cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
DEM Generation with SAR Interferometry Based on Weighted Wavelet Phase Unwrapping

Synthetic aperture radar Interferometry (InSAR) is a significant 3D imaging technique to generate a Digital Elevation Model (DEM). The phase difference between the complex SAR images displays an interference fringe pattern from which the elevation of any point in the imaged terrain can be determined. Phase unwrapping is the most critical step in the signal processing of InSAR and especially in DEM generation. In this paper, a least squares weighted wavelet technique is used which overcomes the problem of slow convergence and the less-accurate Gauss-Seidel method. Here, by decomposing a grid to low-frequency and high-frequency components, the problem for a low-frequency component is solved. The technique is applied to ENVISAT ASAR images of Bam area. The experimental results compared with the Statistical-Cost Network Flow approach and the DEM generated from a 1/25000 scale map of the area shows the effectiveness of the proposed method.
The role of the superoxide anion as a toxic species in the erythrocyte.

Abstract The toxic action of the superoxide anion (O2−) toward the erythrocyte was investigated with O2− generated through the autooxidation of dihydroxyfumaric acid (DHF). A suspension of human red cells exposed to DHF undergoes a rapid breakdown of the cellular hemoglobin to methemoglobin and other green pigments. This hemoglobin breakdown is inhibited by superoxide dismutase (SOD) or catalase (CAT) and is accelerated by lactoperoxidase (LP) added externally to the red cell medium. Associated with the hemoglobin breakdown is a hypotonic hemolysis also inhibited by SOD or CAT and initially accelerated but later inhibited by LP. Conversion of the red cell hemoglobin to carbonmonoxyhemoglobin in an aerated medium results in no hemoglobin breakdown or hypotonic lysis in the presence of DHF, even though O2− can be demonstrated in the medium. Although no evidence for membrane sulfhydryl oxidation or lipid peroxidation can be demonstrated in red cells exposed to DHF, the membranes of these cells were found to retain a green pigment. The presence of this green pigment in red cell membranes was inhibited by SOD, CAT, or conversion of the cellular hemoglobin to carbonmonoxyhemoglobin, but was not inhibited by LP. These results have been interpreted as a peroxide-dependent formation of O2− by DHF, followed by attack of O2− on hemoglobin. The reaction of O2− with hemoglobin leads to the formation of a hemoglobin-breakdown product that binds to the red cell membrane, resulting in an increased osmotic fragility of the cell.
Optimization of the capillary zone electrophoresis loading limit and resolution of proteins, using triethylamine, ammonium formate and acidic pH

Abstract Capillary zone electrophoresis (CZE) of five model proteins (lysozyme, myoglobin, ribonuclease A, α-lactalbumin, and trypsinogen), using ammonium formate as the electrophoretic buffer and triethylamine (TEA) as a buffer additive at pH 2.5, was used for protein separation. The electrophoretic behavior of these proteins was examined with respect to various concentrations (10–40 mM) of TEA and of ammonium formate. Based on the experimental parameters of electrophoretic resolution, current, and peak separation time, an electrolyte (30 mM each of TEA and ammonium formate) was empirically derived as the optimum for scale-up separation. The loading limit for proteins, covering a wide range of injection volumes (60–990 nl) and amount of protein (1–21 pmol of each protein), was investigated on 75 and 100 μm I.D. untreated fused-silica capillaries. Protein adsorption (average
Acute Myeloid Leukemia After Myelodysplastic Syndrome and Failure of Therapy With Hypomethylating Agents: An Emerging Entity With a Poor Prognosis

We assessed the outcomes of 63 patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) arising from myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) after hypomethylating agent failure. Their median age was 63 years. All 63 patients had received ≥ 1 salvage regimens for AML, and 35 patients (55%) had received ≥ 2. Of the 31 patients (49%) who had received high-dose cytarabine (HDAC) at first relapse, 2 (6%) achieved complete remission (CR) and 4 (13%) CR with incomplete platelet recovery (overall response rate, 19%). Of the 32 patients (51%) who had received other treatments, including investigational agents, 4 (12%) achieved CR and 4 (12%) CR with incomplete platelet recovery (overall response rate, 24%). The median response duration was 20 weeks. With a median follow-up of 42 months from the AML diagnosis, the median survival (21 weeks) was similar between the 2 groups. The 1- and 2-year survival rate was 19% and 8%, respectively. Multivariate analysis identified low albumin, HDAC treatment, and platelet count 65 years as independent adverse factors for survival. Thus, the outcome of AML evolving from MDS after hypomethylating agent failure is poor and not improved with HDAC. Novel therapies directed toward this emerging entity are urgently needed.
An Open Boundary Condition for Models of Thermals.

