cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Early Fertility of Red Deer Hinds in New Zealand

FOR sporting purposes, more than 100 liberations of red deer (Cervus elaphus L.) were made in New Zealand during 1851–19231. Some of these deer were of mixed strains (including English, Scottish, and German) from several English parks2. They were afforded partial or complete protection in most parts of the Dominion until 1930, Because of this, and because of the great abundance of browse in the previously unbrowsed indigenous forests and alpine grasslands, the several established herds increased and spread to the remaining suitable environments in both main islands with dramatic speed. The average rate of spread of the red deer and other species of introduced deer has recently been given by Caughley3. Control operations against the red deer and other species were initiated in 1930 and are continuing in economically important areas4. To-day the red deer occupy most of the suitable lowland and mountain forests and alpine grasslands from about latitude 37° S. to 47° S,—a very wide variety of deer habitat.
Discordant changes between immunoreactive ACTH and β-endorphin in rat brain and pituitary during early development*

Discordant changes in brain concentrations of immunoreactive (IR-) adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) or β-endorphin, peptides derived from pro-opiomelanocortin (POMC), have been reported during the latter part of development and with subsequent aging. These changes were believed to be due to age-related alterations in the regulation of metabolism of POMC-related peptides. However, concentrations of IR-ACTH and IR-β-endorphin have not been simultaneously studied during early development when many changes in brain development and behavior are occurring. To determine whether concentrations of IR-ACTH and IR-β-endorphin change during early development and whether changes are discordant, concentrations of IR-ACTH and IR-β-endorphin were measured in several brain regions and pituitary in rats at 10, 29 and 80 days after birth. Whereas IR-ACTH in extrahypothalamic brain increased at day 29, and decreased at day 80, it did not change in hypothalamus and pituitary. Between day 10 and 29, IR-β-endorphin rose in all brain regions, but subsequent changes in different tissues were variable at day 80. Because concentration changes can be mediated by alterations in one or more regulatory mechanisms, chromatographic profiles of hypothalamus and amygdala and molar ratios of all tissues were subsequently studied to give further insight into the mechanisms of the discordant changes. Molecular profiles of hypothalamic IR-ACTH and amygdalar IR-β-endorphin exhibited lesser proportions of large molecular forms and greater proportions of ACTH and β-endorphin during development. Molar ratios of IR-ACTH/IR-β-endorphin in all tissues and ratios of ACTH1–39/β-endorphin in hypothalamus and amygdala changed during development. Conclusions: (1) changes in IR-ACTH and IR-β-endorphin occur in rat pituitary and several brain regions at different ages during early development and are frequently discordant; (2) molecular profiles suggested that the activity of processing enzymes for POMC and its derivatives vary in hypothalamus and amygdala with respect to type of derivative, brain region, and developmental age; and (3) changes in some molecular profiles and changes in molar ratios of IR-ACTH/IR-β-endorphin and ratios of ACTH1–39/β-endorphin suggest that changes in processing and possibly changes in neurosecretion and degradation contribute to concentration changes independent of possible alterations in biosynthesis of POMC.
Rejoinder on vigilantism in the Philippines

Reponse de l'A. aux commentaires d'Araceli Suzara sur les relations entre l'Eglise, l'Etat et le culte aux Philippines. Il propose une reflexion sur les conclusions developpees par d'A. Suzara, et plus precisement sur l'action des groupes d'autodefense. L'article montre comment un processus revolutionnaire peut changer la structure a partir de laquelle se font et se defont les alliances entre les organisations religieuses et les organisations laiques. L'A. reprend et critique l'idee d'A. Suzara selon laquelle les groupes d'autodefense sont plus violents lorsqu'ils sont d'inspiration religieuse
Public Choice, Pluralism, and Scarcity Implications for Bureaucratic Behavior

The presence of societal scarcity has modified the ability of pluralism and public choice to explain societal events and, in particular, bureaucratic behavior. Both pluralism and public choice are social science approaches that were developed during a period of societal growth and expansion. As a result, the basic tenets of both of these approaches assume societal growth. In the absence of such growth, the ability of each approach to explain societal events is decreased. The implications of this phenomenon for each approach's ability to explain bureaucratic behavior are discussed.
Hubris or humility? Accuracy issues for the next 50 years of travel demand modeling

