cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Surgical adjuvant therapy of malignant melanoma with corynebacterium parvum.

The authors' previous surgical adjuvant trial in patients with malignant melanoma at high risk of recurrence has shown no difference in disease-free interval or survival between patients randomized to surgery + BCG or surgery alone. Reported here is a subsequent nonrandomized trial in 30 similar patients who received surgery + Corynebacterium parvum (CP) 4 mg I.V. daily x 5, followed by 4 mg S.C. weekly for up to three years. After I.V. C. parvum, chills, fever, headache, and hypertension were common. After S.C. C. parvum, varying degrees of local induration, erythema, and pain were experienced. Dose reduction was necessary for 14 patients during I.V. treatment and for six patients during S.C. treatment. A marked decrease in absolute lymphocyte count and a decreased proliferative response of lymphocytes to common antigens in vitro was observed after 2-3 days of I.V. C. parvum. Lymphocyte reactivity to mitogens decreased, particularly with Con A. Marked increase in nitroblue tetrazolium reduction by granulocytes was seen in 20 patients. Although changes in delayed cutaneous hypersensitivity reactions to recall antigens followed no consistent pattern, reactivity to DNCB increased in 18 patients. In addition, median time to recurrence was 33 weeks, significantly shorter than in the previous trial, but the survival distribution was no different from before. It can be concluded, therefore, that the administration of C. parvum in this dose and schedule had essentially no effect on the outcome of these patients.
Current Readings: Radiologic Interpretation of the Part-Solid Nodule: Clinical Relevance and Novel Technologies

Persistent subsolid nodules, part-solid or pure ground-glass attenuation, are associated with primary lung adenocarcinoma, recently redefined by the International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer-American Thoracic Society-European Respiratory Society in 2011 and include newly categorized entities of adenocarcinoma in situ, minimally invasive adenocarcinoma, and lepidic-predominant adenocarcinoma. Awareness of the relationship of the subsolid nodule with adenocarcinoma has emerged in the era of high-resolution multidetector computed tomography (CT). This article highlights the role of noninvasive CT for subsolid nodules with an emphasis on the potential for quantitative measures to predict adenocarcinoma subtypes and their longitudinal behavior. Of particular importance is the knowledge that an increase in solid components on CT is an indication of progression. Continued experience in evaluating quantitative measures in combination with morphologic features, including margin contour, internal architecture, and nodule size, will further aid in guiding crucial decisions pertaining to the use of CT surveillance vs more invasive approaches including biopsy and surgical resection.
Impaired initiation complex formation on ribosomes treated with colicin E3.

Abstract Ribosomes treated with colicin E3 are impaired, when tested with phage R17RNA as messenger, in amino acid incorporation, binding of fMet-tRNA, and formation of fMet-puromycin. Studies with subunits showed that formation of the 30S initiation complex is inhibited. The results are consistent with the recent findings that the “E3-fragment” (3′ end of 16S RNA) binds to 30S protein S1, and that both are involved in initiation on natural messenger.
Automated Portal Placement for Arthroscopic Hip Surgery

Placing portal incisions during arthroscopic hip surgery presents challenges for surgeons in terms of anatomic accessibility and patient safety. Based on key anatomic landmarks and portal placement information from recent literature, suggested portal incisions were determined. Guidance in the placement of the three most common portal incision locations (anterior, anterolateral, and posterolateral) for arthroscopic surgery; in addition to visual feedback on tool trajectory to the hip joint is provided in real time by a computer aided system for hip arthroscopy. By simplifying the portal placement process, one of the most challenging aspects of arthroscopic hip surgery, an increased use of this minimally invasive technique could be possible. In addition to portal information, improvements to an existing computer aided system for arthroscopic hip surgery, including a new hip model and redesigned mechanical tracking linkage, were completed.
Genomic organization, expression profile, and characterization of the new protein PRA1 domain family, member 2 (PRAF2).

Abstract PRA1 domain family, member 2 (PRAF2) is a new 19 kDa protein with four putative transmembrane (TM) domains. PRAF2 (formerly designated JM4) belongs to a new protein family, which plays a role in the regulation of intracellular protein transport. Recently, PRAF2 was found to interact with the chemokine receptor CCR5 [Schweneker, M., Bachmann, A.S., Moelling, K., 2005. JM4 is a four-transmembrane protein binding to the CCR5 receptor. FEBS Lett. 579, 1751–1758]. In order to further study the function and regulation of PRAF2, we determined its genomic structure and its protein expression pattern in normal and cancerous human tissues. PRAF2 encodes a 178-residue protein, whose sequence is related to PRAF1 (PRA1/prenylin) and PRAF3 (JWA/GTRAP3–18). The human PRAF2 gene contains three exons separated by two introns and is located on human chromosome Xp11.23. The recombinant PRAF2 protein was readily expressed in Schneider 2 (S2) insect cells, and the native protein was detected in human tissues with strong expression in the brain, small intestine, lung, spleen, and pancreas. The protein was undetectable in tissue of the testes. Strong PRAF2 protein expression was also found in human tumor tissues of the breast, colon, lung, and ovary, with a weaker staining pattern in normal tissues of the same patient. Our studies show for the first time that the CCR5-interacting PRAF2 protein is expressed in several human tissues with a possible function in ER/Golgi transport and vesicular traffic.
The coexistence of species La coexistencia de especies