Abstract Numerical models of thermals usually introduce a closed box within which convection occurs. A boundary condition which allows inflow and outflow through the edges of the computational domain is discussed. The results of numerical experiments using this boundary condition are then compared and contrasted with those obtained when a rigid boundary is assumed. It is found that the flow development is especially sensitive to the choice of the upper boundary condition even before warm fluid reaches the top of the computational domain.
Sensitivity of Recreational Access to Reservoir Water Level Variation: An Approach to Identify Future Access Needs in Reservoirs

Abstract Reservoirs support popular sport fisheries and other forms of water recreation. However, access to these systems is often sensitive to variation in water level. Increasing water demands due to population growth and the effects of climate change suggest that maintaining adequate recreational access to reservoirs will become increasingly difficult. Knowledge of the effects of water level variation on boat and shoreline access is required to identify future needs and to aid in prioritizing improvement efforts that promote participation in fishing and aquatic recreation. To address this need, we developed a geographical information systems-based approach to quantify the effects of reservoir water level variation on recreational access and applied the technique to three Colorado River reservoirs in Texas: Lake Buchanan, Lake Travis, and Lyndon B. Johnson Reservoir. The data were used to identify reservoir-specific water levels (m below full pool) at which the availability of access was adversely affec...
Unsupervised morphological segmentation and clustering with document boundaries

Many approaches to unsupervised morphology acquisition incorporate the frequency of character sequences with respect to each other to identify word stems and affixes. This typically involves heuristic search procedures and calibrating multiple arbitrary thresholds. We present a simple approach that uses no thresholds other than those involved in standard application of X2 significance testing. A key part of our approach is using document boundaries to constrain generation of candidate stems and affixes and clustering morphological variants of a given word stem. We evaluate our model on English and the Mayan language Uspanteko; it compares favorably to two benchmark systems which use considerably more complex strategies and rely more on experimentally chosen threshold values.
The vertical leap ofCercopithecus aethiops sabaeus: Biomechanics and anatomy

In this study, one positional mode, the vertical leap, is selected from the larger repertoire of habitual behaviors of whichCercopithecus aethiops sabaeus is capable, and is quantitatively analyzed. A cinematographic biomechanical analysis of the vertical leap provides a view of the kinematics (time-space properties of the leap) as well as the kinetics (or force properties) of the leap. These are then discussed with regard to anatomical potential. The analysis elucidates three distinct phases of motion during which the moving body segments linked via their connecting joints, affect one another in the production of the leap. The total positional adaptation ofC. a. sabaeus may only be determined after similar analyses are performed for all postural and locomotor modes. The present detailed analysis of vertical leaping is intended to present data for this one positional mode found to be of primary importance in the arboreal environment and in moving from the ground into the trees. In addition a methodology is illustrated for application in similar primate positional studies.
An undulatory discontinuity surface on a gently inclined muddy ramp: possible evidence of secondary helical flow from the geological record

An unusual, somewhat cryptic, undulatory discontinuity has been recognized near the basal contact of the Wanakah Shale Member of the Middle Devonian Ludlowville Formation in western New York. It is in part marked by undulating diagenetic limestone beds and concretionary horizons, but can be traced continuously by subtle surfaces of fossil and pyritic lags. This surface marks the top of parallel, elongate mud ridges trending approximately N-S, perpendicular to the inferred E-W depositional strike of the Appalachian Basin in western New York. These ridges are observed in the field as irregularly spaced mud swells which have up to 1.5 m of relief, and vary from 30 to 50 m or more in width. The intervening, broad, flat‘channel floors’ are characterized by dense concentrations of diminutive brachiopods with gastropods and styliolinids, which are gradually replaced by thin styliolinid horizons with abundant pyrite nodules and pyritized burrows over the tops of the swells. Traceable shelly horizons are observed to pinch out over the swells, suggesting a period of relatively undisturbed sediment-filling following the formation of the channellized surface. The interval of nearly barren shale below this irregular surface, however, contains concretionary horizons and rare styliolinid pavements which are themselves irregular, possibly indicating a changing topography for this surface through time. Previous taphonomic and palaeoecological studies of the lower Wanakah Shale Member have disclosed a well-defined regressive-transgressive cycle with more subtle superimposed subcycles. The undulatory surface described here occurs within the early regressive part of this cycle, and appears to record an accentuated regressive kick of a lower-order subcycle. The formation of this surface is therefore interpreted to be a consequence of regressive submarine erosion and sediment bypass, together with redeposition from suspension. The development of the‘channels’ and parallel longitudinal mud ridges was probably controlled by helical flow cells within offshore-directed bottom currents. They may be the first recorded instance of sedimentary furrows described from the geological record. Taphonomic and biofacies data indicate relative depths below average storm wave-base, suggesting that sediment winnowing and redeposition occurred at depths only rarely affected by the direct impact of storm wave agitation.
Experimental and statistical analyses to characterize in-vehicle fine particulate matter behavior inside public transit buses operating on B20-grade biodiesel fuel

