cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A Pseudospectral Method with Edge Detection-Free Postprocessing for Two-Dimensional Hyperbolic Heat Transfer

Under the governing equations of hyperbolic heat transfer, thermal disturbances travel with a finite speed of propagation and are visible as sharp discontinuities in the solution profiles. As a result of the well-known Gibbs phenomenon, the numerical solution of hyperbolic heat transfer problems by high-order numerical methods such as pseudospectral methods feature nonphysical numerical oscillations. For pseudospectral methods, postprocessing methods have been developed to lessen or even eliminate the effects of the Gibbs phenomenon. The most powerful postprocessing methods require that the exact location of the discontinuities be known. Because of the reflection and interaction of thermal waves, the solutions of multidimensional hyperbolic heat transfer problems often have very complex features that make accurately locating discontinuities difficult or even impossible. The application of an edge detection-free postprocessing method that is effective for this type of problem is discussed.
Human health effects of exposure to Pfiesteria piscicida: a review

Since its identification, the dinoflagellate Pfiesteria piscicida has been implicated in fish kills and fish disease in the southeastern United States. Adverse health effects have been reported in researchers working with the organism and in watermen following exposure to a fish kill in Maryland. A bioactive secretion is postulated as the cause of these effects but has not yet been isolated and chemically characterized. The biology and toxicology of this organism remain the topic of debate and research.
Methodology of real-time simulation to support field testing of dual-mode smart munitions sensors

This paper describes the methodology for executing real-time simulations for the support of field testing of smart munition sensors. The sensor simulated is a dual-mode sensor using passive thermal infrared and active laser profiling. The types of tests supported by the simulation are dynamic flight tests over stationary targets, captive flight tests with moving tactical targets, and end-to-end system tests with dynamic flight over moving tactical targets. The components of this methodology that will be discussed include the sensor simulation model, target and background models, and measurement procedures for generating inputs required for target and background models. The resulting simulation capability can be used to support a wide range of evaluations including concept evaluation, subsystem design trade-off analysis, and system performance evaluation.
A METHOD FOR COMPUTING FLOAT PLATFORM MOTIONS IN WAVES

A new procedure is presented for the prediction of the longitudinal motions, in regular head seas, of ocean platforms supported by slender vertical floats. Experimental information describing the hydrodynamic forces acting on the floats is used to solve the equations of motion for harmonic oscillation in heave, surge, and pitch. These hydrodynamic forces are obtained from tests conducted on a single isolated float. They are expressed as two separable parts, one due to the disturbance imposed by the waves acting as though the vehicle were completely restrained and one due to the motion of the vehicle as though there were no wave disturbance. When the measured motions of a free four-float vehicle are compared with the motions as computed under the new procedure, reasonably good agreement is found. The approach should be useful in design development and in structural load evaluation not only for multifloat vehicles but for other types of marine structures as well.
Hydrology and hydrochemistry of Alpine basins

This year has seen the first strides toward a global understanding of the hydrology and hydrochemistry of alpine areas. Seasonally snow-covered areas of the Earth's mountain ranges are important components of the global hydrologic cycle, even though they cover a small portion of the Earth's surface area. For example, snow melt in the Sierra Nevada is the major source of the water supply for runoff and groundwater recharge for the agricultural community of the Central Valley of California. Furthermore, many alpine basins will be sensitive to changes in the amount and chemistry of precipitation because of their small groundwater reservoirs, predominance of crystalline rocks that weather slowly, thin acidic soils, large amount of precipitation, and low buffering ability.
Offense History and Recidivism in Three Victim-age-based Groups of Juvenile Sex Offenders

This study compared subgroups of juvenile sex offenders (JSOs) who victimized children (child offenders), peers (peer offenders), or both children and peers (mixed offenders) on sexual and nonsexual offense history, treatment outcomes, and recidivism to determine if these are distinct and valid subgroups. Though the group of mixed offenders was small, results showed that they exhibited a more diverse and more physically intrusive sexual offense history than the other JSOs and were less likely to successfully complete treatment. Sexual and nonsexual recidivism rates of mixed offenders did not differ from the other subgroups despite subgroup differences in juvenile sexual and nonsexual criminal records. However, differences in sexual recidivism rates of child versus peer offenders were found when the mixed offenders were either excluded from the sample or combined with child offenders. The results highlight the need to include mixed offenders in future research examining the etiology of sexual offending, treatment, and recidivism of JSOs.
UWB in-situ soil permittivity probe with a novel iterative permittivity calibration method

A novel coaxial probe is developed for measuring complex permittivity of soils in-situ from 10 to 1000 MHz without taking soil samples. The dielectric constant and conductivity of soil is derived from step-frequency reflection taken inside a small freshly bored hole. As a result, permittivity at various depths with in-situ moisture content and soil texture can be obtained in the fields. A novel permittivity calibration method was developed to account for the frequency- and material-dependent geometrical factor which causes bias errors in conventional calibration methods. Simulated and experimental data are presented to prove the accuracy and efficiency of the proposed probe and calibration method.
The wildland–urban interface dynamics in the southeastern U.S. from 1990 to 2000

