cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Some Precautions in Using Canonical Analysis

The use of canonical correlation analysis in marketing research has been expanding substantially in recent years and for good reason (applications include [1, 2, 4, 6, 7, 8, 10, 11, 13, 14, 16, 17, 18, 20, 27]). However, canonical correlation like other analytical methods is not without certain limitations. It is important for these limitations to be kept in mind when choosing a technique for data analysis and when interpreting canonical results. Otherwise opportunities to distill additional important information from the data may be sacrificed or even worse faulty interpretations may occur. The purpose of this article is to describe and illustrate some potential shortcomings of canonical correlation analysis when it is used in marketing research. One reason applications of canonical analysis have grown is because the technique provides for multivariate analysis of whole batteries or sets of variables as they relate to each other. Following convention these sets are often designated as criterion and predictor variables. More traditional methods such as bivariate and multiple correlation restrict analysis to only one criterion variable at a time. Consequently, when these methods are utilized the criterion side of the relationship must be analyzed in a univariate fashion. Univariate analysis of criterion phenomena leaves something to be desired when the phenomena cannot be adequately expressed or measured by a single variable, which is often the case in marketing research. Frequently there is a potent conceptual basis for expecting both the criterion and predictor variables to be gestalt-like composite sets with relationships existing between the sets. In which case, any single criterion variable taken in isolation is at best indicative
Collaborative Teaming to Support Students at Risk and Students with Severe Disabilities in General Education Classrooms

This study investigated the effectiveness of a general education/special education collaborative teaming process on the academic and social participation of six students in general education classrooms. Three of the students experienced severe disabilities. The other three were considered academically at risk. Each student was supported by an educational team that included general and special education personnel and the students' parents. Each team developed and collaboratively implemented individualized Unified Plans of Support for one student at risk and a classmate with disabilities, consisting of academic adaptations and communication and social supports. The effectiveness of the support plans was evaluated through behavioral observations and team interviews. Intervention outcomes suggested that for each of the six students consistent implementation of the plans of support by team members was associated with increases in academic skills, engagement in classroom activities, interactions with peers, and...
The utility of quantitative body surface isoarea mapping for predicting ventricular tachyarrhythmias.

Noninvasive techniques, such as the signal averaged ECG, have been used to assess risk of ventricular tachyarrhythmias (VT). However, these methods produce false positive and negative results. The purpose of this study was to develop body surface map algorithms which would enhance prediction of susceptibility to VT. Fifty-three patients referred for programmed electrical stimulation were enrolled in this study. All patients underwent signal averaged ECG, body surface map, programmed electrical stimulation. Group I patients had no sustained inducible VT and group II patients had either inducible sustained VT at electrophysiology study or previously documented spontaneous, sustained VT. For body surface map analysis, the difference between extrema on isoarea maps was calculated and defined as the gradient range. An abnormal body surface map was defined as a QRST gradient range 114 ms predicted VT. The sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values for predicting VT susceptibility of an algorithm which combines the signal averaged ECG QRS duration and the QRST gradients were 0.93, 0.76, 0.79, and 0.91, respectively, while those for the signal averaged ECG alone were 0.52, 0.69, 0.63, and 0.59 for VT susceptibility. A combined body surface map-signal averaged ECG algorithm was more sensitive in detecting susceptibility to VT than the signal averaged ECG alone.
Private body consciousness, anxiety and the perception of pain

Two studies are described which present data consistent with Barsky and Klerman's hypothesis that people who report pain in the absence of an identifiable organic etiology may be attending to and amplifying normal bodily sensations. The results of these studies demonstrated that young college students with a predisposition toward focusing attention on somatic symptoms (high private body consciousness) and scoring high on State Anxiety reported more areas of aches and pains and rated these sensations as more noxious. Additionally, the most frequent areas of pain identified corresponded to the areas commonly seen in a chronic pain population. An attempt to manipulate self-focused attention with a mirror manipulation in Study 2 failed to produce reliable results.
Multilayered structure of GaAs/epi-Si/SiO2/Si

Abstract Defect-free epi-silicon films have been successfully grown over the SiO 2 surfaces by the epitaxial-lateral-overgrowth technique. These SOI wafers were then used as substrates for GaAs film growth by the MOCVD technique. The microstrip line prepared on this multilayer structure has the least conductive loss compared with those deposited on GaAs and Si substrates.
Practical Methods for Managing the Gear Whine Phenomena