Este articulo es una sintesis critica de la literatura sobre la coexistencia de especies similares en comunidades ecologicas. Se propone una estructura conceptual para dividir los estudios y conceptos sobre la coexistencia a tres escalas distintas de tiempo. Las primeras seis secciones se refieren principalmente a la coexistencia a una meso-escala, o escala ecologica, definida como coexistencia en el sentido clasico del principio de exclusion competitiva, y el modelo Lotka-Volterra, en el cual las poblaciones han interactuado por un tiempo suficiente para llegar a un equilibrio. Las primeras cuatro secciones revisan brevemente los estudios de division de recursos y los modelos de coexistencia en la literatura teorica, y discuten las contribuciones relativas de, y la interaccion entre los enfoques empiricos y teoricos al estudio de la coexistencia en una meso-escala. En las proximas dos secciones, se considera la importancia de compromisos biologicos y la competencia en la estructuracion de comunidades ecologicas. Considerando la fuerte evidencia que presentan ambos bandos del debate sobre la competencia, se propone una organizacion conceptual de la estructura comunitaria en la cual los efectos de la competencia son importantes pero incompletos. La proxima seccion examina la coexistencia a una escala temporal mas fina tal como se ha incorporado en los modelos de seleccion de habitat. A esta escala, la dinamica de las interacciones refleja el comportamiento de organismos individuales. Se discute la relacion entre la coexistencia a este nivel y la coexistencia a la meso-escala. Finalmente, se explora un nivel de escala mas amplio de coexistencia, en el cual las suposiciones de nichos, habitats, y especies fijos son relajadas. Esta parte enlaza la literatura sobre la diversidad global y evolutiva de especies con la coexistencia ecologica a la meso-escala dentro de comunidades especificas. El estudio de las dinamicas de la diversidad a la escala geologica parece revelar algun proceso de saturacion competitiva. Sin embargo, las dinamicas de comunidades en la escala de oscilaciones glaciales frecuentemente no parecen saturadas ni en equilibrio. Estas observaciones apoyan la idea que el efecto de la competencia sobre la estructura comunitaria es importante pero parcial. Ya que la coexistencia puede ser afectada por fuerzas competitivas a la par que es influenciada por factores no competitivos. Para desarrollar modelos precisos, hacer predicciones utiles, y obtener un entendimiento mas completo de la coexistencia de especies dentro de comunidades ecologicas es necesario tomar en cuento ambos tipos de factores
The new radiology residency fourth year under the new curriculum: a survey of current residents' thoughts and suggestions about its design and purpose.

Rationale and Objectives The ABR announced changes to the board examinations for the resident class entering in 2010. These changes can allow the fourth year to be focused on subspecialization. During the restructuring process at the authors' institution, residents were queried about fourth-year design. The goal was to create a curriculum that would best meet residents' expectations while balancing clinical and educational needs. Materials and Methods Issues from the literature about the fourth-year curriculum were identified. An anonymous and voluntary survey based on these was developed and sent to 36 residents who made up the study group. Answers were reviewed for trends and significant unique responses before curricular development. Results Twenty-two of 36 residents (61%) responded. The most often selected electives were cardiac (91%), body MRI (77%), body interventional procedures (68%), neuroradiologic MRI (59%), musculoskeletal procedures (59%), and musculoskeletal imaging (54%). Fifty percent wanted 6 months in one area. Forty-five percent felt that the length of time in one area (most with a threshold of 9 months) would affect their decisions to pursue fellowships. The majority (73%) planned to use the fourth year to do rotations different from their planned fellowship areas. Conclusion The majority of residents indicate that they would like to have at least half of their fourth year in one area, and most selected similar rotations to one another. The ability to do this extended time on one service may result in a decrease in the number of residents pursuing fellowships. However, most saw the fourth year as a way to broaden their radiologic knowledge.
The Timing of Ovulation, Movement of the Ovum Through the Oviduct, Pigmentation and Shell Deposition in Japanese Quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica)

Abstract THE time of ovulation in relation to oviposition of the preceding egg, the rate of shell deposition, the time of shell pigmentation prior to lay and the total time required for formation of the egg have been determined for the chicken (Warren and Scott, 1934) and turkey (Wolford et al., 1964). Comparable data for the Japanese quail have not been reported. Ovulation in the chicken and in the turkey is reported to follow oviposition by approximately 30 minutes. Arrington et al. (1962) observed that 24 out of 42 coturnix females examined had ovulated within 20 minutes after the previous oviposition. The present investigation on the coturnix was initiated to supplement information as to time of ovulation following oviposition, the movement of the ovum through the oviduct, pigmentation and shell deposition of the developing egg. METHODS One hundred-two coturnix females were necropsied at predesignated times following oviposition. Observations were made on…
Lipase-mediated acyl-exchange reactions with butteroil in anhydrous media

