cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Current Status of Endoscopic Ultrasound Guided Ablation Techniques

Over the last 30 years, endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS) has transformed from a purely diagnostic modality, to one that offers the potential for a variety of therapeutic interventions. With the advent of fine needle aspiration, targets outside of the gastrointestinal luminal tract can be accessed for tissue sampling. As endoscopic procedures have evolved from diagnostic to therapeutic, the goal of tumor destruction has been increasingly pursued. Ablation is the intentional targeted destruction of tissue for purposes of curative and/or palliative intervention. EUS-guided ablation can be performed through a variety of modes. Through fine needle injection (FNI), delivery of therapy can be rendered via EUS. EUS-guided brachytherapy can also be produced through a needlebased vector for introducing radioactive seeds or solid markers to help guide radiotherapy, thus serving as a mode of potential tumor ablation. In addition to FNI and brachytherapy, EUS-guided ablations are also capable of being performed through needle device-based interventions. Many of these needle device-based ablative technologies have been extrapolated from currently available luminal ablative therapies used for neoplastic or inflammatory conditions. These adapted EUS-guided ablative approaches include photodynamic therapy (PDT), radiofrequency ablation (RFA), and cryotherapy, which are mainly based on the modification of energy and temperature to create tissue structural alterations. All of these modalities encompass EUS-guided ablative techniques, and have been developed and studied in animal and/or human models. Although some are still in research phases of development, these advanced technologies are timely for discussion in this section given their potential for changing the paradigm and scope of therapeutic potential for EUS. This review summarizes the research efforts in this area, and concludes with some suggestions for future investigative concentration.
CYP21 pseudogene transcripts are much less abundant than those from the active gene in normal human adrenocortical cells under various conditions in culture

The human steroid 21-hydroxylase pseudogene (CYP21P, also termed CYP21A) is transcribed in the adrenal cortex, but the relative abundance of transcripts from CYP21P and from the active CYP21 gene (also termed CYP21B) is not well established. In the present experiments we cultured primary human adrenocortical cells in defined medium and used RNase protection assays to examine whether there might be a selective increase in the relative abundance of CYP21P transcripts under any of the various regulatory factors known to affect expression of 21-hydroxylase. Differences between the sequences of intron 2 in CYP21P and CYP21 allowed the synthesis of gene-specific probes spanning exon 3 and parts of the adjacent introns. CYP21- and CYP21P-specific probes spanning the site of the start of transcription were also synthesized. CYP21 transcripts were readily detectable. In agreement with previous observations on 21-hydroxylase mRNA and enzyme activity in primary cultures of human adrenocortical cells, the abundance of CYP21 transcripts was increased by cyclic AMP analogues (N6-monobutyryl cyclic AMP and 8-bromo cyclic AMP), insulin, IGF-I and tetradecanoyl phorbol acetate (TPA). However, CYP21P transcripts were not detected in the presence of any of the various regulatory factors known to affect expression of 21-hydroxylase.
Analytic, crossing-symmetric, unitarity π π amplitudes which satisfy I = 1 sum rules and the inequalities of Martin

Abstract We exhibit a model for analytic, crossing-symmetric π π amplitudes which satisfy I = 1 sum rules and the inequalities of Martin. The S-waves and P-wave are unitary to excellent approximation up to energies exceeding 1 GeV. The model enables us to convert a small number of experimentally accessible parameters into phase shifts reliable up to 1 GeV. Predictions are made for the S-waves which lend support to certain analyses of πN → π πN data. Solutions are displayed which constitute counter-examples to the claims of Le Guillou, Morel and Navelet that S-waves must possess Adler-like zeroes, and that the ϵ resonance must be broad.
Delivering the message: epimorphin and mammary epithelial morphogenesis.

The mammary gland consists of a highly branched tubular epithelium surrounded by a complex mesenchymal stroma. Epimorphin is an extracellular protein that is expressed by mammary mesenchymal cells that directs epithelial morphogenesis. Depending upon the context of presentation – polar versus apolar – epimorphin can selectively direct two key processes of tubulogenesis: branching morphogenesis (processes involved in tubule initiation and extension) and luminal morphogenesis (required for enlargement of tubule caliber). Here, we outline the fundamentals of mammary gland development and describe the function of epimorphin in these processes. We conclude with a review of recent studies that suggest similar morphogenic roles for epimorphin in other glandular organs.
Proton affinity of peroxyacetyl nitrate sampled by membrane introduction mass spectrometry

Peroxyacetyl nitrate (PAN) is a fragile, highly reactive molecule which has proven difficult to characterize by mass spectrometry. This study investigates the use of a membrane introduction system to sample PAN and demonstrates that the molecular ions [M+H]+, [M+H]− and M−• can be generated under chemical ionization conditions. Use of tandem mass spectrometry provides characteristic spectra. These capabilities are applied to generate adduct ions of PAN with reference compounds of known proton affinity. Collision induced dissociation of these ions gives, by application of the kinetic method relationship, an estimated value of 191 ± 3 kcal/mol (798 ± 12 kJ/mol) for the proton affinity of PAN. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The development of tolerance to antihistamines: A study of the quantitative inhibiting capacity of antihistamines on the skin and mucous membrane reaction to histamine and antigens