Resolving environmental impacts caused by the wildland-urban interface (WUI) expansion such as wildlife habitat fragmentation, or increased fire risk entails an accurate delineating of WUI boundary and its dynamics prediction. This study identified WUIs throughout the 11 states of southeastern U.S. in 1990 and 2000 and observed their change during this period utilizing census surveyed housing density and remotely sensed land-cover data. In 1990 and 2000, states of North Carolina and Virginia had the highest, while the state of Arkansas had the lowest proportion of WUI coverage. From 1990 to 2000, states of South Carolina, Florida and Mississippi have seen a radical WUI expansion, while North Carolina has experienced no noticeable WUI transformation. Total WUI area increased from 241,983 kin 2 in 1990 to 285,415 km(2) in 2000. Wildland-urban interface patch number decreased from 1362 to 1282 and mean WUI patch size enlarged from 178 km(2) to 233 km(2). Total WUI area in each single year and new added WUI from 1990 to 2000 have high sensitivity to threshold adjustment of low housing density, vegetation density, while subtle sensitivity to threshold modification of high housing density. Vegetation density is a more significant factor than housing density in determining WUI coverage in both 1990 and 2000 and WUI dynamics from 1990 to 2000 in each state. Urban aggregation index is a significant factor related with WUI coverage in each state as well.
A note on the propagation of hydromagnetic waves in the magnetosphere

Abstract Propagation of hydromagnetic waves detected in the earth's magnetosphere using the magnetic field observations by Explorer 12 and 14 satellites is discussed. It is found that in order to detect these waves in the ground based magnetograms, the longitudes of the satellite and the observatory should not differ more than 15 degrees. The results of this study cannot be explained in the terms of ray tracing calculations because the period is too long. However, evidence of the propagation of the waves travelling across the field lines in the magnetosphere was not found. The waves occur on L shells with very small longitudinal spread. This fact was also observed in recent satellite 1963-38c experiment.
Hitting Closer to Home: A Multiple Family Prevention Group for Adolescent Disordered Eating

This article presents an innovative multiple family psychoeducational group for the prevention of disordered eating among adolescent females. An overview of the concerns facing adolescents today is presented, including sociocultural norms, body dissatisfaction associated with pubertal changes, teasing regarding weight and shape, and family influences. Evidence regarding past prevention efforts are cited, indicating the need for the development of psychoeducational groups aimed at promoting familial systemic change for the prevention of adolescent disordered eating. Finally, a nine-session, psychoeducational multiple family group model for the prevention of disordered eating among female adolescents is described.
ESR evidence for the formation of the trimethylene padical cation -CH2CH2CH+ from cyclopropane

Abstract Solid-state ESR studies show that the cyciopropane radical cation undergoes rin,'' , openina in the CFCI2C1.2C1 matrlx above 80 K. The two tenninal CH, groups in the derived trirnethylene radical cation are perpendicular to each other such that the electron spin is confused to one end of the molecule, the radical centre adopting a bisected confonnation very similar to that of the ii-propyl radical.
Common random numbers and multinomial selection

Abstract In this paper, we perform empirical evaluation on how common random numbers (CRNs) affect multinomial selection procedures (MSPs) under an indifference-zone probability requirement. The conclusion obrained from this research is that the use of CRNs sharpens MSPs. With the same number of replications, the probability of making a correct select increases when using CRNs.
Ultrathin, doubly connected superconducting cylinders: A link between one- and two-dimensional superconductors

Abstract In this review we summarize our work on the destructive regime, the loss of superconductivity near half-flux quanta, and present new data on the possible observation of vortex–antivortex unbinding in ultrathin, doubly connected superconducting cylinders. These cylinders were prepared by evaporating a superconducting film onto a rotating quartz filament with a diameter as small as 100 nm, which is comparable with or smaller than the zero-temperature superconducting coherence length, ξ ( 0 ) . For cylinders with a relatively large diameter, bound vortex–antivortex pairs induced by thermal fluctuation and the loss of superconductivity through the unbinding of these pairs above a critical temperature are expected. However, when the diameter of the cylinder becomes smaller than ξ ( 0 ) , superconductivity is lost near the half-flux quanta even in the zero-temperature limit. We argue that this unique quasi one-dimensional system provides a link between one- and two-dimensional superconductors.
Differential mortality by ethnicity: Foreign-born Irish, Italians and Jews in New York city, 1979–81

This paper compares the mortality experience of foreign-born Irish, Italians and Jews in New York City in 1979-81. For the Irish and Italian groups, 1980 census data were used to calculate age-specific and age-standardized death rates. For the Jewish group, denominator data were not available, so proportional mortality analysis was used. An estimate was made to show the degree to which standardized proportional mortality ratios approximated relative standard mortality measures. Major causes of death and other selected causes were examined. The results of this analysis support previous studies showing mortality is significantly greater among Irish-born immigrants than among the Italian born. The proportional mortality data suggest that the Jewish and Italian groups have cause of death distributions relatively similar to each other and dissimilar to the Irish group. Alcohol-related causes of death appear to be a major source of the uniqueness of the Irish mortality experience.
Virulent clinical isolates of Mycobacterium tuberculosis grow rapidly and induce cellular necrosis but minimal apoptosis in murine macrophages

