cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Intermittent Induction of HIF-1α Produces Lasting Effects on Malignant Progression Independent of Its Continued Expression

Dysregulation of hypoxia-inducible transcription factors HIF-1α and HIF-2α correlates with poor prognosis in human cancers; yet, divergent and sometimes opposing activities of these factors in cancer biology have been observed. Adding to this complexity is that HIF-1α apparently possesses tumor-suppressing activities, as indicated by the loss-of-function mutations or even homozygous deletion of HIF1A in certain human cancers. As a step towards understanding this complexity, we employed 8-week intermittent induction of a stable HIF-1α variant, HIF1α(PP), in various cancer cell lines and examined the effects on malignant progression in xenografts of immunocompromised mice in comparison to those of HIF2α(PP). Although 8-week treatment led to eventual loss of HIF1α(PP) expression, treated osteosarcoma U-2 OS cells acquired tumorigenicity in the subcutaneous tissue. Furthermore, the prior treatment resulted in widespread invasion of malignant glioma U-87 MG cells in the mouse brain and sustained growth of U-118 MG glioma cells. The lasting effects of HIF-1α on malignant progression are specific because neither HIF2α(PP) nor β-galactosidase yielded similar effects. By contrast, transient expression of HIF1α(PP) in U-87 MG cells or constitutive expression of HIF1α(PP) but not HIF2α(PP) in a patient-derived glioma sphere culture inhibited tumor growth and spread. Our results indicate that intermittent induction of HIF-1α produces lasting effects on malignant progression even at its own expense.
The clinical spectrum of syphilis in adolescence

Syphilis, due to the spontaneous healing of the initial lesion, is often overlooked by adolescent patients. If undetected and untreated the condition may bring disastrous consequences. To investigate how syphilis first appears, we reviewed the medical history of 33 patients diagnosed from 1977 to 1981. The following main symptoms were found: typical chancre (9%), atypical chancre (9%), rash (45.5%), and marked lymphadenopathy (12%). Four patients were discovered only by a positive serology; four patients with low titers were discovered to have been previously treated and were monitored for evidence of cure. All patients had a positive RPR and FTA-ABS. Eleven patients (33%) had a concomitant veneral disease or a positive past history. A significant number (48%) were troubled, delinquent, or homosexual; 10% were victims of sex abuse. Contrary to general belief, most patients do not consult for a primary chancre. Instead, they present with a broad spectrum of clinical manifestations ranging from a variety of dermatologic signs to diverse degrees of lymphadenopathy, to being completely asymptomatic. Syphilis was not the initial diagnosis in over one-third of our patients. Those caring for adolescents should maintain a high index of suspicion for this disease.
IMS2014 Opening and Closing Plenary Sessions

The opening Plenary Session officially kicks off the International Microwave Symposium (IMS) at 5:00 p.m. on Monday, 2 June 2014, in the convention center. During the opening session, you will hear from the IEEE Microwave Theory and Techniques Society (MTT?S) and IMS organizing committee leadership, have a chance to congratulate colleagues being recognized with prestigious MTT-S awards, and hear a thought-provoking keynote talk on the future of wireless connectivity and the impacts and opportunities for industry and academia. Our keynote speaker Dr. Vida Ilderem, vice president at Intel Labs and director of Integrated Computing Research (ICR) for Intel Corporation, will offer her insights on these trends that impact everyone in the IMS community. The IMS Closing Ceremony, scheduled for Thursday 5 June 2014 at 3:00 p.m., is another event not to be missed. Kyle Maynard, a motivational speaker, author, entrepreneur, and athlete will present his own incredibly inspirational story.
Modeling the radiation of anisotropically scattering media by coupling Mie theory with finite volume method

Abstract A new mathematical model and code for radiative heat transfer of particulate media with anisotropic scattering for 2-D rectangular enclosure is developed. The model is based on the coupling of (i) finite volume method for the solution of radiative transfer equation with (ii) Mie equations for the evaluation of scattering phase function. It has not been done before to the authors’ best knowledge. The predictions were compared against the only found results, published 15 years ago. For those results the S-N discrete ordinates method for the solution of radiative transfer equation and the Legendre polynomials expansions for the evaluation of scattering phase function were used. The agreement between the results is very good. The advantages of new model and code are in their straight forward application to any given particles parameters without the need for previously designed analytical expression for scattering phase function. In addition, that analytical expression, with generated expansion coefficients, is restricted and can be used only for that particular case of particle parameters. The new model was applied to the solid particles of several various coals and of an ash and the series of 2-D predictions are performed. The effects of particle size parameter and of scattering albedo on radiative heat flux and on incident radiation were analyzed. It was found that the model developed is reliable and very accurate and thus suitable for extension towards: (i) 3-D geometries, (ii) mixtures of non-gray gases with particles as well as for (iii) incorporation in computational fluid dynamics codes.
Can the Christian God be both my foundation and my beloved

In Christian Contradictions Daphne Hampson is particularly interested in revealing to her readers important structural features of Lutheran and Catholic thought and highlighting points of conflict ...
Case of the season

