cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Identification of phylloquinone in horse liver.

Abstract Extraction of horse liver with acetone yielded lipid containing 3.3 μg/g of vitamin K as determined by chick bioassay. The fat-soluble vitamin was purified by silicic acid and partition column chromatography, and finally by thin-layer chromatography. The final product was identified as phylloquinone by ultraviolet spectroscopy and mass spectrometry. An isolation procedure using Claisen's alkali confirmed the presence of phylloquinone in horse liver. Evidence for the presence of a more polar form of vitamin K was also obtained.
Negative substituents in the claisen rearrangement

Abstract Several instances of the Claisen rearrangement are demonstrated with allyl vinyl ethers in which the vinyl segment is heavily substituted with negative groups. With fluoro, fluoroalkyl, chloro and alkoxy as negative substituents, these reactions proceed with unusual ease at 25–100°. A related isomerization of a propargyl vinyl ether to an allenyl ketone is also described.
Spontaneous fetal heart rate deceleration: an ominous sign for fetal outcome.

Background The aim of this study was to establish the prognostic import of spontaneous fetal heart-rate deceleration, a sign of fetal distress.
Certain characteristics of electrically excitable mechanical resonant modes of a virgin PZT65/35 disc

Abstract In this paper we present experimental measurements of the in-phase and quadrature components of the axial mechanical displacements of particular flexural resonant modes exhibited by a virgin PZT65/35 disc specimen which is driven by alternating voltages. In particular, it is shown that the in-phase components of those resonances with nodal diameters exhibit the vibrational patterns due to a new electric-to-mechanical coupling phenomenon and the vibrational patterns which mimic the resonant mode shapes given by the quadrature components. We also present results concerning the frequency dependences of the in-phase and quadrature components in the neighborhoods of the resonances.
Understanding Post-Adoption Behavior in the Context of Online Services

This paper examines post-adoption behavior (continued adoption versus discontinuance) within the context of online service use. Innovation diffusion theory is used as a theoretical framework to extend information technology adoption research to the case of post-adoption behavior. This theory is used to formulate 11 research hypotheses distinguishing discontinuers from continuing adopters and exploring reasons behind their discontinuance (replacement versus disenchantment). These hyp otheses were then empirically tested using data collected from a field survey of online service users. Our results indicate that potential discontinuers can be discriminated from continued adopters based on their sources of influence (external and interpe rsonal), perceived service attributes (usefulness and compatibility), service utilization, and network externality (complementary product usage), during their time of initial adoption. We also found that later adopters are more likely to discontinue due to disenchantment than replacement, and are more influenced by interpersonal sources and utilize the service less during their adoption period than replacement discontinuers. Implications for research and practice are drawn.
Distributed localization using noisy distance and angle information

Localization is an important and extensively studied problem in ad-hoc wireless sensor networks. Given the connectivity graph of the sensor nodes,along with additional local information (e.g. distances, angles, orientations etc.), the goal is to reconstruct the global geometry of the network. In this paper, we study the problem of localization with noisy distance and angle information. With no noise at all, the localization problem with both angle (with orientation) and distance information is trivial. However, in the presence of even a small amount of noise, we prove that the localization problem is NP hard.Localization with accurate distance information and relative angle information is also hard. These hardness results motivate our study of approximation schemes. We relax the non-convex constraints to approximating convex constraints and propose linear programs (LP) for two formulations of the resulting localization problem, which we call the weak deployment and strong deployment problems.These two formulations give upper and lower bounds on the location uncertainty respectively: No sensor is located outside its weak deployment region, and each sensor can be anywhere in its strong deployment region without violating the approximate distance and angle constraints. Though LP-based algorithms are usually solved by centralized methods, we propose distributed, iterative methods, which are provably convergent to the centralized algorithm solutions. We give simulation results for the distributed algorithms, evaluating the convergence rate, dependence on measurement noises,and robustness to link dynamics.
Coexpression of Linked Genes in Mammalian Genomes Is Generally Disadvantageous

Similarity in gene expression pattern between closely linked genes is known in several eukaryotes. Two models have been proposed to explain the presence of such coexpression patterns. The adaptive model assumes that coexpression is advantageous and is established by relocation of initially unlinked but coexpressed genes, whereas the neutral model asserts that coexpression is a type of leaky expression due to similar expressional environments of linked genes, but is neither advantageous nor detrimental. However, these models are incompatible with several empirical observations. Here, we propose that coexpression of linked genes is a form of transcriptional interference that is disadvantageous to the organism. We show that even distantly linked genes that are tens of megabases away exhibit significant coexpression in the human genome. However, the linkage is more likely to be broken during evolution between genes of high coexpression than those of low coexpression and the breakage of linkage reduces gene coexpression. These results support our hypothesis that coexpression of linked genes in mammalian genomes is generally disadvantageous, implying that many mammalian genes may never reach their optimal expression pattern due to the interference of their genomic environment and that such transcriptional interference may be a force promoting recurrent relocation of genes in the genome.
A chemistry/physics pathway with nanofibrous scaffolds for gene delivery

