cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Lipoxygenase genes and their targeted disruption

Analysis of the human and mouse genome sequences has enabled a detailed analysis of the structure and organization of the lipoxygenase genes in the respective species. Humans appear to possess six functional genes and at least three pseudogenes while mice have seven functional genes. The arrangement of the genes is quite similar between the species with most of the human lipoxygenase genes appearing on the short arm of chromosome 17 and in mice on the syntenic portion of chromosome 11. The 5-lipoxygenase gene is unique in several respects including its distinct separate chromosomal localization and its size (4-7 x larger than other lipoxygenase genes). Three of the seven murine lipoxygenase genes have been disrupted by gene targeting. While the knockout mice appear outwardly normal, a number of important findings have been discovered using these mice and these will be covered in this review.
Deterrence by Default? Israel's Military Strategy in the 2006 War against Hizballah

Abstract This article explores the question: What was Israel's military strategy when it went to war against Hizballah and Lebanon in 2006? It argues that Israel's decision to go to war was not based on a thorough in-depth analysis of the specific situation at hand, but rather rooted in its strategic outlook cultivated in the decades preceding the war. This thinking has largely focused on the concept of deterrence, and should deterrence fail, to restore deterrence and ensure that the opponent would refrain from similar actions in the future. The need to have a clear political component – which the military effort should support – appears to have been significantly less in focus. Thus an almost pre-destined recipe of responding militarily ‘dramatically beyond the expectations of the enemy’ was put in action from the outset. The perception that a more specifically tailored military strategy was not needed was a miscalculation.
Prospective analysis of erectile dysfunction after anterior urethroplasty: incidence and recovery of function.

Purpose: Anterior urethroplasty has been shown to negatively impact erectile function. Recovery of function is common but the likelihood and extent of recovery have not been fully elucidated.Materials and Methods: Between October 2006 and May 2008 men undergoing anterior urethroplasty were enrolled in a prospective study to evaluate the effects of urethroplasty on erectile function. The International Index of Erectile Function was completed preoperatively and on all subsequent postoperative visits. Preoperative and postoperative erectile function was compared.Results: A total of 52 patients who underwent anterior urethroplasty were included in the study. Repair locations were bulbar (35) and penile (17). Of the patients undergoing bulbar urethroplasty 20 had excision and primary anastomosis, and 15 had augmented anastomotic repair. All penile repairs were ventral onlay repair (11) or inlay repair in 2 stages (6). Postoperative erectile dysfunction was noted in 20 (38%) men, of whom 18 recovered fully at a...
Post-transplant hypophosphatemia.

Laboratory data on at least three occasions revealed hypo-phosphatemia associated with a marked decrease in the renaltubular reabsorption of phosphate and a decrease in the renaltubular transport maximum of phosphate (TmPi/GFR; Table 1).His renal function has remained stable with a creatinine clear-ance (GFR) of 102 mL/min. The decrease in TmPi/GFR occurredin the presence of parathyroid hormone (PTH); PTH-relatedpeptide; 25(OH) vitamin D
Multisite evaluations in criminal justice settings: Structural obstacles to success

The obstacles that hamper multisite evaluations in criminal justice settings can be overcome through an understanding of how the criminal justice system is organized and how it operates.
Trachoma and LGV biovars of Chlamydia trachomatis share the same glycosaminoglycan-dependent mechanism for infection of eukaryotic cells.

Summary A sulphated glycosaminoglycan-dependent mechanism of microbial infection for mammailan cells was characterized for the Chlamydia trachomatis trachoma and lymphogranuloma venereum (LGV) biovars. We demonstrated that the trachoma and LGV biovars compete for the same receptor(s) on host cells and that their infectivity was inhibited by heparin or heparan sulphate. Using a specific heparan suiphate lyase (heparitinase) to treat organisms, the Infectivity of both biovars was abolished. Furthermore, exogenous heparan sulphate rescued chlamydial infectivity following treatment with heparitinase and the restored infectivity was neutralized by an anti-heparan sulphate monoclonal antibody. These data suggest that heparan sulphate-like-mediated Interactions between C. trachomatis and eukaryotic cells are essential for infectivity.
Molecular Assembly and Disassembly: Novel Photolabile Molecular Hosts

A new approach to the assembly and photochemical disassembly of molecular hosts is developed. It is based on photoinduced fragmentation in hydroxyalkyl dithianes and utilizes a novel spiro-bis-dithiane as a photolabile molecular tether to link two formylated macromolecular blocks, e.g., formyl calixarenes or formyl dibenzocrown ethers. A key feature of this molecular system is that after an assembly−disassembly cycle the starting macromolecular blocks are recovered intact and can be used again.
Contrast reduction of broadband optical signals by the atmosphere

The theory for atmospheric contrast reduction is extended to include the effects of spectral dependence for broadband optical signals. A result with the same form as the monochromatic theory is achieved and the broadband extinction coefficient is defined. A comparison of atmospheric transmittance for the broadband model with that for the single wavelength average transmittance indicates little error except for applications where the slant range is larger than the meteorological range.
A novel mutation in the Norrie disease gene

