cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Patient reported late effects of gynecological cancer treatment.

Abstract Objective There are a large number of gynecological cancer survivors in the United States living with long term sequelae of their treatment. Patient reported outcomes are essential in capturing patients' experiences in order to address survivorship issues; however, patient reported toxicities are not often collected or reported. Methods A web-based survivorship care plan tool was used to collect patient reported toxicity data for 390 women who had undergone treatment for gynecological cancer. Demographic, diagnosis, treatment modality and toxicity data were reviewed. Results Median age of diagnosis was 49years, and 88% ( n =334) of the women were Caucasian and had attended at least some college. Only 10% ( n =38) had previously been offered a survivorship care plan or survivorship information. Almost half of the patients had ovarian cancer (46%, n =180), 23% had cervical cancer ( n =92) and 28% had uterine cancer ( n =109). Late effects most commonly reported for all gynecological malignancy survivors using this tool were cognitive changes, sexual side effects, changes in bowel patterns, peripheral neuropathy and skin changes. Conclusion Women with gynecological cancers experience a plethora of late effects; however, very few of them have access to a survivorship plan to cope with these issues. Patient reported side effects, especially sexual dysfunction, occur more commonly than previously reported. Patient-focused tools to evaluate these side effects and access to survivorship plans are needed for comprehensive care of gynecologic cancer survivors.
Evaluation of the Lactic Acid Fermentation Process for Elimination of Mycobacteria from Wastelage

Abstract Nine cultures of mycobacteria (four avium , two bovis , one paratuberculosis , one smegmatis , one phlei ) and one culture each of Salmonella typhimurium and Escherichia coli were placed in formulated rations of bovine manure, poultry litter, and corn forage. Rations were ensiled in polyethylene bags at 25°C, and survival of the cultures was ascertained. All cultures incubated in bovine manure silage and corn silage rations were eliminated by the 5th day of ensiling, but all survived in the poultry litter silage for 15 days. During ensiling the pH of bovine manure silage decreased from 6.3 to 4.1, that of corn silage from 5.0 to 3.8, and poultry litter silage from 8.2 to 5.5. High buffering capacity of litter silage was responsible for failure of the silage to achieve a low pH similar to other silages. All nine mycobacteria test cultures grew in lactic acid-acidified Dubos medium at and above pH 4.6, but none grew below pH 4.3. Salmonella typhimurium and Escherichia coli were eliminated from manure-formulated silages when the pH decreased to 4.5 or less; however, a pH of 4.3 or less was required to eliminate mycobacteria.
Advocacy work in technical communication: Technical communicators on different sides of the environmental sustainability debate

This professional practice paper focuses on a case study of PCS Phosphate and its attempt to expand their mining operation in rural NC. This case study highlights the complex relationship among communicators who designed PCS Phosphate's activist website advocating for the mine expansion, regulatory writers at the EPA who deemed the mine expansion a threat to the environment, and technical communicators who assisted in drafting the reports produced by the Army Corps of Engineers that ultimately decided the fate of the mine expansion. Since PCS Phosphate did receive their mining permit, this paper provides best practices to designing a corporate activist website based on the seemingly successful activist website of PCS. This paper explores how technical communicators can find themselves on different sides of the environmental sustainability debate.
The Human Tongue during Sleep: Electromyographic Activity of the -Genioglossus Muscle

Abstract The bilateral genioglossi muscles of the tongue, by virtue of their protrusive action, play an important role in the mechanics of maintaining an open air passage in the oropharyngeal region. Electromyographic studies of the genioglossus muscle during sleep were conducted in six healthy human volunteers. The principal results are the following: In quiet waking and in quiet sleep (stages I–IV), the genioglossal EMG is characterized by continuous discharges with substantially augmented activity during inspiration. When the subject enters REM sleep, the tonic genioglossal activity almost ceases except for small bursts during the inspiratory phase of respiration. During REM sleep, genioglossal motor units may become inactive for periods of up to 90 sec. However, these silent periods are regularly interrupted by three to six vigorous inspiratory genioglossal bursts. Genioglossal EMG with substantially augmented discharges during inspiration are best recorded from indwelling electrodes placed close to the origin of the muscle. During snoring, the genioglossal activity related to certain phases of the respiratory cycle is vastly increased. The results are discussed in context with problems encountered in hypersomniac patients with the sleep apnea syndrome.
Response properties of fibers in the hamster superior laryngeal nerve

Abstract The purpose of the present investigation was to record electrophysiological responses from single fibers in the hamster superior laryngeal nerve (SLN) that were responsive to chemical stimulation of the larynx. Twenty chemical solutions, commonly used in studies of mammalian gustatory physiology, were applied to taste buds on and around the epiglottis. These stimuli were dissolved in physiological saline. Responses were the number of impulses elicited over a 15-s period following stimulus onset, above or below the background activity elicited by a previous rinse with saline. Unlike fibers in the hamster chorda tympani or glossopharyngeal nerves, SLN units were not easily classifiable into response types. Excitatory stimuli were primarily acids and bitter-tasting stimuli, with the order of their effectiveness being urea ⪢ tartaric acid > HCl > KCl > citric acid > caffeine > quinine hydrochloride > acetic acid. The sweet-tasting stimuli and most salts other than KCl were primarily inhibitory, with the order of inhibitory effectiveness being CaCl2 > sucrose > fructose > LiCl > NaNO3 > Li2SO4 > NaCl. A hierarchical cluster analysis of fibers yielded no distinct clusters, yet differing sensitivities across the fibers were suggested. SLN fibers are highly responsive to sour and bitter stimuli, although they are not sensitive to fine differences in taste quality, as are fibers in other gustatory nerves.
Psychosocial aspects of caregiving: perceptions of cancer patients and family caregivers

