cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Design and synthesis of a new orthogonally protected glutamic acid analog and its use in the preparation of high affinity polo-like kinase 1 polo-box domain - binding peptide macrocycles.

Targeting protein – protein interactions (PPIs) has emerged as an important area of discovery for anticancer therapeutic development. In the case of phospho-dependent PPIs, such as the polo-like kinase 1 (Plk1) polo-box domain (PBD), a phosphorylated protein residue can provide high-affinity recognition and binding to target protein hot spots. Developing antagonists of the Plk1 PBD can be particularly challenging if one relies solely on interactions within and proximal to the phospho-binding pocket. Fortunately, the affinity of phospho-dependent PPI antagonists can be significantly enhanced by taking advantage of interactions in both the phospho-binding site and hidden “cryptic” pockets that may be revealed on ligand binding. In our current paper, we describe the design and synthesis of macrocyclic peptide mimetics directed against the Plk1 PBD, which are characterized by a new glutamic acid analog that simultaneously serves as a ring-closing junction that provides accesses to a cryptic binding pocket, while at the same time achieving proper orientation of a phosphothreonine (pT) residue for optimal interaction in the signature phospho-binding pocket. Macrocycles prepared with this new amino acid analog introduce additional hydrogen-bonding interactions not found in the open-chain linear parent peptide. It is noteworthy that this new glutamic acid-based amino acid analog represents the first example of extremely high affinity ligands where access to the cryptic pocket from the pT-2 position is made possible with a residue that is not based on histidine. The concepts employed in the design and synthesis of these new macrocyclic peptide mimetics should be useful for further studies directed against the Plk1 PBD and potentially for ligands directed against other PPI targets.
Racial attitudes of male basketball team participants

Marticke, Linda K., M.S., December 22, 1978 Recreation Racial Attitudes of Male Basketball Participants (88 pp.) Director: John L. Dayries, Jr. It has often been claimed that sports, games and recreational experiences in racially integrated settings are important factors in reducing misunderstanding and function as powerful elements in the reduction of prejudice. This paper is a report of a test that was conducted to determine whether goal achievement and interracial contact have an effect on racial attitudes within the sport setting. A comparative study of interracial contact versus non-contact utilizing the variable of goal achievement was employed. Interscholastic basketball teams used to test several hypoth­ eses concerning interracial contact and goal achievement. Winning is the major objective of an athletic team, and it is a highly appealing goal to both the Indian and white team members. Winning percentage is used as the measure of goal achievement. A team with at least one Indian player and at least one white player was defined as integrated. Non-integrated teams had players from only one race. Winning percentage and racial composition are used for selecting a stratified sample composed of the following four types of teams: (1) integrated-wlnners, C2) integrated-losers, (3) nonintegrated winners, (4) non-integrated losers. The first type of team should be more effective for improving racial attitudes. Indians and whites on integrated winning teams are hypothesized to have more favorable attitude change than the other three types of teams. The attitudes studied are the anti-Indian attitudes of whites, the anti-white attitudes of Indians, and the Integration attitudes of both Indians and whites. Because this is an ex post facto study, attitude change could not be directly measured. Questionnaires containing anti-white, anti-Indian and integration scales were sent to the teams in the sample after the 1975-76 basketball season. The questionnaire also contained two selfreport attitude change items designed to measure changes in antiIndian (anti-white) and integration attitudes. If integrated winning teams have more favorable scores on the attitude scales and the attitude change items, it can be indirectly inferred that the combination of integration and goal achievement is an associated variable. Integrated winning teams, were significantly more effective in improving attitudes than the other team types on the measures of: the integration scale, the integration change item, the anti-Indian/ white change item, and the integrated athletics item. In addition. Integrated winning teams were significantly more effective in reducing anti-white attitudes of Indians than the other team types. Thus, correlational evidence from this study is supportive of the sport setting being conducive to more favorable racial attitudes and attitude change. TABLE OF CONTENTS Page ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS i ABSTRACT ii LIST OF TABLES v LIST OF FIGURES vl CHAPTER
Recognition and Reduction of Physiological Artifacts

(1974). Recognition and Reduction of Physiological Artifacts. American Journal of EEG Technology: Vol. 14, 8th International Congress pf Electroencephalography and Clinical Neurophysiology, pp. 158-165.
Achieving loop-free incremental routing in ad hoc networks

We present the dynamic incremental routing (DIR) protocol, which features instantaneous loop-free routing of data packets based on their destination addresses (hop-by-hop routing). Loop-free routes are maintained by using "feasible distances" to order the nodes with respect to a destination. Simulation results show that the performance of DIR is much better than the performance of AODV, DSR and OLSR, which are indicative of the state of the art in routing protocols.
Hafnium Reactivity Below 1500°C in Search of Better Processing of HfB2/SIC UHTC Composites