A 39-YEAR-OLD Nigerian man living in the United States for the last 18 years, presented to an outpatient clinic with a 5-week history of fight upper quadrant pain, myalgias, fever (102°F), and night sweats. The fever and myalgias resolved after treatment with erythromycin and flagyl, but the fight upper quadrant pain persisted. He had lost 15 pounds in the prior month. He had recently traveled to Nigeria, and his family members were shepherds. He had no unusual eating habits, took no medications, and had no significant medical or surgical history. He is married with two children and works as a warehouse manager. An ultrasound examination of the liver was performed. Two large hypoechoic communicating lesions were identified within the right lobe of the liver. (Fig 1). Using color doppler ultrasonography, no vascularity was identified within the lesions. Normal flow was identified within the portal and hepatic veins. The gallbladder and biliary tract were normal. The ultrasound examination was repeated a£ter the patient had been in the left lateral decubitus position for approxiFig 2. Axial-enhanced CT of the abdomen,
Thermo-chemical effects in photochromic glasses

Abstract Glass composition and thermal history have a combined influence on photochromic properties. Certain heat treatments are shown to cause reversible changes in these properties. The changes are ascribed to compositional redistribution between the photochromic particle phase and the glass matrix, and to structural rearrangements within the particles.
SU-E-E-13: Validation and Testing of the Integrity and Consistency of Overall Performance of Tomotherapy System

Purpose: T o validate and test the integrity and consistency of the overall Tomotherapy system in delivering of an IMRT plan, producing of a Plan Adaptive from its MVCT scan, dose delivered to MVCT scan, and matching and shifting of a patient positioning using its MVCT scan. Methods: The phantom was constructed with a solid water slab on the bottom, an I'mRT MatriXX in between, and another solid water slab on the top. A Tomotherapy plan was created that contained a target volume in the middle of the phantom and 2 volumes of interest on the lateral and posterior of the target area and was optimized to deliver a prescription dose to the target while minimize the dose to the volumes of interest. A DQA plan was then created and delivered to the phantom to compare the planned and the delivered doses. The phantom was positioned on the treatment couch and scanned to verify the MVCT system in matching and shifting the phantom accordingly to the positioning offset position. The scan dose was also measured from the MVCT scan of the phantom. The MVCT image dataset was then used to create a Plan Adaptive to compare the verification dose and the planning dose. Results: Measuring and analyzing of the delivered dose to an ionization array of the same phantom and IMRT plan on a routine basic can validate and detect the discrepancy of consistency of the Tomotherapy system. Conclusions: This QA routine indicates the acceptable application of an ionization array in testing the overall performance of the Tomotherapy system. Further recommendation includes incorporating an inhomogeneity phantom system such as mix the slabs with lighter and/or heavier density material. This QA routine can also be used on other Linacs.
Linking air quality and watershed models for environmental assessments: Analysis of the effects of model-specific precipitation estimates on calculated water flux

Directly linking air quality and watershed models could provide an effective method for estimating spatially-explicit inputs of atmospheric contaminants to watershed biogeochemical models. However, to adequately link air and watershed models for wet deposition estimates, each model's temporal and spatial representation of precipitation needs to be consistent. We explore how precipitation implemented within the Community Multi-Scale Air Quality Model (CMAQ) model algorithms, and multiple spatially-explicit precipitation datasets that could be used to improve the CMAQ model deposition estimates, links with the standard precipitation sources used to calibrate watershed models (i.e., rain gage data) via modeled water fluxes. Simulations are run using a grid-based watershed mercury model (GBMM) in two watersheds. Modeled monthly runoff suggests that multiple resolution Parameter-elevations Regressions on Independent Slopes Model (PRISM) and National Multi-sensor Precipitation Analysis Stage IV (NPA) data generate similar monthly runoff estimates, with comparable or greater accuracy when evaluated against stream gage data than that produced by the base rain gage data. However, across longer time periods, simulated water balances using 36 km Pennsylvania State University/National Center for Atmospheric Research mesoscale model (MM5) data are similar to that of base data. The investigation also examines the implications our results, providing suggestions for linking air quality and watershed fate and transport models.
Intermedin Functions as a Pituitary Paracrine Factor Regulating Prolactin Release