Abstract This paper presents results from an in-vehicle air quality study of public transit buses in Toledo, Ohio, involving continuous monitoring, and experimental and statistical analyses to understand in-vehicle particulate matter (PM) behavior inside buses operating on B20-grade biodiesel fuel. The study also focused on evaluating the effects of vehicle’s fuel type, operating periods, operation status, passenger counts, traffic conditions, and the seasonal and meteorological variation on particulates with aerodynamic diameter less than 1 micron (PM 1.0 ). The study found that the average PM 1.0 mass concentrations in B20-grade biodiesel-fueled bus compartments were approximately 15 μg m −3 , while PM 2.5 and PM 10 concentration averages were approximately 19 μg m −3 and 37 μg m −3 , respectively. It was also observed that average hourly concentration trends of PM 1.0 and PM 2.5 followed a “μ-shaped” pattern during transit hours. Experimental analyses revealed that the in-vehicle PM 1.0 mass concentrations were higher inside diesel-fueled buses (10.0–71.0 μg m −3 with a mean of 31.8 μg m −3 ) as compared to biodiesel buses (3.3–33.5 μg m −3 with a mean of 15.3 μg m −3 ) when the windows were kept open. Vehicle idling conditions and open door status were found to facilitate smaller particle concentrations inside the cabin, while closed door facilitated larger particle concentrations suggesting that smaller particles were originating outside the vehicle and larger particles were formed within the cabin, potentially from passenger activity. The study also found that PM 1.0 mass concentrations at the back of bus compartment (5.7–39.1 μg m −3 with a mean of 28.3 μg m −3 ) were higher than the concentrations in the front (5.7–25.9 μg m −3 with a mean of 21.9 μg m −3 ), and the mass concentrations inside the bus compartment were generally 30–70% lower than the just-outside concentrations. Further, bus route, window position, and time of day were found to affect the in-vehicle PM concentrations significantly. Overall, the in-vehicle PM 1.0 concentrations inside the buses operating on B20-grade biodiesel ranged from 0.7 μg m −3 to 243 μg m −3 , with a median of 11.6 μg m −3 . Statistical models developed to study the effects of vehicle operation and ambient conditions on in-vehicle PM concentrations suggested that while open door status was the most important influencing variable for finer particles and higher passenger activity resulted in higher coarse particles concentrations inside the vehicle compartments, ambient PM concentrations contributed to all PM fractions inside the bus irrespective of particle size.
High-threshold thin film chalcogenide glass memory switches for display application

Abstract An investigation has been carried out into the use of thin film chalcogenide glass memory switches for addressing large-area electroluminescent displays. Material preparation of the bulk glass used as a starting material and the subsequent r.f. sputtering process used to produce thin films are discussed in some detail. Three basic approaches are described for obtaining high-threshold memory switches and their relative merits are compared. The simplest method of producing such a memory switch, by increasing the thickness, is shown to have serious limitations. The threshold fields have also been increased by varying the composition of the thin film but the compositions so far evaluated were difficult to lock-ON and possible reasons for this are discussed. The third approach is to connect electrically a number of identical thin film devices in series; this is shown to be the most successful method.
Sulfidation of W(001) studied by low-energy ion scattering

Low-energy alkali Li+ ion scattering, low-energy electron diffraction and Auger electron spectroscopy were used to study the structure of sulfided W(001). The c(2 × 2)−SW(001) structure, found at coverages less than 0.5 ML, is determined to be an ordered overlayer of S atoms bonded in undistorted four-fold hollows with perpendicular height of 0.102 nm. The maximum second-layer rippling is less than 0.002 nm and the S overlayer relaxes the first-second W interlayer spacing to the bulk value to within 0.004 nm. For coverages exceeding that of the c(2 × 2)−SW(001), W lattice vacancies are induced at the surface by annealing at and above 900 K. The number of vacancies increases with coverage reaching 0.2 ML at S saturation. The saturation structure, characterized by a p(√5 × √5)R26.5°−SW(001) LEED pattern is associated with 0.8 ML of S located atop second-layer W atoms. No evidence is found for S adsorbed in deep-hollow sites resulting from W vacancies. The results are compared to previous LEED, SXPS, work function and X-ray diffraction results from W(001) and Mo(001) surfaces.
Meiotic parthenogenesis and heterochromatization in a soft scale, pulvinaria hydrangeae (Coccoidea: Homoptera)

Meiotic parthenogenesis of a type not previously described was found in Pulvinaria hydrangeaeSteinweden. During diakinesis 8 bivalents were formed. At prometaphase the spindle was tripolar but anaphase I was bipolar and normal. After completion of division of the primary oocyte, the following sequence occurred: 1. polar body I divided, usually into 3 products; 2. the secondary oocyte divided to yield the egg pronucleus and polar body II; 3. the egg pronucleus divided into its two haploid products; and 4. the second polar body divided. The products of the egg pronucleus fused while dividing to restore the diploid chromosome number; this division may be equated to the first cleavage division. The products of the polar bodies did not take part in the formation of the embryo proper or the mycetocytes.
Linear Wave-Vector Shifts in the Raman Spectrum of α-Quartz and Infrared Optical Activity

Fine structure has been observed in the low-temperature Raman spectrum of the 128-${\mathrm{cm}}^{\ensuremath{-}1}$ $E$ mode in $\ensuremath{\alpha}$-quartz. This structure is a manifestation of an allowed linear dependence of the optical-phonon frequency on wave vector. Since Raman scattering probes a small but finite wave vector, it is possible to observe these frequency shifts using high-resolution thermal or simulated Raman spectroscopy. The linear splitting of the 128-${\mathrm{cm}}^{\ensuremath{-}1}$ $E$-mode doublet is 0.86\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.05\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}${10}^{5}$ cm/sec as determined by backscattering with several laser wavelengths. Such linear wave-vector shifts lead to optical activity in the far infrared (IR). The theory of the strength and dispersion of infrared rotary power is developed in order to establish the connection between the two phenomena. The rotary power for the 128-${\mathrm{cm}}^{\ensuremath{-}1}$ resonance can be estimated from the measured linear shift, lifetime, and IR oscillator strength. However, a direct IR rotation measurement would be hindered by the associated absorption.
Spin glasses in the nonextensive regime.