Conditions optimum for porcine pancreatic lipase catalyzed acyl-exchange reactions between a free fatty acid (FFA), undecanoic acid, and butteroil in anhydrous media were established. No solvent was required for reaction, indicating that butteroil could act as dispersant as well as substrate in reactive mixtures. Optimum temperature and pH for the reaction were 70°C and 6.5 to 7.0, respectively. The addition of up to 550 mM water to reactive mixtures had little influence on the initial rates of acyl-exchange, but shifted the reaction equilibrium to favor net hydrolysis. Optimal FFA concentration for acyl-exchange was 250 mM in terms of initial reaction rates, and substrate inhibition by FFA was apparent at levels up to 1000 mM. In terms of % reaction yield and absolute reaction yield after 18 hr, 50 mM and 250 mM FFA, respectively, were optimum. Initial reaction rates for acyl-exchange between two model triacylglycerides indicated that esterified fatty acids-were better substrates than FFA under the conditions evaluated.
Vibronic coupling and energy transfer in bichromophoric molecules: The effect of symmetry

The fluorescence spectra of a series of bichromophoric molecules consisting of covalently linked fluorene units were investigated in a supersonic jet. In three of the systems (spirobifluorene, d8h8‐spirobifluorene and 1‐methyl spirobifluorene) no electronic coupling and no corresponding exciton splitting were detected in the zero‐point level of the S1 state. Only 9,9′‐bifluorene exhibited an exciton splitting in the v=0 state. The lack of coupling was attributed to symmetry; in the spirobifluorenes the planes of the fluorene moieties and the S1←S0 transition moments are perpendicular. When low vibrational levels were excited, state mixing, and energy transfer between the chromophores was observed. This behavior is characteristic of the ‘‘small molecule’’ regime of radiationless transition theory. When higher vibrational levels were excited, the systems exhibited typical ‘‘large molecule’’ behavior. In this limit, both electronic energy transfer, as well as intramolecular vibrational relaxation contribute ...
Ductile shear zones as counterflow boundaries in pseudoplastic fluids: Discussion and theory

Abstract A model presented by Talbot (1999) attempts to use the shapes of S- or J-shaped structures in ductile shear zones experiencing simple shear to infer information about rock rheology, specifically the value of the stress exponent n in a power-law rheology. The model is incorrect, so cannot yield any insight into the deformation or rheology of shear zones. The shape of S- or J-shaped structures is more likely a function of variation across the shear zone of water fugacity, grain size, or other weakening mechanisms.
Growth Regulation of Salvinia molesta by pH and Available Water Column Nutrients

ABSTRACT Giant salvinia (Salvinia molesta D.S. Mitchell), a native of South America, is an invasive floating aquatic fern. Previous studies have reported that growth of S. molesta is dependent on dissolved nutrients in the water and that the plant achieves maximum biomass in circumneutral to slightly acidic water. We examined giant salvinia growth in a three-by-three factorial experiment, with pH levels of 5, 6.5, and 8 and low (no addition), medium (9.0 mg I−1 N and 4.5 mg L−1 P), and high (13.5 mg L−1 N and 6.7 mg L−1 P) concentrations of added nutrients. Results indicate that pH was not a significant factor affecting S. molesta biomass (p = 0.10) after 84 days, while nutrient level significantly affected growth (p < 0.01). Water pH was a significant (p = 0.04) factor influencing S. rnolesta growth after 14 days. While pH may not be a factor controlling the long-term growth of S. molesta, it is important during the early stages of colonization and growth in providing an optimal growing environment. Salv...
Preventing cuff rupture during tracheostomy: importance of endotracheal tube positioning.

Objective:The objective of our study is to describe the technique of distal endotracheal tube (ETT) positioning for avoiding cuff rupture and validate the technique in a virtual tracheostomy model.Methods:A prospective nonrandomized case series of 129 patients who had undergone tracheostomy using the senior author’s technique were evaluated. Primary outcome was ETT cuff rupture. One hundred normal patient computed tomography (CT) scans were used to generate a virtual tracheostomy model, and the probability of cuff rupture, among other values, was obtained.Results:One hundred twenty-three of 129 patients underwent tracheostomy without cuff rupture when the distal tip of the ETT was placed just proximal to the carina. After analysis of 100 3-dimensional CT scans, the average distance from the tracheotomy to the superior aspect of the cuff was 54.6 mm in men and 39.87 mm in women when a 6.5-size ETT was used, and 44.8 mm in men and 30.07 mm in women when a 7.5-size ETT was used. Virtual tracheotomy between t...
A survey of prescribing practices for monoamine oxidase inhibitors.