Calcitonin, alpha- and beta-calcitonin gene-related peptides, amylin, and adrenomedullin belong to a unique group of peptide hormones important for homeostasis maintenance. We recently identified intermedin (IMD) as a novel member of the calcitonin/calcitonin gene-related peptide family expressed in the pituitary, digestive tract, and other organs of vertebrates. Real-time PCR and immunohistochemical analysis of pituitaries from rats at different stages of development showed that IMD is expressed in the intermediate lobe and select adrenocorticotrophs in the anterior lobe, suggesting that IMD could function as a paracrine factor regulating anterior pituitary hormone secretion. In support of a paracrine role for IMD in the pituitary, quantitative and in situ hybridization analyses showed the expression of IMD receptor transcripts including the calcitonin receptor-like receptor and receptor activity-modifying proteins in the pituitary. Treatment with IMD leads to a dose-dependent increase of prolactin release in cultured rat pituitary cells. In contrast, IMD treatment has negligible effects on the release of GH, FSH, or ACTH. Likewise, in vivo treatment with IMD leads to an elevation of plasma prolactin levels in conscious rats. Based on these functional characteristics, we hypothesized that IMD could represent one of the intermediate lobe-derived prolactin-releasing factors important for prolactin regulation during reproduction. In support of this hypothesis, studies of IMD expression in lactating and ovariectomized rats showed that pituitary IMD transcripts in lactating animals increased to more than 2-fold over nonlactating controls whereas ovariectomy leads to a 90% reduction of IMD expression in the pituitary. Of importance, subsequent treatment with 17beta-estradiol or diethylstilbestrol increased pituitary IMD expression in ovariectomized rats. In addition, analysis of the proximate region of the IMD gene promoter showed that the IMD gene promoter contains consensus estrogen response element sequences, and estrogen treatments up-regulate the promoter reporter activity in transfected pituitary cells. Collectively, the present study indicates that IMD represents a novel estrogen-dependent intermediate lobe-derived prolactin-releasing factor and could play important roles in the regulation of prolactin release during reproduction in females.
Transient receptor potential channels as targets for phytochemicals.

To date, 28 mammalian transient receptor potential (TRP) channels have been cloned and characterized. They are grouped into six subfamilies on the basis of their amino acid sequence homology: TRP Ankyrin (TRPA), TRP Canonical (TRPC), TRP Melastatin (TRPM), TRP Mucolipin (TRPML), TRP Polycystin (TRPP), and TRP Vanilloid (TRPV). Most of the TRP channels are nonselective cation channels expressed on the cell membrane and exhibit variable permeability ratios for Ca2+ versus Na+. They mediate sensory functions (such as vision, nociception, taste transduction, temperature sensation, and pheromone signaling) and homeostatic functions (such as divalent cation flux, hormone release, and osmoregulation). Significant progress has been made in our understanding of the specific roles of these TRP channels and their activation mechanisms. In this Review, the emphasis will be on the activation of TRP channels by phytochemicals that are claimed to exert health benefits. Recent findings complement the anecdotal evidence t...
Existence of locally momentum conserving solutions to a model for heat-conducting flow

We prove the global-in-time existence of weak solutions to a model for a one-dimensional, viscous, compressible, heat-conducting fluid initially occupying a general open subset of an interval of finite length. The fluid equations are applied only on the support of the density, and this support is tracked in time. Accommodation must be made for infinitely many collisions of fluid packets occurring on a possibly dense set of times. Our approach avoids certain nonphysical behavior known to occur in solutions constructed as limits of solutions with artificial mass.
A comparison between gene-gene sub networks associated with complex diseases and genetic loci-sets

There is a growing consideration that gene-gene interactions may play important roles in complex diseases etiology. The simultaneous genotyping of hundreds of thousands of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) have made genetic epidemiology studies come into a new phase. Using molecular network to research complex diseases and find related information is a novel and powerful method. Here, we applied GLOSSI (Gene-loci Set Analysis) to test the association of a group of SNPs (loci-set) with complex disease phenotypes. At the same time, all SNPs were used to construct well designed genetic networks by Polymorphism Interaction Analysis (PIA) algorithm and by which we extracted gene-gene sub-networks associated with complex diseases. The results were compared to explore the most significant SNP groups which might contribute to interpret disease etiology. We apply Rheumatoid Arhtritis (RA) datasets provided by the Genetic Analysis Workshop 15 (GAW 15) Problem 2 and positional gene sets for each human chromosome and each cytogenetic band were derived from the publicly accessible Molecular Signature Database (MSigDB). The results reported here that there were no significant SNP loci sets of MSigDB associated with RA but three SNP groups extracted from genetic networks, offering molecular support for the current grouping of the genes. Furthermore, we found that the hub genes of gene-gene sub-networks were also most significant SNPs, such as CD160 (rs744877) and ALS2 (rs970595), were special relevant to RA, as supported by many previous reports. Our study is a new attempt to mine gene groups with genetic associations to complex diseases, which can be applied to large numbers of genetic markers.
The Mold Mycelia Count as an Index of Quality of Butter

Summary Mold mycelia counts on 1,385 commercial butter samples showed the expected pronounced seasonal variation with higher mold content occurring in warm months of the year. Organoleptic grade of the butters appeared fairly uniform throughout the various seasons of the year. Slightly more poor quality butter, however, appeared to be manufactured in the fall than in the other seasons. Mold mycelia values did not closely correlate with organoleptic grades over the various seasons of the year. The average of results for all seasons indicated that by mold mycelia standards more than 50 per cent of all cooking grade butter, almost 75 per cent of 89 score, about 90 per cent of 90 score and all of the 92 score butter would be considered legal butter. The results indicate that greater improvement in actual quality of commercial butter in the area studied might be made if more attention were paid to organoleptic grade and less to mold content of cream. Results and observations emphasize the need for a combination of chemical methods of determining quantity of decomposition products in butter in order to support and improve organoleptic grading.
Discriminating semiarid vegetation using airborne imaging spectrometer data: a preliminary assessment

