cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Agreement Between 10-2 and 24-2C Visual Field Test Protocols for Detecting Glaucomatous Central Visual Field Defects.

PRECIS Moderate to substantial agreement between 10-2 and 24-2C perimetry for detecting central field defects suggests that adding central test points to the 24-2 protocol may improve efficiency of visual field (VF) testing for glaucoma management. PURPOSE The purpose of this study was to assess agreement between Humphrey Visual Field Analyzer 10-2 and 24-2C test protocols for detecting glaucomatous defects in the central 10 degrees of the visual field (CVFDs). MATERIALS AND METHODS VFs from 165 eyes of 18 healthy individuals, 12 glaucoma suspects and 62 glaucoma patients who completed 10-2 and 24-2C VF testing protocols within 6 months were included. CVFDs on 10-2 and 24-2C (within the central 22 points) test grids required a cluster of 3 contiguous points with P<5%, 5%, and 1% or <5%, 2%, and 2% within a hemifield on the total deviation (TD) or pattern deviation (PD) plot. Cohen kappa (k) was used to assess agreement between 10-2 and 24-2C test grids in identifying CVFDs. Specificity of each testing strategy was assessed in VFs from healthy eyes. RESULTS CVFDs in suspect and glaucoma eyes were combined and reported as localized to superior, inferior or both hemifields based on TD and PD plots for 10-2 and 24-2C test grids. Moderate to substantial agreement was observed between 10-2 and 24-2C grids for detecting any CVFD from PD (k=0.551) and TD (k=0.651) plots. Specificity was high in healthy eyes ranging from 0.94 to 1.0 for both test protocols. CONCLUSION Substantial agreement for identifying CVFDs using the 24-2C and 10-2 protocols suggests that combining tests by adding central test points to the 24-2 test grid may supplant the need for 2 perimetry regimens for detecting central and peripheral glaucomatous VF damage.
Radium-223 plus Enzalutamide Versus Enzalutamide in Metastatic Castration-Refractory Prostate Cancer: Final Safety and Efficacy Results.

Lessons learned Long-term safety of radium-223 with enzalutamide was confirmed in this clinical trial. PSA-PFS2 was prolonged with the combination compared with enzalutamide alone. Background Previously, we showed the combination of radium-223 and enzalutamide to be safe and associated with improved efficacy based on a concomitant decline in serum bone metabolism markers compared with enzalutamide alone in a phase II trial of men with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) [1]. Methods Secondary endpoints were not included in our initial report, and we include them herein, after a median follow-up of 22 months. These objectives included long-term safety, prostate-specific antigen (PSA)-progression-free survival (PFS), and radiographic progression-free survival; PSA-PFS2 (time from start of protocol therapy to PSA progression on subsequent therapy); time to next therapy (TTNT); and overall survival (OS). Survival analysis and log-rank tests were performed using the R statistical package v.4.0.2 (https://www.r-project.org). Statistical significance was defined as p Results Of 47 patients (median age, 68 years), 35 received the combination and 12 enzalutamide alone. After a median follow-up of 22 months, final safety results did not show any increase in fractures or other adverse events in the combination arm. PSA-PFS2 was significantly improved, and other efficacy parameters were numerically improved in the combination over the enzalutamide arm. Conclusion The combination of enzalutamide and radium-223 was found to be safe and associated with promising efficacy in men with mCRPC. These hypothesis-generating results portend well for the ongoing phase III PEACE III trial in this setting.
Why Biblical Scholars Should Study Aramaic Bowl Spells

This study analyses the unique contributions of Jewish incantation texts and categorically examines the bowl spells according to three types of biblical citation: words of power, contextual citations and thematic citations. The bowl spells represent some of the earliest attestations of biblical passages not found in the Dead Sea Scrolls and display formal features useful for reconstructing linguistic and manuscript developments in pre-Islamic Judaism. Furthermore, the biblical citations in these texts shed light on the social location of biblical knowledge and attendant beliefs in the power of the Hebrew text to bring about practical ends.
CDKL5 mutations in early onset epilepsy: Case report and review of the literature

CDKL5 mutations have been recognized as a cause of early onset epileptic encephalopathy, particularly in females with atypical Rett syndrome. After presenting a case with a CDKL5 mutation, we review the literature on reported cases of CDKL5 mutations and summarize the clinical phenotype including epilepsy, electrophysiology, neuroimaging, physical examination, development, and other clinical features. The typical phenotype associated with a CDKL5 mutation is early onset epilepsy in a girl with severe developmental delay and hypotonia. Other features frequently include microcephaly, growth retardation, and Rett-like features (deceleration of head growth, hand stereotypies, autistic features, breathing dysfunction, and sleep disturbances). Neuroimaging may be normal or show atrophy or T2 signal change in the posterior, temporal, or periventricular white matter. Epilepsy commonly includes infantile spasms and seizures with multiple distinct phases within one seizure epoch. Male cases with a similar phenotype are also described. CDKL5 gene testing should be considered in patients of both genders with unexplained early onset epilepsy, developmental delay/intellectual disability, and hypotonia with or without microcephaly, growth retardation, poor visual fixation, or Rett-like features. Making the genetic diagnosis of a CDKL5 mutation in a child with early onset epileptic encephalopathy provides a precise diagnosis that allows for counseling about prognosis and genetic counseling.
Does adoption affect subsequent fertility

