cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Automated knowledge derivation: Domain‐independent techniques for domain‐restricted text sources

This article provides a description of the major components of a system that builds and updates a knowledge base by extracting the knowledge from natural language text. the knowledge extraction is done in a domain-independent manner and does not rely on particular vocabulary or grammar constructions. the only restriction is that the input text must be technical text from some specific problem domain. an important capability of the system is that it can bootstrap itself. That is, beginning with only a description of the types of object and relationships to be stored in the knowledge base, the system can start with an empty knowledge base and build the knowledge base as it processes the text. the knowledge extraction system's success in extracting knowledge from various input texts was evaluated using scoring metrics reported by Lehnert and Sundheim [AI Mag., 12(3), 81–94 (1991)]. the initial results indicate that the knowledge extraction mechanism is both effective and independent of a particular author's writing style or a particular domain. © 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Large sample properties of cross-validation assessment statistics

Abstract Asymptotic properties are developed for two classes of cross-validation assessment statistics. The two correspond to a large number of small partition sets and a small number of large partitions sets. Conditions implying weak convergence, strong convergence, and asymptotic normality are presented for each class. A discriminant analysis misclassification estimator and a regression analysis estimator of absolute error are used to illustrate the general theory.
Thermochemical Properties of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAH) from G3MP2B3 Calculations

In this article, we present a new database of thermodynamic properties for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH). These large aromatic species are formed in very rich premixed flames and in diffusion flames as part of the gas-phase chemistry. PAH are commonly assumed to be the intermediates leading to soot formation. Therefore, accurate prediction of their thermodynamic properties is required for modeling soot formation. The present database consists of 46 species ranging from benzene (C_6H_6) to coronene (C_(24)H_(12)) and includes all the species usually present in chemical mechanisms for soot formation. Geometric molecular structures are optimized at the B3LYP/6-31++G(d,p) level of theory. Heat capacity, entropy, and energy content are calculated from these optimized structures. Corrections for hindered rotor are applied on the basis of torsional potentials obtained from second-order Moller-Plesset perturbation (MP2) and Dunning's consistent basis sets (cc-pVDZ). Enthalpies of formation are calculated using the mixed G3MP2//B3 method. Finally, a group correction is applied to account for systematic errors in the G3MP2//B3 computations. The thermodynamic properties for all species are available in NASA polynomial form at the following address: http://www.stanford.edu/group/pitsch/.
Real-Time Monitoring of the Kinetics and Gas-Phase Products of the Reaction of Ozone with an Unsaturated Phospholipid at the Air−Water Interface

While the kinetics and mechanisms of the reaction of O3 with alkenes in the gas and condensed phases are reasonably well understood, those with unsaturated organics in the intermediate regime at the air−water interface are not. Studies of the reaction of ozone at room temperature with the unsaturated phospholipid, 1-oleoyl-2-palmitoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (OPPC) at the air−water interface, and, for comparison, the fully saturated dipalmitoyl-l-α-phosphatidylcholine (DPPC) were carried out. The phospholipids were exposed at varying surface areas per phosphocholine molecule on a water subphase to a flow of O3 in air (0.25−1 ppm), and atmospheric pressure ionization mass spectrometry (API-MS) was used to monitor the formation of gaseous products in real time. Nonanal was detected as a major gas-phase product of the reaction of ozone with OPPC; no volatile products were observed in the case of DPPC. The yield of nonanal, defined as the nonanal produced per phosphocholine molecule reacted at the air−wat...
Developmental and diamide-induced differences in rat renal cortical glutathione levels.

SummaryThe effect of prolonged incubations (up to 90 min) on reduced glutathione (GSH) levels has been studied and compared in renal cortical slices from newborn and adult Sprague-Dawley rats. While newborn levels of GSH remained constant during incubation, adult levels continued to fall, reaching about 50% of control levels by 90 min. Significant decrease in GSH of adult slices could be achieved by 30 min of incubation using 0.5 mM diamide, a known glutathione oxidant. On the other hand, 2.0 mM diamide, was required in newborn slices to achieve a significant reduction in GSH levels. Using 2.0 mM diamide in both newborn and adult slices, the time course of the effect of diamide on GSH was examined. Newborn GSH levels dropped to 52% of controls within 15 min, while adult slices were able to maintain levels between 40 and 50% of controls until about 30 min. These differences are attributed to developmental changes in membrane-diamide interactions, making diamide a potentially useful probe for investigation ...
On Various Non-Linear Rod Theories for the Dynamic Analysis of Multi-Body Systems, Part II: Applications

Abstract The accuracy and effectiveness of the Simo-Vu-Quoc approach, the Euler-Bernoulli beam theory, the Timoshenko beam theory, the consistent second order theory, the Green-Lagrange theory, and Kane-Ryan-Banerjee approach, used to capture the so-called centrifugal stiffening effects, are numerically investigated for comparative purposes. Whereas Part I presents the analytical comparison of various non-linear rod theories for the dynamic analysis of multi-body systems, Part II describes the finite element implementation of these formulations with the typical example of a chain of flexible links, constrained to remain in a horizontal plane without gravity loads.
A “Traceless” Staudinger Ligation for the Chemoselective Synthesis of Amide Bonds