Unprecedented competition among the worldwide automotive manufacturers has benefited the consumer, resulting in higher levels of overall quality while simultaneously reducing the time-to-market for new models. One subjective differentiator of automotive quality is the noise and vibration performance, as evident by the quieter interiors even in vehicles not typically associated with the luxury banner, such a large trucks. In essence, passenger compartments devoid of objectionable road and wind noise have become a fundamental customer requirement expected in all vehicles regardless of cost, thereby reducing the broadband masking content of the interior. This reduction of masking has the potential to make tonal noise more prominent and annoying, by increasing the tone-to-noise ratio, and as result, the perception of quality may suffer. Gear whine is one such tonal noise phenomena that must be diligently managed by automotive engineers in order to avoid objectionable passenger compartment noise. This can be quite challenging, since many gear design features implemented for increased durability are often counter productive for noise. Sources of gear whine include powertrain components such as automatic and manuals transmissions, axles, transfer cases, power-take of units, engine accessory drives, and an assortment of other potential noise makers. This paper will attempt a technology review of various practical methods for managing the gear whine phenomena, including the use of Quality Function Deployment charts, dynamic transmission error with parametric gear models, and response surface modeling for gear design optimization.Copyright © 2007 by Ford Motor Company
Dilatation of radiation-induced sigmoid stricture using sequential Savary-Guilliard dilators. A combined radiologic-endoscopic approach.

A combined radiologic-endoscopic approach using sequential Savary-Guilliard dilators over a guidewire is described here for the palliative treatment of a radiation-induced stricture of the sigmoid colon.
Direct reaction of H2O2 with sulfhydryl groups in HL-60 cells: zinc-metallothionein and other sites.

Abstract The reaction of the sulfhydryl groups in metallothionein with hydrogen peroxide was examined in HL-60 cells. Partial purification of cell cytosol using Sephadex G-75 chromatography showed that zinc-metallothionein (Zn-MT) was induced by 24-h treatment with 100 μ M ZnCl 2 , but the cellular glutathione content and glutathione peroxidase and catalase activities were unaffected. The ratio of H 2 O 2 concentrations needed to reduce cell survival 50% in Zn-induced cells compared to normal cells was 1.65 to 1. According to alkaline elution experiments, the average ratio of single-strand breaks caused by H 2 O 2 at 37°C in Zn-induced vs normal cells was 0.5 to 1. A similar reduction in strand breakage was seen in nuclei from Zn-treated cells exposed to H 2 O 2 ; however, at 4°C protection against DNA strand breakage by Zn pretreatment was not seen. Incubation of Zn-pretreated cells with H 2 O 2 at 37°C but not 4°C was accompanied by loss of Zn bound to MT and a reduction in the number of MT sulfhydryl groups. In the absence or presence of Zn-MT, sulfhydryl groups from glutathione and protein fractions were also reduced by exposure of cells to H 2 O 2 . However, thiolate groups in the MT fraction were preferentially lost compared to the other pools of sulfhydryl residues. Zn-MT also spared glutathione sulfhydryl groups in vitro from oxidation by H 2 O 2 . Protection against strand breakage correlated with the ability of Zn-MT to react in vitro with H 2 O 2 at 37°C, but not at 4°C. The reaction was slow and was not inhibited by the presence of an hydroxyl radical scavenger, dimethyl sulfoxide. Similarly, in cells dimethyl sulfoxide did not prevent the loss of sulfhydryl groups from glutathione or protein. Incubation of MT or higher molecular weight fractions from cells exposed to H 2 O 2 with either 2-mercaptoethanol or dithiothreitol in the presence of Cd failed to regenerate any detectable, reduced MT, suggesting that MT sulfhydryl groups were oxidized by H 2 O 2 beyond the disulfide oxidation state.
Fuel treatments and landform modify landscape patterns of burn severity in an extreme fire event

