cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Chapter 16 – Global Optimization Concepts and Methods

Basic concepts of deterministic and stochastic global optimization methods are described. Deterministic methods guarantee finding a global optimum for the cost function under certain assumptions. These include the covering methods, the zooming method, methods of generalized descent, and the tunneling method. Stochastic methods use random numbers and probabilistic ideas in their calculations. These include pure random search, multistart methods, clustering methods, controlled random search (the Nelder–Mead method), acceptance–rejection methods and stochastic integration. Some of the methods try to find all the local minima while others skip some of the local minima in search for a global minimum. Since there are no optimality conditions for a global minimum point, the methods do not guarantee global optimality of the final solution. Also, a precise stopping criterion for the algorithm cannot be given; therefore, the global minimum point cannot be recognized even if it has been found during numerical search. Two new stochastic global optimization algorithms are presented: domain elimination and stochastic zooming. Numerical performances of these methods are discussed. It is noted that most of the methods take a considerable amount of computational time to find the final solution.
Association of α 1 Antitrypsin Phenotype and Development of Advanced Liver Disease and Pulmonary Complications Before and After Liver Transplantation.

BACKGROUND The role of MZ phenotype of α 1 antitrypsin (α1AT) deficiency as a potential cofactor in advanced liver disease arising from other primary causes is not widely understood. In the general population, MZ phenotype accounts for 2%-4% in Europe and 2%-7.1% in North America. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of the MZ phenotype among various causes of cirrhosis in the United States in the modern era and its impact on pulmonary function before and after liver transplantation. METHODS This retrospective study included adult patients with cirrhosis who underwent liver transplantation at Mayo Clinic. Participants' data including pathogenesis of cirrhosis, model for end-stage liver disease-Na score, α1AT phenotype, liver decompensation events, and pulmonary outcomes was determined by retrospective review of the liver transplantation database. RESULTS One hundred thirty of 1341 adult patients with cirrhosis (9.7%) were α1AT MZ carriers. When comparing the distribution of protease inhibitor (PI) MZ among different pathogenesis, the prevalence of MZ was significantly increased in nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), alcoholic liver disease (ALD), and cryptogenic cirrhosis compared with other causes. Thirty-seven of 171 with NASH (22%), 37 of 187 with ALD (20%), and 9 of 39 with cryptogenic cirrhosis (23.1%) were identified as PI MZ, while in other subgroups; we detected 18 of 320 with viral hepatitis, and 11 of 339 with primary biliary cholangitis/primary sclerosing cholangitis. Also, MZ patients were more likely to develop preoperative chronic obstructive lung disease, and postoperative pulmonary hypertension and pulmonary embolism than MM patients. CONCLUSIONS The rates of preoperative and postoperative pulmonary complications were found to be higher in PI MZ patients than in PI MM patients. The MZ phenotype was significantly enriched in NASH, ALD, and cryptogenic cirrhosis.
Incidence and Factors Associated With Acne Among Transgender Patients Receiving Masculinizing Hormone Therapy.

Importance Acne is a common condition among transgender patients receiving masculinizing hormone therapy (MHT), but the incident risk and predictors of developing acne in this population have not yet been studied on a large scale. Objective To assess risk of acne among a large population of transgender patients receiving MHT and clinical risk factors for acne diagnosis. Design, setting, and participants A retrospective cohort study that included 988 patients who started MHT between January 1, 2014, and December 31, 2017, with at least 1 year of follow-up was performed. Data analysis was conducted from September 1 to 15, 2019. Data were obtained using electronic health records from a community health center serving the sexual and gender minority community. The population included every patient who began receiving MHT during the study period who was aged 18 years or older at the time of MHT initiation and whose assigned sex at birth was female. Main outcomes and measures The main outcome was acne defined by International Statistical Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision, Clinical Modification codes for acne. Overall prevalence and incidence proportions over 2 years after initiation of MHT were calculated. Baseline demographic and clinical characteristics were collected at the time of MHT initiation. A series of univariate analyses for all factors was calculated to test for an association with acne diagnosis, followed by multivariate analyses to test for independent predictors. Results For 988 patients (median age, 25.8 years; interquartile range, 20.8-28.2 years), there was an overall acne prevalence of 31.1% (n = 307). The 1-year post-MHT acne incidence proportion was 19.0% and the 2-year incidence proportion was 25.1%. A younger age at MHT initiation was associated with a higher likelihood of developing acne, with a median of 22.4 years (interquartile range, 19.7-25.6 years) among patients who developed acne vs 24.7 years (interquartile range, 21.3-29.4 years) among patients who did not (P = .002). Conclusions and relevance Acne is a common condition among transgender patients on MHT, with a prevalence increasing from 6.3% to 31.1% following MHT initiation. Patients aged 18 to 21 years appear to be the most likely to develop acne after MHT initiation.
Electrochemically-active carbon nanotube coatings for biofouling mitigation: Cleaning kinetics and energy consumption for cathodic and anodic regimes.

