cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Driver compliance and safety effects of three-foot bicycle passing laws

Abstract The long and tragic history of bicycle/vehicle collisions has led to calls for legislative action to provide greater safety for bicyclists on the roadways. In the United States, “Three-foot bicycle passing laws,” are among the most common. In general, these laws require motor vehicles overtaking or passing bicyclists to do so by providing a minimum of 3 ft of lateral separation. The goal of this paper was to investigate how these laws substantively affect driver behavior. In this paper, a driving simulator was used to quantify the overtaking behavior, in terms of lateral overtaking distance and speed, of drivers in the vicinity of bicyclists. Study participants included drivers both aware and unaware of these laws. The research also examined the behavior of participants under varying traffic conditions. The results showed a tendency of drivers to provide more than the three-foot minimum requirement. This was true for both sets of “aware” and “unaware” drivers. Overall, this research suggests that drivers in the simulated environment tended to behave similarly regardless of prior knowledge of the three-foot law requirements. Materially, the research failed to identify a significant distinction between the two groups of participants under a range of traffic conditions.
Priority effects and season length shape long-term competition dynamics

Abstract The relative arrival time of species often affects species interactions within a community, contributing to priority effects. Recent studies on phenological shifts under climate change have generated renewed interest on priority effects, but their role in shaping long-term dynamics of seasonal communities is poorly resolved. Here we use a general stage-structure competition model to determine how different types of priority effects influence long-term coexistence of species in seasonal systems. We show that while shifts in mean and variance of relative arrival time can alter persistence and coexistence conditions of species, these effects depend on season length and type of priority effect. In “slow” systems with one or a few cohorts per season, changes in mean and seasonal variation of relative arrival time strongly altered species persistence through trait-mediated priority effects. In contrast, competition outcome in “fast” systems is largely determined by numeric priority effects due to interaction between many overlapping generations. These results suggest that empirically observed priority effects may arise from fundamentally different mechanisms, and that fast-generating systems may be less impacted by seasonal variation in phenology. Our model provides important insight into how natural communities respond to increasing variation in phenology over seasons under climate change.
A geometric proof that SL2(ℤ[t,t−1]) is not finitely presented

We give a new proof of the theorem of Krstic-McCool from the title. Our proof has potential applications to the study of finiteness properties of other subgroups of SL 2 resulting from rings of functions on curves.
A comprehensive literature review of patient‐reported outcome measures (PROMs) among common breast reconstruction options: What types of breast reconstruction score well?

Purpose Breast cancer continues to be the most prevalent cancer affecting women. Many reconstructive options exist after oncologic resection. Breast reconstruction can have a lasting impact on many areas of the patient's life, and therefore, a high consideration for patient satisfaction is crucial. Patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) provide an important tool in the evaluation of different surgical methodologies. The aim of this comprehensive systematic review is to look at various surgical modalities in breast reconstruction as they relate to patient satisfaction. Methods A PubMed PRISMA search was performed. Criteria for inclusion included nipple-sparing or skin-sparing mastectomy with autologous or implant-based reconstruction, level 2 volume displacement or volume replacement oncoplastic surgery, and measurement of patient-reported outcomes using the BREAST-Q or other validated PROMs. From the data set, weighted proportions were generated and analyzed using the Kruskal-Wallis rank sum test and a post hoc Dunn's test. Results After obtaining 254 full text copies, 43 articles met inclusion criteria and were included. Analysis of BREAST-Q data showed oncoplastic breast surgery was significantly preferred over mastectomy regardless of the type of reconstruction. Nipple-sparing was significantly preferred over skin-sparing mastectomy, autologous reconstruction was significantly preferred over implant-based reconstruction, and prepectoral implant placement was preferred over subpectoral implant placement. Validated PROMs other than BREAST-Q showed similar trends in all but type of mastectomy. Conclusions In this comprehensive systematic review, oncoplastic surgery showed the most favorable PROMs when compared to other reconstructive modalities. Autologous was preferred over implant-based reconstruction, and prepectoral was preferred over subpectoral implant placement.
Production of haploid gynogens to inform genomic resource development in the paleotetraploid pallid sturgeon (Scaphirhynchus albus)