Abstract 1.1. The majority of a series of patients showed evidence of the development of tolerance to antihistaminic drugs as shown by the failure or diminished effectiveness of the drugs to reduce the wheal and flare response to histamine and ragweed extract. 2.2. The time necessary to develop tolerance was between 7 and 20 days of maintenance on therapeutic doses of the antihistamine. 3.3. Tolerance developed to one antihistamine extended to others, even though the chemical relationship was not close. 4.4. Return of pharmacologic response to an antihistamine after discontinuance of the drug takes from 3 to 14 days. 5.5. We believe that, clinically, the development of tolerance is only relative. Even though our data would imply complete clinical tolerance in the greater part of our cases, most patients continue to derive symptomatic relief on prolonged antihistaminic therapy. The evidence presented does suggest, however, that patients on prolonged antihistamine therapy may develop clinical tolerance. When this is suspected the dose should be increased or the drug discontinued for a short perior (3 to 14 days) before resuming therapy.
Supplier risk assessment and monitoring for the automotive industry

Purpose – This research aims to develop a supplier risk assessment methodology for measuring, tracking, and analyzing supplier and part specific risk over time for an automotive manufacturer.Design/methodology/approach – Supply chain risk literature is analyzed and used in conjunction with interviews from the automotive manufacturer to identify risks in the supply base. These risks are incorporated into the development of a temporal risk assessment and monitoring system.Findings – A framework of risk factors important to the auto manufacturer is presented. A multi‐criteria scoring procedure is developed to calculate part and supplier risk indices. These indices are used in the development of a risk assessment and monitoring system that allows the indices to be tracked over time to identify trends towards higher risk levels.Research limitations/implications – There are a number of operational issues identified in the paper that could be investigated in future research. One such issue is the development of ...
Indirect recognition of donor MHC class II antigens in human transplantation

To investigate the role of the indirect pathway of recognition in human allograft rejection, we have mapped the dominant T cell determinant of the HLA-DRβ1*0101 molecule presented by the DRβ1*1101 antigen. A synthetic peptide (pp 22–35) corresponding to the sequence of the dominant peptide determinant was used for testing the frequency ofin vivoactivated T cells in the graft and in the periphery. DRβ1*1101-positive patients carrying a heart allograft mismatched for the HLA-DR1 antigen showed no reactivity to pp 22–35 during quiescence. However, interleukin-2-responsive T cells, which were pp 22–35 specific, were found in the circulation prior to and at the time of acute and chronic rejection. The response ofin vivoandin vitroactivated T cells was inhibited at high concentrations of peptide 22–35. This data suggests that indirect recognition plays an important role in allograft rejection and that it can be abolished by high zone tolerance induction.
The berth scheduling problem with customer differentiation: a new methodological approach based on hierarchical optimization.

The berth scheduling problem deals with the assignment of vessels to berth space in a container terminal. Defining berth schedules in container terminal operations translates in meeting different objectives that are often non-commensurable and gaining an improvement on one objective often causes degrading performance on the others. In this paper the discrete space and dynamic arrival berth scheduling problem is studied and formulated for the first time via a hierarchical optimization framework, using two levels of hierarchy that differentiate between two conflicting objectives terminal operators face when defining vessel to berth assignments. For the resolution of this problem an interactive algorithm is developed based on the k-th best algorithm for the case where multi-objective functions are considered in the upper level. Computational examples showed that the proposed algorithm gives optimal or near optimal solutions that are comparable to the ones obtained by its single level formulation counterpart.
Dynamic Cost-Loss Ratio Decision-making Model with an Autocorrelated Climate Variable

Abstract A dynamic decision-making problem is considered involving the use of information about the autocorrelation of a climate variable. Specifically, an infinite horizon, discounted version of the dynamic cost-loss ratio model is treated, in which only two states of weather ("adverse” or “not adverse") are possible and only two actions are permitted ("protect” or “do not protect"). To account for the temporal dependence of the sequence of states of the occurrence (or nonoccurrence) of adverse weather, a Markov chain model is employed. It is shown that knowledge of this autocorrelation has potential economic value to a decision maker, even without any genuine forecasts being available. Numerical examples are presented to demonstrate that a decision maker who erroneously follows a suboptimal strategy based on the belief that the climate variable is temporally independent could incur unnecessary expense. This approach also provides a natural framework for extension to the situation in which forecasts are ...
Maximizing output power of a low-gain laser system