Purpose The care of cancer patients involves collaboration among health care professionals, patients, and family caregivers. As health care has evolved, more complex and challenging care is provided in the home, usually with the support of family members or friends. The aim of the study was to examine perceived needs regarding the psychosocial tasks of caregiving as reported by patients and caregivers. We also evaluated the association of demographic and clinical variables with self-reported caregiving needs.
Conditions sufficient for the production of oral cocaine or lidocaine self-administration in preference to water

Abstract Groups of rats were given a chronic history of drinking cocaine solutions of different concentrations in daily, 3-h scheduleinduced polydipsia sessions. Animals failed to develop a preference for cocaine solution to concurrently presented water. Schedule-induction conditions were maintained, and the animals were divided into separate groups, drinking either cocaine or lidocaine placed in a highly acceptable vehicle (glucose-saccharin solution). Animals preferred their respective drug solutions to concurrently presented water, and these preferences remained stable after the glucose-saccharin vehicle was gradually faded to water, leaving only cocaine or lidocaine, respectively, in the solution. Thus a stable preference for drug solution to water could be instituted in rats for either cocaine or lidocaine solution (putative reinforcing and nonreinforcing agents, respectively) given an appropriate associative history, with high intakes maintained by schedule-induction. Conditions sufficient for the initiation of an oral preference and high intake for a putatively reinforcing drug cannot be assumed to occur owing to the drug's reinforcing property in the absence of demonstrating the ineffectiveness of an appropriate negative control substance.
The Burden of Radiation-Induced Central Nervous System Tumors: A Single Institution s Experience

Radiation-induced tumors of the central and peripheral nervous systems are becoming a noticeable subset of tumors seen at referral institutions. This paper outlines a single institution s experience with 22 examples of secondary meningiomas, gliomas, and sarcomas that developed in adults. These tumors are being increasingly encountered by physicians, but the greatest burden is on the patients themselves, who not only experience the life-altering effects of the original tumor and the subsequent delayed cognitive effects of radiotherapy, but later develop a second intracranial neoplasm. We detail a particularly poignant example of a 34-year-old man who developed a high-grade sarcoma with rhabdomyosarcomatous and osteogenic elements. Local control was difficult over the next year, and he eventually developed cerebrospinal fluid dissemination and succumbed. Although radiation-induced neoplasm remain relatively infrequent numerically, each case reminds us of the need for new, less toxic, and more targeted therapies for brain neoplasms.
Synthesis and characterization of ruthenium, rhenium and titanium formate, acetate and trifluoroacetate complexes. Correlation of IR spectral properties and bonding types

Abstract New formate ( 1 – 3 ; 4b , 6 and 7 ), acetate ( 8 , 9) and trifluoroacetate ( 12 , 13 and 15 ) complexes have been synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis and by IR and 1 H and 13 C NMR spectroscopies. New data or new synthetic procedures are provided for several known complexes ( 4a , 5 , 19 , 11 and 14 ). X-ray structural data for cis -Ru(bpy) 2 (CO)(OCHO)(PO 2 F 2 ) ( 4b ) clearly identify the η 1 -bound formate ligand bound to an octahedral ruthenium center and the data for fac -Re(CO) 3 (PPh 3 (OCOMe) ( 9 ) show an η 2 -bound acetate ligand bound to an octahedral rhenium center. Infrared spectral data for four types of formate complexes, three bonding types of acetates and the two known types of trifluoroacetate ligands are discussed. Comparisons of the v OCO bands for the carboxylate ligands in all of the complexes show that these bands are useful in identifying the bonding type of each carboxylate ligand.
Analysis of Power Costs of Bituminous Coal Mines

The trends and amount of electric power use and cost at bituminous coal mines are of interest to the executive, the operating man, and the engineer alike. A study of the data based on a single year, or even a few years, could result in misleading conclusions; but the data from over 400 representative mines for the past 26 years make it possible to determine the trends quite accurately. These trends, illustrated by graphs and tables, are discussed in this paper.
Isolated Adrenal Cortex Cells: Hypersensitivity to Adrenocorticotropic Hormone after Hypophysectomy

Cells from the adrenals of hypophysectomized rats (up to 28 days after operation) require less adrenocorticotropic hormone to induce one-half maximal rate of production of 39,59-adenosine monophosphate than do cells from the adrenals of intact rats. A corresponding increase in sensitivity is reflected in the steroidogenic response to adrenocorticotropic hormone up to 2 days after hypophysectomy.
Obfuscated databases and group privacy

