cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
PRELIMINARY ASSESSMENT OF HEALTH IMPACTS FOR THE NEWPORT CHEMICAL AGENT DISPOSAL FACILITY

A Preliminary Assessment of Health Impacts (PAHI) study was conducted to look at potential human and environmental health impacts due to the air and water emissions generated from the proposed Newport Chemical Agent Disposal Facility (NECDF) in Newport, Indiana. As an alternative to incineration, the NECDF will use a neutralization-based treatment process followed by supercritical water oxidation to destroy the VX nerve agent stored in ton containers at the Newport Chemical Depot. There is no regulatory guidance on conducting an assessment of health impacts for this type of facility. Therefore, The U.S. Army Center for Health Promotion and Preventive Medicine (USACHPPM) designed a PAHI study based on bench-scale data and best engineering estimates that conservatively evaluate possible health effects from the projected air and water emissions. The air portion of the PAHI focused primarily on estimating carcinogenic risks and noncarcinogenic hazards from direct and indirect exposures to the subsistence farmer, subsistence fisher, adult resident, and child resident. The water portion of the PAHI evaluated potential human and environmental impacts using two different procedures individual compound analysis and whole effluent toxicity analysis. The individual compounds analysis compared constituent concentrations in the water emission to Indiana State Water Quality Standards and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Ambient Water Quality Criteria to evaluate the potential health impacts to human, terrestrial, and aquatic life. The whole effluent toxicity tests were conducted on mammalian (mouse, rat, and rabbit) and aquatic (water flea, algae, and minnows) species to test for potential additive, synergistic, and antagonistic effects. The results of the air and water portion of the study showed that the operation of NECDF would be safe to exposed human and environmental receptors. A Final Assessment of Health Impacts (FAHI) will also be conducted by USACHPPM, after NECDF is constructed and before full-scale operations, to validate the results of the PAHI.
Perceptions of School and Family Climates and Experiences of Relational Aggression

The role of family and school-level variables on relational aggression and relational victimization was investigated among 158 fourth- and fifth-grade children. Family cohesion, maternal and paternal responsiveness, and school climate were hypothesized to be significant predictors of relational aggression and relational victimization. The results indicated that both characteristics of the family and school were related to experiences of relational aggression. However, specific characteristics of the family environment were more important to the prediction of relational aggression and relational victimization. Level of paternal responsiveness emerged as an important variable with regard to relational aggression, particularly for among females and for relational victimization among males.
Case of the season: cystic thymoma.

Thymic neoplasms represent less than 1% of all malignancies in adults. 1 The 2 primary thymic tumors are thymoma and thymic carcinoma, with thymoma being more common. Nearly all thymomas occur in patients over the age of 20 years, and 70% occur in patients who are 40-60 years of age. 2 One variant is cystic thymoma, usually characterized by a predominantly cystic component with an associated mural solid component. Although cystic regions of various sizes are seen in up to 40% of thymomas pathologically, 3 those that are nearly entirely cystic have been reported rarely. We report in a 24 year-old-man a case of thymoma, presenting as a cystic mediastinal mass on contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and subsequently confirmed on histopathologic examination following surgical resection.
Nuptial coloration of red shiners (Cyprinella lutrensis) is more intense in turbid habitats

Communication is shaped and constrained by the signaling environment. In aquatic habitats, turbidity can reduce both the quantity and quality of ambient light and has been implicated in the breakdown of visual signaling. Here, we examined the relationship between turbidity (quantified with long-term data) and the expression of carotenoid-based nuptial coloration in the red shiner (Cyprinella lutrensis), a small-bodied cyprinid. Males in more turbid habitats displayed redder fins, and an experimental manipulation of adult diet suggested that carotenoid intake alone did not explain among-population color differences. These results run counter to similar studies where signal expression decreased in turbid conditions, and may be explained by the non-territorial red shiner mating system, interactions between the mechanism of coloration and the signaling environment, or reduced cost of color expression in turbid habitats (e.g., reduced predation risk). Our results highlight how the behavioral and ecological contexts in which signals function can shape evolutionary responses to the environment.
A study of angular effects in focused ion beam milling of water ice

Focused ion beam (FIB) milling in a cryogenic environment has the potential to serve as a cryotome to section frozen biological samples, or as a patterning tool for submicron features on organic materials. Although FIB milling of inorganic materials has been investigated extensively, ion–ice interactions and the effects of process parameters on milling characteristics remain largely unexplored. In this study, the effect of the incident angle during FIB milling of water ice was investigated. In particular, the sputtering yield and surface morphology that result from sputtering were examined. The experiments involved ion bombardment by 30 keV Ga+ on a thin film of water ice with temperature maintained at 97 K. The results show that the sputtering rate, determined by a volume loss method, increased with increasing incident angle. The maximum sputtering rate was achieved at an incident angle of approximately 70°, and dramatically decreased from 70° to 90°. Depending on the angle of incidence, different surface morphologies developed during ion bombardment and were confirmed by SEM imaging and texture analysis. At near normal incidence, dome/pillar morphology was observed and it evolved to step/terrace morphology as the incident angle approached 40°. The smoothest ion bombarded surfaces were observed at grazing angles.
The potential uses of metabolic profiles in the management and selection of cattle for milk and beef production

