cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Initiation of RNA-primed DNA synthesis in vitro by DNA polymerase alpha-primase.

Abstract The initiation of new DNA strands at origins of replication in animal cells requires de novo synthesis of RNA primers by primase and subsequent elongation from RNA primers by DNA polymerase alpha. To study the specificity of primer site selection by the DNA polymerase alpha-primase complex (pol alpha-primase), a natural DNA template containing a site for replication initiation was constructed. Two single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) molecules were hybridized to each other generating a duplex DNA molecule with an open helix replication 'bubble' to serve as an initiation zone. Pol alpha-primase recognizes the open helix region and initiates RNA-primed DNA synthesis at four specific sites that are rich in pyrimidine nucleotides. The priming site positioned nearest the ssDNA-dsDNA junction in the replication 'bubble' template is the preferred site for initiation. Using a 40 base oligonucleotide template containing the sequence of the preferred priming site, primase synthesizes RNA primers of 9 and 10 nt in length with the sequence 5'-(G)GAAGAAAGC-3'. These studies demonstrate that pol alpha-primase selects specific nucleotide sequences for RNA primer formation and suggest that the open helix structure of the replication 'bubble' directs pol alpha-primase to initiate RNA primer synthesis near the ssDNA-dsDNA junction.
ABSENCE OF AORTIC VALVE CALCIFICATION IN NONAGENARIANS; CLINICAL, LABORATORY AND ECHOCARDIOGRAPHIC CORRELATES

The expected relationship between increased calcium deposition on the aortic valve (AV) with advanced age is not always found. We sought to determine the prevalence of lack of AV calcification and its association with demographic, clinical and basic laboratory variables in a group of nonagenarians
N2- and air-broadened linewidths and frequency-shifts of N2O

Abstract N2- and air-broadened linewidths and pressure-induced frequency-shifts of N2O were measured from spectra of room temperature gas samples. The data were obtained with a high-resolution Fourier Transform spectrometer in the region between 1800 and 4800 cm−1. Over 500 vibration–rotation lines were measured from which linewidth coefficients were accurately determined ( cm −1 / atm for the lines covered in this study.
‘What Good Will Two More Trees Do?’ The Political Economy of Sustainable Coffee Certification, Local Livelihoods and Identities

Abstract In recent years the North American sustainable coffee market, consisting of Fair Trade, organic and shade-grown certified varieties, has steadily increased. This paper explores the local history and daily practice of sustainable coffee cultivation among a group of Guatemalan small coffee growers and investigates the extent to which these are accurately reflected in certification standards and marketing. Their participation in the organic coffee market generates three sources of tension: first, the tension between a place- and time-bound indigeneity, and the reality of the growers' sophisticated organic production and processing strategies. Second, the tension between the regional history of organic production as liberatory practice, and the organic consumer movement whose meanings and practices historically have been defined in North America and Europe. Finally, a tension exists between certification standards developed primarily in the interest of tropical conservation and the ways that producer...
Effect of adenosine receptor agonists on spontaneous and K(+)-evoked acetylcholine release from the in vivo rat cerebral cortex.

Repeated applications of elevated K+ (100 mM) in artificial cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) were used to evoke an efflux of acetylcholine (ACh) from the in vivo rat cerebral cortex using a cortical cup tecnique. Elevated K+ reproducibly increased the levels of ACh in cup superfusates by a factor of 3–5-fold above basal levels (27.2±9.7nM). The adenosine A1 receptor agonistN6-cyclopentyl adenosine (CPA), at a concentration of 10−8 M, depressed basal, but not K+-evoked ACh efflux. 10−6 M CPA increased basal, but did not alter K+-evoked, ACh efflux. The A2 selective agonist CGS 21680 did not alter either basal, or K+-evoked, ACh efflux. The inhibitory effects of 10−8 M CPA on ACh efflux would be consistent with the presence of adenosine A1 receptors on cholinergic nerve terminals in the cerebral cortex. At a higher concentration (10−6 M) CPA elevated basal release, possibly by activating low affinity A2 receptors. The failure of CGS 21680 (10−8 M) to alter basal ACh release suggests an absence of high affinity A2 receptors in these terminals. Whereas elevated K+ in cup superfusates consistently enhanced ACh efflux from the cerebral cortex, this increase was not affected by either CPA or CGS 21680. High K+-evoked release of cerebral cortical ACh may be an inappropriate model for the study of adenosine's actions on neurotransmitter release.
DNA sequence analysis and comparison of the variable heavy and light chain regions of two IgM, monoclonal, anti-myelin associated glycoprotein antibodies.

