cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Sobre a Indigeneidade das Paisagens

Indigeneity refers to traditional ways of knowing the world ensconced within small scale cultural. It can be detected in primary landscape transformation where species turnover resulted in environmental enhancement not degradation. Landscapes are the encounter of people and place. Indigeneity becomes relevant to landscapes with the end of isolation of Europe and the reduction of nonwestern “others” to new systems of subordination, including slavery, and their lands to terra nullius. Yet these landscapes in fact show human signatures of past primary transformations. The evidence consists of substrate modification and disturbance indicator vegetation, found in diverse tropical locales in widely dissimilar settings, including Melanesia, Micronesia, tropical Africa, and Amazonia. These indigenous landscapes and seascapes were rendered terra nullius for purposes unrelated to their value as harbingers of a positive variety of primary landscape transformation.
Social Anxiety and Friendship Quality over Time

High social anxiety in adults is associated with self-report of impaired friendship quality, but not necessarily with impairment reported by friends. Further, prospective prediction of social anxiety and friendship quality over time has not been tested among adults. We therefore examined friendship quality and social anxiety prospectively in 126 young adults (67 primary participants and 59 friends, aged 17-22 years); the primary participants were screened to be extreme groups to increase power and relevance to clinical samples (i.e., they were recruited based on having very high or very low social interaction anxiety). The prospective relationships between friendship quality and social anxiety were then tested using an Actor-Partner Interdependence Model. Friendship quality prospectively predicted social anxiety over time within each individual in the friendship, such that higher friendship quality at Time 1 predicted lower social anxiety approximately 6 months later at Time 2. Social anxiety did not predict friendship quality. Although the results support the view that social anxiety and friendship quality have an important causal relationship, the results run counter to the assumption that high social anxiety causes poor friendship quality. Interventions to increase friendship quality merit further consideration.
Degradation of Hydrocarbons by Members of the Genus Candida II. Oxidation of n-Alkanes and 1-Alkenes by Candida lipolytica

Candida lipolytica ATCC 8661 was grown in a mineral-salts hydrocarbon medium. n-Alkanes and 1-alkenes with 14 through 18 carbon atoms were used as substrates. Ether extracts of culture fluids and cells obtained from cultures grown on the various substrates were analyzed by thin-layer and gas-liquid chromatography. Analyses of fluids from cultures grown on n-alkanes indicated a predominance of fatty acids and alcohols of the same chain length as the substrate. In addition, numerous other fatty acids and alcohols were present. Analyses of saponifiable and nonsaponifiable material obtained from the cells revealed essentially the same products. The presence of primary and secondary alcohols, as well as fatty acids, of the same chain length as the n-alkane substrate suggested that attack on both the methyl and alpha-methylene group was occurring. The significance of these two mechanisms in the degradation of n-alkanes by this organism was not evident from the data presented. Analyses of fluids from cultures grown on 1-alkenes indicated the presence of 1,2-diols, as well as omega-unsaturated fatty acids, of the same chain length as the substrate. Alcohols present were all unsaturated. Saponifiable and nonsaponifiable material obtained from cells contained essentially the same products. The presence of 1,2-diols and omega-unsaturated fatty acids of the same chain length as the substrate from cultures grown on 1-alkenes indicated that both the terminal methyl group and the terminal double bond were being attacked.
Observations of the ionospheric response to the 15 December 2006 geomagnetic storm: Long-duration positive storm effect

[1] The long-duration positive ionospheric storm effect that occurred on 15 December 2006 is investigated using a combination of ground-based Global Positioning System (GPS) total electron content (TEC), TOPEX and Jason-1 TEC, and topside ionosphere/plasmasphere TEC, GPS radio occultation, and tiny ionospheric photometer (TIP) observations from the Constellation Observing System for Meteorology, Ionosphere, and Climate (COSMIC) satellites. This multi-instrument approach provides a unique view of the ionospheric positive storm effect by revealing the storm time response in different altitude regions. The ground-based GPS TEC, TOPEX/Jason-1 TEC, and topside ionosphere/plasmasphere TEC all reveal significant enhancements at low latitudes to midlatitudes over the Pacific Ocean region during the initial portions of the storm main phase from 0000–0400 universal time (UT) on 15 December. At low latitudes, the topside ionosphere/plasmasphere TEC increase represents greater than 50% of the TEC enhancement that is observed by ground-based GPS receivers. Moreover, electron density profiles obtained using the technique of GPS radio occultation demonstrate that the F layer peak height increased by greater than 100 km during this time period. The effects of soft particle precipitation are also apparent in the COSMIC observations of topside ionosphere/plasmasphere TEC. The positive storm effects over the Pacific Ocean region remain present in the equatorial ionization anomaly crest regions beyond 1200 UT on 15 December. This long-lasting positive storm effect is most apparent in ground-based GPS TEC and COSMIC TIP observations, while only a small increase in the topside ionosphere/plasmasphere TEC after 0400 UT is observed. This indicates that the long-lasting positive storm effect occurs predominantly at F region altitudes and, furthermore, that refilling of the topside ionosphere and plasmasphere is not the primary mechanism for producing the long-lasting positive storm phase during this event. The observations suggest that the enhanced eastward electric field and equatorward neutral wind are likely to play a significant role in the generation of long-lasting positive storm effects.
Hybridization and bonding in transition metal compound superconductors: X-ray photoemission from crystalline and amorphous Nb3Ge.