OBJECTIVE: A survey examined prescribing practices for monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) and explored reasons for the widely noted decline in their use. METHODS: A one-page questionnaire was sent in 1997 to 1,129 members of the Michigan Psychiatric Association. A total of 717 responses were received, for a response rate of 64 percent. Only data from the 573 psychiatrists who were currently practicing were used. RESULTS: Twelve percent of the respondents never prescribed MAOIs, 27 percent had not prescribed them for at least three years, and 17 percent had prescribed them from one to three years ago. Thirty percent of the respondents had prescribed an MAOI within the past three months, and 14 percent between three and 12 months ago. The most frequent reasons for not prescribing the drugs were side effects and interactions with other medications (46 percent), preference for other medications (30 percent), and dietary restrictions necessary for patients taking MAOIs (19 percent). Ninety-two percent of res...
Recommended school policies are associated with student sugary drink and fruit and vegetable intake

Abstract Objective To examine the association between 8 recommended school obesity-related policies and student behaviors and weight in a cohort of Minnesota schools. Method Existing surveillance surveys were used to examine the relationship between school policies to promote healthy eating and physical activity and student weight, diet, and activity behaviors from 2002 to 2006 among students (n = 18,881) in a cohort of 37 Minnesota junior–senior high and high schools using fixed effects linear regression models. Results Each additional recommended policy was associated with a significant decrease in consumption of sugary drinks and an increase in consumption of fruits and vegetables. There were no associations with weekly hours of sedentary activities, days per week of vigorous activity, or body mass index percentile. Conclusion Students attending schools that added recommended policies to promote healthy eating showed improved dietary behaviors, independent of secular trends compared with students in schools that did not add recommended policies.
Producer Experience, Learning by Doing, and Yield Performance

Current crop insurance rating procedures consider only performance for the individual crop in question. Recent farm legislation has given producers considerable planting flexibility and, as a result, many have shifted to new crops. Producers without a production history for the new crop may be offered levels of insurance that do not accurately reflect their expected yields. Likewise, premium rates may not reflect a producer's actual risk for a new crop. We examine the extent to which information about expected yields may be gleaned from a consideration of historical performance on other crops. We also consider the extent to which yield performance exhibits learning by doing such that yields improve with experience. Though the results are mixed, we generally find that yield performance tends to improve with experience. However, when yields are conditioned on historical yield performance for other crops, the importance of experience is diminished significantly. Yield performance is related to a number of farm characteristics. Finally, we examine the extent to which yield variability is correlated across crops for individual farmers. Implications for crop insurance rating practices are discussed. The results demonstrate robust correlation between a farm's historical yield on other crops and a newly produced crop—a factor largely ignored in current crop insurance contracts. Copyright 2002, Oxford University Press.
The Role of Weather Variables and Flight Direction in Determining the Magnitude of Nocturnal Bird Migration

Autumn nocturnal bird migration was investigated at two stations in the southeastern United States by means of Weather Surveillance Radar (WSR—57) and visual observations. Multivariate analyses were used to examined the influence of environmental variables on the night—to—night magnitude of migration. Landbirds selectively flew with the wind, regardless of its direction or speed. As a result, they frequently migrated in seasonally inappropriate directions. The volume of migration varied by several orders of magnitude from night to night, but southward flights averaged about five times larger than those in other directions. This implies that the birds employed some selection in terms of the weather conditions under which they initiated migratory flights. Multivariate analyses showed that wind direction, 24—hr change in temperature, and an index of the synoptic weather situation accounted for 5.2% of the night—to—night varaibility in the magnitude of passerine migration. Migration volume was also related to the passage of cold fronts. Migations were heavier in northerly winds, falling temperatures, and the anticyclonic weather that usually prevails shortly after the passage of a cold front. The efficiency of downwind flight is enhanced by the facts that average winds blow roughly in the migratory directions of the birds and that the birds show behavioral selection in terms of the wind directions and synoptic weather situations in which they initiate migration. Night—to—night variations in migration density can be accounted for on the basis of interactions between the circadian nature of Zugunruhe, the energetic state of the bird, and the direct influence of weather on the initiation of migratory flights.
A Root-Expressed l-Phenylalanine:4-Hydroxyphenylpyruvate Aminotransferase Is Required for Tropane Alkaloid Biosynthesis in Atropa belladonna

The tropane alkaloids, hyoscyamine and scopolamine, are medicinal compounds that are the active components of several therapeutics. Hyoscyamine and scopolamine are synthesized in the roots of specific genera of the Solanaceae in a multistep pathway that is only partially elucidated. To facilitate greater understanding of tropane alkaloid biosynthesis, a de novo transcriptome assembly was developed for Deadly Nightshade (Atropa belladonna). Littorine is a key intermediate in hyoscyamine and scopolamine biosynthesis that is produced by the condensation of tropine and phenyllactic acid. Phenyllactic acid is derived from phenylalanine via its transamination to phenylpyruvate, and mining of the transcriptome identified a phylogenetically distinct aromatic amino acid aminotransferase (ArAT), designated Ab-ArAT4, that is coexpressed with known tropane alkaloid biosynthesis genes in the roots of A. belladonna. Silencing of Ab-ArAT4 disrupted synthesis of hyoscyamine and scopolamine through reduction of phenyllactic acid levels. Recombinant Ab-ArAT4 preferentially catalyzes the first step in phenyllactic acid synthesis, the transamination of phenylalanine to phenylpyruvate. However, rather than utilizing the typical keto-acid cosubstrates, 2-oxoglutarate, pyruvate, and oxaloacetate, Ab-ArAT4 possesses strong substrate preference and highest activity with the aromatic keto-acid, 4-hydroxyphenylpyruvate. Thus, Ab-ArAT4 operates at the interface between primary and specialized metabolism, contributing to both tropane alkaloid biosynthesis and the direct conversion of phenylalanine to tyrosine.
The Modern Role of MS/OR Professionals in Interdisciplinary Teams

