cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Pyrgoima Prefloridanum, a New Species of Cirriped From the Caloosahatchee Marl (Pleistocene) of Florida

[Une nouvelle espece de Balane epizoaire, Pyrgoma prefloridanum n. sp., est decrite des marnes de Caloosahatchee, du Pleistocene, en Floride du Sud. Cette espece fossile presente des degres variables de cohalescence des quatre pieces de la muraille. La presence ou l'absence de sutures entre ces pieces apparait comme un critere taxonomique auquel on ne peut se fier, quoique ce caractere morphologique ait ete employe dans le passe pour differencier le genre Creusia. Le fossile est rapporte au genre Pyrgoma et le genre Creusia est supprime en tant que synonyme., Une nouvelle espece de Balane epizoaire, Pyrgoma prefloridanum n. sp., est decrite des marnes de Caloosahatchee, du Pleistocene, en Floride du Sud. Cette espece fossile presente des degres variables de cohalescence des quatre pieces de la muraille. La presence ou l'absence de sutures entre ces pieces apparait comme un critere taxonomique auquel on ne peut se fier, quoique ce caractere morphologique ait ete employe dans le passe pour differencier le genre Creusia. Le fossile est rapporte au genre Pyrgoma et le genre Creusia est supprime en tant que synonyme.]
"Corkscrew"—A Device for Changing the Magnetic Moment of Charged Particles in a Magnetic Field

A helical, current-carrying magnetic field source (the "corkscrew") is described; it perturbs an axial uniform magnetic field B/sub 0/ such that the transverse energy components (ET) of selected particles moving along the sxis are increased or decreased monotonically. It is noted that, since the corkscrew has no over-all effect on B/sub 0/, the change in ET must result from a change in the particle's magnetic moment. The use of pairs of these devices in magnetic mirror machines to trap particles is suggested. (T.F.H.)
Structure of vocational interests for diverse groups on the 2005 strong interest inventory

Abstract This study was designed to examine the structure of vocational interests in a diverse sample of individuals who completed the 2005 revision of the Strong Interest Inventory. We examined the fit of three racial/ethnic groups (African American, Caucasian, and Latino/a), both genders, and three levels of professional status (GRS participant, student, and working adult; N = 136, 219) with a less-stringent circular RIASEC ordering as well as a more stringent, equidistant RIASEC ordering. Results from circular unidimensional scaling analyses revealed a circular RIASEC order for all the samples with the exception of African American females in the General Representative Sample and Latinos in the adult sample. Additionally, results indicated gender differences in the adult and student samples suggesting a better fit with Holland's model for males than females.
Random sampling of continuous-parameter stationary processes: statistical properties of joint density estimators

Let {X(t), −∞ 0, and let {tj} be a renewal point processes on [0, ∞). Estimates fn(x1, x2; t) of f(x1, x2; t), based on the discretetime observations {X(tj), tj}j = 1n, are considered and their statistical properties are investigated. The quadratic-mean consistency of fn(x1, x2; t) and central limit theorems for fn(x1, x2; t) are established for mixing processes {X(t), −∞ < t < ∞}. Similar results are obtained for estimators of multivariate densities of the process {X(t), −∞ < t < ∞}.
Accessing Patient Assistance Programs to Meet Clients' Medication Needs

The high cost of medication is a barrier to patient compliance. Nurse practitioners can access patient assistance programs to assist low-income clients to obtain medications, empowering them to take action to improve their health. At Health Care Access, a primary care clinic serving low-income, uninsured persons, approximately $150,000 worth of medications were obtained through patient assistance programs in 1997, compared to the total clinic budget of $189,000. Processes for obtaining prescription drugs vary between pharmaceutical companies. An understanding of these types of programs provides nurse practitioners access to these resources for their clients.
Ureteropelvic junction obstruction secondary to crossing vessels-to transpose or not? The robotic experience

Purpose: We compared the surgical outcomes of robot assisted laparoscopic dismembered pyeloplasty in patients presenting with anterior crossing vessels with and without transposition of the crossing vessel.Materials and Methods: A total of 107 patients with ureteropelvic junction obstruction underwent robot assisted laparoscopic dismembered pyeloplasty. Evaluation of surgical success was based on validated pain scores, diuretic renography and imaging results, including excretory urography, computerized tomography or ultrasound.Results: Anterior crossing vessels were identified in 48 patients (44.9%) and vessels were transposed in 18 (37.5%) (group 1). No transposition was performed in 30 patients (62.5%) (group 2). Mean radiological followup was 52.9 weeks in group 1 and 65.3 weeks in group 2 (p = 0.181). Mean pain score on a scale of 10 was 0.82 in group 1 and 0.74 in group 2 (p = 0.917). A Whitaker test performed in 3 patients with persistent pain was negative. Preoperatively mean differential function ...
Multi-Route Exposure Assessment and Biological Monitoring of Urban Pesticide Applicators during Structural Control Treatments with Chlorpyrifos:

A preliminary study of dermal and respiratory exposure to chlorpyrifos (Dursban TC) during structural treatments was conducted with eight workers from a commercial pest control company. The compound was applied by sub-slab and soil injection to four houses, with each application involving two workers. Crawl space applications were included in three of the jobs. Field sampling extended over the entire workday, and included personal air samples and dermal exposure evaluation with patches and handwashes. A fluorescent tracer was added to the formulation for qualitative determination of skin deposition patterns. Pre-exposure and complete 72 hour urine samples were also collected. Total dermal exposure averaged 5.94 mg/hr. The major contributors were the upper legs (38%) and the forearms (34%). Accidents occurred during two of the four applications observed, and the two workers involved in the accidents were the most highly exposed individuals. The mean estimated absorbed daily dose was 9.5 ug/kg/day, with approximately 73% contributed by the dermal route. Thus, under these work conditions the Threshold Limit Value is not an appropriate guide for worker safety. The principal urinary metabolite of chlorpyrifos, 3,5,6-trichloro-2-pyridinol, was found in measurable quantities in all urine samples. Urinary metabolite levels collected 24-48 hr postexposure were highly correlated (R2 = 0.86) with total absorbed dose estimates. The high variability among individual excretion patterns suggests against the use of urine spot sampling, but longer collections may prove useful in the development of a Biological Exposure Index for chlorpyrifos.
Ka-band reflectarray using ring elements

A simple ring structure to realise a Ka-band circularly polarised microstrip reflectarray is presented. With rotation techniques employed to focus the reflected wave at a focal point, a 0.5 m right-hand circularly polarised microstrip reflectarray is developed and tested at 31.75 GHz resulting in 50% aperture efficiency. The cross-polarisation levels measured are 40.7 dB down at broadside, showing the validity of the structure.
Numerical realizations of solutions of the stochastic KdV equation

We investigate simulations of exact solutions of the stochastic Korteweg-deVries equation under additive noise. We compare the expectation values of the exact solutions to theoretical expectation values and to the numerical simulations of the stochastic Korteweg-deVries equation with and without damping. We find on average the diffused soliton vanishes long before the typically reported asymptotic limit.
Teaching undergraduate software design in a liberal arts environment using RoboCup

Most large research universities include a software design or software development course as a required or elective component of an undergraduate computer science major. For various reasons, some institutions, including many liberal arts colleges and primarily undergraduate institutions, do not. In this paper, we present a software design course, tailored to undergraduate computer science students within a liberal arts environment, based on the RoboCup soccer simulation platform. We describe the course curriculum and outline its goals, which student evaluations suggest it achieved. We also outline the features of our "NewKrislet" soccer player, which provides an elementary but sufficiently functional entry point to Robocup client design.
Sources of variability in collection and preparation of paint and lead-coating samples.

Chronic exposure of children to lead (Pb) can result in permanent physiological impairment. Since surfaces coated with lead-containing paints and varnishes are potential sources of exposure, it is extremely important that reliable methods for sampling and analysis be available. The sources of variability in the collection and preparation of samples were investigated to improve the performance and comparability of methods and to ensure that data generated will be adequate for its intended use. Paint samples of varying sizes (areas and masses) were collected at different locations across a variety of surfaces including metal, plaster, concrete, and wood. A variety of grinding techniques were compared. Manual mortar and pestle grinding for at least 1.5 min and mechanized grinding techniques were found to generate similar homogenous particle size distributions required for aliquots as small as 0.10 g. When 342 samples were evaluated for sample weight loss during mortar and pestle grinding, 4% had 20% or greater loss with a high of 41%. Homogenization and sub-sampling steps were found to be the principal sources of variability related to the size of the sample collected. Analysis of samples from different locations on apparently identical surfaces were found to vary by more than a factor of two both in Pb concentration (mg cm−2 or %) and areal coating density (g cm−2). Analyses of substrates were performed to determine the Pb remaining after coating removal. Levels as high as 1% Pb were found in some substrate samples, corresponding to more than 35 mg cm−2 Pb. In conclusion, these sources of variability must be considered in development and/or application of any sampling and analysis methodologies.
The Association of Tobacco Use and Gender to Cardiac Rehabilitation Outcomes: A Preliminary Investigation

Introduction: Cardiac rehabilitation (CR) outcomes are measured in terms of cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factor reductions, and these predict long-term cardiac status. This report examines whether reported tobacco use has differential effects on successful cardiovascular risk factor modification, especially for women who have greater smoking-related CVD consequences than men. Methods: A retrospective cohort analysis was conducted on 1138 adults (74% male) with diagnosed CVD who participated in ≥7 weeks of a comprehensive CR program. Eleven CVD risk factors were assessed at CR entry and completion. Tobacco use was assessed by self-report at CR entry. The primary outcomes were attainment of goal levels for each risk factor. Results: Fewer current and former tobacco users reached the preset goal for maximal exercise capacity. Fewer women than men reached the preset goal for high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL). Women who were current or former tobacco users were less likely to meet the target goal...
Semiconductor grain-boundary admittance: Theory

The electrical admittance due to majority carriers in semiconductor bicrystals is calculated as a function of frequency and applied dc voltage. At low frequencies the admittance is controlled by charge trapping at the grain boundary which modulates the thermionic emission current across the boundary. The admittance does not generally obey a simple Debye-type form, although in most cases it is similar. Examples for the frequency and voltage dependence of the admittance are given for two energy distributions of the grain-boundary trap states.
Double primary prostatic adenocarcinoma.