In this study, we investigated the ability of four clinical isolates of Mycobacterium tuberculosis representing a range of virulence for their capacity to grow in bone marrow-derived macrophages. The rate of growth of each of the isolates in macrophages reflected their known virulence, but the most virulent isolates strongly induced production of the cytokine tumor necrosis factor alpha. A key difference, however, was the degree of cell cytotoxicity observed with the more virulent strains after several days in culture. Staining of cell monolayers for DNA fragmentation indicative of apoptosis showed that this was minimal and only evident to any degree in macrophages infected with the most virulent strains. In contrast, electron microscopy revealed damage of macrophages consistent with cell necrosis. These results suggest that rapid intracellular growth rate and induction of necrotic cell death within host macrophages are virulence factors of M. tuberculosis in the early stages of bacterial infection. They further imply that infected cell apoptosis, regarded as a defense mechanism or cross-priming mechanism, plays a minimal role.
Observations of Descartes ring stimulated Raman scattering in micrometer-sized water droplets

Stimulated Raman scattering (SRS) from micrometer-sized droplets, which results from coupling of spontaneous Raman emission to droplet morphology-dependent resonances (MDR's), exhibits unique characteristics. Spatial patterns consist of bright SRS arcs on the droplet rim. A second source of SRS emission has recently been observed from a ringlike region encircling the droplet axis near the geometric focus (the Descartes ring). Investigation of the time and spectral characteristics of Descartes ring SRS and its suppression by the addition of absorptive dye to the droplet reveals it to be an additional manifestation of droplet MDR's. We conjecture that the Descartes ring results when the MDR light is scattered by refractive-index inhomogeneities produced by the intense pump field within the droplet.
Isomorphism of k-contractible graphs. A generalization of bounded valence and bounded genus

A polynomial time isomorphism test for graphs called k-contractible graphs for fixed k is included. The class of k-contractible graphs includes the graphs of bounded valence and the graphs of bounded genus. The algorithm uses several new ideas including: (1) It removes portions of the graph and replaces them with groups which are used to keep track of the symmetries of these portions. (2) It maintains with each group a tower of equivalence relations which allow a decomposition of the group. These towers are called towers of Γk-actions.
Effects of diet on consumption, growth and fatty acid composition in young grass carp

Abstract Fingerling and juvenile grass carp ( Ctenopharyngodon idella ) were fed elodea ( Elodea densa ), coontail ( Ceratophyllum demersum ), eurasian water milfoil ( Myriophyllum sp.) or a commercial catfish feed at 26°C or 20°C, respectively. Diet significantly affected consumption, digestion, growth and muscular fatty acid composition of grass carp. Fingerling grass carp fed Elodea at 26°C consumed a ration (wet weight) higher than their body weight, with a digestion efficiency around 50%, and achieved excellent growth. Fish fed other diets in this study grew more slowly and the growth rates were positively related to the daily intake of protein. Grass carp readily elongated and desaturated dietary linolenic acid into long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids. Dorsal muscle lipids from fish fed Elodea at 26°C contained 35% n −3 fatty acids and the n −3 fatty acid content in Elodea -fed fish was 7- or 4-fold more than in those fed catfish feed at 26°C or 20°C, respectively. Among the plant-fed fish, muscle docosahexaenoic (22:6 n −3) levels were very similar at 26°C while linolenic and eicosapentaenoic (20:5 n −3) acid levels varied. Grass carp selectively deposited dietary n −6 fatty acids in their muscle. Total n −6 fatty acid levels in all groups of fish were very similar at 26°C or 20°C regardless of the great differences in linoleic level among the experimental diets. The ratio of saturates to unsaturates in grass carp muscle fell in a narrow range (0.31–0.36) irrespective of large differences in this ratio among the diets (0.27–0.66).
The layered medium Green's function—A new look

This paper describes an alternate method to formulate the layered medium Green's function suitable for computational electromagnetics. The Green's function is symmetrized so that the reciprocity theorem becomes obvious. Also, the vector differential operators are explicit so that they can be transferred to operate on the basis function and the testing function, as is often done in the method of moments. This alternative formulation of the layered medium Green's function makes it simple to integrate with other computational electromagnetic methods. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 32: 252–255, 2001.
A taste of linked data and the semantic web (abstract only)

The Web has created a global information space of linked documents. The Semantic Web creates an information space of linked data from multiple sources. Information can be mined from the interlinking of available datasets by a distributed query language known as SPARQL, the SQL equivalent for the Semantic Web. Participants will understand and appreciate the role of linked data on the Semantic Web; be able to model, represent, and interpret simple linked data applications; complete exercises that create simple Linked Data models; appreciate the benefits of Linked Data over relational database modeling; be aware of successful commercial applications of linked Data; be directed to resources that facilitate incorporation of this material into their courses. WiFi/Laptop Required.
Fourier-transform laser spectroscopy: erratum