The interdisciplinary team is still a viable organizational form to support management, although the role of the trained MS/OR analyst is often viewed too narrowly as that of modeler or technician. Other nonmathematical roles such as study planner or implementation engineer are critical for MS/OR implementation success. These roles are discussed with the purpose of 1 achieving an implementation orientation within the team; 2 identifying future roles for MS/OR in the implementation of decision support and expert systems; and 3 defining how MS/OR curricula can better address teamwork and implementation.
A pegging algorithm for separable continuous nonlinear knapsack problems with box constraints

This article proposes an efficient pegging algorithm for solving separable continuous nonlinear knapsack problems with box constraints. A well-known pegging algorithm for solving this problem is the Bitran–Hax algorithm, a preferred choice for large-scale problems. However, at each iteration, it must calculate an optimal dual variable and update all free primal variables, which is time consuming. The proposed algorithm checks the box constraints implicitly using the bounds on the Lagrange multiplier without explicitly calculating primal variables at each iteration as well as updating the dual solution in a more efficient manner. Results of computational experiments have shown that the proposed algorithm consistently outperforms the Bitran–Hax in all baseline testing and two real-time application models. The proposed algorithm shows significant potential for many other mathematical models in real-world applications with straightforward extensions.
The effect of freezing and storage on seminal immunoreactive prolactin.

Thirteen subjects were studied to compare changes in seminal immunoreactive prolactin produced by storage and freezing of semen and seminal plasma separated within 2 hours of ejaculation. Seminal prolactin was significantly higher in semen than in seminal plasma (paired t test, t = 3.29, p <0.005). The difference in prolactin between the two values correlated with sperm count (linear regression analysis, r = 0.65, p < 0.02). This study suggested that variations in reported correlations between sperm count and seminal prolactin might be explained in part by the time interval of semen collection, centrifugation, and/or freezing.
SSD-Assisted Hybrid Memory to Accelerate Memcached over High Performance Networks

Many applications cache huge amount of data in RAM to achieve high performance. A good example is Memcached, a distributed-memory object-caching software. Memcached performance directly depends on the aggregated memory pool size. Given the constraints of hardware cost, power/thermal concerns and floor plan limits, it is difficult to further scale the memory pool by packing more RAM into individual servers, or by expanding the server array horizontally. In this paper, we propose an SSD-Assisted Hybrid Memory that expands RAM with SSD to make available a large amount of memory. Hybrid memory works as an object cache and it manages resource allocation at object granularity, which is more efficient than allocation at page granularity. It leverages the SSD fast random read property to achieve low latency object access. It organizes SSD into a log-structured sequence of blocks to overcome SSD writing anomalies. Compared to alternatives that use SSD as a virtual memory swap device, hybrid memory reduces the random access latency by 68% and 72% for read and write operations, and improves operation throughput by 15.3 times. Additionally, it reduces write traffic to SSD by 81%, which implies a 5.3 times improvement in SSD lifetime. We have integrated our hybrid memory design into Memcached. Our experiments indicate a 3.7X reduction in Memcached Get operation latency and up to 5.3X improvement in operation throughput. To the best of our knowledge, this paper is the first work that integrates the cutting edge SSD and InfiniBand-verbs into Memcached to accelerate its performance.
Dermal decontamination for corrosive exposures.

To the Editor:I thank Dr. Donoghue and Drs. Fosse et al for their interest in our recent mini-review.1 Donoghue is correct that the data in Table 2 of his paper2 refer to time to irrigation with Di...
Darwin's more stately mansion.

A famous Victorian story reports the reaction of an aristocratic lady to the primary heresy of her time: “Let us hope that what Mr. Darwin says is not true; but, if it is true, let us hope that it will not become generally known.” Teachers continue to relate this tale as both a hilarious putdown
Use of a Temperature Sensitive Surface Gel to Reduce Fouling

Abstract Numerous surface modification strategies have been developed to improve the fouling resistance of filtration membranes. A novel approach in which a temperature sensitive polymer gel is deposited on the surface is reported. The gel switches from an expanded, lower permeability, fouling-resistant hydrophilic state to a collapsed, higher permeability, fouling-prone hydrophobic state as the temperature is increased. By alternating between these two states, it is hypothesized that fouling can be reduced while minimizing the permeability reduction due to the surface modification. The hypothesis was tested by depositing a hydroxypropyl cellulose (HPC) gel on the surface of the cellulose acetate ultrafiltration membranes (Osmonics SN32) using divinyl sulfone (DVS) as a crosslinker. Unmodified and modified membranes were used to filter yeast and the HPC suspensions. To induce the hydrophobic-hydrophilic transition, the feed was switched alternately between room temperature and 60°C solutions. The experime...
Cholesterol Enrichment of Human Monocyte/Macrophages Induces Surface Exposure of Phosphatidylserine and the Release of Biologically-Active Tissue Factor–Positive Microvesicles

Objective— Biologically significant amounts of two procoagulant molecules, phosphatidylserine (PS) and tissue factor (TF), are transported by monocyte/macrophage-derived microvesicles (MVs). Becaus...
New paradigms for assessing emotional intelligence: theory and data.

