cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Singular Integral Operators on the Fock Space

It can be shown that the Hilbert transform is unitarily equivalent to the following integral operator on the Fock space F2: $$S_{\varphi} f(z)\,=\,\int_{\mathbb{c}}\, f(w)e^{z\overline{w}} \varphi\, \left(z\, -\, \overline{w}\right)\,d\lambda(w),$$ where \({d\lambda(z)=\pi^{-1}e^{-|z|^2} \,dA(z)}\) is the Gaussian measure and \({\varphi}\) is a certain function in F2. We pose the general problem of characterizing entire functions \({\varphi}\) such that the operator above is bounded on F2.
Influence of oxygen radical injury on DNA methylation

One of the most prevalent products of oxygen radical injury in DNA is 8-hydroxyguanosine. Cells must be able to withstand damage by oxygen radicals and possess specific repair mechanisms that correct this oxidative lesion. However, when these defenses are oversaturated, such as under conditions of high oxidative stress, or when repair is inefficient, the miscoding potential of this lesion can result in mutations in the mammalian genome. In addition to causing genetic changes, active oxygen species can lead to epigenetic alterations in DNA methylation, without changing the DNA base sequence. Such changes in DNA methylation patterns can strongly affect the regulation of expression of many genes. Although DNA methylation patterns have been found to be altered during carcinogenesis, little is known about the mechanism(s) that produce this loss of epigenetic controls of gene expression in tumors. Replacement of guanine with the oxygen radical adduct 8-hydroxyguanine profoundly alters methylation of adjacent cytosines, suggesting a role for oxidative injury in the formation of aberrant DNA methylation patterns during carcinogenesis. In this paper, we review both the genetic and epigenetic mechanisms of oxidative DNA damage and its association with the carcinogenic process, with special emphasis on the influence of free radical injury on DNA methylation.
Thermomechanical compaction of gutta-percha: effect of speed and duration.

Summary. The McSpadden technique of obturating root canals with thermoplasticozed gutta-percha has been used for several years, however the technique has been criticized, among the disadvantages is temperature elevation at the root surface. The objective of this study was to test the hypothesis that the McSpadden technique when used at higher speeds or for longer time than recommended by the manufacturer would result in a temperature rise at the root surface and would also have a determental effect upon linear apical leakage. Niney maxillary incisors were divided ino six groups of 15 teeth whose root canals were prepared and subjected to different filling techniques: 5000 rev/minute for 5 seconds, 10,000 rev/minutee for 5 second, 10,000 rv/minute for 15 minute for 15 seconds, and laterally condensed gutta-percha. Temperatures were measured by suing two J-type thermocouples which were at the surface of each root. A strobe was used to controsl the speed of instrument rotation and a stop-wathch was employed to time each compaction. After obturation the teeth were placed into 1 per cent methylene blue dye for 2 weeks, then the linear extent of dye penetration was measured. Statistical analysis of the data showed that the influence of speed duration of compaction were significant in causing a temperature rise and apical leakage. The results of this study support the hypothesis that the use of the McSpadden technique at a higher speed or for longer duration than recommedned can cause an adverse temperature rise at the root surface and a detrimental effect upon the quality of the apical seal.
Heat shock protein 27 overexpression in breast cancer lymph node metastasis

Background: Heat shock protein 27 (hsp-27) is overexpressed in ∼67% pure ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS), in ∼50% DCIS associated with invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC), and in ∼25% IDC alone. If this decrease in hsp-27 expression has a role in the progression of malignancy in IDC, we postulate a further reduction in expression in nodal metastasis. Methods: To test this hypothesis, we evaluated the distribution of hsp-27 in primary IDC and in synchronous regional lymph node metastasis within the same patient by immunohistochemistry. Results: Nine of 30 primary IDCs (30%) and 22 of 30 lymph node metastases (73%) overexpressed hsp-27. Contrary to our hypothesis, of 21 IDCs with no or low hsp-27 expression, 13 (62%) had overexpression of this protein within nodal metastasis. Conclusions: hsp-27 appears to confer cytoprotection for metastatic cells, which may help explain why hsp-27 overexpression is associated with reduced disease-free survival in breast carcinomas.
Site of Attachment of Retinal in Rhodopsin

On illumination, rhodopsin passes through several unstable intermediates to a final mixture of retinal and opsin. One of these intermediates, metarhodopsin II, can be reduced by sodium borohydride to bind irreversibly the prosthetic group retinal to opsin in secondary amino linkage.
Sustainability and energy development: influences of greenhouse gas emission reduction options on water use in energy production.

