the 2.5 g. stage (Smith, 1959). These materials are synthesized, and transported from various sites in the body to the ovary. Chargaff (1942) reported that certain lipids are formed in the liver and are transported by the plasma to the ovary where deposition takes place. Popjak and Tietz (1953) have shown that the theca interna and granulosa, membranes surrounding the ovum, synthesize fatty acids and cholesterol in vitro from C14-labelled acetate. Indeed, Kritchevsky (1958) concluded that many tissues are capable of cholesterol synthesis in vitro among which are the liver, intestine, aorta, adrenal glands, gonads and brain. This evidence suggests that a very intricate system of synthesis and transportation of cholesterol to and across the follicular…
Spectroscopic studies of metal binding and metal selectivity in Bacillus subtilis BSco, a Homologue of the Yeast Mitochondrial Protein Sco1p.

Sco1 is a mitochondrial membrane protein involved in the assembly of the CuA site of cytochrome c oxidase. The Bacillus subtilis genome contains a homologue of yeast Sco1, YpmQ (hereafter termed BSco), deletion of which leads to a phenotype lacking in caa3 (CuA-containing) oxidase activity but expressing normal levels of aa3 (quinol) oxidase activity. Here, we report the characterization of the metal binding site of BSco in its Cu(I)-, Cu(II)-, Zn(II)-, and Ni(II)-bound forms. Apo BSco was found to bind Cu(II), Zn(II), and Ni(II) at a 1:1 protein/metal ratio. The Cu(I) protein could be prepared by either dithionite reduction of the Cu(II) derivative or by reconstitution of the apo protein with Cu(I). X-ray absorption (XAS) spectroscopy showed that Cu(I) was coordinated by two cysteines at 2.22 ± 0.01 A and by a weakly bound low-Z scatterer at 1.95 ± 0.03 A. The Cu(II) derivative was reddish-orange and exhibited a strong type-2 thiolate to Cu(II) transition around 350 nm. Multifrequency electron paramagnet...
Penile revascularization for treatment of erectile dysfunction secondary to blunt perineal trauma.

A man presented with complaints of primary erectile dysfunction. The estimated penile rigidity was only 40%, with poor spontaneity. His past medical history was significant for a severe fall onto a bicycle crossbar as an adolescent that necessitated a visit to the emergency room. The physical examination and psychologic, neurologic, and hormonal investigations were unremarkable. Duplex Doppler ultrasonography showed a cavernosal peak systolic velocity value of only 20 cm/s (Fig. 1A). Dynamic infusion pharmacologic cavernosometry demonstrated normal flow-to-maintain values (less than 3 mL/min). Cavernosal artery systolic occlusion pressures revealed an abnormal cavernosal-brachial arterial gradient of 54 and 81 mm Hg for the right and left side, respectively. Selective internal pudendal arteriography conFrom the Department of Urology, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts Reprint requests: Ricardo Munarriz, M.D., Department of Urology, Boston University School of Medicine, 720 Harrison Avenue, Suite 606, Boston, MA 02118 Submitted: June 17, 2002, accepted August 19, 2002. FIGURE 1. (A) Duplex Doppler ultrasound scan of left cavernosal artery showing peak systolic velocity of 20 cm/s. (B) Selective internal pudendal arteriogram showing occlusion of left cavernosal artery and dorsal artery with a cavernosal branch distal to the planned anastomosis. (C) Anastomosis of the inferior epigastric artery to the dorsal artery proximal to dorsal branch. (D) Postoperative duplex Doppler ultrasound scan showing left cavernosal artery peak systolic velocity of 64.71 cm/s. IMAGES IN CLINICAL UROLOGY
Quantitative autoradiography of 3H-paroxetine binding sites in rat brain.