Under a rapidly warming climate, a critical management issue in semiarid forests of western North America is how to increase forest resilience to wildfire. We evaluated relationships between fuel reduction treatments and burn severity in the 2006 Tripod Complex fires, which burned over 70,000 ha of mixed-conifer forests in the North Cascades range of Washington State and involved 387 past harvest and fuel treatment units. A secondary objective was to investigate other drivers of burn severity including landform, weather, vegetation characteristics, and a recent mountain pine beetle outbreak. We used sequential autoregression (SAR) to evaluate drivers of burn severity, represented by the relative differenced Normalized Burn Ratio index, in two study areas that are centered on early progressions of the wildfire complex. Significant predictor variables include treatment type, landform (elevation), fire weather (minimum relative humidity and maximum temperature), and vegetation characteristics, including canopy closure, cover type, and mountain pine beetle attack. Recent mountain pine beetle damage was a statistically significant predictor variable with red and mixed classes of beetle attack associated with higher burn severity. Treatment age and size were only weakly correlated with burn severity and may be partly explained by the lack of treatments older than 30 years and the low rates of fuel succession in these semiarid forests. Even during extreme weather, fuel conditions and landform strongly influenced patterns of burn severity. Fuel treatments that included recent prescribed burning of surface fuels were particularly effective at mitigating burn severity. Although surface and canopy fuel treatments are unlikely to substantially reduce the area burned in regional fire years, recent research, including this study, suggests that they can be an effective management strategy for increasing forest landscape resilience to wildfires.
Small-scale spatial pattern in meiobenthos in the San Diego Trough

Abstract Two samples of seemingly homogeneous sediment (i.e. containing no obvious surface features) in the San Diego Trough (32°51.02′N, 117°46.97′W) were obtained from a submersible using an Ekman-style corer modified to contain 10 × 10 contiguous, 2.56 cm 2 subcores. Despite the slow speeds at which cores were inserted into the bottom (2–4 cm s −1 ), bow-wave-induced bias (undercapture) in meiofaunal abundances was detected in peripheral subcores. The magnitude of error caused by the bow wave varied among major taxa and among sexual categories of Harpacticoida. Significant taxon-wide differences in mean sizes may explain the greater susceptibility of male than of gravid female harpacticoids to displacement by the bow wave. Unbiased subcores from the interior of each core were used to analyse the spatial pattern of meiofaunal abundances. Non-randomness in abundances was common at the 1.6 cm scale of subcores. However, non-randomness was relatively rare at larger scales. For nine species of harpacticoids, individuals or groups of individuals were regularly spaced. The scale of spacing varied among species from 2 to 9 cm. Resuls suggest that abundances of deep-sea meiobenthos are affected by processes that produce ecologically meaningful gradients over horizontal scales as small as one to several centimeters.
EXCRETION OF FOLLICLE STIMULATING HORMONE AND INTERSTITIAL-CELL STIMULATING HORMONE IN DIFFERENT PHASES OF THE NORMAL MENSTRUAL CYCLE*

Extracts from pools of human follicular-phase urine and pools of mid-cycle urine were compared for relative FSH and ICSH content by determining the ratio of testes weight to ventral prostate weight in hypophysectomized immature male rats. In a pilot study utilizing purified animal pituitary extracts, pituitary FSH was found to produce a significantly higher testicular-ventral prostate ratio as compared to that produced by pituitary LH. In 2 of 3 pairs of experiments there was a statistical difference in the mean regression lines produced by the extracts of mid-cycle urine as compared to those produced by follicular-phase urine. In the third experiment a trend in the same direction was noted although it could not be said that the difference was statistically significant. It was concluded that there was a qualitative difference in urinary gonadotropin excretion in the two phases of the menstrual cycle studied.
The Use of Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) in the Treatment of Traumatic Stress and Complicated Mourning: Psychological and Behavioral Outcomes:

Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine the differential effects of treatment on a complex of symptomatology that includes grief, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, and self-esteem by comparing eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) and guided mourning (GM) treatments. Method: Twenty-three EMDR clients and 27 GM clients completed measures designed to assess psychosocial and behavioral symptoms of loss before and after treatment and at a 9-month follow-up period. Results: Out of the five psychosocial measures of distress, four (State Anxiety, Impact of Event Scale, Index of Self-Esteem, and PTSD) were found to be significantly altered by type of treatment provided, with EMDR clients reporting the greatest reduction of PTSD symptoms. Data from the behavioral measures revealed similar findings.
Fission probes of sub-barrier fusion cross section enhancements and spin distribution broadening.