A preliminary assessment was made of Airborne Imaging Spectrometer (AIS) data for discriminating and characterizing vegetation in a semiarid environment. May and October AIS data sets were acquired over a large alluvial fan in eastern California, on which were found Great Basin desert shrub communities. Maximum likelihood classification of a principal components representation of the May AIS data enabled discrimination of subtle spatial detail in images relating to vegetation and soil characteristics. The spatial patterns in the May AIS classification were, however, too detailed for complete interpretation with existing ground data. A similar analysis of the October AIS data yielded poor results. Comparison of AIS results with a similar analysis of May Landsat Thematic Mapper data showed that the May AIS data contained approximately three to four times as much spectrally coherent information. When only two shortwave infrared TM bands were used, results were similar to those from AIS data acquired in October.
Distribution of satellite dna in mouseliver chromatin fractionated by ECTHAM-cellulose chromatography

Summary When mouse liver chromatin is fractionated on ECTHAM-cellulose columns, the earliest-eluted fractions, those which are highly repressed in vitro, contain increased amounts of satellite DNA, averaging 18% in several preparations. In contrast, the latest-eluted fractions, those which are transcribed nearly 50% as well as protein-free DNA by E. coli RNA polymerase in vitro, contain much less satellite DNA than whole chromatin, about 3%.
Cerebrospinal fluid stimulates leptomeningeal and meningioma cell proliferation and activation of STAT3

The role of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) in the pathogenesis of meningiomas is unknown. Cell cultures from three human leptomeninges, five WHO grade I and seven grade II meningiomas were treated with remnant CSF from 22 patients with no central nervous system disease and normal cell indices. Cells were evaluated by CyQUANT for DNA synthesis/cell proliferation and by western blots for phosphorylation/activation of growth regulatory pathways activated in meningiomas including JAK1–STAT3, MEK1–p44/42MAPK, Akt–mTOR and Rb. Analysis of Caspase 3 activation and survivin was also performed. Finally, the effects of PDGF neutralizing antibody and cucurbitacin, a STAT3 inhibitor on CSF stimulation were tested. Compared to controls and the mitogen PDGF-BB, various CSF samples significantly stimulated DNA synthesis/cell proliferation in 20 and 22 week leptomeningeal cultures and all of the grade I and II meningioma cells tested. Collectively CSF samples, from multiple different patients, stimulated DNA synthesis in tests of 23 of 32 grade I and 18 of 28 grade II meningioma cells. CSF stimulated phosphorylation/activation of STAT3 and reduced p44/42 MAPK in the leptomeningeal, all three grade I and 1 of three grade II meningioma cells. CSF did not affect Caspase 3 activity or survivin levels. PDGF neutralizing antibody had no effect on CSF stimulation but cucurbitacin blocked PDGF and CSF stimulation. While there are limitations to the CSF available since they were not from “normal” volunteers, the studies suggest that, in some settings, CSF is potentially mitogenic to leptomeningeal and meningioma cells and may act, in part, via activation of STAT3.
Sexual excitation by pheromones of the confused flour beetle.

Abstract Extracts of confused flour beetle ( Tribolium confusum ) volatiles were separated into their components by gas chromatography and identified by mass spectroscopy as 1-pentadecene, n -hexadecane, 1-heptadecene, and heptadecadiene, the last three reported for the first time in this species. The first three of these compounds were tested and found to induce copulation. The pheromones are produced in males and females but appear to affect males only.
CONTRIBUTIONS OF TIPLER'S OMEGA POINT THEORY

. An attempt to discover what can be learned from the recent work of Frank Tipler on the Omega Point theory requires an analysis of his framework of understanding from scientific, philosophical, and theological perspectives. A critique of his crucial ideas, and of the salient points raised by some of his critics, can then be undertaken within the compass of his strengths. A critique of the critiques of Tipler's work allows one to evaluate the extent and limitations of his contributions.
Transport of Inorganic Mercury and Methylmercury in Target Tissues and Organs

Owing to the prevalence of mercury in the environment, the risk of human exposure to this toxic metal continues to increase. Following exposure to mercury, this metal accumulates in numerous organs, including brain, intestine, kidneys, liver, and placenta. Although a number of mechanisms for the transport of mercuric ions into target organs were proposed in recent years, these mechanisms have not been characterized completely. This review summarizes the current literature related to the transport of inorganic and organic forms of mercury in various tissues and organs. This review identifies known mechanisms of mercury transport and provides information on additional mechanisms that may potentially play a role in the transport of mercuric ions into target cells.
Continued Increase in Incidence of Renal Cell Carcinoma, Especially in Young Patients and High Grade Disease: United States 2001 to 2010