Abstract The use of 3H-paroxetine as a ligand for quantitative autoradiography of serotonin (5-HT) transport sites was optimized, and the distribution of 3H-paroxetine binding sites in rat brain was studied. Under the conditions described, 3H-paroxetine binding in forebrain sections was of high affinity and saturable, with a Kd of 0.18 ± 0.02 nM (mean ± SEM) and Bmax of 268 ± 12 fmol/mg of protein (n = 3). Nonspecific binding was 10.7% ± 1.0 of the total binding (n = 8). The distribution of 3H-paroxetine binding sites closely matched the regional distribution of 5-HT nerve terminals and cell bodies. The highest concentrations of 3H-paroxetine binding sites were found in the dorsal raphe nucleus (563 ± 55 fmol/mg tissue, n = 4), and high densities of binding were also found in the locus coeruleus, medial forebrain bundle, substantia nigra, several limbic structures (amygdala, hippocampus, hypothalamus, olfactory tubercle, septum, and thalamus), and components of the visual relay system (superior colliculus and the lateral geniculate body). Although lesioning of 5-HT neurons with p-chloroamphetamine (PCA) drastically eliminated 3H-paroxetine binding in most regions of the rat brain, significant binding remained in the raphe nuclei and medial forebrain bundle suggesting that 3H-paroxetine binding in these regions was to presynaptic sites on cell bodies or axons relatively resistant to PCA.
Development and Flight Qualification of a 26-Kilowatt Arcjet Propulsion Subsystem

The Electric Propulsion Space Experiment (ESEX) flew in 1999 on the Air Force Space Test Program Advanced Research and Global Observation Satellite. ESEX was initiated to address potential in-space operational issues associated with the use of high-power electric propulsion. Potential issues included plume deposition, electromagnetic interference, and thermal radiation. Because of physical constraints of even the largest test facilities, that is, vacuum chamber size, these phenomena are best measured in space. The propulsion component for the ESEX demonstration, a 26-kW ammonia arcjet propulsion subsystem, including thruster, power processing, and propellant feed, was developed and flight qualified on the Air Force Research Laboratory'Arcjet Advanced Technology Transition Demonstration program. Each of the propulsion system elements, the principal design challenges, and the program of risk reduction and qualification testing that provided preflight verification of the arcjet propulsion subsystem are described.
Single-source indexing

As more and more content is being produced and distributed in multiple formats, the issue of providing indexes for various formats becomes important. Indexes can be considered as residing within interfaces, rather than just more pages accompanying a printed piece, or a tab stuck in a online help file. Designing indexes that work equally well in any of the various interfaces a document may be displayed in, whether print, help, PDF, or on the Web, presents a real challenge.Understanding the structure and relationships available in each destination format allows the indexer to design the index to work well in each instance. Ignoring an output format or assuming that the index is a simple construction leads to poorly designed online indexes, in which one format's requirements have been sacrificed for the output needs of another. In addition, print indexes do not translate well to online without consideration of screen design and user behavior.In this paper we discuss the interface indexing design issues for print, online HTML Help, PDF, XML, and plain HTML.
Preparation of planar graded refractive index nanocomposites using microfluidics

Abstract In this paper, a microfluidics-based approach for preparing graded refractive index polymer composites is described. These graded refractive index polymers have potential for optical applications due to the fidelity and variety of the profiles that can be achieved using microfluidics technology. In this study, microfluidic devices, fabricated in poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS), dispersed TiO2 nanoparticles in a prepolymer solution consisting of low molecular weight poly(ethylene glycol diacrylate) (PEGDA). Following dispersion of the particles to produce a controlled gradient profile in the liquid pre-polymer solution, UV light polymerized the solution to produce graded refractive index nanocomposites. Initially, as a means of understanding the flow parameters and straightforward elucidation of the gradient profiles, fluorescent polystyrene nanoparticles were dispersed. After a general method for dispersing nanoparticles was developed, anatase TiO2 was synthesized and dispersed to produce nanocomposites. However, transmission electron microscope (TEM) analysis and optical microscopy revealed that the particles were agglomerated and, consequently, the amount of TiO2 that would remain in the pre-polymer solution was severely limited. To address the problem of particle settling, rutile TiO2 was synthesized using a different precursor and dispersed. Rutile TiO2 was chosen because the synthesis scheme was expected to yield a well-dispersed solution. Also, rutile TiO2 is less likely to cause interference with the light used both for the polymerization and for demonstrating the material for optical applications. Following synthesis of the rutile TiO2, TEM analysis and zeta potentials exceeding 30 mV confirmed that the nanomaterials were well dispersed. After fabrication of the corresponding nanocomposite, optically transparent images were obtained and a graded profile with Δn = 0.1 was achieved.
Transversely incident beam wave scattering from inhomogeneous fibers