Rigrod theory was used to model outcoupled power from a low-gain laser with good accuracy. For a low-gain overtone cw HF chemical laser, Rigrod theory shows that a higher medium saturation yields a higher overall overtone efficiency, but does not necessarily yield a higher measurable power (power in the bucket). For low-absorption-scattering loss overtone mirrors and a 5% penalty in outcoupled power, the intracavity flux and hence the mirror loading may be reduced by more than a factor of 2 when the gain length is long enough to saturate the medium well. For the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign overtone laser that has an extensive database with well-characterized mirrors for which the Rigrod parameters g(0) and I(sat) were firmly established, the accuracy to which the reflectivities of high-reflectivity overtone mirrors can be deduced by using measured mirror transmissivities, measured outcoupled power, and Rigrod theory is approximatly ±0.07%. This method of accurately deducing mirror reflectivities may be applicable to other low-gain laser systems that use high-reflectivity mirrors at different wavelengths. The maximum overtone efficiency is estimated to be approximately 80%-100%.
SU‐E‐I‐32: Experimental Evaluation of a Reconstruction Algorithm for Metal Artifact Reduction

Purpose: To evaluate a metal artifact reduction algorithm (MAR) developed by Philips Medical Systems Inc. for accurately reconstructing the density of a material obscured by metallic streaking artifacts due to a prosthetic hip implant. Methods: Two inserts with known densities of 1.84 and 1.15g/cm3 were placed in a water tank at distances of 0 and 20cm from a titanium hip prosthesis. CTimages were acquired with the inserts at both positions, and each set of images was reconstructed twice: once with and once without MAR. The physical densities of the inserts in these CTimages were determined by a clinical treatment planning system (Pinnacle 8.0) and were recorded and compared to the known values. Results: With MAR reconstruction, for inserts proximal to the titanium prosthesis, the measured physics densities were closer to the known values. The 1.84 g/cm3 insert had a mean density of 1.444 g/cm3 without MAR and 1.546g/cm3 with MAR, an improvement of 5.5%. The standard deviation of the measured density also decreased from 0.298 to 0.213. The 1.15 g/cm3 insert had a mean density of 0.744g/cm3 without MAR and 0.890g/cm3 with MAR, an improvement of 12.7%. Standard deviation decreased from 0.33 to 0.178. for inserts distal to the prosthesis, the measured densities were minimally changed by the MAR reconstruction, as the artifact did not affect the inserts. For the 1.84g/cm3 insert: 1.801 without MAR, 1.816 with MAR. for the 1.15 g/cm3 insert: 1.138 without MAR, 1.138 with MAR. Conclusions: Our experiments show that the MAR algorithm improves accuracy of reconstructed densities proximal to hip prosthesis, although up to 22% error in the physical densities may still be present depending on the specific materials. For tissues distal to the prosthesis, the MAR reconstruction algorithm does not adversely affect the reconstructed physical densities by the treatment planning system.
Monosodium glutamate-sensitive hypothalamic neurons contribute to the control of bone mass

Using chemical lesioning we previously identified hypothalamic neurons that are required for leptin antiosteogenic function. In the course of these studies we observed that destruction of neurons sensitive to monosodium glutamate (MSG) in arcuate nuclei did not affect bone mass. However MSG treatment leads to hypogonadism, a condition inducing bone loss. Therefore the normal bone mass of MSG-treated mice suggested that MSG-sensitive neurons may be implicated in the control of bone mass. To test this hypothesis we assessed bone resorption and bone formation parameters in MSG-treated mice. We show here that MSG-treated mice display the expected increase in bone resorption and that their normal bone mass is due to a concomitant increase in bone formation. Correction of MSG-induced hypogonadism by physiological doses of estradiol corrected the abnormal bone resorptive activity in MSG-treated mice and uncovered their high bone mass phenotype. Because neuropeptide Y (NPY) is highly expressed in MSG-sensitive neurons we tested whether NPY regulates bone formation. Surprisingly, NPY-deficient mice had a normal bone mass. This study reveals that distinct populations of hypothalamic neurons are involved in the control of bone mass and demonstrates that MSG-sensitive neurons control bone formation in a leptin-independent manner. It also indicates that NPY deficiency does not affect bone mass.
Spectral inclusion sets for structured matrices

We derive eigenvalue inclusion sets for centrohermitian, skew-centrohermitian, perhermitian, skew-perhermitian, and persymmetric matrices, that can be considered structured analogs of the Gersgorin sets. We also present nonsingularity conditions associated with these spectral inclusion sets. In addition, we derive sets that can be considered the structured analogs of the Brauer sets. Our techniques are general enough to allow for other symmetries as well.
p400 Is Required for E1A to Promote Apoptosis