This article describes the development and validation of 2 measures of emotional intelligence (El): the Situational Test of Emotional Understanding (STEU) and the Situational Test of Emotion Management (STEM). Study 1 (N = 207 psychology students) examines multiple sources of validity evidence: relationships with El, vocabulary, personality, and emotion-related criteria. Study 2 (N = 149 white-collar volunteers) relates STEU and STEM scores to clinical symptoms, finding relationships to anxiety and stress for both tests, and to depression for the STEM. It is concluded that new performance-based approaches to test development, such as the present ones, might be useful in distinguishing between test and construct effects. Implications for expanding theory and for developing El interventions are discussed.
Engaging resistant adolescents in drug abuse treatment

In the first phase of a two-part treatment development study, families with a treatment-resistant drug-abusing adolescent (n = 42) were offered 12 sessions of Community Reinforcement and Family Training (CRAFT). This parent-focused intervention was designed to help parents facilitate their adolescents' entry into treatment, to support adolescents' subsequent behavior change, and to improve parent and family functioning. In the second phase, successfully engaged adolescents (n = 30) were offered 12 sessions of a multicomponent individual cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) targeting substance use and related problem behaviors. For parents and adolescents, measures were collected on pretreatment and posttreatment, with an additional follow-up assessment for parents at 3 months after treatment. Parents on CRAFT intervention experienced a significant reduction in negative symptoms, and 71% of parents were successful in engaging their resistant youths in treatment. The CBT intervention for engaged youths was associated with a statistically significant, but not clinically significant, reduction in marijuana use.
Do New Wipe Materials Outperform Traditional Lead Dust Cleaning Methods

Government guidelines have traditionally recommended the use of wet mopping, sponging, or vacuuming for removal of lead-contaminated dust from hard surfaces in homes. The emergence of new technologies, such as the electrostatic dry cloth and wet disposable clothes used on mopheads, for removal of dust provides an opportunity to evaluate their ability to remove lead compared with more established methods. The purpose of this study was to determine if relative differences exist between two new and two older methods for removal of lead-contaminated dust (LCD) from three wood surfaces that were characterized by different roughness or texture. Standard leaded dust, <75 μm, was deposited by gravity onto the wood specimens. Specimens were cleaned using an automated device. Electrostatic dry cloths (dry Swiffer), wet Swiffer cloths, paper shop towels with non-ionic detergent, and vacuuming were used for cleaning LCD from the specimens. Lead analysis was by anodic stripping voltammetry. After the cleaning study wa...
COMPARISONS OF OBSERVED PHYLOGENETIC TOPOLOGIES WITH NULL EXPECTATIONS AMONG THREE MONOPHYLETIC LINEAGES.

Three null models have been proposed to predict the relative frequencies of topologies of phylogenetic trees. One null model assumes each distinguishable n-member tree is equally likely (proportional-to-distinguishable-arrangements model). A second model assumes that each topological type is equally likely (equiprobable model). A third model assumes that the probability of each topological type is determined by random speciation (Markov model). We sampled published phylogenetic trees from three major groups of organisms: division Angiospermae, class Insecta, and superclass Tetrapoda. Our sampling was more restricted than previous studies and was designed to test whether observed topological frequencies were distinguishable from those predicted by the three null models. The pattern of evolution reflected in five-member phylogenetic trees is different from predictions of the equiprobable and Markov model but is indistinguishable from the proportional-to-distinguishable-arrangements model. This indicates that 1) speciation (and/or extinction) is not equally likely among all taxa, even for small phylogenies; or 2) systematists' attempts at reconstructing small phylogenies are, on average, indistinguishable from those expected if they had merely selected a tree at random from the pool of all possible trees. The topology frequencies were not different among the three groups of organisms, suggesting that factors shaping patterns of speciation and extinction are consistent among major taxonomic groups.
Similarities in hypothalamic and mesocorticolimbic circuits regulating the overconsumption of food and alcohol

Historically, studies of food intake regulation started with the hypothalamus and gradually expanded to mesocorticolimbic regions, while studies of drug use began with mesocorticolimbic regions and now include the hypothalamus. As research on ingestive behavior has progressed, it has uncovered more and more similarities between the regulation of palatable food and drug intake. It has also identified specific neurochemicals involved in palatable food and drug intake. Hypothalamic orexigenic neurochemicals specifically involved in controlling fat ingestion, including galanin, enkephalin, orexin and melanin-concentrating hormone, show positive feedback with this macronutrient, with these peptides both increasing fat intake and being further stimulated by its intake. This positive relationship offers some explanation for why foods high in fat are so often overconsumed. Research in Bart Hoebel's laboratory in conjunction with our own has shown that consumption of ethanol, a drug of abuse that also contains calories, is similarly driven by these neurochemical systems involved in fat intake, consistent with evidence closely relating fat and ethanol consumption. Both fat and ethanol intake are also regulated by dopamine and acetylcholine acting in mesocorticolimbic nuclei. This close relationship of fat and ethanol is likely driven in part by circulating lipids, which are increased by fat and ethanol intake, known to increase expression and levels of the neurochemicals, and found to promote further intake of fat and ethanol. Compellingly, recent studies suggest that these systems may already be dysregulated in animals prone to consuming excess fat or ethanol, even before they have ever been exposed to these substances. Further understanding of these systems involved in consummatory behavior will allow researchers to develop effective therapies for the treatment of overeating as well as drug abuse.
HMG-proteins 1 and 2 are required for transcription of chromatin by endogenous RNA polymerase.