[reaction: see text] Here we report a novel modification of our previously reported "Staudinger ligation" that generates an amide bond from an azide and a specifically functionalized phosphine. This method for the selective formation of an amide bond, which does not require the orthogonal protection of distal functional groups, should find general utility in synthetic and biological chemistry.
Cigarette Smoking and Ten-year Progression of Diabetic Retinopathy

Purpose: To examine the association between cigarette smoking and the incidence and progression of diabetic retinopathy. Methods: A population-based cohort study of 708 adult younger-onset persons with diabetes, 485 older-onset persons taking insulin, and 502 older-onset persons with diabetes not taking insulin who participated in baseline, 4-year, and 10-year examinations. Incidence and progression of retinopathy and progression to proliferative retinopathy were measured as determined by fundus photography. Results: Neither smoking status nor pack-years smoked showed significant associations with increased risk of retinopathy. Conclusions: Cigarette smoking is not a risk factor for the long-term incidence of retinopathy. However, the failure to find an association between smoking and diabetic retinopathy does not imply that persons with diabetes who smoke should not stop as cigarette smoking is a risk factor for other complications and associated conditions of diabetes, particularly cardiovascular disease.
The in vitro interchange of cholesterol between plasma and red cells.

SummaryPlasma and red cells containing C14-labeled cholesterol were obtained by feeding dogs with C14-acetate. The labeled blood components were separated and incubated at 37°C for several hours wi...
Star formation and extinct radioactivities

An assessment is made of the evidence for the existence of now-extinct radioactivities in primitive solar system material, giving attention to implications for the early stages of sun and solar system formation. The characteristics of possible disturbances in dense molecular clouds which can initiate the formation of cloud cores is discussed, with emphasis on these disturbances able to generate fresh radioactivities. A one-solar mass red giant star on the asymptotic giant branch appears to have been the best candidate to account for the short-lived extinct radioactivities in the early solar system.
The effect of acute potassium depletion on muscle cell pH in vitro.

The effect of acute potassium depletion on muscle cell pH in vitro , It is generally assumed that potassium depletion alters muscle cell pH. In vivo techniques, usually show that muscle pH is decreased but in vitro experiments performed at an extracellular pH (pH e ) of 7.40 do not confirm this. To investigate this problem, intact rat diaphragms were incubated in vitro in a low potassium medium and results compared to those obtained in non-potassium depleted tissue. Varying pH e was achieved by altering CO 2 tension (respiratory) or bath bicarbonate concentration (metabolic). Cell pH was measured simultaneously from distribution of the weak acid DMO (pH DMO ) or weak base, nicotine (pH nicotine ). At a pH e of 7.40 both pH DMO and pH nicotine were slightly but not significantly reduced (P>0.10) and pH heterogeneity was unchanged. In respiratory alkalosis, both pH DMO and pH nicotine were significantly (P DMO was so lowered. Much larger changes were found in both respiratory and metabolic acidosis. At all pH e values less than 7.10, pH DMO and pH nicotine were lower in potassium depleted tissue than in normal tissue (P in vivo and in vitro results is mainly apparent only at an external pH of 7.40. In alkalosis and acidosis muscle cell pH is decreased in potassium depletion.
Effect of stents in reducing restenosis in small coronary arteries: A meta-analysis

The ability of stents to reduce restenosis was established in larger coronary arteries. Clinical trials of stenting in smaller vessels have yielded conflicting results due in part to their sample sizes. The aim of this meta-analysis was to increase the statistical power by pooling data from these clinical trials. Trials were identified from Medline search, review of recent cardiology meetings' abstracts, and manual review of bibliographies. Studies were included if they were prospective randomized controlled trials. Endpoints examined included a dichotomized definition of angiographic restenosis, target lesion revascularization (TLR), target vessel revascularization (TVR), or any repeat revascularization. Pooling of data was performed by calculating a Mantel-Haenszel odds ratio (OR). The analysis included 2,598 patients enrolled in eight clinical trials. Stenting significantly reduced restenosis (OR = 0.62; 95% CI = 0.61-0.63). Concordantly, stenting reduced TLR (OR = 0.49), TVR (OR = 0.90), and any revascularization (OR = 0.48). This meta-analysis supports the hypothesis that stenting reduces restenosis in small coronary arteries as well as in larger coronary arteries. The apparent discordant result of individual clinical trials was due in part to underpowering related to small sample sizes.
Ultrafiltration Should Not Replace Diuretics for the Initial Treatment of Acute Decompensated Heart Failure