Abstract A description is given of the Compton Metabolic Profile Test, which can be used as an aid in the prevention of metabolic problems in dairy herds. It is based on an assessment of blood chemistry of groups of animals in the herd, blood samples being analysed for packed cell volume, blood haemoglobin and glucose, and serum urea, albumin, total protein, inorganic phosphate, calcium, magnesium, potassium, sodium, copper, iron and total iron binding capacity. Consideration is given to the important factors which affect levels of these constituents: herd, season, milk yield, stage of lactation and age, and the standard ranges of values used by this Institute are given. Studies of three different systems of husbandry at one centre suggest that it may be possible to adapt the test to provide improved control of the health and nutrition of growing animals. There are further possible applications for the test in the selection of superior breeding stock. Preliminary results suggest that lactating dairy cows with lower than normal albumin concentrations between 40 and 100 days after calving require more services per conception than those with normal concentrations. Animals which grow at a faster rate than others sometimes have high concentrations of albumin, haemoglobin and glucose and low concentrations of potassium.
Node merging in Kohonen's self-organizing mapping of fMRI data

In this paper, Kohonen's self-organizing mapping (SOM) is used as a data-driven technique for analyzing functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) data. Upon the completion of an SOM analysis, a cluster merging technique, based on examining the reproducibility of the fMRI data across epochs, is utilized to merge SOM nodes whose feature vectors are sufficiently similar to one another. The resulting 'super nodes' give time course templates of potential interest. These templates can be subsequently used in traditional template-based analysis methods, such as cross-correlation analysis, yielding statistical maps and activation patterns. This technique has been demonstrated on two fMRI datasets obtained from a visually-guided motor paradigm and a visual paradigm, respectively, showing satisfactory results.
Pertussis vaccines for adolescents and adults.

On March 15, 2005, the Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee of the Food and Drug Administration recommended the approval of 2 tetanus toxoid, reduced diphtheria toxoid, and reduced acellular pertussis, adsorbed (Tdap) vaccines. These vaccines, Adacel and Boostrix, are the products of Sanofi Pasteur and GlaxoSmithKline, respectively. Food and Drug Administration licensure of these vaccines occurred in May/June 2005. Both of these vaccines have been studied extensively for immunogenicity and reactogenicity in large studies in the United States and around the world. In addition, Adacel is licensed and used in Canada, and Boostrix is licensed and used in several countries around the world. The comparative composition of the 2 vaccines is presented in Table 1. View this table: TABLE 1. Composition per 0.5-mL Dose of Adacel and Boostrix In general, both vaccines have similar reactogenicity profiles as adult-formulated diphtheria and tetanus toxoids. After a single dose, both vaccines elicit vigorous antibody responses to the antigens that they contain. Specifically, these … Reprint requests to (J.D.C.), Department of Pediatrics, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, 10833 Le Conte Ave, MDCC 22-442, Los Angeles, CA 90095-1752. E-mail: jcherry{at}mednet.ucla.edu
IV. Strawson on the traditional logic

In his Introduction to Logical Theory, Strawson argues that Aristotelian logic can be given a successful interpretation into ordinary English, but not into the symbolism of Principia Mathematica, on the grounds that Aristotelian logic and ordinary English share something absent in PM, namely, the doctrine of presupposition. It is argued that Strawson is mistaken. PM does justice to the logical rules of Aristotelian logic and also has a fully articulated doctrine of presupposition.
Use of Radio Telemetry to Determine the Mortality of Atlantic Salmon Smolts Passed through a 17-MW Kaplan Turbine at a Low-Head Hydroelectric Dam

Abstract Mortality among 108 radio-tagged 2-year-old smolts of Atlantic salmon Salmo salar passed through a 17-MW Kaplan turbine was estimated at Holyoke Dam on the Connecticut River. The survival of test and control fish in 1981 was determined by comparing their rate of downstream movement with that of 28 prekilled fish. The survival of test fish in 1982 was determined as in 1981 by using nine prekilled fish. At full power generation, the mean percent turbine-induced mortality at 2 h (95% confidence interval in parentheses) was 11.8 (3.8–18.0) in 1981 and 13.7 (1.9–22.5) in 1982.
Coupling of HRT II and AS-OCT to evaluate corneal endothelial cell loss and in vivo visualization of the Ahmed glaucoma valve implant.