Abstract Biofouling is a major obstacle in engineered systems exposed to aqueous conditions. Many attempts have been made to engineer the surface properties of materials to render them resistant to biofouling. These modifications typically rely on passive antimicrobial or anti-adhesive surface coatings that prevent the deposition of bacteria or inactivate them once they reach the surface. However, no surface modification strategy completely prevents biofilm formation, and, over time, surfaces will be fouled and require cleaning. In this work, we demonstrate the capacity of electrochemical carbon nanotube coatings in dispersing biofilms formed on the surface. A systematic analysis of the biofilm removal kinetics in function of applied current density is made to identify the optimal current conditions needed for efficient surface cleaning. Operating the electrochemically active surface as a cathode produces superior results compared to when it is operated as an anode. Specifically, the 5.00 A m−2 and 2.50 A m−2 cathodic conditions produced rapid cleaning, with complete biofilm dispersal after 2 min of operation. Surface cleaning is attributed to the generation of microbubbles on the surface that scours the surface to remove the adhered biofilm. Energy consumption analyses indicate that the 2.50 A m−2 cathodic condition offers the best combination of cleaning kinetics and energy consumption achieving 99% biofilm removal at an energy cost of ~$ 0.0318 m−2. This approach can be competitive compared to the current chemical cleaning strategies, while offering an opportunity for a more sustainable and integrated approach for biofouling management in engineered systems.
How Does Technology Shape Corruption

Does computerization reduce corruption? The field of ICT4D (Information and Communication Technology for Development) has grappled with this issue with no clear direction emerging. To address this ...
Stress increases in exopher-mediated neuronal extrusion require lipid biosynthesis, FGF, and EGF RAS/MAPK signaling

In human neurodegenerative diseases, neurons can transfer toxic protein aggregates to surrounding cells, promoting pathology via poorly understood mechanisms. In Caenorhabditis elegans, proteostressed neurons can expel neurotoxic proteins in large, membrane-bound vesicles called exophers. We investigated how specific stresses impact neuronal trash expulsion to show that neuronal exopher production can be markedly elevated by oxidative and osmotic stress. Unexpectedly, we also found that fasting dramatically increases exophergenesis. Mechanistic dissection focused on identifying nonautonomous factors that sense and activate the fasting-induced exopher response revealed that DAF16/FOXO-dependent and -independent processes are engaged. Fasting-induced exopher elevation requires the intestinal peptide transporter PEPT-1, lipid synthesis transcription factors Mediator complex MDT-15 and SBP-1/SREPB1, and fatty acid synthase FASN-1, implicating remotely initiated lipid signaling in neuronal trash elimination. A conserved fibroblast growth factor (FGF)/RAS/MAPK signaling pathway that acts downstream of, or in parallel to, lipid signaling also promotes fasting-induced neuronal exopher elevation. A germline-based epidermal growth factor (EGF) signal that acts through neurons is also required for exopher production. Our data define a nonautonomous network that links food availability changes to remote, and extreme, neuronal homeostasis responses relevant to aggregate transfer biology.
Self-reported subjective cognitive decline is associated with global cognition in a community sample of Latinos/as/x living in the United States.

INTRODUCTION Although subjective cognitive decline (SCD) may be an early risk marker of Alzheimer's Disease (AD), research on SCD among Hispanics/Latinos/as/x (henceforth Latinos/as) living in the U.S. is lacking. We investigated if the cross-sectional relationship of self-reported SCD with objective cognition varies as a function of ethnic background (Latinos/as versus Non-Hispanic Whites [NHWs]). Secondary analyses conducted solely within the Latino/a group investigated if informant reported SCD is associated with objective cognition and whether self-reported SCD is related to markers of brain health in a sub-sample of Latinos/as with available MRI data. METHODS Eighty-three participants (≥60 years of age) without dementia (35 Latinos/as; 48 NHWs) completed the Mattis Dementia Rating Scale (MDRS) and the Subjective Cognitive Decline-Questionnaire (SCD-Q). Additionally, 22 Latino/a informants completed the informant-version of the SCD-Q. Hierarchical regression models investigated if ethnicity moderates the association of MDRS and SCD-Q scores after adjusting for demographics and depressive symptoms. Correlational analyses within the Latino/a group investigated self- and informant-reported associations of SCD-Q scores with objective cognition, and associations of self-reported SCD-Q scores with medial temporal lobe volume and thickness. RESULTS Latinos/as had lower education and MDRS scores than NHWs. Higher SCD-Q scores were associated with lower MDRS scores only in Latinos/as. Within the Latino/a group, self, but not informant reported SCD was related to objective cognition. Medium to large effect sizes were found whereby higher self-reported SCD was associated with lower entorhinal cortex thickness and left hippocampal volume in Latinos/as. CONCLUSIONS The association of SCD and concurrent objectively measured global cognition varied by ethnic background and was only significant in Latinos/as. Self-reported SCD may be an indicator of cognitive and brain health in Latinos/as without dementia, prompting clinicians to monitor cognition. Future studies should explore if SCD predicts objective cognitive decline in diverse groups of Latinos/as living in the U.S.
Perfusion-guided endovascular super-selective intra-arterial infusion for treatment of malignant brain tumors.