This perspective is to introduce a new pathway for non-viral gene delivery by taking advantage of nanofibrous scaffolds as gene storage devices, gene carriers and homing devices. During gene delivery to the target, the DNA has to be protected in order to pass through a set of barriers before reaching the nucleus. The DNA can form a complex with polycations, and numerous publications exist on how to stabilize the DNA fragments by natural and synthetic materials. Electrospun nanofibrous scaffolds can be used to store the DNA, especially in the form of a more stabilized polyplex, and then to deliver the DNA (polyplex) to cells that are attached to the scaffold. While each essential step has been tested experimentally, the overall yet untested process, especially for in vivo experiments, may lead to a promising specific approach for gene/drug storage and delivery. The pathway described herein is based mainly on our understanding of the physics and chemistry of gene storage and delivery processes, in contrast to using pure biological concepts. Novel biodegradable, biocompatible nanofibrous materials with imbedded DNA (e.g., in the polyplex form) can then be designed to fabricate an intelligent scaffold for gene delivery. To achieve the above goal, the first step is to stabilize the DNA so that it can be incorporated into nanofibrous scaffolds. In this respect, we shall discuss the different methods of DNA/gene condensation and complex formation, and then explain the strategy used to incorporate DNA into electrospun nanofibers. Solvent-induced DNA condensation and then encapsulation were achieved. However, the released naked DNA was not sufficiently protected for gene transfection in cells. The objective of the current perspective is to suggest that, instead of the solvent-induced DNA condensation, one can combine the recently developed polyplex formation by using branched polyethyleneimine (bPEI). More importantly, free bPEI can be incorporated into the nanofibers separately so that during the gene delivery step, the presence of a predesigned amount of free bPEI can greatly increase the gene transfection efficiency, as has been reported recently by Chi Wu and his coworkers. Thus, a physics/chemistry-based pathway that utilizes nanofibrous scaffolds for gene delivery is within reach.
Conservation Genetics and the Management of Endangered Fishes.

Abstract The emerging field of endangered fishes management has yet to fully incorporate conservation genetics into recovery programs. Genetic aspects of small populations must be considered at the outset of management programs in order to maximize probability of their long-term survival and continued adaptability. Total genetic variance of a species consists of within population genetic diversity, and the differences found among populations; both types of variance should be maintained to maximize adaptive flexibility of endangered fishes. Forces that erode genetic variation include small population size, population bottlenecks, genetic drift, inbreeding depression, artificial selection in captivity, and mixing of distinct genetic stocks. These can lead to increased homozygosity, loss of quantitative variation, and exposure of deleterious recessive alleles, all of which may reduce fitness. Suggestions for genetically sound management of endangered fishes include genetic monitoring of natural and captive p...
Beta-Adrenergic Stimulation Decreases Glial and Increases Neural Contact with the Basal Lamina in Rat Neurointermediate Lobes Incubated in vitro.

Abstract Physiological stimuli such as dehydration and lactation/suckling of the young have been found to induce reversible changes in the relationships of neural and glial elements with the basal lamina of the neurohypophysis. Such stimulation is associated with a decline in the extent of basal lamina occupied by glial processes and an increase in nerve terminals abutting the lamina. One possible mechanism playing a role in these changes is the activation of beta-adrenergic receptors on the neurohypophysial glia (the pituicytes), since such cells in primary culture from adult rats undergo dramatic morphological transformation when stimulated with beta-adrenergic agonists. We sought to determine if changes similar to those seen in vivo and predicted from the responses of cultured cells would occur with beta-adrenergic stimulation of the isolated neurointermediate lobe in vitro. Neurointermediate lobes from adult male rats were incubated in artificial cerebrospinal fluid containing ascorbic acid alone (control) or in the same medium with either 10(-8), 10(-7) or 10(-5) M isoproterenol for 15 min after a 30-min period of preincubation in control medium. Quantitative ultrastructural analysis revealed significant decreases in pituicyte and, corresponding increases in neural, membrane abutting the basal lamina at the lower two drug concentrations. These results support the findings of other studies suggesting a beta-adrenergic mediation of pituicyte morphology and a role for beta-receptors in control of posterior pituitary function.
Discrete signal processing on graphs: Graph filters