Abstract An XPS (or ESCA) study of the high T c crystalline and the low T c amorphous phases of Nb 3 Ge indicates a change of the Nb-Ge bonding from covalent to metallic upon the amorphous to crystalline transition. The high T c superconductivity of Nb 3 Ge does not appear to stem only from an unusually high electronic density of states at the Fermi level but rather from another property such as a resonant enhancement of the electron-phonon coupling resulting from cation-anion hybridization at E F .
Designing adsorbents for CO2 capture from flue gas-hyperbranched aminosilicas capable of capturing CO2 reversibly.

Carbon dioxide adsorption from a simulated flue gas stream was successfully performed with a hyperbranched aminosilica (HAS) material. The HAS was synthesized by a one-step reaction, spontaneous aziridine ring-opening polymerization off of surface silanols, to form a 32 wt % organic/inorganic hybrid material. The adsorption measurements were performed in a fixed-bed flow reactor using humidified CO2. The advantage of this adsorbent over previously reported adsorbents is the stability of the organic groups covalently bound to the silica support compared to those made by physisorbed methods. Furthermore, a large CO2 capacity (∼3 mmol CO2/g adsorbent) associated with the high loading of amines was observed.
CPU demand for web serving: Measurement analysis and dynamic estimation

Managing the resources in a large Web serving system requires knowledge of the resource needs for service requests of various types. In order to investigate the properties of Web traffic and its demand, we collected measurements of throughput and CPU utilization and performed some data analyses. First, we present our findings in relation to the time-varying nature of the traffic, the skewness of traffic intensity among the various types of requests, the correlation among traffic streams, and other system-related phenomena. Then, given such nature of web traffic, we devise and implement an on-line method for the dynamic estimation of CPU demand. Assessing resource needs is commonly performed using techniques such as off-line profiling, application instrumentation, and kernel-based instrumentation. Little attention has been given to the dynamic estimation of dynamic resource needs, relying only on external and high-level measurements such as overall resource utilization and request rates. We consider the problem of dynamically estimating dynamic CPU demands of multiple kinds of requests using CPU utilization and throughput measurements. We formulate the problem as a multivariate linear regression problem and obtain its basic solution. However, as our measurement data analysis indicates, one is faced with issues such as insignificant flows, collinear flows, space and temporal variations, and background noise. In order to deal with such issues, we present several mechanisms such as data aging, flow rejection, flow combining, noise reduction, and smoothing. We implemented these techniques in a Work Profiler component that we delivered as part of a broader system management product. We present experimental results from using this component in scenarios inspired by real-world usage of that product.
Endovascular management of carotid artery stenosis secondary to sclerosing mediastinitis.

Sclerosing mediastinitis is a rare, progressive condition characterized by extensive fibrotic reaction. We report the first known case of symptomatic, extrinsic compression of the carotid artery by fibrotic extension of sclerosing mediastinitis. A 54-year-old woman began experiencing neurologic symptoms from extension of a known mediastinal mass resulting in 70% to 79% stenosis of the right internal carotid artery. The stenosis was treated with endovascular stenting. Completion angiogram revealed a good result with
Precision overlay registration of micron sized features on unsupported flexible films

Roll-to-roll (R2R) flexible electronics manufacturing techniques may eventually provide a solution for continuous production of high quality flexible electronics devices at a significant cost reduction. The goal of the Center of Advanced Microelectronic Manufacturing (CAMM) is to establish and demonstrate tooling, materials and processes for roll-to-roll (R2R) flexible electronics manufacturing capability [1]. In this work, the roll-to-roll (R2R) photolithography system and dependent materials and processes are used to establish baseline data for fabrication, registration and overlay of micron sized patterns on unsupported plastic in pieces and carried by a web. Enabling the use of unsupported plastic film is the first step in understanding the R2R process. Test verniers with up to 0.1 micron measurement precision were used to read the overlay offsets. Micro-sized features with one micron overlay accuracy have been achieved on photoresist coated free standing 5 mil thick Dupont Melinex® ST507 polyethylene terephthalate (PET) substrate. Rohm & Haas LC-100 photoresist was used in this work. Soda lime glass substrates (Telic) were also used to establish the tool and process fundamental limits.
Melt versus solvent coating: Structure and properties of block–copolymer‐based pressure‐sensitive adhesives