Spin systems with long-range interactions are ``nonextensive'' if the strength of the interactions falls off sufficiently slowly with distance. It has been conjectured for ferromagnets and, more recently, for spin glasses that, everywhere in the nonextensive regime, the free energy is exactly equal to that for the infinite range model in which the characteristic strength of the interaction is independent of distance. In this paper we present the results of Monte Carlo simulations of the one-dimensional long-range spin glasses in the nonextensive regime. Using finite-size scaling, our results for the transition temperatures are consistent with this prediction. We also propose and provide numerical evidence for an analogous result for dilutedlong-range spin glasses in which the coordination number is finite, namely, that the transition temperature throughout the nonextensive regime is equal to that of the infinite-range model known as the Viana-Bray model.
Generation and use of photon energy deposition kernels for diagnostic quality x rays.

Accurately determining the dose from low energy x rays is becoming increasingly important. This is especially so because of high doses in interventional radiology procedures and also because of the desire to model accurately the dose around low energy brachytherapy sources. Various methods to estimate the dose from specific procedures are available but they only give a general idea of the true dose to various organs. The use of sophisticated three-dimensional (3D) dosedeposition algorithms designed originally for radiation therapytreatment planning can be extended to lower photon energy regions. The majority of modern 3D treatment planning systems use a variation of the convolution algorithm to calculate dose distributions. This could be extended into the diagnostic energy range with the availability of lower energy deposition kernels (<100 keV). We have used version four of the Electron Gamma Shower (EGS4) system of Monte Carlo codes to generate photon energy deposition kernels in the energy range of 20–110 keV and have implemented them in a commercial 3D treatment planning system (Pinnacle, ADAC Laboratories, Milpitas, CA). The kernels were generated using the “SCASPH” EGS4 user code by selecting the appropriate transport parameters suitable for the relative low energy of the incident photons. The planning system was subsequently used to model diagnostic quality beams and to calculate depth dose and cross profile curves. Comparisons of the calculated curves have been made with measurements performed in a homogeneous water phantom.
Experimenting with the Identity(xy)z = y(zx)

An experiment with the nonassociative algebra program Albert led to the discovery of the following surprising theorem. Let G be a groupoid satisfying the identity (xy)z = y(zx). Then for products in G involving at least five elements, all factors commute and associate. A corollary is that any semiprime ring satisfying this identity must be commutative and associative, generalizing a known result of Chen.
Point response characteristics for the CERES/EOS-PM, FM3, and FM4 instruments

This paper describes the point source functions (PSF s) of the Clouds and the Earth s Radiant Energy System (CERES,) Earth Observing System (EOS,) afternoon platform (PM,) Flight Model 3 (FM3,) and Flight Model 4 (FM4) scanning instruments. The PSF (also known as the Point Response Function, or PRF) is vital to the accurate geo-location of the remotely sensed radiance measurements acquired by the instrument. This paper compares the characteristics of the FM3 and FM4 instruments with the earlier Proto Flight Model (PFM) on the Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) platform, and the FM1 and FM2 Models on the EOS morning orbiting (AM) platform, which has recently been renamed "Terra". All of the PSF s were found to be quite comparable, and the previously noted "spreading" characteristic of the window (water vapor) channel PSF is analyzed Keywords: PSF, PRF, CERES, TRMM, EOS, Earth Radiation Budget
Expression of glial fibrillary acidic protein by Müller cells in rd chick retina.

Accumulation of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) in Muller cells has been observed in retinas of several mammalian species secondary to genetically induced degeneration and neuronal injury. In the present series of experiments, I have examined the effects of the rd (retinal degeneration) mutation on the expression of GFAP in retinas of chicks homozygous for the mutation (rd/rd) prior to and following the onset of photoreceptor degeneration, which first appears approximately 7 days posthatch (7dph). Carrier (+/rd) and wild-type (+/+) retinas served as controls. Retinas taken from 1, 7, 21, and 33 dph rd/rd, +/rd, and +/+ chicks were analyzed for the presence of GFAP by immunocytochemical and SDS-PAGE/Western blot techniques. The following immunocytochemical observations were made: (1) GFAP immunostaining was limited to and located throughout the Muller cells. (2) The intensity of GFAP immunostaining increased with age in all three retina types in tissue sections, as well as on immunoblots. (3) The distribution of GFAP staining within rd/rd Muller cells following the onset of degeneration was slightly different from that observed in +/+ and +/rd retinas and was distinguished by increased staining of the cell bodies and the cell processes forming the outer limiting membrane. The results of these experiments show that Muller cells in chick retina contain GFAP. In addition, they suggest that, in contrast to Muller cells in degenerating mammalian retina, Muller cells in rd chick retina do not accumulate large amounts of GFAP in response to degeneration.
Instrumentation for photon stimulated desorption