We investigate whether it is possible to encrypt a database and then give it away in such a form that users can still access it, but only in a restricted way. In contrast to conventional privacy mechanisms that aim to prevent any access to individual records, we aim to restrict the set of queries that can be feasibly evaluated on the encrypted database.We start with a simple form of database obfuscation which makes database records indistinguishable from lookup functions. The only feasible operation on an obfuscated record is to look up some attribute Y by supplying the value of another attribute X that appears in the same record (i.e., someone who does not know X cannot feasibly retrieve Y). We then (i) generalize our construction to conjunctions of equality tests on any attributes of the database, and (ii) achieve a new property we call group privacy. This property ensures that it is easy to retrieve individual records or small subsets of records from the encrypted database by identifying them precisely, but ``mass harvesting'' queries matching a large number of records are computationally infeasible.Our constructions are non-interactive. The database is transformed in such a way that all queries except those explicitly allowed by the privacy policy become computationally infeasible, i.e.,, our solutions do not rely on any access-control software or hardware.
Retention of trypsin activity in spermine alginate microcapsules

AbstractWe have previously shown virus particles encapsulated in aqueous spermine alginate constructs retain immunogenicity and infectivity both in vitro and in vivo. However, because virions are complex structures with multiple reinforcing components, it was uncertain if isolated single proteins would retain functional integrity when similarly encapsulated. To examine this question trypsin, used as a model protein, was blended with aqueous sodium alginate and the blend was dispersed as fine droplets in aqueous spermine hydrochloride to generate self-assembling, trypsin-containing microcapsules. Trypsin was assayed spectrophotometrically for retention of enzymatic activity using N-α-p-tosyl-L-arginine methyl ester as substrate. Neither of the encapsulating reagents alone inhibited enzyme activity. Enzyme that escaped capture was assayed directly in the manufacturing supernatant. In mass balance studies we found that about 20–30. of activity was retained in intact capsules with the remainder resident in th...
Mechanisms of Decrease in Fatigue Crack Propagation Resistance in Irradiated and Melted UHMWPE

Adhesive/abrasive wear in ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) has been minimized by radiation cross-linking. Irradiation is typically followed by melting to eliminate residual free radicals that cause oxidative embrittlement. Irradiation and subsequent melting reduce the strength and fatigue resistance of the polymer. We determined the radiation dose dependence and decoupled the effects of post-irradiation melting on the crystallinity, mechanical properties and fatigue crack propagation resistance of room temperature irradiated UHMWPE from those of irradiation alone. Stiffness and yield strength, were largely not affected by increasing radiation dose but were affected by changes in crystallinity, whereas plastic properties, ultimate tensile strength and elongation at break, were dominated at different radiation dose ranges by changes in radiation dose or crystallinity. Fatigue crack propagation resistance was shown to decrease with increase in radiation dose and with decrease in crystalline content. Morphology of fracture surfaces revealed loss of ductility with increase in radiation dose and more detrimental effects on ductility at lower radiation doses after post-irradiation melting.
Fibrin glue reduces the severity of intra-abdominal adhesions in a rat model

Abstract Background: The purpose of this study was to determine whether fibrin glue inhibits intra-abdominal adhesions. Methods: Twenty rats underwent midline laparotomy. To maximize adhesions, bilateral peritoneal muscular defects were created and covered with polypropylene mesh sewn with a braided suture. The bowel was abraded with dry gauze. Rats were randomized to either fibrin glue (FG) sprayed over the mesh or to control (no further treatment) groups. At 1 week, the adhesion density (graded 0 to 3), the percentage of the patch covered by adhesion (0% to 100%), and adhesion type were recorded. Results: The mean adhesion density was 1.45 ± 0.33 for FG versus 2.8 ± 0.11 for controls (P = 0.001). The mean percentage of adhesions was 36 ± 9.9 for the FG group and 94 ± 3.7 for controls (P = 0.0002). Bowel or solid organs were adherent to the patch in 6 of 20 (30%) in the FG group versus 12 of 20 (70%) in controls (P = 0.057). Conclusions: Topical fibrin glue reduces the density and severity of intra-abdominal adhesions in a rat model.
End Milling Force Model Calibration Using Measured Force Profiles

This paper introduces a method to use the cutting force profile, measured from a Kistler dynamometer, to calibrate a mechanistic based force model containing four cutting coefficients. The undesirable effects of tool vibration and force sensor dynamics are minimized by carefully choosing experimental conditions. Cutting force profiles provide an array of force versus chip thickness based values that can be used in a regression fit to find the model coefficients. Results show that different ranges of chip thickness used in the calibration process result in slightly different cutting coefficients, which implies chip thickness has an effect on cutting coefficients. The force profile based cutting coefficients are then used in the cutting force model to estimate the peak resultant cutting force. Comparison of model estimates and measured values show less than 10% error.Copyright © 2012 by ASME
Auditory delayed discriminations by the dolphin: Nonequivalence with delayed-matching performance