We propose a novel discrete signal processing framework for structured datasets that arise from social, economic, biological, and physical networks. Our framework extends traditional discrete signal processing theory to datasets with complex structure that can be represented by graphs, so that data elements are indexed by graph nodes and relations between elements are represented by weighted graph edges. We interpret such datasets as signals on graphs, introduce the concept of graph filters for processing such signals, and discuss important properties of graph filters, including linearity, shift-invariance, and invertibility. We then demonstrate the application of graph filters to data classification by demonstrating that a classifier can be interpreted as an adaptive graph filter. Our experiments demonstrate that the proposed approach achieves high classification accuracy.
Spherical-, shielding-, and streaming effects in current-reversal chronopotentiometry at the hanging mercury drop electrode

The theoretical expression for spherical diffusion effects in current-reversal chronopotentiometry (solution-soluble products) has been experimentally tested by the anodic production of mercury (I) from a hanging mercury drop electrode into 1.2 M HClO4 followed by current reversal. Satisfactory agreement with the theory was obtained under conditions of minimal shielding of the drop by the glass-platinum contact. Negative deviations from theoretical tfτb can result from severe shielding, and positive deviations can arise from convective disturbances under certain conditions.
Effects of Colchicine and Chloramphenicol on the Oxidative Metabolism and Phagocytic Activity of Human Neutrophils

The actions of 6 mM colchicine and 3.5 mM chloramphenicol on the phagocytic processes and oxidative metabolism of human neutrophils were examined. Heatkilled Staphylococcus aureus, heat-killed Candida albicans, and polystyrene microspheres were used to induce phagocytosis. The compounds affected three distinct aspects of the phagocytic process, and produced three effects: inhibition of particle uptake, dissociation of particle uptake from the overall oxidativemetabolic response of the neutrophil, and elimination of hexose-monophosphateshunt activation from the overall oxidative-metabolic response. In colchicinetreated neutrophils, the first effect predominated in studies with polystyrene, the second predominated in studies with S. aureus, and the third predominated in studies with C. albicans. In chloramphenicol-treated neutrophils, dissociation of particle uptake from the metabolic response predominated in studies with polystyrene, whereas elimination of the hexose-monophosphate shunt was dominant in the tests with S. aureus and C. albicans. Both drugs inhibited the hexosemonophosphate shunt but not the overall consumption of oxygen by nonphagocytic neutrophils stimulated by the dye, phenazine methosulfate. These data show that colchicine and chloramphenicol have multiple effects on neutrophil function and demonstrate that factors related to the ingested particle exert significant influences on the metabolic response of the neutrophil to phagocytosis.
Future trends in computer hardware

Vector processors, parallel processors, and sequential processors with much concurrency are considered. Some real codes can be shown to be almost completely suitable for parallel and vector processors . However, vector to scalar speed ratios can be so large for the vector and parallel machines that even a small residual scalar content is a serious problem. Monte Carlo approaches and implicit differencing schemes yield shorter vectors than explicit differencing schemes, causing problems due to long vector operation start up t imes. Programming in a vector language may be a more global and easier to understand approach to programming. It is necessary to use such an approach in order to attain some reasonable fraction of the potential speed of a vector or parallel processor. Introduction and Summary The utility of various scientific processor architectures is weighed against a set of codes used at Lawrence Livermore Laboratory (LLL). On the basis of experience gained in the development of parallel programs, vector machines, parallel machines, and concurrent machines are considered. The idea of utility is interpreted to relate to the question of how useful the maximum speeds of processors are when an entire program, rather than small parts, such as inner loops, is the weighting factor. Utility is also associated with the range of classes of numerical techniques which can be comfortably and easily mated to a given processor architecture. It is desirable to consider ease of programming as an aspect of utility. It has not been possible to consider this as quantitatively as the other questions. But some comments are made on the subject. The future may bring better understanding of general programming approaches simultaneously suited to many classes of processor. For this paper, it is usually assumed that coding is done in an appropriate assembly language, or in a language especially well mated to a given architecture. The point of view has been adopted that processing speed in computational physics is closely related to the average number of floating point operations done per unit of time. It is recognized that this approach is not entirely correct, but it is better than relating speed to instructions executed per unit t ime. Hardware designers face common technological l imits. Various design approaches have been the result of the competition to achieve maximum atility within these limits. As a result, parallel processors, vector processors, and serial processors with instruction execution overlap (concurrency) have emerged as contenders for maximum scientific utility.
Small-Changes Obesity Treatment Among Veterans: 12-Month Outcomes