The paper by McNesby and Miziolek [Appl. Opt.42, 2127 (2003)] contained some misaligned text. Sections 1 and 2 of that paper are reproduced as they should have originally appeared.
An ENDOR study of the canthaxanthin cation radical in solution

Abstract The cation radical of canthaxanthin was generated electrochemically in dichloromethane and its solution ENDOR spectrum is reported for the first time. The isotropic proton hyperfine coupling constants are in reasonable agreement with those calculated by RHF-INDO/SP molecular orbital methods for a planar all-trans-polyene conformation. Proton couplings less than 1.1 MHz were not detected due in part to incomplete hyperfine separation and chemical exchange processes.
Heat transfer in Newtonian liquids around a circular cylinder

Holographic interferometry is used to study heat transfer in Newtonian liquids flowing around a circular cylinder. Temperature differences are of the order of 0.1°C. Consequently, physical property variations are negligible. Isotherms, and local and mean Nusselt number data are obtained for water, corn syrup and dilute corn syrup, covering a Reynolds number range of 0.002–64 and Gr/Re2 of 0.001–4.4. The Prandtl number range is from about 5.5 to 27000. The isotherms and local Nusselt numbers clearly show evidence for the twin vortices at Reynolds numbers greater than about 5. The mean Nusselt number in this entire Reynolds number range can be correlated by a single equation. This is in contrast with previous investigators who employed two equations for Reynolds numbers greater than and less than one. The magnitude of natural convection effects for water is in agreement with previous investigators. However, the value of Gr/Re2 at which natural convection starts to become important is found to increase with Prandtl number.
Cutaneous findings in a 51-year-old man with phenylketonuria☆

Abstract A man with phenylketonuria who was reported to have lichen sclerosus et atrophicus at age 16 years presented to our institution 35 years later with large confluent areas of atrophy. Although sclerodermatous changes have been described in children with phenylketonuria, this case offers a longitudinal view of the progression of skin lesions in a middle-aged man with phenylketonuria.
A review of pregnancy outcomes after exposure to orally inhaled or intranasal budesonide.

ABSTRACTBackground: Inadequately controlled rhinitis is associated with worsening asthma, one of the most common potentially serious causes of pregnancy complications. Recent evidence-based guidelines now stress the importance of inhaled corticosteroids as first-line therapy in controlling asthma during pregnancy, with preference given to budesonide. Both inhaled and intranasal budesonide formulations are rated Pregnancy Category B; all other inhaled and intranasal corticosteroids are rated Pregnancy Category C.Objective: To review data from clinical and epidemiological studies investigating the effects of orally inhaled or intranasal budesonide on pregnancy outcomes.Methods: Clinical and epidemiological studies on the effects of maternal exposure to orally inhaled or intranasal budesonide were identified through searches of the literature indexed on Medline or the Developmental and Reproductive Toxicology (DART) database through January 2005. The search terms used were: ‘budesonide’ and ‘pregnancy’; ‘pre...
A distributed, collaborative and haptic-enabled eye cataract surgery application with a user interface on desktop, stereo desktop and immersive displays

In this paper, we discuss the technologies and approaches utilized in developing a cataract eye surgery simulation that will be used for training novice surgeons. The three different techniques described in this paper, are all hapto-visual techniques that resulted in three different implementations of the application: 2D simulation, 3D immersive simulation, and completely immersive simulation. The paper begins with an introduction and a general overview of the medical procedure of the cataract surgery. Then an overview of the eye and surgical tools modeling is given. Following that, the architecture and technology of each of the three design techniques is given. Finally the paper concludes with future work to improve the application
Hydrotropic polymers: Synthesis and characterization of polymers containing picolylnicotinamide moieties

Our previous studies on low molecular weight hydrotropes showed that nicotinamide derivatives increased the aqueous solubility of paclitaxel by several orders of magnitude. We were interested in knowing whether the polymeric forms of those low molecular weight hydrotropes could maintain hydrotropic properties. N-Picolylnicotinamide (PNA) was one of the best hydrotropes identified for paclitaxel, and polymers based on PNA were synthesized and tested for their hydrotropic properties. The pendent hydrotropic PNA moieties were attached to the polymer backbone through either an oligo(ethylene glycol) or a phenyl group as a spacer. The PNA moiety was bound to the polymer backbone either at the 2-position or at the 6-position of the pyridine ring of nicotinamide to result in poly(2-(4-vinylbenzyloxy)-N-picolylnicotinamide) (P(2-VBOPNA)) or poly(6-(4-vinylbenzyloxy)-N-picolylnicotinamide) (P(6-VBOPNA)), respectively. The ability of PNA-containing polymers to increase the aqueous solubility of paclitaxel was exami...
Policymaking Network of the Iron-Triangle Subgovernment for Licensing Hazardous Waste Facilities