Abstract Order Acipenseriformes (sturgeons and paddlefishes) is an ancient lineage of osteichthyan fishes (>200 million years old) with most extant species at conservation risk. A relatively basal species, the pallid sturgeon, Scaphirhynchus albus, is a federally endangered species native to the Mississippi and Missouri River basins. Hybridization with sympatric shovelnose sturgeon, S. platorynchus, is one of several threats to pallid sturgeon. Current molecular markers cannot reliably distinguish among pure species and multigenerational backcrosses. This information is critical for implementation of management strategies to increase populations through natural reproduction and artificial propagation. Genotypes from a large panel of unlinked single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) may provide greater resolution of the two species; however, paralogous sequence variants (PSVs) within individuals resulting from an ancient whole genome duplication event confound SNP development. The aim of this study was to produce pallid sturgeon gynogens that contain 100% homozygous DNA contributed by only the maternal parent and have enough DNA for future SNP marker development. When homozygous gynogens are sequenced, heterozygosity at a locus within an individual indicates the presence of incorrectly aligned sequences that contain PSVs; accurate identification of these multi-locus contigs can facilitate their exclusion when developing disomic markers. In this study, we attempted to produce two types of pallid sturgeon gynogens: a) haploid gynogens produced from the activation of pallid sturgeon eggs with ultraviolet-irradiated sperm from the distantly related paddlefish (Polyodon spathula), and b) doubled haploids produced from the activation of pallid sturgeon eggs with irradiated paddlefish milt followed by thermal shock to suppress the first mitotic division. Production of doubled haploids, gynogens with 100% homozygous DNA and double the genome content of haploid gynogens, was pursued because it was originally unknown if haploid gyongens would survive long enough to attain enough genetic material for SNP marker development. We performed flow cytometry and microsatellite genotyping on the specimens in order to confirm haploid and doubled haploid status. Our study was unable to successfully yield doubled haploids; however, we successfully produced haploid gynogens that contained enough nuclear DNA for our future SNP marker development study. Interestingly, this study also produced paddlefish × pallid sturgeon hybrids in the control groups in two separate years; this is the first study to report viable offspring between the paddlefish and a Scaphirhynchus sturgeon species and reflects on the malleability of the genomes of the species in this order.
High-Speed Characterization of Vocal Fold Vibrations in Normally Cycling and Postmenopausal Women: Randomized Double-Blind Analyses

Purpose The aim of this study was to examine the influence of menstrual cycle phases (follicular, ovulatory, luteal, and ischemic) and hormone levels (estradiol, testosterone, progesterone, and neu...
Customers’ Behavioural Immune System Responses to the COVID-19 Pandemic: A conceptual framework

The COVID-19 pandemic has imposed various obstacles and restrictions for the tourism and hospitality industry. This paper adopts the concept of the behavioural immune system to discuss tourism and hospitality customers’ potential behaviours during the pandemic and provide business strategies that can address these behaviours. The behavioural immune system is a motivational system that determines individuals’ behaviours to pathogen infection. First, this study introduces the mechanism of the behavioural immune system including environmental evaluation and aversive perception, aversive emotional and cognitive responses, and avoidance behaviours. It also provides examples in the guest service context to better portray the mechanism. Second, the study suggests specific measures for tourism and hospitality businesses that may help them to prevent the aversive and avoidance responses of customers triggered by their behavioural immune system during the pandemic. Then, the study integrates customers’ responses and businesses’ measures in a framework, which extends the literature on customers’ behaviour in the hospitality and tourism context. To the authors’ knowledge, this is the first time the concept of behavioural immune system is adopted to discuss customers’ behaviours towards tourism and hospitality services during a pandemic.
Density estimation from streaming data using wavelets

In this paper we discuss approaches to estimating probability densities from streaming data based on wavelets. It is expected that streaming datasets are large and that the rate of data acquisition is very high. Thus it is not possible to recompute the entire density so that recursive algorithms are necessary. In addition, because streaming data are typically not stationary, older data in the stream are usually less valuable. It is, therefore, necessary to discount older data. We develop in this paper a methodology that is applicable to any orthonormal bases, but, in particular, a methodology for wavelet bases.
Modeling and Simulation of Biochemical Processes Using Stochastic Hybrid Systems: The Sugar Cataract Development Process

As biomedical research advances there is an increasing need to model and simulate more complicated systems to better understand them. Since biochemical processes are inherently stochastic and often contain both continuous and discrete behavior, stochastic hybrid systems are an ideal modeling paradigm for capturing their dynamics. In this paper we present a framework for modeling biochemical systems and demonstrate the approach for the sugar cataract development process including two methods of modeling drug treatment. Further, we present a simulation method that uses second-order Taylor approximations for the continuous dynamics and an improved method for detecting boundary hits. We use the sugar cataract development process to demonstrate the results of the method.
Introduction to the Business and Enterprise Architecture Minitrack: Processes, Approaches and Challenges

Introduction to Business and Enterprise Architecture: Processes, Approaches and Challenges Minitrack I.
Integrin binding and mechanical tension induce movement of mRNA and ribosomes to focal adhesions

The extracellular matrix (ECM) activates signalling pathways that control cell behaviour by binding to cell-surface integrin receptors and inducing the formation of focal adhesion complexes (FACs). In addition to clustered integrins, FACs contain proteins that mechanically couple the integrins to the cytoskeleton and to immobilized signal-transducing molecules. Cell adhesion to the ECM also induces a rapid increase in the translation of preexisting messenger RNAs. Gene expression can be controlled locally by targeting mRNAs to specialized cytoskeletal domains. Here we investigate whether cell binding to the ECM promotes formation of a cytoskeletal microcompartment specialized for translational control at the site of integrin binding. High-resolution in situ hybridization revealed that mRNA and ribosomes rapidly and specifically localized to FACs that form when cells bind to ECM-coated microbeads. Relocation of these protein synthesis components to the FAC depended on the ability of integrins to mechanically couple the ECM to the contractile cytoskeleton and on associated tension-moulding of the actin lattice. Our results suggest a new type of gene regulation by integrins and by mechanical stress which may involve translation of mRNAs into proteins near the sites of signal reception.
Forecasting the House of Representatives' Seat Division in the 2010 Midterm Election