Pressure-sensitive adhesives (PSAs) composed of a styrene–isoprene–styrene triblock copolymer and a midblock-associating resin were prepared via solvent and hot-melt coating. The formulations and thermal histories up to the point of coating were identical, yet significant differences in the properties were observed as a function of the coating method. The solvent-coated PSA showed superior shear holding power, and the hot-melt-coated PSA performed better in tack and peel tests. Two factors resulting from the processing conditions were responsible for these property differences. The quick cooling process occurring after hot-melt coating led to a poorly defined microstructure and, therefore, less physical crosslinking. Rheological data for melt-pressed and solvent-cast PSA films confirmed these microstructural differences. The increased solubility of the tackifier in the solvent additionally created a composition gradient in the solvent coating. Annealing improved the long-range order of both hot-melt and solvent coatings, producing a body-centered cubic microstructure identified by small-angle X-ray scattering. This microstructure improved the shear strength of both types of adhesive coatings, whereas the peel and tack properties of the solvent coatings remained inferior to those of the hot-melt coatings because of differences in the surface compositions. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 86: 3355–3367, 2002
The impact of HIV/AIDS on Bahamian women: a feminist perspective.

The purpose of this article is to describe the impact of HIV/AIDS on Bahamian women and to recommend strategies nurses should implement to enhance the quality of life for these women. Using an eclectic feminist approach, I conducted a literature review and personal exploration of HIV/AIDS care and support related to women as caregivers, carereceivers, childrearers, and childbearers. Women’s oppression in a patriarchal society and HIV/AIDS-associated stigmas have resulted in their decreased quality of life and shortened life span. Nurses need to empower Bahamian women and assist with dismantling the social order in The Bahamas, which promotes women’s inequality so that women infected with HIV/AIDS can live longer and better lives.
Causal Uncertainty: Factor Structure and Relation to the Big Five Personality Factors

Two studies provide construct validity evidence for the Causal Uncertainty Scale. In the first study, the factor structure of the CUS was validated. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses indicated that the CUS is composed of two highly correlated factors, uncertainty about the causes of one's own outcomes and uncertainty about the causes of others' outcomes. Relationships between these two factors and a variety of other variables were assessed. In the second study, the relationship between the CUS, its two factors, and the Big Five personality factors was examined. The CUS was found to be related only to Neuroticism. Participants' causal uncertainty scores were significantly better predictors of their confidence in causal hypotheses than were their Neuroticism scores. It is suggested that causal uncertainty may operate in a domain-specific fashion.
The nature of the two opening levels following an overload in fatigue crack growth

During the period of retarded fatigue crack growth following a single tensile overload, two crack opening levels are observed. Different interpretations have been put forth concerning the nature of these opening events. In one proposal, the two opening events are considered to occur in plane strain, first behind the crack tip and then at the crack tip. In another proposal, the first opening event occurs in the plane strain portion of the crack front and the second in the plane stress portion of the crack front. In this paper, critical experiments designed to clarify this issue are described. In most of the experiments, the aluminum alloy 6061-T6 was used. Additional tests were made using the aluminum alloy 7090-T6 and the titanium alloy IMI 829. The results of these experiments show that over the entire range of ΔK, including the near-threshold range, the two opening events are associated with a plane strain followed by a plane stress opening process. The results are important in that they not only shed light on the mechanism of crack retardation following an overload, but they also provide a basis for the development of a rational method of analysis for the calculation of the number of delay cycles following an overload which includes the effects of thickness and ΔK level. Based upon the findings of this study, a semiempirical method for the determination of the number of delay cycles following an overload is presented. The number of delay cycles predicted by this method is found to be in good agreement with the results of the present investigation as well as with other results from the literature.
Probing the structure of membrane proteins with electron spin echo envelope modulation spectroscopy

A new approach has been developed to probe the structural properties of membrane peptides and proteins using the pulsed electron paramagnetic resonance technique of electron spin echo envelope modulation (ESEEM) spectroscopy and the α-helical M2δ subunit of the acetylcholine receptor incorporated into phospholipid bicelles. To demonstrate the practicality of this method, a cysteine-mutated nitroxide spin label (SL) is positioned 1, 2, 3, and 4 residues away from a fully deuterated Val side chain (denoted i + 1 to i + 4). The characteristic periodicity of the α-helical structure gives rise to a unique pattern in the ESEEM spectra. In the i + 1 and i + 2 samples, the 2H nuclei are too far away to be detected. However, with the 3.6 residue per turn pattern of an α-helix, the i + 3 and i + 4 samples reveal a strong signal from the 2H nuclei of the Val side chain. Modeling studies verify these data suggesting that the closest 2H-labeled Val to SL distance would in fact be expected in the i + 3 and i + 4 samples. This technique is very advantageous, because it provides pertinent qualitative structural information on an inherently difficult system like membrane proteins in a short period of time (minutes) with small amounts of protein (μg).
The critical current of NbTi multifilamentary wire: a comparison between critical current densities using AC magnetization techniques (J/sub CM/) and DC transport measurement (J/sub CT/) throughout the superconducting phase