Abstract Two cases of double primary prostatic adenocarcinoma are described. A periurethral papillary adenocarcinoma coexisted with the common acinar type of cancer, which tends to arise deep in the corpus of the gland. We are of the opinion that the patterns observed in these tumors are not mere variations of one neoplasm, but rather two dissimilar growths of diverse cell origin, varied histology, and possibly also of disparate biologic potential.
Comparisons of NBS/Harvard VI simulations and data from all runs of a full-scale multi-room fire test program

The NBS/Harvard VI multi-room fire model computer code was used to simulate results of previously reported full-scale, multi-room fire experiments. The tests and simulations involved four different compartment configurations made up of two or three rooms connected by open doorways, four different fire types generated by a methane burner located in the room identified as the burn room, and up to four different doorway openings between the burn room and the adjacent space. A total of nineteen different tests were carried out and simulated. Comparisons between simulated and measured parameters of the fire-generated environments are reviewed. While the computer code is generally found to provide favorable simulations for the entire range of tests, several areas in modeling detail are identified as requiring clarification, research and further improvement. The improvements should be incorporated in future versions of the NBS/Harvard multi-room fire model.
Effective elastic properties for a periodic bicontinuous porous medium

Abstract The effective elastic properties of a bicontinuous porous medium are calculated. The model geometry assumes a continuous solid phase consisting of an array of overlapping spheres on a simple cubic lattice. The interstitial spaces form a second continuous phase saturated with a compressible fluid. Following the approach of N unan and K eller ( J. Mech. Phys. Solids 32 , 259–280, 1984), the anisotropic elasticity tensor C ijkl is expressed in terms of three scalar parameters α, β and γ. Numerical computations are performed to evaluate these parameters as a function of volume fraction. The numerical computations are complemented by an asymptotic theory valid for small solid contact area. The variational results of Hashin and S htrikman ( J. Mech. Phys. Solids 10 , 343–352, 1962b) are employed to estimate the elastic properties of isotropic polycrystals formed from randomly oriented grains of the anisotropic medium.
Proteoglycan-Collagen XV in Human Tissues Is Seen Linking Banded Collagen Fibers Subjacent to the Basement Membrane

Type XV is a large collagen-proteoglycan found in all human tissues examined. By light microscopy it was localized to most epithelial and all nerve, muscle, fat and endothelial basement membrane zones except for the glomerular capillaries or hepatic/splenic sinusoids. This widespread distribution suggested that type XV may be a discrete structural component that acts to adhere basement membrane to the underlying connective tissue. To address these issues, immunogold ultrastructural analysis of type XV collagen in human kidney, placenta, and colon was conducted. Surprisingly, type XV was found almost exclusively associated with the fibrillar collagen network in very close proximity to the basement membrane. Type XV exhibited a focal appearance directly on the surface of, or extending from, the fibers in a linear or clustered array. The most common single arrangement was a bridge of type XV gold particles linking thick-banded fibers. The function of type XV in this restricted microenvironment is expected to have an intrinsic dependence upon its modification with glycosaminoglycan chains. Present biochemical characterization showed that the type XV core protein in vivo carries chains of chondroitin/dermatan sulfate alone, or chondroitin/dermatan sulfate together with heparan sulfate in a differential ratio. Thus, type XV collagen may serve as a structural organizer to maintain a porous meshwork subjacent to the basement membrane, and in this domain may play a key role in signal transduction pathways.
Atmospheric‐electric results from simultaneous observations over the ocean and At Watheroo, Western Australia

Simultaneous atmospheric-electric observations over the ocean and at a station on land provide a means for securing important information concerning the resistance encountered by the air-earth current at the station on land. During cruises of the Carnegie, previous to the seventh, atmospheric-electric observations at the observatories of the Department of Terrestrial Magnetism had not yet been initiated. During the seventh cruise not only were continuous records of the potential-gradient obtained aboard the vessel for the first time, but continuous records of both the potential-gradient and the conductivity of the air were secured at the Watheroo and Huancayo Magnetic Observatories. Conditions, therefore, favored the possibility of securing simultaneous atmospheric-electric data for fair-weather days over the ocean and at the Observatories. Atmospheric-electric data, secured simultaneously aboard the Carnegie and at the Watheroo Magnetic Observatory, are available for 42 fair-weather days during November and December, 1928, and January and February, 1929. Simultaneous mean hourly values of the potential-gradient and of the total conductivity (positive plus negative) were utilized to compute corresponding hourly values of the air-earth current for Watheroo. The conductivity (positive and negative) was observed daily aboard the Carnegie, with an occasional 24-hour series for determining the character of the diurnal variation. Assuming, as results seem to justify, that there is no diurnal variation in the conductivity over the ocean, hourly values of the air-earth current were derived from hourly means of conductivity and corresponding values of potential-gradient. Hourly mean values of the various elements for Watheroo and over the ocean are given in the form of diurnal-variation curves in Figure 1. The data have been divided into two groups, according to whether the days at Watheroo were smoky or free from smoke (non-smoky days).
Development and first results of an aircraft-based, high time resolution technique for gaseous elemental and reactive (oxidized) gaseous mercury.