Ultra-high-temperature ceramics (UHTC) have regained significant interest as materials of choice for aerospace and energy applications. UHTCs are based on composites consisting of borides, carbides and nitrides of hafnium and zirconium combined with a silicon carbide phase. The current hot-press processing of UHTCs is a major obstacle in incorporating such composites into component designs and ultra-high-temperature protective coatings. This article further explores exothermic chemical reactions and behavior of Hf metal that may lead to processes that are performed under pressureless conditions or below 1500°C. Such reactions have rarely been studied outside the context of self-propagating high-temperature synthesis (SHS). This article reports a local micro-melting phenomenon at the surface of Hf strips after interacting with powders containing B and/or C powders. The melting is observed at temperatures more than 1000°C below the actual melting point of Hf (2227°C), due to confined energy release derived from the very exothermic reactions Intriguing displacement reactions between the Hf surface and boron-containing compounds (B 4 C and BN) are also reported, which demonstrate the powerful reactivity of the metal even in the presence of minimal contact area between the reactants. The presence of distinct large crystallites after the reactions with the boron compounds means long-range diffusivities of the elements in the molten and solid phases of the Hf.
Almost Strongly Minimal Totally Categorical Theories

Publisher Summary The study of theories categorical in infinite powers has played an important role in the development of model theory. Marsh, in his study of Vaught's conjecture for categorical theories introduced strongly minimal sets and isolated vector-space-like properties. A strongly minimal set allows the introduction of a dependence relation, which very much behaves like the linear span in a vector space. The chapter presents a few examples of strictly minimal sets and formulates the coordinatization theorem from (CHL) in the framework of fibers and uses it repeatedly to decompose a type commonly known as filtration. The chapter also explains that the almost strongly minimal theories are exactly those with only few affine sets, thus connecting the results of the early 70's with Zilber's work and CHL.
Studies on the growth of Escherichia coli O157:H7 strains at 45.5°C

The objectives of the present report were to examine the ability of 18 strains of Escherichia coli O157:H7 to grow in EC broth at 42.4, 43.5, 44.5, and 45.5 degrees C, and to document the incidence of phenotypic variants present in low numbers that are capable of growth at 45.5 degrees C in EC broth. Among the 18 strains of E. coli O157:H7 studied, only 3 were capable of producing turbid growth with gas formation in EC broth at 45.5 degrees C with 1 x 10(2) initial CFU/ml. Higher initial densities of CFU resulted in turbid growth and gas formation in EC broth at 45.5 degrees C with all strains. The presence of bile salts #3 in EC broth was found to be inhibitory at 45.5 degrees C. All 18 strains were found to be capable of growth at 45.5 degrees C in nonselective media. The ability of at least one sensitive strain to grow in EC broth at 45.5 degrees C was found to be dependent on the initial number of CFU/ml. Prior growth of cells of a sensitive strain in EC broth at 45.5 degrees C from a cell density of 2.0 x 10(7) to 8.0 x 10(7) CFU/ml followed by removal of cells and reinoculation at a cell density of 2.0 x 10(6) CFU/ml resulted in growth at 45.5 degrees C that did not occur without such conditioning of the inhibitory medium. These results indicate that the ability of most strains of E. coli O157:H7 to grow in EC broth at 45.5 degrees C is dependent on the initial density of CFU and that at low densities of CFU the ability to initiate growth is dependent on either low numbers of phenotypic variants tolerant to the presence of bile salts #3 in EC broth at 45.5 degrees C or to conditioning of the medium with prior elevated numbers of cells.
Anatomy of a Social Virtue

Humanity is radically and pervasively interdependent. Catholic social teaching uses solidarity as the lens through which to critically examine our interdependence. Solidarity is multifaceted, at once a feeling, an attitude, and a duty, with each of these building to culminate in the virtue. How is solidarity a virtue? What are the habits and practices by which it is cultivated? To whom does it apply? And what, if any, are corresponding vices? This article proposes that solidarity is both an individual virtue and a social virtue. By offering an examination of the anatomy of this social virtue, this article will propose the scope and boundaries of solidarity, corresponding sets of vices for this virtue, and the cultivation of this virtue by communities through practicing respect for human rights.
A phase II study of rebeccamycin analog (NSC-655649) in metastatic renal cell cancer

Objective: Rebeccamycin analog (NSC-655649) is an antibiotic with antitumor properties demonstrated in preclinical and phase I studies. We conducted a phase II trial to evaluate the efficacy and toxicity of this agent in patients with advanced renal cell cancer (RCC). Methods: Eligible patients had histologically or cytologically confirmed diagnosis of RCC that was either locally advanced unresectable, locally recurrent, or metastatic. Patients had to have measurable disease, no prior chemotherapy, life expectancy of greater than 12 weeks, an Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status of 0–2, adequate-organ function, and be ≥18 years old. Patients were treated with NSC-655649 at a dose of 165 mg/m2 daily i.v. over 30–60 min for 5 days. Treatment was repeated every 21 days. Response was assessed every two courses. Results: Twenty-four patients were enrolled. There were sixteen males and eight females with a median age of 60.5 years (range 42–76). Nineteen were Caucasians, seventeen had prior nephrectomy, and thirteen had prior immunotherapy. The major toxicity was myelosuppression with grade 3 and 4 neutropenia in 38% of patients and anemia in 33% of patients. There were two partial responses (2/24, 8%) and 11 patients (46%) achieved stable disease (SD). The 6-month progression-free rate for patients with SD was 30%. Of the seventeen patients with progressive disease at registration, one had a PR and eight had SD. The overall median survival time for all 24 patients was 10.0 months (90% CI=5.2, 17.4 months). The 12-month survival rate was 39%, with 90% CI=(0.21, 0.58). Nine patients are still alive with survival times ranging from 3.8 to 24.2 months, at a median follow-up time of 11.9 months. Conclusion: Rebeccamycin analog (NSC-655649) is well tolerated and has modest antitumor activity in patients with advanced RCC.
Computer-Navigated Total Knee Arthroplasty Utilization.