Abstract The complete variable heavy and light chain gene sequences of two monoclonal, IgM, anti-myelin associated glycoprotein (MAG) antibodies associated with peripheral neuropathy, are presented. Comparative analysis of the two V H regions has revealed that they are 88% homologous to one another and are both members of the V H 3 gene family. They are also highly homologous to a gene which is frequently utilized in the fetal B-cell repertoire. The V κ light chain gene of one of the antibodies is 99% homologous to a V κ II gene and the V λ light chain gene of the other antibody is only 72% homologous to other known V λ genes. Further analysis of V genes utilized by anti-MAG antibodies should reveal the structural basis for their binding activity.
Fractionation of noble gases (He, Ar) during MORB mantle melting: a case study on the Southeast Indian Ridge

New measurements of the He, Ar and CO_2 abundances trapped in basaltic glasses from the Southeast Indian Ridge (SEIR) show that volatile concentrations in the SEIR magmas were controlled by fractional degassing. Fractionation between volatile species is consistent with their solubilities in silicate melts. As a result, there are linear relationships between (for example) ln(^4He/^(40)Ar^*) vs. ln[^(40)Ar^*] and between ln(^4He/^(40)Ar^*) vs. ln(^(40)Ar^*/CO_2) (where ^(40)Ar^* is the ^(40)Ar corrected for atmospheric contributions). The slopes of these correlations permit the relative He/Ar and Ar/CO_2 solubilities to be estimated; these are generally consistent with experimentally determined noble gas solubilities in basaltic melts. However, there are systematic differences in the degassing trajectories. For example, in a plot of ln(^4He/^(40)Ar^*) vs. ln(^(40)Ar^*/CO_2), samples from the deepest portions of the ridge consistently plot at lower ^4He/^(40)Ar^* for a given ^(40)Ar^*/CO_2, compared to shallower sections of ridge. These variations in ^4He/^(40)Ar^* likely reflect variations in He/Ar in the primary melt, i.e. their relative abundances prior to degassing. We estimated the variation in ^4He/^(40)Ar^* in the initial melts (i.e. the ^4He/^(40)Ar^* prior to degassing) by extrapolating the degassing trend to a constant mantle-like ^(40)Ar^*/CO_2 ratio and assuming that the relative He–Ar–CO_2 solubilities do not vary between samples. The ^4He/^(40)Ar^* corrected for degassing in this manner varies by a factor ≈10 and correlates positively with the ^3He/^4He ratio. It is possible that the correlation between “degassing corrected” ^4He/^(40)Ar^* ratios and the ^3He/^4He ratio results from preferential diffusion of ^3He relative to ^4He and of 4He relative to ^(40)Ar from the solid mantle into primary melts during melting. However, modeling this diffusive process fails to reproduce the comparatively large variations in ^3He/^4He found in the basalts; therefore, it seems likely that mantle heterogeneities, in combination with diffusive fractionation, resulted in coupled He isotope and He/Ar variations.
Haloarcula marismortui 50S subunit-complementarity of electron microscopy and X-Ray crystallographic information.

The large 50S subunit of the Haloarcula marismortui 70S ribosome was solved to 19 A using cryo-electron microscopy and single particle reconstruction techniques and to 9 A using X-ray crystallography. In the latter case, phases were determined by multiple isomorphous replacement and anomalous scattering from three heavy atom derivatives. The availability of X-ray and electron microscopy (EM) data has made it possible to compare the results of the two experimental methods. In the flexible regions of the 50S subunit, small differences in the mass distribution were detected. These differences can be attributed to the influence of packing in the crystal cell. The rotationally averaged power spectra of X-ray and EM were compared in an overlapping spatial frequency range from 60 to 13 A. The resulting ratio of X-ray to EM power ranges from 1 to 15, reflecting a progressively larger underestimation of the Fourier amplitudes by the electron microscope.
DNA content in reactive hyperplasia, precancerosis, and carcinomas of the oral cavity. A cytophotometric study.

Summary Cytophotometry has been used to study DNA content in oral epithelial cells of Feulgenstained specimens from a total of 43 patients: 3 with erythema exudativum multiforme (EEM), 5 with pemphigus, 3 with stomatitis aphtosa, 5 with lichen ruber planus, 8 with leukoplakia, and 19 with carcinomas. In contrast to reactive hyperplasia (EEM, pemphigus, stomatitis aphthosa) leukoplakia has histograms closest to those of carcinoma, with a high percentage of cells in the polyploid regions. This emphasizes the significance of cytophotometry for diagnosis of preneoplastic and neoplastic lesions of the oral cavity.
Risk factors for late relapse in male and female ex-smokers

Three hundred twenty-nine ex-smokers (149 males and 180 females) who had maintained abstinence for at least 3 months prior to intake were followed for a period of 1 year to ascertain individual characteristics from cognitive, behavioral, environmental, and health domains that were predictive of later relapse. Multiple logistic regression analysis revealed significant associations between relapse, family history, and stress variables in males and between relapse, family history, stress, pre- and postcessation smoking characteristics, work-related variables, and physical activity in females. Within the predictor sets, both risk and protective factors were identified. The male and female models are discussed separately, compared, and related to previous research. Implications for further model development are specified; most notably, the utility of conceptualizing relapse independent of gender is questioned. Future research efforts could focus on the role played by family smoking history in adult relapse behavior. Smoking cessation interventions may need to tailor their efforts specifically to men and to women. Along with techniques to manage stress both during and after cessation, women may benefit especially from interventions that provide nicotine replacement and counseling for work-related difficulties.
Spontaneous visualization and concept evaluation

