cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
PAGE separation of hemi-methylated or unmethylated oligonucleotide substrates to distinguish between maintenance and de novo DNA methyltranferase activity.

Abstract DNA methyltransferase (DNMT) enzymes catalyze the addition of a methyl group to cytosine residues in DNA. Appropriate cytosine methylation of CpG dinucleotides is required for normal mammalian development and homeostasis, and quantitative methods are necessary to assess DNMT activity in various cell extracts. The method described in this report utilizes incorporation of S -[methyl- 3 H]-adenosyl- l -methionine into hemi-methylated or unmethylated oligonucleotides to distinguish between maintenance and de novo DNMT activity, respectively. However, unlike previously described methods, this protocol uses native polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis to detect the incorporation of radioactivity into substrate oligonucleotides. This approach distinguishes between incorporation of radioactivity into target substrate oligonucleotides and incorporation into non-specific cellular DNA that often contaminates nuclear extracts, and permits the reproducible quantitation and comparison of de novo and maintenance DNMT activities in various cell lines. Electrophoretic separation of the methylated substrates is a cost-effective, specific, and reproducible approach to quantitate DNMT activities in nuclear extracts.
The 2-4 μm Spectrum of Saturn's Rings

Abstract Observations of the rings of Saturn at 2–4 μm reveal the presence of a 3.6-μm peak in the infrared reflectivity. This peak is consistent with a particle size of ⩽ 50 μm, and a composition of pure H2O ice. The quoted size may only be indicative of the textural scale of frost on the surface of larger particles. The presence of small amounts of CH4 in the form of a clathrate, however, cannot be ruled out by our measurements.
Parameters of suicidal crises vary as a function of previous suicide attempts in youth inpatients.

ABSTRACT Objectives Although suicidal crises demand an enormous amount of clinical attention, surprisingly little empirical research has been conducted on the parameters of suicidal crises in general, and in children and adolescents in particular. On the basis of past conceptual work on the unique characteristics of multiple suicide attempters, as well as work on the effect of previous suicidal and depressive experience on later functioning, the authors developed predictions regarding the intensity and duration of suicidal crises in youths presenting to inpatient psychiatry units. Specifically, it was hypothesized that multiple attempt status would relate significantly to intensity of suicidal crises and would relate more strongly to intensity than to duration of crises. Method Data on past suicide history and self-rated symptoms were collected for 50 suicidal patients, all of whom were available at follow-up. Results Findings conformed to prediction: Multiple attempters experienced more intense but not more long-lasting crises; the relation between multiple attempt status and crisis intensity exceeded that between multiple attempt status and crisis duration. Conclusions Previous suicidal experience may alter the parameters of current suicidal crises. Implications of these findings for suicide risk and clinical assessment and management are discussed.
All-Spectrum Cognitive Networking through Joint Distributed Channelization and Routing

We consider a secondary multi-hop cognitive radio network with decentralized control that operates cognitively to coexist with primary users. We propose a new spread-spectrum management paradigm, in which, unlike mainstream dynamic spectrum access research, digital waveforms are designed to occupy the entire available spectrum, and to adaptively track the interference profile at the receiver to maximize the link capacity while avoiding interference to primary users. In this context, we study the problem of maximizing the network throughput of a multi-hop network through joint routing and spread-spectrum channelization. We first propose a centralized formulation of the network control problem. We then propose an algorithm that can be seen as a distributed localized approximation of the throughput-maximizing policy. We refer to the proposed jointly-designed routing and code-division channelization algorithm as ROCH (Routing and cOde-division CHannelization). Specifically, power and spreading code are jointly selected to maximize the pre-detection secondary \mathrm{SINR} while providing quality of service guarantees to on-going primary and secondary transmissions, while the routing algorithm dynamically selects relays based on the network traffic dynamics and on the achievable data rates on different secondary links. We study the throughput and delay performance of ROCH through a extensive simulation experiments, which demonstrate the appeal of the proposed framework through significant performance gains compared to baseline solutions.
A successive scattering methodology with application to two cylinders in the Fresnel region of each other

We present an efficient approach to compute the second-order scattering of an electromagnetic wave by two discrete scatterers in proximity to each other. Such a two-body system represents the simplest canonical arrangement to address near-field volume scattering phenomena in microwave remote sensing models of vegetation. Using an analytical wave-based approach, a successive scattering methodology is employed to derive the first interaction term in multiple scattering by two arbitrary scatterers in terms of their transition operators. The general formulation is applied to find the second-order bistatic scattering amplitude for a pair of finite length thin cylinders at arbitrary interaction distances using the exact Green's function. To improve computational efficiency, the solution is then specialized to the Fresnel region. These second-order bistatic scattering amplitude results are in agreement with the exact Green's function model when the scatterers are in the Fresnel region of each other. Additionally...
Structural basis of metal hypersensitivity