Abstract Norrie disease is an X-linked recessive disorder characterized by congenital blindness and in some cases mental retardation and deafness. 1 The variability of signs among patients often complicates diagnosis. Signs such as an ocular pseudoglioma, progressive deafness, and mental disturbance are considered classic features. 2 Only one third of patients with Norrie disease have sensorineural deafness, and approximately one half of the affected individuals exhibit mental retardation, often with psychotic features. 3 Histologic analysis has suggested that retinal dysgenesis occurs early in eye development and involves cells in the inner wall of the optic cup. 4 The gene associated with Norrie disease was identified in 1992. 5,6 We report a novel mutation identified in a patient in whom Norrie disease was diagnosed.
A model for the different crazing behaviour of amorphous polymer glasses

Abstract A molecular-level analysis that explains the differences in crazing behaviour encountered in polymeric glasses is presented. Considering the separation of molecules or segments of them as the controlling mechanism for crazing (at the initiation stage), it is found that in vinyl polymers such as polystyrene and polymethyl methacrylate, which craze at all temperatures below the glass transition, separation is opposed by much smaller intermolecular barriers than in non-vinyl polymers such as polycarbonate and polyphenylene oxide which show mostly shear yielding and craze only in a narrow temperature regime immediately below the glass transition. For the latter polymers a relevant molecular yield mechanism can be described. The analysis also explains the higher tendency to crazing as temperature increases, as well as the suppression of crazing with pressure.
Nonlinear optical properties of highly conjugated push-pull porphyrin aggregates : Role of intermolecular interaction

Abstract We present a quantum-chemical analysis of porphyrin aggregates performed to provide insight into the intermolecular interactions and the relationship between their structural and collective non-linear optical properties. The first hyperpolarizabilities are evaluated for monomer and aggregates of a series of push–pull porphyrins, whose synthesis and hyperpolarizabilities are reported recently in literature [T.G. Zhang, Y. Zhao, I. Asselberghs, A. Persoons, K. Clays, M.J. Therien, J. Am. Chem. Soc. 127 (2005) 9710]. The molecular geometries are obtained via B3LYP/6-31G (d, p) level optimization including SCRF/PCM approach, while the dynamic NLO properties are calculated with the ZINDO/CV method including solvent effects. It has been observed that the first hyperpolarizability changes tremendously as monomer undergoes aggregation and the magnitude of first hyperpolarizabilities are highly dependent on the nature of aggregates. Importance of our results on the design of electro-optic materials has been discussed.
Cross-Correlation Spectropolarimetry in Single-Dish Radio Astronomy

ABSTRACT Modern digital correlators permit the simultaneous measurement of all four Stokes parameters using auto‐ and cross‐correlation. We briefly outline the fundamental requirements and some practical details of performing such measurements and refer to two additional papers that provide overview and cover calibration issues in detail.
Continuum mechanics of line defects in liquid crystals and liquid crystal elastomers

This paper generalizes the Ericksen-Leslie continuum model of liquid crystals to allow for dynamically evolving line defect distributions. In analogy with recent mesoscale models of dislocations, we introduce fields that represent defects in orientational and positional order through the incompatibility of the director and deformation ‘gradient’ fields. These fields have several practical implications: first, they enable a clear separation between energetics and kinetics; second, they bypass the need to explicitly track defect motion; third, they allow easy prescription of complex defect kinetics in contrast to usual regularization approaches; and finally, the conservation form of the dynamics of the defect fields has advantages for numerical schemes. We present a dynamics of the defect fields, motivating the choice physically and geometrically. This dynamics is shown to satisfy the constraints, in this case quite restrictive, imposed by material-frame indifference. The phenomenon of permeation appears as a natural consequence of our kinematic approach. We outline the specialization of the theory to specific material classes such as nematics, cholesterics, smectics and liquid crystal elastomers. We use our approach to derive new, non-singular, finite-energy planar solutions for a family of axial wedge disclinations.
WE-D-AUD C-02: Hypoxia-guided Intensity-Modulated Radiation Therapy for Head and Neck Cancer

Purpose: Hypoxia renders tumor cells radioresistant; limits locoregional control(LRC) from radiation therapy.IMRT allows targeting of the gross tumor volume(GTV) and can potentially deliver a higher dose to hypoxic subvolumes(GTVh) while sparing normal tissues. This study examines the feasibility of 18 F‐FMISO PET/CT‐guided IMRT with the goal to maximally escalate the dose to radioresistant hypoxic zones in a cohort of HNCA patients. Materials and Methods: 18 F‐FMISO was administered IV for PETimaging.CT simulation, FDG PET/CT, and 18 F‐FMISO PET/CT scans were co‐registered using the same immobilization. Tumor boundaries were defined by clinical examination and available imaging including FDG PET/CT. Regions of elevated 18 F‐FMISO uptake within the FDG PET/CT GTV were targeted for IMRT boost. Additional targets/normal structures were contoured/transferred to treatment planning to generate 18 F‐FMISO PET/CT‐guided IMRT plans. Results: The heterogeneous distribution of 18 F‐FMISO within the GTV demonstrated variable levels of hypoxia within the tumor. Plans directed at performing 18 F‐FMISO PET/CT‐guided IMRT for 10 HNCA patients achieved 84 Gy to GTVh, 70Gy to GTV, without exceeding normal tissue tolerance. We further attempted to deliver 105 Gy to GTVh for two patients and were successful in one with normal tissue sparing. Conclusion: It was feasible to dose escalate GTVh to 84 Gy in all 10 patients and in one patient to 105 Gy without exceeding normal tissue tolerance. This information provided important data for subsequent hypoxia‐guided IMRT trials with the goal of further improving LRC in HNCA.
Weight Loss Education: The Challenge of a New Paradigm