Climate change mitigation strategies cannot be evaluated solely in terms of energy cost and greenhouse gas (GHG) mitigation potential. Maintaining GHGs at a 'safe' level will require fundamental change in the way we approach energy production, and a number of environmental, economic, and societal factors will come into play. Water is an essential component of energy production, and water resource constraints (e.g., insufficient supplies and competing ecological and anthropogenic needs) will limit our options for producing energy and for reducing GHG emissions. This study evaluates these potential constraints from a global perspective by revisiting the 'climate wedges' proposal of Pacala and Sokolow [1], and evaluating the potential water impacts of the 'wedges' associated with energy production. Results indicate that there is a range of water impacts, with some options reducing water demand while others increase water demand. Mitigation options that improve energy conversion and end-use efficiency have the greatest potential for reducing water resources impacts. These options provide 'win-win-win' scenarios for reducing GHG emissions, lowering energy costs and reducing water demand. Thet may merit higher priority than alternative options that emphasize deploying new low-carbon energy facilities or modifying existing facilities with energy intensive GHG mitigation technologies to reduce GHG emissions.more » While the latter can reduce GHG emissions, they will typically increase energy costs and water impacts.« less
The biology of Alzheimer's disease

The pathological hallmarks of Alzheimer's disease (AD) are amyloid angiopathy (AA), neutritic plaques (NP), and neurofibrillary tangles (NFT). This article will provide an update on Alzheimer's disease as well as discuss the key elements of a proposed multi-step pathogenic pathway. In an attempt to simplify this complex process, the focus will be on the production of NP/AA and NFT and the mechanisms of disease underlying their formation. In particular, this review will explore the possibility that AD is in part an inflammatory or immunological process, the potential role of oxidative DNA damage from oxygen free radical metabolites, and/or the putative role of excitotoxicity or ischemic neurological injury. Several genes have been identified as causative of AD and the evidence supports multiple mechanisms of disease. Alzheimer's disease may represent a final common pathway of different disease processes.
Differential capacity for translation and lack of competition between mRNAs that segregate to free and membrane-bound polysomes

The Xenopus oocyte was used to study translation, stability and subcellular compartmentation of injected heterologous mRNAs. The capacity of the oocyte to translate a membrane-free mRNA, globin, was not saturable by amounts up to 100 ng injected. In contrast, the ability of the oocyte to translate a membrane-associated mRNA, zein, saturated at 20 ng or less of injected mRNA. The hybridization of RNA from message-injected oocytes to cDNA probes revealed that approximately the same amount of globin and zein mRNAs remained stable and that this fraction was as little as 2.1% at the highest amount injected (80 ng). However, while almost all of the globin mRNA at all concentrations injected was found in a polysome pellet, most of the zein mRNA at saturating concentrations was found in a post-polysomal supernatant. The reason for the limited translation of zein mRNA appears to be due to a paucity of oocyte rough endoplasmic reticulum since the injection of dog pancreas rough endoplasmic reticulum into oocytes previously injected with zein mRNA stimulates zein synthesis. Displacement and competition experiments between four different mRNAs indicate that injected messages are distributed to two translational compartments, membrane-bound and free, and that this occurs either prior to the initiation of translation or involves message-specific factors.
Single-Isocenter Frameless Volumetric Modulated Arc Radiosurgery for Multiple Intracranial Metastases.

Background Stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) is a well-accepted treatment for patients with intracranial metastases, but outcomes with volumetric modulated arc radiosurgery (VMAR) are poorly described. Objective To report our initial clinical experience applying a novel single-isocenter technique to frameless VMAR for simultaneous treatment of multiple intracranial metastases. Methods We performed a retrospective analysis of 15 patients undergoing frameless VMAR for multiple intracranial metastases using a single, centrally located isocenter in the period 2009 and 2011. Of these, 3 patients were treated for progressive or recurrent intracranial disease. A total of 62 metastases (median, 3 per patient; range, 2-13) were treated to a median dose of 20 Gy (range, 15-30 Gy). Three patients were treated with fractionated SRS. Follow-up including clinical examination and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) occurred every 3 months. Results The median follow-up for all patients was 7.1 months (range, 1.1-24.3), with 11 patients (73.3%) followed until death. For the remaining 4 patients alive at the time of analysis, the median follow-up was 19.6 months (range, 9.2-24.3). Local control at 6 and 12 months was 91.7% (95% confidence interval [CI], 84.6%-100.0%) and 81.5% (95% CI, 67.9%-100.0%), respectively. Regional failure was observed in 9 patients (60.0%), and 7 patients (46.7%) received salvage therapy. Overall survival at 6 months was 60.0% (95% CI, 40.3%-88.2%). Grade 3 or higher treatment-related toxicity was not observed. The median total treatment time was 7.2 minutes (range, 2.8-13.2 minutes). Conclusion Single-isocenter, frameless VMAR for multiple intracranial metastases is a promising technique that may provide similar clinical outcomes compared with conventional radiosurgery.
The paranasal sinuses as a protective crumple zone for the orbit