AIMS: To report corneal endothelial cell loss and in vivo visualization of the Ahmed glaucoma valve implant in eyes with refractory glaucoma. METHODS: Ten eyes underwent Ahmed valve implant surgery and were followed-up for 12 months. Data collected included intraocular pressure (IOP), number of antiglaucoma medications and surgery-related complications. At 6 and 12 months postoperatively, the intracameral length of the drainage tube (ICL) and the distance between the tube and the cornea (T-C distance), and the iris (T-I distance) were assessed using anterior segment optical coherence tomography (AS-OCT). Heidelberg cornea tomograph II (HRT II) was used to measure the corneal endothelial cell density. RESULTS: Mean (+/-SEM) preoperative IOP was 29.5+/-4 mmHg. Mean postoperative IOP was 11.6+/-2 at 12 months (P<0.01). Over a 6-month period, mean corneal endothelial loss was 7.9%+/-2.5 in the central and 7.5%+/-2.4 in the peripheral cornea (P<0.01). There was no correlation between central or peripheral corneal endothelial cell loss and the T-C, T-I distance or the ICL of the tube. CONCLUSIONS: Corneal endothelial cell loss occurs following Ahmed valve implant surgery, this appears to be multifactorial. AS-OCT and HRT II are promising methods for the follow-up of patients with a glaucoma drainage device.
An area-source model for urban air pollution applications.

Abstract A model for calculating the concentrations of air pollution arising from urban area-sources is presented. The main feature of the model is the explicit manner in which the surface-roughness of the ground terrain is taken into consideration. The concentration estimates from the model compare favorably with estimates from other models.
Genetically defined therapy of inherited long-QT syndrome. Correction of abnormal repolarization by potassium.

Background Many members of families with inherited long-QT (LQT) syndrome have mutations in HERG, a gene encoding a cardiac potassium channel that is modulated by extracellular potassium. We hypothesized that an increase in serum potassium would normalize repolarization in these patients. Methods and Results We studied seven subjects with chromosome 7–linked LQT syndrome and five normal control subjects. Repolarization was measured by ECG and body surface potential mapping during sinus rhythm, exercise, and atrial pacing, before and after serum potassium increase. Potassium administration improved repolarization in the LQT syndrome. At baseline, LQT subjects differed from control subjects: resting corrected QT interval (QTc, 627±90 versus 425±25 ms, P=.0007), QTc dispersion (133±62 versus 36±9 ms, P=.009), QT/RR slope (0.35±0.08 versus 0.24±0.07, P=.04), and global root-mean-square QT interval (RMS-QTc; 525±68 versus 393±22, P=.002). All LQT subjects had biphasic or notched T waves. After administration o...
The development of transfer layers and their role in polymer tribology

Abstract When polymers slide against metal counterfaces, transfer films are formed. This is also the case when sliding occurs between a polymer and another polymer. In the latter case, the transfer of material has been documented by infrared studies which show that material transfer occurs from a polymer of low cohesive energy density to one of higher cohesive energy density. The transfer film formed on a non-polymer counterface is governed by the counterface material and roughness, and of course the sliding conditions. The growth of transfer film with the number of passes is presented and the effect of counterface roughness is examined. The mechanism of wear is discussed with respect to the transfer film. It is shown that when polymers are modified, such as by the addition of fillers, the transfer film affects the tribological behavior. Some fillers affect the development of transfer film and enhance its adhesion to the counterface. Such fillers reduce the wear rate of polymer, often drastically. On the other hand, there are many fillers which have no such effect on the transfer film and wear in these cases is increased. The results of friction and wear behavior for both types of fillers are discussed in view of the transfer film characteristics. The analyses of transfer films as performed by XPS for a few cases are also presented.
Direct maximum parsimony phylogeny reconstruction from genotype data

Background: Maximum parsimony phylogenetic tree reconstruction from genetic variation data is a fundamental problem in computational genetics with many practical applications in population genetics, whole genome analysis, and the search for genetic predictors of disease. Efficient methods are available for reconstruction of maximum parsimony trees from haplotype data, but such data are difficult to determine directly for autosomal DNA. Data more commonly is available in the form of genotypes, which consist of conflated combinations of pairs of haplotypes from homologous chromosomes. Currently, there are no general algorithms for the direct reconstruction of maximum parsimony phylogenies from genotype data. Hence phylogenetic applications for autosomal data must therefore rely on other methods for first computationally inferring haplotypes from genotypes. Results: In this work, we develop the first practical method for computing maximum parsimony phylogenies directly from genotype data. We show that the standard practice of first inferring haplotypes from genotypes and then reconstructing a phylogeny on the haplotypes often substantially overestimates phylogeny size. As an immediate application, our method can be used to determine the minimum number of mutations required to explain a given set of observed genotypes. Conclusion: Phylogeny reconstruction directly from unphased data is computationally feasible for moderate-sized problem instances and can lead to substantially more accurate tree size inferences than the standard practice of treating phasing and phylogeny construction as two separate analysis stages. The difference between the approaches is particularly important for downstream applications that require a lower-bound on the number of mutations that the genetic region has undergone.
A MAINLINE MOMENT: THE AMERICAN PROTESTANT ESTABLISHMENT REVISITED