Heart failure (HF) represents a significant and growing health concern in the aging population of the United States. Total HF costs in the United States for 2009 are estimated to be $37.2 billion and account for more than 1 million hospital discharges.1 Acute decompensated HF (ADHF) represents the most common reason for HF hospitalization. Improvements in HF care would thus have a broad impact on health care delivery. Response by Bart on p 505 Registry data indicate that the population of patients admitted for HF represents an “at risk” group. Acute in-hospital mortality ranges from 3% to 7% for ADHF and may be as high as 13.5% at 3 months after discharge. Furthermore, surviving patients remain at significant risk for hospital readmission (24% to 31%) within 3 months after their index hospitalization for ADHF.2 Strategies to understand the mechanisms of disease associated with poor outcomes in HF have identified a clinical syndrome of deteriorating renal function, diuretic unresponsiveness, and impaired natriuresis, which has been called the cardiorenal syndrome (CRS). Chronic renal insufficiency, commonly associated with HF, adversely impacts HF survival, length of stay (LOS), and readmission rates.3,4 Although no broadly accepted consensus definition of CRS has been adopted,5 most criteria for CRS include (a) HF and renal insufficiency; (b) worsening renal function during treatment for ADHF; and (c) diuretic resistance.6 Worsening renal function (defined by an increased serum creatinine [sCr] ≥0.3 mg/dL) is a common feature in patients admitted for volume overload and treatment of ADHF, with some reports identifying a prevalence of >70% in hospitalized patients. Treatments to mitigate diuretic resistance and CRS have been sought to promote better ADHF outcomes. An emerging literature suggests an important role for venous congestion as a major contributor to CRS. Traditionally cited mechanisms for worsening renal function …
Cerebellar dentate nuclei lesions reduce motivation in appetitive operant conditioning and open field exploration

Recently identified pathways from the dentate nuclei of the cerebellum to the rostral cerebral cortex via the thalamus suggest a cerebellar role in frontal and prefrontal non-motor functioning. Disturbance of cerebellar morphology and connectivity, particularly involving these cerebellothalamocortical (CTC) projections, has been implicated in motivational and cognitive deficits. The current study explored the effects of CTC disruption on motivation in male Long Evans rats. The results of two experiments demonstrate that electrolytic lesions of the cerebellar dentate nuclei lower breaking points on an operant conditioning progressive ratio schedule and decrease open field exploration compared to sham controls. Changes occurred in the absence of motor impairment, assessed via lever pressing frequency and rotarod performance. Similar elevated plus maze performances between lesioned and sham animals indicated that anxiety did not influence task performance. Our results demonstrate hedonic and purposive motivational reduction and suggest a CTC role in global motivational processes. These implications are discussed in terms of psychiatric disorders such as schizophrenia and autism, in which cerebellar damage and motivational deficits often present concomitantly.
MATURATION OF ANTIOXIDANT ENZYME ACTIVITY IN THE RAT SMALL INTESTINE

Free radicals have been implicated in the pathogenesis of ischemic-reperfusion injury in the bowel. The protective role of the antioxidant enzymes has been studied, but no information exists on the development of these enzymes in the small intestine (SI). The ontogeny and glucocorticoid-enhanced maturation of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (C), and glutathione peroxidase has been defined in the lung. We measured the activities of C, SOD, and the superoxide generating enzyme xanthine oxidase (XO), in the rat SI. Pregnant rats at 18, 19, and 20 days gestation received 4 injections of 0.2 mg/kg of dexamethasone or an equal volume of saline (S) over 48 hours. Rats aged 14-104 days were injected with 50 mg/kg of hydrocortisone or S. The rats were killed 12 hours after the last injection. Assays were done using homogenates of the SI. Glucocorticoid administration hastened the attainment of adult values for maltase and sucrase, but had no effect on the activity of C, SOD, or XO. The table presents the mean enzyme activity ± SEM expressed as units/tng of DNA. The increase in activity with maturity suggests a less effective defense system in younger animals placing them at increased risk for free radical injury to the intestine. Exogenous glucocorticoids do not alter the activities of these enzymes.
Comparison of Back Squat Kinematics Between Barefoot and Shoe Conditions

The purpose of the study was to compare the kinematics of the barbell back squat between two footwear conditions and to evaluate the results with respect to recommendations put forth in the National Strength and Conditioning Association position statement for proper squat technique. Twenty-five subjects with 5 - 7 years of resistance training experience participated. Selected kinematics were measured during a 60% of 1RM barbell back squat in both barefoot and athletic shoe conditions. Paired-samples T tests were performed to compare the two footwear conditions. Significant differences were found in trunk (50.72±8.27 vs. 46.97±9.87), thigh (20.94±10.19 vs. 24.42±11.11), and shank segment angles (59.47±5.54 vs. 62.75±6.17), and knee joint angles (81.33±13.70 vs. 88.32±15.45) at the peak descent position. Based on the kinematic analysis of the barefoot squat, two kinematic advantages are countered by two disadvantages. Coaches and instructors should acknowledge these results with respect to a performer's cap...
Fault Tolerant Control Applied to a Quadrotor Unmanned Helicopter

In this paper, two sliding mode based fault tolerant control (SM-FTC) strategies are designed, implemented and flight-tested in a physical quadrotor unmanned helicopter under the propeller damage and actuator fault conditions. Sliding model control (SMC) is well known for its capability of handling uncertainty and is expected to be a robust controller. Based on the concept of sliding mode control, both passive and active fault tolerant controls have been designed and experimentally tested on a quadrotor UAV (unmanned aerial vehicle) test-bed, known as Qball-X4, available at Concordia University in the presence of actuator faults and propeller damages. These two types of controllers are carried out and compared through theoretical analysis, simulation, and experimental flight tests on the quadrotor UAV system. Good control performance has been achieved in the presence of actuator faults and propeller damages.Copyright © 2011 by ASME
O4.3Chimeric Antigen Receptor (CAR) T Cell Therapy for B Cell Cancers

