cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Pancreatic duct size and gland texture are associated with pancreatic fistula after pancreaticoduodenectomy but not after distal pancreatectomy.

BACKGROUND Pancreatic fistula remains a morbid complication after pancreatectomy. Since the proposed mechanism of pancreatic fistula is different between pancreaticoduodenectomy and distal pancreatectomy, we hypothesized that pancreatic gland texture and duct size are not associated with pancreatic fistula after distal pancreatectomy. METHODS All patients ≥18 years in the 2014-15 American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (ACS NSQIP) targeted pancreatectomy dataset were linked with the ACS NSQIP Public Use File (PUF). Pancreatic duct size ( 6 mm) and pancreatic gland texture (hard, intermediate, soft) were categorized. Separate multivariable analyses were performed to evaluate associations between pancreatic duct size and gland texture after pancreaticoduodenectomy and distal pancreatectomy. RESULTS A total of 9366 patients underwent pancreaticoduodenectomy or distal pancreatectomy during the study period. Proportion of pancreatic fistula was similar after distal pancreatectomy (606 of 3132, 19.4%) and pancreaticoduodenectomy (1163 of 6335, 18.4%, p = 0.245). Both pancreatic gland texture and duct size were significantly associated with pancreatic fistula after pancreaticoduodenectomy (p<0.001). However, there was no association between pancreatic fistula and gland texture or duct size (all p≥0.169) after distal pancreatectomy. Operative approach (minimally invasive versus open) was not associated with pancreatic fistula after distal pancreatectomy (p = 0.626). Patients with pancreatic fistula after distal pancreatectomy had increased rate of postoperative complications including longer length of stay, higher rates of readmission and reoperation compared to patients who did not have a pancreatic fistula (all p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS Unlike among patients who had pancreaticoduodenectomy, pancreatic gland texture and duct size are not associated with development of pancreatic fistula following distal pancreatectomy. Other clinical factors should be considered in this patient population.
Drop impact on hairy surfaces

A study of the impact of liquid drops on millimeter-scale hairy surfaces finds that the behavior of the impacting drops depends on the amount of kinetic energy dissipated through the hairs via a balance of inertia, viscosity, and surface tension.
The preclinical activity of lenalidomide in urothelial carcinoma (UC).

e15002 Background: Lenalidomide is approved for multiple myeloma and deletion 5q myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) and demonstrates immune modulation, anti-angiogenic activity and direct anti-tumor c...
Prostatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma Controlled for Cancer Grade and Tumor Volume Does Not Have an Independent Effect on Adverse Radical Prostatectomy Outcomes Compared to Usual Acinar Prostatic Adenocarcinoma.

ABSTRACT Objective To study if prostatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDA) controlled by Grade Group (GG), PSA, and tumor volume (TV) is an independent predictor of adverse radical prostatectomy (RP) outcomes. Materials One-hundred-and-twenty-eight PDA and 1,141 acinar continuous RPs were studied. Each tumor nodule (TN) was individually graded, staged, and its TV measured. Univariate analysis (UVA) identified features associated with lymph node metastasis (LN+), extraprostatic extension (EPE), positive surgical margins (SM+), and seminal vesicle invasion (SV+). We then assessed PDA effect on RP outcomes in a multivariate analysis (MVA). Results In 127 cases PDA was present in 1 TN and no TN was pure PDA. One-hundred-and-twenty-three cases had PDA in TNs with highest grade, stage, and TV. Patients with PDA were older (65 vs. 63 years, p Conclusion Controlled for grade and TV, PDA was not an independent predictor of adverse RP outcomes, but former two were. Hence, higher GG and TV associated with PDA TNs may be predictive of adverse RP outcomes rather than PDA by itself. These conclusions may be used in preoperative risk stratification and definitive therapy planning when PDA is identified on needle biopsy.
Investigating blend morphology of P3HT:PCBM bulk heterojunction solar cells by classical atomistic simulations – Progress and prospects

This report presents recent progress in computational modeling efforts on blend morphology of P3HT:PCBM-based bulk heterojunction (BHJ) thin-film organic solar cells (OSCs). Improving power convers...
Carbon Ion Therapy: A Modern Review of an Emerging Technology

Radiation therapy is one of the most widely used therapies for malignancies. The therapeutic use of heavy ions, such as carbon, has gained significant interest due to advantageous physical and radiobiologic properties compared to photon based therapy. By taking advantage of these unique properties, carbon ion radiotherapy may allow dose escalation to tumors while reducing radiation dose to adjacent normal tissues. There are currently 13 centers treating with carbon ion radiotherapy, with many of these centers publishing promising safety and efficacy data from the first cohorts of patients treated. To date, carbon ion radiotherapy has been studied for almost every type of malignancy, including intracranial malignancies, head and neck malignancies, primary and metastatic lung cancers, tumors of the gastrointestinal tract, prostate and genitourinary cancers, sarcomas, cutaneous malignancies, breast cancer, gynecologic malignancies, and pediatric cancers. Additionally, carbon ion radiotherapy has been studied extensively in the setting of recurrent disease. We aim to provide a comprehensive review of the studies of each of these disease sites, with a focus on the current trials using carbon ion radiotherapy.
Efecto de hongos formadores de micorrizas arbusculares en clones de Coffea arabica, variedad caturra en Perú