Objectives/Hypothesis: The purpose of this study is to test the theory that the paranasal sinuses serve a protective function for the central nervous system and special sensory organs. Study Design: Nonrandomized experimental trauma study with fresh human cadavers. Methods: Fresh human cadaver heads were obtained and the sinuses on one side underwent endoscopic endonasal sinus surgery and were then filled with radio-opaque bone cement to obliterate them. The contralateral sinuses were not operated upon to allow both for comparison to the experimental side and to serve as an intraspecimen control. The cadavers underwent serial computed tomography (CT) scans. Scans were performed prior to surgery, after surgery, and after unilateral sinus obliteration to obtain baseline CT studies prior to any impact testing. Sequential drops of increasing energy were then performed directing the impacts onto the globes. Initial endpoints were either orbital fractures or ocular injury. Trauma was induced by impacting a weighted rod onto the globes using a guided drop technique. Orbital rim impact was avoided, so that the effect of direct globe trauma could be assessed; fractures were thus induced via the hydraulic mechanism, in which force is transmitted through the globe to the surrounding tissues and orbital walls. After initial injury endpoints were met, additional impact testing was performed on globes, in which fractures occurred with lower drop forces to ensure impact energy equivalence between the control and the experimental sides. Results: All the experimentally obliterated paranasal sinus orbits tested suffered trauma-induced globe ruptures, and no orbital wall fractures were encountered. On the control sides, no globe ruptures occurred at either an equivalent or higher energy than the energy needed to induce globe ruptures on the experimental side orbits, although orbital floor fractures on the control sides occurred after lower energy impacts in some cases. Conclusions: This study demonstrates that the thin orbital floor fractures preferentially, thereby protecting the globe from rupture as a result of the directed trauma. When the sinus crumple zones were eliminated, globe ruptures occurred. Laryngoscope, 2009
Thermodynamic limits of extractable energy by pressure retarded osmosis

Salinity gradient energy, which is released upon mixing two solutions of different concentrations, is considered to be a promising source of sustainable power. Of the methods available to harvest the salinity gradient energy, pressure retarded osmosis (PRO) has been one of the most widely investigated processes. In this study, we identify the thermodynamic limits of the PRO process by evaluating the obtainable specific energy, or extractable energy per total volume of the mixed solutions. Three distinct operation modes are analyzed: an ideal case for a reversible process, and constant-pressure operations with either co-current or counter-current flow in a membrane module. For module-scale operation, counter-current flow mode is shown to be more efficient than co-current flow mode. Additionally, two distinct thermodynamically limiting operation regimes are identified in counter-current flow mode—the draw limiting regime and the feed limiting regime. We derive analytical expressions to quantify the maximum specific energy extractable and the corresponding optimal feed flow rate fraction and applied pressure for each operation mode. Using the analytical expressions, we determine that maximum extractable energy in constant-pressure PRO with seawater (0.6 M NaCl) as a draw solution and river water (0.015 M NaCl) as a feed solution is 0.192 kW h per cubic meter of mixed solution (75% of the maximum specific Gibbs free energy of mixing). Considering that this is the theoretical upper bound of extractable energy by the PRO process, we discuss further efficiency losses and energy requirements (e.g., pretreatment and pumping) that may render it difficult to extract a sizable net specific energy from a seawater and river water solution pairing. We analyze alternative source waters that provide a higher salinity difference and hence greater extractable specific energy, such as reverse osmosis brine paired with treated wastewater effluent, which allow for a more immediately viable PRO process.
Interpair energy transfer and donor-acceptor dipairs

Abstract The thermoluminescence and related properties of ZnS:Cu, In single crystals are described. The red thermoluminescence which is not accompanied by thermally-stimulated conductivity is interpreted as phonon-assisted energy transfer from distant donor-acceptor pairs to associated pairs. The spectral shifts and structure in the red thermoluminescence are attributed to transfer to different associated pairs. The model for the complete system can be described as a dipair. The theory of square planar dipairs is reviewed, and then the trapezoidal dipairs which are believed responsible for the thermoluminescence are considered. The statistical distribution of the trapezoidal dipairs is evaluated approximately, and their electronic energy levels determined. Several mechanisms of transfer are analyzed. From theoretical analyses we tentatively conclude that the most probable mechanism involves thermally-populating excited states of the distant pair followed by sequential tunneling of the electron and hole to the associated pair where radiative recombination occurs. Although the model and mechanisms have not been proven and require further experimental tests and rigorous analyses, they do provide from elementary analyses at least semiquantitative explanations of the thermoluminescent and related properties of ZnS:Cu, In crystals.
Star Counts Redivivus. IV. Density Laws through Photometric Parallaxes