Metal hypersensitivity is a common immune disorder. Human immune systems mount the allergic attacks on metal ions through skin contacts, lung inhalation and metal-containing artificial body implants. The consequences can be simple annoyances to life-threatening systemic illness. Allergic hyper-reactivities to nickel (Ni) and beryllium (Be) are the best-studied human metal hypersensitivities. Ni-contact dermatitis affects 10 % of the human population, whereas Be compounds are the culprits of chronic Be disease (CBD). αβ T cells (T cells) play a crucial role in these hypersensitivity reactions. Metal ions work as haptens and bind to the surface of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) and peptide complex. This modifies the binding surface of MHC and triggers the immune response of T cells. Metal-specific αβ T cell receptors (TCRs) are usually MHC restricted, especially MHC class II (MHCII) restricted. Numerous models have been proposed, yet the mechanisms and molecular basis of metal hypersensitivity remain elusive. Recently, we determined the crystal structures of the Ni and Be presenting human MHCII molecules, HLA-DR52c (DRA*0101, DRB3*0301) and HLA-DP2 (DPA1*0103, DPB1*0201). These structures revealed unusual features of MHCII molecules and shed light on how metal ions are recognized by T cells.
The effect of diffusion on the settling of aerosol particles in flow in a parallel plate channel

Abstract Aerosol particle deposition due to simultaneous settling and diffusion from slug or Poiseuille flow in a horizontal parallel plate channel is studied. Solutions are presented for the deposition flux and bulk mean concentration variations along the channel for the case when the settling is large compared to the diffusion.
Origin and deposition of deep sea sediments

The upper layers of the Earth's crust are represented in the sea by the sediments which are being deposited from a variety of sources and at a rate which varies from place to place and from time to time. A relatively complete series of sediments should be found in deep-sea deposits if we assume that the present ocean basins have remained approximately as they are now throughout a major part of geologic time. In this discussion the term, deep-sea sediments, is used in a very broad sense but generally to include those deposits which occur on the floors of the large ccean basins below about 2000 fathoms water depth.
Cytotoxicity screening for the cyanobacterial toxin cylindrospermopsin.

The cell lines C3A, HepG2, NCI-87, HCT-8, HuTu-80, Caco-2, and Vero were screened for sensitivity to the cyanobacterial toxin cylindrospermopsin (CYN), with the aim of determining the most sensitive cells to be used in cytotoxicity tests. Cell lines were chosen to be representative of the organs targeted by the toxin; liver, kidney, intestine, and were expected to have different metabolic activities and uptake capabilities. Over the range of cell lines tested, IC50 determinations at 24 h (MTT assay) ranged fourfold, from 1.5 μM for hepatocyte-derived cell lines (C3A IC50 = 1.5 ± 0.54; HepG2 IC50 = 1.5 ± 0.87) to 6.5 ± 3.3μM for the colon-derived Caco-2 cell line. The cell-line sensitivity seemed to decrease in cell lines derived from progressively more distal regions of the gastrointestinal tract: gastric > duodenal > ileal > colonic. The greater sensitivity of the hepatic cell lines to CYN was also apparent in 7-d exposure studies, with low toxin concentrations exerting cytotoxic effects that were not se...
Interfacial Bonding Mechanisms in Carbon Fiber/PMR-15 Composites

X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), tensiometric wetting, and atomic force microscopy (AFM) were used to investigate the surfaces of PAN based carbon fibers. Percent weighted dipole moments (%WDM) were computed from the deconvoluted core level carbon XPS peaks. Tensiometric wetting separated the polar and dispersive components of the fiber surface energies thus allowing the computation of % polar energies. AFM provided quantitative measurements of the fiber surface rugosities. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) revealed adhesive interfacial fractures for PMR-15 (polyimide) composites of fibers with low %WDM and % polar energies; cohesive fractures for those with high %WDM and % polar energies. Increasing interlaminar shear strengths correlated with increasing %WDM and % polar energies. The fibers with higher %WDM also had rougher surfaces which probably expose more graphite basal plane dipole sites in addition to providing mechanical interlocking.
Refrigeration system optimization

Abstract It must first be established that refrigeration is necessary and that the required cooling cannot be achieved more cheaply by other means. The operating costs of a refrigeration system depend mainly on power consumption and this can be reduced by a wide variety of methods. The operating and capital costs should be brought together in the net present value for an appropriate life span. Various case studies are presented. Other relevant factors to be considered in system optimization include control methods, plant siting and the form of contract used.
Elemental composition of aerosols in a small mixed land use watershed

The hypothesis of uniform elemental composition of continental aerosol is supported with data from samples taken in and around Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Simple dilution by regional atmospheric mixing processes is proposed to explain variations in absolute concentrations of the aerosol while the elemental composition remains essentially unchanged. There are, however, certain elements (Fe, Zn, and Mn) which show a marked enrichment in close proximity to industrial activities.
The Literature on Academic Integrity and Graduate Students: Issues, Solutions, and the Case for a Librarian Role