The effect of 12 inoculants of native arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi was tested on the morphological characteristics of clonal coffee plants ( Coffea arabica L.) caturra variety, in a greenhouse experiment carried out in the province of Rodriguez de Mendoza, Amazon region - Peru. The experiment was carried out in a completely randomized design, with three repetitions and thirteen treatments. Mycorrhizal fungi were isolated from coffee farms and multiplied with trap crops ( Zea mays L.); in the same way, the coffee clones were rooted and simultaneously sowed and inoculated with 1500 spores, in sterilized substrate. The inoculation with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi was profitable. The treatments T1 (San Nicolas inoculum - I, typical variety), T10 (Omia - V inoculum, typical variety) and T11 (Omia - VI inoculum, caturra variety) were the most efficient in the increase of height, aerial dry matter, dry matter radicular and foliar area, showing significant differences with respect to the control. The origin of the AMF determined the root colonization and the extra-radicular mycelium, being the first relatively low; nevertheless, it was observed that the treatments T1, T10 and T11 showed higher values in intensity and frequency of root colonization. This study showed that coffee is a crop dependent of the symbiotic association with AMF, helping in the absorption of nutrients and water, for the growth and development of plants.
Soft and Stretchable Thermoelectric Generators Enabled by Liquid Metal Elastomer Composites

Stretchable thermoelectric generators (TEGs) capable of harvesting electrical energy from body heat under cold weather conditions have the potential to make wearable electronic and robotic systems ...
Randomized phase III trials of standard chemotherapy with or without targeted agents as first-line therapy in non-small cell lung cancer

e19092 Purpose: To characterize the pattern and outcome of randomized phase III trials involving standard chemotherapy with/without novel agents as first-line treatment in advanced NSCLC patients (...
Pyranoanthocyanin formation rates and yields as affected by cyanidin-3-substitutions and pyruvic or caffeic acids.

Abstract Anthocyanin-derived pyranoanthocyanins (PACNs) offer potential as food colorants as they may exhibit higher stability than anthocyanins (ACNs). Our objective was to compare PACN formation rate and efficiency from different cyanidin-3-derivatives and cofactors, in order to facilitate PACN production. Four cyanidin-3-derivatives (cyanidin-3-glucoside, cyanidin-3-xylosylglucosylgalactoside, cyanidin-3-malonylglucoside and cyanidin-3-xylosyl(sinapoylglucosyl)galactoside) were incubated with pyruvic or caffeic acids (PA, CA) at 25 °C in the dark for two months. PACN formation was monitored by uHPLC-PDA-MS/MS over time. ACNs incubated with PA produced PACNs with yields increasing steadily over time, reaching 15% after 2 months. PACN formation with CA increased exponentially from the start, reaching 85% during storage. PACNs were efficiently produced from 3 of the 4 ACNs in the presence of CA, with minimal pigment loss. Copigmentation between CA and ACNs may facilitate PACN formation by keeping reactants in close proximity. Anthocyanin glycosylation and acylation affected PACN formation to a lower degree than cofactors.
A Compressed, Divide and Conquer Algorithm for Scalable Distributed Matrix-Matrix Multiplication

Matrix-matrix multiplication (GEMM) is a widely used linear algebra primitive common in scientific computing and data sciences. While several highly-tuned libraries and implementations exist, these typically target either sparse or dense matrices. The performance of these tuned implementations on unsupported types can be poor, and this is critical in cases where the structure of the computations is associated with varying degrees of sparsity. One such example is Algebraic Multigrid (AMG), a popular solver and preconditioner for large sparse linear systems. In this work, we present a new divide and conquer sparse GEMM, that is also highly performant and scalable when the matrix becomes dense, as in the case of AMG matrix hierarchies. In addition, we implement a lossless data compression method to reduce the communication cost. We combine this with an efficient communication pattern during distributed-memory GEMM to provide 2.24 times (on average) better performance than the state-of-the-art library PETSc. Additionally, we show that the performance and scalability of our method surpass PETSc even more when the density of the matrix increases. We demonstrate the efficacy of our methods by comparing our GEMM with PETSc on a wide range of matrices.
Hyperthermia-mediated changes in the tumor immune microenvironment using iron oxide nanoparticles.

Iron oxide nanoparticles (IONPs) have often been investigated for tumor hyperthermia. IONPs act as heating foci in the presence of an alternating magnetic field (AMF). It has been shown that hyperthermia can significantly alter the tumor immune microenvironment. Typically, mild hyperthermia invokes morphological changes within the tumor, which elicits a secretion of inflammatory cytokines and tumor neoantigens. Here, we focused on the direct effect of IONP-induced hyperthermia on the various tumor-resident immune cell subpopulations. We compared direct intratumoral injection to systemic administration of IONPs followed by application of an external AMF. We used the orthotopic 4T1 mouse model, which represents aggressive and metastatic breast cancer with a highly immunosuppressive microenvironment. A non-inflamed and ‘cold’ microenvironment inhibits peripheral effector lymphocytes from effectively trafficking into the tumor. Using intratumoral or systemic injection, IONP-induced hyperthermia achieved a significant reduction of all the immune cell subpopulations in the tumor. However, the systemic delivery approach achieved superior outcomes, resulting in substantial reductions in the populations of both innate and adaptive immune cells. Upon depletion of the existing dysfunctional tumor-resident immune cells, subsequent treatment with clinically approved immune checkpoint inhibitors encouraged the repopulation of the tumor with ‘fresh’ infiltrating innate and adaptive immune cells, resulting in a significant decrease of the tumor cell population.
The Good Are Bad for Business