We developed a high time resolution (2.5 min) aircraft instrument for gaseous elemental mercury (GEM) and reactive gaseous mercury (RGM). The system measures RGM with complementary denuder and difference techniques, which can be compared to check for consistency. In laboratory tests, the agreement of the two techniques was 15% (±13%). In five test flights, RGM was generally below the detection limit of the difference technique (0.08−0.16 ng/m3) except for values of 200−500 pg/m3 in airmasses between 600−700 mb (Flight 1) and 850−550 mb (Flight 4), which is consistent with previous observations of RGM at Mt. Bachelor. There was a linear correlation between the denuder and difference techniques in each flight (range of slopes, 0.27−1.24) and across all flights (slope = 0.37, p < 1e−6). The correlation is evidence that the difference technique is able to measure RGM in real time, although RGM appears to not be fully captured or recovered by the denuder. The only factor common to all RGM enhancements was the ...
Temperature measurement of N/sub 2/-H/sub 2/ plasma by emission spectroscopy

Summary form only given, as follows. Measurement of plasma temperature has been performed by the emission spectroscopy technique. A 9 MB Metco Gun was used with nitrogen as the primary gas (80 scfh), hydrogen as the secondary gas (15 scfh) and air as the environment gas. Gun current of 500 A, with voltage of 73 V, was selected. The optical system scans the plasma and collects the light emitted by the plasma. A special scanner is used to quickly scan the plasma field. The continuum spectrum at 4955 /spl Aring/ is chosen for the measurement. Data evaluation is based on the assumptions that the plasma is axisymmetric, in local thermodynamic equilibrium, and the ratio of nitrogen and hydrogen remains constant throughout the plasma. The electron density of the N/sub 2/-H/sub 2/ mixture is calculated and used to obtain the temperature from the measured continuum emission coefficients. Also, the free-bound and free-free factors are included in the relationship between temperature and emission coefficients. Plasma temperatures were determined at axial locations to 20 mm from the nozzle exit. The temperatures range from 9050 K to 13580 K, for axial locations from 2 mm to 20 mm from the nozzle exit and for radial distances from the axis to 2.54 mm. Measured temperatures are compared with numerical modeling results. Temperature differences at the centerline are about 10%. Measured temperatures are much higher (more than 50%) than those calculated when the radial distances are more than 2 mm and the axial stations are greater than 10 mm.
Requirement for a core 1 galactosyltransferase in the Drosophila nervous system.

Mucin type O-glycosylation is a widespread modification of eukaryotic proteins, but its functional requirements remain incompletely understood. It is initiated by the attachment of N-acetylgalactosamine (GalNAc) to Ser or Thr residues, and then elongated by additional sugars. We have examined requirements for mucin-type glycosylation in Drosophila by characterizing the expression and phenotypes of core 1 galactosyltransferases (core 1 GalTs), which elongate O-GalNAc by adding galactose in a β1,3 linkage. Drosophila encode several putative core 1 GalTs, each expressed in distinct patterns. CG9520 (C1GalTA) is expressed in the amnioserosa and central nervous system. A null mutation in C1GalTA is lethal, and mutant animals exhibit a striking morphogenetic defect in which the ventral nerve cord is greatly elongated and the brain hemispheres are misshapen. Lectin staining and blotting experiments confirmed that C1GalTA contributes to the synthesis of Gal-β1,3-GalNAc in vivo. Our results identify a role for mucin-type O-glycosylation during neural development in Drosophila. Developmental Dynamics 237:3703–3714, 2008. © 2008 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Association of duration of residence in the southeastern United States with chronic kidney disease may differ by race: the REasons for Geographic and Racial Differences in Stroke (REGARDS) cohort study.

Background Prior evidence suggests that longer duration of residence in the southeastern United States is associated with higher prevalence of diabetes and hypertension. We postulated that a similar association would exist for chronic kidney disease (CKD).
Chasing cysteine oxidative modifications: proteomic tools for characterizing cysteine redox status.

Redox-proteomics involves the large scale analysis of oxidative protein post-translational modifications. In particular, cysteine residues have become the subject of intensifying research interest because of their redox-reactive thiol side chain. Certain reactive cysteine residues can function as redox-switches, which sense changes in the local redox-environment by flipping between the reduced and oxidized state. Depending on the reactive oxygen or nitrogen species, cysteine residues can receive one of several oxidative modifications, each with the potential to confer a functional effect. Modification of these redox-switches has been found to play an important role in oxidative-signaling in the cardiovascular system and elsewhere. Due to the labile and dynamic nature of these modifications, several targeted approaches have been developed to enrich, identify and characterize the status of these critical residues. Here, we review the various proteomic strategies and limitations for the large scale analysis of the different oxidative cysteine modifications.
POSSIBLE MATERNAL EFFECT ON SEVERITY OF NEUROFIBROMATOSIS