This paper proposes that customers often respond to brand extension concepts by visualizing the product. We call this process spontaneous visualization and suggest that it precedes concept evaluations. In two studies, we show that spontaneous visualization is enhanced by the fit between the parent brand and the extension category and by the ease with which the product category can be imagined. The appeal of the visualized image in turn determines whether visualization enhances or decreases concept evaluations. In addition, we find a stronger link between product evaluations and delayed choice when evaluations are based on visualization; evaluations based on visualization hence appear to be more “valid” in the sense of predicting subsequent behavior. Implications of these findings and ideas for future research are discussed.
RELATIVE RECOVERY AND IDENTIFICATION OF CARBONYL COMPOUNDS FROM CELERY ESSENTIAL OIL

SUMMARY– The carbonyl compounds in celery essential oil obtained from celery leaves and stalks by two essence recovery methods were separated by gas chromatography and identified by chemical and spectroscopic methods. Two epoxides, five ketones, five esters, three acids and three phthalides, 3, n-butylphthalide, sedanolide, and 3, n-butylhexahydrophthalide, were reported as constituents of the essential oil from fresh celery. 3, n-Butylphthalide and sedanolide possess the characteristic odor and flavor of celery. Sixteen of the 18 compounds have not been reported as constituents of the essential oil from fresh celery. Semiquantitative relationships were established for each carbonyl and the carbonyl fractions.
Postlabeling detection of DNA adducts of antitumor alkylating agents

The sensitivity for DNA adduct formation by antitumor alkylating agents (mechlorethamine, cisplatin and adozelesin) of the postlabeling technique and thin-layer chromatography was studied. Three DNAs were used: a double-stranded 20-bp oligonucleotide of defined sequence, calf thymus DNA and murine leukemia L1210 cellular DNA. With high concentrations of mechlorethamine, there was a marked decrease in normal dGp, a lesser decrease in dAp and dCp and no change in dTp. Using 2D mapping PEI-cellulose thin-layer chromatography analyses, it was found that six mechlorethamine: DNA adducts were produced after a short exposure to mechlorethamine. After an extended time at relatively high drug concentrations there was an alteration in the mechlorethamine: DNA adduct pattern that may reflect the conversion of monoadducts to crosslinked adducts. Similar observations were made with cisplatin and adozelesin. When murine leukemia L1210 cells were treated with 50 μM mechlorethamine or 50 μM cisplatin for 1 h, six or more mechlorethamine: DNA adducts and five cisplatin: DNA adducts were detected. After allowing 6 h. for repair of potentially lethal damage, several adducts were no longer detectable and others appeared with diminished intensity. Nuclease P1 dephosphorylates normal nucleotides at relatively low enzyme concentrations with variation depending upon the nucleotide. In general, considerably lower concentrations of nuclease P1 were required to dephosphorylate the normal nucleotides than to dephosphorylate the antitumor alkylating agent: nucleotide adducts, thus allowing increased sensitivity of the postlabeling assay. The sensitivity of detection of antitumor alkylating agent: DNA adducts in DNA from treated L1210 cells approached one adduct per 107–108 nucleotides. These results suggest that the postlabeling technique may be sufficiently sensitive and specific for the study of the clinically effective levels of antitumor alkylating agents.
Dual task performance in Parkinson's disease: a sensitive predictor of impairment and disability.

Abstract Background Dual task (DT) performance assesses the ability to perform two tasks simultaneously. Difficulty with DT performance may be a sensitive indicator of early Parkinson's disease (PD) impairment. The objective of this study was to assess what elements of a DT performance (cognition or gait) are most associated with impairment and disability in PD. Methods Performance in single and DT conditions was examined in 154 PD patients. The single task assessments included the time required to walk 50 feet (gait speed) and the number of words generated in a verbal fluency task (word generation). The DT comprised simultaneous performance of the single tasks. Impairment and disability were measured with the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale, Hoehn &Yahr, Berg Balance Scale, and Older Americans Resource and Services Scale. Age, education, and gender were control variables. Standardized residuals from regressions of DT upon single task performance were computed separately for word and gait, indicating the extent that the individual performed proportionally better/worse than predicted in DT considering their single task performance. Results Multiple regressions revealed that individuals who performed worse than expected in DT-word had greater impairment and disability. Dual task-gait was not significant in any model. Verbal fluency during DT performance is more closely associated with PD-related impairment and disability than gait speed during DT. Conclusion This suggests that subjects prioritize gait performance at the expense of cognitive performance, and that DT word generation may be a sensitive indicator of early PD impairment and disability.
Evaluation of three methods used to identify accelerated coagulability

Abstract This paper summarizes a comparison of three methods of thrombelastographic (TEG) analysis. The study compares parameters suggested by Caprini in Evanston, Pieptea in Bucharest, and Raby in Paris for capturing biological information about accelerated coagulability. Native and celite-activated whole blood TEG tracings used in the Evanston Clinic were applied to measure the three sets of parameters. The analysis involved two defined clinical groups; namely, normals and those with proven new malignancies. The results suggest that a high degree of correlation exists with all of these methods and the clinical groups. The general clinical agreement of all three methods demonstrates one example of the biological significance of thrombelastography, which renders it a valuable analytical tool.
Immunological monitoring of diabetic and nondiabetic recipients of renal allografts