The mean-square spin value of the compound nucleus /sup 248/Cf has been determined from fission fragment angular distributions for the /sup 12/C+ /sup 236/U and /sup 16/O+ /sup 232/Th reactions at sub-barrier bombarding energies. The anisotropy and hence the mean-square spin values are much larger than predicted by models which reproduce the cross section enhancement observed in the sub-barrier fusion excitation functions. A similar experiment with the spherical target /sup 208/Pb also leads to larger anisotropies and mean-square spin values than predicted by various fusion models, including an especially complete coupled channels calculation. Supplementary fragment-fragment coincidence experiments have been performed with the heavier targets to confirm that the observed fission is associated with full momentum transfer. The mass distribution for the /sup 12/C+ /sup 236/U reaction has been measured at two angles and found to be independent of angle. This last result suggests that quasifission processes are not playing a significant role.
An odd kind of BCH code

We give a tutorial review of BCH codes, consider some variations to simple BCH error correcting codes, and investigate some of their properties.
Lead modulation of the neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptor in PC12 cells

Abstract Lead is known to modulate several ligand- and voltage-gated ion channels, including the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (AChR) channel. We examined the effects of lead on the nicotinic AChR in rat clonal phaeochromocytoma PC12 cells using whole-cell and single-channel patch-clamp techniques to clarify the detailed mechanism of action. Lead suppressed acetylcholine-induced currents in a dose-dependent manner with an EC 50 value of 37 μ M and a Hill coefficient of 0.82. At the single-channel level, 1–10 μ M lead shortened the opening and burst durations, and increased the duration of mean closed time. The open probability was significantly decreased by lead. These changes of single-channel kinetics result in a significant decrease in the total charge carried through the open AChR channels explaining the suppressive effect of lead on acetylcholine-induced whole-cell currents. © 1997 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.
Secondhand Smoke May Be Associated with an Increased Risk of Primary Tooth Caries

Article Title and Bibliographic Information Parental smoking behavior and caries experience in preschool children. Leroy R, Hoppenbrouwers K, Jara A, Declerck D. Community Dent Oral Epidemiol 2008. 36(3):249-57. Reviewers Jonathan D. Shenkin, DDS, MPH John Warren, DDS, MS Purpose/Question To determine if secondhand smoke was associated with dental caries in preschool-age children while controlling for other known confounders. Source of Funding Industry supported with funding from GABA Benelux and GABA International, Therwil, Switzerland. Type of Study/Design Cross-sectional study Level of Evidence Level 2: Limited-quality, patient-oriented evidence Strength of Recommendation Grade Not applicable
Characterization of CMPO and its radiolysis products by direct infusion ESI-MS.

Abstract Direct infusion electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS) approaches were developed for rapid identification of impurity compounds formed from octylphenyl-(N,N-(diisobutyl)carbamoylmethyl) phosphine oxide (CMPO) during alpha and gamma irradiation experiments of this compound in dodecane. CMPO is an aggressive Lewis base, and produces extremely abundant metal complex ions in the ESI-MS analysis that make identification of low abundance compounds that are less nucleophilic challenging. Radiolysis products were identified using several approaches including restricting ion trapping so as to exclude the abundant natiated CMPO ions, extraction of acidic products using aqueous NaOH, and extraction of basic products using HNO 3 . These approaches generated protonated, natiated and deprotonated species derived from CMPO degradation products formed via radiolytic cleavages of several different bonds. Cleavages of the amide and methylene–phosphoryl bonds appear to be favored by both alpha and gamma irradiation, while alpha irradiation also appears to induce cleavage of the methylene–carbonyl bond. The degradation products observed are formed from recombination of the initially formed radicals with hydrogen, methyl, isopropyl and hydroxyl radicals that are derived either from CMPO, contacted aqueous nitric acid, or the dodecane solvent.
Non-fatal transportation injuries among women: differences in injury patterns and severity by age.

This paper seeks to quantify the burden of nonfatal transportation-related injury among women in the United States. Data were obtained from the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System-All Injury Program. This system consists of a nationally representative sample of emergency department visits from 66 hospitals. Data were weighted by the inverse of the probability of selection to provide national estimates. National estimates were based on weighted data from 31,144 injuries among women treated during January-December 2002. These injuries were compared to a similar number of records for men collected in the same system. Injuries were classified by age, disposition, person type (e.g., occupant, pedestrian) and type of injury. The 31,144 injuries represented an estimated 1.8 million nonfatal transportation-related injuries to women during 2002. More than half of the injuries were among those aged 25-54 years, 16.3% were among teenagers, and 8.0% were among women aged 65 years and older. Results showed differences in injury rates by sex, with men having higher rates of injury in all categories except motor vehicle occupants. The vast majority of those injured were treated and released, but an estimated 86,000 were hospitalized and another 18,000 were transferred for more specialized care. The five most common types of injury were strains and sprains, followed by contusions and abrasions, fractures, lacerations and internal injuries. Women aged 75-84 years had the highest proportion of internal injuries while those 85 and older had the lowest.
Thermodynamic properties of hematite — ilmenite — geikielite solid solutions