AC magnetization measurements are presented for transverse field orientation on a NbTi standard reference material supplied by the National Bureau of Standards. These data, generated in DC background fields for the range 0 >
Acquiring proficiency in surgical robotics: A comparison of rat femoral artery anastomosis by an attending plastic surgeon and a surgical resident using robotic and microscopic techniques

Abstract Introduction: The da Vinci™ surgical robotic system (Intuitive Surgical, Inc.) is currently used for a variety of minimally invasive procedures. Our previous studies demonstrated the potential of robotic microsurgery. This study compares both the outcome and feasibility of rat femoral artery anastomosis by an attending plastic surgeon and a surgical resident using both robotic and microscopic techniques (18.75X operating scope). Methods: Four cohorts of 10 (n = 40) SD rats (411.7g +/− 39.7) underwent femoral artery transection and reanastamosis, with two cohorts completed by each the attending and surgical resident either microscopically (Control) or robotically (Experimental). A laser flow-meter measured blood flow prior to transection (Pre), immediately after reanastomosis (Post), and at 24-hours post-operatively (24H). The repair time was recorded. Results were standardized using percent change and paired T-tests determined significance. Results: Blood flow percent change was not significantly different between the attending and resident in all groups (p0.05) (Table 1). The attending surgeon demonstrated a significantly lower time (minutes) than the resident in the robotic group (19.3 +/− 4.0, 25.5 +/− 3.0, respectively, ∗p = 0.001), while control groups were slightly different (13.8 +/− 7.6, 15.3 +/− 3.5, respectively, p = 0.541). Table 1 . Blood flow percent change Post vs pre (% change) 24 h vs pre (% change) Attending surgeon Microscopic 3.8 ± 17.8 (a) −16.4 ± 20.6 (b) Robotic −7.5 ± 14.8 (c) −9.6 ± 36.8 (d) Resident Microscopic 2.7 ± 44.1 (e) −7.5 ± 36.4 (f) Robotic −22.0 ± 23.1 (g) −7.0 ± 44.2 (h) p = 0.947, a vs e; p = 0.445, b vs f; p = 0.082, c vs g; p = 0.904, d vs h. Conclusions: This study demonstrates that both microscopic trained and non-microscopic trained surgeons can acquire proficiency with the robotic system. The prior training and experience of the attending surgeon may explain the shorter times in both groups and most likely will afford a more rapid attainment of proficiency in robotic microsurgery.
Form birefringent anisotropic photonic crystal exhibiting external field anomalies

A strongly anisotropic photonic crystal structure was made exploiting form birefringence. It was designed to have a low group velocity close to a degenerate band edge (DBE) which is also associated with large field enhancements proportional to the fourth power of the number of periods. Numerical results are presented illustrating the expected properties and these are compared with experimental data. There are interesting discrepancies in behavior and possible reasons are discussed which include the nature of the anisotropy and fabrication-related structural disorder. At microwave frequencies, unexpected field enhancements at specific frequencies and locations outside the structure have been observed which have potential applications
Certain stability type and integrable two-dimensional Hamiltonian systems

We present the results of applying an analytical method, using a new concept involving a periodic stability around a line of initial values, to two Hamiltonian systems with two degrees of freedom each with several parameters. By requiring the systems to have this type of stability, we have been led to known integrable cases for the systems. For one of the systems, our analysis gives six other cases, two of which turn out to be nonintegrable. The status of the remaining four cases has not been established.
Dynamics of superconducting strings with chiral currents

We rederive, using an elementary formalism, the general solution to the equations of motion for a superconducting string with a chiral (null) neutral current, earlier obtained by Carter and Peter. We apply this solution to show that the motion of such string loops is strictly periodic and analyze cusp-like behavior and vorton solutions of arbitrary shape. We argue that this solution can be used to approximately describe the dynamics of superconducting strings with small non-chiral currents. We use this description to estimate the electromagnetic radiation power from such strings.
Engineering Design at Harvey Mudd College: Innovation Institutionalized, Lessons Learned

This paper outlines the development of Harvey Mudd College’s Engineering program, describes its resulting form, and articulates how some truly innovative ideas in engineering design education, now widely accepted as “best practices,” were developed and implemented. The paper also describes the lessons learned from Harvey Mudd College’s Engineering curriculum, as well as some of the efforts made to disseminate these lessons. [DOI: 10.1115/1.4006890]
Efficient synthesis and conformational investigations of cis-pentacenediols

Diisobutylaluminum hydride is utilized to reduce pentacene-6,13-diones to the corresponding diols, useful precursors to functionalized pentacenes. This pathway is mild and efficient, and produces the cis-diols as major products. Further, we found the cis-diols adopt endo conformation, which cannot flip to the exo conformation under ambient conditions. Due to the cis and endo orientation, the cis-diols can be potential bidentates in catalysis, molecular propellers, and optoelectronic devices.
Assessing Supply Chain Risk with Few Compulsory Subcontractors