Background Weight-loss trials tend to recruit highly selective, non-representative samples. Effective weight-loss approaches are needed for real-world challenging populations. Purpose To test whether a small-changes intervention, delivered in groups or via telephone, promotes greater weight loss than standard obesity treatment in a predominantly male, high-risk Veteran population. Data were collected in 2010–2012 and analyzed in 2013. Design A three-arm, 12-month randomized pragmatic effectiveness trial. Setting/participants Four-hundred eighty-one overweight/obese participants from two Midwestern Veterans Affairs (VA) Medical Centers were randomly assigned to one of three programs: the 12-month Aspiring to Lifelong Health (ASPIRE) weight-loss program delivered (1) individually over the phone (ASPIRE-Phone) or (2) in-person group sessions (ASPIRE-Group); compared to (3) VA's standard weight-loss program (MOVE!). Intervention Twenty-eight sessions with a non-clinician coach via telephone or in-person groups using a small-changes obesity treatment approach compared to a 15–30-session standard VA program. Main outcome measures Twelve-month change in weight (kilograms). Results Participants in all three arms lost significant ( p ® . ASPIRE-Group resulted in greater improvements in all other anthropometric measures compared to MOVE! at 12 months ( p p p =0.23) compared to ASPIRE-Phone. Conclusions Group-based delivery of the ASPIRE weight management program is more effective than MOVE! and the phone-based version of ASPIRE at promoting sustained weight loss in a predominantly male population with multiple comorbidities. The incremental benefits of group-based ASPIRE over the current MOVE! program could yield significant population-level benefits if implemented on a large scale.
Association between increased availability of emergency contraceptive pills and the sexual and contraceptive behaviors of women.

In the United States (US), access to emergency contraceptive pills (ECPs) expanded to nationwide in 2006 when regulators allowed Plan B, a brand of emergency contraception, to be sold without prescription. Using data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey from 2001 to 2010, I examined any association between increased access to these ECPs in the US and negative consequences. I found an association between increased access to ECPs and a 2.2 per cent higher probability of any sexual activity, a 5.2 per cent increase in the likelihood of reporting sex with multiple partners, an increase in the average number of partners by 0.35, and a −7.6 per cent decrease in the likelihood of injectable contraceptive use. These results suggest that policies in the US and other countries that expand access to ECPs should be paired with information on ECPs’ lack of protection against sexually transmitted infections and relatively lower efficacy compared to other forms of contraception.
A semi-implicit method for two-phase fluid dynamics

Abstract A new technique is developed for solving the equations of two-phase fluid dynamics. This technique involves a semi-implicit differencing of the field equations and a variation of the Newton Gauss Seidel iterative method for solving at each time level the resulting system of algebraic equations. Although the technique can be applied to any of several sets of equations representing two-phase flow, including the two-fluid equations, numerical results are presented here for the drift-flux approximation in one dimension. Significant advantages of the method are its stability, ease of programming for complicated flow networks, and ease of extension to problems in two or three dimensions.
Prevalence and Variance of Shoulder Injuries in Elite Collegiate Football Players

BackgroundShoulder injuries are the fourth most common musculoskeletal injury encountered in American football players. There is little information in the literature on the role of playing position in the type of shoulder injuries seen.HypothesisThere is a high prevalence of shoulder injuries in elite collegiate American football players, with type of injury varying by playing position.Study DesignCohort study (prevalence); Level of evidence, 3.MethodsA total of 336 elite collegiate American football players were invited to the National Football League Combine for physical testing and medical evaluation. Current and historical data were evaluated for the purpose of this study, and all players underwent radiographic examinations, including plain radiographs and/or magnetic resonance imaging when necessary. All shoulder pathological conditions and shoulder surgical procedures were recorded. Players were categorized by position for the analysis of position-specific trends.ResultsOf the players, 50% had a his...
Zircon: Helen Hunt Falls, El Paso County, Colorado

(2007). Zircon: Helen Hunt Falls, El Paso County, Colorado. Rocks & Minerals: Vol. 82, No. 4, pp. 310-318.
Conformal invariance, supersymmetry and string theory

Covariant quantization of string theories is developed in the context of conformal field theory and the BRST quantization procedure. The BRST method is used to covariantly quantize superstrings, and in particular to construct the vertex operators for string emission as well as the supersymmetry charge. The calculation of string loop diagrams is sketched. We discuss how conformal methods can be used to study string compactification and dynamics.
MAP kinase pathways and calcitonin influence CD44 alternate isoform expression in prostate cancer cells

Background Dysregulated expression and splicing of cell adhesion marker CD44 is found in many types of cancer. In prostate cancer (PC) specifically, the standard isoform (CD44s) has been found to be downregulated compared with benign tissue whereas predominant variant isoform CD44v7-10 is upregulated. Mitogen-activated protein kinase pathways and paracrine calcitonin are two common factors linked to dysregulated expression and splicing of CD44 in cancer. Calcitonin has been found to increase proliferation and invasion in PC acting through the protein kinase A pathway.
Options for Near-Term Phaseout of CO2 Emissions from Coal Use in the United States