A solution model is developed for rhombohedral oxide solid solutions having compositions within the ternary system ilmenite [(Fe2+sTi4+1−s)A (Fe2+1−sTi4+s)B O3]-geikielite [(Mg2+tTi4+1−t)A (Mg2+1−tTi4+t)B O3]-hematite [(Fe3+)A (Fe3+)B O3]. The model incorporates an expression for the configurational entropy of solution, which accounts for varying degrees of structural long-range order (0≤s, t≤1) and utilizes simple regular solution theory to characterize the excess Gibbs free energy of mixing within the five-dimensional composition-ordering space. The 13 model parameters are calibrated from available data on: (1) the degree of long-range order and the composition-temperature dependence of the\(R\bar 3c - R\bar 3\) transition along the ilmenite-hematite binary join; (2) the compositions of coexisting olivine and rhombohedral oxide solid solutions close to the Mg−Fe2+ join; (3) the shape of the miscibility gap along the ilmenite-hematite join; (4) the compositions of coexisting spinel and rhombohedral oxide solid solutions along the Fe2+−Fe3+ join. In the course of calibration, estimates are obtained for the reference state enthalpy of formation of ulvospinel and stoichiometric hematite (−1488.5 and −822.0 kJ/mol at 298 K and 1 bar, respectively). The model involves no excess entropies of mixing nor does it incorporate ternary interaction parameters. The formulation fits the available data and represents an internally consistent energetic model when used in conjuction with the standard state thermodynamic data set of Berman (1988) and the solution theory for orthopyroxenes, olivines and Fe−Mg titanomagnetite-aluminate-chromate spinels developed by Sack and Ghiorso (1989, 1990a, b). Calculated activity-composition relations for the end-members of the series, demonstrate the substantial degree of nonideality associated with interactions between the ordered and disordered structures and the dominant influence of the miscibility gap across much of the ternary system. The predicted shape of the miscibility gap, and the orientation of tie-lines relating the compositions of coexisting phases, display the effects of coupling between the excess enthalpy of solution and the degree of long-range order. One limb of the miscibility gap follows the composititiontemperature surface corresponding to the ternary\(R\bar 3 - R\bar 3c\) second-order transition.
Burden of childhood-onset arthritis

Juvenile arthritis comprises a variety of chronic inflammatory diseases causing erosive arthritis in children, often progressing to disability. These children experience functional impairment due to joint and back pain, heel pain, swelling of joints and morning stiffness, contractures, pain, and anterior uveitis leading to blindness. As children who have juvenile arthritis reach adulthood, they face possible continuing disease activity, medication-associated morbidity, and life-long disability and risk for emotional and social dysfunction. In this article we will review the burden of juvenile arthritis for the patient and society and focus on the following areas: patient disability; visual outcome; other medical complications; physical activity; impact on HRQOL; emotional impact; pain and coping; ambulatory visits, hospitalizations and mortality; economic impact; burden on caregivers; transition issues; educational occupational outcomes, and sexuality. The extent of impact on the various aspects of the patients', families' and society's functioning is clear from the existing literature. Juvenile arthritis imposes a significant burden on different spheres of the patients', caregivers' and family's life. In addition, it imposes a societal burden of significant health care costs and utilization. Juvenile arthritis affects health-related quality of life, physical function and visual outcome of children and impacts functioning in school and home. Effective, well-designed and appropriately tailored interventions are required to improve transitioning to adult care, encourage future vocation/occupation, enhance school function and minimize burden on costs.
THE ALPHA -SUBUNIT OF HUMAN CHORIOGONADOTROPIN INTERACTS WITH THE EXODOMAIN OF THE LUTEINIZING HORMONE/CHORIOGONADOTROPIN RECEPTOR