The adenovirus E1A oncoprotein promotes proliferation and transformation by binding cellular proteins, including members of the retinoblastoma protein family, the p300/CREB-binding protein transcriptional coactivators, and the p400-TRRAP chromatin-remodeling complex. E1A also promotes apoptosis, in part, by engaging the ARF-p53 tumor suppressor pathway. We show that E1A induces ARF and p53 and promotes apoptosis in normal fibroblasts by physically associating with the retinoblastoma protein and a p400-TRRAP complex and that its interaction with p300 is largely dispensable for these effects. We further show that E1A increases p400 expression and, conversely, that suppression of p400 using stable RNA interference reduces the levels of ARF, p53, and apoptosis in E1A-expressing cells. Therefore, whereas E1A inactivates the retinoblastoma protein, it requires p400 to efficiently promote cell death. These results identify p400 as a regulator of the ARF-p53 pathway and a component of the cellular machinery that couples proliferation to cell death.
Thermal conductivity measurement of fluids using the 3ω method

We have developed a procedure to measure the thermal conductivity of dielectric liquids and gases using a steady state ac hot wire method in which a thin metal wire is used as a heater and thermometer. The temperature response of the heater wire was measured in a four-probe geometry using an electronic circuit developed for the conventional 3omega method. The measurements have been performed in the frequency range from 1 mHz to 1 kHz. We devised a method to transform the raw data into well-known linear logarithmic frequency dependence plot. After the transformation, an optimal frequency region of the thermal conductivity data was clearly determined as has been done with the data from thin metal film heater. The method was tested with air, water, ethanol, mono-, and tetraethylene glycol. Volumetric heat capacity of the fluids was also calculated with uncertainty and the capability as a probe for metal-liquid thermal boundary conductance was discussed.
Autoinducer-independent mutants of the LuxR transcriptional activator exhibit differential effects on the two lux promoters of Vibrio fischeri

The LuxR protein is a transcriptional activator which, together with a diffusible small molecule termed the autoinducer [N-(3-oxohexanoyl)-l-homoserine lactone], represents the primary level of regulation of the bioluminescence genes inVibrio fischeri. LuxR, in the presence of autoinducer, activates transcription of theluxICDABEG gene cluster and both positively and negatively autoregulates transcription of the divergently orientedluxR gene, activating transcription at low levels of autoinducer, and repressing synthesis at high autoinducer concentration. Seven LuxR point mutants which activateV. fischeri lux transcription in the absence of autoinducer (LuxR*) have been characterized. The LuxR* proteins activated transcription of the bioluminescence genes to levels 1.5–40 times that achieved by wild-type LuxR without autoinducer. All of the LuxR* mutants retained responsiveness to autoinducer. However, in each case the degree of stimulation in response to autoinducer was lower than that observed for wild-type LuxR. The LuxR* proteins retained the requirement for autoinducer for autoregulation of theluxR gene. We propose that the LuxR protein exists in two conformations, an inactive form, and an active form which predominates in the presence of autoinducer. The LuxR* mutations appear to shift the equilibrium distribution of these two forms so as to increase the amount of the active form in the absence of autoinducer, while autoinducer can still convert inactive to active species. The differential effects of the LuxR* proteins at the twolux promoters suggest that LuxR stimulatesP luxR transcription by a different mechanism to that used at the P luxI promoter, implying that binding of LuxR to its binding site, known to be necessary for transcriptional activation, may not be sufficient.
Degree of quantization and spatial addressability trade-offs in the perceived quality of color images

Investigation of the tradeoffs between the number of quantization levels and spatial addressability of printed color images was performed. Error diffusion in CMYK color space was used to quantize the images. Quantized images were printed on a single color printer simulating different spatial addressabilities. A psychophysical experiment was conducted to evaluate the perceived image quality (IQ) of the prints. The conclusions on the tradeoffs were drawn based on the results of the consequent statistical analysis. It was determined that the tradeoffs were scene dependent with pictorial scenes being able to sustain greater reduction in addressability without perceived IQ being decreased than graphics. The results of the experiment demonstrated that pictorial scenes were sufficient to be printed with 5 bits per color (bpc) per pixel at 100 dots per inch (dpi), and graphics -- 3 bits per color per pixel at 300 dpi in order to match the perceived IQ of the best possible, 8 bpc - 300 dpi, combination for the given system at normal viewing distance. If a single bpc-dpi combination was to be named as the optimum, it would have to be 3 bpc - 300 dpi.
The load capacity of gear teeth along the line of action

Abstract The hydrodynamic lubrication of involute spur gears is analyzed for an arbitrary point of contact along the line of action. The actual involute tooth shape and squeeze effects are taken into account. Results are presented for the pressure distribution and load capacity. It is found that the maximum load capacity does not occur at the pitch point.
Assessing the Capability of a Regional-Scale Weather Model to Simulate Extreme Precipitation Patterns and Flooding in Central Texas

Abstract A regional-scale weather model is used to determine the potential for flood forecasting based on model-predicted rainfall. Extreme precipitation and flooding events are a significant concern in central Texas, due to both the high occurrence and severity of flooding in the area. However, many current regional prediction models do not provide sufficient accuracy at the watershed scale necessary for flood mitigation efforts. The Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model, created with the purpose of improving upon the current fifth-generation Pennsylvania State University–National Center for Atmospheric Research (PSU–NCAR) Mesoscale Model (MM5), is specifically designed for regional grid spacings of 1–10 km. Previous research by the authors resulted in the development of a regional-scale prediction system over the San Antonio River basin, using a geographic information system (GIS) database, a hydrologic model, and a hydraulic model. Observed precipitation drives the prediction system; the authors...
The Theory of the State: The Position of Marx and Engels