Health educators and others typically rely on three weight loss strategies to combat obesity. These include (1) medical intervention, (2) caloric restriction, and (3) fat gram restriction. The empirical evidence for these approaches in producing long-term weight loss is weak. However, much media attention has been given to a weight loss paradigm that seemingly does not fall into the aforementioned categories, which has been called the intuitive eating paradigm. Currently there is no empirical evidence to validate this paradigm. The focus of this article is to present an overview of this weight loss paradigm, discuss its potential benefits for health education in relation to current weight loss paradigms, and critically evaluate it in terms of the usefulness and ethical appropriateness for health education.
A density functional study of the 13C NMR chemical shifts in fluorinated single-walled carbon nanotubes.

The 13C NMR chemical shifts of fluorinated semiconducting single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) were computed using a gauge—including projector—augmented plane wave (GIPAW) density functional method. The chemical shifts of the fluorinated carbons (Cα) were rather insensitive to the degree and pattern of functionalization, as well as to the nanotube radius. The calculated shifts were typically between 82 and 84 ppm, which is in excellent agreement with a recent experimental value of 83.5 ppm. Because of the insensitivity of the shifts to details of the nanotube’s electronic structure and diameter, the NMR signals of the Cα carbons are a useful indicator of the degree of functionalization in a heterogeneous bulk sample. At high degrees of functionalization, the shifts of atoms neighboring Cα might also be useful indicators of the functionalization pattern.
Spontaneous causal inferences

Abstract Three studies examine the hypothesis that people spontaneously (i.e., unintentionally and without awareness of doing so) infer causes (the Spontaneous Causal Inference, or SCI, hypothesis). Using a cued-recall paradigm, Study 1 examines whether SCIs occur and Study 2 allows for a comparison between implicitly inferred and explicitly mentioned causes. Study 3 examines whether SCIs can be fully explained in terms of spreading activation to general, abstract schemes. It is suggested that STIs (e.g., Winter & Uleman, 1984 ), and spontaneous predicting inferences (e.g., McKoon and Ratcliff, 1986a , McKoon and Ratcliff, 1986b ), may be better understood in their relation to SCIs.
In Search of the Elusive Open-Faced Triangulo Nickel Cluster: Insertion of Thallium(I) into a μ3-I Capping Ligand

Thallium(I) inserts into the Ni−I bonds on one face of the 52e triangulo cluster [Ni3(μ3-I)2(μ-dppm)3] to form the new electron-deficient cluster cation [Ni3(μ3-TlI)(μ3-I)(μ-dppm)3]+. A single-crys...
Application and Interpretation of Isomer Shifts

A derivation of equations useful in interpreting isomer shifts in the Mossbauer effect is outlined, following isotopeshift theory closely. The present and potential applications of isomer shift measurement to chemistry and metal physics are discussed, and some conclusions about chemical bonds are pointed out. An equation relating isomer shifts to nuclear deformation is given and applications to the study of various types of collective nuclear excitation are discussed. Limitations of the method are discussed. 49 references. (R.E.U.)
Social science and nuclear war

These first two volumes of a landmark series on social science and nuclear war are published as both phenomena appear to be becoming obsolete. We remain 30 minutes from nuclear annihilation with no direct control over our own destiny, but the issue has practically disappeared from our policy and intellectual agenda. Similarly, postmodernism, deconstruction, and the "end of positivism" make the establishment of agreement on empirical relationships by replicable analysis of multiple cases seem rather quaint. In fact, however, this apparent obsolescence tells us more about intellectual fads than about reality. The threat of nuclear war remains, and social science is still one of the few ways that give us more than a random chance of avoiding it. The editors of this series adopt the conventional notion that the major threat of nuclear war is a superpower collision. Such a collision remains possible, but a much more likely scenario is that Third World governments will develop and use nuclear weapons on one another. This scenario makes nuclear war both more likely and less threatening, at least to those people not in the countries directly involved. It also suggests that we need to know more about escalation and the spread of violence, and that our extensive literature on crisis behavior needs to be examined to see if it holds for
Child passenger safety: direction, selection, location, installation.

