cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Colorectal cancer incidence in the United States, 1999-2004 : an updated analysis of data from the National Program of Cancer Registries and the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results Program.

BACKGROUND: By using recent national cancer surveillance data, the authors investigated colorectal cancer (CRC) incidence by subpopulation to inform the discussion of demographic-based CRC guidelines. METHODS: Data included CRC incidence (1999-2004) from the combined National Program of Cancer Registries and Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results Program databases. Incidence rates (age-specific and age-adjusted to the 2000 US standard population) were reported among individuals ages 40 to 44 years, 45 to 49 years, 50 to 64 years, and ≥65 years by sex, subsite, disease stage, race, and ethnicity. Rate ratios (RR) and rate differences (RD) were calculated to compare CRC rates in different subpopulations. RESULTS: Incidence rates were greater among men compared with women and among blacks compared with whites and other races. Incidence rates among Asians/Pacific Islanders (APIs), American Indians/Alaska Natives (AI/ANs), and Hispanics consistently were lower than among whites and non-Hispanics. Sex disparities were greatest in the population aged ≥65 years, whereas racial disparities were more pronounced in the population aged <65 years. Although the RD between blacks and whites diminished at older ages, the RD between APIs and whites, between AI/ANs and whites, and between non-Hispanics and Hispanics increased with increasing age. By subsite, blacks had the highest incidence rates compared with whites and other races in the proximal and distal colon; the reverse was true in the rectum. By stage, whites had higher incidence rates than blacks and other races for localized and regional disease; for distant and unstaged disease, blacks had higher incidence rates than whites. CONCLUSIONS: The current findings suggested differences that can be considered in formulating targeted screening and other public health strategies to reduce disparities in CRC incidence in the United States. Cancer 2009. Published 2009 by the American Cancer Society.
Adult-onset liver disease and hepatocellular carcinoma in S-adenosylhomocysteine hydrolase deficiency

Abstract Background The etiology of liver disease remains elusive in some adults presenting with severe hepatic dysfunction. Methods and results Here we describe a woman of Pakistani descent who had elevated aminotransferases at age 23. She developed muscle weakness in her mid-20s, and was diagnosed with hepatocellular carcinoma at age 29. She died without a diagnosis at age 32 after having a liver transplant. Exome sequencing revealed that she was homozygous for a missense mutation (R49H) in AHCY , the gene encoding S-adenosylhomocysteine (SAH) hydrolase. SAH hydrolase catalyzes the final step in conversion of methionine to homocysteine and inactivating mutations in this enzyme cause a rare autosomal recessive disorder, SAH hydrolase deficiency, that typically presents in infancy. An asymptomatic 7-year old son of the proband is also homozygous for the AHCY -R49H mutation and has elevated serum aminotransferase levels, as well as markedly elevated serum levels of SAH, S-adenosylmethionine (SAM), and methionine, which are hallmarks of SAH hydrolase deficiency. Conclusion This report reveals several new aspects of SAH hydrolase deficiency. Affected women with SAH hydrolase deficiency can give birth to healthy children. SAH hydrolase deficiency can remain asymptomatic in childhood, and the disorder can be associated with early onset hepatocellular carcinoma. The measurement of serum amino acids should be considered in patients with liver disease or hepatocellular carcinoma of unknown etiology.
On the Competing Roles of Fault Reactivation and Brittle Failure in Generating Plate Tectonics from Mantle Convection

Fault reactivation plays a fundamental role in the generation of plate tectonics from mantle convection. Converging and transform plate margins are mechanically weak due to both preexisting faults and preserved shear zones within the crust and lithosphere, on the one hand, and continuous brittle failure of lithosphere, on the other hand. Transform margins are the site for nucleating new converging margins. Lithospheric earthquakes demonstrate that oceanic lithosphere within a trench can deform as fast as the upper mantle. Models demonstrate that faulted converging plate margins contribute to producing plate tectonic-like motion. Preexisting faults and a power law plastic rheology dynamically interact and together give rise to plate-like motion. Faults have an important influence over outer rise and trench topography and by comparing models with observations, interplate stress is about 10-30 MPa. Subduction can initiate on preexisting faults when interplate coupling is as high as 10-30 MPa if the oceanic plate already has slabs attached to it - as was the case for the Pacific plate when the Marianas nucleated. Modeled plates only change velocity slowly in response to the initiation of new subduction zones; the initiation of subduction in the Western Pacific at ≈ 45 Ma was likely the result of a change in Pacific plate motion as opposed to causing the change in the direction of plate motion. The locations of the greatest amount of present day brittle failure within oceanic lithosphere are not located at arbitrary positions on oceanic plates, rather brittle failure occurs in close proximity to long lived zones of preexisting weakness. Old weak structures are reused by the convecting system because it takes less energy to reactivate a preexisting structure than it does to create an entirely new plate margin from pristine, intact lithosphere.
Mal de Meleda: A Focused Review