62 patients with neurofibromatosis (from 54 families) whose signs or symptoms began in childhood were assessed as to the severity of disease and whether the individual was a new mutation or born to an affected father or mother. The morbidity of disease was much more severe in cases born to affected mothers than in those born to affected fathers or those who were new mutations. This finding suggests that there may be a maternal effect in neurofibromatosis similar to that which has been observed in myotonic dystrophy. This effect may be humorally mediated.
Transparent optical networks with time-division multiplexing

Most research efforts to date on optical networks have concentrated on wavelength-division multiplexing (WDM) techniques where the information from different channels is routed via separate optical wavelengths. The data corresponding to a particular channel is selected at the destination node by a frequency filter. Optical time-division multiplexing (OTDM) has been considered as an alternative to WDM for future networks operating in excess of 10 Gb/s. Systems based on TDM techniques rely upon a synchronized clock frequency and timing to separate the multiplexed channels. Advances in device technologies have opened new opportunities for implementing OTDM in very high-speed long-haul transmission as well as networking. The multiterahertz bandwidth made available with the advent of optical fibers has spurred investigation and development of transparent all-optical networks that may overcome the bandwidth bottlenecks caused by electro-optic conversion. This paper presents an overview of current OTDM networks and their supporting technologies. A novel network architecture is introduced, aimed at offering both ultra-high speed (up to 100 Gb/s) and maximum parallelism for future terabit data communications. Our network architecture is based on several key state-of-the-art optical technologies that we have demonstrated.
Environmental Temperature Controls Cryptosporidium Oocyst Metabolic Rate and Associated Retention of Infectivity

Cryptosporidium is a significant cause of water-borne enteric disease throughout the world and represents a challenge to the water industry and a threat to public health. In this study we report the use of a cell culture-TaqMan PCR assay to measure oocyst inactivation rates in reagent-grade and environmental waters over a range of temperatures. While oocysts incubated at 4°C and 15°C remained infective over the 12-week holding period, we observed a 4 log10 reduction in infectivity for both 20 and 25°C incubation treatments at 12 and 8 weeks, respectively, for all water types examined, a faster rate of inactivation for oocysts than previously reported. This temperature-dependent inactivation was further investigated using a simple and rapid ATP assay described herein. Time course experiments performed in reagent-grade water at incubation temperatures of 4, 15, 20, 25, 30, and 37°C identified a close relationship between oocyst infectivity and oocyst ATP content, demonstrating that temperature inactivation at higher temperatures is a function of increased oocyst metabolic activity. While water quality did not affect oocyst inactivation, biological antagonism appears to be a key factor affecting oocyst removal from environmental waters. Both the cell culture-TaqMan PCR assay and the ATP assay provide a sensitive and quantitative method for the determination of environmental oocyst inactivation, providing an alternative to the more costly and time-consuming mouse infection assay. The findings presented here relating temperature to oocyst inactivation provide valuable information for determining the relative risks associated with Cryptosporidium oocysts in water.
Mammalian Endothermy Optimally Restricts Fungi and Metabolic Costs

Endothermy and homeothermy are mammalian characteristics whose evolutionary origins are poorly understood. Given that fungal species rapidly lose their capacity for growth above ambient temperatures, we have proposed that mammalian endothermy enhancesfitness by creating exclusionary thermal zones that protect against fungal disease. According to this view, the relative paucity of invasive fungal diseases in immunologically intact mammals relative to other infectious diseases would reflect an inability of most fungal species to establish themselves in a mammalian host. In this study, that hypothesis was tested by modeling thefitness increase with temperature versus its metabolic costs. We analyzed the tradeoff involved between the costs of the excess metabolic rates required to maintain a body temperature and the benefit gained by creating a thermal exclu- sion zone that protects against environmental microbes such as fungi. The result yields an optimum at 36.7°C, which closely ap- proximates mammalian body temperatures. This calculation is consistent with and supportive of the notion that an intrinsic thermally based resistance against fungal diseases could have contributed to the success of mammals in the Tertiary relative to that of other vertebrates. IMPORTANCE Mammals are characterized by both maintaining and closely regulating high body temperatures, processes that are known as endothermy and homeothermy, respectively. The mammalian lifestyle is energy intensive and costly. The evolutionary mechanisms responsible for the emergence and success of these mammalian characteristics are not understood. This work sug- gests that high mammalian temperatures represent optima in the tradeoff between metabolic costs and the increasedfitness that comes with resistance to fungal diseases.
Computerized Method of Lesion Volume Quantitation in Multiple Sclerosis: Error of Serial Studies

This study was designed to evaluate a potentially important source of error in T2-hyperintense lesion measurement unique to longitudinal multiple sclerosis treatment trials that would not be detected by the standard intraobserver and interobserver error analyses. The effect of this "error of serial studies" was tested by using the standard-of-reference manual-outlining approach and a modified bi-feature space (statistical) approach applied to a database of five consecutive patients. To simulate the conditions of a longitudinal treatment trial, each patient had immediate repeat MR studies of the brain with imperfect head repositioning. The study hypothesis was confirmed that with an improved quantitative methodology, the "error of serial studies" (interseries error) would exceed the intraobserver error.
Evidence Suggesting That Obesity Prevention Measures May Improve Prostate Cancer Outcomes Using Data from a Prospective Randomized Trial