Marx and Engels developed their position on the state in the context of their attempt to understand and analyze society in general, in particular, capitalist society. Over the course of five decades of examination, their argument was refined, partly due to their historic investigations, partly due to the work of others, specifically by Lewis Henry Morgan, and partly due to political developments, in particular the Paris Commune of 1871. Essentially, their concluding statement on the substance of the state was that this socially determined arrangement was constituted by the instruments of coercion, both physical and ideological, with which the dominant economic class coerced other social classes. In developing their ideas, Marx and Engels distinguished between the state and government, though they clearly saw a symbiotic relationship between these structures in class societies. In the course of their investigations, they differentiated their position from those of liberal, anarchist, and other socialist commentators.
The effects of cigarette smoke on airway inflammation in asthma and COPD: therapeutic implications.

Asthma and COPD are two chronic inflammatory disorders of the airway characterized by airflow limitation. While many similarities exist between these two diseases, they are pathologically distinct due to the involvement of different inflammatory cells; predominantly neutrophils, CD8 lymphocytes in COPD and eosinophils and CD4 lymphocytes in asthma. Cigarette smoking is associated with accelerated decline of lung function, increased mortality, and worsening of symptoms in both asthma and COPD. Furthermore, exposure to cigarette smoke can alter the inflammatory mechanisms in asthma to become similar to that seen in COPD with increasing CD8 cells and neutrophils and may therefore alter the response to therapy. Cigarette smoke exposure has been associated with a poor response to inhaled corticosteroids which are recommended as first line anti-inflammatory medications in asthma and as an add-on therapy in patients with severe COPD with history of exacerbations. While the main proposed mechanism for this altered response is the reduction of the histone deacetylase 2 (HDAC2) enzyme system, other possible mechanisms include the overexpression of GR-β, activation of p38 MAPK pathway and increased production of inflammatory cytokines such as IL-2, 4, 8, TNF-α and NF-Ks. Few clinical trials suggest that leukotriene modifiers may be an alternative to corticosteroids in smokers with asthma but there are currently no drugs which effectively reduce the progression of inflammation in smokers with COPD. However, several HDAC2 enhancers including low dose theophylline and other potential anti-inflammatory therapies including PDE4 inhibitors and p38 MAPK inhibitors are being evaluated.
Subcutaneous nodules in pseudomonas sepsis

Approximately 60 nontender, nonfluctuant, red, hot subcutaneous nodules developed on the trunk, extremities, and face due to Pseudomonas aeruginosa septicemia in a 56-year-old woman with stage III ovarian adenocarcinoma. Two years later, these lesions appeared atrophic with central scarring. Complete eradication with systemic antibiotics and without incision and drainage was accomplished.
Rape Perception Differences Between Japanese and American College Students: On the Mediating Influence of Gender Role Traditionality

This study was designed to examine the differences in rape perceptions between Japanese and American college students. It was found that the Japanese minimized the seriousness of rapes, blamed the victims, and excused the rapists more than did the Americans. Cross-cultural differences in the gender role traditionality (GRT) were found to mediate these differences. GRT-mediated tendencies for increases in the intimacy between the victim and the perpetrator to be associated with increases in rape minimization and victim blame were also found. These latter tendencies were found to be greater among the Japanese than among the Americans. Gender differences in rape perception were also found among the Japanese participants.
Expression levels and activation of a PXR variant are directly related to drug resistance in osteosarcoma cell lines

BACKGROUND. Approximately 30% to 40% of all patients with osteosarcomas ultimately experience recurrence. The study investigated the hypothesis that the resistance of osteosarcoma to chemotherapy may be related to the expression of a pregnane xenobiotic receptor (PXR) variant protein and its role as the major inducer of P450 3A4 in these tumors. METHODS. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and Western blot analysis were used to determine PXR mRNA and protein expression, respectively. Real-time PCR and CYP3A catalytic activity using 7-benzyl-trifluoromethyl coumarin (BFC) as the probe substrate were used to measure the induction of P450 3A4 or MDR1. siRNA transfections were performed for PXR and cytotoxicity determined by a colorimetric based assay or Annexin v-Fitc staining. RESULTS. Differences were observed in the molecular size of the PXR protein expressed in sarcoma cell lines when compared with the wildtype PXR expressed in normal liver, kidney, or small intestine. A polyclonal PXR antibody raised against the N-terminus of the wildtype PXR did not detect PXR expressed in these sarcoma cell lines. In the osteosarcoma cell lines, etoposide and doxorubicin were better inducers of P450 3A4 and MDR1 than rifampin. siRNA against PXR down-regulated P450 3A4 expression only in the osteosarcoma cell line. Cytotoxicity assays showed that the resistance of the osteosarcoma cell lines to etoposide correlated with PXR protein expression levels and activation of P450 3A4 and could be prevented by ketoconazole. CONCLUSION. The results suggest that PXR plays a critical role in the regulation of P450 3A4 expression in osteosarcoma and that its expression and activation in these tumors may influence the effect of chemotherapeutic agents on the induction of target genes implicated in drug resistance. Cancer 2007. © 2007 American Cancer Society.
Water quality impact assessment of large-scale biofuel crops expansion in agricultural regions of Michigan