The purposes here are to explain the linkage of (1) economic methodology, (2) corporate networks, and (3) federal court decisions in the licensing of hazardous waste facilities and to recognize the opportunity the combination of the three provides for institutional economists.' The United States has the best and most comprehensive set of laws we might expect from a legislative process in order to prevent human disease, loss of property, and ecological system destruction from hazardous, toxic, and radioactive waste. Yet the licensing process and assessment that has grown out of that legislation has not produced the protection expected. The waste disposal problem continues to grow. The National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969 is another achievement of the "Greatest Generation."2 It was the world's first environmental policy of such proportion, and it became a model for environmental policies and legislation in nations around the globe for protecting the environment (see Colombo 1992). Consistent with institutionalism, NEPA has been called "an organic act for environmental protection" (Ringquist 1999, 88). The approximately 50,000 NEPA environmental assessments prepared annually are an indication that the influence NEPA is to have on comprehensive planning is intended to be pervasive. The principal tools of NEPA for assessing impacts and planning actions are the environmental impact assessment (EIA) and the environmental impact statement (EIS). The purpose of the EIA is to ensure that appropriate attention is given to environmental issues. It is to provide adequate information on projects such as waste disposal projects that affect the environment. "All environmentally relevant impacts of such
Theoretical analysis of coupling and cross polarization of perpendicular slot antennas on a dielectric half-space

In this paper, design curves are given for minimizing the coupling between two perpendicular slot antennas on a dielectric half space. Such antennas may be utilized in polarimetric receivers in which coupling must be minimized to ensure polarization purity and in polarization diplexed quasi-optical receivers in which the local oscillator (LO) is received in a polarization perpendicular to that of the RF signal. For this analysis, Galerkin's method in the spectral domain is applied along the length of the slots and point matching across their widths. At the second resonance, for equal length slots and for constant width/length (w/L) of the slots, there is a decrease of about 2-dB coupling for a factor of three increase in dielectric constant (/spl epsiv//sub 1/=1.0/spl rarr/3.8 and /spl epsiv//sub 1/=3.8/spl rarr/12.8). For fixed dielectric constant there is a 1-2-dB increase in coupling for a factor of two increase in w/L. For slots of unequal length (L/sub 2/=L/sub 1//2), the changes are even smaller. Design curves are shown for various relative positions of the slots in two dimensions. A strong correlation between coupling levels and peak cross-polarization levels is found.
Adaptive forwarding and routing in frequency-hop spread-spectrum packet radio networks with partial-band jamming

The authors consider adaptive protocols for routing around localized partial-band jamming in a frequency-hop (FH) packet radio network. With such protocols, a radio is permitted to modify its normal routing procedures according to local information. A computer program has been developed to simulate an FH packet radio network with partial-band jamming and interference due to other FH and narrowband radios. The network uses time-slotted, receiver-directed, FH spread-spectrum signaling. Results on throughput are presented, and comparisons between different protocols are obtained for a static network topology with both static and mobile network jamming. The authors also introduce least-resistance routing, a routing algorithm that accounts for multiple-access interference, jamming, and other partial-band interference. >
rRNA--the evolution of that magic molecule.

I was delighted when Tim Nilsen asked me to contribute an article for this special 20th anniversary issue. I've been very fortunate to witness and participate in the transformation of our understanding of RNA and the biology that is emerging because of it. My happenstance and serendipitous entry into RNA research provided opportunities for me to explore and meander, and benefit from the nucleic acid sequencing and computer technologies that were in their infancy when I was starting my scientific career. These then cottage industries have blossomed into major academic and biotechnology centers that have changed the manner scientific research is practiced, and provides for an alternative and complementary means to decipher complex systems.
Right-Wing Authoritarianism in Relation to Proposed Judicial Action, Electromyographic Response, and Affective Attitudes Toward a Schizophrenic Mother

Student participants who were high vs. low on Altemeyer's (1996) Right-Wing Authoritarianism (RWA) scale read background information and observed a videotaped interview concerning a schizophrenic woman who ostensibly killed her 2 young children in response to what she perceived as divine command. The woman now was functioning normally in response to medical treatment. High RWAs recommended harsher sentencing and expressed less sympathy than did low RWAs. High RWAs also evinced more facial electromyographic activity from the corrugator brow (i.e., frown) muscle while observing the interview than did low RWAs and gave the woman lower ratings on the Affective Attitudes Scale (Crites, Fabrigar, & Petty, 1994).
Fast Template Matching System Using VHDL

The image template matching problem is one of the fundamental problems of and has many practical applications in image processing, pattern recognition, and computer vision. It is a useful operation for filtering, edge detection, image registration, and object detection. Template matching is the process of determining the presence and the location of a reference image of an object inside a scene image under analysis by a spatial cross-correlation process. Conventional cross- correlation type algorithms are computationally expensive. In this paper, a method of fast image template matching algorithm based on template modeling is proposed. Taken advantage of fast searching techniques, the method can achieve high computing efficiency and good matching results. Furthermore a comparison of the performance provided by this method and conventional matching algorithms is discussed. Theoretical analysis and simulation results show that the proposed algorithm is very effective. Simple hardware architecture is presented and implemented, where it executes matching for a 4times4 template on a 16 times 16 target image.
Tumor-selective gene expression in a hepatic metastasis model after locoregional delivery of a replication-competent retrovirus vector.