A hypothesis derived from the old wives' tale that adoption increases subsequent fertility was tested by analysis of follow-up data obtained from 895 couples who were "at risk" of pregnancy and of adoption after they had registered in the Stanford Infertility Clinic between 1963 and 1977. Of the 767 couples who did not adopt, 329 later conceived; of the 128 who did adopt, 41 later conceived. Simple comparison of the percentages or, indeed, of the life tables suggests reduced fertility after adoption. However, this is probably a spurious effect related to a number of factors which differ between two groups. These differences were controlled in the statistical analysis by methods which take into account the length of time each couple was at risk of either conception or adoption and the presence or absence of explanatory variables. The relative risk of conception estimated by the Cox model was not significantly different from 1 and the Mantel-Haenszel statistic (m = 0.208) indicates no significant difference in subsequent conception rates between adoptive and not-adoptive couples. The same methods were used to control for seven covariates, including age and duration of infertility, which could affect conception rates. In each instance, the estimate of relative risk of conception for adoptive versus not-adoptive couples was not significantly different from 1. Therefore, our data do not support the hypothesis that adoption affects subsequent fertility.
Strength of TCR signal from self-peptide modulates autoreactive thymocyte deletion and Foxp3(+) Treg-cell formation.

Autoreactive CD4+CD8− (CD4SP) thymocytes can be subjected to deletion when they encounter self-peptide during their development, but they can also undergo selection to become CD4SPFoxp3+ Treg cells. We have analyzed the relationship between these distinct developmental fates using mice in which signals transmitted by the TCR have been attenuated by mutation of a critical tyrosine residue of the adapter protein SLP-76. In mice containing polyclonal TCR repertoires, the mutation caused increased frequencies of CD4SPFoxp3+ thymocytes. CD4SP thymocytes expressing TCR Vβ-chains that are subjected to deletion by endogenous retroviral superantigens were also present at increased frequencies, particularly among Foxp3+ thymocytes. In transgenic mice in which CD4SP thymocytes expressing an autoreactive TCR undergo both deletion and Treg-cell formation in response to a defined self-peptide, SLP-76 mutation abrogated deletion of autoreactive CD4SP thymocytes. Notably, Foxp3+ Treg-cell formation still occurred, albeit with a reduced efficiency, and the mutation was also associated with decreased Nur77 expression by the autoreactive CD4SP thymocytes. These studies provide evidence that the strength of the TCR signal can play a direct role in directing the extent of both thymocyte deletion and Treg-cell differentiation, and suggest that distinct TCR signaling thresholds and/or pathways can promote CD4SP thymocyte deletion versus Treg-cell formation.
Social Psychology and the Great Recession: Comment on Bridging the Gap

Despite appreciating the importance of bridging–or perhaps because of it–we must also appreciate the challenges of any micro-macro interplay. Many psychological scientists work on social issues precisely because we are frustrated by the untested and often untenable psychological assumptions made by more macro social and economic sciences. At the psychological level of analysis, the array of approaches here to the social psychology of the Great Recession suggests a full agenda. The articles use quite a varied set of methods and forms of inequality, but these do not exhaust the possibilities for future work.
Personalization and Customization Technologies

This chapter surveys personalization and customization technologies. It starts with an analysis of user profiling and explains how user profiles can be used to generate personalized products and services. It explains some standard personalization techniques such as rule-based filtering, collaborative filtering, and content-based filtering. Web usage mining is also explained and it is shown how data mining can be used to learn customer behavior and to provide personalized content. Several applications such as adaptive Web sites, recommender systems, adaptive Web stores, and intelligent agents are discussed. The chapter concludes by summarizing current trends. Keywords: collaborative filtering; content-based filtering; data mining in e-commerce; personalized products and services; rule-based filtering; user profiling; web usage mining
ELECTRICAL WIRING CONFIGURATIONS AND CHILDHOOD LEUKEMIA IN RHODE ISLAND

The study of the relationship between childhood leukemia and electric power line configurations in the greater Denver, Colorado, area by Wertheimer and Leeper (Am J Epidemiol 109:273-284, 1979) was repeated in Rhode Island, focusing on leukemia (age at onset, 0-20 years; year of onset, 1964-1978). The addresses of 119 leukemia patients and 240 controls were studied by mapping power lines within 50 yards (45.72 m) of each residence. The shortest distance between each power line and the point of the residence closest to it was found; the number and types of wires in each power line were noted. Exposure weights were assigned each type of wire using Wertheimer and Leeper's median field strength reading for each. Assuming that the strength of the field decreases with the square of the distance from its source, and that fields generated by different wires grouped in the same power line are simply additive, a summary value of relative exposure was calculated for each address. Quartile exposure values for controls were used to group patient exposures. Contrary to Wertheimer and Leeper's results, no relationship was found between leukemia and electric power line configurations.
De novo identification of LTR retrotransposons in eukaryotic genomes