In this article, we present a forecast of the 2010 midterm House election based on information available in early July 2010. We combine this forecast with a note of caution, explaining why electoral circumstances might lead our forecast to err. Finally, we present guidance regarding how to update the electoral forecast for 2010 based on new information that will become available leading up to Election Day. Our forecast, based on information gathered in early July 2010, is a likely Republican takeover of the House. In terms of the national vote, the most likely outcome is a solid Republican plurality of close to 53% of the two-party vote. Damage to the Democrats is minimized somewhat in the translation of votes into seats. By our reckoning, the most likely scenario is a Republican majority in the neighborhood of 229 seats versus 206 for the Democrats. Assuming our model is correct but taking into account its uncertainty, the Republicans have a 79% chance of winning the House.
Self-Efficacy is Associated with Healthy Eating Behaviors for Fifth Grade Students

Objective: To assess the relationships between three integral constructs of the Social Cognitive Theory (SCT), knowledge, self-efficacy, and behavior, and specific self-efficacy and behavior variab...
Turbulence, Turbulent Mixing, and Gravitational Structure Formation in the Early Universe

Turbulence and turbulent mixing of temperature powered the big bang formation of the universe at Planck length, time, and temperature scales. Planck-Kerr inertial-vortex forces balanced Planck gravitational forces to produce Planck (particle-pair) gas, Planck-gas turbulence and space-time-energy. Inflation at the strong force temperature fossilized the turbulence. Gluon-neutrino-photon bulk viscous forces exceeded gravitational and inertialvortex forces of the baryonic (ordinary) matter during the radiation dominated hot plasma epoch, and large diffusive velocities of the weakly interacting nonbaryonic dark matter (possibly neutrinos) prevented gravitational structure formation of this material, contrary to the 1902 Jeans acoustic criterion and "cold dark matter" models. The first plasma structures were proto-galaxy-super-cluster fragments and voids triggered by turbulentviscous-gravitational masses matching the horizon mass at time 10 12 s. The last plasma structures formed were proto-galaxies. At the 10 13 s plasma-gas transition, the protogalaxies fragmented to form proto-globular-star-cluster clumps of earth-mass primordialfog-particles (PFPs) that now comprise the baryonic dark matter. Observational evidence of PFPs is provided by young globular star clusters formed when galaxies merge, thousands of cometary knots seen around dying stars, and the rapid twinkling of lensed quasar images.
The Enforceability of Anti-Dilution Provisions in Private Placement Transactions in China

The execution and enforcement of anti-dilution provisions rely theoretically on a corporate legal regime that is capable of accommodating the issuance of preferred shares. To date, no Chinese legislative document, judicial interpretation or court ruling has provided explicit guidance on how a company could issue multiple classes of shares, including preferred shares, to different groups of shareholders. The concept of anti-dilution provisions, common in the western legal context, thus remains unfamiliar and largely without a secure legal foundation in Chinese law. However, anti-dilution provisions have been negotiated and adopted by founder shareholders and investors in many private placement transactions in China. Yet the lack of a secure legal foundation for these provisions casts considerable doubt on their enforceability. This article examines the most popular anti-dilution provisions used in China and considers several high-profile deals. It also analyzes the validity and enforceability of anti-dilution provisions under PRC law and proposes several courses of action to minimize the uncertainty of enforcing anti-dilution provisions in China.
Community Detection Using Time-Dependent Personalized PageRank

Local graph diffusions have proven to be valuable tools for solving various graph clustering problems. As such, there has been much interest recently in efficient local algorithms for computing them. We present an efficient local algorithm for approximating a graph diffusion that generalizes both the celebrated personalized PageRank and its recent competitor/companion - the heat kernel. Our algorithm is based on writing the diffusion vector as the solution of an initial value problem, and then using a waveform relaxation approach to approximate the solution. Our experimental results suggest that it produces rankings that are distinct and competitive with the ones produced by high quality implementations of personalized PageRank and localized heat kernel, and that our algorithm is a useful addition to the toolset of localized graph diffusions.
Present status of ultrasound hyperthermia

The current ultrasound techniques for inducing elevated temperatures in malignant tumors are reviewed. Emphasis is placed on the mechanically scanned and focused systems that are presently under clinical evaluation. Some of the clinical results are reviewed, and the potential and limitations of ultrasound as a clinical tool for hyperthermia induction are evaluated on the basis of clinical experience. In addition, some of the future technical possibilities are discussed. >
Daidzein Is a More Bioavailable Soymilk Isoflavone than Is Genistein in Adult Women