Background Survival for glioblastoma remains very poor despite decades of research, with a 5-year survival of only 5%. The technological improvements that have revolutionized treatment of ischemic stroke and brain aneurysms have great potential in providing more precise and selective delivery of cancer therapeutic agents to brain tumors. Methods We describe for the first time the use of perfusion guidance to enhance the precision of endovascular super-selective intra-arterial (ESIA) infusions of mesenchymal stem cells loaded with Delta-24 (MSC-D24) in the treatment of glioblastoma (NCT03896568). Results MRI imaging, which best defines the location of the tumor, is co-registered and fused with the patient's position using cone beam CT, resulting in optimal vessel selection and confirmation of targeted delivery through volumetric perfusion imaging. Conclusions This technique of perfusion guided-ESIA injections (PG-ESIA) enhances our ability to perform targeted super-selective delivery of therapeutic agents for brain tumors.
PURIFICATION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF PHOSPHOMANNOSE ISOMERASE-GUANOSINE DIPHOSPHO-D-MANNOSE PYROPHOSPHORYLASE : A BIFUNCTIONAL ENZYME IN THE ALGINATE BIOSYNTHETIC PATHWAY OF PSEUDOMONAS AERUGINOSA

We report here the purification and characterization of phosphomannose isomerase-guanosine 5‘-diphospho-D-mannose pyrophosphorylase, a bifunctional enzyme (PMI-GMP) which catalyzes both the phosphomannose isomerase (PMI) and guanosine 5‘-diphospho-D-mannose pyrophosphorylase (GMP) reactions of the Pseudomonas aeruginosa alginate biosynthetic pathway. The PMI and GMP activities co-eluted in the same protein peak through successive fractionation on hydrophobic interaction, ion exchange, and gel filtration chromatography. The purified enzyme migrated as a 56,000 molecular weight protein on sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, and the native protein migrated as a monomer of 54,000 molecular weight upon gel filtration chromatography. The apparent Km for D-mannose 6-phosphate was 3.03 mM, and the Vmax was 830 nmol/min/mg of enzyme. For the GMP forward reaction, apparent Km values of 20.5 microM and 29.5 microM for D-mannose 1-phosphate and GTP, respectively, were obtained from double reciprocal plots. The GMP forward reaction Vmax (5,680 nmol/min/mg of enzyme) was comparable to the reverse reaction Vmax (5,170 nmol/min/mg of enzyme), and the apparent Km for GDP-D-mannose was determined to be 14.2 microM. Both reactions required Mg2+ activation, but the PMI reaction rate was 4-fold higher with Co2+ as the activator. PMI (but not GMP) activity was sensitive to dithiothreitol, indicating the involvement of disulfide bonds to form a protein structure capable of PMI activity. DNA sequencing of a cloned mutant algA gene from P. aeruginosa revealed that a point mutation at nucleotide 961 greatly decreased the levels of both PMI and GMP in a crude extract.
Minimally Invasive Surgery for Unicondylar Knee Arthroplasty: The Intramedullary Technique

Minimally invasive surgery (MIS) for unicondylar knee arthroplasty (UKA) was instituted in the early 1990s by John Repicci.1,2 While there had been a long history of UKA dating back to the early 1970s,3, 4, 5, 6 the techniques and surgical approaches were modeled after total knee arthroplasty (TKA). The results were not equal to TKA and many surgeons abandoned the procedure. The MIS approach introduced a new method to perform the surgery and helped to improve the results by emphasizing the differences between TKA and UKA. MIS forced the surgeon to consider UKA as a separate operation with its own techniques and its own principles.
Western Financial Institutions, Local Actors, and the Privatization Paradigm

Local conditions determined the vulnerability of post-communist countries to Western privatization prescriptions.
A global identifiability condition for consensus networks on tree graphs

In this paper we present a sufficient condition that guarantees identifiability of linear network dynamic systems exhibiting continuous-time weighted consensus protocols with acyclic structure. Each edge of the underlying network graph G is defined by a constant parameter, referred to as the weight of the edge, while each node is defined by a scalar state whose dynamics evolve as the weighted linear combination of its difference with the states of its neighboring nodes. Following the classical definitions of identifiability and indistinguishability, we first derive a condition that ensures the identifiability of the edge weights of G in terms of the associated transfer function. Using this characterization, we propose a sensor placement algorithm that guarantees identifiability of the edge weights. We describe our results using illustrative examples.
On-Chip Networks for Multicore Systems

With Moore’s law supplying billions of transistors, and uniprocessor architectures delivering diminishing performance, multicore chips are emerging as the prevailing architecture in both general-purpose and application-specific markets. As the core count increases, the need for a scalable on-chip communication fabric that can deliver high bandwidth is gaining in importance, leading to recent multicore chips interconnected with sophisticated on-chip networks. In this chapter, we first present a tutorial on on-chip network architecture fundamentals including on-chip network interfaces, topologies, routing, flow control, and router microarchitectures. Next, we detail case studies on two recent prototypes of on-chip networks: the UT-Austin TRIPS operand network and the Intel TeraFLOPS on-chip network. This chapter organization seeks to provide the foundations of on-chip networks so that readers can appreciate the different design choices faced in the two case studies. Finally, this chapter concludes with an outline of the challenges facing research into on-chip network architectures.
Personality, interests, and career indecision: a multidimensional perspective