Abstract Photon stimulated desorption (PSD) refers to the ejection of ions, atoms, or molecular fragments from a surface initiated by the adsorption of single photons; to date, most studies have concentrated on the detection of ions. The properties of PSD which make it attractive as a surface characterization tool are its extreme surface sensitivity, the ions being ejected only from the topmost layer and the rapidity with which the ions are ejected. Since the desorption is fast (∼10 −14 s), with respect to molecular vibrations (∼10 −12 s), the ion trajectory reflects the initial bonding geometry of the particle to the surface. To study the ion desorption process, one would like to measure the mass, kinetic energy distribution, angular distribution and the yield (desorption rate vs photon energy) of the desorbing ions. Time-of-flight analyzers measure only ion mass and yield, while most electrostatic deflection analyzers measure kinetic energy and yield. The ellipsoidal mirror analyzer is unique, in that it measures all four quantities simultaneously.
Activity of water-soluble fullerenes towards OH-radicals and molecular oxygen

bis-functionalized C60 carrying negatively charged carboxyl groups, C60[C(CO−2)2]2, or positively charged quaternary ammonium groups, C60(C4H10N+)2, have been shown to exhibit high water-solubility without cluster formation. This renders them excellent targets for free radical attack and energy transfer reactions in aqueous environment. Absolute rate constants on the order of 8×109 M−1 s−1 and 1.5×109 M−1 s−1 have been measured for the addition of OH radicals to the fullerene core and for the formation of 1O2 through triplet excited states of the fullerenes, respectively, for a variety of bis-functionalized stereoisomers. Comparatively lower rates have been observed for the corresponding energy transfer reactions with γ-cyclodextrin-encapsulated (C60/γ-CD, C60C(CO−2)2/γ-CD, and C60[C(OCH2CH2)3CH3]2/γ-CD), and water-soluble poly-functionalized fullerenes (e,e,e-C60[C(CO−2)2]3, C60[(CH2)4SO3H]6, and C60(OH)18). The latter three also exhibited a lower reactivity towards OH radicals. In case of the γ-CD complexes, OH reacted exclusively with the macromolecular host.
FORMPLOT--A Forms Design System

The FORMPLOT system is a tool for developing accurate, complete data entry forms quickly and cheaply. This paper describes briefly the origins, goals, use, and implementation of FORMPLOT. The unexpected benefits resulting from the automation of forms design end the discussion.
Effects of sample mounting on flammability properties of intumescent polymers

Various flammability properties of polycarbonate samples were measured with the cone calorimeter and lateral ignition and flame spread (LIFT) devices at various external fluxes. Four different sample mountings were used with the cone calorimeter to investigate the effects of sample mounting on the flammability properties of these samples. One sample mounting configuration employed the standard metal edge frame and a grid to retain intumesced char. The other three sample mounting configurations allowed the intumesced char to rise free. The results show that peak heat release rates and heat release rate curves were significantly affected by the sample mounting configuration but total heat released, effective heat of combustion, and soot yield were not significantly affected. Flame spread characteristics were measured with the LIFT. Two sample mounting configurations were used, the standard method and the standard method with the addition of a wire grid to retain intumesced char. Significant differences in flame spread rates were observed between the two sample mounting configurations with and without the grid. This was caused by differences in flame spread rates versus rising rates of char.
Radio noise of auroral origin: 1968–1988

Abstract There have been various reports of radio noise from the aurora dating back to 1946. Here we review radio waves in the frequency range 0.1–200 MHz; not included is the extensive literature on auroral hiss, which typically occurs at lower frequencies, and on auroral kilometric radiation, which is not observable from the ground. A previous review appeared in 1969 and covered the period 1946–1967; in this review we concentrate on the observations between 1968 and 1988. In addition to ground-based observations, relevant in situ observations and theoretical advances are discussed. More experimental work is needed to determine whether all of the observations represent auroral phenomena, to identify and classify the observed emissions, and to estimate the extent to which the various existing observations represent the same phenomena. On the theoretical side, a number of mechanisms have been proposed which show some promise to explain the observed emissions, but many uncertainties remain.
Induction gemcitabine and stereotactic body radiotherapy for locally advanced nonmetastatic pancreas cancer.

Purpose Stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) has been used successfully to treat patients with locally advanced pancreas cancer. However, many patients develop metastatic disease soon after diagnosis and may receive little benefit from such therapy. We therefore retrospectively analyzed a planned strategy of initial chemotherapy with restaging and then treatment for those patients with no evidence of metastatic progression with SBRT. Methods and Materials Forty-seven patients received gemcitabine (1,000 mg/m2 per week for 3 weeks then 1 week off) until tolerance, at least six cycles, or progression. Patients without metastases after two cycles were treated with SBRT (tolerance-based dose of 24–36 Gy in 3 fractions) between the third and fourth cycles without interrupting the chemotherapy cycles. Results Eight of the 47 patients (17%) were found to have metastatic disease after two cycles of gemcitabine; the remaining 39 patients received SBRT. The median follow-up for survivors was 21 months (range, 6–36 months). The median overall survival for all patients who received SBRT was 20 months, and the median progression-free survival was 15 months. The local control rate was 85% (33 of 39 patients); and 54% of patients (21 of 39) developed metastases. Late Grade III toxicities such as GI bleeding and obstruction were observed in 9% (3/39) of patients. Conclusion For patients with locally advanced pancreas cancer, this strategy uses local therapy for those who are most likely to benefit from it and spares those patients with early metastatic progression from treatment. SBRT delivers such local therapy safely with minimal interruption to systemic chemotherapy, thereby potentially improving the outcome in these patients.
Electron drift velocity in avalanching silicon diodes