This study reviews the 50-year history of travel demand forecasting models, concentrating on their accuracy and relevance for public decision-making. Only a few studies of model accuracy have been performed, but they find that the likely inaccuracy in the 20-year forecast of major road projects is ±30 % at minimum, with some estimates as high as ±40–50 % over even shorter time horizons. There is a significant tendency to over-estimate traffic and underestimate costs, particularly for toll roads. Forecasts of transit costs and ridership are even more uncertain and also significantly optimistic. The greatest knowledge gap in US travel demand modeling is the unknown accuracy of US urban road traffic forecasts. Modeling weaknesses leading to these problems (non-behavioral content, inaccuracy of inputs and key assumptions, policy insensitivity, and excessive complexity) are identified. In addition, the institutional and political environments that encourage optimism bias and low risk assessment in forecasts are also reviewed. Major institutional factors, particularly low local funding matches and competitive grants, confound scenario modeling efforts and dampen the hope that technical modeling improvements alone can improve forecasting accuracy. The fundamental problems are not technical but institutional: high non-local funding shares for large projects warp local perceptions of project benefit versus costs, leading to both input errors and political pressure to fund projects. To deal with these issues, the paper outlines two different approaches. The first, termed ‘hubris’, proposes a multi-decade effort to substantially improve model forecasting accuracy over time by monitoring performance and improving data, methods and understanding of travel, but also by deliberately modifying the institutional arrangements that lead to optimism bias. The second, termed ‘humility’, proposes to openly quantify and recognize the inherent uncertainty in travel demand forecasts and deliberately reduce their influence on project decision-making. However to be successful either approach would require monitoring and reporting accuracy, standards for modeling and forecasting, greater model transparency, educational initiatives, coordinated research, strengthened ethics and reduction of non-local funding ratios so that localities have more at stake.
A Broad Range of Conformations Contribute to the Solution Ensemble of the Essential Splicing Factor U2AF65

U2AF65 is essential for pre-mRNA splicing in most eukaryotes. Two consecutive RNA recognition motifs (RRM) of U2AF65 recognize a polypyrimidine tract at the 3′ splice site. Here, we use small-angle X-ray scattering to demonstrate that the tandem U2AF65 RRMs exhibit a broad range of conformations in the solution ensemble. The majority of U2AF65 conformations exhibit few contacts between the RRMs, such as observed in the crystal structure. A subpopulation adopts tight inter-RRM contacts, such as independently reported based on paramagnetic relaxation enhancements. These complementary structural methods demonstrate that diverse splice sites have the opportunity to select compact or extended inter-RRM proximities from the U2AF65 conformational pool.
Process domains and the River Continuum

ABSTRACT: The concept of process domains is proposed as an alternative to the River Continuum Concept for the influence of geomorphic processes on aquatic ecosystems. Broadly defined, the Process Domain Concept is a multi-scale hypothesis that spatial variability in geomorphic processes governs temporal patterns of disturbances that influence ecosystem structure and dynamics. At a coarse scale, regional climate, geolog vegetation, and topography control the suite of geomorphic processes that are distributed over a landscape. Within the broad context so defined, stream channel classification can guide identification of functionally similar portions of a channel network, but the response of otherwise similar reaches can depend upon their geologic and geomorphic context. Within geomorphic provinces defined by differences in topography, climate history, and tectonic setting, areas with generally similar geology and topography define lithotopo units, which are useful for stratifying different suites of dominant geomorphic processes. Process domains are spatially identifiable areas characterized by distinct suites of geomorphic processes, and the Process Domain Concept implies that channel networks can be divided into discrete regions in which community structure and dynamics respond to distinctly different disturbance regimes. The concepts of process domains and lithotopo units provide both a framework for the application of patch dynamics concepts to complex landscapes and a context for addressing the effects of watershed processes on the ecology of mountain drainage basins.
Environmental effects of landfills

In the past, landfilling involved burying municipal refuse directly or after on-site burning. Typically, little attention was given to proper siting and engineering to obviate the hazards of the generation of CH4 and toxic leachates as wastes decomposed. Leachates were hopefully attenuated by natural processes (adsorption, precipitation, ion exchange, microbial decomposition or dilution in the unsaturated zone below landfills). Landfills slowly evolved by proper siting, design and management into efficiently operated bioreactors to produce purified CH4 for use as a fuel, and leachates, which were treated biologically and chemically to minimize groundwater pollution. Microbial reactions in landfills are outlined. The amounts and composition of landfill gas and leachate as determined by the interaction of factors such as refuse composition, degree of compaction, temperature, moisture content, refuse age and depth are discussed. Typical inorganic and organic composition of landfill gases and leachates are presented. The potential and real environmental effects on soils, plants, groundwater, aquatic organisms and humans of disposal of municipal refuse by landfilling are reviewed. Finally, the most recent trend in constructing refuse landfills to serve as final storage reservoirs which are deliberately kept dry to minimize gas and leachate production is discussed and illustrated. Present activities in waste recycling to conserve landfill space are outlined.
Recent depression updates: relevant presentations.

This review discusses several depression-relevant abstracts of posters and talks presented at the 2005 American College of Neuropsychopharmacology Annual Meeting and the 2006 Collegium Internationale Neuro-Psychopharmacologicum Meeting. Described are several novel psychopharmacologic treatments for major depressive disorder, some predictors of efficacy, and information relevant to understanding the activation of the hypothalamicpituitary-adrenal axis in depression.
Effect of activase level and isoform on the thermotolerance of photosynthesis in Arabidopsis