﻿In this study we propose a supply chain risk analytical model that incorporates three compulsory subcontractors, which are structured in a two-layer formation, while fault recognition by the monitoring chief manufacturer might be delayed. We analyze this precise production line since it simultaneously covers both a sole mandatory supplier and a second production layer, which includes two subcontractors that can partially back up each other throughout the production. This specific configuration not only can assist future investigations in building different quantitative schemes, but this formation also is rather widespread across the semiconductor industry. We therefore present a current illustrative example from this sector. In addition, we authenticate the validity of the proposed model and examine several sensitivities within through multiple numerical simulations. We find that the expected time to the next production failure is mostly sensitive to output variations within the sole supplier, and least sensitive to temporary pauses in the information flow across the supply network.
Prostatic occurrence of transitional cellcarcinoma after intravesical chemotherapy

Abstract Thirteen patients with Stage Tis, Ta, or T1 transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) of thebladder treated by transurethral resections and intravesical chemotherapy developed TCC of the prostate. Among the 13 cases, cytology specimens were obtained from 10 at the time prostatic disease was diagnosed; 9 demonstrated TCC. One was treated successfully by transurethral resection of a Ta lesion involving the prostatic urethra only. One of 2 patients declining radical surgery is alive with residual disease at twenty-four months, and the other died of progressive disease at nineteen months. Of the 10 patients who underwent radical eystoprostatectomy, 7 are alive with no evidence of disease eight to forty-two months postoperatively, with 2 of these 7 having received 4 courses of systemic methotrexate, vincristine, Adriamyein, and cisplatinum (MVAC) for metastatic disease. Two of the 10 died of metastatie disease six and thirteen months postoperatively, and one frail patient died of surgical complications. When treating patients with intravesical chemotherapy for superficial TCC, biopsy of the prostate should be done during follow-up examinations, especially in the presence of cytologic or palpable prostatic abnormalities.
Normal zone propagation in cryocooler-cooled Nb3Sn tape-wound magnet

Abstract Normal zone propagation (NZP) within a small cryocooler-cooled, Nb3Sn tape-wound magnet operating at 10–12 K is analysed experimentally and theoretically. In the experiment, the NZP is induced by electric heaters attached around the magnet perimeter, and the voltages across each double-pancake coil comprising the magnet are monitored and recorded. Based on the experimental results, a theoretical propagation model is presented in this paper, using lumped-parameter linear circuit elements (i.e. inductors and resistors). A computer simulation of the model predicts transient response of the magnet terminal voltages during induced NZP, which agrees with the results observed in the experiment. The present study has been conducted in preparation for a NZP study of tape-wound high Tc superconducting pancake coils.
Stainless steel leaches nickel and chromium into foods during cooking.

Toxicological studies show that oral doses of nickel and chromium can cause cutaneous adverse reactions such as dermatitis. Additional dietary sources, such as leaching from stainless steel cookware during food preparation, are not well characterized. This study examined stainless steel grades, cooking time, repetitive cooking cycles, and multiple types of tomato sauces for their effects on nickel and chromium leaching. Trials included three types of stainless steels and a stainless steel saucepan; cooking times of 2 to 20 hours, ten consecutive cooking cycles, and four commercial tomato sauces. After a simulated cooking process, samples were analyzed by ICP-MS for Ni and Cr. After six hours of cooking, Ni and Cr concentrations in tomato sauce increased up to 26- and 7-fold respectively, depending on the grade of stainless steel. Longer cooking durations resulted in additional increases in metal leaching, where Ni concentrations increased 34 fold and Cr increased approximately 35 fold from sauces cooked without stainless steel. Cooking with new stainless steel resulted in the largest increases. Metal leaching decreases with sequential cooking cycles and stabilized after the sixth cooking cycle, though significant metal contributions to foods were still observed. The tenth cooking cycle, resulted in an average of 88 μg of Ni and 86 μg of Cr leached per 126 g serving of tomato sauce. Stainless steel cookware can be an overlooked source of nickel and chromium, where the contribution is dependent on stainless steel grade, cooking time, and cookware usage.
Generating near minimal spanning control sets for constrained motion planning in discrete state spaces

We propose a principled method to create a search space for constrained motion planning, which efficiently encodes only feasible motion plans. The space of possible paths is encoded implicitly in the connections between states, but only feasible and only local connections are allowed. Furthermore, we propose a systematic method to generate a near-minimal set of spatially distinct motion alternatives. This set of motion primitives preserves the connectivity of the representation while eliminating redundancy - leading to a very efficient structure for motion planning at the chosen resolution.
A suicide by self-immolation--psychosocial perspectives.

This paper reports on a case of suicide by self-immolation on the funeral pyre of the husband. The custom of Sati or widow-burning is reviewed historically and its meaning explored within the psych...
UV-B as a pro-aging and pro-cataract factor.