Soybean isoflavones are proposed to be anticarcinogenic, but their effective doses have not been established. To study the bioavailability of soybean isoflavones for humans, 12 young adult women received single doses of 0.7, 1.3 and 2.0 mg isoflavones/kg body wt in soybean milk as part of a liquid diet. Plasma, urine and fecal isoflavones were measured by reverse-phase HPLC. Average 24-h urinary recoveries of daidzein and genistein were approximately 21% and 9%, respectively, at all three doses. Urinary recovery of daidzein was significantly greater than that of genistein (P < 0.001). Total fecal excretion of isoflavones was only 1-2% of the ingested amount. Plasma total isoflavone concentration was significantly increased to 4.4 +/- 2.5 mumol/L at 6.5 h after a dose of 2.0 mg/kg. The plasma concentrations of daidzein and genisten were approximately equal. Twenty-four hours after dosing, both plasma and urine isoflavone concentrations were nearly nil. Although soybean milk isoflavones seem to be 85% degraded in the intestine, the bioavailability, especially of daidzein, may be sufficient to exert some health-protective effects.
Electron irradiation of pure and alloyed aluminum above stage I

Abstract 2 MeV electron irradiation of pure (99.9999%) and dilutely alloyed aluminum has been performed near 65°K and the increase of electrical resistivity with electron flux measured. The resulting production curves are interpreted.
A closed extra-articular calcaneal fracture in a nine-year-old child : a case report

Summary Fractures of the calcaneus in children are uncommon. They occur less frequently than in the adult population and tend to be of the extra-articular variety. We present a closed, extra-articular calcaneal fracture in a 9-year-old child. The mechanism and management of the injury is discussed.
Domain Independent Approach to Designing Hierarchical Platforms on Multiple Levels of Abstraction and Scales

In this paper, we propose a domain independent approach to realizing hierarchical platforms using numerical taxonomy. Hierarchical product platforms present a form of competitive advantage by introducing standardization on multiple assembly levels. However, we believe that numerical taxonomy can also be used to identify hierarchical platforms on multiple length and time scales and consequently facilitate the design of complex engineering systems in any domain. Therefore, in this paper we present a domain independent approach to hierarchical platform design. This approach is then applied to develop a hierarchical product platform for a family of offshore vessels. In this study, we focus on how to use numerical taxonomy to develop a bracket platform in the midship section. Finally, we critically evaluate the usefulness of the proposed domain independent approach concerning the realization of complex engineering systems through hierarchical platform design not only on multiple assembly levels, but also multiple length and time scales.Copyright © 2006 by ASME
Partial Paternal Uniparental Disomy of Chromosome 6 in an Infant with Neonatal Diabetes, Macroglossia, and Craniofacial Abnormalities

Neonatal diabetes, which can be transient or permanent, is defined as hyperglycemia that presents within the first month of life and requires insulin therapy. Transient neonatal diabetes mellitus has been associated with abnormalities of the paternally inherited copy of chromosome 6, including duplications of a portion of the long arm of chromosome 6 and uniparental disomy, implicating overexpression of an imprinted gene in this disorder. To date, all patients with transient neonatal diabetes mellitus and uniparental disomy have had complete paternal isodisomy. We describe a patient with neonatal diabetes, macroglossia, and craniofacial abnormalities, with partial paternal uniparental disomy of chromosome 6 involving the distal portion of 6q, from 6q24-qter. This observation demonstrates that mitotic recombination of chromosome 6 can also give rise to uniparental disomy and neonatal diabetes, a situation similar to that observed in Beckwith-Wiedemann syndrome, another imprinted disorder. This finding has clinical implications, since somatic mosaicism for uniparental disomy of chromosome 6 should also be considered in patients with transient neonatal diabetes mellitus.
Distribution and controlling mechanisms of primary production on the Louisiana–Texas continental shelf