SUMMARY Graduate and professional school students face a variety of academic integrity issues and are sometimes academically dishonest. The author surveys the literature of the last decade on graduate student academic integrity, including plagiarism, cheating, falsification, and authorship conflicts, focusing on empirical studies in multiple disciplines, studies that portray issues arising in individual disciplines, and solutions suggested. The author proposes that librarians who serve, teach, and consult with graduate students should develop their instructional role in this area. By becoming aware of the chief academic integrity problems and the subject-discipline related concerns, they can better assist graduate students in the context of information literacy and collaborate with faculty on training and other solutions.
Formation and Stability of Hexadecanethiolate SAMs Prepared in Aqueous Micellar Solutions of C12E6

Self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) prepared by the adsorption of hexadecanethiol (C16SH) onto gold exhibit infrared and impedance spectra that are consistent with a greater overall chain density when prepared in aqueous micellar solutions of hexaethylene glycol monododecyl ether (C12E6) than when prepared in ethanol or isooctane, although the initial step of the assembly process is much slower in the micellar solution. On the basis of ex situ infrared spectra taken at different adsorption times, SAMs prepared in C12E6(aq) undergo a more thorough structural transformation to likely minimize collapsed chains and other defects within the film. These water-borne SAMs are greatly resistant to structural changes when immersed in blank solvents (C12E6(aq), ethanol, and isooctane), but changes in the IR spectra suggest that a small fraction of thiolate molecules desorb from the surface when exposed to a solution containing C16SH in ethanol. Conversely, when ethanolic SAMs are exposed to a solution of C16SH in C12E6...
Spinal injuries after falls from hunting tree stands.

Abstract Background context Spinal injuries are common sequelae of falls from hunting tree stands. Significant neurological injury is not uncommon and can result in significant morbidity as well as enormous expenditure of health care dollars. Recent literature on the subject is limited. Purpose The purpose of this study was to identify precipitating causes, characterize the spectrum of spinal injury, and determine potential interventional safety and prevention recommendations. Study design A retrospective study. Methods Medical record review of 22 patients admitted either directly or via referral to a level I spinal cord injury referral center over a 10-year period (1995–2005) after a fall from a hunting tree stand. Results All patients were men with a mean age of 46 years (range, 27–80 years). Initial acute care hospitalization averaged 10 days (range, 2–28 days). The average height of fall was 18 feet (range, 10–30 feet). Four of 19 falls (21%) occurred during the morning hours, 2 of 19 falls occurred during the afternoon, and 13 of 19 falls (68%) occurred during the evening hours. Time lapse from injury to presentation to an emergency department ranged from 30 minutes to 14 hours. Alcohol use was a factor in 2 of 20 falls (10%). Hypothermia complicated 3 of 21 cases (14%). Associated injuries were present in 12 of 21 patients (57%) and included fractures to the axial and appendicular skeleton, pneumothoraces, a retroperitoneal bleed, and a brachial plexopathy. Eight of 22 patients (37%) sustained injury to the cervical spine. Five of these 8 patients (63%) had neurological deficits (3 complete and 2 incomplete spinal cord injuries). Thirteen of 22 (59%) patients sustained injury to the thoracic or lumbar spine. Ten of these 13 (77%) had neurologic deficits (3 complete and 7 incomplete). Nine of 22 (41%) patients were treated nonoperatively; the remaining 13 (59%) underwent operative intervention. Conclusions Falls from hunting tree stands remain a significant cause of spinal injury and subsequent disability. The best intervention for these injuries is prevention. There is a continued need for hunter safety education to reduce the incidence of these injuries with emphasis on safety harness usage, proper installation and annual inspection of tree stands, hunting in groups with periodic contact, the use of communication devices, and abstinence from alcohol consumption while hunting.
Variation in larval sea lamprey demographics among Great Lakes tributaries: A mixed-effects model analysis of historical survey data

Understanding variation in fish populations is valuable from both a management and an ecological perspective. Great Lakes sea lampreys are controlled primarily by treating tributaries with lampricides that target the larval stage. Great Lakes streams were divided into four categories based on their regularity of parasitic lamprey production inferred from the historic regularity of chemical treatments. This categorization was intended to direct future assessment efforts, but may also reflect differences in early demographics. We analyzed assessment data collected from 1959 to 2005 using mixed-effects models and variance components analyses to test for differences in recruitment and growth to age 1 among stream categories. Recruitment was twice as large in regularly treated streams as in irregularly treated streams, indicating that age-1 year-class strength is correlated with consistent chemical treatments. We found no differences in length at age 1 among stream categories; however, Lake Superior streams with irregular treatment histories exhibit more variation in length at age 1 than streams that are treated regularly. The majority of variation in length at age 1 was due to within-year variation, which was fairly consistent across stream types within each lake. Our results indicate that early life history differs among subsets of the Great Lakes sea lamprey population, and management practices should be modified to account for these differences. Mixed-effects models and variance components analyses are useful tools for analyzing large historical datasets for patterns of demographic variation within and among populations, whether the ultimate goal is pest control, harvesting, or conservation.
Extrapyramidal Reactions and the Selective Serotonin-Reuptake Inhibitors