ABSTRACT Recently published reports support the novel approach of treating cancer with patient derived T cells genetically modified to express artificial T cell receptors, termed chimeric antigen receptors (CARs), targeted to tumor associated antigens. To this end, initial clinical trial outcomes of patients with relapsed B cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL) treated with T cells genetically modified to express a CAR specific to the CD19 antigen demonstrate that this approach is a very promising therapeutic intervention which potentially may dramatically alter the standard of care in this disease. In contrast far more modest clinical responses were seen in patients with relapsed low grade B cell malignancies including chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) and B cell non-Hodgkins lymphomas (NHL), not only at our center but at other centers including UPenn and the NCI. The discordant clinical outcomes between B-ALL and CLL/NHL patients treated with CD19 targeted CAR T cells remains a subject of conjecture although the tumor microenvironment is a strong focus for further investigation. To this end, we will present novel data on a next generation of CAR T cells, termed “armored CARs” further genetically designed to overcome an immune suppressive tumor microenvironment through further genetic modification of CAR T cells secrete the IL-12 cytokine or constitutively express the CD40L co-stimulatory ligand. Promising preclinical studies utilizing these “armored CAR” T cell approaches and their role in future clinical trials will be discussed.
Similarities between Transplantation Antigens on Methylcholanthrene‐Induced Sarcomas and T‐Cell Regulatory Molecules

Successful interaction among T-cell subsets requires, among other things, homology at certain genetic loci that code for cellular interaction molecules (CIM). One such interaction, the induction of an acceptor-cell population by an Ly-1 T-suppressor-inducer cell, is controlled by genes that map to the variable region of the immunoglobulin heavy chain (Igh) complex. If the suppressor-induced cells (or their cell-free products) do not share Igh-V polymorphisms with their acceptor cells, the induction event fails to take place. Recently, structural genes of a transplantation antigen on the methylcholanthrene-induced sarcoma Meth A were mapped to the same region of chromosome 12 as the Igh gene complex. We tested whether there was any relationship between the Meth A transplantation antigen and T-cell regulatory molecules by using antisera against the Meth A antigen to block this particular Igh-linked T-T interaction. We found that isoantisera against a large number of methylcholanthrene-induced sarcomas tested were capable of blocking the induction of T-suppressor cells so long as the inducer and acceptor cells bore the Igha polymorphism. Further, we found a structural gene on MC-induced tumors that could absorb out this activity, and the structural gene for this antigen is coded for the same region as the Igh gene loci. The antisera binds to the I-J+ portion of a T-cell regulatory molecule Ly-1 TsiF, the portion of the molecule that has no specificity for antigen and imparts the Igh-linked genetic restriction. The implications of these findings for both oncology and immunology were discussed.
Friedman tongue position: age distribution and relationship to sleep-disordered breathing.

Abstract Purpose Friedman tongue position (FTP) may play an important role in the evaluation of children with sleep-related breathing disorders (SRBD), but there are no previous data on FTP distribution by age. The objective of the current study was to determine the distribution of FTP by age and examine the relationship between FTP and snoring in children. Methods Prospective cross-sectional study of 199 children (mean age, 6.8 years; 59% male) had tongue position assessed by FTP as part of their clinical examination of the oral cavity during routine ENT visits at a tertiary care children's hospital. The FTP and snoring frequency of participants was examined across the entire age range as well as by comparing those older (middle childhood and above) and younger than 5 years of age. Results Tongue position did not correlate with age or snoring frequency. The proportion of children with FTP III/IV was not significantly different in children younger than five years of age compared to older than five. Habitual snoring was not associated with having a higher FTP. Among children who snored p = 0.007). BMI-%-for-age was significantly correlated with FTP ( p = 0.003). The percent of children having FTP class III/IV differed significantly between ethnicities (22% of whites, 26% of others, 45% of hispanics, 53% of African–Americans; p = 0.011). Inter-rater reliability among pediatric otolaryngologist was excellent (kappa = 0.93, p Conclusions There does not appear to be an association between FTP with age or snoring frequency in children. The excellent inter-rater reliability for FTP among pediatric ENT providers suggests the null findings are not due to rater bias. These findings may serve as an important reference for those studying the role of tongue position in pediatric SRBD and complement previous studies examining FTP among children with known OSA or snoring.
Multicolored nanometre-resolution mapping of single protein–ligand binding complexes using far-field photostable optical nanoscopy (PHOTON)