Abstract The northwest (NW) Gulf of Mexico is marked by strong seasonal patterns in regional and mesoscale circulation and variable effects of riverine/estuarine discharge, which influence distributions of nutrients, phytoplankton biomass and primary production. During a series of five cruises in the NW Gulf of Mexico in 1993 and 1994, an extensive data set was collected including nutrients, phytoplankton biomass (chlorophyll a), and photosynthesis–irradiance (P–E) parameters. Primary production was estimated using P–E parameters in conjunction with profiles of biomass and irradiance. Relatively high biomass and primary production were observed in inner shelf waters during spring conditions of high river discharge. This was attributed to the retention of biomass and nutrients on the shelf by the combination of high river outflow and a westward flow along the inner shelf with consequent onshore Ekman component. During summer, when surface currents shifted towards the north and east, values of nutrients, biomass and primary production were relatively high east of Galveston Bay and decreased outward from the coast. This pattern was apparently a consequence of nutrient inputs from riverine, upwelling and benthic sources. Nutrients, biomass and productivity in the western portion of the study area in summer were generally lower as a result of the upcoast flow of oligotrophic offshore water. Inter-annual variability was observed between November 1993 and 1994 with higher biomass and productivity occurring in November 1993. This was partially attributed to higher river discharge prior to November 1993, retention of biomass and nutrients by the downcoast flow along the inner shelf, and possibly, injection of nutrients onto the shelf at the shelf break. Our findings demonstrate that the interaction of circulation and availability of light and nutrients are largely responsible for variations in primary production. Nitrogen appeared to be the primary limiting nutrient, however, a potential for phosphate limitation was also observed particularly during periods of higher river discharge. Light availability was a critical variable during the fall and winter months, when higher primary production was restricted to shallow waters where vertical mixing was constrained by bottom topography. In deep waters, counteractive changes in nutrient and light availability apparently resulted in minor temporal variation between seasons. The annual carbon production in the Louisiana–Texas (LATEX) continental shelf region was estimated to be 159 g C m−2 year−1, which is within the range of prior estimates for this region. Given that the area of the study region was approximately 140,000 km2, this would be equivalent to an areal carbon production of about 22.2 million metric tons.
Zur numerischen Quadratur

Vor kurzem hat Chui eine Quadraturformel mit aquidistanten Knotenpunkten angegeben und gezeigt, das diese auch bei Anwendung auf nicht-periodische Funktionen kein „Gibbs'sches Phanomen” aufweist. Diese zunachst uberraschende Tatsache beruht aber einfach darauf, das diese Formel stets als numerisches Integrationsverfahren fur eine periodische Funktion angesehen werden kann. Mittels dieser einfachen Bemerkung werden einige Resultate fur Funktionen unter geringfugigen Regularitatsvoraussetzungen hergeleitet. Recently Chui has considered a quadrature formula with equidistant nodes and has proved that this formula does not show a Gibbs' phenomenon even if it is applied to non-periodic functions. This fact seams to be surprising but it turns out that this formula can always be interpreted in such way that it appears as numerical integration procedure for a periodic function. Using this simple remark several results can be deduced concerning functions which satisfy only weak regularity assumptions.
A bistatic Doppler technique to measure forward scattering at large angles of incidence

We present a bistatic Doppler method to measure forward scatter at large angles of incidence. The Doppler shifted signal avoids contamination by the direct signal between antennae. We illuminated a small area on a rotating table with a 95-GHz transmitter pointed at 60–80° angles of incidence. The area velocity was nearly constant. The scattering media was crushed rock with root mean square (rms) height to wavelength ratio near unity. Although theory precludes Doppler shift for targets moving in the plane of bistatic collinear antennae, shifts occurred at the monostatic backscattering value predicted by twice the table velocity within the illuminated area. The Rayleigh distributions of the Doppler shifted signal, with increasing standard deviation and corresponding decreasing peak amplitude as angle of incidence increased, are expected for the unity ratio, and so verify that Doppler shifted forward scatter was measured. The increased standard deviation with increasing angle is expected because of the incre...
Unilateral Proptosis Due to Orbital Pseudotumor in a Patient With Hashimoto's Thyroiditis

Abstract A patient with unilateral proptosis and goiter is presented who initially was thought to have Graves' disease. However, the histologic appearance of the orbital tissue and the results of thyroid function and serologic studies were most consistent with the diagnoses of orbital pseudotumor and Hashimoto's thyroiditis, respectively, as the cause of these abnormalities. Two previous instances of an association between orbital pseudotumor and thyroiditis have been reported. A review of the literature shows that the ophthalmologic signs in patients with a pseudotumor superficially resemble those observed in subjects with thyroid ophthalmopathy. However, a palpable supraorbital mass is often present and biopsy of the mass usually demonstrates the heavy lymphocytic infiltration typical of this disease. Since the implications of the diagnosis of pseudotumor differ from those of Graves' disease, this entity should be considered in the differential diagnosis of the patient presenting with unilateral proptosis.
Belief in the omnipotence of love.

Summary.-The possibility of loving one's own love and the existence of an unverbalized belief in the omnipotence of one's love are utilized to account for one's being contented with merely thinking about and talking about one's "love for humanity" without doing anything to improve the human condition.
Interrelationships of HLA-DR, MB, and MT phenotypes, autoantibody expression, and clinical features in systemic lupus erythematosus.