Ribulose 1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (Rubisco) activation decreases under moderate heat stress. This decrease is caused by an impairment of activase function, which is exacerbated by faster rates of Rubisco deactivation at elevated temperatures. To determine if stromal oxidation causes inhibition of activase, transgenic Arabidopsis plants expressing suboptimal amounts of either the redox-regulated 46 kDa a- or non-redox regulated 43 kDa b-isoform of activase were examined. Photosynthesis, as measured by gas exchange and chlorophyll fluorescence, and Rubisco activation were inhibited to a much greater extent by moderately high temperatures in the two transgenic lines expressing suboptimal levels of the individual isoforms of activase compared with wildtype plants or transgenic plants expressing levels of the b-isoform sufficient for wild-type rates of photosynthesis. Net photosynthesis and Rubisco activation in transgenic plants expressing suboptimal amounts of the b-isoform of activase from the Antarctic hairgrass were even more sensitive to inhibition by moderate heat stress than in the transgenic plants containing Arabidopsis activase. The results demonstrate that photosynthesis exhibits a similar sensitivity to inhibition by moderately high temperature in plants expressing either of the two different isoforms of activase. Thus, impairment of activase function under heat stress is not caused by oxidation of the redox-sensitive sulphydryls of the a-isoform of activase. Instead, the results are consistent with thermal denaturation of activase under moderate heat stress, the effects of which on Rubisco activation would be enhanced when activase levels are suboptimal for photosynthesis.
Finite element method - A companion in experimental mechanics

The hybrid experimental-numerical procedure for structural analysis is described by its applications in fracture mechanics. The procedure was first verified by the excellent agreements between the dynamic stress intensity factors obtained directly by dynamic photoelasticity and those generated by the hybrid procedure where a dynamic finite element code was executed in its generation mode. The hybrid procedure was then used to determine the dynamic fracture toughness of reaction bonded silicon nitride.
Effects of water on the structure and low/high temperature stability of confined proteins

In this study well-characterized model proteins were confined in silica nanoporous matrices. Confinement of the proteins in silica matrices allowed us to explore the role of water hydrogen bonding on the structures of the proteins in a broad range of temperatures (−120 °C to 95 °C). At low temperatures confinement suppressed freezing of water, which remained in the liquid state. We obtained direct evidence that the changes in the hydrogen bonding of water induced changes in the structure of confined proteins. At high temperatures, a reduction of hydrogen bonding of water facilitated protein–silica interactions and the confined proteins underwent denaturation. However, the incorporation of the osmolyte, trehalose, reduced protein–silica interactions, and altered the hydrogen bonding of water. As a result, the high temperature thermal stability of the confined proteins was greatly improved.
Spinal cord and brain injury protection: testing concept for a protective device

Study design:Test development for a device that could prevent both brain and spinal cord injuries during motorcycling and horseback riding. Objective:The objective of this study was to develop a method and test a concept device that could protect against both spinal cord (SCI) and brain injuries (BI).Setting:St Louis, Missouri, USA. Methods:A Hybrid III dummy (that is, head, neck and torso) was used as a pendulum bob during three test conditions: (1) no protection, (2) standard motorcycle helmet and (3) SCI and BI test structure (SCIBITS). Triaxial accelerometers, a C1 force transducer and a video system were used to collect data as the dummy axially impacted a rigid barrier at speeds ranging from 10 to 605 cm s(-1). SCIBITS consisted of a fused fiberglass thoracic jacket/head shield unit. Separation between the dummy head and the head shield permitted freedom of head movement within safe limits as impact forces to the head shield were transferred from the head and neck to the upper thorax. The BI threshold was 200-300 g, and the SCI threshold was 3010 N. Results:The SCIBITS protected against spinal cord injury, whereas the motorcycle helmet did not. The helmet protected against BI and the SCIBITS provided partial protection. Conclusions:The experiments describe the efficacy of an impact testing system utilizing an instrumented dummy suspended as a pendulum bob. The equipment will facilitate the design and construction of a functional device for protection against both SCI and BI in relation to both motorcycling and horseback riding. Language: en
Consumo de alcohol y trastornos de la conducta alimentaria: evidencia, similitudes e implicancias

Antecedentes. Existe una contundente evidencia que apoya la co-ocurrencia entre trastornos de la conducta alimentaria y abuso de alcohol y otras sustancias. Metodo. Se revisa la literatura especializada disponible acerca de la asociacion entre ambas patologias, la presencia de abuso de alcohol en familiares de pacientes con desordenes alimentarios y las hipotesis que las relacionan etiopatogenicamente, considerando sus similitudes y diferencias. Resultados. El 27% de las pacientes con trastornos alimentarios presenta dependencia a alcohol. El abuso y/o dependencia de alcohol oscila entre el 0% al 6% en la anorexia nerviosa restrictiva, 10% y 28% cuando se demuestra la presencia de rasgos bulimicos, y hasta 50% en las pacientes bulimicas. Entre el 15% al 56% de las pacientes alcoholicas presenta un trastorno alimentario: 1,4% a 10% anorexia nerviosa, 10% comer compulsivo o trastorno por comilonas, pero principalmente bulimico, entre 6,2% a 50%. Abuso de alcohol parental se observa hasta en el 50% de pacientes bulimicas y solo hasta el 7% de pacientes anorecticas. Conclusiones. Las referencias publicadas claramente sugieren una comorbilidad entre trastornos de la conducta alimentaria y abuso de drogas, incluido el alcohol, cuya relacion aun permanece oscura. Mas del 30% de los pacientes con trastornos alimentarios puede exhibir un problema de abuso de sustancias concurrente, particularmente los pacientes portadores de bulimia nerviosa. La coexistencia de ambos desordenes posee implicancias clinicas, terapeuticas y pronosticas
Millimeter Wave Frequency Multipliers Employing Semiconductor Diodes in a Balanced Configuration