Summary Chromatin prepared from isolated mouse myeloma cell nuclei faithfully transcribes RNA using endogenous RNA polymerase. Extraction of the chromatin with 0.35M KC1 greatly reduces the ability of the chromatin to transcribe RNA, but RNA synthesis is restored by adding back the extracted material. The major proteins extracted under these conditions are the high mobility group proteins — HMG 1 and 2. When purified HMG proteins 1 and 2 were added back to the extracted chromatin preparations total RNA synthesis was stimulated 3 to 5 fold. The synthesis of the RNA polymerase III products, 5S rRNA and tRNA precursors, was also stimulated the same amount.
Two-layer quasigeostrophic potential vorticity model

We formulate the two-layer quasigeostrophic potential vortex (QGPV) model as an infinite-dimensional Hamiltonian system and apply Noether’s theorem to derive the conservation laws for these equations. The point (singular) vortex QGPV model is also analyzed as a finite-dimensional Hamiltonian system. By virtue of its point symmetries, the invariants for the finite-dimensional system are obtained. The existence of these point symmetries is used to prove the integrability of the three-vortex QGPV problem. We analyze the relative equilibrium configurations for the three-vortex, two-layer problem and study collapsing and merging (collapse in different layers) configurations. We also study two special classes of symmetrical four-vortex QGPV problems and establish their integrability and present some simulations for one of these classes of integrable QGPV four-vortex problems.
Fractal dimension and correlation length exponent for Anderson localization

Abstract We discuss a finite-size scaling method based on the inverse participation ratio for determining the fractal dimension of the critical eigenstates in the Anderson localization problem. We find that D =1.43±0.03. From this method we can also determine the correlation length exponent, finding that v =0.98±0.03.
Reducing thermal conductivity of crystalline solids at high temperature using embedded nanostructures.

Thermal conductivity of a crystalline solid at high temperature is dominated by the Umklapp process because the number of high frequency phonons increases with temperature. It is challenging to reduce the thermal conductivity of crystalline solids at high temperature although it is widely known that, by increasing the atomic defect concentration, thermal conductivity of crystalline solids can be reduced at low temperature. By increasing the concentration of ErAs nanoparticles in In0.53Ga0.47As up to 6 atom %, we demonstrate a thermal conductivity reduction by almost a factor of 3 below that of In0.53Ga0.47As at high temperature. A theoretical model suggests that the mean free path of the low frequency phonons is suppressed by increasing the ErAs nanoparticle concentration.
Ultrastructural evidence for phagocytosis by oligodendroglia

Although the phagocytic ability of brain macrophages and astrocytes is well established, the question of whether oligodendrocytes may become phagocytic remains controversial. Observations reported here indicate that oligodendroglia may become activated and ingest degenerating or foreign material in vivo following experimental injury to the central nervous system.
D-xylulose fermentation in yeasts

With pure D-xylulose as substrate, Schizosaccharomyces pombe produced ethanol in good yield with low quantities of polyols as by-products. Saccharomyces cerevisiae was found to be a good alcohol producer in glucose but not as good in D-xylulose. Other yeast cultures converted D-xylulose to xylitol, or D-arabitol or both, with lower ethanol yield.
The Design, Analysis and Test of a Unique Gas Turbine Scroll for the F-35, Joint Strike Fighter

The design of the APU (Auxiliary Power Unit) for the F-35 JSF (Joint Strike Fighter) focused on minimizing size and weight while meeting stringent performance goals. To help realize that goal, a unique turbine scroll was designed. The scroll design delivers air from the combustor to the turbine inlet with minimal loss and flow distortion while minimizing design space. CFD (Computational Fluid Dynamics) results of scroll total pressure loss and exit peripheral distribution of total pressure, Mach number, and flow angle are presented. Rig tests were utilized for measuring and validating the computed total pressure and Mach number distributions around the periphery of the scroll exit. Comparisons of the CFD simulations and test data indicate strong correlation in values of average total pressure loss, local total pressure loss and Mach number around the exit periphery.Copyright © 2006 by ASME
FACTORS AFFECTING THE FORMATION OF NITRATE FROM ADDED NITRITE IN MODEL SYSTEMS AND CURED MEAT PRODUCTS

Experiments were designed to determine the effect of the chemical state of myoglobin and presence of ascorbate on the conversion of nitrite to nitrate. In model systems, nitrate was not formed when nitrite was incubated in the presence of either metmyoglobin or ascorbate. However, most of the added nitrite was converted to nitrate when both ascorbate and metmyoglobin were present. It is suggested that ascorbate reduces metmyoglobin to myoglobin, and then, the myoglobin is oxidized simultaneously with nitrite to form nitrate. In cured meat products, a detectable level of nitrate was formed in the absence of ascorbate, but in the presence of ascorbate the level of nitrate formed was greater. The explanation suggested was that endogenous reductants in meat could play the same role as ascorbate in model systems. Such endogenous reductants were responsible for more than half of the nitrate formation in meat products containing sodium ascorbate.
Head and neck endocrine surgery in children: 1997 and 2000.