The LH/CG receptor, a G protein-coupled receptor, consists of two parts, the N-terminal extracellular segment (exodomain) and the membrane-associated C-terminal segment (endodomain). hCG initially binds the exodomain of the receptor and then, the hormone/exodomain complex is thought to make the secondary contact with the endodomain of the receptor and generate a hormone signal. However, little direct evidence is available about which hormone subunits (alpha or beta) interact with which domains of the receptor. To determine whether the alpha-subunit contacts the exodomain of its receptor, hCG containing [125I]alpha and truncated exodomain lacking the endodomain were prepared. They were chemically cross-linked, and the resulting cross-linked complexes were solubilized and electrophoresed. The results indicate that the alpha-subunit of hCG was directly and specifically cross-linked to the exodomain. To verify the cross-linked exodomain by the independent method, the Flag epitope was inserted between the signal sequence and the mature exodomain. hCG containing [125I]alpha was cross-linked to the Flag exodomain, and the resulting cross-linked hCG/Flag exodomain complexes were immunoprecipitated with anti-Flag antibody. The results show that the material cross-linked to hCG containing [125I]alpha is indeed the exodomain. In conclusion, our results show the direct interaction of the alpha-subunit with the exodomain and, therefore, its crucial role in the hormone-receptor interaction in addition to its involvement in signal generation.
3, 3′-diindolylmethane Enhances the Effectiveness of Herceptin against HER-2/Neu-Expressing Breast Cancer Cells

Herceptin failure is a major clinical problem in breast cancer. A subset of breast cancer patients with high HER-2/neu levels eventually experience metastatic disease progression when treated with Herceptin as a single agent. Mechanistic details of development of this aggressive disease are not clear. Therefore, there is a dire need to better understand the mechanisms by which drug resistance develops and to design new combined treatments that benefit patients with aggressive breast cancer and have minimal toxicity. We hypothesized that 3, 3′-diindolylmethane (DIM), a non-toxic agent can be combined with Herceptin to treat breast cancers with high levels of HER-2/neu. Here, we evaluated the effects of Herceptin alone and in combination with DIM on cell viability, apoptosis and clonogenic assays in SKBR3 (HER-2/neu-expressing) and MDA-MB-468 (HER-2/neu negative) breast cancer cells. We found that DIM could enhance the effectiveness of Herceptin by significantly reducing cell viability, which was associated with apoptosis-induction and significant inhibition of colony formation, compared with single agent treatment. These results were consistent with the down-regulation of Akt and NF-kB p65. Mechanistic investigations revealed a significant upregulation of miR-200 and reduction of FoxM1 expression in DIM and Herceptin-treated breast cancer cells. We, therefore, transfected cells with pre-miR-200 or silenced FoxM1 in these cells for understanding the molecular mechanism involved. These results provide experimental evidence, for the first time, that DIM plus Herceptin therapy could be translated to the clinic as a therapeutic modality to improve treatment outcome of patients with breast cancer, particularly for the patients whose tumors express high levels of HER-2/neu.
First State Records for Merope tuber (Mecoptera: Meropeidae) in Florida and Biogeographical Implications

The earwigfly, Merope tuber Newman, is 1 of only 2 extant members of the family Meropeidae worldwide (Kaltenbach 1978; Byers 2005). This family was once considered a hypothetical primitive taxon in the order Mecoptera (Tillyard 1926, 1935; Remington 1968); however, recent phylogenetic work disputes this placement (Willmann 1987, 1989; Whiting 2002). The immature stages have not been described to date, and much of its general biology remains unknown. Adults are nocturnally active and for many years were considered rare, but recent collection methods (especially flight traps) have led to the finding that M. tuber is more common than once thought (Byers 2005). Byers (1973, 1993) recorded the range of M. tuber from southeastern Canada to northern Georgia, west to Kansas, Minnesota, and eastern Iowa, largely restricted to environmental conditions similar to those known along the Appalachian range and eastern mesic forests. Recent collection records indicate that M. tuber is found fur-
Radiation Hardened Registers

The requirement for radiation hardened registers has been identified for use with existing digital equipment to assure system survivability in nuclear radiation environments. The major problem has been that all semiconductor registers cannot be guaranteed to maintain their information after ionizing radiation transients above 5×109 rads (Si)/sec. Two approaches are shown for designing microelectronic register circuits for increased transient immunity based on the use of temporary storage media: a magnetic circuit and a capacitor circuit. The operation of the circuits are described as well as the features which impart hardness to them. They are compatible with +5V, IC families of saturated logic and are proposed for use with these circuits for specific function hardening. The results of transient tests show the magnetic circuit to work through 107 rads(Si)/sec to 8 × 1010 rads(Si)/sec. The capacitor circuit tests went up as high as 5 × 1010 rads (Si)/sec. Laboratory simulation on the capacitor circuit (using shunting transistors to approximate the effect of the circuit's transistors storage times caused by radiation) indicates hardness to levels in excess of 5 x 1011 rads(Si)/sec.
Artificial plasma density structures produced by energetic electron beams from rockets and spacecraft