OBJECTIVE:To review the known published reports of extrapyramidal reactions (EPRs) associated with the use of selective serotonin-reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs).DATA SOURCES:Information was selected from a MEDLINE search (January 1990 to January 1996) of English-language medical literature. Manual searches of pertinent journal article bibliographies were also performed.DATA EXTRACTION:Appropriate information from all reports obtained was included, with specific attention directed toward patient age, gender, primary psychiatric diagnosis, total daily SSRI dosage, dosage escalation strategy, and concurrent psychotropic medications.DATA SYNTHESIS:Reports of EPRs associated with SSRI use have been accumulating in the medical literature for several years. More commonly associated with high-potency antipsychotics, EPRs can have an adverse impact on medication compliance and hospital readmissions. The proposed hypothesis for EPRs occurring with SSRI use involves serotonin's inhibitory actions on extrapyramidal dopa...
Early innate immunity determines outcome of Mycobacterium tuberculosis pulmonary infection in rabbits

Background Pulmonary infection of humans by Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb), the causative agent of tuberculosis (TB), results in active disease in 5-10% of individuals, while asymptomatic latent Mtb infection (LTBI) is established in the remainder. The host immune responses that determine this differential outcome following Mtb infection are not fully understood. Using a rabbit model of pulmonary TB, we have shown that infection with the Mtb clinical isolate HN878 (a hyper-virulent W-Beijing lineage strain) leads to progressive cavitary disease similar to what is seen in humans with active TB. In contrast, infection with Mtb CDC1551 (a hyper-immunogenic clinical isolate) is efficiently controlled in rabbit lungs, with establishment of LTBI, which can be reactivated upon treatment with immune-suppressive drugs. We hypothesize that the initial interaction of Mtb with the cells of the host response in the lungs determine later outcome of infection.
Modeling wireless channel delay spread trends

Wireless channel measurement and modeling is increasing in sophistication in order to more accurately account for channel effects upon communication signals. In this paper we provide an analysis of measured delay spread trends in an outdoor environment in the 5 GHz band. We quantify the increase in delay spread when making a transition from line-of-sight to non-line-of-sight regions. This information may be of use in future high performance adaptive communication systems that work to “anticipate” channel changes, and for the creation of future wireless environment maps.
System for multiple people identification and tracking in video

In this paper, a software system is presented that supports finding, tagging, identifying and tracking multiple people in videos with uncontrolled capturing conditions. The work was focused on two aspects. One is to build a parallel video processing pipeline that integrates image analysis modules such as face detection, recognition and tracking, efficiently and smoothly, so that multiple people can be simultaneously tracked in real time. Another aspect is to make innovations to each of the major image processing modules so that they are both fast and robust to variations in pose, illumination, occlusions and so on. Written in C++, this demo runs on a mainstream laptop. It can instantly recognize and constantly track multiple subjects in live or recorded videos.
The impact of radio frequency identification (RFID) investment announcements on the market value of the firm

This paper examines the impact of RFID investment announcements on the market value of the firms and explores industry effects of the positive abnormal returns to firms making the announcements. Drawing upon the efficient market theory, market signaling hypothesis, and prior empirical studies, we employ event study methodology to analyze RFID investment announcements over a six-year period from 2001 to 2006. In this paper, we present preliminary results that demonstrate an overall positive abnormal return to RFID investment announcements over the three-day event window. In addition, industry differences in market returns to RFID investment announcements are observed with a greater return realized in the manufacturing sector and specifically in the information technology industry segment and for technology vendors' investment initiatives. These preliminary findings provide useful implications for a better understanding of the benefits of RFID adoption and for making decisions in RFID investment and adoption to create value for the firms.
Inpatient Heart Failure Specialty Units Rationale for a Multidisciplinary Approach to Care

Congestive heart failure is a major public health challenge and a leading cause of hospitalization in the United States. Despite major recent advances in the treatment of this condition, morbidity and mortality rates remain unacceptably high, and readmission rates can approach 50% at 6 months. Rehospitalization rates associated with this condition pose a significant economic burden on the health care budget. The main purpose of this article is to address how utilization of multidisciplinary heart failure units for the treatment of acute heart failure can lead to optimization of health care delivery for this condition, improved clinical outcomes, decreased rehospitalization rates, and reduced health care costs. We will explore the societal impact of heart failure and economic burden of this condition, with special focus on the impact of acutely hospitalized heart failure patients. Shortcomings and windfalls in the delivery of health care for this condition will be addressed. The multiple components of care...
Changing the dose metric for inhalation toxicity studies: Short-term study in rats with engineered aerosolized amorphous silica nanoparticles