An efficient method is employed to determine the scattering characteristics of a beam wave from inhomogeneous dielectric fibers. The fibers are approximated by a series of stratified dielectric layers and only 2 × 2 matrix operations are used. The results apply to an inhomogeneous fiber positioned with its axis of symmetry perpendicular to the direction of propagation of the beam wave. The fiber may have arbitrary, radially symmetric variations of its refractive-index profile. Scattering patterns for several functional dependences of the index of refraction of the fiber are presented.
Plasma testosterone levels in trophoblastic disease and the effects of oophorectomy and chemotherapy.

Plasma levels of testosterone (T) and human chorionic gonadotrophin hormone (HCG) were investigated in 11 patients with trophoblastic disease. The effects of oophorectomy and chemotherapy were also investigated. Our data indicate that: a) plasma (T) levels are elevated in women with trophoblastic disease; b) plasma (T) is higher in patients whose ovaries are grossly enlarged; c) both plasma (T) and HCG values decrease following oophorectomy and chemotherapy.
Estrogen induction of a small, putative K+ channel mRNA in rat uterus

Estrogen causes dramatic long-term changes in the activity of the uterus. Here we report the molecular cloning of a small (700 base) uterine mRNA species capable of inducing a slow K+ current in Xenopus oocytes. The 130 amino acid protein encoded by this mRNA species has a predicted structure that does not resemble that of previously described voltage-dependent channels from mammalian sources. It is, however, similar to structural motifs found in certain prokaryotic ion channels. The induction of this mRNA by estrogen is rapid; this uterine mRNA species is not detectable in uteri from estrogen-deprived rats, but is substantially induced after 3 hr of estrogen treatment. These results support a critical role for regulation of ion channel expression by estrogen in the uterus.
Fault detection in the presence of undermodelling

It is shown that the application of the functional control limit theorem (FCLT) reduces a difficult analysis of the pre-limiting stage to an asymptotically accurate analysis of the properties of Gaussian martingales. The FCLT approach allows mainly a local (small change) detection analysis. The FCLT based design provides schemes which are uniformly most powerful for small changes and long data records. The resulting simple detection schemes allow various forms of a priori information about the change model to be incorporated. The sensitivity of the alarm function is adjusted are in such a manner that certain deviations from the nominal model are emphasized while others are deemphasized. This approach relaxes the requirements towards accuracy of a nominal model and in particular can be used to increase the robustness of detection algorithms with respect to the undermodelling errors. >
Emulsion synthesis of spherical TiO2SiO2 colloids from metal alkoxides

Abstract A method for synthetizing spherical, submicron titania-silica powders from an oil/water emulsion of metal alkoxides has been developed. The emulsions are formed spontaneously, without the aid of surfactants or other liquids usually associated with emulsion processes. The process capitalizes on immiscibility in the metal alkoxide-water-alcohol ternary system. Control of the hydrophobic nature of partially hydrolized metal alkoxides, minimization of γ o/w and a large ethanol concentration difference between the metal alkoxide solution and the aqueous phase during mixing results in spontaneous emulsification of the metal alkoxide in water. Calculations of the hydrophilic-lipophilic balance number are used successfully to predict metal alkoxide emulsion formation. For the TiO 2 SiO 2 system, ammonium hydroxide in the aqueous phase stabilizes the emulsion against coalescence by catalyzing the gelation of the metal alkoxide droplets to porous metal oxide particles. Powders can be synthesized with a high surface area and average particle sizes ranging from 0.05 μm to as large as 1.0 mm diameter.
Engineering polymer frontier orbitals for efficient photon harvesting