One of the functions of the human lens is filter light between 300–400 nm from reaching the retina. The lens is therefore continually under photooxidative stress. In the young lens the primary absorbing species is the O-beta glucoside of 3-hydroxykynurenine (3-HKG) which has a maximum at 365 nm. Photophysical studies have demonstrated that absorptions by this compound in the short term are relatively benign to the lens, but in the long term can lead to the photochemical loss of 3-HKG with the concomitant yellowing of lens proteins. It will be proposed that part of this yellowing is due to the photochemically induced attachment of 3-HKG to lens proteins. The yellowing of lens proteins leads to a drastic increase in the number of photons absorbed by the lens. This, along with the age-related losses of antioxidants such as GSH will increase the photooxidative stress on the lens. Considering the foregoing and various epidemiological, model and biochemical studies, it can be concluded that light is most likely one of the causative factors in cataractogenesis.
IMPACT OF TEMPORARY HILAR CLAMPING DURING LAPAROSCOPIC PARTIAL NEPHRECTOMY ON POSTOPERATIVE RENAL FUNCTION: A PROSPECTIVE STUDY

ABSTRACTPurpose:: Laparoscopic partial nephrectomy for small renal tumors has been increasingly performed in the last few years. We prospectively evaluated preoperative and postoperative differential renal function by renal scan in patients with contralaterally functioning kidneys who underwent laparoscopic partial nephrectomy with hilar clamping.Materials and Methods:: From July 2002 to June 2003, 17 consecutive patients were included in this prospective protocol and underwent laparoscopic partial nephrectomy for exophytic tumors using en bloc hilar clamping. Preoperative renal scan with differential function was performed 1 month before and 3 months after surgery in all patients. 99technetium labeled diethylenetetraminepentaacetic acid scan was performed in all patients.Results:: Mean warm ischemia time was 22.50 ± 9.78 minutes (range 10 to 44). Preoperative differential renal function and glomerular filtration rate (GFR) in the affected kidneys were 50.20% ± 4.90% (range 43 to 58) and 75.56 ± 16.45 ml ...
Coagulation defects in trauma patients: etiology, recognition, and therapy.

Hemostatic complications are common in trauma patients. These coagulation defects may be related to many processes, ranging from pre-existing disease to complications of therapy. The coagulation defects that occur in trauma patients are complex in origin and are caused by many, often interacting factors, including dilution of hemostatic factors by fluid or blood resuscitation, hypothermia, tissue damage from trauma, and effects of underlying diseases. Although empiric therapy may be warranted, a rational approach to laboratory testing and product replacement is important. Therapy is directed at correcting the coagulation defects, treatment of related problems such as underlying bleeding disorders, and therapy for complications such as hypothermia.
Crystallization and preliminary X-ray analysis of the cardiac transcription factor complex of NKX2.5 and TBX5 with DNA.

Heart development depends on timely expression of genes regulated by combinatorial interactions of master cardiac transcription factors. To elucidate the molecular basis of their interactions, a ternary complex of cardiac transcription factors, NKX2.5 and TBX5, and their target DNA was studied using X-ray crystallography. Here, the purification, crystallization and preliminary X-ray crystallographic analyses of the NKX2.5 homeodomain and TBX5 DNA-binding domain complex with a DNA element from the -252 promoter region of the atrial natriuretic factor are reported. The crystal diffracted to 2.88 A resolution and belonged to space group P21, with unit-cell parameters a = 69.30, b = 77.78, c = 77.60 A, β = 108.31°. Two sets of ternary complexes are present in an asymmetric unit with a solvent content of 54%.
Field experiments on species recognition by the threespot damselfish, Eupomacentrus planifrons, (Pisces: Pomacentridae)

The threespot damselfish, Eupomacentrus planifrons, defends differently sized territories against individuals of different species. Tests were conducted in the field to determine the mechanism(s) by which this interspecific recognition occurs. It was found to be based largely on visual cues, the most important of which was body form. Both colour and movement had different effects for intra- and inter-specific intruders. Based on these data, it is proposed that different mechanisms underlie the recognition of and territorial defence against the two groups. Further, interspecific territoriality need not be an ‘accidental’ form of intraspecific territoriality nor a transitional phase in the divergence of already established species, but, rather, may be a stable system based on the simple need to defend an area against non-related competitors.
Metabolic and Behavioral Compensations in Response to Caloric Restriction: Implications for the Maintenance of Weight Loss

Background Metabolic and behavioral adaptations to caloric restriction (CR) in free-living conditions have not yet been objectively measured.
COLONIZATION OF THE SANTO DOMINGO VALLEY

Heavy exploitation of groundwater resources, with the help of government credit and infrastructural investment, has created the most important agricultural district of Baja California Sur in the Santo Domingo Valley. Colonization of the Valley in the 1950s illustrates the interrelated problems of opening desert land for agriculture. These problems involve adjustment to the natural environment and to the sociopolitical milieu that produced the need for colonization. Attempts to “extend the life'’of the Valley include new water-conserving irrigation techniques and diversification of the economy, but these attempts appear threatened by demands for redistribution of land to the evergrowing number of landless poor.
Damped lateral vibration in an axially creeping beam with random material parameters