The application of semiconductor diodes in microwave/millimeter wave frequency multipliers is well known. A new technique, employing semiconductor diodes in a balanced circuit configuration, has demonstrated significant performance advantages in millimeter wave doubler and tripler applications. Both theoretical analyses and experimental data summaries are presented in support of this conclusion.
Forecasting local business activity from aggregate indicators

A regional forecasting technique is developed which combines national and local indicators to provide forecasts of local business activity. A regional business index is first developed to provide a time series from which the historical pattern of local business activity may be evaluated. The relationship between this time series and a similarly constructed national indicator series are first examined with cross-spectral analysis. The information from this analysis is used to guide the formulation of a transfer function time series model. Out-of-sample forecasts are then generated with the transfer model and a univariate ARMIA model. A comparison of these two forecasts to the actual regional index reveals that the transfer model provides a superior forecast.
Phenylalanine metabolism in cockroaches, Periplaneta americana: intracellular symbionts and aromatic ring cleavage.

Abstract 1. 1. Radiorespirometric studies of phenylalanine (1-14C-ring labeled) metabolism in cockroaches, Periplaneta americana, revealed aromatic ring cleavage to be of quantitatively minor significance, with less than 3 per cent in the first 25 hr. 2. 2. Cockroaches deprived of their intracellular symbionts by prior injections of lysozyme produced only about one-eighth as much 14CO2 from the phenylalanine as did saline-injected controls. 3. 3. Metabolism of 1-14C-acetate to 14CO2 was not significantly different in the two groups, indicating the lysozyme had no general effect on oxidative metabolism. 4. 4. The role of intracellular symbionts in ring catabolism is discussed.
Solubility of anthracene in binary solvent mixtures containing tetrahydropyran

Abstract Solubilities are reported for anthracene in binary n-hexane+tetrahydropyran, n-heptane + tetrahydropyran, n-octane + tetrahydropyran, cyclohexane + tetrahydropyran, methylcyclohexane + tetrahydropyran and isooctane + tetrahydropyran solvent mixtures at 25°C. Results of these measurements are compared to predictions based on the nearly ideal binary solvent (NIBS) model. Binary solvent excess free energies, required as input for the NIBS model, are estimated via the solubility parameter model. The NIBS model underestimates observed solubilities because of poor estimates for binary solvent properties. For cyclohexane + tetrahydropyran mixtures for which experimental free energies are available, the NIBS model predicts anthracene solubilities to within about 4%.
Optimization of Coomassie staining for quantitative densitometry of Soybean storage proteins in gradient gel electrophoresis

Soybean (Glycine maxL. Merr., cv. Dare) protein subunits were separated by gradient gel electrophoresis and analyzed by two-dimensional densitometry with computer-aided volume integration. Significant differences in the time required to achieve equilibrium staining with Coomassie Blue were revealed among the various polypeptides. Bands corresponding to lipoxygenase reached staining equilibrium in 2.7 h, whereas longer periods were required for polypeptides of β-conglycinin (5.5 to 6.7 h) and of glycinin (8.6 to 9.2 h). These differences among polypeptides could be attributed in part to changes in gradient concentration within the polyacrylamide gel. Optimal staining intensity among all soluble proteins extracted from soybean seed was reached after staining for 8 h. Shorter than optimal staining times lead to significant underestimation of parameters such as the percentage of β-conglycinin and glycinin of total soluble protein.
Relationships of Substance Abuse to Dietary Intakes and Anthropometric Measurements in Urban African American Pregnant Women.

Abstract LEARNING OUTCOME: Through the use of anthropometric measurements, examine the impact of alcohol and substance abuse on the nutritional status of pregnant women. Relationships of illicit and licit drugs to dietary intakes and anthropometric measurements were examined in 163 urban African American pregnant women. Socio-demographic and dietary data were collected via questionnaires. Maternal anthropometric measurements were determined from the participants' medical records. Fasting blood samples were screened for marijuana, heroin, opiate and phencyclidine (PCP). The participants were designated as drug users, trace drug users and non-drug users based on screening threshold concentrations. Drug use was determined by self reports and biochemical analysis. Prevalence of self reported drug use was lower than the prevalence based on biochemical analysis. Chi-square analysis showed significant relationships between smoking and use of alcoholic beverages (P 12 and phosphorus were consumed consistently in amounts equal to or exceeding 100% of the Recommended Dietary Allowances (RDA). Vitamin B 6 , calcium, folate, iron, magnesium and zinc were consumed in amounts below the RDA. No significant differences in food energy and nutrient intakes were found among the groups (P>0.05). The maternal anthropometric measurements though similar among the three groups, were mainly highest among the drug using group.
Ultra performance liquid chromatography (UPLC) further improves hydrogen/deuterium exchange mass spectrometry