LTR retrotransposons are a class of mobile genetic elements containing two similar long terminal repeats (LTRs). Currently, LTR retrotransposons are annotated in eukaryotic genomes mainly through the conventional homology searching approach. Hence, it is limited to annotating known elements. In this paper, we report a de novo computational method that can identify new LTR retrotransposons without relying on a library of known elements. Specifically, our method identifies intact LTR retrotransposons by using an approximate string matching technique and protein domain analysis. In addition, it identifies partially deleted or solo LTRs using profile Hidden Markov Models (pHMMs). As a result, this method can de novo identify all types of LTR retrotransposons. We tested this method on the two pairs of eukaryotic genomes, C. elegans vs. C. briggsae and D. melanogaster vs. D. pseudoobscura. LTR retrotransposons in C. elegans and D. melanogaster have been intensively studied using conventional annotation methods. Comparing with previous work, we identified new intact LTR retroelements and new putative families, which may imply that there may still be new retroelements that are left to be discovered even in well-studied organisms. To assess the sensitivity and accuracy of our method, we compared our results with a previously published method, LTR_STRUC, which predominantly identifies full-length LTR retrotransposons. In summary, both methods identified comparable number of intact LTR retroelements. But our method can identify nearly all known elements in C. elegans, while LTR_STRUCT missed about 1/3 of them. Our method also identified more known LTR retroelements than LTR_STRUCT in the D. melanogaster genome. We also identified some LTR retroelements in the other two genomes, C. briggsae and D. pseudoobscura, which have not been completely finished. In contrast, the conventional method failed to identify those elements. Finally, the phylogenetic and chromosomal distributions of the identified elements are discussed. We report a novel method for de novo identification of LTR retrotransposons in eukaryotic genomes with favorable performance over the existing methods.
Source Apportionment of Molecular Markers and Organic Aerosol1. Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons and Methodology for Data Visualization

Individual organic compounds often referred to as molecular markers are used in conjunction with the chemical mass balance (CMB) model to apportion sources of primary organic aerosol. This paper presents a methodology to visualize molecular marker data; it allows comparison of ambient data and source profiles and allows assessment of chemical stability and aging. The method is intended to complement traditional quantitative source apportionment analysis. The core of the technique involves construction of plots of ratios of species concentrations (ratio−ratio plots) in which source profiles appear as points connected by linear mixing lines. The approach is illustrated using data collected over a 1-year period in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The analysis considers for elemental carbon and a number of high molecular weight polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) commonly used as molecular markers in CMB: benzo(b+j+k)fluoranthene, benzo(e)pyrene, benzo[g,h,i]perylene, coronene, and indeno(1,2,3-cd)pyrene. In Pi...
On the capacity of underwater acoustic particle velocity communication channels

In this paper, the capacity of acoustic particle velocity channels is investigated. Closed form expressions are derived that determine maximum data rates in particle velocity channels, in terms of mean angle of arrival and angle spread. These expressions are useful for designing communication systems that operate in particle velocity channels.
Late results of surgical repair in recent ruptures of the lateral ligament of the ankle

Between 1979 and 1994, 75 patients underwent primary repair of a Grade III rupture of the lateral ligament of the ankle. The operation was indicated after the demonstration of ankle instability on stress X-rays by anterior displacement of the talus by more than 8 mm or/and a talar tilt of more than 10 degrees. The patients were either young or engaged in sports activities or physically demanding jobs. An end-to-end suture of the torn ligament was undertaken under general anaesthesia. A non-weight-bearing cast was used for the first 2 weeks, followed by a walking cast until 6 weeks postoperatively. Sixty-one patients were followed up for 1-15 years (mean 10.3 years). At follow-up all but one patient had returned to their pre-injury level of activity without complaint or restriction.
Effects on bedload transport of experimental removal of woody debris from a forest gravel‐bed stream

Experimental removal of woody debris from a small, gravel-bed stream in a forested area resulted in a four-fold increase in bedload transport at bankfull discharge. This was caused by increased transportability of sediment previously stored upslope of debris buttresses or in low-energy hydraulic environments related to debris. Bank erosion delivered additional sediment to the channel, and transport energy was increased by an inferred increase in the component of total boundary shear stress affecting grains on the bed. Increased transport following debris removal in May 1987 continued throughout the entire autumn storm season through late November 1987, indicating persistent adjustment of the stream bed and banks despite marked response to earlier flows as large as bankfull. Stream bed adjustments included development of a semi-regular sequence of alternate bars and pools, many of which were spaced independently of former pool locations.
Why We Distort in Self-Report: Predictors of Self-Report Errors in Video Game Play

Using Cognitive Dissonance and Balance Theory, this study investigates factors that predict how and why MMO players inaccurately report their game playing time. It was hypothesized that players belonging to categories other than the stereotypical game player e.g. younger, less educated, male would be likely to underreport playing time. It was also hypothesized that those players who held less positive attitudes toward the game would be more likely to underreport their playing time. Comparing people's self-reported weekly usage of an MMO, EverQuest II, with their actual average weekly usage of the game, data showed that age, education, lack of enjoyment playing the game, and lack of an online sense of community predicted greater levels of underreporting.
Shocks in the outer heliosphere: Voyager 2 observations from 18.9 AU to 30.2 AU (1986-1989)