Computer-navigated total knee arthroplasty (CN-TKA) has been used to improve component alignment, though the evidence is currently mixed on whether there are clinically significant differences in long-term outcomes. Given the established increased costs and operative time, we hypothesized that the utilization rate of CN-TKA would be decreasing relative to standard TKA in the Medicare population given the current health care economic environment. We queried 1,914,514 primary TKAs performed in the entire Medicare database from 2005 to 2012. Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) and International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification (ICD-9-CM) codes were used to identify and separate CN-TKAs. Utilization of TKA was compared by year, gender, and region. Average change in cases per year and compound annual growth rate (CAGR) were used to evaluate trends in utilization of the procedure. We identified 30,773 CN-TKAs performed over this time period. There was an increase in utilization of CN-TKA per year from 984 to 5,352 (average = 572/year, R 2 = 0.85, CAGR = 23.58%) from 2005 to 2012. In contrast, there was a slight decrease in overall TKA utilization from 264,345 to 230,654 (average = 4297/year, R 2 = 0.74, CAGR = − 1.69%). When comparing proportion of CN-TKA to all TKAs, there was an increase from 0.37 to 2.32% (average 0.26%/year, R 2 = 0.88, CAGR = 25.70%). CN-TKA growth in males and females was comparable at 24.42 and 23.11%, respectively. The South region had the highest growth rate at 28.76%, whereas the Midwest had the lowest growth rate at 15.51%. The Midwest was the only region that peaked (2008) with a slow decline in utilization until 2012. Despite increased costs with unclear clinical benefit, CN-TKA is increasing in utilization among Medicare patients. Reasons could include patient preference, advertising, proper of coding the procedure, and increased publicly available information about arthroplasty options.
Transcutaneous electromyography of the diaphragm: A cardio‐respiratory monitor for preterm infants

Summary. Introduction: Chest impedance (CI) is the current standard for cardio-respiratory monitoring in preterm infants but fails to provide direct and quantitative information on diaphragmatic activity. Transcutaneous electromyography (dEMG) is able to measure diaphragmatic activity, but its feasibility and repeatability to monitor respiratory rate (RR) and heart rate (HR) in preterm infants needs to be established. Methods: RR and HR were measured simultaneously by dEMG and CI for 1–hour on day 1, 3, and 7 of life in 31 preterm infants (gestationalage29.6 � 1.8weeks;birthweight1380 � 350g)onnon-invasiverespiratorysupport. Six fixed 1-minute time intervals were selected from each 1-hour recording and both RR and HR were calculated using all intervals or only those with stable dEMG and CI recordings. Results: dEMGwaswelltoleratedandsignalqualitywasgood.BothRRandHRmeasuredbydEMGandCI were significantly correlated (RR: r ¼0.85, HR: r ¼0.98) and showed good agreement by the Bland–Altman plot (mean difference (limits of agreement): RR: � 2.3 (� 17.3 to 12.7) breaths/min and HR: � 0.3 (� 5.3 to 4.7) beats/min. When analyzing only stable recordings, the correlation (r ¼0.92) and agreement (� 1.8 (� 12.3 to 8.7) breaths/min) for RR improved. Subgroup analyses for postnatal age, gestational age, and mode of support showed similar results suggesting good repeatability of dEMG. Conclusion: This study shows that monitoring RR and HR with transcutaneous dEMG is feasible and repeatable in preterm infants. Pediatr Pulmonol.
PDLA/PLLA and PDLA/PCL nanofibers with a chitosan‐based hydrogel in composite scaffolds for tissue engineered cartilage

Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most prevalent musculoskeletal disease in humans, causing pain, loss of joint motility and function, and severely reducing the standard of living of patients. Cartilage tissue engineering attempts to repair the damaged tissue of individuals suffering from OA by providing mechanical support to the joint as new tissue regenerates. The aim of this study was to create composite three dimensional scaffolds comprised of electrospun poly(D,L-lactide)/poly(L-lactide) (PDLA/PLLA) or poly(D,L-lactide)/polycaprolactone (PDLA/PCL) with salt leached pores and an embedded chitosan hydrogel to determine the potential of these scaffolds for cartilage tissue engineering. PDLA/PLLA-hydrogel scaffolds displayed the largest compressive moduli followed by PDLA/PCL-hydrogel scaffolds. Dynamic mechanical tests showed that the PDLA/PLLA scaffolds had no appreciable recovery while PDLA/PCL scaffolds did exhibit some recovery. Primary canine chondrocytes produced both collagen type II and proteoglycans (primary components of extracellular matrix in cartilage) while being cultured on scaffolds composed of electrospun PDLA/PCL. As a result, a composite electrospun embedded hydrogel scaffold shows promise for treating individuals suffering from OA. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Comparison of media for selection and enumeration of mouse fecal flora populations