In an effort to more precisely define the spatial distribution of Galactic field stars, we present an analysis of the photometric parallaxes of stars in seven Kapteyn selected areas. Our photometry database covers ~14.9 deg2 and contains over 130,000 stars, of which approximately 70,000 are in a color range (0.4 ? R-I ? 1.5) for which relatively unambiguous photometric parallaxes can be derived. We discuss our photometry pipeline, our method of determining photometric parallaxes, and our analysis efforts. We also address the affects of Malmquist bias, subgiant/giant contamination, metallicity, and binary stars upon the derived density laws. The affect of binary stars is the most significant of these biases?a binary star fraction of 50% could result in derived scale heights that are 80% of the actual values. We find that while the disklike populations of the Milky Way are easily constrained in a simultaneous analysis of all seven fields, no good simultaneous solution for the halo is found. We have applied halo density laws taken from other studies and find that the Besan?on flattened power-law halo model (c/a = 0.6,? r-2.75) produces the best fit to our data. With this halo, the thick disk has a scale height of 750 pc with an 8.5% normalization to the old disk. The old-disk scale height is ~280-300 pc for our early-type (5.8 ? MR < 6.8) dwarfs and rises to ~ 350 pc for our late-type (8.8 ? MR ? 10.2) dwarf stars. Corrected for a binary fraction of 50%, these scale heights are 940 and 350-375 pc, respectively. Even with this model, there are systematic discrepancies between the observed and predicted density distributions?discrepancies apparent only at the faint magnitudes reached by our survey. Specifically, our model produces density overpredictions in the inner Galaxy and density underpredictions in the outer Galaxy. A possible escape from this dilemma is offered by modeling the stellar halo as a two-component system, as favored by studies of blue horizontal branch/RR Lyrae stars and recent analyses of the kinematics of metal-poor stars. In this paradigm, the halo has a flattened inner distribution and a roughly spherical but substructured outer distribution. Further reconciliation could be provided by a flared thick disk, a structure consistent with a merger origin for that population.
Galicismos en un dialecto español de Luisiana (Parroquias de Sabine y Natchitoches)

The Spanish-American dialect still spoken around certain hamlets in Sabine and Natchitoches Parishes in Northwestern Louisiana has, until recently, been neglected by dialectologists. This is an archaic and isolated Mexican dialect, in danger of immediate extinction. After outlining the history of these communities, which go back to the first third of the 18th century, the limited number of French loan words (a total of 15) absorbed by the dialect are studied. The semantic categories represented give us a glimpse of the contacts between French and Spanish-speakers on the 18th-century frontier between Louisiana and Texas.
Lymphoproliferative disease of granular lymphocytes

We report a case of lymphoproliferative disease of granular lymphocytes that was associated with cutaneous manifestations. Marker studies of skin and blood in this patient revealed that the circulating and infiltrating cells were negative for CD3 and T-cell antigen receptor but were positive for CD16, CD56, and CD57, suggesting natural killer cell origin. The patient had a rapidly progressive course and died within 1 month of presentation.
Flow in the Simplified Draft Tube of a Francis Turbine Operating at Partial Load—Part I: Simulation of the Vortex Rope

Numerical simulations and analysis of the vortex rope formation in a simplified draft tube of a model Francis turbine are carried out in this paper, which is the first part of a two-paper series. The emphasis of this part is on the simulation and investigation of flow using different turbulence closure models. Two part-load operating conditions with same head and different flow rates (91% and 70% of the best efficiency point (BEP) flow rate) are considered. Steady and unsteady simulations are carried out for axisymmetric and three-dimensional grid in a simplified axisymmetric geometry, and results are compared with experimental data. It is seen that steady simulations with Reynolds-averaged Navier–Stokes (RANS) models cannot resolve the vortex rope and give identical symmetric results for both the axisymmetric and three-dimensional flow geometries. These RANS simulations underpredict the axial velocity (by at least 14%) and turbulent kinetic energy (by at least 40%) near the center of the draft tube, even quite close to the design condition. Moving farther from the design point, models fail in predicting the correct levels of the axial velocity in the draft tube. Unsteady simulations are performed using unsteady RANS (URANS) and detached eddy simulation (DES) turbulence closure approaches. URANS models cannot capture the self-induced unsteadiness of the vortex rope and give steady solutions while DES model gives sufficient unsteady results. Using the proper unsteady model, i.e., DES, the overall shape of the vortex rope is correctly predicted and the calculated vortex rope frequency differs only 6% from experimental data. It is confirmed that the vortex rope is formed due to the roll-up of the shear layer at the interface between the low-velocity inner region created by the wake of the crown cone and highly swirling outer flow.
The influence of college students' shopping orientations and gender differences on online information searches and purchase behaviours

Using the data collected from a survey of 1277 US college students, this study investigated college students' shopping orientations, and examined the relationships between their shopping orientations and searches for information about and purchases of apparel products online and the differences between male and female students in their shopping orientations, online information searches and purchase experiences. Seven shopping orientation constructs were identified: shopping enjoyment, brand/fashion consciousness, price consciousness, shopping confidence, convenience/time consciousness, in-home shopping tendency and brand/store loyalty. Results showed that participants' shopping orientations were significantly related to their searches for information about and purchases of apparel items online. In addition, male and female participants showed significant differences in their shopping orientations, online information searches and purchase experiences. This study provided suggestions for apparel e-tailors to develop effective marketing strategies to reach their target market, for consumer educators and for educators in the retail merchandizing area to prepare their students for future careers.
Automated Cloud Classification of Global AVHRR Data Using a Fuzzy Logic Approach