Purpose: More than 50,000 Americans were diagnosed with kidney and renal pelvis cancer in 2010. The National Program of Cancer Registries and SEER (Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results) combined data include cancer incidences from the entire United States. Our study presents updated incidence data, evaluates trends and adds geographic distribution to the literature.Materials and Methods: We examined invasive, microscopically confirmed kidney and renal pelvis cancers diagnosed from 2001 to 2010 that met United States Cancer Statistics reporting criteria for each year, excluding cases diagnosed by autopsy or death certificate. Histology codes classified cases as renal cell carcinoma. Rates and trends were estimated using SEER∗Stat.Results: A total of 342,501 renal cell carcinoma cases were diagnosed. The renal cell carcinoma incidence rate increased from 10.6/100,000 individuals in 2001 to 12.4/100,000 in 2010 and increased with age until ages 70 to 74 years. The incidence rate in men was almost doubl...
Novel isoforms of the transport regulator klar.

Klar is a regulator of microtubule-motor dependent transport processes in Drosophila, including nuclear migration, vesicle motility, and lipid-droplet transport. The single klar locus gives rise to multiple isoforms that presumably have unique functions. Up to now, three Klar isoforms (α, β, γ) were known. Here we describe two novel isoforms, δ and e, whose expression depends on a previously uncharacterized promoter. Klar δ and/or e are widely expressed during development, including in the embryonic and larval nervous system as well as in ovaries. When we specifically ablate Klar δ and e expression genetically, no gross organismal phenotypes are apparent. However, ectopic expression of these isoforms causes nuclear mispositioning in developing photoreceptors and in oocytes, demonstrating their biological activity. Our analysis identifies novel forms of the Klar protein and provides new tools for functionally dissecting the complex klar locus.
Diffusion-controlled toluene reference material for VOC emissions testing: international interlaboratory study.

The measurement of volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions from building products and materials by manufacturers and testing laboratories, and the use of the test results for labeling programs, continue to expand. One issue that hinders wide acceptance for chamber product testing is the lack of a reference material to validate test chamber performance. To meet this need, the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and Virginia Tech (VT) have developed a prototype reference material that emits a single VOC similar to the emissions of a diffusion-controlled building product source with a dynamic emissions profile. The prototype material has undergone extensive testing at NIST and a pilot interlaboratory study (ILS) with four laboratories. The next development step is an evaluation of the prototype source in multiple-sized chambers of 14 laboratories in seven countries. Each laboratory was provided duplicate specimens and a test protocol. Study results identified significant issues related to...
Feshbach resonance cooling of trapped atom pairs

Spectroscopic studies of few-body systems at ultracold temperatures provide valuable information that often cannot be extracted in a hot environment. Considering a pair of atoms, we propose a cooling mechanism that makes use of a scattering Feshbach resonance. Application of a series of time-dependent magnetic field ramps results in either zero, one, or two atoms remaining trapped. If two atoms remain in the trap after the field ramps are completed, then they have been cooled. Application of the proposed cooling mechanism to optical traps or lattices is considered.
Optimal focus measure for passive autofocusing and depth-from-focus

The optimally accurate focus measure for a noisy camera in passive search based autofocusing and depth-from-focus applications depends not only on the camera characteristics but also the image of the object being focused or ranged. In this paper a new metric named autofocusing uncertainty measure (AUM) is defined which is useful in selecting the most accurate focus measure from a given set of focus measures. AUM is a metric for comparing the noise sensitivity of different focus measures. It is similar to the traditional root-mean-square (RMS) error, but, while RMS error cannot be computed in practical applications, AUM can be computed easily. AUM is based on a theoretical noise sensitivity analysis of focus measures. In comparison, all known work on comparing the noise sensitivity of focus measures have been a combination of subjective judgement and experimental observations. For a given camera, the optimally accurate focus measure may change from one object to the other depending on their focused images. Therefore selecting the optimal focus measure from a given set involves computing all focus measures in the set. However, if computation needs to be minimized, then it is argued that energy of the Laplacian of the image is a good focus measure and is recommended for use in practical applications.© (1995) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Phase transitions in the system poly( N-isopropylacrylamide)/water and swelling behaviour of the corresponding networks

Abstract The phase behaviour of linear poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPA) and chemically cross-linked PNIPA in water has been determined by calorimetric and optical techniques. Experiments for the linear polymer were conducted for three different molar masses and encompassed the whole accessible concentration range. In addition the binodal of the ‘monomer’ N-(isopropyl)propionamide (NIPPA) was determined by cloud point measurements. The phase behaviour was analysed in terms of the Flory–Huggins–Staverman theory amended with a strong concentration dependent interaction function. The analysis established that PNIPA/water is exemplar of Type II phase behaviour, indicating that the system does not fit the classic Flory–Huggins scheme. Distinctive of Type II behaviour is the existence of an off-zero liquid–liquid critical composition for a hypothetical polymer of infinite molar mass and the absence of the classic FH Θ-critical state. The Type II phase behaviour of the linear polymer is also found in the network and is shown to be responsible for the discontinuous volume response of the PNIPA gel. The peculiar swelling behaviour is a direct consequence of the invariant interference of the swelling curve with the liquid–liquid miscibility gap. Finally, the dependence of the enthalpy of melting of water in the polymer solution is not related to the formation of a strong complex between the polymer and the water molecules. Instead, the crystallisation and melting of water are impeded by the vitrification of the aqueous polymer solution.
Bacterial Pneumonia in the Elderly