Mal de Meleda is a rare autosomal recessive palmoplantar keratoderma (PPK) disease with an estimated prevalence of 1:100,000. Clinically, the onset of the disease is typically soon after birth and features a transgrediens (plantar surface progressing to dorsal surface) and progrediens (worsening with age) pattern of hyperkeratosis of the palms and soles. The disease can feature other potentially disfiguring effects on the hands and feet that can severely impact function. Histologically, the lesions show hyperkeratosis and acanthosis without epidermolysis in the epidermis, accompanied by perivascular lymphocytic infiltrate in the dermis. Secreted LY6/urokinase-type plasminogen activator receptor (uPAR)-related protein-1 (SLURP-1) genetic mutations are implicated in Mal de Meleda. SLURP-1 is involved in mediation of inflammation as well as keratinocyte apoptosis regulation. Because the disease is so rare, there are no set guidelines for management, but the accepted approach tends to include oral acitretin plus topical keratolytic therapy. Genetic counseling should also be offered. This focused review highlights the clinical and histological features, differential diagnoses, genetic background, and the current thoughts on management of Mal de Meleda.
Semiconductor development for manufacturability

IBM's most advanced development fabricator, the Advanced Semiconductor Technology Center (ASTC), has been designed to permit semiconductor development with technology transfer and manufacturability as primary objectives. Facilities, materials, equipment, and processes have been optimized through vendor interactions and collaboration. Attention has also been paid to human resource development to facilitate technology development and technology transfer. Extensive education and training programs have been established and technology integration teams have been formed that will introduce the technology into manufacturing. Manufacturing floor control systems incorporating six-sigma statistical process control quality concepts and manufacturing quality control and assurance have been addressed to insure ease of manufacturing insertion. >
Reactions of the ethyl radical I. Metathesis with unsaturated hydrocarbons

The kinetic study of the abstraction of the hydrogen atom from selected hydrocarbons by the ethyl radical reveals a natural correspondence between molecular structure and molecular reactivity. Values of the energy of activation of the series n -heptane, 1-heptene and 1-heptyne are distinct at 10·6 ± 0·4, 8·3 ± 0·5 and 7·6 ± 0·2 kcal mole -1 , respectively, and illustrate the activating influence of bond multiplicity. The group of olefines: 1-heptene, 1-octene, cyclo hexene and trans -4-octene appear to share a common value of 8·3 kcal mole -1 for the energy of activation, within the limits of experimental error. Values of the frequency factor correspond closely to the numbers of equivalent hydrogen atoms in the molecule of the hydrocarbons.
Evaluation of iminodiacetic acid derivatives of ortho and meta amino hippuric acid analogs as renal function agents

Iminodiacetic acid derivatives of meta amino hippuric acid (MAHIDA) and ortho amino hippuric acid (OAHIDA) have been synthesized in the course of our continuing investigation of 99mTc-labeled hippuric acid analogs for application for renal function measurements. The two derivatives yielded stable 99mTc complexes using Sn(II) reduction method and are excreted rapidly via the GU tract as shown in animal biodistribution studies. Clearance of these two complexes is lower than that of the analog formed with para amino hippuric acid (PAHIDA) previously reported. Some aspects of structure activity relationship associated with PAHIDA point to the fact that para derivative has optimal renal excretory characteristics.
Advancing the Extended Parallel Process Model Through the Inclusion of Response Cost Measures

This study advances the Extended Parallel Process Model through the inclusion of response cost measures, which are drawbacks associated with a proposed response to a health threat. A sample of 502 college students completed a questionnaire on perceptions regarding sexually transmitted infections and condom use after reading information from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on the health risks of sexually transmitted infections and the utility of latex condoms in preventing sexually transmitted infection transmission. The questionnaire included standard Extended Parallel Process Model assessments of perceived threat and efficacy, as well as questions pertaining to response costs associated with condom use. Results from hierarchical ordinary least squares regression demonstrated how the addition of response cost measures improved the predictive power of the Extended Parallel Process Model, supporting the inclusion of this variable in the model.
Polarization in the American Public: Misconceptions and Misreadings

A lthough we are surprised that Abramowitz and Saunders continue to advance arguments that we have rebutted in other publications, we are grateful to the Journal for providing another opportunity to address some misconceptions in the study of popular polarization. We will reply pointby-point to the Abramowitz and Saunders critique, but given that our responses have been elaborated at length elsewhere, we refer interested readers to these sources for more detailed discussions (Fiorina and Abrams 2008; Fiorina, Abrams, and Pope 2006; Fiorina and Levendusky 2006;). Before proceeding, we emphasize one observation that partially vitiates several of the Abramowitz and Saunders criticisms. Much of the data they view as contradicting our conclusions consists of vote reports, election returns, and approval ratings. These variables obviously are of paramount political concern, but they can not be used as evidence of polarization—for or against. As explained in Culture War? centrist voters can register polarized choices, and even if the beliefs and positions of voters remain constant, their voting decisions and political evaluations will appear more polarized when the positions candidates adopt and the actions elected officials take become more extreme. When statistical relationships change, students of voting behavior have a tendency to locate the source of the change in voter attitudes, but unchanging voters may simply be responding to changes in candidate strategy and behavior. Abramowitz and Saunders exemplify this tendency and much of their critique goes astray as a result.
Wheat coleoptile and root growth and seedling survival after dehydration and rehydration

Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) seed frequently is planted deeply in dry soil that supports germination but not emergence. Our objective was to ascertain the effect of dehydration on seedling survival and development, particularly the coleoptile and root, and their ahility to growth after rehydration. Seeds of 'Larned', a tall, hard red winter wheat with a long coleoptile, were germinated for 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5 d and seedlings were dehydrated for 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5 d and then rehydrated. Seedling survival was greater than 75% after 1 to 3 d germination and all dehydration treatments, hut declined from about 60% to zero after germination for 4 d and dehydration for 3 d or more. Dehydration reduced coleoptile lengths by 17 to 58% compared with the control. Seminal roots also were highly sensitive to dehydration, except at early stages, but were replaced quickly at all stages when seedlings were rehydrated. Changes in seed weight suggest that reserves were important for recovery of seedlings from dehydration. Increasing depth of planting and duration of germination successively reduced emergence of seedlings from seeds that were germinated for 1 to 4 d and then dehydrated for 2 d. The results demonstrated that emergence of wheat seedlings is increasingly impaired by dehydration as germination progresses, that the seedling stage when dehydration occurs is more important than the duration of the stress, and that coleoptile and root growth and seed reserves are involved in seedling responses to dehydration.
Effects of Policy Changes on Thai Migration to Iceland

In this study, I use ethnographic, survey and Icelandic government data to examine the nexus of recent migration policy changes in Iceland and the increased use of marriage as a migration strategy. In the early 1980s, Thai women began coming to Iceland to either marry Icelandic men or “try out” a potential relationship with an Icelander before marriage. During that time, Iceland approved work permits for foreigners regardless of country of origin, allowing many Thais to immigrate independent of marriage. By 2006, however, Iceland's membership in the European Economic Area was making it almost impossible for Thais and other non-European migrants to secure a work permit. There has been an increase in marriage-based migrations among non-European migrants to Iceland compared to all other types of legal migration since 2006. Iceland's policy changes may have stemmed the flow of non-European labourers, but may also have opened the door to increased fraudulent marriages and abuse of foreign women by Icelandic husbands. These policy changes have only occurred in the past 5–7 years, and it remains for future research to investigate adjustments made by both Icelanders and Thais in response to the newest laws.
Reducing ambulance diversion: a multihospital approach.

Objective. To evaluate the impact of procedures for reducing ambulance diversion in the metropolitan area of Syracuse, New York. Methods. This was a retrospective review of procedures for reducing ambulance diversion at the system-wide and hospital-specific levels between January 1, 2001, and June 30, 2002. System-wide procedures involved exchange of information concerning diversion. Hospital-specific procedures involved implementation of additional planning and criteria for implementing ambulance diversion and development of additional patient care resources within the respective hospitals. Results. Between 2000 and 2001, hours on ambulance diversion for the combined Syracuse hospitals declined by 24.8%. Between January and June 2001 and 2002, hours on diversion declined by 33.6%. These reductions in diversion hours occurred as numbers of ambulance transports increased by 7% and numbers of emergency department visits increased by 5%. Conclusion. The study demonstrated that a combination of approaches can...
Abstracts Presented at the Clinical Conference and Exposition of the National Perinatal Association, October 21–23, 1999, Milwaukee, WI: Part I

Abstracts Presented at the Clinical Conference and Exposition of the National Perinatal Association, October 21–23, 1999, Milwaukee, WI: Part I
Influence of electronic and structural effects on the oxidative behavior of nickel porphyrins.

With the aim of better understanding the electronic and structural factors which govern electron-transfer processes in porphyrins, the electrochemistry of 29 nickel(II) porphyrins has been examined in dichloromethane containing either 0.1 M tetra-n-butylammonium perchlorate (TBAP) or tetra-n-butylammonium hexafluorophosphate (TBAPF6) as supporting electrolyte. Half-wave potentials for the first oxidation and first reduction are only weakly dependent on the supporting electrolyte, but E1/2 for the second oxidation varies considerably with the type of supporting electrolyte. E1/2 values for the first reduction to give a porphyrin π-anion radical are effected in large part by the electronic properties of the porphyrin macrocycle substituents, while half-wave potentials for the first oxidation to give a π-cation radical are affected by the substituents as well as by nonplanar deformations of the porphyrin macrocycle. The potential difference between the first and second oxidations (Δ|Ox2 − Ox1|) is highly var...
The ETHNIC(S) mnemonic: A clinical tool for ethnogeriatric education

Geriatrics healthcare providers need to be aware of the effect that culture has on establishing treatment priorities, influencing adherence, and addressing end-of-life care issues for older patients and their caregivers. The mnemonic ETHNIC(S) (Explanation, Treatment, Healers, Negotiate, Intervention, Collaborate, Spirituality/Seniors) presented in this article provides a framework that practitioners can use in providing culturally appropriate geriatric care. ETHNIC(S) can serve as a clinically applicable tool for eliciting and negotiating cultural issues during healthcare encounters and as a new instructional strategy to be incorporated into ethnogeriatric curricula for all healthcare disciplines.
Atypical Protein Kinase C Plays a Critical Role in Protein Transport from Pre-Golgi Intermediates