Inhalation toxicity and exposure assessment studies for nonfibrous particulates have traditionally been conducted using particle mass measurements as the preferred dose metric (i.e., mg or μg/m3). However, currently there is a debate regarding the appropriate dose metric for nanoparticle exposure assessment studies in the workplace. The objectives of this study were to characterize aerosol exposures and toxicity in rats of freshly generated amorphous silica (AS) nanoparticles using particle number dose metrics (3.7 × 107 or 1.8 × 108 particles/cm3) for 1- or 3-day exposures. In addition, the role of particle size (d50 = 37 or 83 nm) on pulmonary toxicity and genotoxicity endpoints was assessed at several postexposure time points. A nanoparticle reactor capable of producing, de novo synthesized, aerosolized amorphous silica nanoparticles for inhalation toxicity studies was developed for this study. SiO2 aerosol nanoparticle synthesis occurred via thermal decomposition of tetraethylorthosilicate (TEOS). The...
Telavancin: An Antimicrobial with a Multifunctional Mechanism of Action for the Treatment of Serious Gram-Positive Infections

Telavancin is a once-daily lipoglycopeptide antibiotic structurally derived from vancomycin. It has broad-spectrum activity against gram-positive bacteria, including strains with reduced susceptibility to vancomycin. Telavancin's multifunctional mechanism of action, including inhibition of peptidoglycan synthesis and disruption of membrane potential, account for this enhanced activity as well as rapid bactericidal properties. In vitro activity has been demonstrated against a wide range of gram-positive pathogens such as multidrug-resistant Streptococcus pneumoniae, as well as methicillin-resistant, glycopeptide-intermediate, and vancomycin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. The agent also displays activity against many gram-positive anaerobic organisms. Predictable linear pharmacokinetics have been demonstrated over a wide range of doses, with the most common adverse effects being taste disturbance and nausea. Clinical experience with telavancin in phase II and III studies for complicated skin and skin structure infections has shown it to have similar efficacy and tolerability compared with vancomycin and antistaphylococcal penicillins, and recently telavancin received an approvable letter from the United States Food and Drug Administration for this indication. Telavancin appears to be a promising agent for the treatment of serious infections caused by gram-positive pathogens, including drug-resistant pathogens. Further clinical experience will clarify its role in therapy.
Evaluating Grants Programs for Basic Scientific Research: Difficult Measurement Problems, Few Techniques and Slow Progress.

Articles should deal with topics applicable to the broad field of program evalua tion. Implications for practicing evaluators should be clearly identified. Examples of contributions include but are not limited to reviews of new developments in evaluation and descriptions of a current evaluation effort, research problem, or technique. Manuscripts should include appropriate references and not exceed 10 double-spaced typewritten pages in length.
Effects of Supplemental Zinc in High Quality Diets on Ruminal Fermentation and Degradation of Urea In Vitro and In Vivo1

change proportions of individual VFA in ruminal fluid. The proportion of propionate tended to increase, and the proportion of butyrate tended to decrease, when Zn was added to the diets. These data indicate that supplemental Zn was ineffective in preventing urea hydrolysis when fed with high quality diets but was effective in altering the fermentation pattern.
Seeking Career Services on Campus: Racial Differences in Referral, Process, and Outcome

The lack of research that examines usage of career development services by racial/ethnic groups has been noted. The current study attempts to explore the relationship between students' racial/ethnic backgrounds and their experiences of a university career counseling center in terms of referral, process, and outcome. The authors examined the experiences of 1,051 students of diverse racial/ethnic backgrounds who sought career counseling at a university career development center. Chi-square analyses found racial/ethnic differences in various aspects of the counseling process, such as referral sources, reasons for seeking counseling, counselor perception of client outcomes, and number of sessions held. Implications for service provision are discussed, including the need for career development centers to be proactive in ensuring that the needs of diverse racial/ethnic students are being met.
On the Complexity of Exact Maximum-Likelihood Decoding for Asymptotically Good Low Density Parity Check Codes

Since the classical work of Berlekamp, McEliece and van Tilborg, it is well known that the problem of exact maximum-likelihood (ML) decoding of general linear codes is NP-hard. In this paper, we show that exact ML decoding of a classs of asymptotically good error correcting codes--expander codes, a special case of low density parity check (LDPC) codes--over binary symmetric channels (BSCs) is possible with an expected polynomial complexity. More precisely, for any bit-flipping probability, $p$, in a nontrivial range, there exists a rate region of non-zero support and a family of asymptotically good codes, whose error probability decays exponentially in coding length $n$, for which ML decoding is feasible in expected polynomial time. Furthermore, as $p$ approaches zero, this rate region approaches the channel capacity region. The result is based on the existence of polynomial-time suboptimal decoding algorithms that provide an ML certificate and the ability to compute the probability that the suboptimal decoder yields the ML solution. One such ML certificate decoder is the LP decoder of Feldman; we also propose a more efficient $O(n^2)$ algorithm based on the work of Sipser and Spielman and the Ford-Fulkerson algorithm. The results can be extended to AWGN channels and suggest that it may be feasible to eliminate the error floor phenomenon associated with message-passage decoding of LDPC codes in the high SNR regime. Finally, we observe that the argument of Berlekamp, McEliece and van Tilborg can be used to show that ML decoding of the considered class of codes constructed from LDPC codes with regular left degree, of which the considered expander codes are a special case, remains NP-hard; thus giving an interesting contrast between the worst-case and expected complexities.
Structural and seismic evidence for intracontinental subduction in the Peter the First Range, Central Asia