The global climate problem becomes tractable if CO2 emissions from coal use are phased out rapidly and emissions from unconventional fossil fuels (e.g., oil shale and tar sands) are prohibited. This paper outlines technology options for phasing out coal emissions in the United States by ∼2030. We focus on coal for physical and practical reasons and on the U.S. because it is most responsible for accumulated fossil fuel CO2 in the atmosphere today, specifically targeting electricity production, which is the primary use of coal. While we recognize that coal emissions must be phased out globally, we believe U.S. leadership is essential. A major challenge for reducing U.S. emissions is that coal provides the largest proportion of base load power, i.e., power satisfying minimum electricity demand. Because this demand is relatively constant and coal has a high carbon intensity, utility carbon emissions are largely due to coal. The current U.S. electric grid incorporates little renewable power, most of which is n...
TOPAS: An innovative proton Monte Carlo platform for research and clinical applications

Purpose: While Monte Carlo particle transport has proven useful in many areas (treatment head design, dose calculation, shielding design, and imaging studies) and has been particularly important for proton therapy (due to the conformal dose distributions and a finite beam range in the patient), the available general purpose Monte Carlo codes in proton therapy have been overly complex for most clinical medical physicists. The learning process has large costs not only in time but also in reliability. To address this issue, we developed an innovative protonMonte Carlo platform and tested the tool in a variety of proton therapy applications. Methods: Our approach was to take one of the already-established general purpose Monte Carlo codes and wrap and extend it to create a specialized user-friendly tool for proton therapy. The resulting tool, TOol for PArticle Simulation (TOPAS), should make Monte Carlo simulation more readily available for research and clinical physicists. TOPAS can model a passive scattering or scanning beam treatment head, model a patient geometry based on computed tomography(CT)images, score dose, fluence, etc., save and restart a phase space, provides advanced graphics, and is fully four-dimensional (4D) to handle variations in beam delivery and patient geometry during treatment. A custom-designed TOPAS parameter control system was placed at the heart of the code to meet requirements for ease of use, reliability, and repeatability without sacrificing flexibility. Results: We built and tested the TOPAS code. We have shown that the TOPAS parameter system provides easy yet flexible control over all key simulation areas such as geometry setup, particle source setup, scoring setup, etc. Through design consistency, we have insured that user experience gained in configuring one component, scorer or filter applies equally well to configuring any other component, scorer or filter. We have incorporated key lessons from safety management, proactively removing possible sources of user error such as line-ordering mistakes. We have modeled proton therapytreatment examples including the UCSF eye treatment head, the MGH stereotactic alignment in radiosurgery treatment head and the MGH gantry treatment heads in passive scattering and scanning modes, and we have demonstrated dose calculation based on patient-specific CT data. Initial validation results show agreement with measured data and demonstrate the capabilities of TOPAS in simulating beam delivery in 3D and 4D. Conclusions: We have demonstrated TOPAS accuracy and usability in a variety of proton therapy setups. As we are preparing to make this tool freely available for researchers in medical physics, we anticipate widespread use of this tool in the growing proton therapy community.
Combined X-ray diffraction and diffuse reflectance analysis of nanocrystalline mixed Sn(II) and Sn(IV) oxide powders.

Nanocrystalline mixtures of Sn(II) and Sn(IV) oxide powders, potential gas sensor materials, are synthesized via a simple precipitation route using SnCl2 as the precursor. Materials are characterized by powder X-ray diffraction, thermogravimetric analysis, UV−visible diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS), and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The ratio of Sn(II)/Sn(IV) in powders precipitated at room temperature, as well as the identity of the primary Sn(II) product (SnO or Sn6O4(OH)4), can be varied by adjusting aging time and washing procedures. The identity of the initial Sn(II) product influences the subsequent phase composition and degree of disorder in the tetragonal SnO2 phase obtained following sintering in air. Analysis of the DRS absorption edge and long-wavelength (Urbach) absorption tail is used to determine the SnO2 optical band gap and extent of disorder. SnO2 obtained by heating the SnO/SnO2 mixture at 600 or 800 °C has a smaller optical band gap and a broader Urbach tail than the a...
Comparative Immune Response from Vaccinating Chickens with Lentogenic Newcastle Disease Virus Strains