A series of new conjugated polymers with evolving frontier orbitals (HOMOs and LUMOs) have been designed, synthesized, and characterized for potential polymer based photon harvesting device applications such as solar cells and photo detectors. The relationships between monomer or repeat unit side groups, frontier orbitals of the polymer, and changes in optoelectronic and physical properties of the polymer systems have been systematically investigated and correlated. For instance, when comparing the properties of the newly synthesized polymers in two groups: sulfone-based and phenyl-based, the difference in thermal stability and optical properties were consistent when changing from the carbazole monomer unit to the terephthaldicarboxaldehyde. The polymers containing the carbazole unit exhibited increased thermal stability, blue shift of optical absorption, higher frontier orbitals, and larger band gaps than the terephthaldicarboxaldehyde containing counterparts. These could be attributed to the higher electron density of the carbazole than the terephthaldicarboxaldehyde, and the possible deviation from planarity in the polymer main chain due to possible steric hindrance of the branched substituents.
Heat shock in mechanically wounded carrot root disks causes destabilization of stable secretory protein mRNA and dissociation of endoplasmic reticulum lamellae

In many organisms, the synthesis of heat shock proteins during heat shock is concomitant with the cessation of at least a portion of normal cellular protein synthesis. Heat shocked barley aleurone layers selectively stop the synthesis and secretion of secretory proteins. Exposure to 40°C causes a disruption of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) lamellae, which we have hypothesized leads to the destabilization of otherwise stable mRNA previously associated with ER-bound polyribosomes. We report here that this was also observed in wounded carrot (Daucus carota L.) root parenchyma tissue which synthesizes and secretes cell wall proteins when mechanically wounded. Nondenaturing cationic polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of radiolabeled proteins indicated that heat shock caused the cessation of the synthesis and secretion of extensin, a hydroxyproline-rich cell wall glycoprotein. Northern blot analyses indicated that the mRNA levels for both extensin and another cell wall protein (p33) were rapidly diminished during heat shock. Under nonheat shock conditions extensin mRNA had a half-life of greater than 4 h, but this appeared to be reduced to less than 30 min during heat shock. There was also a concomitant dissociation of ER lamellae in wounded, heat shocked carrot root tissue, as observed by transmission electron microscopy. These observations indicate that this response may be universal among plant secretory tissues.
Integrating Innovation and Entrepreneurship Principles into the Civil Engineering Curriculum

AbstractAs the field of civil engineering evolves to address twenty-first century challenges, the demand for creative and innovative thinking rises. Engineering institutions around the nation have begun to integrate sustainability into the curriculum. Topics such as innovation and entrepreneurship are highly correlated with sustainability goals; however, many times they are viewed as market or management-driven principles. The Kern Entrepreneurship Education Network (KEEN) Program was established to transform the U.S. workforce through equipping graduate engineers with an entrepreneurial mindset. This program is based on KEEN student outcomes (KSOs), which can be incorporated into department level, as well as course level, curricula. This paper focuses on the integration of KSOs into a senior civil engineering capstone course through two course activities over two years. KEEN rubrics are used to assess student achievement of the KSOs focused on innovative thinking and productive collaboration. The assessm...
Magnetization Preparation for Coupled Relaxation Studies Using S-Pulse Sequences

Abstract A new pulse sequence is described for stimulating a magnetization mode which previously has not been stimulated at time zero during coupled relaxation experiments. This pulse sequence is used to study the AX 2 spin system of [2- 13 C] glycine. Improved nonlinear least-squares fits of the experimental data are obtained when other pulse sequences are complemented by this new pulse sequence.
Injury in trapped Dungeness crabs (Cancer magister)