The differential resistance of an avalanching p+nn+junction is used to obtain the electron drift velocity at electric fields where significant avalanching is occurring (2 × 105< E < 4 × 105V/cm). The velocity is also obtained as a function of temperature and is consistent with energetic phonon scattering.
Insulin-like effects of vanadate and selenate on the expression of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase and fatty acid synthase in diabetic rats

Insulin is capable of regulating cellular and metabolic processes as well as gene expression. In recent years, enthusiasm has surfaced for using insulin-mimetics to study the mechanism of action of insulin. Vanadate and selenate are two compounds that have been found to mimic the action of insulin on control of blood glucose levels in vivo. Vanadate has also been shown to regulate the expression of several enzymes both in vivo and in vitro, however, studies concerning selenate's ability to regulate expression have not been reported. In this study we show that administration of vanadate or selenate to streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats not only normalizes blood glucose levels similarly to insulin but also positively affects the expression of two key metabolic enzymes, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PDH) and fatty acid synthase (FAS). Both G6PDH and FAS activity are significantly decreased in diabetic animals compared to non-diabetic control. Treatment of the diabetic animals with either insulin, vanadate or selenate restored both activities to about 80-90% of control. All treatment conditions exhibited activities significantly higher than those determined for the diabetic group but did not differ significantly from each other. Increases in G6PDH or FAS activity are due to increases in mRNA level. Increase in both G6PDH and FAS mRNA was comparable to the observed increase in activity suggesting that regulation of expression by the mimetics occurs pretranslationally.
Absence of enhanced detoxication of permethrin in pyrethroid-resistant house flies

Abstract The mechanisms of resistance to pyrethroids were studied in a permethrin-selected (147-R) strain of the house fly, Musca domestica L. Approximately 12-fold synergism was obtained with a mixture of (1 R )- trans -permethrin:piperonyl butoxide (1:5) so that the resistance decreased from 97-fold to 22-fold. Tests with the esterase inhibitor S,S,S -tributyl phosphorotrithioate produced very little synergism in either the resistant (R) strain (1.6-fold) or the susceptible (S) strain (1.9-fold). An investigation of the microsomal components revealed that compared to the S strain, the R strain demonstrated twice as much cytochrome P -450 and cytochrome b 5 and double the rate of NADPH-cytochrome c reductase activity. In addition, the rate of p -nitroanisole O -demethylation was found to be six times greater in the R strain. An in vivo accumulation study showed that the R strain displayed a decreased rate of penetration of trans -[ 14 C]permethrin. When treated at equitoxic doses the R strain was found to tolerate 50-fold more internal permethrin than the S strain. An in vitro metabolism study indicated that there was no difference between strains in the overall rate of metabolism of trans -[ 14 C]permethrin. The evidence obtained supports the conclusion that several resistance factors are involved but that decreased sensitivity of the nervous system to the action of pyrethroids is the principal mechanism of resistance in the 147-R strain.
Intrinsic Curie temperature bistability in ferromagnetic semiconductor resonant tunneling diodes

Received 4 May 2005; revised manuscript received 28 November 2005; published 13 January 2006We predict bistability in the Curie temperature-voltage characteristic of double barrier resonant-tunnelingstructures with dilute ferromagnetic semiconductor quantum wells. Our conclusions are based on simulationsof electrostatics and ballistic quantum transport combined with a mean-ﬁeld theory description of ferromag-netism in dilute magnetic semiconductors.DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevB.73.033310 PACS number s : 85.75.Mm, 72.25.Dc, 73.23.Ad
Thermally generated stress waves in a dispersive elastic rod

The propagation of thermally generated stress waves in a dispersive elastic rod was investigated both experimentally and analytically.
Radiative fermion mass hierarchy in a nonsupersymmetric unified theory

In nonsupersymmetric grand unified models a 'radiative fermion mass hierarchy' can be achieved in which the spectrum of quark and lepton masses is determined entirely by physics at the unification scale, with many relations following from the unified gauge symmetry, and with the masses of the lightest family arising from loops. A simple, realistic, and predictive model of this kind is presented. A ''doubly lopsided'' structure, known to lead to bilarge neutrino mixing, plays a crucial role in the radiative hierarchy.
A novel ligand for the NKG2D receptor activates NK cells and macrophages and induces tumor immunity

NK cells are involved in the immune response against viral and microbial infections and tumors. In contrast to B and T cells, NK cells employ various modes of immune recognition. An important mode of immune recognition employed by NK cells is "induced self recognition" exemplified by the NKG2D receptor-ligand system. The NKG2D immunoreceptor, expressed by NK cells, and by activated CD8+ T cells and macrophages, recognizes one of several cell surface ligands that are distantly related to MHC class I molecules (i.e. H60 and Rae1 proteins in mice, and MHC class I chain-related proteins and UL-16-binding proteins in humans). These ligands are not expressed abundantly by most normal cells but are up-regulated on cells exposed to various forms of cellular insults. Here we report the cloning of another ligand for NKG2D; transcripts of this ligand are found in a wide variety of tissues and in various tumor cells. Cross-linking of NKG2D with the novel ligand potently activated NK cells and macrophages. Tumor cells ectopically expressing the molecule were efficiently rejected by naive mice, and induced strong protective immunity to the parental, ligand-negative tumor cells.
P4-061: Predicting risk of dementia in older veterans using electronic medical record data