William R. Hutchison had a complaint. Though he was a dean of American religious history and a gatekeeper of the field at Harvard, Hutchison could not shake the feeling that the discipline was going in the wrong direction. In 1989, when he wrote an introduction to his edited volume, Between the Times, his fellow religion scholars were busy examining trans-denominational movements like revivalism, smaller religious practices like voodoo in New York, and “dissenters and other outsiders” to the mainstream. But their efforts had ignored what Hutchison considered the most important subject of all, the Protestant denominations that had guided American life since the American Revolution.
Pump wavelength-dependent spectral-hole burning in EDFAs

Gain-difference spectra are used to show that 980-nm band pump wavelength changes can significantly effect spectral-hole burning (SHB) in erbium-doped fiber amplifiers (EDFAs). Gain measurements made using a number of different signal and pump wavelengths help to characterize the underlying inhomogeneous spectral properties of EDFAs and a framework for modeling these effects is presented. Despite the difficulty of obtaining the needed subpopulation specific cross section spectra, this model can be used to explain seemingly anomalous changes in the gain spectra of EDFA as a result of changes in signal or pump wavelength.
Adorno’s radio phenomenology: Technical reproduction, physiognomy and music

Adorno’s phenomenological study of radio offers a sociology of music in a political and cultural context. Situating that phenomenology in the context of Adorno’s philosophical background and the wo...
Effects of receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor A47 on estrogen and growth factor-dependent breast cancer cell proliferation and apoptosis in vitro.

Background and Objectives We propose that a growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) inhibitor, such as tyrphostin A47, could serve as an adjunct to estrogen replacement therapy (ERT) for postmenopausal breast cancer survivors. Tyrphostins have been shown to block estrogen (E2)-induced proliferation in the human breast cancer MCF-7 cell line. Therefore, the effects of A47 on signal transduction, cell cycle progression, and apoptosis in E2-mediated breast cancer cell growth in vitro were investigated. Methods Cell growth was determined by MTT proliferation assay, cell cycle analysis assessed by flow cytometry, and RTK activation by Western blot. Apoptosis assays included nuclear staining, TdT-mediated dUTP-X nick end labeling, and caspase 3 activation. Results We find A47 selectively inhibits epidermal growth factor (EGF) and basic fibroblast growth factor but not insulin growth factor-1 proliferation. Although A47 inhibits EGF-induced phosphorylation of the EGF receptor in A431 cells, it does not consistently block MAP kinase phosphorylation. Conclusions Taken together, A47 blocks E2/EGF-induced activation of EGFR and therefore interferes with the proximal EGFR signaling pathway. A47 also arrests the cells at the G1-S transition of the cell cycle and induces cell death by apoptosis. Thus, a growth factor RTK may be useful in blocking hormone-dependent tumor growth in an elevated E2 environment. J. Surg. Oncol. 2002;79:17–29. © 2002 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Testosterone Concentrations in Women Aged 25–50 Years: Associations with Lifestyle, Body Composition, and Ovarian Status

While there is substantial evidence of the importance of endogenous and exogenous estrogen in reproductive health and chronic disease, there is little consideration of androgens in women's health. In the Michigan Bone Health Study (1992-1995), the authors examined the correlates of testosterone concentrations in pre- and perimenopausal women (i.e., age, menopausal status, body composition, and lifestyle behaviors) in a population-based longitudinal study including three annual examinations among 611 women aged 25-50 years identified through a census in a midwestern community. Current smokers had the highest testosterone concentrations with decreasing values in former and nonsmokers (p = 0.0001). Body composition measures (body mass index, body fat (%), weight (kg), lean body mass (kg), and fat mass (kg)) were significantly and positively associated with total testosterone concentrations in a dose-response manner. Hysterectomy with oophorectomy was associated with significantly lower testosterone concentrations. Alcohol consumption, physical activity, and dietary macronutrient intake were not associated with testosterone concentrations. This is one of the first studies to examine correlates of serum testosterone concentrations in anticipation of the growing interest in the role of androgens in women's health. The greater circulating levels of testosterone in obese women and smokers suggest that testosterone concentrations should be considered in the natural history of disease conditions where obesity and smoking are risk factors, including cardiovascular disease.
Chemical Dependency and Eating Disorders: Are They Really so Different?