Recent rocket and Space Shuttle experiments have demonstrated the capability to launch electron beams of moderate power (100 W to 10 kW) into the earth's ionosphere and magnetosphere. This letter describes how such beams, when fired from rockets or satellites, can create significant ionization in the E- and F-regions of the ionosphere. Through proper selection of beam-related parameters, an interesting variety of plasma density structures, including plasma sheets and plasma filaments, can be created and studied over periods of 30 minutes to 1 hour, depending on the rate of plasma recombination and the density of the ambient plasma. Observations of these structures can give new information relating to the physics of plasma density structures in the ionosphere, and the effects these features have upon the scattering of radio waves. It is also possible that observations of the density structures will provide a new means for studying neutral winds and electrodynamic phenomena in the ionosphere.
Patterns in Seasonal Abundance, Growth and Biomass of the Atlantic Silverside, Menidia menidia, in a New England Estuary

Patterns in seasonal abundance (no. per m2 surface area), growth and biomass (g per m2 surface area) of an annual fish, the Atlantic silverside, Menidia menidia (L.) were investigated in a marsh and more seaward bay region of Essex Bay, Massachusetts from August 1976 to May 1978 using a quantitative beach seining technique. Silverside abundance varied greatly by season and year class during the study period. Abundance was high in 1976 but winter mortality (99%) left an adult density of only .01 per m2 surface area in the marsh during spring 1977. Resultant 1977 year class density in the marsh was 1.88 per m2 by late fall 1977 but winter mortality again produced an adult density of .01 per m2 in spring 1978. Abundance was generally higher in the marsh than in the bay region especially during spring and late fall when catches in the bay were negligible. Based on catch rate comparisons, the summer and fall juvenile abundance of the 1976 year class was much higher than the juvenile abundance of the 1977 year class. Coincidentally, mean lengths and condition of the abundant 1976 year class in the late fall were significantly lower than those of the 1977 year class, suggesting density dependent population regulation. In both years, juveniles grew rapidly and reached full adult size by November when an offshore movement to deeper waters outside Essex Bay occurred. Biomass peaked in the marsh region in late fall 1977 at 7.8 g per m2 wet weight. Winter mortality was size selective, favoring larger individuals. The annual life history design of M. menidia including an offshore winter movement and high winter mortality suggests that silversides represent an important pathway of energy flow from marsh to offshore trophic systems.
A note on “Schedule of n jobs on two identical machines to minimize weighted mean flow time”

Abstract In a recent paper, Alidaee [Computers ind. Engng24, 53–55 (1993)] notes the similarity between the scheduling problems of minimizing weighted mean flow time (WMFT) on two parallel machines and minimmizing weighted earliness/tardiness (WET) about a common due date on a single machine. Based on this similarity, Alidaee descirbes how a dynamic programming algorithm proposed by Hall and Posner [Opns Res.39, 836–846 (1991)] for the WET problem can be modified and applied to the WMFT problem. The work is an important extension of earlier results on an equivalence relationship between the WMFT and WET problems. This Note helps consolidate the literature by recognizing Rothkopf [Mgmt Sci.12, 437–447 (1966)] as the originator of algorithm described in [Computers ind. Engng24 53–55 (1993)].
The immunoglobulin heavy chain class switch

While much has been learned concerning the molecular structural basis for the heavy chain class switch, many questions relating to the regulation of the switch remain unanswered, or at least controversial. Identification of the enzyme system which mediates the class switch, as well as other regulatory, possibly X-linked, genes should provide the necessary key to our understanding of this unique process.
Protein splicing of a Pyrococcus abyssi intein with a C-terminal glutamine.