superior frontal, inferior temporal, cingulate, angular, and calcarine cortices). CAA was scored by severity (1 mild, 2 moderate, 3 severe, 4 very severe) and type (type 1 AA with capillary involvement; type 2 AA, no capillary involvement) using a grading system similar to that used in other studies ( Acta Neuropathol 2004;107:83-90). Severity scores were averaged across regions and Spearman correlation-coefficients were used for analyses. Results: CAA was present in 284 subjects (79.6%), and was related to age-at-death ( p 0.01). CAA was present in nearly all persons with dementia (87.3%) and almost 3⁄4 (72.8%) of those without dementia. The mean CAA score was 1.68 for the dementia and 1.04 for the no dementia group, and neocortical cortices were more involved than the mesial temporal structures. The most affected region was calcarine cortex (mean scores for dementia group 2.18 and for no dementia group 1.47), and the least the hippocampus (dementia score 1.14; no dementia score 0.59). Among subjects with CAA, type 1 was more common than type 2, however type was not always consistent across regions. Conclusions: CAA is common in community-dwelling older persons both with and without dementia. CAA affects the neocortex (in particular the occipital cortex) more commonly than the mesial temporal lobe, tends to be of mild-to-moderate severity, and commonly affects capillaries. Further work is needed to determine the significance of CAA in the aging brain and dementia.
Population Behavior Analysis of dspE and pelD Regulation in Erwinia chrysanthemi 3937

Erwinia chrysanthemi 3937 (Ech3937) is a phytopathogenic bacterium with a wide host range. The pectinolytic enzymes secreted by the bacterium and the type III secretion system (T3SS) are essential for full virulence. We used the green fluorescent protein gene as a reporter to investigate the expression of dspE (a putative T3SS effector) and pelD (a major pectin-degrading enzyme) in populations of Ech3937 under different conditions. Gene expression was analyzed by measuring the fluorescence intensity of individual cells with a fluorescence-activated cell sorter. Ech3937 dspE was induced in minimal medium (MM) with only a portion of Ech3937 cells (43.03%) expressing dspE after 12 h of culture. The nutrient-rich King's medium B did not fully eliminate the expression of dspE; a small percentage of Ech3937 cells (5.55%) was able to express dspE after 12 h of culture in this medium. In all, 68.95% of Ech3937 cells expressed pelD after 12 h of culture in MM supplemented with polygalacturonic acid (PGA). However,...
UV Photoemission Study of Defect States in Polyethylene Films

Photoemission from evaporated polyethylene films was measured in the spectral region between 6 and 11 eV. A significant increase in photoemission yield was observed after the films were exposed to O2 and to air containing ozone and ions from a diffuse glow discharge at reduced pressures. The enhancement can be attributed to oxygen and ozone reacting with the defects in the evaporated polyethylene films, which are unsaturated carbon double bonds in the polyethylene chain. For the ozonized polymer films deposited on gold substrates, the photoelectron spectra show a relatively high density of occupied states at 6.8 ± 0.3 eV below the vacuum level of the polymer and a photoemission threshold of 3.8 ± 0.3 eV. The implication of the results to contact charging of polyethylene is discussed.
Zero-crossing baseband demodulator

In this paper, a new, patent pending, digital baseband demodulator which is cost-effective, low-power, and easy to manufacture, is presented. Unlike conventional baseband digital hardware demodulators which are limited to the demodulation of wideband binary FSK signals in pagers, the proposed baseband demodulator is applicable to both wideband binary FSK and narrowband, multi-level FSK and PSK signals. This demodulator estimates phase rotation angle over one symbol time using the zero-crossings of in-phase and quadrature signals. Also presented is the theoretical performance analysis of the proposed demodulator along with computer simulation results. The performance analysis and computer simulations indicate that the proposed demodulator performs as well as conventional demodulators.
A Class II Histone Deacetylase Acts on Newly Synthesized Histones in Tetrahymena

Newly synthesized histones are acetylated prior to their deposition into nucleosomes. Following nucleosome formation and positioning, they are rapidly deacetylated, an event that coincides with further maturation of the chromatin fiber. The histone deacetylases (HDACs) used for histone deposition and de novo chromatin formation are poorly understood. In the ciliate Tetrahymena thermophila, transcription-related deacetylation in the macronucleus is physically separated from deposition-related deacetylation in the micronucleus. This feature was utilized to identify an HDAC named Thd2, a class II HDAC that acts on newly synthesized histones to remove deposition-related acetyl moieties. The THD2 transcript is alternatively spliced, and the major form contains a putative inositol polyphosphate kinase (IPK) domain similar to Ipk2, an enzyme that promotes chromatin remodeling by SWI/SNF remodeling complexes. Cells lacking Thd2, which retain deposition-related acetyl moieties on new histones, exhibit chromatin and cytological phenotypes indicative of a role for Thd2 in chromatin maturation, including the proteolytic processing of histone H3.
Trend analyses of sulfur dioxide emissions and sulfate concentrations and their application to global cooling