The interrelationships of serologic and clinical features and the HLA–DR, MB, and MT specificities were examined in 70 white patients with systemic lupus erythematosus. HLA–DR2 and MB1 were significantly increased when compared with controls from the Eighth International Histocompatibility Testing Workshop but not with local controls. DR2 and DR3 correlated with increased seroreactivity (anti-Ro, antiDNA, rheumatoid factor, and hyperglobulinemia), and anti-Ro with clinically overt sicca complex. Thus, DR2 and DR3 may be markers of a major histocompatibility complex–mediated immune hyperresponsiveness that affects expression of systemic lupus erythematosus.
STUDIES ON A LIPOPROTEINASE OF GROUP A STREPTOCOCCI

The opalescence produced in serum by group A streptococci has been investigated. The development of opalescence is shown to be initiated by an enzyme attached to the bacterial cell which acts upon the α1-lipoprotein fraction of serum liberating the lipids from the protein. This enzyme has been termed a lipoproteinase. Evidence is presented which suggests that the degree of opalescence which develops following lipoproteinase activity is influenced not only by factors attached to the bacterial cell but also by substances present in serum. The lipoproteinase is antigenic and many human sera contain specific antibodies which inhibit the action of the enzyme.
Iron speciation in urban dust

An improved understanding of anthropogenic impacts on ocean fertility requires knowledge of anthropogenic dust mineralogy and associated Fe speciation as a critical step toward developing Fe solubility models constrained by mineralogical composition. This study explored the utility of micro-focused X-ray absorption spectroscopy ({mu}-XAS) in characterizing the speciation of Fe in urban dust samples. A micro-focused beam of 10 x 7 {mu}m made possible the measurement of the Fe K edge XAS spectra of individual dust particles in the PM5.6 size fraction collected in Newark, New Jersey, USA. Spectral analysis indicated the presence of mixtures of Fe-containing minerals within individual dust particles; we observed significant magnetite content along with other Fe(III)-(hydr)oxide minerals which could not be conclusively identified. Our data indicate that detailed quantitative determination of Fe speciation requires extended energy scans to constrain the types and relative abundance of Fe species present. We observe heterogeneity in Fe speciation at the dust particle level, which underscores the importance of analyzing a statistically adequate number of particles within each dust sample. Where possible, {mu}-XAS measurements should be complemented with additional characterization techniques such as {mu}-XRD and bulk XAS to obtain a comprehensive picture of the Fe speciation in dust materials. X-ray microprobesmore » should be used to complement bulk methods used to determine particle composition, methods that fail to record particle heterogeneity. Keywords - Urban dust; Iron; Speciation; Micro-focused X-ray absorption spectroscopy.« less
Survival in patients with papillary thyroid cancer is not affected by the use of radioactive isotope.

Introduction Papillary cancer is the most common neoplasm of the thyroid. The mainstay of treatment is thyroidectomy, but most patients are additionally treated with radioactive iodine (RAI). Its utility is controversial. This study seeks to determine whether RAI use affects patient outcome and to identify specific cohorts of patients that benefit from its use. Methods The Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database is a large-scale sample of approximately 14% of the US population. It was used to identify patients with papillary carcinoma of the thyroid. Statistical analyses were used to compare prognostic factors such as lymph node status, age, tumor size, and treatment with RAI. Results A total of 14,545 patients were identified in SEER as having papillary cancer of the thyroid. Multivariate analysis showed significantly worse outcome in patients with age>45 years, tumor size >2 cm, lymph node disease, and distant metastases. Multivariate analysis failed to show RAI significantly affecting mortality. Survival between those not treated with RAI was similar to those whose treatment included it (P = 0.9176). Subgroup analysis identified patients older than 45 years with primary tumors >2 cm and disease in the lymph nodes with distant metastatic disease as the only group positively affected by RAI. Conclusions Despite its widespread use in the treatment of well-differentiated papillary cancer of the thyroid, RAI only affects a survival advantage in older patients with large primary tumors involving the lymph nodes and with distant spread. Treating other patient groups is costly and offers no improvement in outcome. J. Surg. Oncol. 2007; 96:3–7. © 2007 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Origin of Granulite Terranes and the Formation of the Lowermost Continental Crust

Differences in composition and pressures of equilibration between exposed, regional granulite terranes and suites of granulite xenoliths of crustal origin indicate that granulite terranes do not represent exhumed lowermost crust, as had been thought, but rather middle and lower-middle crustal levels. Application of well-calibrated barometers indicate that exposed granulites record equilibration pressures of 0.6 to 0.8 gigapascal (20 to 30 kilometers depth of burial), whereas granulite xenoliths, which also tend to be more mafic, record pressures of at least 1.0 to 1.5 gigapascals (35 to 50 kilometers depth of burial). Thickening of the crust by the crystallization of mafic magmas at the crust-mantle boundary may account for both the formation of regional granulite terranes at shallower depths and the formation of deep-seated mafic crust represented by many xenolith suites.
Kinetic determination of focal adhesion protein formation.