Abstract Media examined for enumeration of mouse fecal flora populations were KF Streptococcus agar (KF), Mannitol salt agar (MS), Baird-Parker agar (BP), Brucella blood agar (BA), Wilkins-Chalgren blood agar (WC), Brucella blood agar + vancomycin and kanamycin (VK), Wilkins-Chalgren blood agar + nalidixic acid and vancomycin (NAV), Wilkins-Chalgren blood agar + nalidixic acid and Tween 80 (NAT), LBS agar, and Rogosa agar. Representative colonies from each medium were isolated for Gram morphology and species identification using API systems. Mannitol salt agar was more selective than Baird-Parker agar for staphylococci. VK agar appeared to be more selective for obligately anaerobic Gram negative bacilli than NAV agar. Higher counts of Gram positive rods were obtained with Rogosa agar than with LBS agar.
Exposure to Hyperoxia Decreases the Expression of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor and Its Receptors in Adult Rat Lungs

Exposure to high levels of inspired oxygen leads to respiratory failure and death in many animal models. Endothelial cell death is an early finding, before the onset of respiratory failure. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is highly expressed in the lungs of adult animals. In the present study, adult Sprague-Dawley rats were exposed to >95% FiO2 for 24 or 48 hours. Northern blot analysis revealed a marked reduction in VEGF mRNA abundance by 24 hours, which decreased to less than 50% of control by 48 hours. In situ hybridization revealed that VEGF was highly expressed in distal airway epithelial cells in controls but disappeared in the oxygen-exposed animals. Immunohistochemistry and Western blot analyses demonstrated that VEGF protein was decreased at 48 hours. TUNEL staining demonstrated the presence of apoptotic cells coincident with the decline in VEGF. Abundance of VEGF receptor mRNAs (Flt-1 and KDR/Flk) decreased in the late time points of the study (48 hours), possibly secondary to the loss of endothelial cells. We speculate that VEGF functions as a survival factor in the normal adult rat lung, and its loss during hyperoxia contributes to the pathophysiology of oxygen-induced lung damage.
A corner effect in plane diffusion theory

The partial differential equation of diffusion type is studied in a plane sector of arbitrary angle, with the solution specified at the boundaries, and various expressions are obtained for the integrated normal derivative or flux thereto. Alternative methods of analysis are described for the right angle sector, which include an integral equation reformulation of the boundary value problem and its reduction to a functional or difference equation by Fourier transformation.
A Modular Side Looking Aiborne Radar to Fulfill a Multitude of Surveillance Missions

A side looking airborne radar is being modularly configured so that each user can procure only what is needed for his missions. The baseline system employs a 200 kw magnetron transmitter and an 8-foot antenna to provide a real aperture mode for ship detection and oil pollution surveillance. Other modules which can be easily added or substituted at any time include: (a) Moving target detection processor (b) Beacon mode processor (c) Synthetic aperture resolution improvement processor (d) 16-foot or 4-foot antennas. All processing, including the generation of an image on dry silver film, is in near real-time. The synthetic aperture processor utilizes: (a) an improved method of making the magnetron-based transmitter/receiver "coherent-on-receive"; and (b) sufficient azimuth filters to insure imaging of the sea surface and detection of targets whether stationary or moving.
Kidney disease is an independent risk factor for adverse fetal and maternal outcomes in pregnancy.

Background: Kidney disease has long been recognized to adversely affect fetal and maternal outcomes during pregnancy. The goal of this study is to better describe the population of women with kidney disease and provide a contemporary assessment of their risk for adverse events caused by kidney disease after adjustment for other contributing factors. Methods: We used Colorado birth and death certificate data for 1989 to 2001. Of 747,368 births during this period, 911 births from women with kidney disease were identified, and 4,606 births from women without kidney disease were randomly selected for comparison. Adverse fetal outcomes included fetal prematurity, low birth weight, or neonatal death, whereas adverse maternal outcomes included preeclampsia, eclampsia, or abruptio placenta. Results: Women with kidney disease were more likely to have comorbid illnesses, including chronic hypertension, anemia, diabetes, and lung and cardiac disease. Women with kidney disease had a greater frequency of adverse fetal (18.2% versus 9.5%) and maternal outcomes (13.7% versus 4.3%) compared with women without kidney disease (P < 0.0001). The presence of kidney disease independently increased the likelihood of adverse fetal outcomes (adjusted odds ratio [OR], 1.76; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.40 to 2.21) and occurrence of adverse maternal outcomes, especially in the middle 1990s, among nulliparous women (adjusted OR, 4.07; 95% CI, 2.17 to 7.66). Conclusion: This analysis shows that independent of other risk factors, kidney disease significantly increases the likelihood of unfavorable pregnancy outcomes for both mother and child.
Syphilis: A Forgotten Sexually Transmitted Disease?