Researchers have consistently linked neuroticism to career indecision; however, other personality traits have been inconsistent predictors despite sound theoretical arguments. Similarly, little research has examined a trait-based analysis of the relationship between vocational interests and career indecision. The purpose of the current study was to evaluate the structure of career indecision and to examine the prediction of this construct as both a unidimensional and multidimensional construct. Results suggest that career indecision is multifaceted and that both personality and vocational interests are more strongly related to career indecision than has been suggested by past research. Furthermore, consideration of this multidimensional nature can explain past inconsistencies in the relationships between indecision and personality.
The Cytokinetic Behavior of Pulmonary Alveolar Macrophages in Monocytopenic Mice

The cytokinetic behavior of pulmonary alveolar macrophages (PAM) was studied by pulse labeling with 3HTdB in mice made monocytopenic by a single intravenous injection of the bone-seeking isotope strontium-89 (89Sr). In the presence or absence of blood monocytes, PAM population size was unchanged for up to 1 month of chronic, severe monocytopenia. Pulse-labeling studies performed during monocytopenia show that in control mice PAM population half-times were 17.8 days with a potential doubling time of 39 days, whereas T1/2 was 14.8 days with a 28.5 day population doubling time for PAM in 89Sr-treated mice. Analysis of the halving times of the PAM mean grain count and the halving times of the most highly pulse-labeled cohorts suggested that PAM cell cycle times (Tc) were 5.1 days with a PAM rate of disappearance of 10.8%/day in 88Sr-treated mice and Tc of 6.6 days with a PAM rate of disappearance of 11.4%/day in 89Sr-treated mice. As measured by 3HTdR-labeling techniques, these cytokinetic values are in close approximation to each other, suggesting that 89Sr treatment did not significantly alter either PAM population size or cytokinetic behavior. Employing experimental values it was possible to construct a simple model of PAM population growth that supports the concept that the PAM population is self-renewing in the adult mouse. Taken together, the data show that a major portion of the resident PAM need not depend on the daily influx of peripheral blood monocytes to maintain themselves in a kinetically steady state.
Effects of exposure of mice to hindlimb unloading on leukocyte subsets and sympathetic nervous system activity.

The hindlimb unloading (HU) rodent model was developed to simulate some of the aspects of spaceflight conditions. Our previous studies showed that exposure to HU for 48 h (h) followed by bacterial challenge, reduces the ability of mice to resist infection. The purpose of this study was to investigate the physiological changes in mice during the 48 h of exposure to HU to understand the mechanisms involved in the increased susceptibility to infection observed in mice subjected to these conditions. Female Swiss Webster mice were hindlimb-unloaded during 48 h. Blood samples, spleen and peritoneal cells were removed before and after 18 or 48 h of HU-exposure. Leukocyte subset analysis was performed in spleen and peritoneal cells by flow cytometry, and catecholamine levels were measured in plasma and whole spleen by a catecholamine enzyme immunoassay. Catecholamine levels measured in plasma and spleen were significantly greater in mice exposed to HU compared to control. This increase coincided with significant ...
Empowering Battered Women Transnationally: The Case for Postmodern Interventions

Violence against women by their intimate partners remains a leading cause of injury and death to women worldwide. Governments around the globe are searching for appropriate solutions to woman abuse. This article examines transnational legal interventions instituted to respond to the problem of intimate violence and assesses the propriety of the criminal model on which they are based. Using postmodern social work theory and practice, the article promotes the idea of a more workable alternative response to the problem--a domestic violence commission that places control over her actions and reactions in the hands of the battered woman.
Liquid and surfactant delivery into pulmonary airways

We describe the mechanisms by which liquids and surfactants can be delivered into the pulmonary airways. These are instilled and transported throughout the lung in clinical therapies such as surfactant replacement therapy, partial liquid ventilation and drug delivery. The success of these treatments is contingent on the liquid distribution and the delivery to targeted regions of the lung. The targeting of a liquid plug can be influenced by a variety of factors such as the physical properties of the liquid, the interfacial activity, the gravitational orientation, instillation method and propagation speed. We provide a review of experimental and theoretical studies that examine these effects in single tubes or channels, in tubes with single bifurcations and in the whole lung.
Hydrazine reduction of transition metal oxides: In situ characterization using x‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy

The transition metal oxides (TMOs) V2O5, FeO3, Co3O4, NiO, CuO, and ZnO were exposed to hydrazine at various pressures. The metallic surfaces were surveyed by in situ X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy to determine the irrelative rate of reduction by hydrazine. The most easily reducible oxide, CuO, could be reduced to the metallic state at room temperature and 10 to the -6th torr. The reaction is first order with respect to CuO, with an activation energy of about 35 kJ/mol. Two types of adsorption were seen to occur at 295 K: (1) a reversible component in which the measured N:Cu ratio increased to 0.60 at hydrazine pressures up to 0.5 torr, and (2) an irreversible component, with a N:Cu ratio of 0.28, which could not be removed by extended vacuum pumping. The results of this study are useful for the identification of TMO's that can be used as solid neatallizers of hydrazine spills, and for the preparation of metal surfaces for electroplating and evaporative thin-film coating.
Healing with medical implants: The body battles back