A biopsychosocial perspective is developed to help counselors integrate assessment, treatment, evaluation, and research with chemical dependency and eating disorders addictions. Although different in content and symptoms, the underlying similarities between these clinical syndromes are clearly seen through this paradigm.
Structural State and Diffusion in a Silicate Glass

Compositional changes in a glass alter both the number of ions that contribute to a diffusion process and their mobilities. The present work comprises an investigation of the diffusional properties of a glass in which composition was maintained but the mobilities of the contributing ions were altered by previous heat treatment of the glass and by the application of hydrostatic pressure. Changes in the self-diffusion of alkali ions, as evidenced by changes in the ac and dc electrical characteristics of the glass, indicated that the activation energy of diffusion depends on the structural state. The entropy and frequency factors, which also play a role in alkali ion self-diffusion, appear, however, to be insensitive to the structural state.
Current status of liver transplantation for hepatitis B virus

The management of hepatitis B in liver transplantation has evolved significantly over the past 2 decades. Introduction of hepatitis B immune globulin and subsequently nucleos(t)ide analogues has revolutionized transplantation for hepatitis B virus (HBV), increasing survival for patients transplanted for this indication. With the availability of new and potent antivirals for HBV, the need for liver transplant should continue to decrease in the coming years. Moreover, the newer antivirals with high resistance barriers will allow effective long-term viral prophylaxis and therefore, prevention of recurrence.
Beyond Classroom Borders: Incorporating Collaborative Service Learning for the Adult Student.

This article provides an overview of collaborative service learning activities as they are incorporated into university curricula designed for the nontraditional student. The basic tenets of the concept of andragogy are briefly reviewed to emphasize the special considerations that need to be addressed to ensure the successful inclusion of collaborative service initiatives for the adult learner. Some specific inclusion suggestions are offered to maximize the impact and meaningfulness of these unique learning opportunities.
A learning model for intelligent agents based on classifier systems and approximate reasoning

The objective of this study is to synthesize a learning model capable of successful and effective operation in hard-to-model environments. We present a structurally simple and functionally flexible model. The model follows the learning patterns experienced by humans. The novelty of the adaptive model lies in the knowledge base, dual learning strategy, and flexible reasoning. The knowledge base is allowed to grow for as long as the agent lives. Learning is brought about by the interaction between two qualitatively different activities leaving long-term and short-term marks on the behavior of the agent. The agent reaches conclusions using approximate reasoning. The focus of the model, the agent, starts life with a blank knowledge base. It learns as it lives. Classifiers are used to represent individual experiences. We demonstrate the functioning of the model through a case study.
Age-dependent changes in alcohol dehydrogenase in drosophila.

Drosophila melanogaster alcohol dehydrogenase undergoes changes both in specific activity and in the isozyme forms during the course of development of larvae and adults. Specific activity is high in the larva, low in the pupa, high again in the young imago, and declines gradually thereafter. One of the five forms of alcohol dehydrogenase, ADH2, appears only for one day immediately preceding pupation and is present from days 1–12 of adult life; ADH3 and ADH5 are present at all ages. These results are interpreted to mean: (1) alcohol dehydrogenase is physiologically regulated, (2) isozyme forms can be produced and removed and (3) a mechanism presumbly exists to do this.
Population Dynamics of an Insect Herbivore over 32 Years are Driven by Precipitation and Host-Plant Effects: Testing Model Predictions.

The interaction between the arroyo willow, Salix lasiolepis Bentham, and its specialist herbivore, the arroyo willow stem-galling sawfly, Euura lasiolepis Smith (Hymenoptera: Tenthredinidae), was studied for 32 yr in Flagstaff, AZ, emphasizing a mechanistic understanding of insect population dynamics. Long-term weather records were evaluated to provide a climatic context for this study. Previously, predictive models of sawfly dynamics were developed from estimates of sawfly gall density made between 1981 and 2002; one model each for drier and wetter sites. Predictor variables in these models included winter precipitation and the Palmer Drought Severity Index, which impact the willow growth, with strong bottom-up effects on sawflies. We now evaluate original model predictions of sawfly population dynamics using new data (from 2003-2012). Additionally, willow resources were evaluated in 1986 and in 2012, using as criteria clone area, shoot density, and shoot length. The dry site model accounted for 40% of gall population density variation between 2003 and 2012 (69% over the 32 yr), providing strong support for the bottom-up, mechanistic hypothesis that water supply to willow hosts impacts sawfly populations. The current drying trend stressed willow clones: in drier sites, willow resources declined and gall density decreased by 98%. The wet site model accounted for 23% of variation in gall population density between 2003 and 2012 (48% over 30 yr), consistent with less water limitation. Nonetheless, gall populations were reduced by 72%.
Interdistrict Transfers, Latino/White School Segregation, and Institutional Racism in a Small California Town.

This article examines how the interdistrict transfer of White students from a majority-Latino school to a majority-White school increased school segregation in a small California town. The article argues that White parents' decisions to transfer their children, coupled with the sending school district's decision to allow the transfers, constituted institutional racism, as these practices further segregated Latino/a students in a high-poverty school. Qualitative data reveal that many of the transfer families were prejudiced toward Latino/a children and families, and ethnographic data show how local race relations, historical events, and the relationship between the school and the district contributed to segregation.
Expression of a novel marker, Ubc9, in squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck.