Syphilis has declined significantly over the last 30 years. Due to that success, many physicians no longer have the skills to recognize its symptoms (1). We present a case of syphilis as a demonstration of this fact and hope that health professionals in the field of adolescent medicine will think about this diagnosis in their clinical work.
Salt consumption increases blood pressure and abolishes the light/dark rhythm in angiotensin AT1a receptor deficient mice.

Abstract Experiments were performed to study the role of angiotensin (Ang) AT1a receptors in dietary sodium-induced changes in blood pressure (BP). We measured light/dark rhythms in BP, heart rate (HR) and drinking behavior in Ang AT1a deficient (AT1a −/−) and wild type (AT1a +/+) mice with arterial telemetric catheters. Mice were given ad libitum access to a high salt diet (8% NaCl, HSD for 8 days) and tap water. The major finding was that the Ang AT1a −/− mice showed enhanced sodium sensitivity. This was seen by a greater percentage increase in BP (+ 21% vs. + 12%) and an earlier onset of BP change (increase on day 5 vs. day 8) in AT1a −/− vs. AT1a +/+. The normal light/dark BP rhythm was abolished in AT1a −/− after 5 days of HSD. HSD produced an increase in water intake (drinking activity and volume consumed) in both groups with no difference in the percentage increase or the light/dark drinking rhythm. HSD produced no changes in plasma osmolality, hematocrit or body weight in either group. Evidence shows that a deficiency of Ang AT1a receptors results in an enhancement in sodium sensitivity along with a disruption of the normal light/dark BP rhythm. The data combined with previous findings suggests that activation of other components of the renin angiotensin system and/or sympathetic pathways may be responsible for the cardiovascular changes in AT1a deficient mice.
RELIABILITY-BASED DESIGN AND OPTIMIZATION OF SELF-TWISTING COMPOSITE MARINE ROTORS

The objective of this work is to develop a reliability-based design and optimization methodology to improve the efficiency of self-adapting composite marine rotors. The goal is to quantify the influence of material and operational uncertainties on the performance of self-adapting marine rotors, and to present a design and optimization scheme to maximize the performance and reliability of these structures.Copyright © 2009 by ASME
Developing a phosphor-based health monitoring sensor suite for future spacecraft

The desire to explore the Moon and Mars by 2030 makes cost effective and low mass health monitoring sensors essential for spacecraft development. Parameters such as impact, temperature, and radiation fluence need to be measured in order to determine the health of a human occupied vehicle. A phosphor-based sensor offers one good approach to develop a robust health monitoring system. The authors have spent the last few years evaluating physical characteristics of zinc sulfide (ZnS) phosphors. These materials emit triboluminescence (TL) which is fluorescence produced as a result of an impact. Currently, two ZnS materials have been tested for impact response for velocities from 1 m/s to 6 km/s. These materials have also been calibrated for use as temperature sensors from room temperature to 350 °C. Finally, any sensor that is intended to function in space must be characterized for response to ionizing radiation. Research to date has included irradiating ZnS with 3 MeV protons and 20 keV electrons, which are likely components of the space radiation environment. Results have shown that that the fluorescence emission intensity decreases with radiation fluence. However, radiation induced damage can be annealed at small fluence levels. This annealing not only increased light intensity of the exposed sample from excitation but also TL excitation as well.© (2006) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Comparison of some noise-compensation methods for speech recognition in adverse environments

A comparative study is presented of three noise-compensation schemes, namely spectral subtraction, Wiener filters, and noise adaptation, for hidden-Markov-model-based speech recognition in adverse environments. The noise-compensation methods are evaluated on a spoken-digit database, in the presence of car noise and helicopter noise at different signal-to-noise ratios. Experimental results demonstrate that the noise-compensation methods achieve a substantial improvement in recognition accuracy across a wide range of signal-to-noise ratios. At a signal-to-noise ratio of -6 dB the recognition accuracy is improved from 11% to 83%. The use of cepstral-time matrices as an improved speech representation is also considered, and their combination with the noise-compensation methods is shown. Experiments show that the cepstral-time matrix is a more robust feature than a vector of identical size, composed of a combination of cepstral and differential cepstral features.
Environmental Impact of Long Piers on Tidal Marshes in Maryland-Vegetation, Soil, and Marsh Surface Effects

Piers may impact the health of coastal wetlands by altering vegetation, soil organic matter accretion, and sediment deposition or erosion. Permit requests for piers have recently increased in the U.S. leading to concern by environmental regulatory agencies on potential impacts. In response, a project was conducted in Maryland to assess the impacts of long piers on plant communities, soils, and marsh surface characteristics. Twenty sites with piers and 20 control sites were assessed. Control sites and pier sites were similar with respect to soil types, marsh surface characteristics, and plant community composition. Shading consistently reduced vegetation density directly beneath piers and occasionally reduced vegetation density adjacent to piers. Shading favored Spartina alterniflora over Distichlis spicata, and Distichlis spicata over Spartina patens. Distribution of marsh surface components (high marsh, low marsh, mudflats, open water) was unaffected by proximity to piers. Direct evidence of pier effects on erosion or deposition was limited to the immediate vicinity of a few piers. In general, thickness of the organic horizons or that of the root mats was unaffected by proximity to a pier. We concluded that any effects of piers on vegetation or erosion were restricted to the close proximity of the piers.
Stress and shape evolution of irregularities in oxide films on elastic–plastic substrates due to thermal cycling and film growth