Objectives To characterize children undergoing parathyroid, thyroid, and thyroglossal duct cyst surgery in 1997 and 2000 using a nationally representative discharge database to determine whether rates and outcomes of these surgical treatments vary by age, sex, and health care system attributes. Data Source The 1997 and 2000 Kids’ Inpatient Database, available through the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. Study Selection All patients 18 years and younger undergoing head and neck endocrine (HNE) procedures were included. Data Extraction The sampling scheme of this database allowed for calculation of national and regional estimates using Stata 7.0. Data Synthesis An estimated 2077 and 1871 inpatient pediatric HNE procedures were performed nationally in 1997 and 2000, respectively. Most were performed at general (nonpediatric) teaching hospitals. There were an estimated 1102 thyroglossal duct cyst excisions, making this the most common HNE procedure and diagnosis. Thyroid lobectomy was the second most common HNE surgical treatment. Thyroid malignant neoplasm (usually treated by total thyroidectomy) was the second most common diagnosis. Neck dissections were performed in 32% of patients with thyroid malignant neoplasm. These HNE procedures accounted for more than $28 million in hospital charges in 1997 and nearly $38 million in 2000. Conclusions Surgical treatment trends for pediatric HNE procedures remained stable between 1997 and 2000. Thyroglossal duct cyst excision and thyroid lobectomy are the most common procedures. There were regional differences in the rates of most HNE surgical treatments. In addition, hospital charges increased between 1997 and 2000.
Magnetic field effects in decamethyl ferrocenium tetracyanoethanide

Abstract The specific heat C ( H , T ) of (DMeFc) (TCNE) in the temperature range of 2–12 K in the presence of applied magnetic fields is reported. Previous results had shown anomaly at 4.82 K corresponding to a transition at T c from a high temperature one-dimensional (1D) magnet (above T c ) to a three-dimensional (3D) macroscopic ferromagnet (below T c ). The results show a dramatic behavior of the peak associated with the ferromagnetic transition. The peak height decreases with increasing magnetic field, i.e. magnetic fields smear the transition. For small values of applied magnetic fields the peak associated with the ferromagnetic transition is completely smeared. The results are indicative of anisotropic chains with enhanced 1D coherence and frustration in interchain coupling. The spin-wave spectrum is dominated by the 1D chains below T c.
Fictive pressure effects in structural relaxation

Abstract Structural relaxation is treated in terms of two independent internal parameters, namely fictive temperature, T f , and fictive pressure, P f . Rate equations for T f and P f are derived. It is shown that, in general, the fictive pressure changes during isobaric cooling experiments and the key parameter controlling this change is the configurational expansion coefficient. Furthermore it is pointed out that by examining the shape of the relaxation paths in the ΔV - ΔS space the relaxation coefficients can be evaluated readily.
Gaussian ensemble as an interpolating ensemble.

We consider a noncanonical ensemble which involves a sample thermally connected to a finite heat bath with specific properties. Treating the size of the heat bath as a parameter, we show that static properties of finite samples are ensemble dependent. Monte Carlo simulations of phase transitions in Potts models confirm the analysis and demonstrate significant reductions in computer time (sometimes by a factor of 100) compared to canonical-ensemble simulations. For finite samples, second-order transitions are sharpened and are clearly distinguished from first-order transitions as the heat bath becomes smaller.
Integrated modeling of flood flows and tidal hydrodynamics over a coastal floodplain

The interactions of physical processes between estuaries and upstream river floodplains are of great importance to the fish habitats and ecosystems in coastal regions. Traditionally, a hydraulic analysis of floodplains has used one- or two-dimensional models. While this approach may be sufficient for planning the engineering design for flood protection, it is inadequate when floodwaters inundate the floodplain in a complex manner. Similarly, typical estuarine and coastal modeling studies do not consider the effect of upstream river floodplains because of the technical challenge of modeling wetting and drying processes in floodplains and higher bottom elevations in the upstream river domain. While various multi-scale model frameworks have been proposed for modeling the coastal oceans, estuaries, and rivers with a combination of different models, this paper presents a modeling approach for simulating the hydrodynamics in the estuary and river floodplains, which provides a smooth transition between the two regimes using an unstructured-grid, coastal ocean model. This approach was applied to the Skagit River estuary and its upstream river floodplain of Puget Sound along the northwest coast of North America. The model was calibrated with observed data for water levels and velocities under low-flow and high-flood conditions. This study successfully demonstrated that a three-dimensional estuarine and coastal ocean model with an unstructured-grid framework and wetting-drying capability can be extended much further upstream to simulate the inundation processes and the dynamic interactions between the estuarine and river floodplain regimes.