Disease or inflammation can have substantial impact on biomaterials performance and the loosely defined term “biocompatibility” (Oliva et al., this issue).
Phosphophoryn, an “acidic” biomineralization regulatory protein: Conformational folding in the presence of Cd(II)

The divalent cation-induced protein folding properties of the template macromolecule, bovine dentine phosphophoryn (BDPP), have been examined by 1H/31P/13C/113Cd-nmr spectroscopy. Cd(II) was employed, exploiting the sensitivity of 113Cd-nmr to ligand-binding interactions and kinetics. Cation binding was studied over the stoichiometric range of 0–50 : 1 Cd(II) : protein (mole ratio), well below the range of Cd(II) concentration required to induce protein precipitation. The stepwise titration of divalent cation-depleted phosphophoryn at pH 7.2 in H2O/D2O with 113CdCl2 revealed that (PSer)n, (PSerAsp)n, and (Asp)n polyelectrolyte cation-binding domains undergo two major transitions in their secondary and tertiary structures: the first transition, occurring between 1 : 10 and 1 : 1 Cd(II) : protein stoichiometry, and the second, between 10 : 1 and 50 : 1. By monitoring the amide NH intensities, 31P-nmr chemical shift, and 13C Asp-C, resonances, it was concluded that Cd(II) ions exhibit a binding-site preference for polyelectrolyte cation-binding domains, in the order This preference correlates with the degree of negative charge density for each sequence motif. Accompanying the backbone conformational transitions at the polyelectrolyte regions were conformational transitions in the flanking hinge domains, indicating that the hinge domains participate in the folding of the phosphophoryn molecule as divalent cation binding occurs at the polyelectrolyte domains. We were unsuccessful in detecting phosphophoryn-bound Cd (11) species by 113Cd-nmr because of chemical exchange modulation. However, using a smaller 21-residue peptide mimetic of phosphophoryn, we have observed three stoichiometric-dependent 113Cd resonances that differ in terms of the oxoanion coordination number. Our observation of multiple Cd(II) species in the presence of the peptide supports our contention that Cd(II) has many chemically distinct coordination sites on phosphophoryn, each in multiple equilibria with H2O, Cl−, and side-chain oxoatoms. © 1994 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Adapting synthesized input‐output models for small natural resource‐based regions: A case study

Synthesized input‐output has become the method of choice for estimating indirect economic impacts of regional agriculture and resource policy changes. Synthesized models trade off survey based 1–0 accuracy for less expense and timely response. Without adjustment, synthesized models may be more appropriate for large urban areas versus applications in small rural economies. Natural resource extraction, energy sectors, and agriculture present unique data problems requiring extra attention. Deficiencies common to many synthesized models are discussed and practical modifications are illustrated and applied to a case study synthesized model in northwestern Colorado.
New Pulsating Radio Source

A new pulsating radio source has been discovered during the first phase of a systematic search for such objects carried out with the 300 foot transit telescope at the US National Radio Astronomy Observatory (NRAO). The new source lies at the position α(1950)=15h 06m ± 2m, δ(1950) = + 55° 30′ ± 40′, has a heliocentric pulse-repetition period of 0·73968 ± 0·00002 s, and is similar in many respects to the four pulsars discovered earlier this year by Hewish et al. 1 and Pilkington et al. 2 . We suggest that the source be called HP 1506, for Harvard pulsating source at right ascension 15h 06m, to conform with the nomenclature used for the Cambridge pulsars.
Mutagenic and carcinogenic potency of extracts of diesel and related environmental emissions: In vitro mutagenesis and oncogenic transformation

Extracts from emissions of four diesel engines, a gasoline engine and three related environmental samples were tested in four in vitro assay systems designed to detect carcinogenic or mutagenic activity of chemicals. Samples from three of four diesel extracts, the gasoline engine, and all three related samples were positive in an enhancement of viral transformation assay. Two diesel samples, the gasoline engine extract and extract from coke oven emissions were positive for mutation induction in Chinese hamster ovary cells. Only the gasoline engine extract and the coke oven sample were positive in a DNA fragmentation assay using alkaline sucrose gradients. Experiments using chemical transformation of Syrian hamster embryo cells as an assay method have not been completed.
Influence of toroidal rotation on transport and stability in hybrid scenario plasmas in DIII-D

We report the results of the first experiments on the DIII-D tokamak to examine the dependence of the transport and stability characteristics of ITER hybrid scenario plasmas on the toroidal flow (or rotation) of the plasma. With the new DIII-D capability to independently vary the neutral beam torque and power, the central rotation has been reduced by as much as a factor of 4.6 compared with discharges with unidirectional beams. Although energy confinement decreases and the m/n = 3/2 NTM amplitude increases for low rotation speed, the fusion performance figure of merit, , still exceeds the value required on ITER for Qfus = 10. These observations provide optimism about the projections of the hybrid scenario to low rotation plasmas in ITER, but they also indicate the need for a better understanding of the physics of toroidal rotation in order to project present-day results to future experiments.
Use of ultrasonohysterography for triage of perimenopausal patients with unexplained uterine bleeding