Abstract Initial geometric imperfections in oxide films on elastic–plastic substrates often develop local shape irregularities upon thermal cycling, even though the same system shows no such shape change under similar constant temperature exposure. This paper outlines a mechanics-based explanation of the evolution of such irregularities during thermal cycling, based on reversed plasticity in the material surrounding the irregularity and stress-dependent oxide film growth. Idealized models consisting of spherical or cylindrical elastic shells embedded in an elastic–plastic matrix are used to identify regimes where thermal strains, cyclic reversed plasticity, geometry and oxide growth combine to promote rapid evolution of irregularities. The entirely closed-form solutions for stress and displacements during temperature cycling allow for quick evaluation of the role of various parameters, including: the temperature amplitude, size of the irregularity, oxide thickness, yield stress of the substrate and stress-dependent oxide growth strains. The usefulness of the solutions is illustrated by comparing two oxide film-growth scenarios with preliminary experimental results on a representative thermal barrier system that exhibits significant feature growth. The comparison demonstrates that oxide growth enhanced by tensile stresses created during reversed plastic deformation may be a significant factor in accounting for the large geometry changes observed in experiments.
Spermiogenesis in the red-ear turtle (Pseudemys scripta) and the domestic fowl (Gallus domesticus): a study of cytoplasmic events including cell volume changes and cytoplasmic elimination.

Nuclear and cytoplasmic volume changes as well as the elimination of residual spermatid cytoplasm were investigated in the red-ear turtle (Pseudemys scripta) and the rooster (Gallus domesticus). Nuclei of newly formed spermatids which were originally centrally located became eccentrically located within the cell in both species. Shortly thereafter the nuclear pole of the spermatid was found situated within deep crypts of a Sertoli cell. The cytoplasm of elongating spermatids was displaced along the nonacrosomal region of the nucleus and the proximal flagellum. In both species sheetlike Sertoli cell processes indented spermatid cytoplasm adjacent to the nucleus and appeared to segregate small packets of the cytoplasm. In the turtle, these packets of cytoplasm were separated from the spermatid. In both the turtle and rooster, a portion of the spermatid cytoplasm was displaced forward over the acrosomal region of the spermatid to resemble a hood. As spermatids were transported to the seminiferous tubular lumen, cytoplasmic lobes which projected forward of the spermatid head were formed by preferential flow of cytoplasm into one aspect of the cytoplasmic hood. In both species, at sperm release the cytoplasmic lobe was disengaged from the spermatid head to form a large residual body that was internalized and degraded within the Sertoli cell. Medium-sized cytoplasmic lobes were pinched from the head and neck region of the turtle and rooster spermatids, respectively. In the turtle, small-sized mitochondrial-rich cytoplasmic fragments budded from the caudal head and midpiece of the spermatids and were phagocytosed by the Sertoli cell. Thus, cytoplasmic elimination occurred through (1) segregation of cytoplasmic packets by Sertoli penetrating processes (turtle), (2) elimination of large and medium-sized residual bodies from the head (turtle and bird), and (3) budding of small mitochondrial-rich cytoplasmic fragments from the region of the midpiece (turtle). In the turtle a 79% reduction in total cell volume occurred during spermiogenesis which was the result of an 84% cytoplasmic reduction and a 78% nuclear reduction. During spermiogenesis, the rooster lost 97% of its total cell volume due to a 97% cytoplasmic volume change and a 96% nuclear volume change.
Indirect spinal decompression for lumbar stenosis

Lumbar spinal stenosis continues to be an important cause of low back pain and neurogenic claudication. As the population ages and life expectancy increases, both the incidence and prevalence of spinal stenosis will present a significant challenge to spine surgeons. Both interspinous and interbody fusion techniques have demonstrated the ability to decrease low back pain and provide clinically significant pain relief from neurogenic claudication through indirect means. While direct decompression of the spine has been well documented in the literature and the gold standard, new interest in minimally invasive techniques and indirect decompression has led to new devices and clinical studies with promising results.
Globalization and Development in Latin America: Economic Integration, Health, Labor and Popular Mobilization

In this brief introductory essay, the main themes and issues addressed by the contributions to this collection of essays are analyzed within the current setting of globalization and development in ...
Targeting of ion channels to membrane microdomains: localization of KV channels to lipid rafts