Abstract Peripheral blood T-lymphocyte populations were monitored sequentially in diabetic recipients of renal allografts. Unfractionated buffy coat preparations were reacted with the murine monoclonal antibodies, OKT3 (all circulating T-cells), OKT4 (helper/inducer/regulatory T-cells), and OKT8 (cytotoxic/suppressor cells). Levels of peripheral blood lymphocyte subpopulations of diabetic patients monitored prior to transplantation revealed no significant abnormalities. Following transplantation, but prior to any therapy for acute rejection, the mean percentage of OKT3, 4, and 8 reactive cells in diabetic recipients closely resembled those observed in nondiabetic recipients. After treatment for acute rejection, a marked decrease in the mean OKT4/OKT8 ratio from normal (1.90 ± 0.7) was observed in both diabetic (1.04 ± 0.5), and nondiabetic (1.35 ± 0.5) allograft recipients. Eleven of thirteen diabetic recipients with long-term functioning allografts were found to have a depressed OKT4/OKT8 ratio (mean 1.03 ± 0.6). T-cell subset monitoring of diabetics with end-stage renal failure failed to reveal any significant differences from nondiabetic, uremic patients. The high incidence (75%) of allograft rejection noted in these diabetic allograft recipients similarly suggests normal immunocompetence. Following successful completion of rejection therapy, however, reduction in the ratio of OKT4 to OKT8 reactive cells suggests that an alteration in immune responsiveness has occurred. Immunological monitoring of these long-term diabetic recipients with functioning allografts suggests that the observation of a consistently depressed OKT4/OKT8 ratio may (1) be useful in predicting continued allograft function and (2) prompt the more rapid reduction of steroid medication to maintenance dosage since this pattern may be indicative of subclinical viral infection.
Low-cost low-power uncooled a-Si-based micro infrared camera

An amorphous silicon (a-Si) microbolometer-based uncooled infrared camera technology, offering a low- cost, low-power solution to infrared surveillance for both civilian and military application is presented. A- Si exhibits a temperature dependent resistance with a 3000K temperature coefficient of resistance (TCR) of 2.7 percent/K. The uncooled a-Si microbolometer detector structure employs a low thermal mass a-Si membrane structure with high thermal isolation legs monolithically integrated on a CMOS readout integrated circuit (ROIC) chip. A refractive resonant cavity design results in approximately 90 percent infrared absorptance over the 8-13 um spectral band. A-Si also exhibits a UV/visible photoconductive response for multispectral applications. The ROIC involves an integrating amplifier per pixel and a column multiplexed output. A 15 x 31 micro infrared camera (MIRC) has been developed, which exhibits f/l noise equivalent temperature difference, thereby significantly reducing the power requirements. The 15 x 31 camera demonstrated exhibits a 35 mm camera form factor employing a low cost f/l singlet optic and LED display, as well as low cost vacuum packaging. A larger 120 x 160 version of the MIRC is also in development and will be discussed.
Suppressed pro-inflammatory response of microglia in CX3CR1 knockout mice.

Abstract Neuronal fractalkine acts via its receptor, CX3CR1, on microglia to regulate neuroinflammation. Conflicting results have been reported in studies employing CX3CR1 deficient ( Cx3cr1 −/− ) mice. Here, compared to wild-type, endotoxin-treated neuron-glial Cx3cr1 −/− cultures produced less TNF-α, nitric oxide and superoxide; however, fractalkine treatment inhibited the release of pro-inflammatory factors in wild-type and BV-2 cell cultures. Furthermore, endotoxin-treated BV-2 cells expressing siRNA against CX3CR1 increased nitric oxide and TNF-α production. We hypothesize that CX3CL1-CX3CR1 signaling is neuroprotective and propose that the reduced production of pro-inflammatory signals in Cx3cr1 −/− microglia may result from compensatory mechanisms and not be the direct result of CX3CR1 deficiency.
Amplify-and-Forward Relay Networks under Received Power Constraint with Imperfect CSI

The mobility of relay stations within a cell creates an interesting scenario where multiple sources, transmitting correlated data, can co-operate to satisfy power constraints at the receiving node. While beneficial to the receive node, this approach creates un-intended interference for neighboring cells reusing the same frequency. Previously, a relay scheme was proposed to simultaneously maximize SNR and minimize MSE, for an amplify-and-forward (AF) relay network operating under a receive power constraint guaranteeing that the received signal power is bounded to control interference to neighboring cells. In this paper, we investigate the effect of channel uncertainties on system performance. A modified solution for the proposed scheme under imperfect channel state information (CSI) is provided. Furthermore, we investigate the diversity order of the proposed scheme under perfect CSI. Simulations are provided to verify the analysis for both perfect and imperfect CSI assumptions.
Symmetric fractal trees in three dimensions