The most significant risk factor for death and serious injury in a car crash is the failure to use a size-appropriate restraint system. Providing accurate car safety seat anticipatory guidance to families is the standard of care. Guiding families on the best car seat for best protection can be done with the four messages, direction, selection, location, and refer, if needed, to community resources for correct installation. Addressing special issues that impact use of a car seat on each and every ride, including challenging behaviors and obesity, will transfer to many other situations. Data support a new recommendation that children stay rear-facing in size-appropriate car seats until they reach the highest weight and height allowed for rear-facing by the manufacturer of the convertible seat. Premature graduation to the next seat type/size/position increases risk of injury. A driver who is distracted by a cell phone, food, or something else, becomes a risk factor for a car crash. State laws may lag behind best practices. Advocacy for stronger laws, better enforcement, and best practices at the local, state, and national levels is a critical role for the pediatric professional community. Language: en
Optimal, efficient reconstruction of root-unknown phylogenetic networks with constrained and structured recombination

Phylogenetic networks are models of sequence evolution that go beyond trees, allowing biological operations that are not consistent with tree-like evolution. One of the most important of these biological operations is (single-crossover) recombination between two sequences. An established problem (Math. Biosci. 98 (1990) 185; J. Mol. Evol. 36 (1993) 396; Proceedings of the 2003 Workshop on Algorithms in Bioinformatics, Berlin, Germany, Lecture Notes in Computer Science, Springer, Berlin, 2003; J. Math. Biol. 98 (2003) 160; J. Comput. Biol. 8 (2001) 69; Genetics 163 (2003) 375; Genetics 111 (1985) 147) is to find a phylogenetic network that derives an input set of sequences, minimizing the number of recombinations used. No efficient, general algorithm is known for that problem. An efficient algorithm does exist for the problem when the network is constrained to be a ''galled-tree'', and the ancestral sequence for the galled-tree is specified in advance (Proceedings of Second CSB Bioinformatics Conference, Los Alamitos, CA, 2003, IEEE Press, New York; J. Bioinform. Comput. Biol. 2(1) (2004) 173; INFORMS J. Comput. 16 (2004) 459). However, the more biologically realistic case is that no ancestral sequence is known in advance, and the only previous algorithmic solution for that case takes exponential time. In this paper we give an efficient solution to the galled-tree problem when no ancestral sequence is known in advance, and show that the solution produced has very strong global optimality properties. We also indicate how these results generalize to other complex biological phenomena such as gene-conversion, lateral gene transfer, hybrid speciation, and back and recurrent mutation.
Experimental studies of the physiologic properties of technetium-99m isonitriles☆

Abstract Recently, efforts have been directed at the development of technetium-99m (Tc-99m)-labeled isonitrile compounds for assessment of regional perfusion and viability after experimental myocardial infarction or ischemia. One of the most promising of these agents, Tc-99m sestamibi, has undergone rather extensive laboratory investigation. Like thallium-201 (Tl-201), the uptake of Tc-99m sestamibi in myocardial tissue is proportional to myocardial blood flow after intravenous injection. Similar to other diffusible indicators, Tc-99m sestamibi underestimates blood flow at high flow rates. In low flow regions, the myocardial uptake of this agent is higher relative to nonischemic uptake than is microsphere-determined blood flow. This is attributed to increased extraction at low flows. This first-pass myocardial extraction fraction for Tc-99m sestamibi is less than that for Tl-201. However, Tc-99m sestamibi has a higher parenchymal cell permeability and higher volume of distribution than Tl-201. Tc-99m sestamibi shows minimal “delayed redistribution” after initial intravenous administration. Uptake of Tc-99m sestamibi is not altered by myocardial “stunning” or with ischemic dysfunction produced by sustained low coronary flow. The uptake of the isonitrile is still proportional to blood flow in these situations. In intact animal models, myocardial uptake of Tc-99m sestamibi during coronary occlusion delineates the in vivo area at risk. When Tc-99m sestamibi is administered after reperfusion following variable periods of preceding coronary occlusion, Tc-99m sestamibi uptake delineates the area of viable myocardium that is salvaged and not simply the degree of reflow. This suggests that serial Tc-99m sestamibi imaging might be useful in assessing the efficacy of coronary reperfusion after thrombolytic therapy.
Effects of Ambient and Enhanced UV-B Radiation on Periphyton in a Mountain Stream

Abstract We examined the influence of UVR on an open and a shaded section of a mountain stream (2,850 m a.s.l.) by comparing periphyton and grazers on clay substrates under four light regimes (UVR blocked and UV-B enhanced treatments and two controls). Neither ambient levels of UVR nor enhanced UV-B appeared to have an adverse impact on periphyton in the shaded section. However, enhanced UV-B in the open section appeared to cause a decline in periphyton biomass and diversity. Diatoms seemed particularly susceptible as twenty-eight species were absent from the UV-B enhanced treatment but were present 2 m downstream in the control. Tube-dwelling diatoms were only present at UV-B enhanced treatments (shade and open). Hydrurus foetidus (cells embedded in mucopolysaccharide) was relatively rare at all sites except the UV-B enhanced treatment in the open where it was the dominant alga. Periphyton may use mucopolysaccharide to diminish harmful UV-B effects. Grazer densities in the UV-B enhanced sites were simila...
Relationship of thyroid and adrenal function to “fur-chewing” in the chinchilla