Purpose: Replication-competent retrovirus (RCR) vectors have been shown to achieve highly efficient and tumor-restricted replicative spread and gene transfer in vivo after direct intratumoral injection in a variety of primary cancer models. In this setting, the intrinsic inability of retroviruses to infect postmitotic normal cells, combined with their unique ability to persist through stable integration, allow further transduction of ectopic tumor foci as the infected cancer cells migrate. However, i.v. delivery of RCR vectors has never been tested previously, particularly in an immunocompetent tumor model. Experimental Design: We combined optical imaging, flow cytometry, and molecular analysis to monitor RCR vector spread after administration via locoregional infusion in a hepatic metastasis model of colorectal cancer. Results: Robust RCR replication was first confirmed in both human WiDr and murine CT26 colorectal cancer cells in vitro , with transduction levels reaching >90% in In vivo , infusion of RCR supernatant into the portal circulation resulted in progressive and significant transduction of multifocal intrahepatic CT26 tumors in syngeneic mice, averaging about 30% but with up to 60% transduction in some tumors within 4 weeks. However, immunohistochemistry and quantitative PCR analysis showed no evidence of RCR spread to adjacent normal liver or to any other normal tissues. Conclusions: Our results thus show that locoregional infusion of RCR vectors can be used to deliver therapeutic genes selectively to tumor cells in the liver while sparing normal hepatocytes and without dissemination to extrahepatic normal tissues.
Deterioration of insulin sensitivity and beta-cell function in overweight Hispanic children during pubertal transition: A longitudinal assessment

Purpose. To examine 1-year changes in insulin dynamics in overweight Hispanic children at high-risk of type 2 diabetes as a function of body composition and pubertal transition. Experimental Design . Longitudinal changes in insulin dynamics, body composition and maturation were determined in 132 Hispanic children (70 boys/62 girls; aged 10.99 /1.8 years). Methods. Body composition was determined by dual energy x-ray absorptiometry and Tanner stage by physical examination. Insulin sensitivity (SI), the acute insulin response to glucose (AIR) and the disposition index (DI; an index of beta-cell function) were determined using an insulin modified intravenous glucose tolerance test. These measures were conducted at baseline and 1-year later. Results. Fat mass increased by 13% (3.0 kg) and SI declined by 24%. In repeated measures analysis of variance, the fall in insulin sensitivity over 1 year remained highly significant even after adjusting for baseline fat mass, age, gender and change in fat mass. The fall in SI was not significantly influenced by Tanner stage. However, subjects in earlier maturation showed a compensatory increase in AIR (i.e. appropriate beta-cell compensation), whereas subjects in the latter stages of maturation did not (i.e. poor compensation). Conclusions. These results indicate that failure to increase AIR in response to the fall in SI may be one factor in the pathogenesis of the progression of pediatric type 2 diabetes in this at risk population.
On the valuation of alternatives for decision-making under uncertainty

We focus on the problem of decision-making in the face of uncertainty. The issue of the representation of uncertain information is considered and a number of different frameworks are described: possibilistic, probabilistic, belief structures, and graded possibilistic. We suggest methodologies for decision-making in these different environments. The importance of decision attitude in the construction of decision functions is strongly emphasized. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Influence of nutrient versus water supply on hydraulic architecture and water balance in Pinus taeda

We investigated the hydraulic consequences of a major decrease in root-to-leaf area ratio (AR:AL) caused by nutrient amendments to 15-year-old Pinus taeda L. stands on sandy soil. In theory, such a reduction in AR:AL should compromise the trees’ ability to extract water from drying sand. Under equally high soil moisture, canopy stomatal conductance (GS) of fertilized trees (F) was 50% that of irrigated/fertilized trees (IF), irrigated trees (I), and untreated control trees (C). As predicted from theory, F trees also decreased their stomatal sensitivity to vapour pressure deficit by 50%. The lower GS in F was associated with 50% reduction in leaf-specific hydraulic conductance (KL) compared with other treatments. The lower KL in F was in turn a result of a higher leaf area per sapwood area and a lower specific conductivity (conducting efficiency) of the plant and its root xylem. The root xylem of F trees was also 50% more resistant to cavitation than the other treatments. A transport model predicted that the lower AR:AL in IF trees resulted in a considerably restricted ability to extract water during drought. However, this deficiency was not exposed because irrigation minimized drought. In contrast, the lower AR:AL in F trees caused only a limited restriction in water extraction during drought owing to the more cavitation resistant root xylem in this treatment. In both fertilized treatments, approximate safety margins from predicted hydraulic failure were minimal suggesting increased vulnerability to drought-induced dieback compared with non-fertilized trees. However, IF trees are likely to be so affected even under a mild drought if irrigation is withheld.
Barrett’s Esophagus: Treatment Options and Management