Abstract A fuzzy logic classification (FLC) methodology is proposed to achieve the two goals of this paper: 1) to discriminate between clear sky and clouds in a 32 × 32 pixel array, or sample, of 1.1-km Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer (AVHRR) data, and 2) if clouds are present, to discriminate between single-layered and multilayered clouds within the sample. To achieve these goals, eight FLC modules are derived that are based broadly on airmass type and surface type (land or water): equatorial over land, marine tropical over land, marine tropical/equatorial over water, continental tropical over land, marine polar over land, marine polar over water, continental polar over land, and continental polar/arctic over water. Derivation of airmass type is performed using gridded analyses provided by the National Centers for Environmental Prediction. The training and testing data used by the FLC are collected from more than 150 daytime AVHRR local area coverage scenes recorded between 1991 and 1994 over al...
What Motivates American Consumers to Choose Domestic Over Foreign Products: An Explanation Based on Helping Behavior

The success of imported products in the United States has brought the loss of jobs for many American workers. Consequently, labor unions and other groups have urged American consumers to “Buy American.” In essence, purchase of domestic products for the purpose of supporting American industry and its workers is a form of helping behavior. This study uses nine constructs taken from the behavioral literature involving helping behavior to provide an explanation for consumers’ Willingness to Help threatened American workers: Salience, Social Concern, Deservingness, Group Identity, Perceived Equity, Similarity, Empathy, Responsibility, and Benefits. A quota sample of consumers provided the survey data. Each construct was measured by multi-item scales using a 6-point LIkert format. The first analysis regressed Willingness to Help on the nine helping constructs. The second analysis initially formed five clusters on the basis of the six Willingness to Help items, and then used the nine helping constructs in a descriptive discriminant analysis.
An Ultrasound-Driven Kinematic Model for Deformation of the Infarcted Mouse Left Ventricle Incorporating a Near-Incompressibility Constraint

Abstract Mathematical models of varying complexity have proved useful in fitting and interpreting regional cardiac displacements obtained from imaging methods such as ultrasound speckle tracking or MRI tagging. Simpler models, such as the classic thick-walled cylinder model of the left ventricle (LV), can be solved quickly and are easy to implement, but they ignore regional geometric variations and are difficult to adapt to the study of regional pathologies like myocardial infarctions. Complex, anatomically accurate finite-element models work well, but are computationally intensive and require specialized expertise to implement. We developed a kinematic model that offers a compromise between these two traditional approaches, assuming only that displacements in the left ventricle are polynomial functions of initial position and that the myocardium is nearly incompressible, while allowing myocardial motion to vary spatially as would be expected in an ischemic or dyssynchronous LV. Model parameters were determined using an objective function with adjustable weights to account for confidence in individual displacement components and desired strength of the incompressibility constraint. The model accurately represented the motion of both normal and infarcted mouse LVs during the cardiac cycle, with normalized root mean square errors in predicted deformed positions of 8.2 ± 2.3% and 7.4 ± 2.1% for normal and infarcted hearts, respectively.
Cerebral autoregulation in children during sevoflurane anaesthesia

Introduction Little is known about cerebral autoregulation in children. The aim of this study was to examine cerebral autoregulation in children. Methods Cerebral autoregulation testing was performed during less than 1 MAC sevoflurane anaesthesia in children (from 6 months to 14 yr) and in adults (18–41 yr). Mean middle cerebral artery flow velocities ( V MCA ) were measured using transcranial Doppler ultrasonography. Mean arterial pressure (MAP) was increased to whichever was greater: 20% above baseline or (i) 80 mm Hg for less than 9 yr, (ii) 90 mm Hg for 9–14 yr, and (iii) 100 mm Hg for adults. Cerebral autoregulation was considered intact if the autoregulatory index was ≥0.4. Results There were 13 subjects less than 2 yr old (Group 1), 13 subjects 2–5 yr (Group II), 14 subjects 6–9 yr (Group III), 12 subjects 10–14 yr (Group IV), and 12 adults (Group V; control group). All subjects had an autoregulatory index ≥0.4. There was no difference in autoregulatory index between children in Groups I–IV or between children and adults. Discussion We found no age-related differences in autoregulatory capacity during low-dose sevoflurane anaesthesia. We report no differences in autoregulatory capacity between children and adults. Br J Anaesth 2003; 90 : 636–41
Myocardial elastography—a feasibility study in vivo