The small GTPase Rab2 requires atypical protein kinase C iota/lambda (PKCiota/lambda) kinase activity to promote vesicle budding from normal rat kidney cell microsomes (Tisdale, E. J. (2000) Traffic 1, 702-712). The released vesicles lack anterograde-directed cargo but contain coat protein I (COPI) and the recycling protein p53/p58, suggesting that the vesicles traffic in the retrograde pathway. In this study, we have directly characterized the role of PKCiota/lambda in the early secretory pathway. A peptide corresponding to the unique PKCiota/lambda pseudosubstrate domain was introduced into an in vitro assay that efficiently reconstitutes transport of vesicular stomatitis virus glycoprotein from the endoplasmic reticulum to the cis-medial Golgi compartments. This peptide blocked transport in a dose-dependent manner. Moreover, normal rat kidney cells incubated with Rab2 and the pseudosubstrate peptide displayed abundant swollen or dilated vesicles that contained Rab2, PKCiota/lambda, beta-COP, and p53/p58. Because Rab2, beta-COP, and p53/p58 are marker proteins for pre-Golgi intermediates (vesicular tubular clusters,VTCs), most probably the swollen vesicles are derived from VTCs. Similar results were obtained when the assays were supplemented with kinase-dead PKCiota/lambda (W274K). Both the pseudosubstrate peptide and kinase-dead PKCiota/lambda in tandem with Rab2 caused sustained membrane association of PKCiota/lambda, suggesting that reverse translocation was inhibited. Importantly, the inhibitory phenotype of kinase-dead PKCiota/lambda was reversed by PKCiota/lambda wild type. These combined results indicate that PKCiota/lambda is essential for protein transport in the early secretory pathway and suggest that PKCiota/lambda kinase activity is required to promote Rab2-mediated vesicle budding at a VTC subcompartment enriched in recycling cargo.
Quest for rigorous intelligent tutoring systems under uncertainty: Computing with Words and Images

Probabilistic and Fuzzy Logic approaches have been used for developing Intelligent Tutoring Systems (ITS) for years to deal with uncertainties in ITS but without much attention to justification of the particular techniques, which we call the analysis of scientific rigor of the approach. In probabilistic approaches, there is a missing justification of the Markovian assumption of Bayesian networks along with others. In fuzzy logic approaches, there is a missing justification of fuzzy logic operations by the analysis of the specific ITS task. One of the fundamental and natural ways to provide a rigorously justified way to deal with the uncertainty in ITS is the systematic modeling the context of each ITS task. This paper proposes a methodology based on the comprehensive use of the uncertain contextual verbal and visual information.
Detection of coronary artery disease with a continuous infusion of definity ultrasound contrast during adenosine stress real time perfusion echocardiography.

Background: Myocardial perfusion imaging during adenosine stress is an accurate method of detecting physiologically relevant coronary artery disease. Methods: Real time perfusion echocardiography (RTPE) was compared to nuclear scintigraphy (rest Thallium, stress Sestamibi) in 40 patients with intermediate to high pretest probability. RTPE was performed with a continuous infusion of intravenous microbubbles (Definity; Bristol Myers Squibb) and intermittent high mechanical index impulses, with visual examination of both the replenishment rate and plateau intensity of contrast. Results: Of the 119 coronary artery territories compared, SPECT and RTPE were in agreement in 105 (88% agreement; kappa 0.67). In patients who went on to quantitative coronary arteriography (QCA), there were three who had normal appearing radionuclide SPECT during adenosine, but subendocardial perfusion defects with RTPE. In all three cases, QCA confirmed the presence of a >50% diameter stenosis in the abnormal territory. Conclusions: We conclude from this study that adenosine stress imaging with RTPE is an accurate method of detecting coronary artery disease. The higher resolution of RTPE may identify subendocardial defects that would otherwise have gone undetected with radionuclide imaging.
Development of IgM Antibody to Group B Streptococcus Type III in Human Infants

An ELISA was developed to measure IgM antibody to albumin-coupled native capsular polysaccharide of type III group B streptococcus (GBS). The assay was standardized by two double-label methods that agreed within 33%. In quantitative assays, the range of IgM antibody to type III GBS in the sera of 94 adult pregnant women was 1.2-50.6 micrograms/ml (median, 5.4), while each of 38 cord serum samples contained less than 0.03 micrograms/ml IgM antibody. Neonatal rats were passively immunized with a serially diluted human serum containing 15 micrograms/ml IgM and undetectable IgG antibody to type III GBS. The rats were protected against lethal infection with an IgM antibody concentration of 0.5 micrograms/ml. In single serum samples from 31 healthy infants less than 2 years old and serial specimens from 5 infants with type III GBS infections, specific IgM antibody was detectable by 3 months of age. Levels greater than or equal to 0.5 micrograms/ml were present in all samples from infants greater than 7 months of age. The acquisition of specific IgM antibody is inversely correlated with the age-limited incidence of type III GBS infections in young children.
Does previous reconstructive surgery influence functional improvement and deformity correction after periacetabular osteotomy