Abstract Voltage-gated K + channels are an important determinant of cellular excitability and key components of multiple signal transduction pathways. However, relatively little is known about the mechanisms of K V channel localization or their membrane partitioning. Lipid rafts are specialized membrane microdomains that are rich in sphingolipids and cholesterol. These rafts have been implicated in the organization of many membrane-associated signaling pathways and are currently the focus of intense interest in the scientific community. Biochemical and functional evidence indicate that K V channels, in addition to other ion channels, localize to lipid raft microdomains on the cell surface. Although several important questions regarding specific mechanisms of channel localization remain, emerging data indicate that protein–lipid interactions should be considered as a new mechanism of ion channel localization and compartmentation that might permit the therapeutic modulation of channel properties via alteration in membrane lipids.
Is There a Space for Place in Family History Assessment? Underserved Community Views on the Impact of Neighborhood Factors on Health and Prevention

Family health history tools rarely incorporate environmental and neighborhood factors, although the social and physical environments in which people live are recognized as major contributors to chronic diseases. This paper discusses beliefs about neighborhood influences on chronic disease risk among racially and ethnically diverse individuals in low-income communities in Cleveland, Ohio. We report findings from a qualitative study consisting of 121 interviews with White, African American, and Hispanic participants. Results are organized into four major themes: (1) social and economic environment, (2) physical environment, (3) barriers to healthy behaviors, and (4) participants' views on integrating genetic and non-genetic determinants of health to understand and address disease prevention and management. Findings suggest that integrating environmental factors into family health history assessments would better reflect lay perceptions of disease causation. Results have implications for improving patient-clinician communication and the development of strategies to prevent and manage chronic diseases.
Spatial beam shaping of high power ultra-short laser pulses

We studied the spatial beam profile of a high peak power, ultra-short laser pulse passing through a diffractive beam shaping system. In theoretical simulation, we considered the effects of both group velocity dispersion and nonlinear self-phase modulation on the reshaped beam profile. The output spatial and temporal intensity profile of a 100-fs laser pulse at different energy levels is calculated. We also present the experimental result of the fluence profile at the beam shaping system's target plane for a 1-mJ, 100-fs near infrared laser pulse which is generated from a multi-pass laser amplification system.
Carryover Effects of Multielement Manipulations: enhancement of preschoolers’ appropriate rest‐time behavior

ABSTRACT Carryover effects associated with the use of the multielement design were investigated within the context of a preschool classroom of eight boys. A reversal design incorporating a multielement‐manipulation phase was used to analyze possible multiple treatment interference generated by the experimental manipulation. The results of the first three phases (corresponding to a conventional ABA design) indicated that token reinforcement was effective in increasing the target behavior: appropriate rest‐time behavior of the class as measured by planned activity checks. Following introduction of the multielement manipulation the target behavior sharply increased during non‐treatment days as well.
Aneurysms of the Persistent Hypoglossal Artery

The primitive hypoglossal artery is one of four embryonic anastomoses between the carotid and basilar arterial systems. The so-called persistent hypoglossal artery is most likely a complex vessel comprised proximally of a persistent hypoglossal artery and distally of components of the primitive lateral basilar-vertebral anastomotic network. This is the sixth reported case of an aneurysm of the persistent hypoglossal artery, and it is unique in its association with two supratentorial aneuryms, one of which had ruptured. All three aneurysms were treated by a direct surgical approach (two operations). Review of the other published cases demonstrates that these aneurysms arise at the junction of the persistent hypoglossal with the basilar artery. Aneurysms of this vessel require direct surgical treatment, because the parent vessel is functionally the only artery supplying the brain stem and therefore may not be ligated. The aneurysms usually lie in the subarachnoid space, indenting the brain stem, and may be approached through a suboccipital craniectomy.
Volumetric Magnetic Resonance Imaging of the Musculoskeletal System

t l T g p t i t q Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), with its excellent tissue contrast, high spatial resolution, and multiplanar apability, has become the modality of choice in assessing oint pain. Currently, the majority of magnetic resonance rotocols used by institutions rely on 2-dimensional (2D) ultislice acquisitions acquired in various planes. These seuences demonstrate excellent soft-tissue contrast and high n-plane spatial resolution as well as high diagnostic accuacy, particularly when evaluating for internal derangeent.1-3 However, relatively thick slices, and interslice gaps, lead to volume averaging, which can obscure pathology, particularly when evaluating the articular cartilage. Volumetric 3-dimensional (3D) imaging provides thinner slices, higher in-plane spatial resolution, and reduced partial volume averaging. An additional advantage of 3D imaging is the ability to create multiplanar reformations in any plane after a single acquisition. The article will discuss various 3D techniques currently being used to evaluate the musculoskeletal structures.
Dental education and the British National Health Service.

n an earlier Perspective, “Dentistry within the British National Health Service,”1 an effort was made to describe dentistry within the Health Ser­ vice, its effects on the individual practitioner, the delivery of services to the general population, and the accomplishments and problems faced by the sys­ tem. This paper continues that discussion but nar­ rows the topic to the educational program for dental students. Dentistry and the dental profession rapidly are becoming the domain of those who grew up during the life of the National Health Service, and fewer and fewer have any idea how it was before and during the early years of the Service. The future of dentistry within Great Britain must be considered in terms of the men and women who currently are attracted to dental education, and how their education affects and is affected by the Service.
Information Remix and the Motivations of Everyday End-Users