Working memory in a bottlenosed dolphin was tested in both indirect and direct auditory delayed-discrimination tasks in which a correct spatial response was conditional upon the nature of a preceding sound. In the indirect task, either one of two possible sounds was briefly presented. After a prescribed delay, the dolphin was cued to go either to a left-hand or right-hand paddle pair. Responses to the outer paddle of a pair were rewarded following sound A, and responses to the inner paddle of a pair were rewarded after sound B. In the direct delayed-discrimination task, only one paddle pair was used in each session. In both tasks, the delay interval between the discriminative sound stimulus and the opportunity for a spatial response was progressively increased over sessions until the animal failed to meet a specified performance criterion or self-terminated a session. Delay limits of about 30 and 60 sec were obtained in the indirect and direct tasks, respectively. The increase in delay limit in the latter task was attributable to the use of an overt mediational response during the longer delays. In both cases, however, the obtained delay limits fell considerably short of the 2- to 3-min limits obtained in auditory delayed-matching studies using the same test sounds and the same subject. The task differences indicate that working memory functions cannot depend upon memory of the predelay stimulus alone, but must be determined in part by additional processes.
Effect of Time of Day of Insemination and the Position of the Egg in the Oviduct on the Fertility of Turkeys

Turkeys were inseminated at six different times of the day (1:00 p.m., 3:00 p.m., 5:00 p.m., 6:00 p.m., 9:00 p.m., and 12:00 a.m.) to determine the effect of time of day of insemination and the stage of egg formation on fertility. Significantly (P less than .01) lower fertility resulted from insemination at 1:00 p.m. than from inseminations thereafter. Significantly higher fertility resulted from 9:00 p.m. and 12:00 a.m. insemination than from preceding times. Highest fertility resulted when inseminations were performed 8 to 18 hours prior to oviposition whereas lowest fertility resulted from hens inseminated both in the last seven hours of shell deposition and during the approximate time of ovulation.
Transition Metal Nanocluster Formation Kinetic and Mechanistic Studies. A New Mechanism When Hydrogen Is the Reductant: Slow, Continuous Nucleation and Fast Autocatalytic Surface Growth

Following an overview of the primitive state of mechanistic studies of the formation of nanoclusters, with a focus on LaMer's classic work on the formation of sulfur sols, kinetic and mechanistic studies of the formation of our recently reported novel P2W15Nb3O629- polyoxoanion- and Bu4N+- stabilized Ir∼190-450 (hereafter, Ir(0)∼300) nanoclusters are presented. The work reported consists of the full experimental and other details of the following eight major components: (i) development of an indirectbut easy, continuous, highly quantitative and thus powerfulmethod to monitor the formation of the Ir(0) nanoclusters via their catalytic hydrogenation activity and through the concept of pseudoelementary reaction steps; (ii) application of the appropriate kinetic equations for nucleation and autocatalysis, and then demonstration that these equations fit the observed, sigmoidal-shaped kinetic curves quantitatively with resultant rate constants k1 and k2; (iii) confirmation by a more direct, GLC method that the...
Thermal battery for portable climate control

Current technologies that provide climate control in the transportation sector are quite inefficient. In gasoline-powered vehicles, the use of air-conditioning is known to result in higher emissions of greenhouse gases and pollutants apart from decreasing the gas-mileage. On the other hand, for electric vehicles (EVs), a drain in the onboard electric battery due to the operation of heating and cooling system results in a substantial decrease in the driving range. As an alternative to the conventional climate control system, we are developing an adsorption-based thermal battery (ATB), which is capable of storing thermal energy, and delivering both heating and cooling on demand, while requiring minimal electric power supply. Analogous to an electrical battery, the ATB can be charged for reuse. Furthermore, it promises to be compact, lightweight, and deliver high performance, which is desirable for mobile applications. In this study, we describe the design and operation of the ATB-based climate control system. We present a general theoretical framework to determine the maximum achievable heating and cooling performance using the ATB. The framework is then applied to study the feasibility of ATB integration in EVs, wherein we analyze the use of NaX zeolite–water as the adsorbent–refrigerant pair. In order to deliver the necessary heating and cooling performance, exceeding 2.5 kW h thermal capacity for EVs, the analysis determines the optimal design and operating conditions. While the use of the ATB in EVs can potentially enhance its driving range, it can also be used for climate control in conventional gasoline vehicles, as well as residential and commercial buildings as a more efficient and environmentally-friendly alternative.
Osteichthyans from an Arkadelphia Formation—Midway Group Lag Deposit (Late Maastrichtian—Paleocene), Hot Spring County, Arkansas, U.S.A.

ABSTRACT A lag deposit that separates the underlying late Maastrichtian Arkadelphia Formation marl from the overlying Paleocene Midway Group limestone in Hot Spring County, Arkansas, U.S.A., contains osteichthyan teeth, scales, and skeletal elements belonging to: Cylindracanthus ornatus Leidy, 1856, Atractosteus sp., Lepisosteus sp., cf. Hadrodus priscus Leidy, 1857, Pseudoegertonia cf. P. granulosus (Arambourg, 1952), Paralbula casei Estes, 1969, Enchodus ferox Leidy, 1855, Enchodus gladiolus (Cope, 1872), Enchodus petrosus (Cope, 1874), Enchodus sp., and Teleostei incertae sedis. Outcrop exposures of this lag deposit occur within the Ouachita River and are expressed as a series of partially submerged, steeply inclined fold limbs that strike obliquely to water flow. The co-occurring osteichthyans recovered in this study span a broad range of salinity tolerances, foraging behaviors, and dietary preferences. Concentration of these osteichthyans indicates transport, exhumation, and reburial associated with ...
Multilocus phylogenetic structure within the Trichoderma harzianum/Hypocrea lixii complex