Abstract OBJECTIVE: Concerns about pathologic anatomy in perimenopausal women with irregular vaginal bleeding have made invasive diagnostic procedures commonplace. This study evaluated the use of fluid instillation to enhance vaginal probe ultrasonographic examination of the endometrium in such patients. STUDY DESIGN: This was a prospective study of 21 women between 40 and 52 years old with irregular vaginal bleeding. On day 4 to 6 of the menstrual cycle a 5.3F Soules intrauterine insemination catheter (Cook ObGyn, Spencer, Ind.) was inserted, and under direct ultrasonographic examination sterile saline solution was slowly infused. If present, any polyp or submucous myoma was noted and the endometrial thickness surrounding the fluid was measured. Invasive endometrial sampling was then carried out. RESULTS: Of the 21 patients, 8 had obvious polypoid lesions and underwent triage for operative hysteroscopic removal. The pathology report confirmed benign polyps in all 8. Three patients had submucous myomas. Two had wire loop resectoscopic excision. The third, with a submucous myoma that extended to the serosal edge of the uterus, received expectant management. Nine patients had no obvious anatomic lesion and endometrial thickness of ≤4 mm. Biopsy in all 9 of these patients revealed early proliferative endometrium. One patient had endometrial thickness of 8 mm; fractional curettage with hysterectomy revealed simple hyperplasia without atypia. CONCLUSIONS: Endometrial fluid instillation to enhance vaginal ultrasonography in perimenopausal women can reliably distinguish between patients with minimal tissue whose bleeding may be of anovulatory origin and best treated with hormonal therapy and those patients with significant amounts and type of tissue in need of formal curettage. Furthermore, polyps may be distinguished from submucous myomas, which allows appropriate preoperative triage for operative hysteroscopy when indicated and eliminates the need for diagnostic hysteroscopy. (AM J OBSTET GYNECOL 1994;170:565-70.)
Amplification of two endo R-Hind III-restricted fragments of the DNA of herpes simplex virus type 1.

Abstract The 56 S DNA molecules of herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) were cleaved by restriction endonuclease Hin d III (endo R · Hin d III), and two of the restricted fragments were amplified in primary rabbit kidney cells by the following procedure. The restricted linear fragments were isolated after electrophoresis in 0.3% agarose gels and then treated with T4-polynucleotide ligase under conditions which favor monomeric, in contrast to concatemeric, circularization of fragments with cohesive ends. When visualized by electron microscopy, low molecular weight ( 7 ) restricted fragments were found to be circularized with an efficiency greater than 50%, while larger fragments circularized with an efficiency of 15 to 40%. Two of the ligase-treated fragments were used to transfect rabbit kidney cells in the presence of helper infectious viral DNA. These were fragment C, molecular weight 23 × 10 6 , belonging to the joint region of the long and short components, and fragment N, molecular weight 3 × 10 6 , belonging to the S component of the HSV-1 DNA. Analysis of the endo R · Hin d III cleavage patterns of the intracellular viral DNA coupled with reassociation kinetics indicated that these two DNA fragments replicated as monomers, dimers, and even in oligomeric forms. The maximum sedimentation coefficient of the amplified oligomeric forms, however, was lower than that of mature 56 S viral DNA.
Epidemiology of obesity in the Western Hemisphere.

Context: Obesity has emerged as a global public health challenge. The objective of this review was to examine epidemiological aspects of obesity in the Western Hemisphere. Evidence Acquisition: Using PubMed, we searched for publications about obesity (prevalence, trends, correlates, economic costs) in countries in North America, Central America, South America, and the Caribbean. To the extent possible, we focused on studies that were primarily population based in design and on four countries in the Western Hemisphere: Brazil, Canada, Mexico, and the United States. Evidence Synthesis: Data compiled by the International Obesity Task Force show a substantial level of obesity in all of or selected areas of the Bahamas, Barbados, Canada, Chile, Guyana, Mexico, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, St. Lucia, Trinidad and Tobago, the United States, and Venezuela. Furthermore, countries such as Brazil, Canada, Mexico, and the United States have experienced increases in the prevalence of obesity. In many countries, the prevale...
Proton therapy for reirradiation of progressive or recurrent chordoma.

Purpose To report the results in patients reirradiated with proton therapy for recurrent or progressive chordoma, with or without salvage surgery. Methods and Materials A retrospective review of 16 consecutive patients treated from 2005 to 2012 was performed. All patients had received at least 1 prior course of radiation therapy to the same area, and all but 1 patient had at least 1 surgical resection for disease before receiving reirradiation. At the time of recurrence or progression, half of the patients underwent additional salvage surgery before receiving reirradiation. The median prior dose of radiation was 75.2 Gy (range, 40-79.2 Gy). Six patients had received prior proton therapy, and the remainder had received photon radiation. The median gross tumor volume at the time of reirradiation was 71 cm 3 (range, 0-701 cm 3 ). Reirradiation occurred at a median interval of 37 months after prior radiation (range, 12-129 months), and the median dose of reirradiation was 75.6 Gy (relative biological effectiveness [RBE]) (range. 71.2-79.2 Gy [RBE]), given in standard daily fractionation (n=14) or hyperfractionation (n=2). Results The median follow-up time was 23 months (range, 6-63 months); it was 26 months in patients alive at the last follow-up visit (range, 12-63 months). The 2-year estimate for local control was 85%, overall survival 80%, chordoma-specific survival 88%, and development of distant metastases 20%. Four patients have had local progression: 3 in-field and 1 marginal. Late toxicity included grade 3 bitemporal lobe radionecrosis in 1 patient that improved with hyperbaric oxygen, a grade 4 cerebrospinal fluid leak with meningitis in 1 patient, and a grade 4 ischemic brainstem stroke (out of radiation field) in 1 patient, with subsequent neurologic recovery. Conclusions Full-dose proton reirradiation provided encouraging initial disease control and overall survival for patients with recurrent or progressive chordoma, although additional toxicities may develop with longer follow-up times.
Characterization of induced resistance in tomato plants