That Cupid sure was stupid the money's in the breaking Up at 9 for a 10 o'clock apptmt with Vera Treatwell Doesn't bode well for the Mister that's for Sure enough this sister's found a letter in his breast Pocket the greenbacks & I'm on my way downtown Day Three ah believe on the stakeout he's having A steak out with Little Ladylove Number Two Ladyfinger as I call her 'cause her ten are apt to Linger a little & I guarantee more than rain in the Streetlights & men pissing in corners all casual Like any lady Vera wants a pack of photographs In Kodak Et Veritas though I deplore using Latin Loosely Ladyfinger in her furs swerves around the Corner me & I'll say it's my ist time in the city & I want a picture of a pretty girl to show the guys Back home by the phone Vera is hoping I'll get him Good is how she rated Arm Around Shoulder Better was Kiss On The Neck so now I'm here On a ledge with a pair of wet pigeons cooing to each Other than nights when there's nothing doing It's a good job & gives me a swell alibi so if I happen To come home late I still get kisses from the Mrs.
Liberty's Blueprint: How Madison and Hamilton Wrote The Federalist Papers, Defined the Constitution, and Made Democracy Safe for the World – By Michael I. Meyerson

Ever since the writing of the Constitution during the summer of 1787, Americans have struggled, at times bitterly, to identify and interpret the nature of the government created by the founders at ...
Oxidation of d-Amino Acids by a Particulate Enzyme from Pseudomonas aeruginosa

A particulate d-amino acid dehydrogenase has been partially purified from cell free extracts of Pseudomonas aeruginosa grown on dl-valine as the source of carbon and energy. A standard assay was developed which utilized 2,6-dichlorophenol-indophenol as the electron acceptor. The pH optimum for enzyme activity ranged from 6.0 to 8.0, depending on the amino acid assayed. The enzyme was most active with monoamino-monocarboxylic amino acids and histidine. The Michaelis constant for d-phenylalanine was found to be 1.3 × 10-3m d-phenylalanine. Constants could not be calculated for the other amino acids oxidized because anomalous plots of V as a function of V/S were obtained. Spectra of enzyme preparations reduced with d-valine or sodium hydrosulfite exhibited adsorption bands typical of the α, β, and γ bands of cytochromes as well as bleaching in the flavin region of the spectrum. When dl-valine was added to a medium with glycerol as the energy source, d-amino acid dehydrogenase was detected after the addition of valine and was produced at a rate directly proportional to the synthesis of total protein. The enzyme was formed when d-valine, l-valine, or dl-alanine was the source of carbon and energy, but not when glucose, glycerol, or succinate was the energy source.
Modeling the Outcomes of Vote-Casting in Actual Elections

How often do events of interest to voting theorists occur in actual elections? For example, what is the probability of observing a voting cycle – an outcome in which no candidate beats all other candidates in pairwise comparison by majority rule? When there is a candidate who beats all others in such pairwise comparisons – a Condorcet winner – what is the probability that a voting method chooses this candidate?What is the probability that voters have an incentive to vote strategically – that is, cast their votes in ways that do not reflect their true preferences? Voting theorists have analyzed these questions in great detail, using a variety of statistical models that describe different distributions of candidate rankings.
A Temporal Query Language For A Conceptual Model

This chapter was a summary of our work in temporal conceptual models and query languages [173, 178, 174, 179], Our model distinguishes between conceptual and temporal objects, and characterizes the properties of entities (conceptual objects), entity roles (temporal objects), and (temporal and non-temporal) attributes. It also defines temporal constraints among entity roles, differentiates between temporal and conceptual relationships, and provides rules for preserving temporal integrity constraints.
The sonochemical reduction of cytochrome c and its inhibition by superoxide dismutase.

Abstract Superoxide radical, generated by ultrasonication of buffered aerated aqueous solutions, was detected by its ability to cause the reduction of ferricytochrome c. The rate of reduction of cytochrome c was enhanced by scavengers of hydroxyl radicals, such as formate, and was inhibited by the biological scavenger of superoxide radicals, i.e. superoxide dismutase. Raising the ionic strength of the solutions, subjected to ultrasound, caused an additive and progressive appearance of a superoxide dismutase-insensitive reduction of cytochrome c. It appears that superoxide radicals, generated within the sonically created cavities, can reduce cytochrome c in the solution by two routes. One is independent of ionic strength and can be intercepted by superoxide dismutase, whereas the other, which becomes quantitatively significant as the ionic strength is raised, cannot be interfered with by superoxide dismutase.
Thermal Resistance of 4He Below but Very Near the Superfluid Transition