Abstract The immune response of chickens to 11 isolates of LaSota strain Newcastle disease virus (NDV) and to 7 isolates of B1 strain NDV was studied in specific-pathogen-free chickens. Most of the vaccine strains were from commercial vaccine producers. Comparison of immunogenicity were made of these vaccines; five other lentogenic NDV strains, not used commercially, were also evaluated. From the criteria of hemagglutination inhibition (HI) and virus serum (VN) neutralizing titers, differences were observed with certain isolates within the LaSota and B1 vaccine groups. Whereas the majority of vaccine strains fell within a predictable range, some proved considerably less in their ability to engender expected titers. Two- to threefold differences in titers were observed with some of the strains compared. Two cloned LaSota NDV strains did not compare favorably, or with expected higher titers, with uncloned or conventional LaSota strain virus isolates. Similarly, certain B1 and LaSota strains passaged in chickens did not demonstrate a greater immunogenic potential over conventional, commercial vaccines of similar strain designation but not passaged in chickens. Whereas none of the NDV strains demonstrated evidence of neurotropism or lethality, post-vaccination respiratory reactions were difficult, if not impossible, to evaluate in laboratory isolation units. The complexity of selecting ND vaccines for field use is discussed briefly.
IT education: more specialized in 2010

IT education is about as agile as a barge when it comes to reacting to changes in the IT industry. It takes a while but eventually the educational institutions do align their programs with advances in the technical and business requirements of IT hiring needs and corporate research agendas. Because of institutional inertia, however, program changes are usually years behind changes in industry fundamentals. IT education in 2010 changed in the following ways: 1) specialized educational programs fully reflect changes in the global IT community; 2) universities incorporate product commoditization into their curriculums; 3) remote learning technologies become sophisticated and highly used; 4) and IT education increases its focus on business and communication skills.
Transportation interface facilities design using interactive high-level computer graphics

Abstract A prototype pedestrian facilities design system is described. The design system exploits the capabilities of an intelligent high-resolution vector graphics workstation which features a highly interactive computer graphics environment. A summary of historical developments in pedestrian facility design and graphics workstation architecture is presented, followed by a discussion of the stochastic model and interactive computer graphics features utilized by a prototype facilities design system. Potential applications of such a design system are discussed, and promising areas of future development are outlined.
A heterogeneous optimization algorithm for reacted singlet oxygen for interstitial PDT

Singlet oxygen (1O2) is the major cytotoxic agent for type II photodynamic therapy (PDT). The production of 1O2 involves the complex reactions among light, oxygen molecule, and photosensitizer. From universal macroscopic kinetic equations which describe the photochemical processes of PDT, the reacted 1O2 concentration, [1O2]rx, with cell target can be expressed in a form related to time integration of the product of 1O2 quantum yield and the PDT dose rate. The object of this study is to develop optimization procedures that account for the optical heterogeneity of the patient prostate, the tissue photosensitizer concentrations, and tissue oxygenation, thereby enable delivery of uniform reacted singlet oxygen to the gland. We use the heterogeneous optical properties measured for a patient prostate to calculate a light fluence kernel. Several methods are used to optimize the positions and intensities of CDFs. The Cimmino feasibility algorithm, which is fast, linear, and always converges reliably, is applied as a search tool to optimize the weights of the light sources at each step of the iterative selection. Maximum and minimum dose limits chosen for sample points in the prostate constrain the solution for the intensities of the linear light sources. The study shows that optimization of individual light source positions and intensities is feasible for the heterogeneous prostate during PDT. To study how different photosensitizer distributions as well as tissue oxygenation in the prostate affect optimization, comparisons of light fluence rate were made with measured distribution of photosensitizer in prostate under different tissue oxygenation conditions.
Noninvasive assessment of myocardial mechanics—a review of analysis of stress-shortening and stress-velocity

The development of newer, load-independent indices of contractility has not substantially reduced general clinical reliance on ejection fraction and shortening fraction to detect abnormalities of contractility, in spite of common understanding of the preload and afterload dependence of percent fiber shortening. The more widespread application of sensitive indices of contractility has been impeded in part by complex methods of acquisition and analysis of data as well as uncertainty concerning the clinical importance of the additional derived information. Substantial recent experience with analysis of stress-shortening and stress-velocity, nonetheless, demonstrates that physiologically meaningful indices of afterload, preload, and contractility can be obtained noninvasively without hemodynamic interventions. There is extensive theoretical and experimental basis for these methods, and the limitations are similar to other global indices of myocardial mechanics. The superiority of methods which allow distinction between contractile abnormalities and abnormal load are particularly important when altered ventricular loading conditions are a prominent feature of the disease state. Several clinical situations have been identified for which analysis of stress-shortening and stress-velocity demonstrates that assessment by fiber shortening alone has resulted in misrepresentation of myocardial status. The clinical utility of assessment of ventricular function is considerably enhanced when the relative contribution of load and contractile performance is determined.
Meningeal carcinomatosis in head and neck cancer: Report of six cases and review of the literature