This paper examines the stratigraphy, structure, and seismicity of the Peter the First Range, an actively deforming foreland basin in Soviet Tadjikistan. The range represents a highly deformed segment of a large intracontinental basin, the Tadjik Depression, which is being shortened in response to the Cenozoic convergence between two orogenic massifs, the Pamir and the Tien Shan Ranges. The Late Jurassic to Paleogene stratigraphy of the Peter the First Range includes more than 2,000 m of shallow marine to nonmarine sediments deposited under relatively quiescent conditions, close to sea level. In contrast, the correlative units of the northernmost Pamir, directly south of the Peter the First Range, show evidence of proximity to a major, uplifted source area to the south. These Mesozoic-early Cenozoic strata are overlain by thick sequences of alluvial sandstone and conglomeratic units that coarsen upward through the Neogene and record the progressive uplift of the Pamir. Shortening within the Peter the First Range is recorded by kilometer-scale isoclinal, upright-to-over-turned folds, and imbricate, north-verging thrusts that emerge near the northern edge of the range and mark the active tectonic boundary with the Tien Shan. Most of the deformation appears to postdate the accumulation of the Mio-Pliocene molasse. The stratigraphy and structure of the region are best explained by a model of the Mesozoic Tadjik Depression as an intracontinental, foreland basin, developed in a back-arc position with respect to the active Andean or collisional orogens located in northern Afghanistan and the Pamir. Seismicity in the region is dominated by earthquakes extending from the surface to ∼12-km depth, apparently occurring within the deformed sediments of the Peter the First Range. A subhorizontal zone of relatively low activity at this depth may mark the location of a basal detachment that underlies a structurally thickened sedimentary section. This aseismic zone is in turn underlain by a south-dipping belt of seismicity that extends from about 17- to 35-km depth, and which can be traced updip to the seismogenic crystalline basement of the Tien Shan range to the north. We interpret this south-dipping structure as a zone of intracontinental subduction that may be an updip continuation of the enigmatic, intermediate-depth Wadati-Benioff Zone beneath the Pamir Range to the south.
Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Infusion Improves Left Ventricular Ejection Fraction and Functional Status in Patients With Chronic Heart Failure

Abstract Background Insulin resistance is present in the setting of congestive heart failure. Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) is a naturally occurring incretin with both insulinotropic and insulinomimetic properties. Methods and Results We investigated the safety and efficacy of a 5-week infusion of GLP-1 (2.5 pmol/kg/min) added to standard therapy in 12 patients with New York Heart Association class III/IV heart failure and compared the results with those of 9 patients with heart failure on standard therapy alone. Echocardiograms, maximum myocardial ventilation oxygen consumption (VO 2 max), 6-minute walk test, and Minnesota Living with Heart Failure quality of life score (MNQOL) were assessed. Baseline demographics, background therapy, and the degree of left ventricular dysfunction were similar between groups. GLP-1 significantly improved left ventricular ejection fraction (21 ± 3% to 27 ± 3% P 2 max (10.8 ± .9 ml/O 2 /min/kg to 13.9 ± .6 ml/O 2 /min/kg; P P P Conclusion Chronic infusion of GLP-1 significantly improves left ventricular function, functional status, and quality of life in patients with severe heart failure.
A comparison of statistical and traditional procedures for summarising research

There has been increasing dissatisfaction with the traditional procedures used to draw conclusions from series of related studies and statistical procedures have been proposed as more appropriate alternatives. The question remains, however, whether the substitution of one procedure for the other would lead to changes in our perceived state of knowledge. Obviously, differences between conclusions drawn by the two procedures will dqend on the particular reviewer and the research evidence involved. However, if statistical procedures replace traditional ones with some degree of generality, one should see a correspondingly general alteration in the types of conclusions psychologists draw.
Hepatocellular engineering via acellular cadherin-derived microinterfaces

The development of cell-based therapies for liver failure relies on the availability of scaffolds that support high levels of cellular function. In this work, we functionalize biomaterial surfaces using a novel cell-based ligand as an alternative to traditional extracellular matrix-derived ligands. Initial studies in a model coculture system indicate that E-cadherin, a key cell-cell adhesion molecule present on hepatocytes, enhances liver-specific function when presented by chaperone cells. We then investigate the behavior of hepatocytes on acellular cadherin-presenting immobilized microparticle-based biomaterials. Biological activity of acellular cadherins is ensured by appending to the extracellular domain of E-cadherin an immunoglobulin Fc region, which induces dimerization and specifically adheres to a Protein A coating on the microbeads. Hepatocellular function was elevated on these surfaces as compared to the control, Fc presenting surfaces. Both surfaces exhibited similar cell adhesion and morphogenesis, suggesting that induction of hepatocyte function by cadherins was due to signaling activities rather than adhesive activities. Overall, we have demonstrated that functionalization of biomaterials with acellular cadherins is a powerful way to induce hepatocyte function.
A Statistical Analysis of Precipitation Frequency in the Conterminous United States, Including Comparisons with Precipitation Totals