Mapping of individual ligand molecules and their binding sites in single protein-ligand complexes at nanometer resolution in real-time would enable probing their structures and functions in vitro and in vivo. In this study, we have developed far-field photostable optical nanoscopy (PHOTON) for mapping single ligand molecules (biotin) and their binding sites in individual protein-ligand complexes (streptavidin-biotin) with 1.2 nm spatial resolution and 100 ms temporal resolution. PHOTON includes one standard far-field optical microscope with a halogen-lamp illuminator; single-molecule-nanoparticle-optical-biosensors (SMNOBS) with exceptionally high quantum-yield (QY) of Rayleigh scattering and photostability (non-photobleaching, non-photoblinking) as imaging probes; and Multispectral Imaging System (MSIS) for spectral isolation of individual SMNOBS with 1 nm wavelength resolution. Intrinsic size- and shape- dependent localized-surface-plasmon-resonance (LSPR) spectra of single SMNOBS provide multiple-spectral (color) nanoprobes for sub-diffraction imaging, offering feasibility of probing of binding structures and functions of single protein-ligand complexes at nm (potentially achieving Angstrom) resolution in real-time.
Intrinsic Disorder in the Basic Regions of bZIP Transcription Factors: What it Means to Be Disordered and Why it Might Matter!

Intrinsically disordered proteins constitute roughly 30% of the eukaryotic preteome and these include a majority of transcription factors. Our recent work has identified certain organizing principles that have yielded predictive phase diagrams of IDPs. We put these predictions to the test through quantitative studies of disorder in bZIP transcription factors. The results suggest important and novel insights on the evolution of disorder and its implications for DNA binding.
Disentangling N, A dependence of non-analog double charge exchange

Abstract An attempt is made to isolate the dependence of previously measured non-analog double-charge-exchange cross sections on neutron number N and mass number A . If A -dependence is forced to be A − 10 3 the data require N -dependence to be N 2 eff , where N eff = N − N 0 and N 0 ∼2 for 12 C , 16 O , 24 Mg but N 0 ∼ 5 for 28 Si , 32 S , 40 Ca .
Wavelength tunable high-power single-mode 1060-nm DBR lasers

The wavelength tunable 1060-nm distributed Bragg reflector (DBR) laser chip consists of three sections: a gain section for lasing, and phase and DBR sections for wavelength control. A micro-heater is lithographically integrated on the top of the DBR section to tune the emission wavelength. The phase section is designed with either a top heater or by current injection to provide fine tuning of the wavelength. The wavelength tuning efficiency of our DBR laser is approximately 9 nm/W at the laser heat sink temperature of 25°C. Single-mode output powers of 686 mW and 605 mW were obtained at a CW gain drive current of 1.25 A and heat sink temperatures of 25°C and 60°C, respectively. Gain-switching by applying 1.1 GHz sinusoidal signal mixed with 600 mA DC injection current produced approximately 58 ps long optical pulses with 3.1 W peak power and 228 mW average power. The average power increased to 267 mW and pulse width broadened to 70 ps with DC bias of 700 mA. In CW operation, one of the applications for high-power single-mode DBR lasers is for non-linear frequency conversion. The light emitted from the 1060-nm DBR laser chip was coupled into a single-mode periodically poled lithium niobate (PPLN) crystal waveguide. Up to 350 mW optical power at 530 nm with the wall-plug efficiency of up to 15% was demonstrated.
miR-888: A Novel Cancer-Testis Antigen that Targets the Progesterone Receptor in Endometrial Cancer

Cancer-testis (CT) antigens are a large family of genes that are selectively expressed in human testis germ cells, overexpressed in a variety of tumors and predominantly located on the X chromosome. To date, all known CT antigens are protein-coding genes. Here, we identify miR-888 as the first miRNA with features characteristic of a CT antigen. In a panel of 21 normal human tissues, miR-888 expression was high in testes and minimal or absent in all other examined tissues. In situ hybridization localized miR-888 expression specifically to the early stages of sperm development within the testes. Using The Cancer Genome Atlas database, we discovered that miR-888 was predominately expressed in endometrial tumors, with a significant association to high-grade tumors and increased percent invasion. In a separate panel of endometrial tumor specimens, we validated overexpression of miR-888 by real-time polymerase chain reaction. In addition, miR-888 expression was highest in endometrial carcinosarcoma, a rare and aggressive type of endometrial tumor. Moreover, we identified the progesterone receptor (PR), a potent endometrial tumor suppressor, as a direct target of miR-888. These data define miR-888 as the first miRNA CT antigen and a potential mediator of an aggressive endometrial tumor phenotype through down-regulation of PR.
The effect of turbulence models on the numerical prediction of the flowfield about a prolate spheroid at high angle of attack

The F3D thin-layer Navier-Stokes code presently used to numerically investigate the three-dimensional separated flow about a prolate spheroid at high incidence analyzes the effect of different turbulence models on the flowfield solution and the characteristics of the predicted flow. The Johnson-King (1984) model is applied in order to evaluate the importance of modeling nonequilibrium effects in predicting flow about a slender body at high incidence; the computations in question are for steady-state, fully turbulent flow. Insight is gained into the effects of turbulence models on flow characteristics, and model effects on the accurate prediction of highly separated and vortical flows about a slender body are demonstrated.
Understanding Barriers to the Early Detection of Prostate Cancer Among Men of Lower Socioeconomic Status