Background The Bernese periacetabular osteotomy (PAO) is commonly used to surgically treat residual acetabular dysplasia. However, the degree to which function and radiographic deformity are corrected in patients with more severe deformities that have undergone previous reconstructive pelvic or femoral osteotomies is unclear.
Comparative effects of three carcinogens on human, rat and mouse hepatocytes

Ultrastructural changes commonly observed in liver cells of rodents exposed to carcinogens in vivo can be induced in hepatocytes exposed to carcinogens in vitro. Human, rat and mouse hepatocytes in primary culture were treated with actinomycin D, aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) and dimethylnitrosamine (DMN). These cultured hepatocytes were examined for ultrastructural alterations following carcinogen exposure for 24 h. Similar to the effects on liver cells in vivo, the most prominent change was a segregation of the nucleolar components. Human, rat and mouse hepatocytes, dosed with 7.9 X 10(-8) M actinomycin D, developed nucleolar segregation in 86%, 98% and 55% of cells, respectively. When incubated with 3.2 X 10(-6) M AFB1, 60% of human and 84% of rat hepatocytes developed nucleolar segregation. However, exposures of mouse hepatocytes less than or equal to 3.2 X 10(-5) M of AFB1 failed to induce segregation of the nucleolus. DMN administered at a dose of 2.0 X 10(-2) M caused segregation in 11% of the rat hepatocytes and in 60% of the mouse hepatocytes. Distinct nucleolar segregation did not occur in human hepatocytes until they were exposed to a concentration of 5.0 X 10(-2) M DMN (31%). Actinomycin D, AFB1, DMN, as well as other compounds that bind to DNA and interfere with template activity cause nucleolar segregation. Morphologic changes observed in cultured rat and mouse hepatocytes correlate well with in vivo experiments with regard to the relative sensitivity of rats and mice to toxicological effects of these carcinogens. Thus, hepatocyte cultures may provide a realistic system to determine the sensitivity of human liver cells to carcinogens.
Monitoring CNGA3 and CNGB3 Subunit Expression in Retinas of Day-Blind Canines with Inherited Deletion or Missense CNGB3 Asp262Asn Mutations Show Progressive Loss of Both CNGB3 and CNGA3 Expression

Cone cyclic nucleotide-gated (CNG) channels are heteromeric, composed of CNGA3 and CNGB3 subunits. Inherited canine day blindness is similar to human achromatopsia and results in loss of cone function. Affected dogs have inherited deletion (-/-) or missense (m/m) Asp262Asn mutations in the CNGB3 gene. Cone ERG studies from m/m dogs show early, progressive loss of cone function with complete loss by ∼6-weeks. Immunohistochemical analysis of m/m and -/- retinal tissues using an anti-CNGA3 antibody show outer segment expression until ∼6 weeks; no immunoreactivity is observed at 1 year. A polyclonal antibody was generated against the C-terminus of canine CNGB3 to investigate expression in the m/m dogs. Immunohistochemistry on 6-week, 8-week and one-year old m/m retinas showed no expression of CNGB3. Immunoblots of retinal homogenates from m/m and -/- mutant dogs showed no reactivity although the antibody recognizes the mutant protein as demonstrated with heterologously-expressed human B3-D262N (canine numbering). Previous qRT-PCR studies examined expression of both CNGA3 and CNGB3 mRNA. Levels of CNGA3 were similar for unaffected, m/m and -/- retinas; CNGB3 mRNA levels were similar for unaffected and m/m dogs but, as expected, levels in -/- retinas were non-detectable. The affected m/m and -/- dogs provide models for inherited human channelopathies including achromatopsia with the potential for direct retinal examination of affected dogs during development and following gene therapy. Results with m/m dogs show that the CNGB3 subunits are degraded; importantly, both the m/m and -/- dogs loose expression of CNGA3 in outer segments. This surprising result implies that an intact CNGB3 is a requirement for CNGA3 expression, a result not predicted or replicated in heterologous expression of CNGA3 channels.
A Robust Machine Translation System

This paper presents an expectation-based Japanese-to-English translation system called JETR. JETR is designed to translate recipes and other instruction booklets containing ungrammatical and abbreviated sentences. JETR is able to preserve the syntactic style of the source text without carrying syntactic information in the internal representation. JETR's inferencer is able to determine the number (plural or singular) of nouns, fill ellipses and resolve pronoun references.
Toxicity of Isothiocyanates Produced by Glucosinolates in Brassicaceae Species to Black Vine Weevil Eggs

Control of the black vine weevil, Otiorhynchus sulcatus (F.), with allelochemicals produced from glucosinolates may be possible; however, plant-derived isothiocyanates are not readily available for bioassays. Our objective was to predict the toxicity of plant-derived isothiocyanates using a model developed with commercially available compounds. Contact toxicities of 12 organic isothiocyanates were determined by dipping black vine weevil eggs into isothiocyanate solutions. Quantitative relationships between the molecular structure of the isothiocyanates and their toxicities were estimated by regressing lethal concentrations against the compound's respective physiochemical parameters. Isothiocyanate polarity (log octanol/water partition coefficient) had the most significant effect on observed toxicities, whereas electronic and steric characteristics were unimportant. Using this linear structure-activity relationship, we predict that the highest contact toxicities to black vine weevil eggs will result from glucosinolates producing isothiocyanates with higher numbers of carbon atoms or those bearing sulfinyl, thio, or aromatic moieties.
Deer mouse and lemming adrenal and pathological responses to increases in animal numbers