A search for shocks observed by Voyager 2 from 1986.0 to day 233, 1989, in the region between 18.9 AU and 30.2 AU revealed only five candidate fast forward shocks and no reverse shocks. No shock was observed during 1987 (near solar minimum). Only one candidate shock was observed during 1986, when the heliospheric current sheet (HCS) was still close to the equator. This, the weakest of the shocks, was associated with a weak corotating merged interaction region (CMIR). Only two shocks were observed during 1988, when solar activity and the inclination of the HCS were increasing. One of these shocks was associated with a CMIR, the other with a local merged interaction region (MIR) (a transient MIR localized in space). The shocks observed between 18.9 AU and 28.2 AU from 1986 through 1988 were relatively weak, the estimated magnetoacoustic Mach number being less than or equal to 1.5 for each of the three shocks. Since the shocks observed between 20 AU and 29 AU during the 3-year period centered around solar minimum were weak and few in number, shocks were not important in determining the structure, dynamics, and thermodynamics of the equatorial solar wind. The strongest shock in this study was observed during 1989 at the front of a global merged interaction region (GMIR) (a MIR that extends around the Sun and is presumably formed by the coalescence of several transient ejecta and other interaction regions). A weak shock was also observed inside this GMIR.
On the distribution of bound levels of ions in dense plasmas: The plasma polarization shift

Abstract We present a reconciliation of the null experimental observations with a proper statistical treatment of the plasma polarization shift, the density dependent shift of spectral lines which results from the differential screening of bound electron orbitals by penetrating, neutralizing free electrons in dense plasmas. It turns out that even at otherwise very high electron densities the mean number of perturbing free electrons within bound quantum orbitals of plasma ions is only fractional. Thus most radiators actually experience no perturbation and are expected to emit/absorb unshifted. On the other hand, the strength of the resulting central feature can be significantly reduced with respect to that of unperturbed radiators because of the power shifted into the dim red-side wing.
Anti-inflammatory effects of pentoxifylline in claudication.

We measured neutrophil elastase/alpha 1 proteinase inhibitor complex (E/alpha) levels by ELISA in plasma samples drawn from 19 patients with claudication, before and at 1 and 2 months after initiation of pentoxifylline (PTF), 400 mg. p.o. tid. Plasma E/alpha levels declined in all eight patients whose initial values were more than 300 ng elastase per ml. Whole blood viscosity (wbv) was reduced by two months' treatment in 12 of 14 patients tested. The relative change in wbv was significantly related to the relative change in E/alpha (R2 = 0.8), for patients with elevated initial E/alpha levels, suggesting a common or related mechanism for the two effects. Plasma crosslinked fibrin D-dimer fragments (XDP) measured by ELISA as indicators of coagulation activity were lower compared to pretreatment levels in 9 of 10 samples drawn when symptoms were improved on PTF, whereas they were increased in 6 of 9 samples drawn when symptoms were worse or unchanged. Plasma viscosity, C-reactive protein and alpha 1-acid-glycoprotein did not change significantly with PTF treatment. Together these findings are consistent with the possibility that reduced microvascular neutrophil activation and coagulation play a role in the clinical efficacy of PTF in intermittent claudication.
Examination of Sex and Race Differences in Longitudinal Predictors of the Initiation of Adolescent Dating Violence Perpetration.

We examined longitudinal predictors of dating violence perpetration and determined if predictors varied by sex and race. Analyses were with 1,666 adolescents who completed questionnaires in a fall and spring semester. Depression, marijuana use, and aggression against peers predicted perpetration by girls but not by boys. Anxiety predicted perpetration by White adolescents and anger predicted perpetration by Black adolescents. Number of friends using dating violence was a predictor for all groups. Black girls were more likely to initiate dating violence than all other groups. The findings can inform the development of programs for the primary prevention of adolescent dating violence.
Platelet-derived SDF-1 primes the pulmonary capillary vascular niche to drive lung alveolar regeneration

Ding and colleagues report that blood platelets recruited to the lung by injury release the chemokine SDF-1, which interacts with its receptor CXCR4 on pulmonary capillary endothelial cells and thereby initiates alveolar regeneration.
Multiphysics based failure identification of lithium battery failure for prognostics

Li-ion battery failures are becoming the major concern in the battery application area. A failure such as sudden capacity loss could cause catastrophic damage and loss. Li-plating, a reason causing short circuit and capacity loss, is arousing researchers' and manufacturers' interest today. Based on mechanisms of Li-plating, this paper proposed a new approach to detect the occurrence of Li-plating. With the simulation of Li-plating using COMSOL, the proposed Li-plating occurrence model is implemented under different conditions. The experimental results indicate the local effects and the onset timing of Li-plating.
A Psychometric Study of the Index of Learning Styles

A study was conducted on the Felder-Soloman Index of Learning Styles© (ILS) to assess reliability, factor structure, and construct validity as well to determine whether changing its dichotomous response scale to a five-option response scale would improve reliability and validity. Data collected in this study had internal consistency reliability ranging from 0.55 to 0.77 across the four learning style scales of the ILS. Factor analysis revealed that multiple factors were present within three of the learning style scales, which correspond to known aspects of the scale definitions. The factor analysis and direct feedback from students on whether they felt their scores accurately represented their learning preferences provide evidence of construct validity for the ILS. Changing the response scale improved reliability, but it did not change the factor structure substantially nor did it affect the strength of the evidence for construct validity based on student feedback.
Properties and metabolic fate of two very low density lipoprotein subfractions from rhesus monkey serum.