Barber J. S., and Cobb, J. S. 2007. Injury in trapped Dungeness crabs (Cancer magister). - ICES Journal of Marine Science, 64: 464-472.Although traps are the most effective fishing equipment used to capture crabs they can also result in indirect damage to target species. We examined the effect of trap-soak time, crab density, and the legal to sublegal size ratio on injury rates to male Dungeness crabs, Cancer magister. Our field results show that injuries increase significantly with increased trap-soak time, and as a consequence of different size ratios (crabs in traps with a greater ratio of sublegal crabs had more injuries). The injury rate was independent of density. In a laboratory experiment, injured crabs were as capable as intact crabs of obtaining, defending, and consuming food. However, studies on other crab species indicate that injury reduces growth, delays reproduction, decreases mating success, and increases mortality. If the costs of injury are similar for Dungeness crabs, this could diminish the rate of recruitment into the fishery.
Mars scout 2007 - a current status

The Mars Program institutes the Mars Scout Missions in order to address science goals in the program not otherwise covered in baseline Mars plans. Mars Scout missions will be Principal-Investigator (PI) led science missions. Analogous to the Discovery Program, PI-led investigations optimize the use of limited resources to accomplish focused science and allow the flexibility to quickly respond to discoveries at Mars. Scout missions also require unique investments in technology and reliance upon Mars-based infrastructure such as telecom relay orbiters. Scouts utilize a two-step competitive process for selection. In Dec, 2002, the Step 2 selections by NASA were announced and then approximately five month studies will result in a selection for flight around August, 2003 for a mission to be launched in 2007.
The use of rigid endoscopes in cholesteatoma surgery.

The existence of blind pockets in the middle ear during cholesteatoma surgery could compromise complete removal of the disease, e.g. from the sinus tympanum. The use of side-viewing rigid endoscopes in conjunction with the operating microscope to control and facilitate cholesteatoma removal during mastoid operation was studied. Ninety-two primary operations for cholesteatoma over a four-year period were examined. Over one-third (35.9 per cent) of these cases had cholesteatoma extended into the sinus tympanum. Sixty-four operations were small cavity mastoidectomy. The others were either canal wall reconstruction or primary obliteration following open cavity mastoidectomy. Although residual cholesteatoma was found in three patients, only one was in the middle ear. It is concluded from this study that side-viewing endoscopes could be very useful in cholesteatoma surgery.
Dynamics of DNA oligomers.

Abstract The techniques of molecular and harmonic dynamics are used to study the internal mobility of threė double-stranded DNA hexamers. A 60 ps molecular dynamics simulation and a normal mode description of d(CpGpCpGpCpG)2 in the B conformation characterize the atomic fluctuations of this structure. A comparison between the two approaches validates the harmonic results at room temperature. Detailed examination of the normal modes indicates that only the low-frequency modes are needed to determine atomic fluctuations. A harmonic analysis is made of d(CpGpCpGpCpG)2 in the Z conformation and of d(TpApTpApTpA)2 in the B conformation using only the low-frequency modes. The atomic fluctuations of the three alternating pyrimidine-purine helices are compared and the dependence on conformation and sequence are discussed. The insights which theoretical calculations can provide for the interpretation of experimental results are explored.
Stream option manager

Stream Option Manager (SOM) is a set of mathematical tools developed at The MITRE Corporation's Center for Advanced Aviation System Development (CAASD). While still under development, it holds the potential to provide modelers an automated capability for separation, sequencing, spacing and proper exit strategy of aircraft in en route airspace. SOM addresses all of these services in a single, integrated linear programming solution. SOM computes modified flight paths meeting all constraints while minimally deviating from preferred trajectories. A prototype implementation of SOM is being evaluated in several applications. These include (a) an automated generator of sector complexity metrics e.g., by measuring the number and magnitude of separation actions needed to resolve a given traffic situation, (b) a means of performing system-wide analyses of revised conflict resolution requirements, e.g., revised separation standards, and (c) an automated controller-surrogate for simulation studies. The SOM metrics will be described, and example applications will be presented.
RF Device Safety and Compatibility