In this paper, we classify and describe a method for constructing fractal trees in three dimensions. We explore certain aspects of these trees, such as space-filling and self-contact. � 2006 Published by Elsevier Ltd.
An evolutionarily conserved Rit GTPase–p38 MAPK signaling pathway mediates oxidative stress resistance

Ras-related small GTP-binding proteins control a wide range of cellular processes by regulating a variety of effector pathways, including prominent roles in the control of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) cascades. Although the regulatory role(s) for many Ras family GTPases are well established, the physiological function for the Rit/Rin subfamily has been lacking. Here, using both knockout mice and Drosophila models, we demonstrate an evolutionarily conserved role for Rit subfamily GTPases (mammalian Rit and Rin, and the Drosophila RIC homologue) in governing survival in response to oxidative stress. Primary embryonic fibroblasts derived from Rit knockout mice display increased apoptosis and selective disruption of MAPK signaling following reactive oxygen species (ROS) exposure but not in response to endoplasmic reticulum stress or DNA damage. These deficits include a reduction in ROS-mediated stimulation of a p38-MK2-HSP27 signaling cascade that controls Akt activation, directing Bad phosphorylation to promote cell survival. Furthermore, D-RIC null flies display increased susceptibility to environmental stresses and reduced stress-dependent p38 signaling, extending the Rit-p38 survival pathway to Drosophila. Together, our studies establish the Rit GTPases as critical regulators of an evolutionarily conserved, p38 MAPK–dependent signaling cascade that functions as an important survival mechanism for cells in response to oxidative stress.
Use of Healthcare Access Models to Inform the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act

Health policy findings on access to care provide more substantive information if linked to a theory that provides meaningful structure and standard definitions. Three theories of access are reviewed here because they have been used to inform health policy: Penchansky's Model, The Institute of Medicine (IOM) Model of Access Monitoring, and The Behavioral Model of Health Services Use. Penchansky's model is useful when subjective experiences with health care access are needed to inform policy makers. The IOM model is used for monitoring quality of health care services provided. The Behavioral Model identifies explanatory/predictive factors associated with utilization of services. Each model uniquely evaluates different health policies. Given the passage of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) of 2010, researchers and policy makers must agree on the model that best monitors and evaluates these new policy initiatives.
Adolescent Religiosity and School Contexts

Objectives. Schools serve as the primary social organizations for adolescents, structuring their lives and conveying a variety of skills, norms, and values, but relatively little is known about how schools influence the development of religious belief, attitudes, and behavior during adolescence. We explore how schools' religious norms, coupled with adolescents' pursuit of social status through conformity, affect public and private religiosity. Methods. Employing data from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health (Add Health), we use multilevel modeling to examine the impact of school context on adolescents' public and private religiosity. Results. We find that school norms are influential in shaping both public religious expressions and private devotional activities, but pursuit of social status is a motivation for change across religious contexts only of public religious activity. The effect of social status as a motivator of religious change was moderated by the strength of the adolescent's identification with the school, especially for private religiosity. Conclusions. Schools play a key role in the social development of adolescents, and students' religious beliefs and behaviors are influenced systematically and observably by the type of religious climate within the school.
Standardization of serum creatinine and estimated GFR in the Kidney Early Evaluation Program (KEEP).

Background Creatinine calibration by clinical laboratories is important because variability among assays adversely affects the accuracy of glomerular filtration rate (GFR) estimation. We describe the calibration of creatinine assays used in the National Kidney Foundation Kidney Early Evaluation Program (KEEP). Methods Creatinine values were requested for 200 samples at each of the 2 KEEP laboratories, Satellite Laboratory Services, LLC (2000 to 2005) and Clinical Laboratory Services (CLS; 2005 to present), for comparison with samples at the Cleveland Clinic Research Laboratory (CCRL). Linear regression and Deming regression were used to obtain slopes adjusted for measurement error and regression to the mean. Results After exclusion of outliers, mean creatinine level in 184 samples was 0.94 mg/dL at Satellite compared with 0.89 mg/dL at CCRL. Deming regression showed a slope of 1.003 (95% confidence interval (CI), 0.99 to 1.02; P Conclusion Calibration of KEEP creatinine measurements had a greater impact on the current laboratory than on the laboratory previously used. The calibration process has worked to decrease overestimation of eGFR at the high range and decrease misclassification bias.
Transient behavior of L-band and C-band EDFAs in an add/drop multiplexed 40-channel WDM network

Summary form only given. WDM networks use wavelength-selective add/drop multiplexing (ADM) to achieve significant enhancements in efficiency, flexibility, and throughput. Since L-band transmission is becoming commercially available, optical ADM operations will be required for both the L and C bands. We present an extensive study of the differences between C and L-band EDFA dynamics for a 40-channel WDM system for varying numbers of cascaded EDFAs. We investigate and display the dynamic differences in terms of transient response time.
Non-suicidal self-injury: an introduction.