A retrospective study was made of patients having community-acquired pneumonia and treated at a large municipal hospital in 1973. Patients from nursing homes or other paramedical facilities were excluded. The incidence of Gram-negative bacillary pneumonia was significantly higher in elderly patients compared to two younger groups, and mortality from this type of pneumonia was higher than from pneumococcal or staphylococcal types or from pneumonia of unknown cause. Recommendations are made for the initial treatment of elderly patients with community-acquired pneumonia.
SU‐GG‐J‐74: Congruence of Cone‐Beam CT Image Center with the Radiation Isocenter of a Linear Accelerator

Purpose: To develop a quantitative method to evaluate the cone‐beam CT(CBCT)image center congruence with the linac radiation isocenter. Method and Materials: A ball‐bearing (BB) was placed in the proximity of the isocenter of a Varian Trilogy linac. The center of BB served as a static reference point in the space. The BB was imaged with square megavolt (MV) radiation beams at gantry angles of 0, 90, 180, and 270 degrees. The radiation isocenter was localized relative to the BB center based on the four MV EPIDimages. Then the BB was imaged with the CBCT. The CBCTimage center was localized relative to the BB center. Finally, the 3D displacement between the CBCTimage center and the radiation isocenter was computed. Results: The CBCTimage center was found to have excellent short‐term positional reproducibility, i.e., <0.1 mm wobbling in each of the x(lateral), y(vertical), and z(longitudinal) directions in 10 consecutive acquisitions. Measured in a 7‐month period, the CBCTimage center deviated from the radiation isocenter by 0.40 ± 0.12 mm (x), 0.43 ± 0.04 mm (y), and 0.34 ± 0.14 mm (z). Small yet systematic discrepancies were found between the CBCTimage center, 2D MV or kV portal image center, and the radiation isocenter. For the linac studied, we detected a 0.8 mm discrepancy between the CBCTimage center and the MV EPIDimage center in the anterior‐posterior direction. This discrepancy was demonstrated in a clinical case study where the patient was positioned with 3D CBCTimaging followed by 2D MV portal imaging verification. Conclusion: The CBCTimage center was localized relative to the radiation isocenter using a simple QA procedure. Computerized analysis revealed that the misalignment of CBCTimage center was highly reproducible in short term and long term and could be quantified at sub‐millimeter scale.
THE NORMAL AND INDUCED OCCURRENCE OF CYANOPHYCIN INCLUSION BODIES IN SEVERAL BLUE‐GREEN ALGAE1

Multi-L-arginyl-poly(L-aspartic acid) [arg-poly(asp)], the polypeptide component of the cyanophycin inclusion body, is found in cells of many blue-green algae. Formation of this material can be induced by a variety of treatments including the addition of excess nitrogen-containing compounds, the addition of specific inhibitors of macromolecular synthesis, and the exclusion of sulfur or phosphorus. Knowledge of the conditions that induce the synthesis of this polypeptide has made possible an ultrastructural survey to determine the presence and cellular location of cyanophycin bodies in a variety of cyanobacteria. Data presented show that certain strains of the unicellular genus Synechococcus Nageli do not contain arg-poly(asp) under environmental conditions that markedly increase the level of such material in other cyanobacteria. In addition many strains show spatial localization of the cyanophycin bodies under normal growth conditions, and moreover the normal pattern is retained even when massive synthesis of arg-poly(asp) is induced. Finally there is no evidence that these inclusion bodies occur in certain beggiatoan gliding bacteria.
Oxygen Adsorption on the (110)-Oriented Diamond Surface†

Multiple internal reflection infrared spectroscopy (MIRIRS) and temperature-programmed desorption (TPD) were used to investigate the interaction of oxygen with a diamond (110)-oriented surface. Exp...
Evidence that genetic information for chloroplast coupling factor I is shared by nuclear and chloroplast DNA.