Ultra performance liquid chromatography (UPLC) employs particles smaller than 2 µm in diameter to achieve superior resolution, speed, and sensitivity compared with high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). We have tested the suitability of UPLC for the analysis of deuterated peptides in hydrogen exchange mass spectrometry experiments. Superior resolution and sample throughput were obtained with UPLC versus HPLC. For highly deuterated model peptides, deuterium loss using UPLC was greater than the deuterium loss observed using a conventional HPLC system, primarily as a result of the injection requirements of the UPLC system. Partially deuterated cytochrome c peptides also lost more deuterium in UPLC versus HPLC, although the effect was not as pronounced as it was for the highly deuterated model peptides. The exceptional chromatographic aspects of UPLC make it a very attractive alternative to HPLC for hydrogen exchange mass spectrometry experiments.
Innovations in optical microfluidic technologies for point-of-care diagnostics

Despite a growing focus from the academic community, the field of microfluidics has yet to produce many commercial devices for point-of-care (POC) diagnostics. One of the main reasons for this is the difficulty in producing low-cost, sensitive, and portable optical detection systems. Although electrochemical methods work well for certain applications, optical detection is generally regarded as superior and is the method most widely employed in laboratory clinical chemistry. Conventional optical systems, however, are costly, require careful alignment, and do not translate well to POC devices. Furthermore, many optical detection paradigms such as absorbance and fluorescence suffer at smaller geometries because the optical path length through the sample is shortened. This review examines the innovative techniques which have recently been developed to address these issues. We highlight microfluidic diagnostic systems which demonstrate practical integration of sample preparation, analyte enrichment, and optical detection. We also examine several emerging detection paradigms involving nanoengineered materials which do not suffer from the same miniaturization disadvantages as conventional measurements.
The role of body mass in the response to growth hormone therapy.

Obesity is associated with normal or increased growth despite diminished GH secretion compared to lean children. The mechanism by which adequate growth is maintained in the presence of low GH levels is unknown, but is possibly mediated at the GH receptor level. To probe this hypothesis, we examined the relationship between GH responsivity, body mass index (BMI) and plasma GH-binding protein (GH-BP)/receptor level in 43 GH-deficient children during treatment with a fixed dose of GH (0.18 mg/kg.week). Before treatment, BMI [expressed as standard deviation score (SDS) for age (BMI-SDS)] did not correlate with either growth velocity or serum insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I). In contrast, after 12 months of GH therapy BMI-SDS correlated directly with plasma IGF-I (P < 10(-5)) and growth velocity (P < 10(-3)). These findings parallel those obtained for GH-BP vs. the response to GH, suggesting that BMI and GH-BP are covariants. The interrelationships among BMI, GH-BP, and response to GH were further probed b...
In vitro and in vivo antimicrobial activity of granulysin-derived peptides against Vibrio cholerae

Received 20 September 2007; returned 26 November 2007; revised 14 January 2008; accepted 24 January 2008 Objectives: To determine the antibacterial activity of synthetic peptides derived from the cationic antimicrobial peptide granulysin against Vibrio cholerae. Methods: The antibacterial activity of granulysin-derived peptides was assessed in vitro by microtitre and cfu assays. Toxicity against human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) was measured by propidium iodide uptake and haemolysis by measuring the levels of haemoglobin released after incubation of red blood cells (RBCs) with granulysin peptides. The ability of granulysin peptides to control bacterial growth in vivo was tested by the treatment of suckling mice infected with V. cholerae with granulysin peptides, administered by gavage 1 h after infection and determining the number of bacteria in the small and large intestines 24 h after infection. Results: All peptides tested inhibited V. cholerae growth in vitro, and they were more effective against stationary phase cells. Two peptides, G12.21 and G14.15, effectively controlled bacterial growth in vivo. The peptides did not lyse RBCs and, with the exception of two peptides, exhibited very little toxicity against human PBMCs. Conclusions: These results suggest that granulysin-derived peptides are candidates for the development of new agents for the treatment of V. cholerae infection.
Forced Rayleigh Scattering from Lipid-Water Smectic Phases

The hydrodynamic relaxation rate for water inhomogeneities in aligned lipid-water smectics is measured for the first time using an improved version of the "forced Rayleigh" technique. Variation of the relaxation rate with water concentration yields a distinction between "bound" and "free" water.
Accurate measurement of reflectivity over wavelength of a laser diode antireflection coating using an external cavity laser

A method for measuring laser diode facet antireflection coating over wavelength is presented. The laser diode is coupled to a wavelength-selective external cavity, and laser threshold current over the wavelength region of interest is measured. The coating reflectivity over wavelength is derived from the threshold current data. Reflectivities as low as 1*10/sup -5/ have been measured with good fit over wavelength to an ideal single layer coating. The net external cavity feedback is also determined. An estimate of the accuracy of the reflectivity measurement is made. >
Pseudo-elasticity of a double network gel