Abstract An alternative measure of time-aggregated precipitation for use in short-term climate studies is developed. This measure, precipitation frequency, is defined as the number of days per month or season with total amounts ≥ 2.54 mm (0.10 inch). Newly created data sets for the period 1951–80 are used as a basis for describing large-scale spatial and temporal features of precipitation frequency for the mainland United States. Comparisons between precipitation frequency and the conventional statistic, total precipitation, indicate that frequency is more normally distributed and more spatially coherent than total precipitation. Factor analysis and an orthogonal rotation to the varimax criterion are used to identify synoptic-scale, spatially coherent regions of precipitation frequency. The regions are generally consistent with previously documented cyclone trajectories.
Antecedents of Online Service Quality, Commitment and Loyalty

The growth of Internet Mediated Environment (IME) based services has changed the manner in which firms and consumers interact. This paper aims to provide a more comprehensive understanding of the role service quality dimensions play in developing service enjoyment, commitment, and loyalty in IMEs. Analyses of data from 772 US consumers revealed that service content quality and service delivery quality are two important antecedents of consumers' service enjoyment that further affect their commitment and loyalty relation to services in IMEs. We discuss the implications of our research and also point to future research directions.
Autologous Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation in Non-Hodgkin Lymphomas

Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma is a heterogeneous group of lymphoid ­malignancies that involves mature B-cells, mature T-cells, and their progenitors. Although novel chemotherapy and immunotherapy regimens have improved rates of complete response and overall survival, autologous stem cell transplant (ASCT) is used in both the front-line and relapsed setting to further improve these markers and ­potentially cure. Even in indolent lymphomas, ASCT shows a definite ­improvement in ­progression-free survival, although no improvement in overall ­survival. The most promising results for front-line ASCT are in mantle cell lymphoma (MCL), where there is evidence of long-term progression-free and overall survival with evidence of a cured fraction. In the relapsed setting, ASCT is the standard of care in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, though results of ASCT in the relapsed setting for MCL and Burkitt lymphoma are disappointing. The role and timing of ASCT in peripheral T-cell lymphomas are yet to be defined, but front-line ASCT in ­enteropathy-associated T-cell lymphoma and advanced-stage cutaneous T-cell lymphoma shows promise for improving long-term outcomes. Additional studies on front-line and relapsed ASCT with novel chemotherapy and immunotherapy regimens may demonstrate further improved responses and survival, especially for high-risk patients.
Social Work and Mental Retardation: Challenge or Failure?

In the diagnosis and treatment of the menIt remained for more recent advances in tally retarded child, we are concerned not the biological and social sciences to point only with an assessment of the child's bioout that social failure or incompetency are logical status, but also with an analysis of not necessary correlates of mental deficiency his functioning as a social being in a parper se, but may, in many instances, be more ticular social setting. The social worker the consequences of our prescribed social is called upon to make judgments regardtreatment, expectations, and management ing the child's abilities and limitations in of those individuals and their families, this sphere, and to evaluate the complex We can no longer speak, with scientific interaction of those forces, both historic reverence, of the retarded as being inher and situational, that condition the present ently delinquent or immoral, or capable of and future courses of the child's behavior diluting the general intelligence level of and function in the family group and the our population through an ascribed abun community. dance of procreative abilities. Nor can we For the most part, concern in this area in truth regard them all as helpless and has been limited to the harmful social conhopelessly dependent creatures, incapable sequences that the mentally retarded child of positive social adaptation, and unable to has upon the family and community, make useful, though perhaps modest, pro Looked at in this light, earlier programs ductive contributions to the community, of care and training were evolved to deal What is really required, then, is an under with these negative social effects in an effort standing of the effects that family and com to lessen their consequences and to control munity have in conditioning the nature their spread to society's advantage. In the and extent of the child's mental handicap past, this form of social management led and the ways in which these forces along to the isolation or exclusion of the retarded with other influences have molded his ex from those social institutions serving the istence as a human being. In so doing we more normal population, and in the concan expect that an analysis of these factors tainment of the most bothersome of the lot will contribute to our understanding of the in huge and distant custodial institutions, child's behavior and functioning and will cut off from the mainstream of community enable us to select more adequate and re life. alistic treatment goals. 1————————————— We know that mental retardation is
Prospective validation of attenuation corrected rest/exercise stress Tc-99m tetrofosmin myocardial perfusion normal database for the CZT SPECT system