Abstract Damped lateral vibration in an axially creeping beam with random material parameters is considered. The temperature and imperfection density, and as a result two inelastic material parameters, are random functions of the distance along the neutral axis. It is assumed that the material of the beam is governed by a nonlinear Maxwell model, and that the initial tensile stress is much greater than the increment of stress caused by the oscillation so that a perturbation technique may be employed. Two special cases are fully analyzed: (a) the random parameters are random processes which are only slightly random, and (b) the random parameters are random variables which are largely random. Statistical results are obtained for the lateral velocity, bending moment, logarithmic decrement and circular frequency. It is found that in a specific example, where the beam is made of an aluminum alloy, the lateral velocity, bending moment and logarithmic decrement are sensitive to randomness in temperature and imperfection density, whereas the circular frequency is almost deterministic.
Control of a Seismically Excited Benchmark Building Using Linear Matrix Inequality-Based Semiactive Nonlinear Fuzzy Control

This paper investigates the behavior of a seismically excited benchmark building employing magnetorheological dampers operated by a model-based fuzzy logic controller (MBFLC) formulated in terms of linear matrix inequalities (LMIs). The MBFLC is designed in a systematic way, while the traditional model-free fuzzy logic controller is designed via trial and error by experienced investigators. It is demonstrated from comparison of the uncontrolled and semiactive controlled responses that the proposed LMI-based MBFLC is effective in vibration reduction of a benchmark building under various earthquake loading conditions.
Progravid phase of the rat reproductive cycle: day to day changes in peripheral plasma progestin concentrations.

The progravid phase of the rat reproductive cycle, or pseudopregnancy, was induced by mating with vasectomized males. The morning on which a copulation plug was observed was designated day one. Between 1100 and 1200 hr on each of days one through 13, rats were decapitated and the blood collected in heparinized test tubes. The plasma content of progesterone and of 20α Hydroxypregn–4–en–3–one (20α–OHP) was measured using a competitive protein binding assay, after the separation of competing steroids by Sephadex—LH 20 chromatography. The progesterone levels increased strikingly between day 2 and day 4, were maximal between day 4 and day 7, but had not returned to baseline values by day 13. The 20α–OHP levels decreased steadily from days 1–day 9. Between day 10 and day 11 there was a significant increase in 20α–OHP levels. Between days 1 through 7, the ratio: progesterone/20α–OHP changes in a pattern which is quite similar to the pattern of changing progesterone levels. The ratio: progesterone/ 20α–OHP was ob...
Quantum color transparency.

We propose a quantum description of color transparency in terms of light-cone operator matrix elements. The fundamental quantity needed is the distribution amplitude {phi}{sub {ital A}}({ital x},{ital Q}{sup 2}) for each hadron that participates in the elastic scattering in the nuclear target. Two large scales, {ital Q}{sup 2} and a mass scale going like {ital A}{sup 1/3} for {ital A}{much gt}1, occur in a perturbatively consistent description. We find that the limit of large {ital A} and moderate {ital Q}{sup 2} may shed light on controversies over the applicability of perturbative QCD to exclusive processes.
A review of three‐dimensional in vitro tissue models for drug discovery and transport studies

The use of animal models in drug discovery studies presents issues with feasibility and ethical concerns. To address these limitations, in vitro tissue models have been developed to provide a means for systematic, repetitive, and quantitative investigation of drugs. By eliminating or reducing the need for animal subjects, these models can serve as platforms for more tightly controlled, high-throughput screening of drugs and for pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic analyses of drugs. The focus of this review is three-dimensional (3D) tissue models that can capture cell-cell and cell-matrix interactions. Compared to the 2D culture of cell monolayers, 3D models more closely mimic native tissues since the cellular microenvironment established in the 3D models often plays a significant role in disease progression and cellular responses to drugs. A growing body of research has been published in the literature, which highlights the benefits of the 3D in vitro models of various tissues. This review provides an overview of some successful 3D in vitro models that have been developed to mimic liver, breast, cardiac, muscle, bone, and corneal tissues as well as malignant tissues in solid tumors.
Predictive factors of coexisting cancer in Barrett’s high-grade dysplasia