Abstract 1. 1. Adrenal secretion and frequency and severity of renal pathology was positively correlated with animal densities of both species. 2. 2. Lemmings had a greater capacity for increased adrenal response than deer mice. 3. 3. Similar rates of increased pathology and of adrenal function in response to increased density were expressed by both species. 4. 4. Marked species differences in the expression of reproductive inhibition with density increase were apparent.
Energy-based self-collision culling for arbitrary mesh deformations

In this paper, we accelerate self-collision detection (SCD) for a deforming triangle mesh by exploiting the idea that a mesh cannot self collide unless it deforms enough. Unlike prior work on subspace self-collision culling which is restricted to low-rank deformation subspaces, our energy-based approach supports arbitrary mesh deformations while still being fast. Given a bounding volume hierarchy (BVH) for a triangle mesh, we precompute Energy-based Self-Collision Culling (ESCC) certificates on bounding-volume-related sub-meshes which indicate the amount of deformation energy required for it to self collide. After updating energy values at runtime, many bounding-volume self-collision queries can be culled using the ESCC certificates. We propose an affine-frame Laplacian-based energy definition which sports a highly optimized certificate pre-process, and fast runtime energy evaluation. The latter is performed hierarchically to amortize Laplacian energy and affine-frame estimation computations. ESCC supports both discrete and continuous SCD with detailed and nonsmooth geometry. We observe significant culling on many examples, with SCD speed-ups up to 26X.
Estimation of transformation rate of SO2 to SO4 from atmospheric concentration data

Abstract The transformation rate of SO2 to sulfate is estimated from data collected by aircraft following a tetroon northeast of St. Louis, Missouri, on 10 and 11 August 1975. Assuming deposition velocities of 1 cm s−1 and 0.1 cm s−1 for SO2 and sulfate, respectively, the analysis including 90% confidence limits, yields a rate of 0.14 ± 0.04 h−1 for the first day and 0.10 ± 0.02 h−1 for the second. The confidence limits do not preclude the likelihood that the rate was the same for both days, in which case it would have been 0.10–0.12 h−1.
Medical research: Missing patients

Effective clinical studies must consider all ethnicities — exclusion can endanger populations, says Esteban G. Burchard.
Tektites and the Earth

THE glassy tektites found strewn over the surface of the Earth have long been a scientific enigma. Many hypotheses have been produced to account for their origin and many writers seem to favour an origin beyond the atmosphere, in inter-planetary space. At this juncture it is well to consider several factors that argue against an extra-terrestrial origin.
Ignition of an evaporating fuel in a hot, stagnant gas containing an oxidizer

Ignition characteristics of evaporating fuel evaluated by similarity theory and mathematical model analysis
Intraoperative Use of Indocyanine Green Fluorescence Videography for Resection of a Spinal Cord Hemangioblastoma

Background and importance Indocyanine green (ICG) fluorescence videography has been recently applied to the neurosurgical field, mostly in the management of cerebral aneurysms, but has had limited description in the subspecialty of spine or oncological neurosurgery. We describe a novel application of this previously defined surgical tool to assist in the resection of a residual spinal cord hemangioblastoma. Clinical presentation Our patient is a 49-year-old woman with a residual symptomatic cervical hemangioblastoma that was previously embolized and resected at another institution. After initial symptomatic improvement, she returned with progressive symptoms, increasing radiographic spinal cord edema, and a residual lesion at the level of C1. We resected the remaining tumor with the adjuvant use of ICG fluorescence videography. Intraoperative injection of ICG clearly identified a component of the tumor underlying adhesive, opaque arachnoid that was not visualized by direct microscopy. Immediate postresection ICG videography suggested a complete resection was achieved which was later corroborated by postoperative magnetic resonance imaging. Conclusion The adjuvant use of ICG videography is a useful surgical tool that permits greater visualization of the complete extent of the lesion, particularly in managing recurrent or residual lesions obscured by adhesions.
Theory of s-d Scattering in Dilute Magnetic Alloys. II. Derivation and Solution of Linear Vertex Equations

A set of linear equations for the vertex function associated with conduction-electron scattering from a spin-dependent impurity potential is derived from perturbation theory and is shown to lead to the Abrikosov vertex function in the limit of a contact interaction and logarithmic accuracy. The general reduction to quadratures of the linear equations is given for $s$-wave, factorizable interactions. A detailed evaluation of the (off-energy-shell) vertex function is performed for that interaction which corresponds to the pole-approximation solution to the $s$-wave Low equation in the limit of spin-independent potentials. The Fermi factors introduced by a spin-dependent $s\ensuremath{-}d$ interaction lead to a (linear) vertex function with analytical properties differing from those of the pole-approximation solution to the coupled Low equations. The influence of ground-state correlations in the linear equations causes the failure of inelastic, single-channel unitarity in both spin channels ($J=S\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}\frac{1}{2}$) for factorizable, $s$-wave antiferromagnetic $s\ensuremath{-}d$ interactions with any strength or form factor.
Brain necrosis after fractionated radiation therapy: is the halftime for repair longer than we thought?