This issue of Journal of Clinical Psychology: In Session is devoted to the assessment and treatment of non-suicidal self-injury (henceforth self-injury). In this introductory article, the author describes the scope of behaviors referenced by the term self-injury, establishes the historical and current relevance of self-injury for clinical practice, and summarizes the articles that appear in this issue. Self-injury is the intentional destruction of body tissue without suicidal intent and for purposes not socially sanctioned. This issue addresses many aspects of self-injury, including its prevalence, functions, assessment, and treatment. The articles feature case illustrations and treatment recommendations, and all have direct implications for clinical practice. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Psychol: In Session 63: 1039–1043, 2007.
High-dose-rate interstitial brachytherapy for gynecologic malignancies

Abstract Purpose The study aimed to assess the outcome of locally advanced cervical and vaginal cancer treated with high-dose-rate interstitial brachytherapy (HDRB). Methods and materials Between 1998 and 2004, 16 previously unirradiated patients with locally advanced cervical and vaginal cancer not suitable for intracavitary brachytherapy because of distorted anatomy or extensive vaginal disease were treated with HDRB in combination with external beam radiotherapy. All patients received whole pelvis external beam radiation therapy (EBRT) followed by interstitial implantation. The median whole pelvis external beam dose was 45 Gy (range, 39.6–50.4 Gy) with 11 patients receiving parametrial boost to a median dose of 9 Gy. Twelve (75%) of these patients received chemotherapy concurrent with external beam. All patients received a single HDRB procedure using a modified Syed–Neblett template. A CT scan was performed postimplant for needle placement verification and treatment planning purpose. Dose was prescribed to the tumor volume based on the radiographic and clinical examination. All patients received 18.75 Gy in five fractions delivered twice daily. The median followup was 25 months (6–69 months). Results Median cumulative biologic effective dose (EBRT + HDRB) to tumor volume was 78.9 Gy 10 with the range of 72.5–85.2 Gy 10. Median cumulative biologic effective dose for the rectum and bladder were 99.4 Gy 3 (range, 79.6–107.8 Gy 3 ) and 96.4 Gy 3 (range, 78.3–105.3 Gy 3 ), respectively. Complete response was achieved in 13 (81%) patients with 3 patients having persistent disease. Five of these 13 patients developed recurrence at a median time of 14 months (distant in 4 and local and distant in 1). The 5-year actuarial local control and cause-specific survival were 75% and 64%, respectively. In subset analysis, 5-year actuarial local control was 63% for cervical cancer patients and 100% for vaginal cancer patients. No patient had acute Grade 3 or 4 morbidity. Grade 3 or 4 delayed morbidity resulting from treatment occurred in 1 patient with 5-year actuarial rate of 7%. Three patients had late Grade 2 rectal morbidity and 1 patient had Grade 2 small bowel morbidity. Conclusions Our series suggests that single interstitial implantation procedure with five fractions of 3.75 Gy each to target volume is an effective and safe fractionation schedule. The integration of imaging modality helps in decreasing dose to the critical organs. Additional patients and followup are ongoing to determine the long-term efficacy of this approach.
Class III PI-3-kinase activates phospholipase D in an amino acid–sensing mTORC1 pathway

The rapamycin-sensitive mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) complex, mTORC1, regulates cell growth in response to mitogenic signals and amino acid availability. Phospholipase D (PLD) and its product, phosphatidic acid, have been established as mediators of mitogenic activation of mTORC1. In this study, we identify a novel role for PLD1 in an amino acid–sensing pathway. We find that amino acids activate PLD1 and that PLD1 is indispensable for amino acid activation of mTORC1. Activation of PLD1 by amino acids requires the class III phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase hVps34, which stimulates PLD1 activity through a functional interaction between phosphatidylinositol 3-phosphate and the Phox homology (PX) domain of PLD1. Furthermore, amino acids stimulate PLD1 translocation to the lysosomal region where mTORC1 activation occurs in an hVps34-dependent manner, and this translocation is necessary for mTORC1 activation. The PX domain is required for PLD1 translocation, mTORC1 activation, and cell size regulation. Finally, we show that the hVps34-PLD1 pathway acts independently of, and in parallel to, the Rag pathway in regulating amino acid activation of mTORC1.
Modeling ambient background in complex detection scenarios

Radiation detection instrumentation is being widely deployed as a countermeasure against the movement and use of radiological dispersal devices and nuclear weapons. Accurate ambient background modeling is critical for accurate simulation of detection scenarios of interest; these background source terms influence minimum detectable limits and are thus a significant factor in overall system performance. Described below are the methods used to characterize ambient background source terms in the at-sea maritime cargo container environment, how statistical distributions on those source terms are defined, and how the resulting radiation fields are calibrated using available measurement data from aboard large ocean-going ships. Although the maritime environment is the demonstration case study, these methods are broadly applicable to modeling of all complex detection scenarios.
An extended Doherty amplifier with high efficiency over a wide power range