Purpose. Increasing body mass index (BMI) is associated with higher risk prostate cancer (PC) at presentation. Whether increasing BMI also prompts earlier salvage androgen suppression therapy (sAST) is unknown. Materials and Methods. Between 1995 and 2001, 206 men with unfavorable risk PC were treated with radiation therapy (RT) or RT and six months of androgen suppression therapy in a randomized controlled trial (RCT). 108 sustained PSA failure; 51 received sAST for PSA approaching 10 ng/mL; 49 with BMI data comprised the study cohort. A multivariable Cox regression analysis identified pretreatment factors associated with earlier sAST receipt. Results. Increasing BMI prompted earlier sAST (median years: 3.7 for overweight/obese, 6.9 for normal weight; adjusted hazard ratio (AHR): 1.11; 95% CI: 1.04, 1.18; ) as did high versus other risk PC (median: 3.2 versus 5.2 years; AHR: 2.01; 95% CI: 1.05, 3.83; ). Increasing median time to sAST was observed for overweight/obese men with high versus other risk PC and for normal-weight men with any risk PC being 2.3, 4.6, and 6.9 years, respectively ( for trend). Conclusion. Increasing BMI was associated with earlier sAST. A RCT evaluating whether BMI reduction delays or eliminates need for sAST is warranted.
Marginal zone B cells transport and deposit IgM-containing immune complexes onto follicular dendritic cells

Secreted IgM and complement are important mediators in the optimal initiation of primary T-dependent humoral immune responses. Secreted IgM serves as a natural adjuvant by enhancing the immunogenicity of protein antigens, perhaps as a result of IgM's ability to facilitate antigen deposition onto follicular dendritic cells (FDCs) and promote rapid germinal center (GC) formation. To understand how IgM enhances adaptive immune responses, we investigated the mechanism by which IgM-containing immune complexes (IgM-IC) are transported to FDCs as a first step in GC formation. We demonstrate that IgM-IC localize first to the splenic marginal zone (MZ) where the IgM-IC bind MZ B cells in a complement and complement receptor (CR1/2) dependent process. MZ B cells then transport the IgM-IC into the follicle for deposition onto FDCs. Mice with reduced numbers of MZ B cells trap IgM-IC on FDC less efficiently, whereas mice with reduced numbers of follicular B cells trap IgM-IC normally. The functional elimination of MZ B cells abrogates the ability of FDCs to trap IgM-IC. Transfer of B cells with associated IgM-IC into naive mice results in deposition of IgM-IC onto FDC by MZ B cells. The results demonstrate an IgM and complement-dependent role for MZ B cells in the fate of antigen early in the initial phases of T-dependent immune responses. The data also establish an important role for CR1/2 on MZ B cells in the efficient binding and transport of IgM-IC to FDCs, which we suggest is an important first step in initiating adaptive immune responses.
Identification of a sub-population of B cells that proliferates after infection with epstein-barr virus

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-driven B cell proliferation is critical to its subsequent persistence in the host and is a key event in the development of EBV-associated B cell diseases. Thus, inquiry into early cellular events that precede EBV-driven proliferation of B cells is essential for understanding the processes that can lead to EBV-associated B cell diseases. Infection with high titers of EBV of mixed, primary B cells in different stages of differentiation occurs during primary EBV infection and in the setting of T cell-immunocompromise that predisposes to development of EBV-lymphoproliferative diseases. Using an ex vivo system that recapitulates these conditions of infection, we correlated expression of selected B cell-surface markers and intracellular cytokines with expression of EBV latency genes and cell proliferation. We identified CD23, CD58, and IL6, as molecules expressed at early times after EBV-infection. EBV differentially infected B cells into two distinct sub-populations of latently infected CD23+ cells: one fraction, marked as CD23hiCD58+IL6- by day 3, subsequently proliferated; another fraction, marked as CD23loCD58+, expressed IL6, a B cell growth factor, but failed to proliferate. High levels of LMP1, a critical viral oncoprotein, were expressed in individual CD23hiCD58+ and CD23loCD58+ cells, demonstrating that reduced levels of LMP1 did not explain the lack of proliferation of CD23loCD58+ cells. Differentiation stage of B cells did not appear to govern this dichotomy in outcome either. Memory or naive B cells did not exclusively give rise to either CD23hi or IL6-expressing cells; rather memory B cells gave rise to both sub-populations of cells. B cells are differentially susceptible to EBV-mediated proliferation despite expression of viral gene products known to be critical for continuous B cell growth. Cellular events, in addition to viral gene expression, likely play a critical role in determining the outcome of EBV infection. By indentifying cells predicted to undergo EBV-mediated proliferation, our study provides new avenues of investigation into EBV pathogenesis.
Shrunken interest rate forecasts are better forecasts

Predicted changes in interest rates are imperfectly correlated with actual changes in interest rates. One statistical consequence may be that large predicted changes are more likely to be overestimates than underestimates of the magnitude of the change. If so, the accuracy of predicted interest rate changes can be improved by shrinking them toward a prior mean of zero. The application of this idea to interest rate forecasts by the Survey of Professional Forecasters found a consistent improvement in the accuracy of their predictions.
Intensive chemotherapy with hematopoietic stem-cell support for children with recurrent or refractory NHL.