Purpose: To derive a radiobiological model that enables the estimation of brain necrosis and spinal cord myelopathy rates for a variety of fractionation schemes, and to compare repair effects between brain and spinal cord. Methods: Sigmoidal dose response relationships for brain radiation necrosis and spinal cord myelopathy are derived from clinical data using nonlinear regression. Three different repair models are considered and the repair halftimes are included as regression parameters. Results: For radiation necrosis, a repair halftime of 38.1 (range 6.9-76) h is found with monoexponential repair, while for spinal cord myelopathy, a repair halftime of 4.1 (range 0-8) h is found. The best-fit alpha beta ratio is 0.96 (range 0.24-1.73)Conclusions: A radiobiological model that includes repair corrections can describe the clinical data for a variety of fraction sizes, fractionation schedules, and total doses. Modeling suggests a relatively long repair halftime for brain necrosis. This study suggests that the repair halftime for late radiation effects in the brain may be longer than is currently thought. If confirmed in future studies, this may lead to a re-evaluation of radiation fractionation schedules for some CNS diseases, particularly for those diseases where fractionated stereotactic radiation therapy is used.
Plantar calcaneal enthesophytes: new observations regarding sites of origin based on radiographic, MR imaging, anatomic, and paleopathologic analysis.

Abstract Objective. To determine the relationship between sites of calcaneal plantar enthesophytes and surrounding fascial and soft tissue structures using routine radiography, MR imaging, and data derived from cadaveric and paleopathologic specimens. Design and patients. Two observers analyzed the MR imaging studies of 40 ankles in 38 patients (35 males, 3 females; mean age 48.3 years) with plantar calcaneal enthesophytes that were selected from all the ankle MR examinations performed during the past year. Data derived from these MR examinations were the following: the size of the enthesophyte; its location in relation to the plantar fascia (PF) and flexor muscles; and the thickness and signal of the PF. The corresponding radiographs of the ankles were evaluated at a different time by the same observers for the presence or absence of plantar enthesophytes and, when present, their measurements. A third observer reviewed all the discordant observations of MR imaging and radiographic examinations. Two observers analyzed 22 calcaneal specimens with plantar enthesophytes at an anthropology museum to determine the orientation of each plantar enthesophyte. MR imaging of a cadaveric foot with a plantar enthesophyte with subsequent sagittal sectioning was performed to provide further anatomic understanding. Results. With regard to MR imaging, the mean size of the plantar enthesophytes was 4.41 mm (SD 2.4). Twenty (50%) enthesophytes were located above the PF, 16 (40%) between the fascia and abductor digiti minimi, flexor digitorum brevis and abductor hallucis muscles, and only one (3%) was located within the PF. In three (8%) cases the location was not determined. The size of enthesophytes seen with MR imaging and radiographs was highly correlated (P 0.8, kappa >0.9). Eleven of the 22 bone specimens had plantar enthesophytes oriented in the direction of the abductor digiti minimi and 11 oriented in the direction of the flexor digitorum brevis and PF. The cadaveric sections revealed different types of enthesophytes. Conclusions. Plantar calcaneal enthesophytes arise in five different locations: at the insertion sites of abductor digiti minimi and flexor digitorum brevis muscles; between the PF and these muscles; and, less frequently, within the PF and at the insertion site of the short plantar ligament.
PreView: Development and Pilot Testing of an Interactive Video Doctor Plus Provider Alert to Increase Cancer Screening

Background. Interventions to increase recommended cancer screening tests and discussions are needed. Methods. We developed the PREventive VIdeo Education in Waiting Rooms Program (PreView), a multimedia cancer prevention intervention for primary care clinics based on the Transtheoretical Model of Behavior Change. We pilot tested PreView, an interactive Video Doctor plus Provider Alert for feasibility and acceptability in primary care clinic settings in the San Francisco Bay Area , CA in 2009-2010. Results. Eighty participants (33 men and 47 women; more than half non-White) at 5 primary care clinics were included. After PreView, 87% of women were definitely interested in mammography when due, and 77% were definitely interested in a Pap test. 73% of participants were definitely interested in colorectal cancer screening when due, and 79% of men were definitely interested in a discussion about the PSA test. The majority indicated that they received an appropriate amount of information from PreView and that the information presented helped them decide whether or not to be screened. Conclusions. PreView was well received and accepted and potentially provides an innovative and practical way to support physicians' efforts to increase cancer screening.
A comparison of models, numerical simulation, and experimental results in droplet deposition processes