An extension of the Doherty amplifier, which maintains high efficiency over a wide range of output power (>6 dB), is presented in this paper. This extended Doherty amplifier is demonstrated experimentally with InGaP/GaAs heterojunction bipolar transistors at 950 MHz. Power-added efficiency (PAE) of 46% is measured at P/sub 1dB/ of 27.5 dBm and 45% is measured at 9 dB backed off from P/sub 1dB/. Additionally, PAE of at least 39% is maintained for over an output power range of 12 dB backed off from P/sub 1dB/. This is an improvement over the classical Doherty amplifier, where high efficiency is typically obtained up to 5-6 dB backed off from P/sub 1dB/. Compared to a single transistor class-B amplifier with similar gain and P/sub 1dB/, the extended Doherty amplifier has PAE 2.6 /spl times/ higher at 10 dB back off and 3 /spl times/ higher at 20 dB back off from P/sub 1dB/. Under different bias and output matching conditions, the amplifier was also evaluated with CDMA signals. At the highest measured power of 25 dBm, the extended Doherty amplifier achieves a PAE of 45% with an adjacent channel power ratio of -42 dBc. Generalized design equations are also derived and the consequences of finite device output impedance on amplifier gain and linearity are explored.
A comparative evaluation of externally supported polytetrafluoroethylene axillobifemoral and axillounifemoral bypass grafts.

Purpose: We analyzed a current 78-month experience with externally supported (ringed) polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) axillobifemoral (AxBF) and axillounifemoral (AxUF) bypass grafts to address the controversy about whether the addition of a femorofemoral limb to an axillofemoral bypass graft improves the patency results. Methods: Between January 1988 and June 1994, 36 AxBF and 22 AxUF externally supported PTFE ringed bypass grafts were performed at our institution. The age of the patients in the AxBF group was 67±11 years and 69±11 years in the AxUF group. The male/female ratio was 22:13 (AxBF) and 8:9 (AxUF). In 71% of cases (29/36 AxBF, 12/22 AxUF), the operations were performed for aortoiliac atherosclerotic occlusive disease in patients with significant medical risk factors or a "hostile" abdomen. The remaining 29% were patients requiring revascularization during treatment of an infected aortic graft. Bypass patency was assessed in the follow-up period by clinical evaluation, color-flow duplex imaging, or segmental limb pressure measurements. Results: There was no significant difference in the 30-day operative mortality rate for all AxBF bypasses (11%) and all AxUF bypasses (6%) ( p =0.89 by chi-squared testing). The primary and secondary patency rates for the whole group of bypasses were 80% and 89% at 3 years, respectively (SE Conclusions: These data show no differences in the patency of externally supported PTFE AxBF and AxUF bypass grafts up to 2 years after implantation.
Prevalence of obstructive sleep apnoea and periodic limb movement in 45 subjects with heart transplantation

Background Obesity, a major risk factor for obstructive sleep apnoea, is common after cardiac transplantation. Case reports have shown development of obstructive sleep apnoea in cardiac transplantation recipients. The present study represents the first systematic evaluation of sleep disorders after cardiac transplantation. Objective To determine the prevalence and clinical impact of sleep disorders in a cohort of cardiac transplant recipients. Methods This was a cross-sectional study at the Veterans Affairs Medical Center. Forty-five of 60 eligible subjects agreed to take part in the study. Polysomnography, sleep and health survey questionnaires, and laboratory tests were recorded. Results Thirty-six percent had obstructive sleep apnoea-hypopnoea with an index of 15 or more per hour. The average apnoea-hypopnoea index was about 50±27 (SD) per hour. Sleep apnoea resulted in arterial oxyhaemoglobin desaturation, excessive arousals, unrefreshing sleep, excessive daytime sleepiness, poor health-related quality of life, and hypertension (all P values 15/hour and an average of 55±43/hour. Forty-five percent of these patients had restless legs syndrome. Conclusion Thirty-six percent of cardiac transplant recipients have moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnoea. Sleep apnoea results in disrupted sleep, desaturation and impaired quality of life. Polysomnography should be routinely considered in the ongoing management of most cardiac transplant recipients. Treatment of obstructive sleep apnoea may improve quality of life and other outcomes of cardiac transplantation.
Induction of Replication Protein A in Bystander Cells

Abstract Balajee, A. S., Ponnaiya, B., Baskar, R. and Geard, C. R. Induction of Replication Protein A in Bystander Cells. Radiat. Res. 162, 677–686 (2004). The bystander effect is a biological phenomenon whereby cells not directly targeted by DNA-damaging agents elicit a response similar to that of targeted cells. Understanding the mechanisms underlying the bystander effect is important not only for radiation risk assessment but also for evaluation of protocols for radiotherapy of tumors. Identification of DNA repair and signal transduction proteins that are induced specifically in bystander cells may help in deducing the molecular mechanism(s) responsible for this complex phenomenon. With this objective, we have studied the expression of replication protein A (RPA), which is involved in various DNA metabolic activities such as replication, repair and recombination. We analyzed RPA expression by immunofluorescence and Western blot techniques in both γ-irradiated primary human fibroblast cells and bystande...
Fine needle aspiration in the diagnosis of metastatic melanoma