Abstract Physical, chemical and physiological approaches were used to examine the properties of two very low density lipoproteins, VLDL-I (slow-beta), and VLDL-II (pre-beta), which were isolated by agarose column chromatography from the serum of rhesus monkeys fed either Purina Chow or one of four hyperlipidemic diets containing 0.5–20% cholesterol suspended in either coconut oil, peanut oil, mixed coconut oil and butter fat or lard. In the coconut oil-fed hyperlipidemic animals, the majority of the apolar lipids of VLDL-I was represented by cholesteryl esters. The small percentage of triacylglycerol (15%) had a fatty acid composition which resembled that of the fatty acid in each of the diets. In turn, VLDL-II had a triacylglycerol-rich core and differed from VLDL-I in apolipoprotein distribution (VLDL-I: low molecular weight apolipoprotein B, 36%; apolipoprotein E, 64%; and VLDL-II: high molecular weight apolipoprotein B, 38%; apolipoprotein E, 3%; and apolipoprotein C, 65%). Both VLDLs were hydrolyzed in vitro by milk lipoprotein lipase by first-order kinetics although VLDL-I exhibited a slightly slower reaction rate. When an oral dose of [ 3 H]retinol was given to one of the animals, both VLDLs became labeled but the specific activity of VLDL-I was six times higher than that of VLDL-II and the other lipoproteins. We conclude that VLDL-I represents a cholesteryl ester-rich lipoprotein probably of intestinal origin, whereas VLDL-II may be a particle of hepatic derivation modified by its interaction with the other plasma lipoproteins.
Accidents among schizophrenic outpatients.

Abstract A preliminary comparison of traffic, home, and work accident incidence was performed among 103 outpatient schizophrenic patients and an age matched sample of 123 controls. The number of motor vehicle drivers among schizophrenic outpatients was far less than among controls (70 of 103 versus 122 of 123; P = .00001). Among those who did drive, schizophrenic patients drove far less than controls (19 of 70 patients driving ≥5,000 miles per year versus 81 of 122 controls; P = .0001). Patients also reported more accidents per miles driven than did controls, consistent with previous studies. Older patients reported more home accidents than did younger patients (five of eight for those over 55 years versus four of 95 for those less than 55; P = .0007); no similar effect was observed among controls. Schizophrenic outpatients may be at greater risk of motor vehicle accidents per miles driven than age matched controls; elderly patients may be at higher risk of home accidents as well.
Management of chronic diseases in the 21st century: the emerging role of specialty pharmacies.

The introduction of biological medications and other expensive therapies for the treatment of chronic diseases has served as an impetus for the creation of specialty pharmacies, the subject of a panel discussion that appears in this issue.[1][1] Specialty pharmacies, which represent a relatively new
Stackelberg versus Cournot oligopoly equilibrium

Abstract We compare an m-firm Cournot model with a hierarchical Stackelberg model where m Firms choose outputs sequentially. The Stackelberg equilibrium price is lower, so output and total surplus are higher; total profits are lower. While the first mover in a Stackelberg duopoly earns more than a Cournot duopolist, this is not necessarily true for m > 2. We find a surprisingly simple relation which determines whether Cournot profit exceeds the Stackelberg leader's. Finally we consider a game (with firms choosing whether to reveal their outputs) which includes Stackelberg and Cournot as possible outcomes: the equilibrium is Stackelberg.
Mechanism of mitochondrial DNA replication in mouse L-cells: Kinetics of synthesis and turnover of the initiation sequence

Abstract Pulse-chase radioactive labeling experiments using thymidine kinase-plus mouse LA9 cells have shown that the 7 S mitochondrial DNA initiation sequence of mitochondrial DNA is synthesized and turned over at a faster rate than previously determined. These pulse-chase labeling experiments have also determined that the replication time of mouse LA9 cell mitochondrial DNA is one hour. The halflife of pulse-labeled 7 S mitochondrial DNA initiation sequences is approximately 70 minutes. This turnover is so rapid that at least 95% of the mitochondrial DNA initiation sequences synthesized are lost to turnover without acting as primers for expansion synthesis of the mitochondrial DNA heavy strand. The mechanism of 7 S mitochondrial DNA turnover does not lead to significant accumulation of free 7 S mitochondrial DNA single-strands within mitochondria. Resynthesis of the 7 S mitochondrial DNA initiation sequence is sufficiently rapid that the majority of mitochondrial DNA molecules are maintained as displacement loop molecules. Approximately 20% of all nucleotides polymerized into mitochondrial DNA are incorporated into the 7 S initiation sequences. The size of newly synthesized 7 S mitochondrial DNA strands varies from about 500 to 620 nucleotides. Several size classes are resolved by polyacrylamide/urea gel electrophoresis and each class has approximately the same turnover rate. Mouse LD cells maintain their mitochondrial DNA genomes as unicircular, head-to-tail dimers. Since a significant fraction of these unicircular dimers contain only one displacement loop, the size of the initiation sequence in such molecules should be twice as long if synthesis of the strand is limited by the free energy of superhelix formation. An identical array of size classes of 7 S strands is obtained from this cell line as compared to mouse LA9 cells. This indicates that the extent of 7 S mitochondrial DNA synthesis is most likely determined by a nucleotide sequence specific event.
JOB SEARCH BEHAVIOR OF EMPLOYED MANAGERS