The principal safety consideration for magnetic resonance (MR) and RF coils is the power that is deposited into the body. This power is quantified as the specific absorption rate (SAR, which has units of W kg−1). Safety limits for SAR that have been developed by safety and standards organizations are summarized in this article. The SAR was calculated with finite difference time domain (FDTD) in the patient inside a birdcage coil. The RF magnetic field (B1+) limits for normal mode operation of the MR system were calculated. The Huygen's box technique for FDTD was used to locally determine the SAR in the eyes and heart of a 1-mm resolution human model. An overview is made of interactions of medical implants with the RF electric field induced in the body during MRI. An FDTD calculation was used to calculate the SAR pattern in a phantom for the testing of RF heating of implants. The plots of this pattern can be used to guide tests of implant heating. A standard implant for in vitro heating tests is a 3.175 mm diameter × 10-cm long titanium rod. The temperature rise at the ends of the rod for a local tangential SAR of 1 W kg−1, phantom conductivity of 0.46 S m−1, and 6 min of power application is 1.3°C for 64 MHz and 1.45°C for 128 MHz. External wires may cause burns under the electrodes to which they are connected. The potential for burns is reduced by placing the wire in the bore of the system so that the induced voltage along its length is minimized. Keywords: safety; MRI; heating; specific absorption rate; finite difference time domain; RF magnetic field; implant; birdcage coil
Dynamic Base Station Selections for QoS Provisioning over Distributed MIMO Links

We propose the dynamic BS-selection schemes for distributed wireless MIMO links, which aim at minimizing the average base-station (BS) usage while satisfying the specified statistical delay quality-of-service (QoS) constraint characterized by the delay-bound violation probability. In particular, the distributed transmission system consists of a number of location-independent BS's, a central server, and one mobile station (MS). Based on the channel state information (CSI), the MS dynamically selects the subsets of BS's with variable subset cardinalities to construct the distributed MIMO link, and feeds back the selected BS's indices to the central server. The central server controls these selected BS's to cooperatively transmit data to the MS. Under the above framework, we develop the QoS-guaranteed dynamic BS-selection schemes for scenarios with and without feeding back the selected BS subsets' CSI, respectively. Simulation results show that our proposed dynamic schemes significantly decrease the average BS usage and interfering range as compared to baseline schemes which fix the cardinality of the selected BS subsets.
The Potential for Carbon Sequestration Through Reforestation of Abandoned Tropical Agricultural and Pasture Lands

Approximately half of the tropical biome is in some stage of recovery from past human disturbance, most of which is in secondary forests growing on abandoned agricultural lands and pastures. Reforestation of these abandoned lands, both natural and managed, has been proposed as a means to help offset increasing carbon emissions to the atmosphere. In this paper we discuss the potential of these forests to serve as sinks for atmospheric carbon dioxide in aboveground biomass and soils. A review of literature data shows that aboveground biomass increases at a rate of 6.2 Mg ha -1 yr -1 during the first 20 years of succession, and at a rate of 2.9 Mg ha -1 yr -1 over the first 80 years of regrowth. During the first 20 years of regrowth, forests in wet life zones have the fastest rate of aboveground carbon accumulation with reforestation, followed by dry and moist forests. Soil carbon accumulated at a rate of 0.41 Mg ha -1 yr -1 over a 100-year period, and at faster rates during the first 20 years (1.30 Mg carbon ha -1 yr -1) . Past land use affects the rate of both above- and belowground carbon sequestration. Forests growing on abandoned agricultural land accumulate biomass faster than other past land uses, while soil carbon accumulates faster on sites that were cleared but not developed, and on pasture sites. Our results indicate that tropical reforestation has the potential to serve as a carbon offset mechanism both above- and belowground for at least 40 to 80 years, and possibly much longer. More research is needed to determine the potential for longer-term carbon sequestration for mitigation of atmospheric CO 2 emissions.