Background. Ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme (Ubc9) is a novel enzyme involved in posttranslational modification of cellular proteins. The objective of this study was to determine the expression of Ubc9 in squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN). Methods. SCCHN specimens were stained with anti-Ubc9 antibodies, scored using a semiquantitative method, and statistically analyzed. Results. Forty-six tumors were stained, 26 of which included adjacent mucosa. Ubc9 was significantly upregulated in the malignant and peritumoral tissues compared with mucosa from normal individuals. In peritumoral tissues, Ubc9 expression was detected in the basal and suprabasal epithelial layers. No Ubc9 was detected in epithelial cells in normal mucosa. These differences in Ubc9 expression were statistically significant (p < .0001). Tumor Ubc9 expression significantly correlated with clinical and pathologic stage. Conclusions. Ubc9 is significantly overexpressed in the primary SCCHN tumors and peritumoral mucosa compared with normal epithelial cells. These findings suggest that Ubc9 may play an important role in tumorigenesis and tumor progression of SCCHN. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck, 2009
Development of a Screening Test for L-Dopa and Its Metabolites in Urine

A simple screening test, sensitive to o -dihydroxyphenyl groups in the urine, was developed for use in monitoring patients with Parkinson's disease who are treated with L-dopa. Compounds measured by this test include dopa, dopamine, 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid, epinephrine, and norepinephrine. Parallel quantitative experiments, in which ion-exchange chromatography was used, followed by fluorometry and colorimetry, establish the validity of the strip-test results. The test is designed to be used by physician or patient, as well as by clinical laboratory personnel.
Relevance-Based Feature Extraction for Hyperspectral Images

Hyperspectral imagery affords researchers all discriminating details needed for fine delineation of many material classes. This delineation is essential for scientific research ranging from geologic to environmental impact studies. In a data mining scenario, one cannot blindly discard information because it can destroy discovery potential. In a supervised classification scenario, however, the preselection of classes presents one with an opportunity to extract a reduced set of meaningful features without degrading classification performance. Given the complex correlations found in hyperspectral data and the potentially large number of classes, meaningful feature extraction is a difficult task. We turn to the recent neural paradigm of generalized relevance learning vector quantization (GRLVQ) [B. Hammer and T. Villmann, Neural Networks, vol. 15, pp. 1059-1068, 2002], which is based on, and substantially extends, learning vector quantization (LVQ) [T. Kohonen, Self-Organizing Maps, Berlin, Germany: Springer-Verlag, 2001] by learning relevant input dimensions while incorporating classification accuracy in the cost function. By addressing deficiencies in GRLVQ, we produce an improved version, GRLVQI, which is an effective analysis tool for high-dimensional data such as remotely sensed hyperspectral data. With an independent classifier, we show that the spectral features deemed relevant by our improved GRLVQI result in a better classification for a predefined set of surface materials than using all available spectral channels.
Racial/Ethnic Inequality Among Older Workers: Focusing On Whites, Blacks, and Latinos Within the Cumulative Advantage/Disadvantage Framework

The experience of older racial/ethnic minority workers may differ from that of their non-Hispanic White counterparts because of persistent racial/ethnic differences; however, our knowledge of older...
Genus distribution of graph amalgamations: Pasting when one root has arbitrary degree

This paper concerns counting the imbeddings of a graph in a surface. In the first installment of our current work, we showed how to calculate the genus distribution of an iterated amalgamation of copies of a graph whose genus distribution is already known and is further analyzed into a partitioned genus distribution (which is defined for a double-rooted graph ). Our methods were restricted there to the case with two 2-valent roots. In this sequel we substantially extend the method in order to allow one of the two roots to have arbitrarily high valence.
THE ISOLATION OF THE BLOOD GROUP A SPECIFIC SUBSTANCE FROM COMMERCIAL PEPTONE

The isolation of the blood group A specific substance from commercial peptone has been described. The chemical and serological properties of the material from that source have been defined.
AGG/CCT interruptions affect nucleosome formation and positioning of healthy-length CGG/CCG triplet repeats

Background Fragile X Syndrome (FXS), the most common inherited form of mental retardation, is caused by expansion of a CGG/CCG repeat tract in the 5′-untranslated region of the fragile X mental retardation (FMR1) gene, which changes the functional organization of the gene from euchromatin to heterochromatin. Interestingly, healthy-length repeat tracts possess AGG/CCT interruptions every 9–10 repeats, and clinical data shows that loss of these interruptions is linked to expansion of the repeat tract to disease-length. Thus, it is important to understand how these interruptions alter the behavior of the repeat tract in the packaged gene.
Repetitive control of an electro-hydraulic engine valve actuation system