I examined the binding kinetics between integrin (alpha(IIb)beta(3)) and purified focal adhesion proteins, including alpha-actinin, filamin, vinculin, talin, and F-actin. Using static light-scatter technique, I observed affinities of the order talin > filamin > F-actin > alpha-actinin > (talin when bound to vinculin) which were lower when integrin was complexed with fibronectin. No binding between integrin and vinculin was detected. The calculated dissociation constants (K(d)) ranged between 0.4 microM and 5 microM. These results in part confirm previously published data using different methods. The modest affinity with which the focal adhesion proteins interact in vitro might be indicative of how cells, e.g., thrombocytes, gain a high degree of versatility and velocity.
Control of room-temperature defect-mediated ferromagnetism in VO2 films

Abstract We report interesting ferromagnetic properties and their control in a vanadium-based oxide system driven by stoichiometric defects. Vanadium oxide (VO2) thin films were grown on c-plane sapphire substrates by a pulsed laser deposition technique under different ambient conditions. The ferromagnetism of the epitaxial VO2 films can be switched on and off by altering the cooling ambient parameters. In addition, the saturated magnetic moments and coercivity of the VO2 films were found to be a function of the oxygen partial pressure during the growth process. The room-temperature ferromagnetic properties of VO2 films were correlated with the nature of the microstructure and the growth parameters. The origin of the induced magnetic properties are qualitatively understood to stem from intrinsic structural and stoichiometric defects.
Subacute cytotoxicity testing with cultured human lung cells

This study was designed to evaluate the potential of an in vitro cell culture method for its ability to determine subacute cytotoxicity and to compare the cytotoxic concentrations with rodent LD(50)s and clinical human toxicity data. Human fetal lung fibroblasts (HFL1) were incubated in the absence or presence of increasing concentrations of test chemicals for 72 h, and cell proliferation was used as a marker for toxicity. Inhibitory concentrations were extrapolated from concentration-effect curves after linear regression analysis. Comparison of the cytotoxicity data from testing 50 chemicals, with available human lethal concentrations for the same chemicals, revealed that the 72-h experimental IC(50)s are as accurate predictors of human toxicity as equivalent toxic blood concentrations derived from rodent LD(50)s. In addition, our results demonstrate that subacute 72-h exposure of HFL1 cells more accurately predicts cytotoxicity than a 24-h mitochondrial assay previously conducted in our laboratory, although the experimental IC(50) values were not statistically different in the two assays. It is anticipated that this procedure, together with a related battery of tests, may supplement or replace currently used animal protocols to screen chemicals for human risk assessment.
A delicate electronic balance between metal and ligand in [Cu-P-Cu-P] diamondoids: oxidation state dependent plasticity and the formation of a singlet diradicaloid.

Transition metal atoms often participate in redox reactions as catalytic sites, where ligand groups play an important role in orchestrating catalytic activity, especially in metalloenzymes. A major...
Technique for measuring atmospheric effects on image metrics

A technique is presented for measuring atmospheric effects on image metrics by comparing infrared images simultaneously collected from positions close to and far away from a target. An image acquired close to the target provides a measure of the radiance inherent to the target and its background, while an image acquired far from the target provides a measure of the radiance after propagation through the atmosphere. Therefore, changes in radiance can be separated into those due to the change in the inherent radiance and those due to the propagation of the inherent radiance through the atmosphere. A 'complexity metric' is used to quantify the effects of environmental and atmospheric changes on target-to-background contrast. Examples of the effects of cloud cover, wind speed, dust clouds and optical turbulence on the complexity metric are presented.© (1991) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Toward a mechanistic modeling of nitrogen limitation on vegetation dynamics.

Nitrogen is a dominant regulator of vegetation dynamics, net primary production, and terrestrial carbon cycles; however, most ecosystem models use a rather simplistic relationship between leaf nitrogen content and photosynthetic capacity. Such an approach does not consider how patterns of nitrogen allocation may change with differences in light intensity, growing-season temperature and CO2 concentration. To account for this known variability in nitrogen-photosynthesis relationships, we develop a mechanistic nitrogen allocation model based on a trade-off of nitrogen allocated between growth and storage, and an optimization of nitrogen allocated among light capture, electron transport, carboxylation, and respiration. The developed model is able to predict the acclimation of photosynthetic capacity to changes in CO2 concentration, temperature, and radiation when evaluated against published data of Vc,max (maximum carboxylation rate) and Jmax (maximum electron transport rate). A sensitivity analysis of the model for herbaceous plants, deciduous and evergreen trees implies that elevated CO2 concentrations lead to lower allocation of nitrogen to carboxylation but higher allocation to storage. Higher growing-season temperatures cause lower allocation of nitrogen to carboxylation, due to higher nitrogen requirements for light capture pigments and for storage. Lower levels of radiation have a much stronger effect on allocation of nitrogen to carboxylation for herbaceous plants than for trees, resulting from higher nitrogen requirements for light capture for herbaceous plants. As far as we know, this is the first model of complete nitrogen allocation that simultaneously considers nitrogen allocation to light capture, electron transport, carboxylation, respiration and storage, and the responses of each to altered environmental conditions. We expect this model could potentially improve our confidence in simulations of carbon-nitrogen interactions and the vegetation feedbacks to climate in Earth system models.
A reinterpretation of the paleozoic fern Norwoodia angustum