Early detection of cardiovascular diseases has been a very active research area in the medical imaging field. Assessment of the local and global mechanical functions is one of the major goals of accurate diagnosis. In this study, we investigated the feasibility of elastography for estimation and imaging of the local cardiac muscle displacement and strain in a human heart in vivo. In its noninvasive applications, elastography has been typically used to determine local tissue strain through the use of externally applied compression. For our study, we utilized the cardiac muscle motion during a cardiac cycle as the mechanical stimulus, and acquired successive radiofrequency (RF) data frames of the septal and posterior walls over a few cardiac cycles in parasternal and apical views, respectively. High-quality cine-loop elastograms were obtained due to high frame rates and the resulting low decorrelation noise. Furthermore, the strain contrast was higher in the parasternal case, when only the posterior wall was imaged, and strain estimation was more robust in the apical view. High repeatability of the results was observed through elastographic measurements over several cardiac cycles. Finally, an M-mode version of elastography was used to follow part of the interventricular septum or the posterior wall over the course of two cardiac cycles. Not only do these preliminary results show that elastography is feasible in cardiac applications in vivo, but also that it can provide new information regarding cardiac motion and mechanical function. Future prospects include assessment of the role of elastography in detection of ischemia and infarction.
Characterization of an Aedes aegypti bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC) library and chromosomal assignment of BAC clones for physical mapping quantitative trait loci that influence Plasmodium susceptibility.

Previous studies have confirmed a genetic basis for susceptibility of mosquitoes to Plasmodium parasites. Here we describe our efforts to characterize a bacterial artificial chromosome genomic library for the yellow fever mosquito, Aedes aegypti , and to identify BAC clones containing genetic markers that define quantitative trait loci (QTL) for Plasmodium gallinaceum susceptibility. This library (NDL) was prepared from the Ae. aegypti Liverpool strain and consists of 50 304 clones arrayed in 384-well microplates. We used PCR analysis with oligonucleotide primer pairs specific to 106 genetic markers (as sequence-tagged sites or STS) to screen the NDL library. Each STS identified between one and thirteen independent clones with an average of 3.3 clones. The average insert size was 122 kb and therefore the NDL library provides approximately 7.87-fold genome coverage. The availability of the NDL library should greatly facilitate physical mapping efforts, including positional cloning of QTL for traits of interest such as Plasmodium susceptibility and for whole genome sequence determination and assembly.
Interseismic locking on the Hikurangi subduction zone: Uncertainties from slow‐slip events

Interseismic locking on the Hikurangi subduction zone in New Zealand is examined in light of alternative assumed locking distributions and the impact of transients (slow-slip and volcanic sources) on temporal and spatial resolution. The modern pattern of locking in the north is poorly resolved and, based on simulations of possible transient behavior, may be an ephemeral feature of the subduction cycle. While there appears to be some contemporary locking in the northern half of the Hikurangi subduction zone (HSZ), its location is model dependent, and hence, its relationship to structure, slow-slip, or any transition zone there is unclear. Simulations of site velocities using the 14 year history of transient events reveal that in the timescale of the interseismic period the northern half of the HSZ could be either locked or unlocked, and this may not be resolvable for decades. In the southern half, there is strong contemporary locking in the 15 to 40 km depth range, but again, the slow-slip history leads to uncertainty in the long-term pattern. Slow-slip events not only reduce the long-term locking by aseismic slip but also greatly hinder our ability to see it. It is within the range of possible models that the slip deficit rate at the HSZ is more uniform along strike, and the modern appearance is controlled by the particular pattern of transients over the past 10 to 20 years when the GPS data were collected. Similarly, uncertainties in surface velocities will be large at any subduction zone with large transients.
Growing Pains: How Psychologists Can Help to Meet the Clinical Needs of Clients with Autism Spectrum Disorders.

Abstract The pervasiveness and the prevalence of the autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are now much more recognized than in years past. The treatment needs of higher functioning people with ASD unfortunately often go unmet, and there is tremendous potential for psychologists to help meet these needs. The four articles in this special series provide current, best practice reviews and recommendations for practicing psychologists who work in this area. They highlight commonalities that cut across ASD and other clinical populations, and offer considerations that are unique to working with clients who have ASD. This commentary emphasizes the need for clinicians and applied psychological scientists to consider some of these issues in their own work.
Analysis and Efficient Architecture Design for VC-1 Overlap Smoothing and In-Loop Deblocking Filter

In contrast to the macroblock-based in-loop deblocking filters, the filters of VC-1 perform all horizontal edges (for in-loop filtering) or vertical edges (for overlap smoothing) first and then the vertical edges (for in-loop filtering) or horizontal edges (for overlap smoothing) within a frame, field, or slice. These two filters of VC-1 perform filtering operations on many edges among reconstructed blocks in different processing orders. The entire procedure is very time-consuming and involves high memory access loading for the whole system. This paper analyzes the behavior of VC-1 filters and presents several efficient methods and an integrated architecture design, which involves an overlapped 12times12 block that combines overlap smoothing with in-loop filtering for performance and cost by sharing circuits and system resources. In order to go a step further to efficiently utilize system resources, this paper also presents two other efficient methods, multiple processing order and modified chrominance processing order, which greatly reduce external memory cycles and on-chip memory size for filtered and temporal reconstructed pixels. The specification of the proposed architecture implemented with TSMC 90-nm multithreshold voltage technique has capability to process HDTV1080p 30-fps video and HDTV 2048 t 1536 24-fps video at 200 MHz. The same concept is applicable to other video processing algorithms, especially in deblocking filter for video post-processing in a frame-based order.
Culminating a CS Undergraduate Program with a High Integrity Software Course