Abstract The challenges we face in transitioning to a global production of biomass as renewable feedstock sources in a way that is both economical feasible environmentally sustainable are ubiquitous. In this study, the Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) was used to predict the possible long-term environmental implications, specifically water quality, due to large-scale bioenergy cropping system expansion based on four landuse scenarios and 15 bioenergy crop rotations for four watersheds, totaling 244 model simulations. The study area consists of four watersheds totaling 53,358 km 2 located in Michigan. The results suggest that perennial grass species are the most suitable for large-scale implementation, whereas traditional intensive row crops should be implemented with caution on such a broad scale. Row crops also had the highest increases of high priority areas for sediment, nitrogen, and phosphorus. Based on the data from this study, it is not recommended that marginal land be converted to any bioenergy rotation in areas with preexisting high nitrogen levels. Statistical analyses demonstrate that perennial grass species significantly reduce sediment on all lands except marginal lands. With the exception of row crops cultivated on marginal lands and all agricultural land, the majority of bioenergy crops significantly reduce total phosphorus loads.
Back to school: recommendations to assist mentally ill, post-incarcerated youth return to school.

A significant proportion of the US young people are currently involved in the juvenile justice system. 1 Of all youth in the United States, approximately 21% suffer from a diagnosable mental or substance use disorder that causes at least minimal impairment. 2 This estimate is likely 2-3 times higher for youth who enter the juvenile justice system.3'4 A continuum of services for mentally ill juvenile offenders is critical to assisting youth to reintegrate into their schools and communities. The goal of this article is to provide recommendations to school health professionals to assist with the reentry of mentally ill, post-incarcerated youth.
A Gene in Drosophila That Produces a New Chromosomal Banding Pattern

A change in the banding pattern of the distal end of the third chromosome in Drosophila pseudoobscura has been found. It appears to be produced by homozygosis for a recessive gene, which is called "salivary" (sal) in this report.
Noncespaces: Using randomization to defeat cross-site scripting attacks

Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities are among the most common and serious web application vulnerabilities. It is challenging to eliminate XSS vulnerabilities because it is difficult for web applications to sanitize all user input appropriately. We present Noncespaces, a technique that enables web clients to distinguish between trusted and untrusted content to prevent exploitation of XSS vulnerabilities. Using Noncespaces, a web application randomizes the the (X)HTML tags and attributes in each document before delivering it to the client. As long as the attacker is unable to guess the random mapping, the client can distinguish between trusted content created by the web application and untrusted content provided by an attacker. To implement Noncespaces with minimal changes to web applications, we leverage a popular web application architecture to automatically apply Noncespaces to static content processed through a popular PHP template engine. We design a policy language for Noncespaces, implement a training mode to assist policy development, and conduct extensive security testing of a generated policy for two large web applications to show the effectiveness of our technique.
Totally robotic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass.

Hypothesis We hypothesized that we could develop a safe and effective technique for performing a totally robotic laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass procedure using the da Vinci surgical system. We anticipated that the learning curve for this totally robotic procedure could be shorter than the learning curve for standard laparoscopic bariatric surgery. Design Retrospective case comparison study. Setting Academic tertiary care center. Patients Consecutive samples of patients who met National Institutes of Health (NIH) criteria for morbid obesity and who completed the Stanford Bariatric Surgery Program evaluation process. Intervention A port placement and robot positioning scheme was developed so that the entire case could be performed robotically. The first 10 patients who underwent a totally robotic laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass were compared with a retrospective sample of 10 patients who had undergone laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery. Main Outcome Measures Patient age, gender, body mass index (BMI), numbers of NIH-defined comorbidities, operative time, length of stay, and complications. Results No significant differences existed between the 2 patient series with regard to age, gender, or BMI. The median surgical times were significantly lower for the robotic procedures (169 vs 208 minutes;P = .03), as was the ratio of procedure time to BMI (3.8 vs 5.0 minutes per BMI for the laparoscopic cases;P = .04). Conclusions This study details the first report, to our knowledge, of a totally robotic laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass and demonstrates the feasibility, safety, and potential superiority of such a procedure. In addition, the learning curve may be significantly shorter with the robotic procedure. Further experience is needed to understand the long-term advantages and disadvantages of the totally robotic approach.
Investment decisions and managerial compensation design in the presence of product market rivalry