Head and neck cancer has rarely been reported to be a cause of meningeal carcinomatosis. These tumors are known more for their local invasiveness rather than distant metastasis. This would appear to preclude meningeal involvement, but close proximity to multiple cranial nerves may provide an access to the meninges. Six cases of head and neck cancer with meningeal invasion are presented. All six cases had malignant cells in their cerebrospinal fluid. Three cases had malignant cells recovered from a ventricular specimen after lumbar punctures were negative. The most common clinical finding on presentation was cranial nerve involvement. The optic nerve was involved most often with nerves VI and V the next most frequent. Headache was present in four patients and seizures occurred in two. No patient had meningismus. Our current treatment plan involves insertion of an Ommaya Reservoir and intraventricular methotrexate. Only patients whose primary head and neck tumor shows a response to systemic therapy undergo Ommaya placement. Meningeal carcinomatosis in head and neck cancer may be more prevalent than previously thought and the likely mechanism is via direct extension rather than hematogenous spread.
Eccentric Exercise Facilitates Mesenchymal Stem Cell Appearance in Skeletal Muscle

Eccentric, or lengthening, contractions result in injury and subsequently stimulate the activation and proliferation of satellite stem cells which are important for skeletal muscle regeneration. The discovery of alternative myogenic progenitors in skeletal muscle raises the question as to whether stem cells other than satellite cells accumulate in muscle in response to exercise and contribute to post-exercise repair and/or growth. In this study, stem cell antigen-1 (Sca-1) positive, non-hematopoetic (CD45-) cells were evaluated in wild type (WT) and α7 integrin transgenic (α7Tg) mouse muscle, which is resistant to injury yet liable to strain, 24 hr following a single bout of eccentric exercise. Sca-1+CD45− stem cells were increased 2-fold in WT muscle post-exercise. The α7 integrin regulated the presence of Sca-1+ cells, with expansion occurring in α7Tg muscle and minimal cells present in muscle lacking the α7 integrin. Sca-1+CD45− cells isolated from α7Tg muscle following exercise were characterized as mesenchymal-like stem cells (mMSCs), predominantly pericytes. In vitro multiaxial strain upregulated mMSC stem cells markers in the presence of laminin, but not gelatin, identifying a potential mechanistic basis for the accumulation of these cells in muscle following exercise. Transplantation of DiI-labeled mMSCs into WT muscle increased Pax7+ cells and facilitated formation of eMHC+DiI− fibers. This study provides the first demonstration that mMSCs rapidly appear in skeletal muscle in an α7 integrin dependent manner post-exercise, revealing an early event that may be necessary for effective repair and/or growth following exercise. The results from this study also support a role for the α7 integrin and/or mMSCs in molecular- and cellular-based therapeutic strategies that can effectively combat disuse muscle atrophy.
American Studies in the time of Empire

AbstractThis article argues that in terms of political economy, political/military power, and culturally, the USA is 'worlded' in two important ways. In terms both of power and self-perception, the national space of the USA is no longer contained within the boundaries indicated on political maps, but has come to encompass the globe, projecting the nation onto a global space. At the same time, intensified population flows into the USA – part of the same process – 'worlds' the USA from within, transforming American society. These contemporary developments need not be projected upon the past, but they do enable us to see the past in different ways – with colonialism integral to the US national formation both in North America and elsewhere. The article suggests on these grounds that an American-centered view of the USA, understanding the US as a sui generis formation is insufficient to understand the US past or present; such an understanding requires constant attention to the entanglement of the USA in the wo...
Doxorubicin and doxorubicinol pharmacokinetics and tissue concentrations following bolus injection and continuous infusion of doxorubicin in the rabbit.

Cumulative dose-related, chronic cardiotoxicity is a serious clinical complication of anthracycline therapy. Clinical and animal studies have demonstrated that continuous infusion, compared to bolus injection of doxorubicin, decreases the risk of cardiotoxicity. Continuous infusion of doxorubicin may result in decreased cardiac tissue concentrations of anthracyclines, including the primary metabolite doxorubicinol, which may also be an important contributor to cardiotoxicity. In this study, doxorubicin and doxorubicinol plasma pharmacokinetics and tissue concentrations were compared in New Zealand white rabbits following intravenous administration of doxorubicin (5 mg.kg-1) by bolus and continuous infusion. Blood samples were obtained over a 72-h period after doxorubicin administration to determine plasma doxorubicin and doxorubicinol concentrations. Rabbits were killed 7 days after the completion of doxorubicin administration and tissue concentrations of doxorubicin and doxorubicinol in heart, kidney, liver, and skeletal muscle were measured. In further experiments, rabbits were killed 1 h after bolus injection of doxorubicin and at the completion of a 24-h doxorubicin infusion (anticipated times of maximum heart anthracycline concentrations) to compare cardiac concentrations of doxorubicin and doxorubicinol following both methods of administration. Peak plasma concentrations of doxorubicin (1739 +/- 265 vs 100 +/- 10 ng.ml-1) and doxorubicinol (78 +/- 3 vs 16 +/- 3 ng.ml-1) were significantly higher following bolus than infusion dosing. In addition, elimination half-life of doxorubicinol was increased following infusion. However, other plasma pharmacokinetic parameters for doxorubicin and doxorubicinol, including AUC infinity, were similar following both methods of doxorubicin administration. Peak left ventricular tissue concentrations of doxorubicin (16.92 +/- 0.9 vs 3.59 +/- 0.72 micrograms.g-1 tissue; P < 0.001) and doxorubicinol (0.24 +/- 0.02 vs 0.09 +/- 0.01 micrograms.g-1 tissue; P < 0.01) following bolus injection of doxorubicin were significantly higher than those following infusion administration. Tissue concentrations of parent drug and metabolite in bolus and infusion groups were similar 7 days after dosing. The results suggest that cardioprotection following doxorubicin infusion may be related to attenuation of the peak plasma or cardiac concentrations of doxorubicin and/or doxorubicinol.
Action of lysosomal phospholipase A1 on bis(monoacylglycerol)phosphate