Abstract Using the method developed by Lien and Racker (Lien, S. and Racker, E. (1971) in Methods in Enzymology (San Pietro, A., ed.), Vol. 23, Part A, pp. 547–555, Academic Press, New York) for spinach leaves, coupling factor I was isolated from 2-kg quantities of Nicotiana glutinosa, N. tabacum, N. excelsior, N. langsdorffii leaves, and shown to consist of 5 subunits of comparable monomeric molecular weights to coupling factor I from spinach and also to be a trypsin-activated, Ca2+-dependent ATPase. Limitation of hybrid plant material necessitated use of polyacrylamide electrophoresis to separate Fraction I protein (Mr = 550 000 with a monomeric large subunit of 56 000) from coupling factor I (Mr = 350 000; β-subunit of 56 000) so that approx. 50 μg of pure coupling factor I could be isolated from 50-g quantities of coupling factor I reciprocal hybrid plants and the coupling factor I subjected to electrofocussing in 8 M urea simultaneously with coupling factor I from the two parental species. Electrofocusing resolved 3 or 4 of the 5 subunits contained in the coupling factor I from leaves of the four Nicotiana species tested. All were like N. tabacum in regard to isoelectric points and staining intensity of 4 subunits except N. glutinosa coupling factor I which displayed 2 subunits which differed in staining intensity from 2 comparable subunits in coupling factor I of the other species. N. glutinosa coupling factor I also lacked one subunit resolved in the other species. The genetic information determining the difference in staining intensity of the 2 subunits of coupling factor I contained in N. tabacum × N. glutinosa reciprocal coupling factor I hybrids was inherited only by the maternal line and is therefore most likely contained in chloroplast DNA. Information determining the isoelectric point of a third subunit was transmitted by pollen to an coupling factor I hybrid and was therefore contained in nuclear DNA. No difference in staining intensity or isoelectric points could be detected in a fourth subunit so the source of its coding information remains unknown.
Dynamic scheduling of a GI/GI/1+GI queue with multiple customer classes

We consider a dynamic control problem for a GI/GI/1+GI queue with multiclass customers. The customer classes are distinguished by their interarrival time, service time, and abandonment time distributions. There is a cost c k >0 for every class k?{1,2,?,N} customer that abandons the queue before receiving service. The objective is to minimize average cost by dynamically choosing which customer class the server should next serve each time the server becomes available (and there are waiting customers from at least two classes). It is not possible to solve this control problem exactly, and so we formulate an approximating Brownian control problem. The Brownian control problem incorporates the entire abandonment distribution of each customer class. We solve the Brownian control problem under the assumption that the abandonment distribution for each customer class has an increasing failure rate. We then interpret the solution to the Brownian control problem as a control for the original dynamic scheduling problem. Finally, we perform a simulation study to demonstrate the effectiveness of our proposed control.
Study of magnitude and component frequency variation of lateral tape motion across an unsupported tape region

Magnetic data tape is one of the most cost-effective means of large scale information storage, and has the capacity to remain so in the future. Many challenges must be met in order to improve the storage density of magnetic tape systems and keep up with customer demands. One of these challenges is to minimize the relative motion between the read/write elements in the tape drive and the data tracks on the tape, also known as lateral tape motion (LTM). Modern closed-loop servo-based track following techniques are able to compensate for a large portion of the LTM events experienced, but care must still be taken in design of both the tape drive and tape media in order to minimize the negative effects of LTM. This paper details a study in which a new delay-integration method is applied to LTM measurement. The advantages and disadvantages of the method are discussed, and a comparison is made with previous LTM measurement methods. The delay-integration method is then applied to measure the change in LTM amplitude along an unsupported region of tape for several different tape samples. As many tape systems place the read/write head in the center of an unguided region, information about the behavior of tape in this situation could be used to minimize LTM, allowing for smaller data tracks and increased storage density.
Multiple window discrete scan statistic for higher-order Markovian sequences

Accurate and efficient methods to detect unusual clusters of abnormal activity are needed in many fields such as medicine and business. Often the size of clusters is unknown; hence, multiple (variable) window scan statistics are used to identify clusters using a set of different potential cluster sizes. We give an efficient method to compute the exact distribution of multiple window discrete scan statistics for higher-order, multi-state Markovian sequences. We define a Markov chain to efficiently keep track of probabilities needed to compute p-values for the statistic. The state space of the Markov chain is set up by a criterion developed to identify strings that are associated with observing the specified values of the statistic. Using our algorithm, we identify cases where the available approximations do not perform well. We demonstrate our methods by detecting unusual clusters of made free throw shots by National Basketball Association players during the 2009–2010 regular season.
Northern Harrier Predation of White-faced Ibis

The Northern Harrier (Circus cyaneus) is a widespread raptor that preys mainly upon small mammals and, to a lesser extent, birds. Most published accounts of harrier food habits report the majority of avian prey items are passerines with few large (> 500 g) birds taken. In fall 1999, I observed a Northern Harrier that appeared to have attacked and killed a White-faced Ibis (Plegadis chihi) foraging in a playa wetland in Meade County, Kansas. Field observations of the harrier, in addition to physical evidence, suggest the attack was on an apparently healthy individual that did not have any obvious physical deformities. Northern Harriers appear to attack and kill White-faced Ibis and may prey on large birds more often than reported previously.
The benefit of negative tests in non-ulcer dyspepsia.