We consider an economy where firms operate in an imperfectly competitive industry and mutually affect each others' investment opportunities. Each firm is assumed to face a mutually exclusive choice of investing in either a short- or a long-term project. For example, firm i's commitment to a short-term project cuts into firm j's market in the short-term but frees-up firm j's long-term market, and vice versa. Our results show that, even in the absence of an owner-manager conflict, the owner anticipates the product market rivalry and optimally compensates their managers with short- as well as long-term compensation. Although the optimal compensation design induces myopic investment decisions, it is shown to be in the owners' best interest. Copyright © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Variable-density miscible displacements in a vertical Hele-Shaw cell: linear stability

A computational study based on the Stokes equations is conducted to investigate the effects of gravitational forces on miscible displacements in vertical Hele-Shaw cells. Nonlinear simulations provide the quasi-steady displacement fronts in the gap of the cell, whose stability to spanwise perturbations is subsequently examined by means of a linear stability analysis. The two-dimensional simulations indicate a marked thickening (thinning) and slowing down (speeding up) of the displacement front for flows stabilized (destabilized) by gravity. For the range investigated, the tip velocity is found to vary linearly with the gravity parameter. Strongly stable density stratifications lead to the emergence of flow patterns with spreading fronts, and to the emergence of a secondary needle-shaped finger, similar to earlier observations for capillary tube flows. In order to investigate the transition between viscously driven and purely gravitational instabilities, a comparison is presented between displacement flows and gravity-driven flows without net displacements. The linear stability analysis shows that both the growth rate and the dominant wavenumber depend only weakly on the P´ eclet number. The growth rate varies strongly with the gravity parameter, so that even a moderately stable density stratification can stabilize the displacement. Both the growth rate and the dominant wavelength increase with the viscosity ratio. For unstable density stratifications, the dominant wavelength is nearly independent of the gravity parameter, while it increases strongly for stable density stratifications. Finally, the kinematic wave theory of Lajeunesse et al. (J. Fluid Mech. vol. 398, 1999, p. 299) is seen to capture the stability limit quite accurately, while the Darcy analysis misses important aspects of the instability.
Instability of the snowshoe hare and woody plant interaction.

We show that Alaskan woody plants respond to browsing in two ways that might destabilize a plantherbivore interaction and account for snowshoe hare population ‘cycles’. (1) Browse production of preferred, earliersuccessional woody plants increases in response to moderate levels of browsing. Such yield increases are potentially destabilizing. Later successional woody plants show decreases in yield after moderate browsing, which is consistent with the persistence of snowshoe hares in late successional ‘refuge’ habitats (Keith 1966, Wolff 1980). (2) Many woody plants are destructively overbrowsed or girdled at the peak of the snowshoe hare cycle. The more palatable and plastic, early to mid successional plants respond by sprouting accompanied by juvenile reversion. Sprouts are markedly less palatable than mature shoots. We show here that sprout palatability and twig biomass are restored in 2–3 years for earlier successional plants, but palatability may not recover for 4–10 years in sprouts of some mid to late successional plants. The decrease in palatability helps to account for the snowshoe hare ‘crash’ (assuming that damage to more palatable plants is widespread during the ‘peak’), and the 2–3 year time lag for recovery of more palatable species could account for (May 1974) the observed 8–11 year period of the hare cycles. Browse yield increases acting during the snowshoe hare population nadir and increase, and sprouting with juvenile reversion acting during the hare peak and decline can in principle account for the oscillatory nature and the observed 8–11 year periodicity of the snowshoe hare cycle.
Reactivity of V2O5Catalysts for the Selective Catalytic Reduction of NO by NH3: Influence of Vanadia Loading, H2O, and SO2

A systematic investigation of the selective catalytic reduction (SCR) of NO by NH3over V2O5/TiO2catalysts of variable vanadia loading has been carried out at 623 K. Kinetic studies were conducted both in the presence and in the absence of H2O and SO2. The structure of the various catalysts, as well as adsorbed species present on their surface, was characterized byin situRaman and infrared spectroscopies. Under dry and SO2-free conditions, the turnover frequency of the SCR reaction was found to go through a maximum with vanadia surface coverage at approximately half a monolayer. The observed decrease in the SCR turnover frequency at vanadia surface coverages exceeding half a monolayer can be attributed to the loss of strong acid sites which are associated with the TiO2support. Addition of H2O to the reacting gas mixture results in a decrease in the SCR turnover frequency of approximately 40–50%, which is independent of the vanadia surface coverage.In situRaman results suggest that such a decrease can be attributed to the competitive adsorption of H2O on the active vanadia sites. The presence of SO2in the gas phase during the SCR reaction results in a significant increase of the turnover frequency at low vanadia surface coverages, while it has no effect at vanadia surface coverages above half a monolayer. Raman and infrared results suggest that the effect of SO2can be attributed to the formation of surface sulfate species, which are only present on the titania surface below half a monolayer coverage due to repulsive interactions between the surface vanadia and sulfate species.
Automata and processes on multisets of communicating objects