Abstract 1. 1. The fur-chewing chincillas showed increased thyroid activity (P , increased adrenalcortical function (P and decreased rectal temperature (P . 2. 2. This study suggested that increased endocrine activity could be due to the loss of insulation over the fur-chewed areas. 3. 3. It is possible, however, that endocrine activity could be a stimulus for fur-chewing. 4. 4. It is also possible that fur-chewing can be initiated or its incidence increased by “non-specific stressors’.
Modified ultrawide-bandwidth dielectric rod antenna for ground penetrating radar applications

An ultra-wide bandwidth (UWB) dielectric rod antenna modified from its previous version developed by Chen (1999) is presented. Such antenna is useful in detecting shallowly buried targets, such as anti-personnel (AP) mines. Broad bandwidth electromagnetic energy is launched, guided and radiated from a dielectric rod that has a constant cross- section area and low-loss permittivity except at the end where the permittivity is gradually reduced to match to that of free air. The electromagnetic waves radiated out from rod end have field behavior similar to that of a Hertzian dipole. The low antenna clutter and weak antenna-ground interaction are two unique features. Its near-field radiation properties are investigated using three-dimensional finite difference time domain (FDTD) simulation technique. Some measurement and numerical simulation results are also included.© (2000) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
On the dynamics of a finite buffer queue conditioned on the amount of loss

This paper is concerned with computing large-deviation asymptotics for the loss process in a stylized queueing model that is fed by a Brownian input process. In addition, the dynamics of the queue, conditional on such a large deviation in the loss, is calculated. Finally, the paper computes the quasi-stationary distribution of the system and the corresponding dynamics, conditional on no loss occurring.
A new purification technique for improving the thermal conductivity of superconducting Nb microwave cavities

Improvement factors up to 4 in the thermal conductivity of Niobium between 4 and 9K are obtainted by a new purification technique which removes the dominant interstitial impurity (oxygen) found in commercial Nb. In the process, surfaces of the cavity are brought into proximity with Yttrium foil at -10-5torr for several hours. A vapor deposited film of several μm thickness traps oxygen diffusing rapidly from the bulk to the surface. A single cell, 1500 MHz, elliptically shaped cavity with thermal conductivity improved by this method shows amelioration of thermal breakdown, as predicted by thermal model calculations.
The obscured outer edge: a sign of improperly placed pleural drainage tubes

The treatment of pneurnothorax often requires placement of a tube in the pleural space. If inserted improperly, however, a tuba may be in an extrapleurab location within soft tissues of the chest wall. Although radiographs are usually obtained to verify tube placement, such an ectopic location may not be recognized. On frontal radiographs (anteropostenor or posteroanterior), an extrapleural chest tube may appear to lie in the pleural space, and oblique radiographs or fluoroscopy may be necessary to demonstrate its extrapleural location. Such views are not obtained unless an ectopic location is suspected. We report a clue that, when present, allows recognition of extraplaural tube location on radiographs performed in the frontal projection. This sign is an application of the silhouette principle described by Falson and Falson [1 ], and has not been previously reported [2-4]. Briefly, the plastic material from which chest tubes are made has about the same density as soft tissue unless impregnated with a radiodensa substance. Thus, a nonirnpregnatad tube lying within the pleural space and surrounded by free air or normally aerated lung should have a clearly defined edge because of the density difference between air and the plastic tube. However, within the chest wall, the similarity in density between the tube and surrounding soft tissues often makes the tube’s outer edge invisible. When a nonopaque tube is projected over a pneumothorax or normally aerated lung on a frontal radiograph and its outer edge is invisible, an extrapleural location must be suspected.
Domain-specific search strategies for the effective retrieval of healthcare and shopping information

An increasing number of users are performing searches on the Web in unfamiliar domains such as healthcare. However, because many users lack domain-specific search knowledge, their searches are often ineffective. An important remedy is to make domain-specific search knowledge in these new domains explicit and available. Towards that goal, healthcare and online shopping experts were observed while they performed search tasks within and outside their domains of expertise. The study: (1) identified domain-specific search strategies in each domain; (2) demonstrated that such knowledge is not automatically acquired from using general-purpose search engines. These results suggest that users should benefit from Strategy Portals that provide domain-specific knowledge to perform searches in unfamiliar domains.
Deformations Experienced in the Human Skin, Adipose Tissue, and Fascia in Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine

Context: Osteopathic manipulative medicine techniques involve compressive and tangential forces to target the fascia. These forces are transmitted to the skin and adipose tissue before the fascia is encountered. Knowing the extent of deformation of these 2 tissue layers relative to the fascia will assist osteopathic physicians in evaluating techniques for manual therapies and adjusting these therapies to reduce patient discomfort and improve results. Objective: To determine the magnitude of the forces transmitted to the skin, adipose tissue, and fascia, and to determine the magnitude of deformation produced in the skin and adipose tissue relative to the fascia using a mathematical model. Methods: The large deformation theory of elasticity, valid for 3-dimensional deformations, was used to evaluate the forces that need to be applied such that a specified deformation is produced in any region of the skin, adipose tissue, or fascia layers. Similarly, if the forces are specified, then the defor mation produced can be determined. Results: The normal and tangential forces required to produce a deformation of 9% compression and 4% shear for the skin were 50 N and 11 N, respectively. Normal and tangential forces of about 100 N and 22 N were found for a similar deformation of fascia. For adipose tissue, these forces were 36 N and 8 N, respectively. In addition, the skin experienced more compression and shear—about 1.5 times as much as the fascia, and the adipose tissue experienced about 2.5 to 3.5 times the deformation of the fascia and 50% more than the skin when a given force was applied to the skin. Conclusion: The forces applied to the surface of the skin were transmitted through this layer and the adipose layer entirely to the fascia. Therefore, the skin and adipose tissue experienced the same magnitude of force as the fascia. However, the skin and adipose tissue experienced more compression and shear than the fascia.
Efavirenz/emtricitabine/tenofovir disoproxil fumarate fixed-dose combination: first-line therapy for all?

ATRIPLA™ (Bristol-Myers Squibb and Gilead Sciences) is a complete regimen in a single, fixed-dose combination tablet that contains: efavirenz 600 mg, emtricitabine 200 mg and tenofovir disoproxil fumarate 300 mg. Current treatment guidelines recommend this triple combination for initial therapy because of its excellent potency, tolerability and favorable safety profile. Individually, these agents have long half-lifes that allow for once-daily dosing and may provide a pharmacologic bridge for the occasional missed dose. Although several options for once-daily regimens are available, comparative clinical trials are still in progress. This article reviews relevant efficacy and safety data of efavirenz, emtricitabine and tenofovir disoproxil fumarate, compared with other once-daily agents or certain common alternate drugs presently used as initial therapy in treatment-naive patients.
Building web services for scientific grid applications

Web service architectures have gained popularity in recent years within the scientific grid research community. One reason for this is that web services allow software and services from various organizations to be combined easily to provide integrated and distributed applications. However, most applications developed and used by scientific communities are not web-service-oriented, and there is a growing need to integrate them into grid applications based on service-oriented architectures. In this paper, we describe a framework that allows scientists to provide a web service interface to their existing applications as web services without having to write extra code or modify their applications in any way. In addition, application providers do not need to be experts in web services standards, such as Web Services Description Language, Web Services Addressing, Web Services Security, or secure authorization, because the framework automatically generates these details. The framework also enables users to discover these application services, interact with them, and compose scientific workflows from the convenience of a grid portal.
Natural history as a predictor of protein evolvability

Natural selection generally produces specific and efficient enzymes. In contrast, directed evolution experiments usually produce enzyme variants with broadened substrate specificity or enhanced catalytic promiscuity. Some proteins may be more evolvable than others, but few workers consider this problem when choosing starting points for laboratory evolution. Here, we review the variables associated with enzyme evolvability, namely promiscuity and mutational robustness. We present a qualitative model of adaptive evolution and recommend that protein engineers exploit their knowledge of natural history to identify evolvable wild-type proteins. Three examples of 'generalist' proteins that evolved in the laboratory into 'specialists' are described to illustrate the practical utility of this point.
A Dual-Bound Algorithm for Very Fast and Exact Template Matching

Recently proposed fast template matching techniques employ rejection schemes derived from lower bounds on the match measure. This paper generalizes that idea and shows that in addition to lower bounds, upper bounds on the match measure can be used to accelerate the search. An algorithm is proposed that utilizes both lower and upper bounds to detect the k best matches in an image. The performance of this dual-bound algorithm is guaranteed; it always detects the k best matches. Theoretical analysis and experimental results show that its runtime compares favorably with previously proposed real-time exact template-matching schemes.
Antibody-facilitated macrophage killing of Trypanosoma musculi is an extracellular process as studied in several variations of an in vitro analytical system

Antibody-facilitated macrophage (MP) de- struction of Trypanosoma musculi involves ingestion and intracellular degradation of the parasites. It is likely, however, as we show here, that death of the trypanosomes is extracellular and it is the corpses that are ingested by MPs. We have utilized both peritoneal MPs and a cloned line (WLG 5) of mouse MPs to analyze the killing of T. musculi. Both types of MP were more effective when activated by interferon-1 (IFN-y) rather than lipopoly- saccharide (LPS). When activated by both, LPS dimin- ished the killing activity stimulated by IFN-y, perhaps by changing the spectrum of lysins/toxins released by the MPs. Nitric oxide (NO) was found to be toxic for T. mus- culi and to be responsible, in part, for MP killing of the parasites. Although antibody and complement in concert caused lysis of T musculi, complement was not required for MP killing of the parasites. In the course of this inves- tigation, we developed an in vitro system, involving line 5 MPs and plasma from infected mice containing resident parasites, that should prove satisfactory for detailed analyses of the mechanisms of the antibody-dependent, cell-mediated cure of T. musculi infection. J. Leukoc. Biol. 56: 636-643; 1994.
DNA strand breaking by the hydroxyl radical is governed by the accessible surface areas of the hydrogen atoms of the DNA backbone