Trichoderma harzianum is a ubiquitous species in the environment and is effective in the biological control of plant-pathogenic fungi. T. harzianum has not been linked unequivocally to its sexual state nor has its phylogeny been studied in detail. It has been suggested that T. harzianum is a species complex based on the phenotypic and genotypic variability encountered. On the basis of morphological and cultural characters and DNA sequence data analysis of four genes (ITS rDNA, translation elongation factor 1-alpha, calmodulin, and alpha-actin), Hypocrea lixii was found to be the sexual state of T. harzianum. Both the asexual and sexual states of this species have wide geographic distributions. Phylogenetic analysis of four genes showed that T. harzianum/H. lixii is a cohesive group that is supported by bootstrap values higher than 95%. Principles of genealogical concordance indicated that T. harzianum/H. lixii is a complex of independent monophyletic lineages, but no diagnostic morphological distinctions were identified that justify formal taxonomic recognition for the different lineages.
Disciplines, pedagogy, and inquiry‐based learning about teaching

The disciplines contribute in a variety of ways to inquiry-based learning about teaching but they also can be seen as the beneficiaries of such pedagogical work.
Heterogeneous seawater 187Os/188Os during the Late Pleistocene glaciations

Abstract We report high temporal resolution osmium isotopes records of bulk sediment and sediment leachates from DSDP Site 480 (Gulf of California) over the last 30 ka; from ODP Site 849 (Eastern equatorial Pacific) from the last 200 ka and from ODP Site 1002C (Cariaco Basin) across the 9–17 ka time interval in order to critically evaluate claims of a global 10% shift in the 187 Os/ 188 Os of seawater from glacial to interglacial intervals. We use organic-rich continental margin sites and carbonate-rich pelagic sites to isolate the temporal variations of the osmium seawater isotopic composition. Our results reveal that variations in 187 Os/ 188 Os fail to correlate with global changes in temperature across glacials/interglacials cycles as previously claimed. Instead, these results indicate differences of a few percent in the measured 187 Os/ 188 Os between each oceanic basin. We argue that these differences strongly suggest that seawater is not well homogenized with respect to its Os isotope composition.
Revisiting A Literature of Their Own

When I was a teenager, and starting to read hungrily and eclectically, I was plagued by a recurring dream. I'd go into a dusty second-hand bookstore, crammed with disorganized volumes that were spilling off the shelves, piled in heaps on the floor. I'd pick one up and find an (imaginary) George Eliot novel, or a daring fin-de-siecle narrative, or a complicated mid-Victorian saga full of family tensions. And then, before I could decide quite which I cotild afford to buy, or locate my purse, or gather them all up in my arms, it would be closing time in the bookstore, and I'd be hustled out, waking up unspeakably frustrated at not being able to remember the names of all these elusive, promising texts and writers. Elaine Showalter's A Literature of Their Own appeared in 1977, my first full year as a graduate student. To open it was to walk into my fantasy bookstore only this time, the titles and the authors were for real. Reading it again, it's important to recollect the emotions of greedy wonder that it evoked back then, for it's a measure of how great an impact the book has had that much of its material now seems very familiar. This impact was felt on various fronts. First, Showalter's study was a major act of canon-busting or at least, a decisive intervention when it came to re-drawing the canonical lines. To be sure, certain key women writers, especially Charlotte Bronte, George Eliot, and Virginia Woolf, received plenty of attention, and I shall return to this. But she also performed a major revivalist campaign on behalf of many authors who had fallen out of popularity and publication. Above all, she did so in a way which made their writings seem urgent to the concerns of the 1970s, however superficially stuffy their plots and values might appear. Gertainly, one must acknowledge, for example, the determining effects on their fictions of Charlotte Yonge's piety, or of Eliza Lynn Linton's conservatism concerning gender roles. But Showalter both shows their terrier-like professionalism, and, in what was to prove a highly influential critical insight, saw how the men in their fictions acted as
Charge collection characteristics of Frisch collar CdZnTe gamma-ray spectrometers

Abstract A collimated 198 Au source was used to determine the charge collection efficiency (CCE) at several locations along the length of a 3.4×3.4×5.5 mm 3 CdZnTe bar detector, both in planar configuration and with Frisch collars of varying length. For each configuration, a 0.50-mm-long region spanning the width of the device was irradiated with 411-keV gamma rays produced by a neutron-activated gold foil. Irradiation began at the cathode and stepped in 0.50-mm steps toward the anode, with a spectrum being collected at each location. By observing the channel location of the full-energy peak in each collected spectrum, an average CCE was determined for each irradiated region. The CCE was found to vary nearly linearly along the length of the device in the planar configuration, starting at a peak value of 89% and dropping to a minimum measured value of 26% near the anode. The addition of a Frisch collar covering the entire length of the crystal greatly altered the CCE profile, which remained near 87% for approximately two-thirds of the length, then sharply dropped near the anode. Results were confirmed by theoretical models. Further CCE mapping was also completed for devices with Frisch collars of various lengths. Those results are reported as well.
Consumer demographics, store attributes, and retail format choice in the US grocery market