Many programs have developed capstone courses as a way of providing students a culminating experience. These capstone experiences tend to be large scale projects solving some real problem for an internal or external client. These courses are usually well received by the students. But by focusing on a real-world need, various aspects of the curriculum may not be integrated into the solution. This paper describes some experiences with using the SPARK language in a high integrity software course. It then shows how such a course can link almost every aspect of a computer science undergraduate curriculum into a single culminating course.
Black-White Differences in Kin Contact and Exchange Among Never Married Adults:

This research uses the National Survey of Families and Households to explore Black-White differences in kin contact and exchange among unmarried young adults. Many significant differences between Blacks and Whites are found in both the descriptive statistics and in regression models that control for education, employment, and area of residence. This article also investigates the role of premarital fertility in race differences for women. Unmarried Black men and women are more likely than Whites to be living with relatives, especially nonnuclear relatives. In addition, Black women contact mothers and siblings and socialize with relatives more often than White women. However, Blacks are less likely to exchange aid with any relative, although they are more likely to exchange aid with relatives other than their parents.
AACR special meeting in cancer research: colon cancer--genetics to prevention

The American Association for Cancer Research meeting “Colon Cancer: Genetics to Prevention” was held in Philadelphia, March 7–10, 2002. This American Association for Cancer Research Special Conference in Cancer Research was organized and chaired by Dr. Anil K. Rustgi from the University of
Effect of introduced Euphorbia esula on the pollination of Viola pedatifida.

Introduced plants may compete for pollination with native plants, resulting in reduced fruit or seed set. In this study, I use several techniques to assess whether the invasive plant Euphorbia esul...
Immunoregulation of Carcinogenesis: Past, Present, and Future1

Twenty years ago the concept that immunological mechanisms might regulate carcinogenesis was highly controversial. Today this concept survives in modified form and continues to evolve as our knowledge of the immune system, the etiology of cancer, and tumor antigens expands. This review illustrates how our ideas about immune surveillance have changed in recent years and considers the significance of these changes for the future directions of cancer immunobiology.
Antacid-Induced Rickets in Infancy

A 3-month-old premature infant presented with a “soft skull.” Clinical and radiologic findings confirmed the diagnosis of rickets. Biochemistry revealed normal serum parathyroid hormone (PTH) and undetectable urine phosphate. These findings combined with a history of 5-6 weeks' treatment with high-dose aluminum-rich antacid established the diagnosis of antacidinduced rickets. Discontinuation of the medicine combined with phosphate and vitamin D supplementation resulted in quick resolution of all clinical, radiologic, and biochemical abnormalities. Our patient demonstrates that in premature infants antacid-induced rickets can develop within a few weeks; normal serum PTH concentration and hypophosphaturia are highly indicative of the diagnosis, and contrary to the situation in adults in whom hypercalciuria has been often described, in infants hypocalciuria is more commonly observed. Pediatricians should avoid or minimize the use of aluminum-containing antacids, and when used, carefully monitor mineral metab...
The ADO.NET entity framework: making the conceptual level real

This paper describes the ADO.NET Entity Framework, a platform for programming against data that raises the level of abstraction from the logical (relational) level to the conceptual (entity) level, and thereby significantly reduces the impedance mismatch for applications and data services such as reporting, analysis, and replication. The conceptual data model is made real by a runtime that implements an extended relational model (the Entity Data Model aka the EDM), that embraces entities and relationships as first class concepts; a query language for the EDM; a comprehensive mapping engine that translates from the conceptual to the logical (relational) level, and a set of model-driven tools that help create entity-object, object-xml, and entity-xml transformers.
A Review of: Perloff, R. M. (2003). “The Dynamics of Persuasion: Communication and Attitudes in the 21st Century (2nd ed.)”

One might initially wonder, as I did, why review a book primarily devoted to the study and practice of persuasion for a journal devoted to the scholarship and current issues of health communication...
“You Might Want to Call Your Father”: An Autoethnographic Account of Masculinity, Relationships, and My Father

ABSTRACTAutoethnographic scholarship interrogating father–son relationships and masculinity adds to our understanding of father–son relationships through the critique of dominant models of fathering that may harm intimacy. This autoethnography explores one turning point that occurred between the author and his father when they experienced the death of a mutual friend. This event became the catalyst in the relationship, which the author illustrates through narrative vignettes to show the struggles that exist, and highlights a view on father–son relationships and masculinities that challenges masculine norms in order to (re)create a valued relationship. The goal of this narrative is to offer an opportunity for others to reflect on identity, relationships, and masculinities in their own experiences and relationships.
Testing for Homoscedasticity