Objectives: Prostate cancer accounted for more than 180,000 new cases and almost 40,000 deaths in the United States in 1998. Higher rates of mortality have been noted among racial minorities and lower socioeconomic status groups, primarily because of advanced stage of cancer at presentation. Understanding barriers toward early detection of prostate cancer may help diminish these variations. Materials and Methods: Thirty-two focus group sessions with individuals of lower socioeconomic status addressed attitudes toward physical examinations, prostate cancer, and sources of health-care information. Barriers to early detection were identified, based on transcripts that were analyzed using the Health Belief Model. Results: Most men of lower socioeconomic status viewed physical examinations negatively, with barriers including time, monetary costs, negative impressions of the prostate examination, and lack of belief in early detection. Among the minority of men who had had prostate examinations, they typically did so as part of examinations for chronic medical conditions or because of employer requirements for routine check-ups. The rectal examination was viewed very negatively because of concerns of physical pain, social embarrassment, and uncertain value. Fear and fatalism regarding prostate cancer were expressed by the majority of attendees. With respect to sources of health information, men typically received health-care information from the media, with television being the most common source. No significant differences in barriers to early detection efforts were observed between focus groups composed of white versus African American poor men. Conclusions: The Health Belief Model provides a framework for evaluating the perceptions of men of lower socioeconomic status toward the early detection of prostate cancer. Negative perceptions regarding physical examinations and skepticism about the value of early detection were major barriers to the early detection of prostate cancer. Targeted strategies directed at each of these barriers are needed to improve the rates of early detection in men of lower socioeconomic status.
The development of compassionate and caring leadership among adolescents

Background: Fostering the innate need to lead, teach and care for others is fundamental to creating a just and moral society. The nurturing begins early in life and becomes especially vital during ...
Computing the discrepancy with applications to supersampling patterns

Patterns used for supersampling in graphics have been analyzed from statistical and signal-processing viewpoints. We present an analysis based on a type of isotropic discrepancy—how good patterns are at estimating the area in a region of defined type. We present algorithms for computing discrepancy relative to regions that are defined by rectangles, halfplanes, and higher-dimensional figures. Experimental evidence shows that popular supersampling patterns have discrepancies with better asymptotic behavior than random sampling, which is not inconsistent with theoretical bounds on discrepancy.
Indonesia's Non-Oil Export Performance During the Economic Crisis: Distinguishing Price Trends from Quantity Trends

Despite an enormous currency depreciation, the growth rate of Indonesia's non-oil exports, measured in dollars, did not accelerate during the first two years of the Asian crisis. In fact, during the second year of the crisis non-oil export value dropped sharply. This paper demonstrates that the main reason for the decline in the dollar value of non-oil exports was a collapse of export prices. Non-oil export dollar prices fell 26% between the second quarter of 1997 and the second quarter of 1999. Measured at constant prices, non-oil exports grew 24% and manufactured exports 31% during this period. Non-oil import prices fell by roughly the same amount as non-oil export prices during the crisis, with little change in the non-oil terms of trade. The decline in the price of traded goods significantly reduced the magnitude of the real exchange rate depreciation experienced by Indonesia.
Synthesis, Hydrolytic Behavior, and Anti-Hiv Activity of Selected Acyloxyalkyl Esters of Trisodium Phosphonoformate (Foscarnet Sodium)

The synthesis and anti-HIV activity of selected (acyloxy)alkyl esters of trisodium phosphonoformate (foscarnet sodium) are described. The conversion of bis(trimethylsilyl) (alkoxycarbonyl)phosphonates 11a–d to the corresponding disilver salts 12a–d and their subsequent reaction with iodoalkyl acrylates 4a–c gave the desired bis-(acyloxyalkyl) phosphonates 6–9(a–c). Of the analogs tested, only the dichlorophenyl analog 9a showed a dose-dependent inhibition of HIV activity in H9 cells. Using 31P-NMR, bioreversibility has been investigated in an attempt to rationalize these results.
Optical continua generation in a coherently prepared Raman medium

It is shown that broadband optical continua may be generated as light propagates through a coherently prepared medium. Stimulated Raman scattering is a parametric process responsible for the spectral broadening. Even though the generation of spectral components is limited by the dispersion of the medium, numerical estimates for realistic parameters show feasibility of generating coherent optical continua with total bandwidth of several hundred terahertz without implementation of any dispersion compensating technique. Finally, a technique for producing broadband coherent optical spectra and, thus, ultrashort pulses of radiation is proposed.
Use of the gamma distribution to represent monthly rainfall in Africa for drought monitoring applications

Evaluating a range of scenarios that accurately reflect precipitation variability is critical for water resource applications. Inputs to these applications can be provided using location- and interval-specific probability distributions. These distributions make it possible to estimate the likelihood of rainfall being within a specified range. In this paper, we demonstrate the feasibility of fitting cell-by-cell probability distributions to grids of monthly interpolated, continent-wide data. Future work will then detail applications of these grids to improved satellite-remote sensing of drought and interpretations of probabilistic climate outlook forum forecasts. The gamma distribution is well suited to these applications because it is fairly familiar to African scientists, and capable of representing a variety of distribution shapes. This study tests the goodness-of-fit using the Kolmogorov–Smirnov (KS) test, and compares these results against another distribution commonly used in rainfall events, the Weibull. The gamma distribution is suitable for roughly 98% of the locations over all months. The techniques and results presented in this study provide a foundation for use of the gamma distribution to generate drivers for various rain-related models. These models are used as decision support tools for the management of water and agricultural resources as well as food reserves by providing decision makers with ways to evaluate the likelihood of various rainfall accumulations and assess different scenarios in Africa. Copyright © 2006 Royal Meteorological Society
Nitrogen assimilation from amorphous detritus by two coastal consumers