Abstract Background: Fine needle aspiration is an accurate technique to diagnose metastatic melanoma. Few reports exist in the literature describing its usefulness in many patients with melanoma confirmed by open biopsy. Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine the utility and predictive value of fine needle aspiration in patients with malignant melanoma who presented with lesions suspected to be metastatic. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 99 cases of fine needle aspiration and the corresponding histologic findings obtained by open biopsy in 82 patients. Results: Of the 99 cases, 86 were positive for melanoma, 12 were negative, and one was indeterminate. The positive predictive value of fine needle aspiration was 99%. One patient had a false-positive diagnosis. Conclusion: Fine needle aspiration is a rapid, accurate, and minimally invasive procedure that is useful in the diagnosis of metastatic melanoma. Patients with a positive aspirate of palpable regional nodes can proceed directly to surgery, bypassing the need for an open biopsy. (J Am Acad Dermatol 2000;42:735-40.)
Loss and Crosstalk in Quantum Dot Nanophotonic Waveguides

We measure loss and crosstalk for optically pumped nanophotonic quantum dot waveguides for sub-diffraction transmission. The structures are composed of an array of colloidal semiconductor nanoparticles self-assembled onto a silicon-silicon dioxide substrate through a simple two-layer process. We find ~3dB/3 mum loss for throughput in 500 nm wide devices, which is lower than plasmonic waveguides. The crosstalk between waveguides with 500 nm separation is not measurable.
The Anterior Midline Field: coercion or decision making?

To study the neural bases of semantic composition in language processing without confounds from syntactic composition, recent magnetoencephalography (MEG) studies have investigated the processing of constructions that exhibit some type of syntax-semantics mismatch. The most studied case of such a mismatch is complement coercion; expressions such as the author began the book, where an entity-denoting noun phrase is coerced into an eventive meaning in order to match the semantic properties of the event-selecting verb (e.g., ‘the author began reading/writing the book’). These expressions have been found to elicit increased activity in the Anterior Midline Field (AMF), an MEG component elicited at frontomedial sensors at 400 ms after the onset of the coercing noun [Pylkkanen, L., & McElree, B. (2007). An MEG study of silent meaning. Journal of Cognitive Neuroscience, 19, 11]. Thus, the AMF constitutes a potential neural correlate of coercion. However, the AMF was generated in ventromedial prefrontal regions, which are heavily associated with decision-making. This raises the possibility that, instead of semantic processing, the AMF effect may have been related to the experimental task, which was a sensicality judgment. We tested this hypothesis by assessing the effect of coercion when subjects were simply reading for comprehension, without a decision-task. Additionally, we investigated coercion in an adjectival rather than a verbal environment to further generalize the findings. Our results show that an AMF effect of coercion is elicited without a decision-task and that the effect also extends to this novel syntactic environment. We conclude that in addition to its role in non-linguistic higher cognition, ventromedial prefrontal regions contribute to the resolution of syntax-semantics mismatches in language processing.
Autonomous robotic vehicle road following

A description is given of the system architecture of an autonomous vehicle and its real-time adaptive vision system for road-following. The vehicle is a 10-ton armored personnel carrier modified for robotic control. A color transformation that best discriminates road and nonroad regions is derived from labeled data samples. A maximum-likelihood pixel classification technique is then used to classify pixels in the transformed color image. The vision system adapts itself to road changes in two ways; color transformation parameters are updated infrequently to accommodate significant road color changes, and classifier parameters are updated every processing cycle to deal with gradual color and intensity changes. To reduce unnecessary computation, only the most likely road region in the segmented image is selected, and a polygonal representation of the detected road region boundary is transformed from the image coordinate system to the local vehicle coordinate system based on a flat-earth assumption. >
Nature as interface: MacGyver'ing and Martha-Stewart'ing interactivity with trees, pencils, grandpa, even the kitchen sink

What do you get when you cross MacGyver with Martha Stewart? Inventions made of magic markers, chewed bubble gum, flowers, friends, and rainwater! More importantly, you get a person who knows how to work with her environment. In this paper I'll introduce an experimental framing for a new class of interfaces which consist of Nature itself. I'll call people interconnectors instead of "users/producers," and I'll call the things they make interducts instead of "products." Then, I'll talk concretely about Drawdio and Twinkle: two working prototypes (which I created) that let interconnectors create musical inventions by improvising with Nature. Finally, I'll propose some future work and describe the performance I will give (live at Creativity and Cognition) which demonstrates all these ideas.
The multidimensional torus: analysis of average hop distance and application as a multihop lightwave network

The torus network, whose two-dimensional version is often referred to as the Manhattan Street Network (MSN), has received significant attention in the literature. Analysis of the hop distance properties for this network when its links are bidirectional is straightforward. However, the analysis of this network with unidirectional links is more complex, and the literature only provides the mean hop distance for the unidirectional version when the nodal degree is two. The authors provide a closed-form, analytical formula for the average hop distance in a three-dimensional torus network with unidirectional links, and hypothesize an approximate result for higher dimensions. The importance of this work stems from the fact that the torus is a useful candidate for the construction of an optical network with a multihop virtual topology based on wavelength division multiplexing (WDM). So far, it has not been possible to conduct fair comparisons between the torus and other multihop topologies with nodal degree greater than two, but the present work will now enable such comparisons. >