Abstract Bis(monoacylglycerol)phosphate (BMP) in macrophages is known to rapidly turn over its acyl moiety(s) locted at primary positions of the glycerols, yet the glycerols and phosphate remain stable within the BMP molecule. Here we examine whether the phospholipase A1 isolated from rat-liver lysosomes is capable of deacylating BMP. By comparison with the precursor of BMP, phosphatidylglycerol, BMP is a very poor substrate for the phospholipase A1. We conclude, therefore, that a direct deacylation of the acyl groups at the primary alcohol level of the glycerol probably does not occur, but postulate that transacylations may occur to account for the removal of the acyl moiety.
The Reformation of Ritual: An Interpretation of Early Modern Germany

In The Reformation of Ritual Susan Karant-Nunn explores the function of ritual in early modern German society, and the extent to which it was modified by the Reformation.Employing anthropological insights, and drawing on extensive archival research, Susan Karant-Nunn outlines the significance of the ceremonial changes. This comprehensive study includes an examination of all major rites of passage: birth, baptism, confirmation, engagement, marriage, the churching of women after childbirth, penance, the Eucharist, and dying. The author argues that the changes in ritual made over the course of the century reflect more than theological shifts; ritual was a means of imposing discipline and of making the divine more or less accessible. Church and state cooperated in using ritual as one means of gaining control of the populace.
Toon receives 2011 Roger Revelle Medal: Response

Owen Brian Toon was awarded the 2011 Roger Revelle Medal at the AGU Fall Meeting Honors Ceremony, held on 7 December 2011 in San Francisco, Calif. The medal is for “outstanding contributions in atmospheric sciences, atmosphere-ocean coupling, atmosphere-land coupling, biogeochemical cycles, climate, or related aspects of the Earth system.”
Method of averaging and the quantum anharmonic oscillator.

The Krylov-Bogoliubov method of averaging is applied to the time-dependent quantum anharmonic oscillator. A regular perturbation expansion contains secular terms. The averaging approximation does not, and as a result has a validity over larger time intervals. A new variant of the usual averaging transformation is used and rigorous error bounds are derived. Rigorous averaging methods have been applied extensively to ordinary differential equations but our work appears to be the first generalization to partial differential equations.
A Randomized Controlled Trial of Exercise to Improve Outcomes of Acute Hospitalization in Older Adults

OBJECTIVE: Older adults hospitalized for nondisabling diagnoses can lose functional ability. Lack of exercise or physical activity during the acute illness and recovery may be contributory. This study evaluated whether increased exercise in hospital and afterward would shorten length of stay and improve physical function at 1 month. DESIGN: A randomized controlled trial. SETTING: A 700-bed community-based hospital with academic and teaching programs. PARTICIPANTS: Three hundred patients (mean age 78.2 years ± 5.6) with nondisabling medical and surgical diagnoses who were admitted to an acute care hospital between December 1990 and April 1992. All patients had an expected length of stay 5 or more days, were ambulatory before admission, and were not expected to die within 12 months. INTERVENTION: A hospital-based general exercise program was administered to intervention patients along with encouragement to continue the program, self-administered, at home. MEASUREMENTS: The primary outcome was hospital length of stay. Secondary outcomes at 1 month post-discharge included measures of physical function and other general health indicators. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in length of stay between treatment and control groups controlling for baseline characteristics and diagnoses. The intervention was associated with better function in instrumental activities of daily living (β = .433 (95% CI, 0.044–0.842)) at 1 month but no change in perceived general health status and other measures of physical function. CONCLUSIONS: An exercise program started during hospitalization and continued for 1 month did not shorten length of stay but did improve functional outcome at 1 month.