– To provide a general understanding of grocery consumers' retail format choice in the US marketplace., – A random sample of US grocery consumers (N=454) was surveyed using a self‐administered questionnaire. Descriptive and inferential statistical techniques (regression, ANOVA) were used to evaluate the data., – Identifies demographic groups who frequent specific formats (specialty grocers, traditional supermarkets, supercenters, warehouse clubs, internet grocers) and examines store attributes (e.g. price competitiveness, product selection, and atmosphere) as drivers of format choice., – The results included in this research were gathered and reported on an individual format basis. In order to capture consumer choices across a range of grocery retail formats, forcing respondents to compare formats was not initiated. In addition, data pertaining to whether consumers had access to each and every type of format in the study were not collected. Examination of how dimensions of consumer access limit or expand retail patronage behavior could also be highly beneficial to grocery retailers., – This research provides grocery retailers that operate within the USA specific knowledge of the attributes that consumers consider to be most important when making format choices (e.g. cleanliness, price competitiveness, product assortment, courtesy of personnel), and identifies the demographic characteristics of these consumers. The results suggest marketing strategy implications for grocery retailers that operate in the US market. As competition in the sector continues to evolve and consumer demographics change within the US market, understanding the consumer‐format choice linkage will be critical to retailer performance in the industry., – This exploratory study uses demographics and store attributes as a framework for profiling consumers by their ultimate retail format choice. The paper is unique because there are few similar empirical studies focused on the US grocery sector.
Analytical Modeling of Saturated Zone Head Response to Evapotranspiration and River-Stage Fluctuations

Summary We investigate the response of the saturated zone (unconfined aquifer) to evapotranspiration (ET) flux at ground surface. We neglect fluid flow and storage in the unsaturated zone and treat ET as a sinusoidal forcing function at the watertable. The linearized kinematic condition is imposed at the watertable. Analytical solutions are developed for the case of flow in a domain of (a) semi-infinite extent to simulate response in a domain bounded by a river and (b) infinite lateral extent to simulate the response in a domain with no river boundaries. These solutions are fitted to observed groundwater head fluctuations recorded in observation wells at the Boise Hydrogeophysical Research Site in Idaho and the Larned Research Site in Kansas. Estimates of the amplitude of the ET flux, aquifer hydraulic conductivity, specific storage and specific yield are obtained and these compare well to published results from pumping tests conducted at the site. The field exercise is used to explore the potential for using groundwater head fluctuations to estimate ET and hydraulic parameters of unconfined aquifers.
Molecular and biochemical characterization of the mouse brain corticotropin-releasing hormone-binding protein

Abstract A 37 kDa corticotropin-releasing hormone-binding protein (CRH-BP), distinct from the CRH receptor, is expressed in rat anterior pituitary corticotrophs and many regions of the brain, suggesting that CRH-BP may modulate the biological activity of CRH. In these studies a mouse brain CRH-BP (mCRH-BP) cDNA has been isolated and characterized. The 1666 nucleotide mCRH-BP cDNA is expressed in brain and pituitary and encodes a 322 amino acid protein that is highly homologous to human and rat CRH-BPs. Recombinant mCRH-BP, expressed in cultured mammalian cells, binds human CRH (Kd(app) = 0.56 nM and Ki(app) = 0.37 nM) and the α-helical (9–41) CRH antagonist (Ki(app) = 0.28 nM) with high affinity, but exhibits much weaker affinity for ovine CRH (Ki(app) = 206 nM). Recombinant mCRH-BP also blocks CRH-induced adrenocorticotropin release from AtT-20 cells. Additional biochemical characterization of the binding activity of mCRH-BP indicates that CRH-BP and CRH receptor utilize different molecular interactions to bind CRH.
Growth responses of sessile oak to climate and hydrological regime in the Zbytka Nature Reserve, Czech Republic

Complex of Nature reservation Zbytka is the rest of various fen vegetation in the northeast part of the Czech Republic. It represents an important spring area which provides high quality potable water for more than 150 000 inhabitants. Waterworks utilization was started in the 1960s and the change of land-use practices has had a strong effect on the ecosystem. Oak chronology has been showing different tree growth trends since the start of the waterworks utilization. Also the occurrences of negative pointer years differ markedly before and after initiation of pumping underground water. Dendroclimatological analyses primarily revealed a close relationship between the temperature and tree growth — positive influence of spring and summer temperature. The period 1983–1992 of maximum artesian water pumping is expressed as higher tree-ring increments, but linear model analyses showed that the growth reaction of oak is not due to simple causality between temperature and under-ground water level. The radial increments reacted positively to the combination of high temperature during the vegetation season and low or, the contrary, high depth of underground water level. No direct relationship was detected between tree growth and fluctuation of underground water level; despite of the results dendrochronological data may be useful in historical ground water modelling studies. Results are also crucial for conflict of interests between nature preservation and potable water supply.
Clinical review: a critical evaluation of the role of soy protein and isoflavone supplementation in the control of plasma cholesterol concentrations.