We have characterized, using several types of bioassays, the resistance induced in young tomato plants by feeding of the corn earworm, Helicoverpa zea. Beet armyworm larvae, Spodoptera exigua, and leafminers, Liriomyza trifolii, were used to assay the induced resistance. In whole-plant experiments, damage localized to a single leaflet of four-leaf tomato plants induced a systemic increase in resistance such that beet armyworm larvae confined to previously damaged (induced) plants grew at a rate about half that of larvae raised on control plants and consumed less leaf tissue from induced plants than from control plants. In experiments using excised leaves, beet armyworm larvae suffered increased mortality when reared on leaves from induced plants. The strength of this induced resistance varied spatially relative to the damaged position; moreover, the spatial distribution of induced resistance changed over a three-week period following damage. Other experiments demonstrated that the mechanism of induced resistance in tomato foliage involves both a decrease in larval preference for and a decrease in the nutritional value of induced foliage. Induction also retarded the oviposition and/or early development of leafminers. Thus, induced resistance has relatively severe effects on the biology of subsequent herbivores. These data should allow us to begin to elucidate cause-effect relationships between induced resistance and induced chemistry in tomato plants.
Equine infectious anemia virus (EIAV) humoral responses of recipient ponies and antigenic variation during persistent infection.

Three ponies were inoculated with plasma containing 104.8 TCID50 of equine infectious anemia virus (EIAV) and observed for 165 to 440 days. Each pony developed a febrile response within 3 weeks of infection during which a plasma viremia ⩾103.5 TCID50/ml was observed. Analyses of four isolates from sequential febrile episodes in a single pony were conducted by two-dimensional tryptic peptide maps and with monoclonal antibodies in immunoblots. Structural and antigenic alterations were observed in the envelope glycoproteins gp90 and gp45, with greatest variation in gp90. Specific IgG to EIAV gp90, gp45, and p26 of homologous and heterologous isolates was detectable by immunoblots within one month after infection although IgG levels to gp45 at this time were relatively low. The group-specific determinants of gp90 and gp45 were more antigenic than those of p26; however, binding of IgG to these determinants did not correlate with neutralization of EIAV as assayed in fetal equine kidney cells. Neutralizing antibodies were first detectable within two months of infection and only neutralized viruses isolated prior to serum collection. Neutralizing activity of sera collected later in the infection was broadly reactive regardless of the number of clinical episodes the donor had suffered.
Characterization of InP nanowires grown on non-single-crystal platforms

InP nanowires were grown by metalorganic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD) on a quartz substrate that was covered with a layer (100 nm) of non-single crystal hydrogenated silicon (Si:H) demonstrating that single crystalline platforms are not a requirement for single crystal semiconductor nanowire growth. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), photoluminescence (PL), Raman spectroscopy and Cathode luminescence (CL) were used to characterize the structural and optical properties of the nanowires. The nanowires grew in random directions with uniform size distribution and with high density. Two different crystallographic habits were found to grow as has been reported previously and the suggestion that the differing crystallographic habits are due to distinct wurtzite and zincblende crystal structures1 is further substantiated by the XRD profile presented in this paper. The XRD profile suggests that nanowires either having hexagonal-close-packed or face-centered cubic lattice are present. The Raman spectrum shows peaks associated with transverse optical (TO) and longitudinal optical (LO) branches of InP. The Raman peaks closely match those of bulk InP. CL of a single InP nanowire was to study the variations in luminescence along the long axis of the tapered nanowire from the base (~250 nm in diameter) to the tip (~10 nm in diameter), however no substantial variation in luminescence was observed along the long axis of the nanowires. Microscopic carrier recombination dynamics of the nanowires will be discussed with the view towards nanowire-based optical sensors.
The Coffee Crisis, Fair Trade, and Agroecological Transformation: Impacts on Land-Use Change in Costa Rica

This research evaluated the impacts of Fair Trade marketing networks and shade-tree diversification on the reduction of land-use change out of coffee production in the district of Agua Buena, Costa Rica. These resistance strategies were deployed by smallholder coffee farmers in response to the “coffee crisis,” which involved record low coffee commodity prices and record high external input costs. This research found that Fair Trade price premiums were inconsequential in providing support for smallholder resistance to land-use change out of coffee production. In contrast, the adoption of agroecological practices such as shade-tree diversification reduced reliance on costly external inputs, which allowed adopting producers to keep land in coffee production at a significantly higher rate than non-adopters. One conclusion drawn is that when addressing agricultural development crises, the promotion of agroecological practices that cut costs may be as good a strategy or better than one that focuses on enhancing...
A dynamic model of controlling invasive species