We report high-resolution measurements at saturated vapor pressure of the thermal resistivity R of superfluid 4He over the reduced-temperature range 3×10−7<t≡1−T/T λ <3×10−5 (T λ is the transition temperature for Q=0) and heat-current-density range 4<Q<200 μW/cm2. For smaller Q and t, no thermal resistance was detectable below a transition at T c(Q)<T λ. For Q≳10 μW/cm2 we find that the results can be described well by R=(t/t 0)−2.8 K cm/W with t 0=(Q/Q 0)0.904 and Q 0=393 W/cm2. Thus R has an incipient divergence at T λ which is, however, supplanted by T c(Q) where R remains finite. The results imply R∝Q (m−1) with m=3.53±0.02. This differs from the original assumption m=3 of Gorter and Mellink, and from experimental results obtained well below T λ. However, it agrees with measurements by Leiderer and Pobell at larger currents and further below but still close to T λ. Our measurements could not resolve a critical heat current for the onset of resistance.
Don't Try: Civil Jury Verdicts in a System Geared to Settlement

Our system of civil procedure is extremely elaborate, with rules for everything from service of process through argument on appeal -- but we don't use it. Only one or two percent of litigated disputes are adjudicated by a jury or a judge. Some cases are dismissed, voluntarily or involuntarily, but the great majority are resolved by settlement. In this article, Professors Gross and Syverud look at two samples of civil cases that did go to jury trial in California, in 1985-86, and 1990-91. The data show, among other things, that the work of these courts is dominated by personal injury cases; that these trials are very expensive and risky; and that the parties in these cases are generally not playing with their own money: the plaintiffs are financed by contingent-fee attorneys, and the defendants are financed by liability insurers. In terms of outcomes, the data show that verdicts tend to all-out victories for one side or the other rather than compromises. The authors describe the role of the jury trial in our settlement-dominated system of litigation. They argue that the cost and uncertainty of trials are used deliberately by lawyers and judges to persuade litigants to settle; that the inducements to do so are so successful that attempts to further reduce the trial rate are unlikely to work; and that the cases that do go to trial nonetheless are unrepresentative of the mass of civil litigation, and dominated by those disputes that are the most peculiar, the most intractable, and the most unpredictable.
Music, language, and computational modeling: lessons from the key-finding problem

Recent research in computational music research, including my own, has been greatly influenced by methods in computational linguistics. But I believe the influence could also go the other way: Music may offer some interesting lessons for language research, particularly with regard to the modeling of cognition. In this talk I will focus on an important problem in music cognition: the problem of key identification. I will argue that this problem is in some ways analogous to the problem of syntactic parsing in language. I will present a simple Bayesian model that performs well at the key-finding task. I will then consider some implications of the model for other issues. The model represents moment-to-moment changes in key over time and captures "reanalysis" effects in key perception. The model can be used to estimate the tonal ambiguity of a musical passage, and can also be used to estimate the probability of note patterns (just as a probabilistic grammar can be used to estimate the probability of word strings). An interesting question here concerns expectation: In forming expectations for the next surface element (note or word), do we consider all possible structures (syntactic structures or keys) or just the most probable one? Finally, the model sheds light on the concept of "information flow." It has been suggested that language reflects a tendency towards uniform density of information, in that less probable elements are spread out or elongated; I will suggest that the same may be true in music. Slides for the talk will be available at my website, .
High Stability of Faceted Nanotubes and Fullerenes of Multiphase Layered Phosphorus: A Computational Study

We present a paradigm in constructing very stable, faceted nanotube and fullerene structures by laterally joining nanoribbons or patches of different planar phosphorene phases. Our ab initio density functional calculations indicate that these phases may form very stable, nonplanar joints. Unlike fullerenes and nanotubes obtained by deforming a single-phase planar monolayer at substantial energy penalty, we find faceted fullerenes and nanotubes to be nearly as stable as the planar single-phase monolayers. The resulting rich variety of polymorphs allows us to tune the electronic properties of phosphorene nanotubes and fullerenes not only by the chiral index but also by the combination of different phosphorene phases. In selected phosphorene nanotubes, a metal-insulator transition may be induced by strain or by changing the number of walls.
A time domain algorithm for spinwave resonance in magnetic media

This paper presents a time domain scheme that predicts spinwave resonances in magnetic materials. The proposed scheme incorporates the Landau-Lifschitz equation of motion (LLE) including losses and exhange effects with the traditional Yee scheme. With uniform rf mode excitation, spinwave resonances for a simple structure are observed.
siRNA enhances DNA-mediated interferon lambda-1 response through crosstalk between RIG-I and IFI16 signalling pathway