Despite extensive study, there is little experimental information available as to which of the deoxyribose hydrogen atoms of duplex DNA reacts most with the hydroxyl radical. To investigate this question, we prepared a set of double-stranded DNA molecules in which deuterium had been incorporated specifically at each position in the deoxyribose of one of the four nucleotides. We then measured deuterium kinetic isotope effects on the rate of cleavage of DNA by the hydroxyl radical. These experiments demonstrate that the hydroxyl radical reacts with the various hydrogen atoms of the deoxyribose in the order 5′ H > 4′ H > 3′ H ≈ 2′ H ≈ 1′ H. This order of reactivity parallels the exposure to solvent of the deoxyribose hydrogens. Our work therefore reveals the structural basis of the reaction of the hydroxyl radical with DNA. These results also provide information on the mechanism of DNA damage caused by ionizing radiation as well as atomic-level detail for the interpretation of hydroxyl radical footprints of DNA-protein complexes and chemical probe experiments on the structure of RNA and DNA in solution.
Performance enhancements for algebraic soft decision decoding of Reed-Solomon codes

In an attempt to determine the ultimate capabilities of the Sudan-Guruswami-Sudan-Kotter-Vardy algebraic soft decision decoding algorithm for Reed-Solomon codes, we present a new method, based on the Chernoff bound, for constructing multiplicity matrices. In many cases, this technique predicts that the potential performance of ASD decoding of RS codes is significantly better than previously thought.
Modeling of Parafoil-Payload Relative Yawing Motion on Autonomous Parafoils

*Using Newtonian dynamics, a seven degree-of-freedom model is developed that accurately models relative yawing motion of a payload with respect to a parafoil. The seven degree-of-freedom model is compared to a conventional rigid body model that neglects relative parafoil-payload motion. Using a simulated left-right turn maneuver, it is demonstrated that significant relative yawing motion of the payload can occur while many of the other dynamic modes exhibit little change. It is shown that the rigid parafoil-payload system has conventional flight modes including, short period and phugoid longitudinal modes and roll subsidence, spiral, and dutch roll lateral modes. The seven degree-of-freedom model, however, is shown to have an additional lightly damped lateral payload mode and the dutch roll damping is significantly reduced compared to the rigid model.
Interior Design Identity in the Crossfire: A Call for Renewed Balance in Subjective and Objective Ways of Knowing

Jill Pable, Ph.D., is an associate professor in the Department of Interior Design at Florida State University and a National Council for Interior Design Qualification-certified interior designer. Her educational background includes B.S. and M.F.A. degrees in Interior Design and a Ph.D. degree in Instructional Technology with specialization in architecture. Her professional work includes residential, hospitality, healthcare, and office projects completed within her own firm as well as with Universal Studios Florida. She is the past chairperson of the Interior Design Continuing Education Council and past Interior Design Educators Council (IDEC) national secretary/treasurer. She will serve as the President of IDEC in May 2009. Her research interests include interior design pedagogy and issues of social justice in design, and her educational papers and creative works have six times been awarded “Best Presentation” at international and regional IDEC Conferences. Her publications Interior Design: Practical Strategies for Teaching and Learning (coauthored with Katherine Ankerson) and Sketching Interiors at the Speed of Thought are available through Fairchild Books.
A decentralized planner that guarantees the safety of communicating vehicles with complex dynamics that replan online

This paper considers the problem of coordinating multiple vehicles with kinodynamic constraints that operate in the same partially-known environment. The vehicles are able to communicate within limited range. Their objective is to avoid collisions between them and with the obstacles, while the vehicles move towards their goals. An important issue of real-time planning for systems with bounded acceleration is that inevitable collision states must also be avoided. The focus of this paper is to guarantee safety despite the dynamic constraints with a decentralized motion planning technique that employs only local information. We propose a coordination framework that allows vehicles to generate and select compatible sets of valid trajectories and prove that this scheme guarantees collision-avoidance in the specified setup. The theoretical results have been also experimentally confirmed with a distributed simulator where each vehicle replans online with a sampling- based, kinodynamic motion planner and uses message-passing to communicate with neighboring agents.
Physiographical and historical effects on forest vegetation in central New England, USA

Aim Land-use history can be an important determinant of ecosystem characteristics, even in landscapes that outwardly appear 'natural'. In New England, like much of the eastern United States, the natural reforestation of agricultural lands over the past 150 years has created a predominantly forested landscape. Understanding the physiographical and historical factors controlling forest structure and composition is a major challenge to ecologists, conservationists and land managers. Location We studied the forest structure and composition of Petersham, Massachusetts, which is located in the Central Upland physiographical province of New England. Like much of New England, Petersham was largely cleared for agriculture by the mid-1800s, but most of the agricultural fields were abandoned and naturally reforested in the late-1800s and early 1900s. The modern landscape is > 90% forested by a mosaic of primary and secondary woodlands. Methods At seventy-four randomly selected 0.04-ha plots, we measured the abundances of all vascular plants in the overstory and understory and nine physiographical and historical variables. Results Species richness was primarily related to landform: species-rich communities occurred in poorly drained basins and species-poor communities occurred on well-drained glacial outwash. Distributions of the sixty-nine most common species were associated with (in order of importance) landform, past land use and elevation. Many species were restricted to specific physiographical conditions, but no species were restricted to specific past land uses. Nine plant associations identified by two-way indicator species analysis were associated with elevation, landform, soil texture and past land use. Ordination by canonical correspondence analysis indicated that the vegetation reflected two principal gradients: a physiographical gradient, defined by landform and soil texture, and a land-use gradient. Main conclusions These analyses suggest the following ranking of factors controlling forest structure and composition in this landscape at this time: landform > agricultural history > elevation > hurricane = fire = logging. Even in this physically heterogenous landscape, land-use history continues to play an important role in shaping forest vegetation 100-150 years after agricultural abandonment and reforestation.
Do Squirrels Eat Hamburgers?: Intellectual Empathy as a Remedy for Residual Prejudice