Fully flexible engine valve systems serve as powerful rapid prototyping tools in research laboratories. With the ability to quickly design innovative valve strategies, researchers can explore the possibilities of improving fuel efficiency, power output and emissions through appropriately varying the valve lift, phasing and timing. One means of achieving variable valve motion is through an electro-hydraulic valve system (EHVS). However, with an EHVS, it is difficult to achieve the high acceleration necessary for tracking cam profiles while maintaining the same level of accurate position control that a mechanical cam provides. In particular, the response time delay and the nonlinear dynamics of the hydraulic system can lead to error in position control. The paper first describes an identification method for obtaining a mathematical model of the EHVS. Based on the model, a linear feedback controller is developed. Finally, a repetitive feed-forward controller is added to augment the feedback controller, improving root- mean-square tracking performance to below forty micrometers.
Energy Harvesting With Microbial Fuel Cell and Power Management System

This paper presents a system that can harvest energy in the water and use the harvested energy to power electronic devices deployed in the water. The system consists of a microbial fuel cell (MFC) and a power management system. The MFC uses electrochemical reactions and bacteria that exist in the water to harvest energy and generate electricity. The power management system consisting of a charge pump, a super capacitor, two solid-state switches, and a boost converter accumulates the energy harvested by the MFC, stores the energy in the super capacitor, and bursts power to the load. The power management system also boosts the voltage of the MFC to a sufficient level for the electronic devices. The presented energy-harvesting system is self-powered, sustainable, environment friendly, and maintenance-free. The system has been tested and proven through experimental work.
Numerical Model for Nitrogen Tire Inflation5

Abstract The scope of this study was twofold: (1) to quantify the contribution nitrogen inflation would have on oxidative aging of tires and (2) measure the improvement nitrogen tire inflation may have on inflation pressure retention. A previously developed tool for diffusion-limited oxidation was used to simulate aging behavior at 25 and 60 °C. Oven-accelerated tire aging (60 °C) data for different inflation media was used for successful validation of the model, and it was shown that aging rates for higher oxygen concentrations tend toward a constant value. For lower temperatures, the use of nitrogen was shown to produce lower oxygen concentration in the wedge and bead regions of the tire geometry considered when compared to air inflation. By using 95% pure nitrogen (that is, the actual nitrogen concentration in the tire cavity), a 25% reduction in aging rate (for the tire wedge) and a 35% reduction in the initial flux of mass out of the tire (a measure of inflation pressure retention) were calculated.
Corporal punishment in public schools : a call for legal reform

The use of corporal punishment within the public educational system of African states is unlawful, detrimental to the health and welfare of the children, and an unnecessary impediment to educational excellence in the region. Public school corporal punishment violates several international and regional human rights treaties, customary international law, and may breach jus cogens norms prohibiting torture and recognising a fundamental right to respect for human dignity. The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights expressly condemn all forms of corporal punishment. In addition, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the United Nations Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment and the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child can also be interpreted to prohibit the practice of public school corporal punishment. Most African states have ratified these international and regional human rights instruments; therefore, laws authorising this practice should be repealed and alternative methods should be encouraged through legal reform. This article explains how laws authorising public school corporal punishment breach human rights law, and calls for law reform in African states. In addition to the repeal of such laws, this article suggests legislation that could be implemented domestically to condemn and prohibit this practice.
Neuroinflammation and α-synuclein accumulation in response to glucocerebrosidase deficiency are accompanied by synaptic dysfunction.

Clinical, epidemiological and experimental studies confirm a connection between the common degenerative movement disorder Parkinson's disease (PD) that affects over 1 million individuals, and Gaucher disease, the most prevalent lysosomal storage disorder. Recently, human imaging studies have implicated impaired striatal dopaminergic neurotransmission in early PD pathogenesis in the context of Gaucher disease mutations, but the underlying mechanisms have yet to be characterized. In this report we describe and characterize two novel long-lived transgenic mouse models of Gba deficiency, along with a subchronic conduritol-s-epoxide (CBE) exposure paradigm. All three murine models revealed striking glial activation within nigrostriatal pathways, accompanied by abnormal α-synuclein accumulation. Importantly, the CBE-induced, pharmacological Gaucher mouse model replicated this change in dopamine neurotransmission, revealing a markedly reduced evoked striatal dopamine release (approximately 2-fold) that indicates synaptic dysfunction. Other changes in synaptic plasticity markers, including microRNA profile and a 24.9% reduction in post-synaptic density size, were concomitant with diminished evoked dopamine release following CBE exposure. These studies afford new insights into the mechanisms underlying the Parkinson's-Gaucher disease connection, and into the physiological impact of related abnormal α-synuclein accumulation and neuroinflammation on nigrostriatal dopaminergic neurotransmission.
Cooperation of Background Reasoners in Theory Reasoning by Residue Sharing

We propose a general way of combining background reasoners in theory reasoning. Using a restricted version of the Craig interpolation lemma, we show that background reasoner cooperation can be achieved as a form of constraint propagation, much in the spirit of existing combination methods for decision procedures. In this case, constraint information is propagated across reasoners eexchanging residues that are, in essence, disjunctions of ground literals over a common signature. As an application of our approach, we describe a multitheory version of the semantic tableau calculus, and we prove it sound and complete.
Optimum Design of Mixed Steel Composite Girders