1711 Objectives To construct and prospectively validate a normal database and abnormality criteria for DNM 530c rest/stress attenuation corrected (AC) Tc-99m tetrofosmin myocardial perfusion SPECT. Methods All patients received a dose of 6 mCi at rest and 20 mCi at stress. Rest images were obtained over 7, 8, or 9 minutes and stress over 5, 6, or 7 minutes depending on chest size. On the same day, low dose CT (average 0.4 mSv) of the patient’s thorax was obtained on a standalone CT scanner using a shallow free breathing protocol. CT images were imported and manually registered with the SPECT images prior to reconstruction (MLEM) with AC using the manufacturer’s software. ECTb software was used for processing and interpretation. Forty patients (mean age 49 ± 11 years, 20 men) with low ( Results Prospective validation of normal database yielded quantitative sensitivity and specificity of 88% (29/33) and 82% (9/11) for detection of obstructive CAD and a normalcy rate of 98% (39/40). Conclusions Normal database and abnormality criteria for AC rest/exercise stress Tc-99m tetrofosmin myocardial perfusion SPECT protocol have been developed for the DNM 530c. Preliminary results in patients who had coronary angiography suggest that the AC normal database improves quantitative specificity when compared to non-AC SPECT. Research Support This work was supported by GE Healthcare.
Transmit Antenna and Relay Selections for Underwater MIMO-OFDM Cooperative Wireless Networks

The multiple-input-multiple-output (MIMO), the orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM), and the cooperative communication techniques are widely applied in and significantly improved the essential performances of underwater acoustic (UWA) wireless networks in recent years. However, the challenge of reducing the computational complexity while guaranteeing performances of MIMO-OFDM based UWA wireless networks still remains to be resolved. In this paper, we propose a scheme for transmit antenna selection and relay selection to address this problem as follows. Using the channel station information feedback in the MIMO-OFDM based UWA cooperative communication channel, a single transmit antenna for each underwater sensor and one relay node which can maximize the total channel coefficient are selected to transmit data to the corresponding surface destination station, providing a balanced tradeoff between complexity and performance of the network.
Transport of polymeric nanoparticulate drug delivery systems in the proximity of silica and sand.

The contamination of the environment with traditional therapeutics due to metabolic excretion, improper disposal, and industrial waste has been well-recognized. However, knowledge of the environmental distribution and fate of emerging classes of nanomedicine is scarce. This work investigates the effect of surface chemistry of polymeric nanoparticulate drug delivery systems (PNDDS) on their adsorption dynamics and transport in the vicinity of environmentally relevant surfaces for a concentration comparable with hospital and pharmaceutical manufacturing effluents. To this end, five different types of paclitaxel-based nanomedicine having different polymer stabilizers were employed. Their transport behavior was characterized via quartz crystal microbalance, sand column, spectrofluorometry, and dynamic light scattering techniques. PNDDS having positive zeta-potential displayed strong adsorption onto silica surfaces and no mobility in porous media of quartz sand, even in the presence of humic acid. The mobility...
Head and Spine Injuries in Youth Sports

Careful study of the pathomechanics and epidemiology of sports-related spine injuries brings to light many common features. The incidence increases as the sport becomes increasingly violent and aggressive. Improperly conditioned neck muscles and lack of knowledge of the proper techniques of the sport put the athlete who sustains a blow to the head at significant risk for head and/or spine injury. Improper helmet fit and the use of the head as an offensive weapon are also common features. Although recognition of these features has resulted in a dramatic reduction in catastrophic athletic spine injury, the athlete remains at risk for less severe head and spine injury.
The effect of cognitive-behavioral intervention on the quality of life of stroke patients

OBJECTIVE The study was conducted to explore the effect of cognitive-behavioral intervention on the quality of life in patients with stroke. METHODS 116 stroke patients were randomly divided into an intervention group(58 cases) and a control group(58 cases). Patients in both groups were subjected to routine nursing care, and the intervention group was also treated with cognitive-behavioral interventions. The qualities of life of the patients in both groups were compared after 3months of intervention. RESULTS 3 months into the intervention, scores of the intervention group on all dimensions of quality of life improved significantly(P ﹤ 0.05) and the improvements, especially in physiological functions and physical pain,were significantly higher than that of the control group(P﹤0.01). CONCLUSION The cognitive-behavioral intervention has shown to improve mental and social functions, as well as the quality of life, of patients with stroke.
Influence of bovine cervical mucus samples and storage conditions on sperm migration in vitro.

In vitro sperm migration assays were performed using bovine spermatozoa and cervical mucus, Experiments were designed to test the effects of storage temperature, method of storage, duration of storage, and source of cervical mucus, Significant variation in. migration of spermatozoa was due both to differences in mucus samples and to short-term mucus storage at temperatures ranging from ambient to – 196° C. The parallel-orienting effect of cervical mucus on migrating sperm was shown to be a major factor in quantitative assays based upon migration distance, Thus, comparisons of migration among different specimens of semen likely will be biased unless the tests are run simultaneously, Implications of these results are discussed relative to the performance of quantitative sperm migration assays in the clinical or research laboratory.