A double network (DN) gel consists of interpenetrating networks of a cross-linked polyelectrolyte (the 1st network) and a neutral polymer (the 2nd network). The partial fracture of the 1st network is believed to be the main cause of the high toughness of a DN gel. In order to carry out further analysis, a quantitative material model is necessary. In this paper, we introduce two continuous internal variables to describe the gradual damage in a DN gel, and incorporate it in the free-energy function through which the constitutive relation can be derived. Using the model, the pseudo-elasticity of a DN gel in large deformation is analyzed for both uniaxial and biaxial loading cases. The model captures the Mullins effect as well as the stable necking phenomenon of a DN gel under tension. Both the Mullins effect and the necking propagation dissipate a significant amount of energy, and are directly related to the fracture toughness of a DN gel.
Fresh tissue harvest for research from prostatectomy specimens.

As a consequence of molecular biological and genetic techniques, the demand for fresh tissue for basic research has increased dramatically at academic medical centers. Because of the extreme lability of many biological macromolecules, tissue must be harvested with the least possible delay from the time of removal. This necessity for quick action, frequently under less than optimal circumstances, along with the obvious loss of tissue available for diagnostic purposes, presents a daunting challenge to the pathologist responsible for accurate grading and staging of the cancer. A novel approach is described for the procurement of fresh and freshly frozen prostatic tissue with acceptable limitations on subsequent morphological analysis. © 1994 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Implementation of time-varying observers used in direct field orientation of motor drives by trapezoidal integration

The paper discusses the problem of implementing the state observers associated with direct field orientation (DFO) of motor drives using trapezoidal integration (Tustin method). Typically, the discrete-time equations of observers are obtained by emulating the continuous-time equations using the Euler method (forward rectangular rule). With Euler integration, the resulting equations are simple and the real-time implementation requires low computational effort. However, Euler-based observers become inaccurate if a small sampling time cannot used or if the motor drive operates at high frequency-this is because, as the sampling time increases, the Euler approximation of the integral starts losing more and more area from under the curve. The Tustin method (trapezoidal integration) offers an interesting alternative it is theoretically a more accurate integration method, however, it is more complicated. The paper discusses the emulation procedure required to discretize continuous-time observers based on trapezoidal integration. The permanent magnet synchronous motor (PMSM) is used as an example of a time-varying plant-the paper develops a trapezoidal integration based observer for the PMSM and compares this with an Euler-based observer in terms of computational complexity and performance. The two observers are simulated comparatively in order to establish the conditions when trapezoidal integration outperforms the Euler method. (6 pages)
What if MacGyver Taught Physical Education

In an era of rising childhood obesity rates, many physical educators find themselves with declining financial resources. Similar to how MacGyver had to do when he was in a bind on his self-titled television show, physical educators need to think creatively when providing equipment for use by their students. The problem that has been identified is: “How does a teacher provide for the daily equipment needs of the students when the financial resources are severely limited?” One common solution is the construction of “homemade” or improvised equipment. Although there are an array of resources that provide examples of self-made equipment, the physical education literature is somewhat sparse in providing guiding principles and underlying concepts to assist the “builder” during the decision making, design and construction phases. This article leads with the question, “What would MacGyver do?” and provides the novice improviser with a template of resource banks for the “raw” materials, concrete suggestions for eq...
Fertility management for women with cancer.

Cancer is now a disease with a variety of treatment options that are leading to longer and more productive lives in survivors. More than 200,000 men and women under the age of 45 years are diagnosed with cancer annually. However, challenges remain for cancer survivors striving to return to normalcy. Infertility can be a consequence of many of the more aggressive chemo- and radiation therapies that prolong and save lives. The ability to easily preserve sperm prior to cancer treatment provides hope at the time of diagnosis to have families later in life for male survivors. A notable example is Tour de France winner Lance Armstrong, who has three children conceived by using sperm collected and frozen days before he underwent the massive chemo- and radiation therapy that saved his life. When faced with a similar devastating diagnosis, women and girls have the same hope for recovery but lack the fertility preservation options that Mr. Armstrong was given. Unlike sperm, the female germ cell, the oocyte or egg, must be retrieved surgically. Moreover, the vast majority of collected oocytes will be immature at collection and cannot be used immediately by a woman who is ready to start a family. Many of the principles and technologies discussed in this chapter in the context of cancer patients can equally well be applied to women with benign pelvic diseases that threaten their fertility. For example, some women with severe endometriosis or pelvic infection may need to have their ovaries removed as a part of radical surgical treatment for these diseases. In others, during the process of surgically removing ovarian cysts, germ cells can be damaged, thus reducing the woman’s fertility. Further, the treatment of benign diseases such as Bechet syndrome and glomerulonephropathies may require chemotherapy that could, just as with cancer patients, reduce ovarian reserve.
Current status of hepatocellular carcinoma in the United States