CONCENTRACIONES DE EMISIONES DE SULFURO Y DE SULFTO EN MUESTRAS DE HIELO OBTENIDAS DE DIFERENTES PROFUNDIDADES EN UN LUGAR DEL SUR DE GROENLANDIA, SON USADAS PARA INFERIR UNA RELACION ENTRE LAS EMISIONES Y LOS AEROSOLES DE SULFATO. EN UN MODELO TEORICO SE ENCONTRO QUE ESTA RELACION NO ES LINEAL. LA TENDENCIA HACIA ARRIBA EN LAS CONCENTRACIONES DE SULFATO EN LOS PASADOS 100 ANOS, ESTA RELACIONADA CON UN CAMBIO DE CONCENTRACIONES DE NUBES DE GOTAS DE LLUVIA Y SU IMPACTO EN LA TEMPERATURA DE LA SUPERFICIE GLOBAL. SE ESTIMA QUE ES POSIBLE DE 1.0 A 2.0°C DE ENFRIAMIENTO.
Clustering pair-wise dissimilarity data into partially ordered sets

Ontologies represent data relationships as hierarchies of possibly overlapping classes. Ontologies are closely related to clustering hierarchies, and in this article we explore this relationship in depth. In particular, we examine the space of ontologies that can be generated by pairwise dissimilarity matrices. We demonstrate that classical clustering algorithms, which take dissimilarity matrices as inputs, do not incorporate all available information. In fact, only special types of dissimilarity matrices can be exactly preserved by previous clustering methods. We model ontologies as a partially ordered set (poset) over the subset relation. In this paper, we propose a new clustering algorithm, that generates a partially ordered set of clusters from a dissimilarity matrix.
Amenity Retirement Migration Process: A Model and Preliminary Evidence

A heuristic model of the retirement migration process was developed and explored using survey data from 586 migrants to western North Carolina. Five distinct subgroups were investigated: those who went from part- to full-time residency; those who thought about not migrating; individuals who migrated, remained in the labor force for a short period, and then retired; people who made two retirement migrations; and destination-selecting versus destination-specific migrants.
Stink Bug Feeding Induces Fluorescence in Developing Cotton Bolls

Background Stink bugs (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) comprise a critically important insect pest complex affecting 12 major crops worldwide including cotton. In the US, stink bug damage to developing cotton bolls causes boll abscission, lint staining, reduced fiber quality, and reduced yields with estimated losses ranging from 10 to 60 million dollars annually. Unfortunately, scouting for stink bug damage in the field is laborious and excessively time consuming. To improve scouting accuracy and efficiency, we investigated fluorescence changes in cotton boll tissues as a result of stink bug feeding.
Comparative Genomic Hybridizations Reveal Genetic Regions within the Mycobacterium avium Complex That Are Divergent from Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis Isolates

Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis is genetically similar to other members of the Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC), some of which are nonpathogenic and widespread in the environment. We have utilized an M. avium subsp. paratuberculosis whole-genome microarray representing over 95% of the predicted coding sequences to examine the genetic conservation among 10 M. avium subsp. paratuberculosis isolates, two isolates each of Mycobacterium avium subsp. silvaticum and Mycobacterium avium subsp. avium, and a single isolate each of both Mycobacterium intracellulare and Mycobacterium smegmatis. Genomic DNA from each isolate was competitively hybridized with DNA from M. avium subsp. paratuberculosis K10, and open reading frames (ORFs) were classified as present, divergent, or intermediate. None of the M. avium subsp. paratuberculosis isolates had ORFs classified as divergent. The two M. avium subsp. avium isolates had 210 and 135 divergent ORFs, while the two M. avium subsp. silvaticum isolates examined had 77 and 103 divergent ORFs. Similarly, 130 divergent ORFs were identified in M. intracellulare. A set of 97 ORFs were classified as divergent or intermediate in all of the nonparatuberculosis MAC isolates tested. Many of these ORFs are clustered together on the genome in regions with relatively low average GC content compared with the entire genome and contain mobile genetic elements. One of these regions of sequence divergence contained genes homologous to a mammalian cell entry (mce) operon. Our results indicate that closely related MAC mycobacteria can be distinguished from M. avium subsp. paratuberculosis by multiple clusters of divergent ORFs.
The long and short term feeding condition in field‐caught Calanus pacificus, as determined from the lipid content

The wax ester and triglyceride contents of Calanus paczjicus were measured as indices of feeding condition. The copepod was reared to copepodite V on 100,300, and 900 pg C-liter-r of the diatom Thalassiosira weissflogii and also subjected to changing food concentrations at the fifth copepodite stage. The resulting lipid content was measured. The naupliar stages did not appear to benefit from a food concentration higher than 100 pg Caliter-r although there was an increasing difference in wax ester content after C III among the three food concentrations. The triglyceride content seemed a good indicator of recent feeding, being completely lost after 3 days of starvation. The wax ester content was a good indicator of feeding over a period of a week. Field samples were collected on six occasions off San Diego, in summer 1982 and spring 1983. At five of the six stations the field-caught animals were very well fed, having a much higher wax ester content than at 300 pg Celiter-* of T. weissf7ogii in the laboratory. On one occasion the wax ester and triglyceride contents indicated that the field population was more poorly fed. The variability in lipid content was measured at each station. Data are shown to suggest that quality of food is very important and that Chl a or particulate