Job search typically has been thought of as an antecedent to voluntary turnover or job choice. This study extends existing literature by proposing a model of the job search process and examining the search behavior of 1,388 employed managers. Managers were surveyed about their job search and voluntary turnover activities. Survey data were matched with job, organizational, and personal information contained in the data base of a large executive search firm. Results suggest that job satisfaction, compensation, and perceptions of organizational success were negatively related to job search, while desire for more work-family balance and ambition exhibited positive relations with search. Perceptions of greener pastures did not have much effect on job search among this group. Results also indicated that although some job search activity does facilitate turnover, a considerable amount of search does not lead to turnover. Thus, it appears that search serves many purposes.
Haldane, hot dogs, halitosis, and hypoxic vasodilation: the emerging biology of the nitrite anion

While it has long been known that the reduction of nitrite to nitric oxide (NO) forms iron-nitrosyl-myoglobin and is the basis of meat curing, a greater biological activity of the nitrite anion has only recently been appreciated. In the stomach, NO is formed from acidic reduction of nitrite and increases mucous barrier thickness and gastric blood flow (see the related study beginning on page 106). Nitrite levels in blood reflect NO production from endothelial NO synthase enzymes, and recent data suggest that nitrite contributes to blood flow regulation by reaction with deoxygenated hemoglobin and tissue heme proteins to form NO.
The effect of net charge and π-backbonding contribution of ML5 fragments containing Fe(II), Ru(II), Os(II), Co(III) and Rh(III) on the 1H NMR shifts of coordinated N-heterocycles

Abstract The 1 H NMR shifts for eighteen pyridine, 4-methylpyridine and 2-methylpyrazine complexes of Co III (NH 3 ) 5 3− , Rh III (NH 3 ) 5 3− , Ru II (NH 3 ) 5 2− , Os II (NH 4 ) 5 2− , Co III (CN) 5 2 , Fe II (CN) 5 3 , Ru III (CN) 5 3 and [Ru III (hedta)] have been compared to the free ligand. The main trends influencing the ligand 1 H NMR shifts are as follows: cationic complexes experience upfield shifts for α protons and downfield shifts of γ and β protons; anionic complexes behave in the reverse order with downfield shifts of α protons and upfield shifts of γ and β protons. For highly π -donating metal centers such as Ru(NH 3 ) 5 2− , Os(NH 3 ) 5 2− and [Ru(hedta)], the effect of π -donation operates in opposition to downfield shifts of all 1 H NMR resonances. The explanations offered previously in the literature concerning special effects of CN ligands or TIP influences have been discredited herein and by previous authors. The major influence in shifts of α positions is the raw charge of the complex as this translates into σ withdrawal at the α position, influencing rehybridization there, which produces counter electronic rearrangements at more distant ring positions. The empirical rules for directions of chemical shifts are applied to two newly characterized complexes. [Ru(hedta)(pym)] and [(NH 3 ) 5 Os II (pym)] 2− (pym = pyridimidine), as examples of how the general trends, in combination with the knowledge that certain metal centers produce opposite effects, could be used to guide 1 H NMR assignments for transition metal complexes of N-heterocycles.
Lenalidomide Causes Selective Degradation of IKZF1 and IKZF3 in Multiple Myeloma Cells

Lenalidomide is a drug with clinical efficacy in multiple myeloma and other B cell neoplasms, but its mechanism of action is unknown. Using quantitative proteomics, we found that lenalidomide causes selective ubiquitination and degradation of two lymphoid transcription factors, IKZF1 and IKZF3, by the CRBN-CRL4 ubiquitin ligase. IKZF1 and IKZF3 are essential transcription factors in multiple myeloma. A single amino acid substitution of IKZF3 conferred resistance to lenalidomide-induced degradation and rescued lenalidomide-induced inhibition of cell growth. Similarly, we found that lenalidomide-induced interleukin-2 production in T cells is due to depletion of IKZF1 and IKZF3. These findings reveal a previously unknown mechanism of action for a therapeutic agent: alteration of the activity of an E3 ubiquitin ligase, leading to selective degradation of specific targets.
Contributions of silane cross-linked PEX pipe to chemical/solvent odours in drinking water