Identification of high-grade dysplasia (HGD) in Barrett’s esophagus has been considered an indication for esophagectomy because of the high risk for coexisting cancer. However, rigorous endoscopic surveillance programs recently have been recommended, reserving esophagectomy for patients whose cancer is identified on biopsy. This approach risks continued surveillance for patients who already have cancer unless reliable markers for the presence of occult cancer are identified. This study aimed to determine the endoscopic, histologic, and demographic features associated with the presence of occult cancer in patients with HGD. Endoscopic, histologic, and demographic findings for 31 patients who underwent esophagectomy for HGD were reviewed. The presence of an ulcer, nodule, stricture, or raised area on preoperative endoscopy was noted. The results of endoscopic biopsies taken before resection every 1 to 2 cm along the Barrett’s segment were reviewed. The HGD was categorized as unilevel if the dysplasia was limited to one level of biopsy and as multilevel if more than one level was involved. Patients were divided into two groups according to the presence or absence of cancer in the resected specimens, and these variables were compared. The prevalence of coexisting cancer in patients with HGD was 45% (14/31). Of the 31 patients in this study, 9 had a visible lesion. Cancer was found in the resected specimens from 7 (78%) of 9 patients with a visible lesion and 7 (32%) of 22 patients without a visible lesion (p = 0.019). Of 22 patients without a visible lesion, 10 had multilevel and 12 had unilevel HGD. The findings showed that 6 (60%) of 10 patients with multilevel HGD and 1 (8.3%) of 12 patients with unilevel HGD had cancer in the resected esophagus (p = 0.009). For patients with HGD, a lesion visible on endoscopy and/or HGD at multiple biopsy levels is associated with an increased risk for coexisting cancer. These patients should be considered for early esophagectomy.
TORSION-FREENESS FOR RINGS WITH ZERO-DIVISORS

A right R-module MR over any ring R with 1 is called torsion-free if it satisfies the equality for every r∈R. An equivalent definition was used by Hattori [11]. We establish various properties of this concept, and investigate rings (called torsion-free rings) all of whose right ideals are torsion-free. In a torsion-free ring, the right annihilators of elements are always idempotent flat right ideals. The right p.p. rings are characterized as torsion-free rings in which the right annihilators of elements are finitely generated. An example shows that torsion-freeness ness is not a Morita invariant. Several ring and module properties are proved, showing that, in several respects, torsion-freeness ness behaves like flatness. We exhibit examples to point out that the concept of torsion-freeness ness discussed here is different from other notions.
The /D/ matrix for multicomponent diffusion

Abstract In a thermodynamically stable region [ D ] must have positive eigenvalues if the Onsager reciprocal relations are obeyed. When [ D ] can be considered independent of composition, the diffusion process simplifies if a species space using eigenvectors as the basis is utilized. The diffusion equations are readily solved for a variety of conditions by simple extension of solutions for the equivalent binary case. Positive eigenvalues impose restraints on “diffusion paths” in species space which are readily determined and conditions necessary for straight line paths and uphill diffusion are described. The requirement that except for the trivial case [ D ] must be composition dependent is established, and finally it is shown that description of [ D ] as a polynomial function of composition can be achieved from a single diffusion experiment.
Forest transpiration from sap flux density measurements in a Southeastern Coastal Plain riparian buffer system

Abstract Forested riparian buffers are prevalent throughout the Southeastern Coastal Plain Region of the United States (US). Vegetation in the riparian forest buffers in this region are primarily made up of slash pine (Pinus elliottii Engelm.), longleaf pine (Pinus palustris Mill.), and yellow poplar (Liriodendron tulipifera L.) trees. Because they make up a significant portion of the regional landscape, transpiration within these riparian buffers is believed to have an important impact on the hydrologic budget of regional watersheds. A riparian buffer along a first order stream in South-central Georgia US was selected for a sap flow study designed to provide measurements of tree transpiration. The forest provided a buffer zone that averaged 70 m in width from an upland field to the first order stream. Shallow water table conditions allowed direct interaction between the tree's root system and groundwater. Sap flux density, groundwater, and climatic data were collected to determine transpiration rates from different tree species and their relationship to potential ET rates and hydrologic and environmental conditions. Average sap flow rates ranged from 2 to 142 L day−1. Sap flow was related to tree diameter, solar flux density, and daily vapor pressure deficit. An exponential relationship was developed that related measured average daily sap flow rate (L day−1) to tree diameter at breast height (DBH) (mm) for the range of measured trees (56
Disruption of Rpp1-mediated soybean rust immunity by virus-induced gene silencing

Phakopsora pachyrhizi, a fungus that causes rust disease on soybean, has potential to impart significant yield loss and disrupt food security and animal feed production. Rpp1 is a soybean gene that confers immunity to soybean rust, and it is important to understand how it regulates the soybean defense system and to use this knowledge to protect commercial crops. It was previously discovered that some soybean proteins resembling transcription factors accumulate in the nucleus of Rpp1 soybeans. To determine if they contribute to immunity, Bean pod mottle virus was used to attenuate or silence the expression of their genes. Rpp1 plants subjected to virus-induced gene silencing exhibited reduced amounts of RNA for 5 of the tested genes, and the plants developed rust-like symptoms after subsequent inoculation with fungal spores. Symptoms were associated with the accumulation of rust fungal RNA and protein. Silenced plants also had reduced amounts of RNA for the soybean Myb84 transcription factor and soybean isoflavone O-methyltransferase, both of which are important to phenylpropanoid biosynthesis and lignin formation, crucial components of rust resistance. These results help resolve some of the genes that contribute to Rpp1-mediated immunity and improve upon the knowledge of the soybean defense system. It is possible that these genes could be manipulated to enhance rust resistance in otherwise susceptible soybean cultivars.