Abstract The food value of recognizable pieces of dead vegetation, morphous detritus, has been the focus of many studies in coastal systems. In contrast, the nutritional quality and formation process of amorphous detritus, aggregates of dissolved organic matter (DOM), is poorly studied. We created 15 N-labelled aggregates from the leachate of four macrophytes, a marsh grass and three macroalgae common in New England coastal waters. We fed the labelled aggregates to two coastal consumers, the grass shrimp Palaemonetes pugio and the sheepshead minnow Cyprinodon variegatus . Fish and shrimp fed each of the labelled aggregates became labelled with 15 N. This study provides direct evidence for nitrogen assimilation from amorphous detritus by marine consumers. In addition, fish fed amorphous marsh grass detritus assimilated 10–40 times more nitrogen from this detritus than from morphous grass detritus. Therefore, amorphous aggregates may be higher-quality food than morphous detrital fragments for coastal consumers.
1140 THE EFFECT OF AN ANTIVIRAL AGENT (WIN 51,711) ON COXSACKIEVIRUS A9 INFECTION IN SUCKLING MICE

WIN 51,711 is an antiviral agent with demonstrated in vitro activity against a number of Picornaviruses, including Coxsackievirus A9 (CA9). The drug has proved to be effective in animal model studies against Echovirus 9 and Poliovirus 2 infection in mice. This study used white Swiss mice which were infected with CA9 when they were between 24 and 48 hours of age. The LD50 for these mice was established as 1.8 × 105 TCID, and this quantity of virus was injected intraperitoneally (ip). Several routes of delivery of the drug have been tested. Giving 100 mg/kg/day of the drug in a 1% gum tragacanth suspension as a single daily ip injection led to significent delay in weight gain and mortality approaching 50%. Reducing this dose to 50 mg/kg/day ip appeared to alleviate this problem, as did delivering 100 mg/kg/day subcutaneously instead of ip. In the limited numbers of mice studied to date, protection against mortality using the latter two routes is 100%. Administering 100 mg/kg/day po once daily in a 1% gum tragacanth suspension had no effect on animal growth, but also provided no protection against mortality or symptomatology. It is hypothesized that this lack of effect reflects either poor absorption via the po route in suckling mice, or the shorter half-life of the drug when administered in oral boluses instead of ip or subcutaneous deposition. The toxicity of the 100 mg/kg/day dose ip appeared to be mechanical, since eventually crystals could be seen to accumulate in the peritoneum.
Evolving concepts in Clostridium difficile colitis

Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) is the most important cause of nosocomial diarrhea. The emergence of a hypervirulent strain and other factors including antibiotic overuse contribute to the increasing incidence and severity of this potentially lethal infection. CDI has been reported in persons previously considered as low risk, such as young healthy persons without exposure to health care settings or antibiotics, peripartum women, and children. In patients with inflammatory bowel disease, the risk of C. difficile infection is even greater, with higher rates of hospitalization, bowel surgery, and mortality. With increasing incidence and severity of disease, the need for improved diagnostic, treatment, and infection control strategies cannot be overstated.
Postirradiation malignant fibrous histiocytoma.

Three patients who were treated successfully with postoperative external radiation therapy for ovarian carcinoma, endometrial adenocarcinoma, and bilateral retinoblastoma respectively developed years later malignant fibrous histiocytoma (MFH) within the irradiated field. MFH is a recently described soft tissue sarcoma known for its dual fibroblastic and histiocytic differentiation resulting in a pleomorphic histologic appearance.
Mechanistic relationships between hepatic genotoxicity and carcinogenicity in male B6C3F1 mice treated with polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon mixtures

The genotoxicity of a complex mixture [neutral fraction (NF)] from a wood preserving waste and reconstituted mixture (RM) mimicking the NF with seven major polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and benzo(a)pyrene (BaP) was investigated by determining DNA adducts and tumor incidence in male B6C3F1 mice exposed to three different doses of the chemical mixtures. The peak values of DNA adducts were observed after 24 h, and the highest levels of PAH–DNA adducts were exhibited in mice administered NF + BaP, and the highest tumor incidence and mortality were also observed in this group. DNA adduct levels after 1, 7, or 21 days were significantly correlated with animal mortality and incidence of total tumors including liver, lung, and forestomach. However, only hepatic DNA adducts after 7 days significantly correlated with liver tumor incidence. Most proteins involved in DNA repair including ATM, pATR, Chk1, pChk1, DNA PKcs, XRCC1, FANCD2, Ku80, Mre11, and Brca2 were significantly lower in liver tumor tissue compared to non-tumor tissue. Expressions of proteins involved in apoptosis and cell cycle regulation were also significantly different in tumor versus non-tumor tissues, and it is possible that PAH-induced changes in these gene products are important for tumor development and growth.
On the preparation of 1H-perfluoroalkanes and a mechanism for the reduction of perfluoroalkyl iodides