Barrett’s esophagus (BE) involves specialized intestinal metaplasia of the esophagus and is a precursor of esophageal adenocarcinoma. Although no randomized trials have demonstrated mortality benefit, we recommend patients with multiple risk factors for BE undergo endoscopic screening for dysplasia (which should be confirmed by an expert pathologist). Patients with BE should be treated with proton pump inhibitor (PPI) and be considered for PPI even in the absence of reflux symptoms or reflux esophagitis. We recommend patients with BE with no dysplasia, low-grade dysplasia (LGD), and high-grade dysplasia (HGD) (in the absence of eradication therapy) have endoscopic surveillance. In most patients with BE-associated HGD, we recommend endoscopic eradication therapy rather than surgery or intensive surveillance. This involves endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR) for removal and staging of visible lesions (if present) followed by radiofrequency ablation or photodynamic therapy to ablate remaining metaplastic epithelium. Surgery is a reasonable alternative in young patients with HGD and long-segment BE or multifocal dysplasia, whereas intensive surveillance is reasonable in elderly and frail patients where endoscopic therapy might pose a substantial risk.
Techniques Of Absolute Low Energy X-Ray Calibration

Recent advances in pulsed plasma research, materials science, and astrophysics have required many new diagnostic instruments for use in the low energy x-ray regime. The characterization of these instruments has provided a challenge to instrument designers and provided the momentum to improve x-ray sources and dosimetry techniques. In this paper, the present state-of-the-art in low energy x-ray characterization techniques is reviewed. A summary is given of low energy x-ray generator technology and dosimetry techniques including a discussion of thin window proportional counters and ionization chambers. A review is included of the widely used x-ray data bases and a sample of ultra-soft x-ray measuring techniques is discussed. These techniques include sub-femtoampere current measuring procedures, chopped x-ray source generators, phase sensitive detection of ultralow currents, and angular divergence measurements.
Mindfulness-Based Childbirth and Parenting Education: Promoting Family Mindfulness During the Perinatal Period

We present the conceptual and empirical foundation and curriculum content of the Mindfulness-Based Childbirth and Parenting (MBCP) program and the results of a pilot study of n = 27 pregnant women participating in MBCP during their third trimester of pregnancy. MBCP is a formal adaptation of the Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction program and was developed and refined over the course of 11 years of clinical practice with 59 groups of expectant couples. MBCP is designed to promote family health and well-being through the practice of mindfulness during pregnancy, childbirth, and early parenting. Quantitative results from the current study include statistically significant increases in mindfulness and positive affect, and decreases in pregnancy anxiety, depression, and negative affect from pre- to post-test (p .70), suggesting that MBCP is achieving its intended effects on maternal well-being during pregnancy. Qualitative reports from participants expand upon the quantitative findings, with the majority of participants reporting perceived benefits of using mindfulness practices during the perinatal period and early parenting. Our future research will involve conducting a randomized controlled trial of MBCP to test effects on psychophysiological stress mechanisms and to examine effects on birth outcomes, family relationship quality, and child development outcomes.
The value of 18F-FDG PET/CT in recurrent gynecologic malignancies prior to pelvic exenteration

Objective In patients undergoing pelvic exenteration for recurrent gynecological malignancies, we assessed the performance of [18F]-FDG PET/CT for delineating disease extent and evaluated the association between quantitative FDG uptake metrics (SUVmax, total lesion glycolysis [TLG] and metabolic tumor volume [MTV]) and progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS).
Babesia gibsoni Infection in a Dog from Indiana

: A 10-year-old spayed female mixed-breed dog was presented to the Purdue University Veterinary Teaching Hospital (PUVTH) with complaints of persistent anemia with occasional exacerbations, anorexia, and lethargy. The dog had been presented to the referring veterinarian 2 months prior with multiple bite wounds received during a fight with 3 Pit Bull Terriers. The dog was discharged after the wounds were cleaned and surgically closed. Upon admission to the PUVTH, blood was collected for a complete blood count and biochemical analysis. Microscopic examination of peripheral blood smears revealed intraerythrocytic protozoal parasites consistent with Babesia gibsoni. Molecular analysis confirmed that the organism was B gibsoni and that its 18S ribosomal RNA sequence was identical to that of other B gibsoni isolates from Oklahoma, North Carolina, and Okinawa, Japan. Hematologic changes included moderately severe, regenerative, macrocytic, normochromic anemia, with poikilocytosis, polychromasia, anisocytosis, and a marked increase in nucleated RBCs. Biochemical changes included increased serum alanine aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, and gamma glutamyl-transferase activities. The dog was treated with imidocarb, but despite initial clinical improvement, the dog died 2 weeks after the first dose. A necropsy was not performed. The infection in this dog is the first reported case of B gibsoni infection in Indiana. Because of the widespread geographical distribution of the organism, veterinarians and veterinary clinical pathologists throughout the United States should carefully examine Romanowsky-stained blood smears from patients with acute hemolytic anemia for small intraerythrocytic babesial parasites.
Human Cytomegalovirus Exploits ESCRT Machinery in the Process of Virion Maturation