In addition to silencing specific genes, small interfering RNA (siRNA) transfection is also associated with the non-specific induction of inflammatory cytokines and type I interferon. Those so-called "off-target" effects have considerable implications for the interpretation of in vitro studies and clinical application of siRNA. The present study attempted to develop a better understanding of the mechanism involved in these off target effects. Synthesized siRNA significantly enhances DNA-mediated interferon lambda-1 response (IFN-λ1/IL-29), a newly characterized antiviral interferon in non-immune or primary immune cells. This enhancement was most pronounced by double-stranded siRNA with at least a 2-nucleotide overhang at one 3' terminus in a dose-dependent manner, while the presence of DNA was indispensable. A pull-down assay using biotinylated siRNA- or DNA-conjugated beads indicated that retinoic acid-inducible gene I (RIG-I) and interferon gamma-inducible protein 16 (IFI16) were involved in the sensing of siRNA and DNA, respectively. Co-immunoprecipitation analysis further revealed that RIG-I and IFI16 formed a complex via siRNA, and the dissociation of IFI16 from this complex in the presence of DNA activated the downstream STING-TBK1-IRF3 (stimulator of interferon genes - tank-binding kinase 1 - interferon regulatory factor 3) pathway, shedding light on a new physiological signalling pathway to activate innate immunity. Collectively, these findings may provide rational information for siRNA-induced innate immunity, with important implications for developing siRNA-based reagents to control human diseases.
An efficient reduced-order modeling approach for non-linear parametrized partial differential equations

SUMMARY For general non-linear parametrized partial differential equations (PDEs), the standard Galerkin projection is no longer efficient to generate reduced-order models. This is because the evaluation of the integrals involving the non-linear terms has a high computational complexity and cannot be pre-computed. This situation also occurs for linear equations when the parametric dependence is nonaffine. In this paper, we propose an efficient approach to generate reduced-order models for large-scale systems derived from PDEs, which may involve non-linear terms and nonaffine parametric dependence. The main idea is to replace the non-linear and nonaffine terms with a coefficient-function approximation consisting of a linear combination of pre-computed basis functions with parameter-dependent coefficients. The coefficients are determined efficiently by an inexpensive and stable interpolation at some pre-computed points. The efficiency and accuracy of this method are demonstrated on several test cases, which show significant computational savings relative to the standard Galerkin projection reduced-order approach. Copyright q 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Chapter 12 Asthma and bronchitis

Asthma is a disease whose primary characteristic is increased responsiveness of the trachea and bronchi to various stimuli. This disease is manifested by widespread narrowing of the airways that changes in severity either spontaneously or as a result of therapy. Airway obstruction is further defined as the presence of a significant obstructive ventilatory abnormality in tests of ventilatory mechanics and the presence of associated cough, tightness in the chest, wheezing. or dyspnea.
Oscillatory lunatic fringe activity is crucial for segmentation of the anterior but not posterior skeleton.

The Notch pathway plays multiple roles during vertebrate somitogenesis, functioning in the segmentation clock and during rostral/caudal (R/C) somite patterning. Lunatic fringe ( Lfng ) encodes a glycosyltransferase that modulates Notch signaling, and its expression patterns suggest roles in both of these processes. To dissect the roles played by Lfng during somitogenesis, a novel allele was established that lacks cyclic Lfng expression within the segmentation clock, but that maintains expression during R/C somite patterning ( Lfng ΔFCE1 ). In the absence of oscillatory Lfng expression, Notch activation is ubiquitous in the PSM of Lfng ΔFCE1 embryos. Lfng ΔFCE1 mice exhibit severe segmentation phenotypes in the thoracic and lumbar skeleton. However, the sacral and tail vertebrae are only minimally affected in Lfng ΔFCE1 mice, suggesting that oscillatory Lfng expression and cyclic Notch activation are important in the segmentation of the thoracic and lumbar axial skeleton (primary body formation), but are largely dispensable for the development of sacral and tail vertebrae (secondary body formation). Furthermore, we find that the loss of cyclic Lfng has distinct effects on the expression of other clock genes during these two stages of development. Finally, we find that Lfng ΔFCE1 embryos undergo relatively normal R/C somite patterning, confirming that Lfng roles in the segmentation clock are distinct from its functions in somite patterning. These results suggest that the segmentation clock may employ varied regulatory mechanisms during distinct stages of anterior/posterior axis development, and uncover previously unappreciated connections between the segmentation clock, and the processes of primary and secondary body formation.
An Energy Theorem for Developing Testing Functions for Numerical Simulations of Dynamic Systems

This paper presents a kinetic energy theorem, applicable with simple nonholonomic systems. The theorem provides a basis for developing testing functions for measuring the accuracy of numerical simulations—even where no classical conservation principle is applicable. The theorem is established using Kane’s equations for general mechanical systems. A set of general testing functions are then developed. Several examples are presented.
Sex and wildlife: the role of reproductive science in conservation

This essay explains the role of reproductive science, including what are termed reproductive technologies (i.e. artificial insemination, in vitro fertilization, embryo transfer, cloning), in conservation biology. Reproductive techniques (high- and low-tech) find their greatest application in understanding species uniqueness, adaptations and physiological mechanisms, not in the large-scale assisted breeding and the production of offspring. Models of how to use these tools to study reproductive fitness are emerging to help insure gene diversity and even propagate endangered species, but only after fundamental databases have been developed. Examples are provided of how non-invasive hormone metabolite monitoring, artificial insemination and genome resource banking are being used ex situ and in situ to understand wildlife biology. We predict that as the fundamental, multi-species database grows, so will the applied benefits for: (1) developing genome banks for insuring extant genetic diversity; (2) assessing the relationship of physiology, behaviour and environmental perturbations; (3) managing small populations; and (4) dealing with dilemmas ranging from contraception to skewed sex ratios to animal welfare. Most progress will be made in using these tools in systematic studies to solve the mystery of how thousands of unstudied species reproduce. Carried out appropriately, financial costs will be consistent with any approach for generating sound scientific knowledge.
The Effect of Navigation Tools on Learners' Achievement and Attitude in a Hypermedia Environment