Abstract Fertile pinnules of Norwoodia angustum have been discovered at the type locality. The new specimens demonstrate that the holotype has a sporangial structure atypical for the species; probably due to taphonomic alteration. The sporangia of Norwoodia are subspheroidal with a short, multiseriate stalk, and a bi-triseriate annulus that forms a horizontal-oblique band around approximately one half of the sporangium. These new data suggest Norwoodia is a genus within the Psalixochlaenaceae, and add to our growing recognition of the diversity among Paleozoic filicaleans.
Colonization of neural allografts by host microglial cells: relationship to graft neovascularization

In order to illuminate functional roles of microglial cells within neural allografts, we have transplanted both whole and microglial and endothelial cell-depleted E14 neural cell suspensions into the intact striatum of Sprague-Dawley rats. Following posttransplantation times of up to 30 days, the intrastrial allografts were analyzed histochemically using the Griffonia simplicifolia B4 isolectin, a marker for both microglia and blood vessels. Our results indicate that both whole and depleted suspension grafts develop identically in terms of neovascularization and microglial colonization. In both types of transplants microglial cells appeared before any blood vessels were apparent. The main phase of graft vascularization occurred between days 7 and 10 posttransplantation and neovascularization was complete by day 21, as revealed by quantitative image analysis. Microglial cells, which were present as ameboid cells during early posttransplantation times, underwent continuing cell differentiation with time that paralleled graft vascular development. By 30 days posttransplantation microglia within the grafts had assumed the fully ramified phenotype characteristic of resting adult microglia. During graft development and vascularization, microglia were often seen in close proximity to ingrowing blood vessels and vascular sprouts. In conclusion, our study has shown that microglial colonization of grafts and graft vascularization occurs independent of donor-derived microglial and endothelial cells, and suggests that the great majority of microglia and vessels within the graft are host derived. We hypothesize that the host microglia invading the allografts play an active role in promoting graft neovascularization.
Camera as sign: on the ethics of unconcealment in documentary film and video

When we look at a documentary, what do we see? Probably not the apparatus that gives us images to view. If we did, then perhaps questions about the ethics of documentary cinema would be easily answered. The goal of this article is to broaden the moralistic purview of image ethics debates with a semiotic phenomenology of the visual mode of address of documentary. I describe how “doubling” and “redoubling” the visual mode of address undermines the authority of documentary and helps to overcome debates about two main ethical issues – participant consent and the audience's right to information. Unconcealing the viewpoint of documentary also broadens media ethics debates by bringing attention to the implied viewer, asking of it to reflect on the consequences of the communicative act of looking. Examples of widely available documentary film and video are discussed.
Cytokines in the treatment of primary immunodeficiency

Cytokines have great potential in the treatment of primary immunodeficiencies, which is just beginning to be realized. We discuss some general considerations in the use of cytokines in this setting, and review the clinical use of a number of cytokines. The best proven example to date is the use of interferon-γ in chronic granulomatous disease, which significantly reduces infectious complications of this disease. We also discuss the potential use of interferon-γ in the hyperimmunoglobulin E syndrome and in newborns. Granulocyte-colony stimulating factor usage in congenital neutropenias is reviewed. The use of IL-2, thymic hormones, and interferon-α are briefly discussed. Strategies for the design of clinical trials of cytokines in these uncommon illnesses are proposed.
Δ Degrees of Freedom in Trinuclei with the Argonne V28Q Model

The effects of explicit Δ degrees of freedom on trinuclear binding energy and structure are investigated using the Argonne V28Q Δ model. Separate dispersive effects, one- and two-Δ three-body force effects, and one- and two-Δ probabilities are determined for the triton. Some new results are also given for the Hannover and Argonne V28 Δ models, and V28Q trinuclear Δ effects are compared with those of these other models. Considerable consistency among the models is found, suggesting a coherent qualitative picture of trinuclear Δ effects.
Estrogen and Visceral Nociception at the Level of Primary Sensory Neurons

Clinical studies suggest the comorbidity of functional pain syndromes such as irritable bowel syndrome, painful bladder syndrome, chronic pelvic pain, and somatoform disorders approaches 40% to 60%. The incidence of episodic or persistent visceral pain associated with these “functional” disorders is two to three times higher in women than in men. One of the possible explanations for this phenomenon is estrogen modulation of viscerovisceral cross-sensitization. While a central site of this modulation has been shown previously, our studies suggest a peripheral site, the dorsal root ganglion (DRG). Estrogens have remarkably wide range of functions including modulation of voltage-gated calcium channels (VGCCs) and purinoreceptors (P2Xs). Significantly, inflammation dramatically alters purinoception by causing a several fold increase in ATP-activated current, alters the voltage dependence of P2X receptors, and enhances the expression of P2X receptors increasing neuronal hypersensitivity. Gonadal hormones are thought as indispensable cornerstones of the normal development and function, but it appears that no body region, no neuronal circuit, and virtually no cell is unaffected by them. Thus, increasing awareness toward estrogens appears to be obligatory.