Context: The purpose of this review was to critically evaluate current research on the effect of soy protein and isoflavone supplements on plasma lipoproteins and place the potential role of soy in the prevention of coronary artery disease (CAD) into a clinical perspective. Evidence Acquisition: An extensive literature search was performed using a variety of medical and scientific databases including Medline, PubMed, Science Direct, Ovid, NIST, and Infotrac to identify relevant articles. Journal articles were cross-referenced for additional sources of information. Articles were evaluated based on level of experimental control as well as statistical, quantitative, and clinical analysis. Evidence Synthesis: Soy and soy isoflavones have been the object of extensive research investigating their potential hypocholesterolemic effects and possible role in the prevention of CAD. It has been suggested that soy, especially the isoflavones contained in soy, improves lipoprotein levels, thus reducing the risk for CAD...
Values and the Family: Risk and Protective Factors for Adolescent Problem Behaviors

The influence of family values on adolescent problem behaviors is explored in an 18-year study of 199 families. Factor analyses revealed two value dimensions: traditional/achievement and humanistic/egalitarian. Problem behavior was indicated by drug use, delinquency, dropout, and sexual behavior. Maternal values predicted similar adolescent values. Traditional values generally protected adolescents against problem behaviors. Humanistic/egalitarian values protected against delinquency but increased drug use risk. Maternal countercultural identity protected adolescents against hard drug use.
Relationship of resting heart rate and physical activity with insulin sensitivity in a population-based survey

Resting heart rate (RHR) has been identified as an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease and mortality, contributing to atherosclerosis, the progression of heart failure, and myocardial ischemia and infarction. This study examines the association RHR and physical activity has with insulin resistance and insulin secretion in a multiethnic cohort from North Kohala, Hawai‘i. Cross-sectional data from 1,440 participants of Native Hawaiian, Japanese, Filipino, Caucasian, and mixed ethnic ancestries were analyzed for the study to include anthropometric measurements, and biochemical markers. Body fat was estimated by calculating body mass indices (BMI); body fat distribution by waist-hip ratios (WHR); and fasting plasma glucose and insulin levels were used to calculate insulin resistance using the Homeostasis Model (HOMA-IR). First phase insulin response was estimated using the insulin secretion ratio (ISR). Associations were estimated using general linear models (GLM). Caucasians had lower mean RHR than all other ethnic groups; there were no statistically significant differences between other ethnic groups on mean RHR. HOMA-IR was associated with ethnic group, BMI and WHR, PA and RHR, while ISR was associated with age, ethnic group and BMI, but none of the primary risk factors. Both RHR and physical activity level remained significant for insulin resistance. In a multiethnic cohort from a rural community in Hawai‘i, increased RHR and a lower level of physical activity were both independently associated with increased risk for the development of insulin resistance, suggesting cardiovascular fitness may be as important as physical activity in preventing insulin resistance.
The importance of warm season warming to western U.S. streamflow changes

[1] Warm season climate warming will be a key driver of annual streamflow changes in four major river basins of the western U.S., as shown by hydrological model simulations using fixed precipitation and idealized seasonal temperature changes based on climate projections with SRES A2 forcing. Warm season (April-September) warming reduces streamflow throughout the year; streamflow declines both immediately and in the subsequent cool season. Cool season (October-March) warming, by contrast, increases streamflow immediately, partially compensating for streamflow reductions during the subsequent warm season. A uniform warm season warming of 3°C drives a wide range of annual flow declines across the basins: 13.3%, 7.2%, 1.8%, and 3.6% in the Colorado, Columbia, Northern and Southern Sierra basins, respectively. The same warming applied during the cool season gives annual declines of only 3.5%, 1.7%, 2.1%, and 3.1%, respectively.
Comparative sequence analyses of the neurotoxin complex genes in Clostridium botulinum serotypes A, B, E, and F

Neurotoxin complex (NTC) genes are arranged in two known hemagglutinin (HA) and open reading frame X (ORFX) clusters. NTC genes have been analyzed in four serotypes A, B, E and F of Clostridium botulinum causing human botulism. Analysis of amino acid sequences of NT genes demonstrated significant differences among subtypes and four serotypes. Phylogram tree of NT genes reveals that serotypes A1 and B1 are much closer compared to serotype E1 and F1. However, non-toxic non-hemagglutinin (NTNH) gene is highly conserved among four serotypes. Analysis of phylogram tree of NTNH gene reveals that serotypes A and F are more closely related compared to serotype B and E. Additionally, sequences of HAs and ORFX genes are very divergent but these genes are specific in subtypes and serotypes of Clostridium botulinum . Information derived from sequence analyses of NTC has direct implication in development of detection tools and therapeutic countermeasures for botulism.
What Makes Groupon Promotions Profitable for Businesses