The endosomal sorting complex required for transport (ESCRT) machinery controls the incorporation of cargo into intraluminal vesicles of multivesicular bodies. This machinery is used during envelopment of many RNA viruses and some DNA viruses, including herpes simplex virus type 1. Other viruses mature independent of ESCRT components, instead relying on the intrinsic behavior of viral matrix and envelope proteins to drive envelopment. Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) maturation has been reported to proceed independent of ESCRT components (A. Fraile-Ramos et al. Cell. Microbiol. 9:2955-2967, 2007). A virus complementation assay was used to evaluate the role of dominant-negative (DN) form of a key ESCRT ATPase, vacuolar protein sorting-4 (Vps4DN) in HCMV replication. Vps4DN specifically inhibited viral replication, whereas wild-type-Vps4 had no effect. In addition, a DN form of charged multivesicular body protein 1 (CHMP1DN) was found to inhibit HCMV. In contrast, DN tumor susceptibility gene-101 (Tsg101DN) did not impact viral replication despite the presence of a PTAP motif within pp150/ppUL32, an essential tegument protein involved in the last steps of viral maturation and release. Either Vps4DN or CHMP1DN blocked viral replication at a step after the accumulation of late viral proteins, suggesting that both are involved in maturation. Both Vps4A and CHMP1A localized in the vicinity of viral cytoplasmic assembly compartments, sites of viral maturation that develop in CMV-infected cells. Thus, ESCRT machinery is involved in the final steps of HCMV replication.
Management of gastrointestinal lymphoma.

Despite numerous effective chemotherapeutic regimens developed to treat non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (NHL), it remains the sixth most common cause of cancerassociated deaths in the United States. Estimates from the American Cancer Society project that about 53,000 new cases of NHL will be diagnosed in the United States in 2002 and approximately half of those afflicted will die of their disease. The incidence of NHL has increased greatly since the early 1980s, in large part from increased HIV disease, though ubiquitous environmental and toxic exposures have also been implicated. NHL is more common in men (M/F ratio 1.5/1). The incidence of NHL in younger white men (ages 18 to 45) has stabilized since 1997 but might be increasing in both women and African Americans. Extranodal lymphoma, or lymphoma arising within solid organs, occurs in up to 40% of all cases. The gastrointestinal (GI) tract is the most frequently involved extranodal site, accounting for up to half of all extranodal cases. Lymphomas can involve any part of the GI tract from oral cavity to rectum. Surgical resection can play an important role in the diagnosis and treatment of NHL involving the GI tract. The surgeon should maintain a high index of suspicion for GI lymphomas and appreciate the critical role surgery might play in obtaining an accurate diagnosis and successfully managing these malignancies. This article reviews GI lymphomas with particular emphasis on the role of surgery as part of a multidisciplinary approach to the diagnosis and management of NHL.
Diazoxide enhances adipose tissue protein kinase B activation and glucose transporter-4 expression in obese Zucker rats.

BACKGROUND Attenuation of hyperinsulinemia in obese Zucker rats by diazoxide (DZ) enhanced insulin sensitivity and insulin-stimulated glucose uptake in isolated adipocytes. To determine if these metabolic effects are due to changes in glucose transporter (Glut)-4 gene products and intracellular signaling, we studied the effects DZ on adipose tissue Glut-4 gene products, insulin receptor substrate (IRS)-1, total and phosphorylated protein kinase B (PKB)/Akt. MATERIAL/METHODS DZ (150 mg/kg per day) or vehicle (control) was administered to 7-week-old female obese and lean Zucker rats for 6 weeks. RESULTS While adipose Glut-4 mRNA levels from control obese and lean rats were similar, Glut-4 protein content was 60% lower in obese than lean animals (p<0.05). DZ treatment increased mRNA in both obese (1.4 fold) and lean (1.7 fold) animals compared to controls (p<0.05), which was associated with a 3.7 fold and a 1.4 fold increase in Glut-4 protein content in DZ obese (p<0.01) and lean (p<0.05) rats, respectively. IRS-1 protein expression was lower in obese compared to lean rats (p<0.01) and was enhanced in DZ-treated obese (p<0.02) and lean (p<0.05) rats. While the PKB/Akt protein levels were similar in both strains, obese had lower p-Akt levels than lean rats (p<0.01). DZ-treated obese and lean rats had higher levels of p-Akt than their controls (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS Chronic suppression of hyperinsulinemia in obese Zucker rats improved intracellular insulin signaling and Glut-4 gene expression, corresponding to enhanced glucose uptake in isolated adipocytes. The discrepancy between adipose tissue Glut-4 mRNA and protein content in response to DZ treatment suggests post-transcriptional regulatory effects resulting from enhanced metabolic efficiency of insulin action.