Navigation tools can be used to direct the amount of learner control and student interactivity available in a hypermedia environment. The purpose of this study was to ascertain if varying the amoun...
Chronic hematospermia:Assessment by transrectal ultrasound

Abstract Objective. To evaluate transrectal ultrasound in the assessment of chronic hematospermia. Methods. Twenty-six patients aged between twenty-five and seventy-seven years (mean, 55.6 years) presenting with persistent hematospermia of an average duration of 10.2 months (range, 3 to 20 months) underwent transrectal ultrasound. Twenty-five asymptomatic men aged thirty-nine to eighty-two years (mean, 63 years) self referred to our institution seeking transrectal ultrasound as a screening method for prostate cancer and with no previous history of hematospermia were used as controls. Results. Significant sonographic findings not present in the control group were detected in 24 patients with hematospermia. These consisted of dilated seminal vesicles in 8, ejaculatory duct cysts in 4, ejaculatory or seminal vesicle calculi in 4, the presence of ejaculatory duct and seminal vesicle dilatation in 4, seminal vesicle cysts with ipsilateral renal agenesis and absence of the vas in 2, and an intraprostatic mullerian duct remnant in 2. Of the patients having biopsies, none was found to have malignancy. Conclusions. Transrectal ultrasound is the imaging modality of choice in the assessment of chronic hematospermia.
Immunologically distinct binding molecules for progesterone and RU38486 in the chick oviduct cytosol.

Abstract [ 3 H]Progesterone and [ 3 H]RU38486 binding in the chick oviduct cytosol is associated with macromolecules which sediment as 8 S and 4 S moieties, respectively, in molybdate-containing 5–20% sucrose gradients. The [ 3 H]progesterone binding could be displaced by excess progesterone, but not by RU38486. Conversely, the [ 3 H]RU38486 binding was able to compete with RU38486 but not by excess progesterone. A preparation containing antibodies against chick oviduct progesterone receptor recognized only the [ 3 H]progesterone-receptor complex but not the 4 S, [ 3 H]RU38486 binding component of the chick cytosol. In the calf uterus cytosol, [ 3 H]R5020 (a synthetic progestin) and [ 3 H]RU38486 were associated with 8 S molecules and the peaks of radioactivity were displaceable upon preincubation with radionert steroids. In addition, the complexes were recognized by antibodies to chick oviduct progesterone receptor. Our data suggest that in the chick oviduct cytosol, RU38486 does not bind to progesterone receptor, but interacts with an immunologically distinct macromolecule.
Studies on the metabolism of retinol-binding protein by primary hepatocytes from retinol-deficient rats

Studies were conducted to explore the regulation of retinol-binding protein (RBP) metabolism in cultured primary hepatocytes from retinol-deficient rats. Newly isolated hepatocytes from retinol-deficient rats contained elevated levels (3.4-fold) of RBP, compared to hepatocytes from normal (retinol-adequate) rats. Addition of retinol to retinol-depleted hepatocytes stimulated RBP secretion by the cells in a concentration-dependent manner. Maximal stimulation of RBP secretion was seen with a retinol level of 0.3 micrograms/ml. The effect of retinol was quite rapid, and was evident by 20 minutes after addition of retinol to the medium. Stimulation of RBP secretion was only seen during the first few hours after retinol addition. The effect of retinol was specific for RBP; thus, retinol had no effect on the secretion rates of transthyretin or albumin. Addition of retinoic acid also stimulated RBP secretion by retinol-deficient hepatocytes. Addition of dexamethasone to retinol-deficient cells did not maintain the initial rate of RBP secretion. Dexamethasone also had no effect on the secretion of transthyretin or albumin by these cells. The effects of retinol and of dexamethasone seen here with retinol-depleted cells differed dramatically from effects seen in other studies with normal (retinol-adequate) hepatocytes. Thus, with normal cells, dexamethasone maintains RBP, TTR, and albumin production and secretion rates close to initial rates. Also in normal hepatocytes, with ample retinol available within the cell, addition of exogenous retinol does not appear to influence RBP secretion. In contrast, and as shown previously in intact rats, in retinol deficiency the availability of retinol specifically regulates the secretion of RBP by hepatocytes.
A SICCA SYNDROME IN HIV INFECTION: ASSOCIATION WITH HLA-DR5 AND CD8 LYMPHOCYTOSIS

A sicca syndrome with parotid enlargement, pulmonary insufficiency, and lymphadenopathy was seen in 12 patients infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), only 1 of whom has had an opportunistic infection during 304 patient months of study. There was a striking increase in numbers of circulating CD8 lymphocytes and the prevalence of HLA-DR5 was greatly increased. In patients with this diffuse infiltrative lymphocytosis syndrome (DILS) the CD8 lymphocytosis, which probably depends on histocompatibility antigen status, may influence disease progression in HIV infection.
Rous sarcoma virus p19 binds to specific double-stranded regions of viral RNA: effect of p19 on cleavage of viral RNA by RNase III.