Background :Children with refractory or recurrent NHL are generally thought to have a poor prognosis. Those with chemosensitive disease are usually considered for an intensification phase, with either autologous or allogeneic hematopoietic stem-cell transplantation (HSCT). Methods :From 1990 to 2001 we performed 24 HSCTs in 22 children with refractory (n = 8), recurrent (n = 13), or high-risk in first CR (n = 1) NHL. Among the HSCTs, 19 were autologous and five were allogeneic. Results : In two children, allogeneic HSCT was performed after failing auto logous HSCT. The histologic subtypes comprised large cell, (n = 13), Burkitt's lymphoma (n = 5) and lymphoblastic (n = 4). Among the cases of primary relapse, 10 occurred during therapy and three occurred after completing initial therapy. Among the 22 children in this series, two died of transplant-related toxicity and nine died of progressive disease or relapse after transplant. Among the 11 children who are alive and disease-free, 10 had non -lymphoblastic histology and one had lymphoblastic disease; one relapsed after autologous HSCT, but was successfully salvaged with multi-agent chemotherapy and involved-field irradiation. Among the 22 initial transplanted cases, 10 of 19 children with chemosensitive disease before transplantation and one of three with chemoresistant disease are currently alive and disease-free. Discussion :Intensive chemotherapy followed by hematopoietic stem-cell support is an effective strategy for children with chemosensitive recurrent non-lymphoblastic NHL.
High-resolution three-dimensional imaging from subsecond helical CT data sets: applications in vascular imaging.

T he coupling of three-dimensional (3D) imaging with helical CT data sets has shown promise in a wide range of clinical applications in the chest, abdomen, CNS, and vascular systems [ 1 , 2]. The potential ability to create vascular maps is a particularly exciting area, with initial results suggesting that for specific applications, 3D CT could replace conventional angiography [1-3] at a considerable savings in both cost and potential morbidity. Numerous articles have attempted to address the importance of data acquisition protocols with a focus on the role of slice thickness and pitch and the inevitable compromises in parameter selection [2-4]. Other articles have focused on the technical aspects of the 3D reconstruction process, with the advantages and disadvantages of shaded surface display, maximum intensity projection, and volume-rendering technique debated in the literature [4]. One of the most recent advances has been the subsecond scan time capability of helical CT scanners. These scan times, which are in the range of 0.75 sec. do not reach the 100msec acquisitions of the so-called ‘fast scanners” (Electron Beam Scanner; Imatron, Oyster Bay, CA). However, they do provide the capability of even fasten slice acquisition and better volume data sets. Herts et al. [5] compared image quality of helical CT scans in which times of acquisition were 0.75 sec and 1 sec. These authors found little perceived difference for measures of organ edge sharpness, vessel enhancement, visibility, and image quality. In this article, we illustrate some of the vascular detail that is possible with these subsecond techniques and the potential role they can play in clinical diagnosis and patient care.
Hormonal response to competition among male coalitions

Previous research has shown that testosterone (T) and cortisol (C) are released in response to a wide variety of social stimuli including dyadic (one on one) competitive events, but humans also compete as groups. Here we report results from a pilot study of hormonal responses to competition between male coalitions. Salivary T and C levels were assessed in adult males from a rural Caribbean village who competed at dominoes, as two-man teams, against (a) familiar men from their own village (within coalition), and (b) strangers from another village (between coalitions). Analyses indicate that both T and C levels were higher and responses more pronounced for between-village competition than for within-village competition, but we could not compare responses to victory and defeat in the betweenvillage case, since our subjects happened to win both such contests. Further studies of endocrine responses in the context of coalitional competition are warranted. D 2002 Elsevier Science Inc. All rights reserved.
A metallo-β-lactamase is responsible for the degradation of ceftiofur by the bovine intestinal bacterium Bacillus cereus P41

Ceftiofur is a highly effective veterinary cephalosporin, yet it is rapidly degraded by bacteria in the gut. The goal of this work was to directly determine the mechanism of ceftiofur degradation by the bovine intestinal isolate Bacillus cereus P41. B. cereus P41 was isolated from the feces of a cow that had not been treated with cephalosporins, and was found to rapidly degrade ceftiofur in culture. Analysis of spent culture media by HPLC/UV and HPLC/MS revealed one major metabolite of ceftiofur, with a negative ion m/z of 127. Comparison of ceftiofur, ceftriaxone, and cefpodoxime degradation suggested that the major stable ceftiofur metabolite was the thiofuroic acid group eliminated from the C-3 position of the drug after hydrolysis by β-lactamase. Genomic DNA from B. cereus P41 was cloned into Escherichia coli, and the transformants were screened for growth in the presence of ceftiofur. DNA sequencing of the plasmid pHSG299-BC-3 insert revealed the presence of a gene encoding a metallo-β-lactamase. Incubation of ceftiofur with either the E. coli transformant or a commercial B. cereus metallo-β-lactamase showed degradation of the drug and formation of the same major metabolite produced by B. cereus P41. These data demonstrate that a metallo-β-lactamase plays a major role in the degradation of ceftiofur by the bovine intestinal bacterium B. cereus P41.
The RAG recombinase dictates functional heterogeneity and cellular fitness in natural killer cells.