Although social promotions are wildly popular with consumers, it is unclear how businesses running such promotions fare. We develop and empirically test a conceptual framework specifying the determinants of a profitable Groupon promotion. Features of the promotional offer and employee satisfaction are hypothesized to affect customer behavior on the occasion of Groupon redemption and longer-term, respectively, which in turn impact profitability of the promotion. A survey-based study of 150 businesses that ran and completed Groupon promotions between June 2009 and August 2010 provides support to the proposed framework. Businesses suffering unprofitable promotions reported significantly lower rates of spending by Groupon users beyond its face value (25% vs. 50%) and return rates to purchase from the business again at full prices (13% vs. 31%). Many respondents reported disillusionment with the extreme price sensitive nature and transactional orientation of Groupon users. Based on these findings, suggestions to modify social promotion offers to better balance the value offered to consumers with positive outcomes for businesses are provided.
2-Hz 109-nm mirrorless laser

We report 2-Hz operation of a single-pass 109-nm laser with a small-signal gain of exp 33 and a saturated output energy of 1 μJ. The laser is based on an oblique-incidence, laser-produced-plasma pumping geometry and requires only 500 mJ of 1064-nm energy in a 0.5-nsec pump pulse. We use the laser to produce a two-slit interference pattern and demonstrate a focusable intensity of greater than 109 W/cm2.
Three-dimensional external beam radiotherapy for prostate cancer increases the risk of hip fracture.

BACKGROUND: Hip fracture is associated with high morbidity and mortality. Pelvic external beam radiotherapy (EBRT) is known to increase the risk of hip fractures in women, but the effect in men is unknown. METHODS: From the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER)-Medicare database, 45,662 men who were aged ≥66 years and diagnosed with prostate cancer in 1992-2004 were identified. By using Kaplan-Meier methods and Cox proportional hazards models, the primary outcome of hip fracture risk was compared among men who received radical prostatectomy (RP), EBRT, EBRT plus androgen suppression therapy (AST), or AST alone. Age, osteoporosis, race, and other comorbidities were statistically controlled. A secondary outcome was distal forearm fracture as an indicator of the risk of fall-related fracture outside the radiation field. RESULTS: After covariates were statistically controlled, the findings showed that EBRT increased the risk of hip fractures by 76% (hazards ratio [HR], 1.76; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.38-2.40) without increasing the risk of distal forearm fractures (HR, 0.80; 95% CI, 0.56-1.14). Combination therapy with EBRT plus AST increased the risk of hip fracture 145% relative to RP alone (HR, 2.45; 95% CI, 1.88-3.19) and by 40% relative to EBRT alone (HR, 1.40; 95% CI, 1.17-1.68). EBRT plus AST increased the risk of distal forearm fracture by 43% relative to RP alone (HR, 1.43; 95% CI, 0.97-2.10). The number needed to treat to result in 1 hip fracture during a 10-year period was 51 patients (95% CI, 31-103). CONCLUSIONS: In men with prostate cancer, pelvic 3-D conformal EBRT was associated with a 76% increased risk of hip fracture. This risk was slightly increased further by the addition of short-course AST to EBRT. This risk associated with EBRT must be site-specific as there was no increase in the risk of fall-related fractures in bones that were outside the radiation field. Cancer 2011. © 2011 American Cancer Society.
Nitric Oxide Levels Regulate the Immune Response of Drosophila melanogaster Reference Laboratory Strains to Bacterial Infections

Studies on the innate immune response against microbial infections in Drosophila melanogaster involve mutant strains and their reference strains that act as experimental controls. We used five standard D. melanogaster laboratory reference strains (Oregon R, w1118, Canton-S, Cinnabar Brown, and Yellow White [YW]) and investigated their response against two pathogenic bacteria (Photorhabdus luminescens and Enterococcus faecalis) and two nonpathogenic bacteria (Escherichia coli and Micrococcus luteus). We detected high sensitivity among YW flies to bacterial infections and increased bacterial growth compared to the other strains. We also found variation in the transcription of certain antimicrobial peptide genes among strains, with Oregon and YW infected flies showing the highest and lowest gene transcription levels in most cases. We show that Oregon and w1118 flies possess more circulating hemocytes and higher levels of phenoloxidase activity than the other strains upon infection with the nonpathogenic bacteria. We further observed reduced fat accumulation in YW flies infected with the pathogenic bacteria, which suggests a possible decline in physiological condition. Finally, we found that nitrite levels are significantly lower in infected and uninfected YW flies compared to w1118 flies and that nitric oxide synthase mutant flies in YW background are more susceptible to bacterial infection compared to mutants in w1118 background. Therefore, increased sensitivity of YW flies to bacterial infections can be partly attributed to lower levels of nitric oxide. Such studies will significantly contribute toward a better understanding of the genetic variation between D. melanogaster reference strains.
Computational modeling of structure and OH-anion diffusion in quaternary ammonium polysulfone hydroxide – Polymer electrolyte for application in electrochemical devices

Using computational approaches we predict the microstructure of high-performance alkaline polymer, quaternary ammonium polysulfone hydroxide (QAPS-OH) membranes, dry and with ∼14 wt% water uptake. The microstructure can be described as a hydrophobic polymer backbone penetrated by a network of three-dimensional interlinked hydrophilic channels of different diameters. Mobile OH-anions are distributed inside the channels. OH diffusion coefficients and corresponding activation energy were calculated from our molecular dynamics simulations of the QAPS-OH membrane at different temperatures. The predicted values are consistent with available experimental data. Possible mechanisms of the OH-anion diffusion have been discussed.