Abstract The extent of binding of purified RSV(Pr-C) p19 and p12 to a variety of RNAs was measured using a sensitive nitrocellulose filter binding assay which is capable of detecting binding reactions with association constants as low as 3 × 106 liters × mol−1 (Hizi, A., Leis, J. P., and Joklik, W. K. 1977). RSV p19 bound 60 and 34 S RSV (Pr-C) RNA with association constants of 5.1 × 1011 and 1.8 × 1010 liters × mol−1. RSV p19 bound preferentially to specific double-stranded regions of the RNA since: (a) The association constant for Neurospora nuclease-digested 34 S RNA was the same as for untreated RNA; (b) the association constant for 34 S RNA partially digested with Escherichia coli RNase III (which is specific for double-stranded RNA regions) was 30-fold lower than for untreated RNA; (c) p19 prevented cleavage of 34 S RSV-RNA by E. coli RNase III; (d) p19 bound cell precursor RNAs containing RNase III-sensitive sites, but not mature RNAs lacking RNase III-sensitive sites. On the other hand, purified RSV p12 bound all RNAs tested with association constants roughly proportional to their molecular weights. A possible function for p19 in regulating the processing of viral RNA and its subsequent translation has been proposed.
Effect of absorbents on water vapor transmission of free and applied polymer films.

Abstract The influence of different types of absorbents on moisture transmission through free (cast films) and applied (coated tablets) polymer films was investigated. In free film studies, lubricated granulations were considered to be the absorbent. The compressed tablet was considered to be the absorbent in applied film studies. The results suggested that, using the same film formulation and film thickness in all cases, the polymer film reduced moisture absorption to the same degree, independent of the absorbent used, suggesting a constant moisture permeation. The results of the free film studies also simulated those of the applied films, allowing the correlation of the data.
Non-negative hereditary polynomials in a free *−algebra

We prove a non-negative-stellensatz and a null-stellensatz for a class of polynomials called hereditary polynomials in a free *-algebra.
The bilinear field of values

A complete characterization is given of a bilinear field of values involving orthonormal sets of vectors.
Ultrafast information processing with optical nonlinearities

We explore instantaneous response time of parametric optical nonlinearities that enable ultrafast processing of, and interaction between, spatial and temporal optical waveforms. A review of various signal-processing alternatives based on three- and four-wave-mixing arrangements among spatial and temporal information carrying waveforms will be discussed.
Epidemiologie van hoofdpijn

Hoofdpijn is een veelvoorkomende reden om de huisarts te bezoeken. Van alle nieuwe klachten waarmee patienten de huisarts bezoeken, staat de klacht hoofdpijn op nummer 10 (35 per 1000 patienten per jaar). Met behulp van gegevens uit het Transitieproject1 (1995 t/m 2008, gemiddeld 16.000 patienten per jaar ingeschreven) hebben wij gekeken hoe vaak de klacht hoofdpijn voorkomt, welke diagnose er gesteld wordt en wat de huisarts uiteindelijk doet bij patienten die zich presenteren met hoofdpijn. Bovendien hebben we gekeken naar de samenhang tussen hoofdpijn (als ingangsklacht en einddiagnose) en depressie en spanningsklachten.
Tensile properties of directionally solidified Al-Al3Ni composites with off-eutectic compositions

Ingots (1/8 in. diameter) of Al-Al3Ni with off-eutectic compositions were directionally solidified at two growth rates. At 1 cm h−1 fibres exhibited a blade-like morphology, and at 11 cm h−1, a rod-like morphology. Speciments were mechanically evaluated in tension. The composite modulus at stresses above the yield strength of the aluminium matrix obeyed the rule of mixtures, assuming ideal plastic behaviour of the matrix. An extrapolation of these data for composites with rod fibres gave a value of 146 GN m−2 for the modulus of Al3Ni. Tensile strength of composites with rod-like fibres followed the rule of mixtures, whereas those with non-uniform blade fibres showed a lower strength. In composites with blade-like fibres the extrapolated aluminium matrix strength was 86.3 MN m−2, a high value attributed to dispersion hardening, and that of the fibres was 2.69 GN m−2. Composites with blade-like fibres failed at lower strains than did those with more uniform rod-like fibres.
Association between fibronectin receptor and the substratum: spare receptors for cell adhesion.