A commonly used plastic plumbing pipe, silane-cross-linked polyethylene (PEX-b according to European standards), was investigated using the Utility Quick Test (UQT), which is a migration/leaching protocol recommended for evaluating taste-and-odour properties of materials prior to installation in distribution systems. After exposure of new PEX pipe to chlorine, monochloramine or no disinfectant, the odours in the leachate were described as “chlorinous” if chlorine or monochloramine were present and “chemical/solvent-like” with descriptors of sweet, bitter, chemical, solvent, plastic, burnt and mechanical/motor oil. The presence of disinfectant, chlorine or chloramines, did not alter the odour characteristics or intensity of the PEX odour. The “chemical/solvent-like” odours persisted even after multiple flushing periods. 2-Ethoxy-2-methylpropane, commonly called ETBE, was identified as a contributor to the described odour from the PEX pipe. Aqueous concentrations of ETBE in pipe leachate ranged from a low of 23 μg/L to >100 μg/L. The concentrations decreased with increased flushing. Panelists were able to smell ETBE at a concentration of 5 μg/L and assigned a rating of a weak odour. The need for taste and odour testing of plumbing materials prior to use in residential housing systems is necessary.
SU‐FF‐J‐25: Long Term Prediction of Respiratory Motion with Artificial Neural Network Based Adaptive Filtering Techniques

Purpose: Respiratory motion prediction is a key component affecting the accuracy of respiration gated and tumor tracking radiotherapy. The aim of this research was to investigate ways to improve long term prediction of respiratory motion with artificial neural network based adaptive filtering techniques. Method and Materials: An artificial neural network (ANN) based adaptive linear filter was used to predict respiratory motion for 30 motion traces (4 mins duration each) obtained from 7 patients both with (audio‐visual biofeedback) and without breathing training. Sequential training of the network was implemented using the Widrow‐Hoff training algorithm after proper determination of the maximum stable learning rate. A signal history of 5000 msec was used for training. The errors from prediction were compared to those obtained with a simplistic adaptive linear filter from earlier work. The effect of breathing training on the predictive ability of the ANN based was also determined. Results: Magnitude of geometric errors from prediction for the ANN based adaptive linear filter ( ∼ 2 mm − 1σ)were less than 50% of the magnitude of respiratory motion ( 5 mm − 1σ), especially for longer response times ( > 600 msec). This represented a 40 % improvement in accuracy over a simple adaptive linear filter without any learning features. Breathing training with audio‐visual biofeedback resulted in a slight reduction in errors from prediction. Conclusion:Artificial neural networks offer unique features that can help improve the adaptive capabilities of predictive filters. Further improvements in prediction of respiratory motion are possible with further developments using such a framework. Supported by: NCI RO1 93626
Do Immigrants Screened for Skills Do Better than Family Reunification Immigrants

It is sometimes thought that immigrants [to the United States] who are screened for occupational skills are likely to become more productive Americans than immigrants who gain admission on the basis of family ties to native-born U.S. citizens or to previous immigrants. However the expected differential may be small or nonexistent because: 1) kinship immigrants have access to family networks; 2) whereas employers may screen for short-term productivity family members may screen for long-term productivity; and 3) native-born U.S citizens who sponsor spouses may be particularly adept at screening for long-term success. Longitudinal data on the 1977 immigrant cohort is used to compare initial and longer-term occupational outcomes among employment and kinship immigrants. Results indicate a narrowing of the differential due both to higher rates of occupational downgrading among employment immigrants and of occupational upgrading among kinship immigrants. (EXCERPT)
In vivo and in vitro effects of macrophage colony-stimulating factor (M-CSF) on bronchoalveolar macrophages for antihistoplasmal activity

The in vivo and in vitro effects of M-CSF on bronchoalveolar macrophages (BAM) activity against the intracellular fungal pathogen Histoplasma capsulatum (Hc) were studied. Three days after a single subcutaneous (s.c.) dose of M-CSF (2.5 mg/kg), enhanced ex vivo antifungal activity of BAM was measured. BAM from M-CSF-treated CD-1 mice significantly (P < 0.01) inhibited the intracellular multiplication of Hc yeast cells in 20 h assays compared to BAM from control mice. This effect was not observed at days 1, 7, 11 or 21 post-treatment. A dose of 5 mg/kg s.c., but not 1 mg/kg, induced similar antifungal activity in BAM by day 3. Peritoneal macrophages (PM) from M-CSF-treated mice did not have enhanced antifungal activity at days and doses tested. BAM could also be activated for antihistoplasmal activity by M-CSF in vitro. M-CSF at 10,000 U/ml for 24 h or 5000 U/ml for 48 h induced significant (P < 0.01) inhibition of intracellular multiplication of Hc. Interferon-gamma (IFN) plus lipopolysaccharide (LPS) activated BAM and PM in vitro to inhibit intracellular multiplication of Hc (P < 0.001); the antihistoplasmal activity was completely inhibited by NG-monomethyl L-arginine (N-MMA), indicating that an L-arginine-dependent nitric oxide-producing mechanism was operative. N-MMA could not inhibit the antihistoplasmal activity of BAM or PM activated by M-CSF in vitro. The mechanism by which M-CSF-activated macrophages inhibit intracellular multiplication of Hc remains to be determined.
Incorporating Bias Error in Calculating Solar Irradiance