Inspired by P systems initiated by Gheorghe Paun, we study a computation model over a multiset of communicating objects. The objects in our model are instances of finite automata. They interact with each other by firing external transitions between two objects. Our model, called a service automaton, is intended to specify, at a high level, a service provided on top of network devices abstracted as communicating objects. We formalize the concept of processes, running over a multiset of objects, of a service automaton and study the computing power of both single-process and multiprocess service automata. In particular, in the multiprocess case, regular maximal parallelism is defined for inter-process synchronization. It turns out that single-process service automata are equivalent to vector addition systems and hence can define nonregular processes. Among other results, we also show that Presburger reachability problem for single-process service automata is decidable, while it becomes undecidable in the multiprocess case. Hence, multiprocess service automata can not be effectively simulated by vector addition systems.
A review of steel corrosion by liquid lead and lead–bismuth

Abstract Liquid metal technologies for liquid lead and lead–bismuth alloy are under wide investigation and development for advanced nuclear energy systems and waste transmutation systems. Material corrosion is one of the main issues studied a lot recently in the development of the liquid metal technology. This study reviews steel corrosion by liquid lead and lead–bismuth, including the corrosion inhibitors and the formation of the protective oxide layer. The available experimental data are analyzed by using a corrosion model in which the oxidation and scale removal are coupled. Based on the model, long-term behaviour of steels in liquid lead and lead–bismuth is predictable. This report provides information for the selection of structural materials for typical nuclear reactor coolant systems when selecting liquid lead or lead–bismuth as heat transfer media.
Variations in Mortise Anatomy

BackgroundVariations in ankle mortise anatomy may be a predisposing factor to ankle instability.HypothesisA posteriorly positioned fibula associated with ankle instability may not be a true pathologic entity but rather the result of measuring off an internally rotated talus.Study DesignCohort study (diagnosis); Level of evidence, 2.MethodsThe authors reviewed 60 ankle computed tomography scans performed on patients from their institution for reasons unrelated to ankle instability. They also reviewed ankle computed tomography scans on 21 patients surgically treated for clinical ankle instability. The position of the fibula in relation to the talar articular surface was calculated and expressed as the axial malleolar index, as described by Scranton et al. They also calculated the intermalleolar index, a new method that references the medial malleolus, not the talus.ResultsUsing the method of Scranton et al, the axial malleolar index in the control and instability patients was similar to values previously de...
Comparison of Shelf Life of Eggs Coated with Chitosans Prepared under Various Deproteinization and Demineralization Times

Internal quality of eggs coated with chitosans prepared under various deproteinization (DP at 0, 5, 15 min) and demineralization (DM at 0, 10, 20, 30 min) times was evaluated. Chitosans prepared under DP 0 min/DM 30 min, DP 5 min/DM 30 min, and/or DP 15 min/DM 20 min conditions can be effectively used as an egg-coating material in preserving the internal quality of eggs compared with chitosan prepared under the DP 15 min/DM 30 min condition. The Haugh unit and yolk index values suggested that the chitosan-coated eggs can be preserved for at least 2 wk longer than the control noncoated eggs during 5 wk of storage at 25 °C.
The hemodynamics of vein grafts: Measurement and meaning

The long-term patency of infrainguinal vein grafts appears to depend primarily on the size and quality of the venous conduit. Therefore, those quantities which directly relate to the conduit's ability to act as a transporter of blood, namely internal diameter and longitudinal impedance (Z(L)), have predictive value for patency. Autologous grafts of good quality frequently remain patent even with compromised outflow. Therefore, those quantities that are outflow dependent, including deltaP, flow, velocity, shear stress, and resistance, carry less predictive value for long-term performance.
Differential Antibiotic-Induced Endotoxin Release and Interleukin-6 Production by Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells (HUVECs): Amplification of the Response by Coincubation of HUVECs and Blood Cells

The activation of human vascular endothelial cells (ECs), as assessed by interleukin (IL)-6 production, was investigated in response to antibiotic-induced lipopolysaccharide release from Escherichia coli. Antibiotic-induced killing of E. coli resulted in the activation of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). Imipenem and meropenem induced faster killing of E. coli than ceftriaxone at 2 and 6 h. However, imipenem-induced bacterial killing resulted in significantly less IL-6 release compared with meropenem or ceftriaxone. When HUVECs were coincubated with diluted (4%) human blood, bacterial killing-induced total IL-6 release was significantly higher than that produced by HUVECs or by 4% blood cells alone. These observations suggest that antibiotic-induced lipopolysaccharide release activates both endothelial cells and monocytes and that the effect is significantly amplified when endothelial cells and monocytes are coincubated. Imipenem, which has a greater affinity for penicillin-binding protein (PBP) 2, induced less IL-6 release from blood and endothelial cells than did PBP 3-specific ceftriaxone and meropenem.