Abstract We have investigated the association of the recently described 140-kDa cell membrane receptor for fibronectin with the cytoskeleton or with substratum-bound fibronectin. Using a monospecific polyclonal antibody to the 140-kDa receptor, we have demonstrated that most of the receptor molecules are soluble in nonionic detergent either in suspension culture CHO cells or in CHO cells attached to and spread on a fibronectin-coated substratum. This may suggest that putative linkages of the receptor either to fibronectin or to detergent-insoluble cytoskeletal components are labile to nonionic detergent and thus are rather weak. Alternatively, it may mean that only a small fraction of the cell's receptors are needed to mediate adhesion. In order to explore this latter concept, we have coated substrata with various concentrations of PB1, a monoclonal antibody with a high affinity for fibronectin receptor. We demonstrate that coating the substratum with increasing concentrations of PB1 results in increasing amounts of 140-kDa receptor becoming bound to the substratum in detergent-insoluble form. However, the amount of receptor bound does not necessarily correlate with the degree of cell adhesion and spreading. Thus, coating the substratum with 5 μg/ml of PB1 results in essentially complete attachment and spreading of CHO cells, but only a small fraction of the 140-kDa receptor becomes substratum bound. Coating with 50 μg/ml of PB1 produces no further increase in cell adhesion and spreading, but results in the detergent-stable association of a large fraction of the total receptor pool with the substratum. These observations suggest the possibility of there being “spare” receptors for cell adhesion processes.
Agroforestry and forestry-related practices in the Midwestern United States

A survey, conducted in 1990–1991 on agroforestry and forestry-related systems in eight Midwestern states, showed that three traditional and three nontraditional agroforestry systems are practiced in the region. Of 46 traditional systems reported, most common was agrisilviculture (28), then silvipasture (12) and agrisilvipasture (6). These systems often involved corn, soybeans, and hay planted with tree species for nut, timber, or Christmas tree production, and cattle. Non-traditional agroforestry systems were field windbreaks/shelterbelts (29), treeshrub intercropping systems (21), and boundary plantings (11). These systems involved a variety of northern hardwood species evergreens, and shrubs. There was also a preponderance of specialized systems (97) of growing trees with the production of mushrooms, nuts, syrup, wildlife, and other nonwood products. The survey is exploratory in nature and, although the results may not represent a complete count of people involved with agroforestry in the region, the numbers reported may indicate where a practice may be prevalent. The results reflect the fact that much work still needs to be done by agroforesters in this region. They also provide some basis for further research on more suitable systems, and for identifying other researchable questions on agroforestry for the region. The methodology also made possible a bigger nucleus for networking of agroforesters and other interested people in the Midwest. Finally, although not normally considered as agroforestry, the significance of the other specialized systems reported in this survey is that they offer varied ways of connecting forestry with other activities in a largely agricultural landscape, and that they may even be seen as opportunities for easier transition into agroforestry.
The "Right Kind of Telling": Knowledge Building in the Academic Design Studio

Studio-based instruction, as traditionally enacted in design disciplines such as architecture, product design, graphic design, and the like, consists of dedicated desk space for each student, extended time blocks allocated to studio classes, and classroom interactions characterized by independent and group work on design problems supplemented by frequent public and individual critiques. Although the surface features and pedagogy of the studio have been well-documented, relatively little attention has been paid to student and teacher participation structures through which design knowledge is co-produced among instructors and students within the studio. The purpose of this study was to investigate the nature of faculty–student interactions through which students learn to think and act as designers. To that end, we have collected and analyzed ethnographic data from five studio classrooms across three design disciplines (architecture, industrial design, and human–computer interaction). Our findings provide insight as to the ways that dialogue—the “right kind of telling”—and particular social practices in the studio support students as they learn to solve ill-structured design problems while being simultaneously inducted into practices that reflect the professional world of their discipline. In each of the studio classrooms, the instructors were able to create an environment where students and faculty practiced reflection-in-action and listening-in as a form of intentional participation, design knowledge was conveyed through modeling and meta-discussions, and focused assignments and in-progress critiques enhanced opportunities for the individual and group processes through which design knowledge was co-constructed in these studio classrooms.
Removal of harmful algal cells (Karenia brevis) and toxins from seawater culture by clay flocculation

Abstract Harmful algal blooms (HABs) occur worldwide causing serious threat to marine life, and to public health through seafood-borne illnesses and exposure to toxin-containing marine aerosol. This study was undertaken to assess the ability of phosphatic clay to remove the toxic dinoflagellate, Karenia brevis , and the potent neurotoxins (brevetoxins) produced by this species. Results showed that the addition of an aqueous slurry of 0.75 g (dry weight) clay to 3 l of K. brevis culture, containing 5×10 6 and 10×10 6 cells/l, removed 97±4% of brevetoxins from the water column within 4 h after the addition of clay. Clay flocculation of extra-cellular brevetoxins, released from cells ruptured (lyzed) by ultrasonication, removed 70±10% of the toxins. Addition of the chemical flocculant, polyaluminum chloride (PAC), removed all of the extra-cellular toxins. A 14 day study was undertaken to observe the fate of brevetoxins associated with clay flocculation of viable K. brevis cells. At 24 h following the clay addition, 90±18% of the toxins were removed from the water column, along with 85±4% of the cells. The toxin content of clay diminished from 208±13 μg at Day 1, to 121±21 μg at Day 14, indicating that the phosphatic clay retained about 58% of the toxins throughout the 14-day period. These studies showed the utility of natural clay as a means of reducing adverse effects from HABs, including removal of dissolved toxins, in the water column, although considerable work clearly remains before this approach can be used on natural blooms in open waters.