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) represents a challenging malignancy of worldwide importance and is the third most common cause of cancer-related death globally. While most of the burden of HCC is borne in Southeast Asia, particularly China, and sub-Saharan Africa, there have been several interesting trends of HCC in the United States in the past decades. First, the latest epidemiology trend has shown that the incidence rates for HCC in the United States have been rising. While most cancer related mortality is decreasing in the United States, deaths from HCC are increasing and at a rate faster than deaths from any other types of cancer. Second, early diagnosis of HCC continues to be challenging and most patients would present with unresectable disease. Third, the management of HCC is evolving with many new treatment modalities applied in clinical practice. In addition, multidisciplinary team efforts with increasing role of oncologists have emerged in the management of HCC in most centers in the United States. In this review, the author will highlight the key trends and current status of HCC in the United States.
Quantification of cerebral metabolic rate of oxygen with image-derived arterial input function

2018 Objectives Positron emission tomography (PET) with O15 tracers is commonly used to measure brain hemodynamic parameters such as cerebral blood flow (CBF), cerebral blood volume (CBV), and cerebral metabolic rate of oxygen (CMRO2). Conventionally, the absolute quantification of these parameters requires an arterial input function that is obtained invasively by sampling blood from an artery. We have previously demonstrated the feasibility of using an image-derived arterial input function (IDAIF) to quantify CBF, and in this study we expand our work to the quantification of full O15 PET hemodynamic studies. Methods Ten healthy participants were recruited for this study. Each participant underwent a PET session with at least one complete set of O15 PET scans for brain hemodynamics. An MR session was also performed with T1-weighted anatomic images and time-of-flight MR angiography (TOF-MRA). Arterial sampling was performed whenever possible from the radial artery through narrow bore tubing using an automated blood sampling device. Successful arterial sampling was achieved in 6 participants to obtain the arterial sampling based arterial input function (ASAIF). All modalities were co-registered and transformed into a common space for quantitative analysis. IDAIF was estimated from the PET data and an arterial ROI defined using TOF-MRA data using a method similar to our previous work. Whole brain CBF, CBV, and CMRO2 were estimated using both AS data and IDAIF method. Results The estimated hemodynamic parameters using the two approaches (ASAIF vs. IDAIF) are strongly correlated. The Pearson correlation coefficients were 0.88 for CBF, 0.79 for CBV, and 0.86 for CMRO2. Conclusions This study demonstrated the feasibility of using IDAIF to for fully quantitative measurements of hemodynamic parameters of the brain. Further study and analysis is ongoing to improve the IDAIF technique and to evaluate the agreement between the two approaches. Research Support CTSA507, MIR12-015, UL1TR000448, P01NS080675
New species of Nearctic Neoperla (Plecoptera: Perlidae), with notes on the genus

The Nearctic Neoperla are reviewed. Eight species, placed in two nominal groups, are recognized. Neoperla carlsoni, new species, N. catharae, new species, N. choctaw, new species, N. freytagi, new species, N. gaufini, new species, and N. stewarti, new species, are described for male, female, and egg. Male holotypes and female allotypes are designated for each species. Neoperla mainensis Banks and N. clymene (Newman) are redescribed and mainensis is raised to species. Descriptions are supported by original drawings and stereoscan photomicrographs. Relationships of Nearctic species groups to the world fauna are discussed.
Abstract 3865: A post genome-wide association study: Gene and environment interaction in the risk of head and neck carcinoma

A consortium of case-control studies of upper aerodigestive tract (UADT) cancers recently conducted a genome-wide association study (GWAS) and identified 20 candidate SNPs demonstrating significant independent risk for disease. Although this collaborative effort provided the sample size necessary to identify these candidates, it was not possible to investigate the interaction of these genes with environmental and demographic factors due to differences in the various participating studies’ designs, data collection strategies, and diseases examined. Thus, our study sought to investigate the potential low penetrance gene-gene and gene-environment interaction in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) risk, we examined the significant variants identified from the initial GWAS and conducted a post-GWAS analysis of gene-environment and higher order gene-gene-environment interactions in our population-based case-control study of HNSCC. Cases were patients with incident HNSCC identified from nine medical facilities in Greater Boston, MA between December 1999 and December 2003. Controls were identified from Massachusetts town books using random selection and frequency-matched to cases on age (± 3 years), gender, and town of residence. There were twenty variants selected from initial GWAS for UADT cancers. These included 11 variants with p-values A restricted cubic spline model suggested both ADH1B and HEL308 modified the association between smoking pack-years and HNSCC. Subanalysis suggested the departure from multiplicative interaction between ADH1B and smoking was significant consistently across tumor sites (oral, pharynx and larynx). However, the departure from multiplicative interaction between HEL308 and smoking was only detected in oral cavity and pharyngeal sites. Classification and regression tree (CART) analysis demonstrated the higher order interactions between smoking status, ADH1B, FLJ13089 and FLJ35784 in HNSCC risk. Compared with ever smokers carrying ADH1B T/C+T/T genotypes, smokers carrying ADH1B C/C genotype and FLJ13089 A/G+A/A genotypes had a highest risk of HNSCC (OR=1.84; 95%CI: 0.98-3.47). Our study showed both ADH1B and HEL308 modified the association between smoking and HNSCC. Higher order interactions between smoking status, ADH1B, FLJ13089 and FLJ35784 in HNSCC risk were also observed. Together these results confirm and expand upon the associations observed in the initial GWAS and suggest that the risk associated with these variants may be specifically important amongst specific exposure groups. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 101st Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2010 Apr 17-21; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2010;70(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 3865.
Fate or free will: my passage to bioethics.