Steels having a variety of yield points are now available to the construction industry, allowing the designer to choose strength as well as size to meet design requirements. This work is concerned with the use of a variety of steel strengths in continuous, welded, composite plate girder bridges to produce minimum cost structures. The solution which is reported obtains the optimum design of a girder subject to the standard specifications of the American Association of State Highway Officials. Span lengths, material properties, concrete deck dimensions, and cost information on steel types and on splicing operations must be given. The capability selects the optimum combination of web height, flange width, plate thicknesses, and the arrangement of steel types for a continuous girder of constant depth. An iterative scheme is used between the material and splice location selection and the determination of the best web depth and flange width. Results are given for example problems considering seven available steels for the design of a composite plate girder.
Toward Ultimate Scaling of MOSFET

In this brief, we investigate the extendibility of FinFETs and planar bulk devices to 7- and 5-nm technology nodes focusing on electrostatics. At these nodes, the expected contacted device pitch will be in the range of 30–40 nm, requiring the gate length to scale to 12–14-nm range. We show that 6-nm-thick FinFET can scale to these gate lengths while maintaining the equivalent electrostatics as the current 14-nm node high-performance FinFETs. We show that planar bulk devices can scale to the same gate lengths using ultrashallow extension junctions and recessed device channel without aggressive gate insulator scaling and possess electrostatics equivalent to the high-performance planar 22-nm node.
Discourses of Elk Hunting and Grizzly Bear Incidents in Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming

Incidents of human–wildlife conflict can solidify participant perspectives and expectations, and reveal underlying social and institutional dynamics. We describe and analyze two incidents of confli...
Floods in Central Texas, September 7–14, 2010

Severe flooding occurred near the Austin metropolitan area in central Texas September 7–14, 2010, because of heavy rainfall associated with Tropical Storm Hermine. The U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the Upper Brushy Creek Water Control and Improvement District, determined rainfall amounts and annual exceedance probabilities for rainfall resulting in flooding in Bell, Williamson, and Travis counties in central Texas during September 2010. We documented peak streamflows and the annual exceedance probabilities for peak streamflows recorded at several streamflow-gaging stations in the study area. The 24-hour rainfall total exceeded 12 inches at some locations, with one report of 14.57 inches at Lake Georgetown. Rainfall probabilities were estimated using previously published depth-duration frequency maps for Texas. At 4 sites in Williamson County, the 24-hour rainfall had an annual exceedance probability of 0.002. Streamflow measurement data and flood-peak data from U.S. Geological Survey surface-water monitoring stations (streamflow and reservoir gaging stations) are presented, along with a comparison of September 2010 flood peaks to previous known maximums in the periods of record. Annual exceedance probabilities for peak streamflow were computed for 20 streamflow-gaging stations based on an analysis of streamflow-gaging station records. The annual exceedance probability was 0.03 for the September 2010 peak streamflow at the Geological Survey’s streamflow-gaging stations 08104700 North Fork San Gabriel River near Georgetown, Texas, and 08154700 Bull Creek at Loop 360 near Austin, Texas. The annual exceedance probability was 0.02 for the peak streamflow for Geological Survey´s streamflow-gaging station 08104500 Little River near Little River, Texas. The lack of similarity in the annual exceedance probabilities computed for precipitation and streamflow might be attributed to the small areal extent of the heaviest rainfall over these and the other gaged watersheds.
chidb: Building a Simple Relational Database System from Scratch

We present chidb, a medium to large-scale programming project where students implement the main components of a relational database management system, including B-tree data structures for tables and indexes, a database machine with registers and a selection of high-level and low-level instructions, and a SQL compiler targeting that machine. Moreover, chidb's SQL compiler's internal representation is a direct encoding of the relational algebra, whereby the theory that might otherwise be relegated to notes and blackboards is directly connected to practice and experience. The project uses the C programming language and is demonstrably suitable for use in advanced undergraduate courses; we have administered this project through five iterations of our databases course for advanced undergraduates. chidb is freely available online and customizable to suit the needs and tastes of any particular instructor.
Underactive Bladder in Children

A literature search in PubMed using the search terms underactive bladder, detrusor underactivity, bladder underactivity, impaired detrusor contractility, acontractile detrusor, detrusor failure, hypotonic failure, detrusor areflexia, post-void residual, and chronic retention in combination with children resulted in only ten papers directly discussing underactive bladder and detrusor underactivity with the exclusion of papers on posterior urethral valve papers that discussed detrusor underactivity in some form. With such a paucity of information on a problem that is so difficult to treat, we seem to be ignoring an important problem in pediatric urology. This chapter will review the epidemiology, causes, diagnosis, and treatment of pediatric underactive bladder.