Objectives. Negative diagnostic tests are usually evaluated by their ability to advance a diagnostic search, or they are considered redundant expenditures in establishing a definitive diagnosis. It has remained difficult to assess their benefit in terms of their own merit and the reassurance that they provide to a patient. The aim of the present study is to develop a mathematical model for quantifying the impact of diagnostic tests on a patient’s health-related quality of life (HRQL). Methods. An influence diagram is used to model how nonulcer dyspepsia (NUD) and its medical care affect HRQL. Diagnostic tests and medical therapy benefit HRQL by alleviating fear of disease and NUD symptoms. Medical care can also adversely affect HRQL, lead to expenses in time and money, and compromise a patient’s sense of autonomy. HRQL is modeled as the focal point of multiple influences detracting from its value. Results. Negative diagnostic tests can improve HRQL in NUD. The improvement of HRQL by diagnostic tests depends on a multitude of individual influences and the interactions between them, such as the severity of NUD symptoms and fear of disease, as well as the impact of medical care itself on HRQL. If a patient harbors a strong fear of serious disease or cancer, more extensive testing is likely to improve the patient’s well-being and appears a worthwhile endeavor. Other patients, however, would be served perfectly well by empirical therapy only. For the vast majority of subjects with NUD who never seek medical advice, the unpleasantness of the disease itself does not outweigh the anticipated downside of obtaining medical care. Conclusion. The analysis illustrates the applicability of the influence diagram in modeling disease behavior. This method helps to assess the benefit of negative tests beyond their means of generating information.
A Semi-Empirical Determination of the Shape of Cloud and Rain Drops

Abstract A physical model which predicts the shape of water drops falling at terminal velocity in air is presented. The model is based on a balance of the forces which act on a drop falling under gravity in a viscous medium. The model was evaluated by numerical techniques and the shape of water drops of radii between 170 and 4000 μ (equivalent to Reynolds numbers between 30 and 4900) was determined. The results of our investigation show that the drop shapes predicted by the model agree well with those experimentally observed in our wind tunnel. Both theory and experiment demonstrate that: 1) drops with radii ≲170 μ are very slightly deformed and can be considered spherical, 2) the shape of drops between about 170 and 500 μ can be closely approximated by an oblate spheroid, 3) drops between about 500 and 2000 μ are deformed into an asymmetric oblate spheroid with an increasingly pronounced flat base, and 4) drops ≳2000 μ develop a concave depression in the base which is more pronounced for larger drop size...
Understanding the differences between microporous and mesoporous synthesis through the phase behavior of silica

Abstract The link between M41S mesoporous silicates and all-silica zeolites during the initial stages of synthesis is analyzed with small-angle scattering and conductivity experiments. The phase behavior of silica in aqueous solutions is studied for a family of quaternary ammonium hydroxides, from tetramethylammonium to dodecyltrimethylammonium. All solutions exhibit a critical aggregation concentration at a 1:1 SiO 2 :[OH − ] initial molar ratio with solutions containing short chain compounds forming optically transparent (clear) nanoparticle suspensions, and solutions of long chain compounds phase separating into a solid and a liquid phase. The solid phase is analyzed with X-ray diffraction and thermogravimetric analysis and is found to have a hexagonal structure similar to MCM-41. Mid-sized chain length compounds form solutions containing both the phase separated solid and nanoparticles. In addition to studying phase behavior, the role of attractive hydrophobic interactions is studied using water/ethanol solutions. In ethanolic solutions, the entire family of quarternary ammonium compounds are found to form stable nanoparticle suspensions.
Surface Treatment and its Influence on Contact Angles of Water Drops Residing on Teflon and Copper

Abstract The variation of contact angle of liquid sessile drops on solids has been attributed to roughness (Wenzel2), the static charge effect (Holly,3 Ponter and Yekta-Fard3) and contamination at the solid surface or in the liquid and gaseous phases.
Coalition Maintenance in the Soviet Union

Few students of the Soviet political scene have used coalition theory to explain Soviet behavior. However, the fact that coalitions are assumed to exist suggests that the different elements of coalition theory—coalition formation and coalition maintenance—may be useful for the study of Soviet decision making. Because the Soviet political system has evolved to the point where the elements that are vital to preserving coalitions are also an integral part of the Soviet system (e.g., fear of the alternative to the coalition, unanimity rule in decision making, the existence of a power broker, and the exclusion of contentious issues), the operation of coalition maintenance may describe the decision-making process. If that is so, the key institutional actors in the Soviet hierarchy must be minimally satisfied before major decisions can be reached. Although elite harmony and coalition stability are ensured thereby, lowest-common-denominator policies will serve to rule out fundamental changes or reform attempts that are necessary for coping with emerging problems. As emerging economic problems make it difficult to satisfy the incremental demands from elite actors and the society at large, it is quite possible that the current decision-making process, or the distribution of power it ensures, will not endure.
H polarization diffraction by a parallel plate open-ended waveguides loaded with an extended ferrite slab

An analysis is presented of the problem of H-polarization diffraction and radiation by a parallel plate open-ended waveguide loaded with an extended ferrite slab. This geometry is of interest because of the context of the generalized scattering matrix formulation it forms a canonical structure for examining the scattering or radiation associated with a number of configurations. This include the thick isolated or grounded metallic/dielectric join and a waveguide with loading having discontinuous dielectric properties. The dual integral equation approach (or angular spectrum method) is used to determine the diffraction, coupling, radiation, and reflection coefficients associated with the ferrite slab configuration. >