Abstract 1 H -Perfluoroalkanes are prepared by sodium methoxide reduction of 1-iodoperfluoroalkanes. The experimental evidence indicates that the reaction proceeds either through a radical or a thermal mechanism. We have found that a high yield of 1 H -perfluoroalkanes at complete conversion can be accomplished at atmospheric pressure using this technology.
Efficient green OLED devices with an emissive layer comprised of phosphor-doped carbazole/bis-oxadiazole side-chain polymer blends

Abstract High-efficiency organic light-emitting devices (OLEDs) were fabricated in which solution-processed ambipolar blends of hole- and electron-transport polymer hosts doped with a green-emitting iridium complex are sandwiched between a photocrosslinked hole-transporting layer and a vacuum-deposited electron-transporting layer. The ambipolar host blends consist of blends of bis-oxadiazole-functionalized poly(norbornene) electron-transport materials and poly(N-vinylcarbazole). For the best device examined, an external quantum efficiency of 13.6% and a maximum luminous efficiency of 44.6 cd/A at 1000 cd/m2 with a turn-on voltage of 5.9 V were obtained.
High-order composite bulk acoustic resonators

In this article, we present lateral and thickness mode low-impedance UHF resonators to obtain dispersed- frequency devices simultaneously on a single substrate. The low-impedance is enabled by using high-order modes of resonators consisting of a piezoelectric transduction film on an underlying silicon layer. The impedance of these devices reduces as mode number increases. This is attributed to the increase in transduction area. The lowest measured impedance is 55Omega at 373MHz. Resonators with 373MHz and 640MHz lateral modes and 2.5GHz thickness modes from the same substrate are presented.
Sequence stratigraphy of a condensed low-accommodation succession: Lower Upper Cretaceous Dakota Sandstone, Henry Mountains, southeastern Utah

Cretaceous low-accommodation deposits have been extensively studied in the subsurface of the Western Interior of North America because of their prolific hydrocarbon production and remaining potential. Understanding the stratigraphic complexities of these deposits in the subsurface relies strongly on detailed outcrop analogs. In this study, the Dakota Sandstone was examined along 100 km (62 mi) of semicontinuous outcrop between the towns of Hanksville and Ticaboo in the Henry Mountains of southeastern Utah. This region represented a low-accommodation setting located over the forebulge of the Cretaceous Western Interior Basin during accumulation of the unit. The Dakota Sandstone is 0 to 38 m (125 ft) thick, of Cenomanian age, and records multiple cycles of sediment accumulation. The Dakota Sandstone is subdivided into two condensed top-truncated stratigraphic sequences, the upper of which contains two parasequences. The basal parts of both sequences are composed of braided fluvial conglomerates and sandstone overlain by tidally influenced fluvial sandstone, inclined heterolithically stratified estuarine mudstone, carbonaceous shale, and coal. The overlying parasequences consist of coarsening-upward lower to upper shoreface mudstone, sandstone, tidal inlet deposits, and oyster shell concentrations. These facies define tripartite subdivisions of depositional environments typical of wave-dominated estuaries. The fluvial deposits may represent lowstand deposits, but overall sediments accumulated during transgressive systems tracts (TST). The parasequences recorded in the Henry Mountains are similar to the Dakota Sandstone of northwestern New Mexico and to high-frequency sequences identified in the Kaiparowits Plateau, approximately 80 km (~50 mi) to the southwest, which suggests eustatic driving mechanisms. The best potential for hydrocarbon reservoirs occurs in fluvial sandstones and conglomerates.
Stable and compact inductance modeling of 3-D interconnect structures

Recent successful techniques for the efficient simulation of large-scale interconnect models rely on the sparsification of the inverse of the inductance matrix L. While there are several techniques for sparsifying L-1, the stability of these approximations for general interconnect structures has not been established, i.e., the sparsified reluctance and inductance matrices are not guaranteed to be positive-definite. In this paper, we present a novel technique for reluctance sparsification for general interconnect structures that enjoys several advantages: first, the resulting sparse approximation is guaranteed to be positive definite; second, the approximation is optimal, in a certain well-defined sense; third, owing to its computational efficiency and numerical stability, the algorithm is applicable for very large problem sizes; and finally our approach yields a compact representation of both inductance and reluctance matrices for general cases
The effectiveness of multicultural based social stories to increase appropriate behaviors of children with developmental delay

The needs of students from culturally and linguistically diverse (CLD) backgrounds have become a growing concern in United States. As an even greater challenge, educators are looking at effective interventions to provide appropriate education for CLD students with disabilities. The Social Story technique is a practical behavioral intervention which has been regarded as an individualized intervention since the student’s needs, background, and learning style should be taken into consideration when using this technique. This research study used an ABA design to compare the modified Social Story technique with and without culturally familiar components. Three students with exceptional needs who came from CLD backgrounds and live in this southwestern city of United States participated in this study. Findings are discussed in relation to study results, limitations, and applications for future research.