SUMMARY The emergence of recombination-activating genes (RAGs) in jawed vertebrates endowed adaptive immune cells with the ability to assemble a diverse set of antigen receptor genes. In contrast, innate lymphocytes, such as natural killer (NK) cells, are not believed to require RAGs. Here, we report that NK cells unable to express RAGs or RAG endonuclease activity during ontogeny exhibit a cell-intrinsic hyperresponsiveness but a diminished capacity to survive following virus-driven proliferation, a reduced expression of DNA damage response mediators, and defects in the repair of DNA breaks. Evidence for this novel function of RAG has also been observed in T cells and innate lymphoid cells (ILCs), revealing an unexpected role for RAG proteins beyond V(D)J recombination. We propose that DNA cleavage events mediated by RAG endow developing adaptive and innate lymphocytes with a cellular ‘‘fitness’’ that safeguards their persistence later in life during episodes of rapid proliferation or cellular stress.
Exploring Three-Phase Systems and Synchronous Motors: A Low-Voltage and Low-Cost Experiment at the Sophomore Level

In order to meet changing curricular and societal needs, a three-phase system and synchronous motor laboratory experience for sophomore-level students in a wide variety of engineering majors was designed, implemented, and assessed. The experiment is unusual in its early placement in the curriculum, and in that it focuses primarily on basic understanding of balanced three-phase systems and synchronous motor operating principles. While a low-voltage three-phase system and subfractional-horsepower electric motors were used, experimental results proved to be reliable, accurate, and repeatable. Changes in student knowledge and confidence in the application of that knowledge was assessed and shown to have increased significantly in each case.
Evolution of the Glaciated Shelf and Coastline of the Northern Gulf of Maine, USA

The Gulf of Maine (northeast US coast) records shelf evolution since deglaciation ca. 15 ka. Glacial erosion of bedrock left a complex coastline of bays, peninsulas and islands. Till and outwash provided coarse sediment for reworking in littoral systems throughout the Holocene transgression. Glaciomarine mud, the Presumpscot Formation, was an abundant source of fine sediments that were reworked in estuaries, embayments and backbarrier systems. Relative sea-level change was driven by both isostatic and eustatic components. Initial submergence to 70-130 m above present sea level was contemporaneous with marine-based ice-sheet retreat at 1513 ka. Rapid emergence followed to 60 m below present, during continuing isostatic rebound at 13-11 ka. Finally , submergence and transgression occurred 10.8 ka to present as isostatic rebound was overtaken by eustatic sea-level rise. Reworking during emergence and lowstand brought sand and gravel to the present coast and inner shelf, building paleodeltas at the mouths of the Merrimack River and Kennebec River. Other rivers, such as the Penobscot, drained landscapes with fewer coarse-grained sources, and have primarily mud-filled estuaries, such as Penobscot Bay. Detailed seismic reflection profiling and sidescan sonar mapping provide data for a model of inner-shelf evolution based on principles of sequence stratigraphy. The lower sequence boundary is the unconformity created on top of the Presumpscot Fm. and other glacial sediments during emergence. Lowstand systems tracts are best recognized in paleodeltas. Transgressive systems tracts are thin, but interrupted by parasequences of prograding deltaic and estuarine facies in some estuaries. Significant examples such as the newly discovered Penobscot Paleodelta (8-9 ka, 30 m below present sea-level) may relate to a slowing of relative sea-level rise. Highstand systems tracts formed in the late Holocene as the rate of sea-level rise slowed and the rate of sediment supply allowed stabilization and progradation of barriers and tidal deltas. Preservation potential of these features is controlled by the open coast ravinement unconformity, and by the tidal ravinement unconformity and bluff ravinement unconformity in embayments. Variability in preservation potential results both from paleotopography and differing energy of modern processes.
Surfactant Effects in Coating Processes

Free surfaces and laminar viscous flow are the features common to all coating flows which are susceptible to the effects of surfactant additives. Surfactants can change drastically the interfacial physics and chemistry of aqueous solution — and more rarely organic solutions — because they preferentially concentrate, or adsorb, at interfaces. The surfactant concentration there can be orders of magnitude larger than in the bulk liquid, depressing surface tension far below that of the solvent. If the liquid flows in such a way that fluid elements moving along the surface undergo rapid compression or expansion (area change), then the surface composition changes. If the surface deformation is not everywhere the same, neither is the surface concentration: there are concentration gradients. Concentration gradients make surface tension gradients. The consequence is in the balance of forces at the interface: the depression of capillary forces and the induction of surface tension gradients can stabilize the flow, lead to large changes in interfacial shape, and sometimes induce unsteady flow.