A dynamic model of controlling invasive weeds is first developed which is a large scale, nonlinear 0-1 integer programming problem. This model is then applied for the case of control of the invasive grass, Pennisetum ciliare (buffelgrass), in the Arizona desert. The large size of the problem makes the application of direct optimization methods impossible, instead the most frequently suggested strategies were analyzed and their consequences compared. The model is more advanced and complex than those examined in earlier studies.
Deformation of the Sea Floor off the North-west Coast of the United States

A new fracture zone separating the Tufts Abyssal Plain from the mountainous topography of the Explorer and Juan de Fuca ridges has been discovered on the basis of the magnetic anomaly offsets. North-east–south-west compression is the likely cause for the rotation, strike-slip faulting and deformation of the small crustal blocks of the area.
A sensitive, spatially uniform photodetector for broadband infrared spectrophotometry

We describe the design and performance of a liquid helium-cooled As:Si blocked-impurity-band photodetector system intended for spectrophotometry in the thermal infrared (2 to 30 μm) spectral region. The system has been characterized for spectral sensitivity, noise, thermal stability, and spatial uniformity, and optimized for use with a Fourier-transform infrared spectrophotometer source for absolute goniometric reflectance measurements. Its performance is evaluated and compared to more common detector systems used in this spectral region, including room-temperature pyroelectric and liquid-N2-cooled photoconductive devices.
Enhanced barrier height of AuIn1-xGaxAsyP1-y Schottky diodes

Abstract Barrier heights of Au Schottky diodes made on In 1− x Ga x As y P 1− y epitaxial layers with interfacial films have been measured. The interfacial layer was either a thin (⋍25 A) natural oxide film or an oxide film grown by HNO 3 oxidation for which the thickness was much greater (300–500 A). Room temperature forward-biased current-voltage and capacitance-voltage measurements show that enhancement of the barrier heights ranging from 0.15 to 0.32 eV, depending on composition, is obtained for the natural oxide films. The enhancement is much less for the HNO 3 oxide layers. The best value of the ideality factor n = 1.4 and saturation current densities J s ranging from 10 −4 to 10 −8 A cm −2 are obtained. For the thin natural oxide interfacial films, the results can be explained reasonably with a thermionic emission model taking into account the interfacial oxide layer.
Two-parameter scaling of the hopping conductivity of n-type CdSe.

The conductivity between 0.05 and 3.0 K of five samples of insulating CdSe:In containing dif- ferent dopant concentrations 0.75[ital n][sub [ital c]][lt][ital n][lt]0.95[ital n][sub [ital c]] is consistent with two-parameter scaling, [sigma]=[sigma][sup *]([ital n])[ital f][[ital T]/[ital T][sup *]([ital n])], where the parameter [ital T][sup *] goes to zero and [sigma][sup *] tends toward a finite value [sigma][sub [ital c]][sup *] at the metal-insulator transition. This form implies a minimum metallic conductivity, and must break down as [ital n][r arrow][ital n][sub [ital c]] if the transition is continuous.
Abiotrophic gene action in Homo sapiens : potential mechanisms and significance for the pathobiology of aging

A subset of genetic loci ofHomo sapiens are reviewed that: 1) have the potential for allelic variation (either mutation or polymorphism) such that degenerative and/or proliferative phenotypic aberrations may be of relatively late onset (‘abiotrophic’); 2) have phenotypic features which overlap, to some extent, with those of important age-related disorders of man (many of which are systematically tabulated in this review); 3) have had significant characterization at the biochemical genetic level. The ascertainment bias of physicians to discover strong phenotypic effects (‘non-leaky’ mutations) obscures the fact that, for many such instances, there exist numerous other alleles of lesser effects, including those whose gene actions probably escape the force of natural selection.
The significance of emotions in the affective presentation of sexually abused girls

This study examined emotions and internalizing symptoms in sexually abused females. Children seen for outpatient evaluation for sexual abuse were compared to a normative sample on measures of emotional expression, anxiety and depression. The outpatient sample reported higher levels of emotions, lower levels of depression and statistically lower levels of anxiety as compared to non-abused peers. The outpatients also were compared to two inpatient samples: inpatient with no history of abuse, and inpatient with a history of abuse. Results are discussed in terms of the need to find different ways to assess emotional adjustment of sexually abused children.
Geochemical history of South Atlantic Ocean sediments since Late Cretaceous

Abstract 202 sediment samples recovered by “Glomar Challenger” in the South Atlantic Ocean have been analyzed for Si, Al, Ti, Fe, Mn and P, showing that the basal sediments far from the crest of the ridge are relatively rich in Fe, Mn and P, and poor in Si, Al and Ti. The results suggest that submarine ridge volcanism has been a source of sedimentary matter at least since the Eocene, possibly since the Late Cretaceous. The post-depositional rearrangement or migration of manganese is insignificant; most of it has remained in situ.