Solar irradiance is an important input parameter to many crop simulation models. It is not measured at the same spatial density as air temperature and precipitation, which has lead to the development of algorithms to calculate solar irradiance from air temperature and precipitation data. Fourteen algorithms were evaluated using 10 yr of measured air temperature, precipitation, and solar irradiance data from Mead, NE. All algorithms had similar root mean square errors (RMSE). When the bias error (the difference between measured and simulated values) was plotted against day of year, only one version of the algorithm showed a simple pattern not dependent on fitting a Fourier series to the data. This pattern of the bias error formed the basis for a correction factor that was applied to all calculations of solar irradiance. Using independent meteorological data from nine locations in eastern and western portions of Kansas, Nebraska, and South Dakota, the corrected algorithm developed from the Mead data calculated solar irradiance with RMSE ranging from 3.6 to 4.7 MJ m -2 d -1 . Using the Erosion Productivity Impact Calculator, simulated yields of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), maize (Zea mays L.), and soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] were significantly different when using the measured and uncorrected solar irradiance; however, the yields were not significantly different when using the measured and modified solar irradiance. Using this modification, solar irradiance measured at one location can be used to calculate solar irradiance at locations up to 600 km away in the U.S. Great Plains.
Analysis of the wind resource off New Jersey for offshore wind energy development

The state of New Jersey has the goal of producing 23% of its energy from renewable sources by 2021. Offshore wind is envisioned as being part of that renewable portfolio. To meet this goal New Jersey passed the nation's first offshore wind renewable energy standard which requires that at least 1,100 megawatts (MW) by 2021. Currently NJ has 0 MW of offshore wind energy. In order to reduce the risk associated with installing these turbines, the Rutgers University Coastal Ocean Observation Laboratory has undertaken a two year study of the ocean winds and currents to provide insight to the wind farm developers to the best locations for siting the wind turbines. A 13 MHz HF radar network was installed to measure the surface currents every 2 km out to a range of 60 km from the coast. These surface current measurements were validated against surface wind measurements from available meteorological stations. The surface currents will then be used to validate the surface winds from a weather model that has been created for this program.
Phosphatase activity regulates superoxide anion generation and intracellular signaling in human neutrophils

Phosphorylation of components of the neutrophil NADPH oxidase plays a critical role in activation and maintenance of superoxide anion (O2−) generation. To investigate the role of dephosphorylation by phosphatases in regulating O2− production, human neutrophils were treated with calyculin A, a potent inhibitor of protein phosphatases 1 and 2A, prior to stimulation. Calyculin A alone did not stimulate O2− production. However, neutrophils exposed to 50 nM calyculin A and the chemotactic peptide formyl-met-leu-phe (FMLP, 100 nM) displayed markedly enhanced O2− production in comparison to cells stimulated with FMLP alone (28.63±7.00 versus 8.69±3.69 nmol O2−/1.5×106 neutrophils/5 min, respectively, n=18, p<0.001), with an increased duration of O2− production. In contrast, phosphatase-inhibition decreased oxidative responsiveness to phorbol myristate acetate (PMA, ≥16 nM). We next examined the effect of calyculin A on products of the phosphatidylcholine-specific phospholipase D (PLD) pathway by assaying the mass levels of phosphatidic acid (PA), choline and diacylglycerol (DAG). Calyculin A increased both PA and choline production to 224±28% and 315±61% of FMLP-stimulated controls, respectively (p<0.01, n=7) without significantly increasing DAG. Also, membrane protein kinase C activity increased more than 10-fold in FMLP-stimulated cells exposed to calyculin A but decreased in cells stimulated with PMA following calyculin A pre-treatment. These results suggest that phosphatases exert variable and stimulus-dependent effects on pathways leading to O2− production. Further, it appears that phospholipase D activity and PA generation represent important steps in the pathway for NADPH activation triggered by FMLP.
Chain-folding measurements in annealed poly(ethylene terephthalate)

Chain folding in unoriented poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) films has been investigated as a function of annealing time and temperature. To meet this objective dynamic mechanical, infrared, and molecular weight measurements were used, together with selective chemical degradation to remove chain folds and amorphous regions. The β dispersion in the dynamic mechanical spectrum of PET is here tentatively associated with motions of methylene and/or carboxyl groups in irregular chain folds; the β dispersion is not found in quenched amorphous polymer, in polymer where amorphous regions and chain folds have been removed, or in highly annealed PET where the irregular folds have regularized. Upon mild crystallization and annealing (30 min at 110°C) of initially amorphous film a large β dispersion appears and then diminishes upon further annealing at 220°C. As the β dispersion diminishes, the infrared regular fold band increases more than the crystallinity band, indicating regularization of folds. The molecular weight of the degraded residue corresponds approximately to typical fold-period dimensions (∼130 A), and increases on annealing as expected from lamellar thickening. The degradation process has, by fold removal, reduced the chains in the crystals to a very short, uniform length.