The socialization of the web has resulted in immense information resources that can be remixed by skilled users into new and novel web applications. While these resources are available, there are few who are able, or are even motivated, to create these applications. Continuing our past work, we use survey methods to explore the factors that motivate end-users to learn about and explore remix tools. Our initial results show that users' may involve many social factors in their decision-making. We conclude with lessons learned and outline ongoing research.
Energy relaxation of light holes in InAs.15Sb.85/InSb multiple quantum wells

Abstract The energy relaxation rate of light in-plane holes in InAs .15 Sb .85 /InSb quantum wells has been measured using a Shubnikov-de Haas technique. In this Type II system, the holes reside in the InSb layers; strain reverses the heavy-light hole ordering and thus light holes are the charge carriers. The samples consist of 20 to 100 InAs .15 Sb .85 /InSb periods 100A/200A thick. The InAsSb barriers are doped with Be. The total carrier concentration p ≈ 1×10 11 cm −2 is obtained from Hall data. Shubnikov-de Haas oscillation amplitudes are measured and used to determine the light hole temperature for a given applied power. The steady state power per carrier is equated to the energy relaxation rate to determine the carrier temperature T H . The measured rate for low electric fields is proportional to T H n -T L n with n ≈ 3.2 and 2.5 for two different samples. These data are compared with theory and experiment for light holes in InGaAs/GaAs quantum wells.
Winter use of South Florida dry prairie by two declining grassland passerines

Abstract. Grassland-obligate birds are undergoing some of the steepest population declines of all North American passerines. Few studies have addressed these species' patterns of habitat use in their winter ranges in the southeastern United States. The dry prairie of south-central Florida constitutes one of the largest areas of contiguous grassland remaining within this region and during winter supports a diverse group of migratory grassland-obligate birds. Modern land-use of this region has altered the ecosystem's natural fire regimes and shifted the vegetative community away from graminoids and forbs toward overabundance of woody-stemmed species such as the saw palmetto (Sereona repens). Simultaneously, the prairie's historic range has decreased with urban development and conversion to agriculture. In order to understand how these changes affect overwintering grassland birds, we documented the dry prairie's winter bird community and evaluated the effects of habitat characteristics and time since fire on...
Antigen specificity in subsets of mucous membrane pemphigoid

Mucous membrane pemphigoid (MMP) has several subsets based on target antigens recognized by their sera. MMP and ocular cicatricial pemphigoid (OCP) sera recognize β4 integrin subunit, oral pemphigoid sera recognize α6 integrin subunit, and anti-epiligrin cicatricial pemphigoid sera recognize laminin 5. Our aim is to determine if autoantibodies in the sera of patients with MMP, OCP, and oral pemphigoid (OP) recognize only their target antigens, and to see if this specificity is maintained throughout the clinical course. An immunoblot assay using bovine gingival lysate was used as substrate. Fifteen MMP patients, eight with OCP, and 15 OP patients were studied before therapy and at multiple intervals during the clinical course. Absorption and blocking studies were performed to determine binding specificity. Sera of patients with MMP and OCP recognize only β4 integrin subunit, and sera of OP patients recognize α6 integrin throughout the clinical course. The sera of patients in the subsets of MMP described in this report show adherence and selectivity to target antigen during the entire clinical course, without crossover, interaction, or change. Hence, these subsets of MMP provide an excellent model to study clinical correlation with antigen and antibody specificity, in autoimmunity.
Annealing of metal-metalloid multilayers studied by in situ electron microscopy

Abstract We have studied the changes in structure of metal-metalloid multilayers using in-situ high-resolution electron microscopy. For reactive systems, compound formation ultimately results, but this can be preceded by solid state amorphization. For nonreactive systems, crystallization of the metalloid completely disrupts the multilayer structure.
Feature shape and elevation based road classification and extraction on high spatial resolution remote sensing imageries

Classification and extraction of geospatial features from high spatial resolution imageries approved is one of the most significant steps for spatial database acquisition and updating in GIS. This research is to explore the methodologies of recognizing shape and elevation characteristics of spatial features on the remote sensed images. We focus on the road network classification and extraction among various features on the ground because it carries unique characteristic of elongation. We combined both a pattern recognition model of connected component labeling (CCL) in two dimensional image processing, and a three dimensional DEM elevation filtering model to extract the road and street features from high resolution imageries. Samples of digital aerial photographs in Erie County, New York were used to test the methodology. The results indicated that the correctness of road extraction in rural areas can reach 69.1%; that of completeness is 74.9%; and the overall quality is 73.1%. By contrast, the correctness in urban high-rise region is only 39.5%; that of completeness is 42.8%; and the overall quality is 32.8%.
Self-efficacy and disability beliefs in behavioral treatment of pain.

Abstract Recent interest in self-efficacy theory and pain has produced a variety of reports on the relationship between self-efficacy expectancies and pain perception and its management. In studies of behavioral treatment approaches, self-efficacy expectancies were found to be related to experimental and acute clinical pain tolerance. Efficacy beliefs were also found to be associated with the level of functioning of chronic pain patients and their response to treatment. These preliminary observations are promising and suggest that self-efficacy theory may contribute to the understanding and behavioral management of clinical pain.