The problem statisticians have, when confronted with several populations with different variances, range from problems solved merely by a minor adjustment to problems for which no satisfactory solution exists. Many statistical procedures, based on the assumption of homoscedasticity of the populations under study, are highly sensitive to deviations of the population variances from equality. It is therefore critical to learn how to test for homoscedasticity. That is the goal of this chapter. But it may not be as critical to learn the appropriate modifications to each and every statistical procedure in the face of heteroscedasticity. It may be more worthwhile to learn portmanteau techniques, good for all occasions, for transforming the various population data sets into homoscedastic ones. That we shall do in the chapter on transformations.
Anaesthesia of Honeybees by Smoke from the Pyrolysis of Puffballs and Keratin

SummaryAnaesthesia of honeybees by smoke from burning African puffball Langermannia wahlbergi Lycoperdales: Lycoperdaceae is due in part to hydrogen sulphide, one of the products of pyrolysis, though hydrogen cyanide and other unidentified substances may act along with the hydrogen sulphide. Hydrogen sulphide is also produced during the pyrolysis of human hair and was shown to be the principal agent responsible for the anaesthesia of honeybees. Preliminary studies using human hair or chicken feathers as a source of smoke indicate that its use to anaesthetize bees does not shorten their lives.Properly used, human hair or chicken feathers might enable tropical African beekeepers to anaesthetize their bees when harvesting honey.
The almond as a source of the A vitamin

Investigations by Cajori have shown that the almond furnishes proteins adequate for growth, reproduction, and the suckling of young, and the B vitamin in liberal amounts.2 Coward and Drummond have reported an experiment on three rats, of fourteen days' duration, in which one gram per day of almond was added to a basal ration devoid of the A vitamin, which indicates that this amount of nut does not furnish a sufficient supply of A vitamin for growth of albino rats,3 but so limited an experiment is hardly to be regarded as conclusive, especially in view of the fact that the animals did not eat the almond very readily.In the present investigation, attempts were first made to feed a diet of ground unblanched almonds, supplemented by a suitable salt mixture and a little starch, the almonds constituting 81 per cent. of the diet by weight. The records of daily food intake show that this diet was eaten in about the same amounts as the control diet, and the average calorie intake was higher than for the control di...
NI-07MAGNETIC RESONANCE FINGERPRINTING OF BRAIN TUMORS: INITIAL CLINICAL RESULTS

BACKGROUND: Current MR imaging allows primarily qualitative distinctions between the signal intensities of various T1 or T2 weighted imaging paradigms. Magnetic Resonance Fingerprinting (MRF) represents a novel framework for simultaneous, and precise quantitation of multiple MR tissue properties. Here we assess the capability of MRF based T1 and T2 relaxometry to evaluate different types of intra-axial brain tumors. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 20 patients including 10 glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), 5 oligodendrogliomas (OG) and 5 metastases (METS) were scanned using a MRF protocol. Imaging was acquired through representative areas of brain and quantitative T1 and T2 maps were generated. T1 and T2 quantification of solid tumor component, immediate perilesional white matter (PWM) within 1 cm of enhancing margin, and contralateral white matter (CWM) was performed using ROI analysis. Student's t-test was used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: Solid tumor T1, T2 were distinct from T1, T2 of CWM (n = 20, p < 0.001). There were differences between T1, T2 of PWM of GBMs and METS as compared to their CWM (n = 15, p < 0.001, p < 0.001). Also, there were differences between the T1, T2 of both the solid and PWM regions of GBMs and METS (p < 0.01;p < 0.05 respectively). T2 relaxometry revealed difference between GBMs and OGs (p < 0.02). CONCLUSIONS: MRF can simultaneously measure T1, T2 values of brain tumors and surrounding tissues distinguishing various tumor types and their associated PWM changes from CWM with high statistical significance. Preliminary data supports using MRF to identify regions of infiltrative edema in GBM, and differentiation of tumor types and grades. Statement of Clinical Relevance: Our preliminary data suggests MRF may have a role in non-invasively distinguishing various types intracranial masses, delineate tumor margins, and possibly characterize therapeutic response.
Reaction Network Elucidation: Interpreting Delplots for Mixed Generation Products

The upgrading and conversion reactions of coal and biomass can involve complex reaction networks involving products formed in several generations from the reactants. The appearance of these “mixed rank” products in the Delplot method for reaction network analysis is examined. Guidelines are developed for the interpretation of network-oriented experimental results intended to resolve such reaction networks.
"An 18-Years Longitudinal Study of Work Demands, Health, Job Satisfaction and Turnover among Nurses"

Health care professionals are employed in a complex, stressful, and sometimes hazardous work environment. Studies on the health of health care professionals tend to estimate the effects of short-te...
Percutaneous palliation of unresectable pancreatic cancer.

Patients with unresectable pancreatic cancer that produces biliary obstruction are treated optimally with endoscopically placed endoprostheses. Percutaneous biliary drainage is another effectiveform of palliation, and is indicated when endoscopic palliation is unsuccessful or not available. Expandable metal prostheses placed pel-cutaneously are an effective method of palliating patients with pancreatic cancer and common bile duct obstruction.Internal-external biliary drainage catheters also are effective and are preferable with hilar rather than common bile duct obstruction.