In her 2007 book "Epistemic Injustice" Miranda Fricker argues that "the silent by products of residual prejudice in a liberal society" are often the most difficult biases to eradicate. In this essay, I provide several examples of the kind of residual prejudice Fricker describes. I then propose a principle of "intellectual empathy" (with four component elements) as a methodological remedy for eradicating this kind of bias in good critical thinking.
Three dimensionally confined photon systems

The active region is given by a 5 nm In/sub 0.10/Ga/sub 0.90/As quantum well in the center of the GaAs cavity. Microcavities with lateral sizes on the order a few microns were fabricated by electron beam lithography and etching of the layered structures, The use of cavities to enhance and suppress optical emission rates by modifying the photon density of states has been a central interest of research in this area for fifty years. We have studied emission rates from the InGaAs quantum wells and from InGaAs quantum dots in these cavities.
Order statistics from dependent, completely monotone distributions

We consider order statistics corresponding to X1, …, Xn, where $X_{i} \sim \lambda_{i}^{-1} \cal{E}$ , i = 1, …, n, ℰ1, …, ℰn are independent and identically distributed exponentials with mean 1, and λ1, …, λn are possibly dependent, possibly nonidentically distributed, positive random variables, with $E\lambda_{i}^{-1} . Thus, λ1, …, λn, can be interpreted as random failure rates, and their dependency might be due to common environmental factors.
Students as Spectators: Their Academic and Social Integration.

Enhanced academic success and social integration may be a product for students who are sports fans.
A “Fat” Tax: Knowledge and Attitudes of Snack Food Taxing among College Students

Abstract The economic cost for the United States from heart disease, diabetes, and cancer is estimated at $71 billion annually. Along with this trend, the prevalence of obesity in the United States has reached epidemic proportions. To date, all interventions related to the prevention and treatment of obesity have failed. We must find a new way to prevent this epidemic from spreading. How then can we best encourage people to make lower-fat, more appropriate food choices? What if a tax was applied to unhealthy, fat-laden foods? Among those most affected by such a policy are college-age students. First, this age range (18–29) is at increased risk for obesity, and second, they spend an extraordinary amount of money on convenience food. The purpose of this study was to identify college student's knowledge and attitudes on policies regarding sales tax on snack-related food items. Surveys were administered in a variety of general education courses at two Western universities. Six-hundred sixty surveys were compl...
An Adolescent With Cough and Dyspepsia

A 17-year-old Caucasian male previously healthy presents with a 4-month history of persistent dry cough, dyspnea with exertion, and dyspepsia. A chest X-ray showed no acute disease. Empiric asthma therapy with fluticasone was ineffective. He was treated for possible gastroesophageal reflux with ranitidine, followed by pantoprazole, still with no improvement in symptoms. Another chest X-ray was done for worsening nighttime cough and revealed bilateral patchy infiltrates, suggestive of atypical pneumonia. He was treated with 5 days of azithromycin with no clinical improvement. Due to his persistent dyspepsia and new-onset epigastric pain, he was referred to pediatric gastroenterology. An upper endoscopy revealed erythema of the distal esophagus and an ulcerated mass in the gastric fundus with diffuse congestion of the gastric body (Figure 1). The pathology results of the mass biopsy were consistent with a poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma, with positivity for CK7 CDX-2 and negative for chromogranin, confirming a tumor of gastric origin (Figures 2 and 3). Staining for CD34, CD31, and D-240 outlined multiple areas of lymphatic space invasion by tumor cells in the esophagus and the stomach. Immunohistochemistry studies were negative. Laboratory data included lactate dehydrogenase 783 U/L, alanine aminotransferase 173 U/L, aspartate aminotransferase 109 U/L, and lipase 191 U/L. Tumor marker results included cancer antigen 19-9 of 247 U/mL, carcinoembryonic antigen of 12.7 ng/mL, and cancer antigen 125 of 518 U/mL. The testing for Helicobacter pylori was negative. Computed tomography of the chest, abdomen, and pelvis, for tumor staging, revealed metastatic lesions in the lungs with bilateral pleural effusion and mediastinal, hilar, gastrohepatic ligament, bilateral retrocrural, periaortic and mesenteric lymphadenopathy (Figure 4).