Abstract The deformation and solidification of a droplet impinging on a flat surface has been studied extensively because of the wide variety of applications pertinent to this process. In the present work, predictions of the solidification and deformation behavior of the droplet deposition process obtained with a semi-analytical metal-droplet deposition model and by numerical simulation are compared with available experimental results. Cases with and without solidification are considered. The results provide some insight concerning the validity of the assumptions underlying the various approaches. In general the numerical simulation approach yields very good predictions of the splat deformation and solidification process parameters such as maximum splat radius and solidification time. On the other hand, the semi-analytical approach provides a very good qualitative evaluation of the solidification process.
Melanoma uptake of 99mTc complexes containing the N-(2-diethylaminoethyl)benzamide structural element

On the basis of the avid uptake of radioiodinated benzamides by melanoma cells, (99m)Tc complexes containing the structural elements of N-(dialkylaminoalkyl)benzamide pharmacophores have been synthesized and evaluated in vitro and in vivo for melanoma uptake. One of the complexes Tc-12 containing the ligand 4-(S-benzoyl-2-thioacetyl-glycyl-glycylamido)-N-(2-diethylaminoethyl)benzamide (11) displayed the highest melanoma uptake. The 1-h melanoma uptake values and the corresponding blood counts indicate an interdependence of tumor uptake and bioavailability of the (99m)Tc complexes.
Synaptic Noise as a Source of Variability in the Interval between Action Potentials

The source of variability in the interval between action potentials has been identified in a class of cat spinal motoneurons. The observed random fluctuations in membrane potential (synaptic noise) together with an empirical description of spike generation accurately predict the statistical structure of variability observed to occur in the neuron's discharge.
Soluble Human Leukocyte Antigens, Interleukin‐6, and Interferon‐γ During Pregnancy

PROBLEM: Soluble human leukocyte antigens (sHLA), interferon-γ (IFN-γ), and interleukin-6 (IL-6) were studied during human pregnancy to test the hypothesis that sHLA concentrations are regulated by these specific cytokines. METHOD OF STUDY: Enzyme-linked immunoadsorbent assays (ELISA) were used to measure sHLA I and II in maternal circulation, cord blood, and placenta effluents of pregnant and nonpregnant women; maternal serum cytokines were also determined. RESULTS: sHLA in maternal and cord blood were equivalent to that in the placenta. By the third trimester, sHLA I concentrations in maternal plasma were significantly reduced compared to the first or second trimesters. sHLA II was increased during the second trimester relative to that postpartum. Maternal IL-6 and IFN-γ concentrations were not statistically different throughout gestation or postpartum. CONCLUSIONS: These data do not suggest a role for maternal plasma IL-6 or IFN-γ in regulation of systemic sHLA class I during pregnancy, but they do not address whether such events take place in local tissues of the maternal-fetal unit.
Gigahertz voltage-controlled ring oscillator

Designs for ring oscillators that provide a 2:1 range of voltage-controllable frequency are compared. Simulated results are given for a ring oscillator intended for a 1 ?m NMOS monolithic IC implementation. The circuit displays a variable frequency from 1.5 GHz to 2.5 GHz, and requires no off-chip tuning elements.
A modified mixed‐mode bending specimen for the interfacial fracture testing of dissimilar materials

This paper presents the results of a combined experimental and analytical/computational study of interfacial fracture between dissimilar materials. Analytical expressions are derived for the computation of strain energy release rates and mode mixities in a new dissimilar mixed-mode bending (DMMB) specimen. The energy release rates are compared with numerical results obtained from finite element analysis of interfacial cracks in a model copper/moulding compound system that is used commonly in electronic packages. Interfacial fracture toughness in this system is shown to increase with increasing mode mixity, for mode mixity levels between pure mode I and pure mode II. The potential applications of the DMMB are also discussed.
Trying to make a difference for those with Type 1 diabetes: a lesson in patience as well as a willingness to fail mightily.

Interview by Rona WilliamsonMark A Atkinson is currently an Eminent Scholar for Diabetes Research at the University of Florida (FL, USA). The author of more than 300 publications, Dr Atkinson is beginning his 29th year of investigation into the field of Type 1 diabetes, and has been the recipient of multiple scientific- and humanitarian-based awards for these efforts. He has also been active in a leadership service to the Type 1 diabetes community, with active administrative or advisory service to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF), the American Diabetes Association (ADA), the NIH, the Immunology of Diabetes Society (IDS) and a variety of companies from the pharmaceutical and biotech industry. He is a charter member of the NIH’s Immune Tolerance Network Scientific Advisory Board, a member of the External Scientific Advisory Board to the NIH Beta Cell Biology Consortium and a member of NIH TrialNet. He is also the executive director for the Network for Pancreatic Organ Donors with Diabetes (n...
Case report 448

Osteome osteoide de la 6eme cote gauche avec reaction inflammatoire de la plevre adjacente et hyperostose des cotes adjacentes
Generalized self-dual bosanic membranes, vector cross-products and analyticity in higher dimensions

Abstract By generalizing the notion of self-duality for chiral currents and gauge fields to Nambu-Goto membranes, we exhibit a remarkable class of self-dual classical bosonic p -branes in n spacetime dimensions. The latter exist whenever a p -fold vector cross-product can be defined in R n . Their connections to generalized cauchy-Riemann analyticity, to exceptional geometries and supermembranes in critical dimensions 7 and 8 in particular are discussed.