I remember applying for the master’s in bioethics program at the University of Pennsylvania and thinking very carefully about what I wanted any reader to know about my childhood and its impact on shaping my career path to this point.
Adenylate Cyclase Activity of Normal and Goitrous Rat Thyroids

SummaryThe influence of Mg2+, Mn2+, and Ca2+ as well as the effects of guanosine triphosphate (GTP) and prostaglandin E1 (PGE1) on adenylate cyclase activity in ho-mogenates of thyroid glands from rats treated with propylthiouracil (PTU) and from normal control rats were compared. Increasing concentrations of Mg2+ in the medium stimulated adenylate cyclase activity: at 8 and 12 mM Mg2+, cyclase activity was significantly higher in the PTU-treated group. The effect of Mn2+ on adenylate cyclase activity was essentially the same in goitrous and normal thyroids. Calcium inhibited adenylate cyclase activity; the K1 for Ca2+ (about 0.4 mM) was approximately equal for normal and goitrous glands. There was also no significant difference between goitrous and control thyroid tissue in fluoride-stimulated adenylate cyclase activity determined at various Mg2+ concentrations. Addition of GTP to the assay mixture stimulated adenylate cyclase activity in both groups. GTP also made tissue from both groups of rats respons...
Spatial variability in the potential for symbiotic N2 fixation by woody plants in a subtropical savanna ecosystem

1. Root infection by symbiotic N 2 -fixing Frankia and Rhizobium strains was quantified in relation to light and soil properties for seedlings of 12 woody species from a subtropical savanna in southern Texas, USA. 2. None of four rhamnaceous species nodulated, despite the fact that bioassays with a known actinorhizal species yielded 13 nodules per seedling. Celtis pallida (Ulmaceae), Acacia greggii and Acacia berlandieri (Leguminosae) also failed to nodulate even though field populations of these species were characterized by high (2.7-4.2%) foliar nitrogen concentration. 3. Infective rhizobia occurred in all soils studied regardless of soil depth, distance from a host plant or type of plant cover. Plant growth in N-free media and acetylene reduction activity suggested that all nodules were capable of N 2 -fixation. 4. The extent of nodulation varied by species. However, nodulated seedlings were taller, produced more biomass and allocated less biomass to root systems than their non-nodulated counterparts. 5. Numbers of nodules on seedlings of Prosopis glandulosa, the dominant woody species in this subtropical savanna and throughout the south-western USA, were reduced by low light (15% full sunlight) regardless of soil N level; at medium and full sunlight nodule biomass expressed as a fraction of whole plant biomass decreased with increasing soil N. Nodulation of field-grown P. glandulosa appears to be ephemeral, apparently varying with changes in soil moisture. 6. Nodulation and N 2 fixation among woody legumes in subtropical savannas can occur across a broad range of soil conditions and depths with significant impacts on local and regional N-cycles. 7. Field levels of foliar N in species that failed to nodulate in the laboratory were comparable to or greater than those in species capable of nodulation, suggesting that leaf N is not a reliable indicator of N 2 fixation.
Magnetothermopower of tetramethyltetrathiofulvalenium phosphorus hexaflouride

We have studied the thermoelectric power and the resistance of (TMTSF${)}_{2}$${\mathrm{PF}}_{6}$ as a function of temperature and magnetic field in the region of the spin-density-wave (SDW) metal-insulator transition. We observe slight changes above ${T}_{\mathrm{SDW}}$. Below ${T}_{\mathrm{SDW}}$ the anomalous thermopower observed in the absence of a magnetic field is suppressed and the material behaves more as a conventional semiconductor. The effect of the magnetic field is in the orbital motion of the carriers as the significant changes are observed only when the magnetic field is aligned along the c axis. These results are compared with previous magnetotransport measurements in this family of organic conductors.
Basic Design of MRM Assays for Peptide Quantification

With the recent availability and accessibility of mass spectrometry for basic and clinical research, the requirement for stable, sensitive, and reproducible assays to specifically detect proteins of interest has increased. Multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) or selective reaction monitoring (SRM) is a highly selective, sensitive, and robust assay to monitor the presence and amount of biomolecules. Until recently, MRM was typically used for the detection of drugs and other biomolecules from body fluids. With increased focus on biomarkers and systems biology approaches, researchers in the proteomics field have taken advantage of this approach. In this chapter, we will introduce the reader to the basic principle of designing and optimizing an MRM workflow. We provide examples of MRM workflows for standard proteomic samples and provide suggestions for the reader who is interested in using MRM for quantification.