Protein splicing involves the excision of an intervening polypeptide sequence, the intein, from a precursor protein and the concomitant ligation of the flanking polypeptides, the exteins, by a peptide bond. Most reported inteins have a C-terminal asparagine residue, and it has been shown that cyclization of this residue is coupled to peptide bond cleavage between the intein and C-extein. We show that the intein interrupting the DNA polymerase II DP2 subunit in Pyrococcus abyssi, which has a C-terminal glutamine, is capable of facilitating protein splicing. Substitution of an asparagine for the C-terminal glutamine moderately improves the rate and extent of protein splicing. However, substitution of an alanine for the penultimate histidine residue, with either asparagine or glutamine in the C-terminal position, prevents protein splicing and facilitates cleavage at the intein N terminus. The intein facilitates in vitro protein splicing only at temperatures above 30 °C and can be purified as a nonspliced precursor. This temperature dependence has enabled us to characterize the optimal in vitro splicing conditions and determine the rate constants for splicing as a function of temperature.
Constant observation in the general hospital.

Constant observation (CO) is a technique in which continuous one-to-one monitoring is used to assure the safety and well-being of an individual patient or others. This study reviewed 115 patient charts in a tertiary-care hospital to determine the correlates and predictors of the financial cost of CO. The mean duration for CO was 13.9 days with a median of 7.5 days. The cost average was $3,415 per incident with a range of $144–$68,500. The median cost was $1,872. The most common diagnosis was organic mental syndrome. Significant predictors of CO were disorientation, psychiatric medication used, and absence of alcohol use.
The Virulence of Pseudomonas aeruginosa

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is an opportunistic pathogen whose adaptability, ubiquitousness, and pathogenicity are closely related. Both cell-associated and extracellular products of P. aeruginosa contribute to its virulence. Surface structures, including pili and the polysaccharide capsule or glycocalyx, appear to mediate the initial attachment of P. aeruginosa to its prospective host, thus permitting colonization. Extracellular enzymes such as alkaline protease, elastase, phospholipase C, and exotoxin A degrade infected tissues and promote bacterial invasion. When dissemination occurs, systemic disease results, often with fatal consequences. Although extracellular enzymes of P. aeruginosa figure prominently in local disease processes, exotoxin A and endotoxin are primarily responsible for systemic disease. The most protective antibodies presently known are directed toward the nontoxic portions of P. aeruginosa lipopolysaccharides that serve no known virulence function per se. However, there is preliminary evidence that the protective activity of these opsonic antibodies may be augmented by toxin-neutralizing antibodies directed toward the lipid A moiety of endotoxin and exotoxin A.
Physical basis for quasi-universal relations describing bankfull hydraulic geometry of single-thread gravel bed rivers

[1] We examine relations for hydraulic geometry of alluvial, single-thread gravel bed rivers with definable bankfull geometries. Four baseline data sets determine relations for bankfull geometry, i.e., bankfull depth, bankfull width, and down-channel slope as functions of bankfull discharge and bed surface median sediment size. These relations show a considerable degree of universality. This universality applies not only within the four sets used to determine the forms but also to three independent data sets as well. We study the physical basis for this universality in terms of four relations, the coefficients and exponents of which can be back calculated from the data: (1) a Manning-Strickler-type relation for channel resistance, (2) a channel-forming relation expressed in terms of the ratio of bankfull Shields number to critical Shields number, (3) a relation for critical Shields number as a function of dimensionless discharge, and (4) a “gravel yield” relation specifying the (estimated) gravel transport rate at bankfull flow as a function of bankfull discharge and gravel size. We use these underlying relations to explore why the dimensionless bankfull relations are only quasi-universal and to quantify the degree to which deviation from universality can be expected. The analysis presented here represents an alternative to extremal formulations to predict hydraulic geometry.
A PRAGMATIC APPROACH TO MODELING MORPHOGENESIS

The mathematical modeling of biological morphogenesis processes is considered. Emphasis is placed throughout on the lessons of experience in modeling three-dimensional forms that evolve in time. The qualitative requirements of a model, the general components of a dynamic system, and the products of a morphogenesis modeling program are discussed. Examples are drawn frequently from phyllotaxis.
Factors related to antipsychotic oversupply among Central Texas Veterans.

Abstract Background: There have been many studies of underadherence to antipsychotics, but antipsychotic overadherence, or medication oversupply, in which patients receive more prescription medications than are needed, has been overlooked. Both underadherence and oversupply can have an important impact on clinical outcomes. Objectives: This study examined adherence (based on the medication possession ratio [MPR]) among patients treated with antipsychotics in the Central Texas Veterans Health Care System (CTVHCS) and investigated factors associated with their adherence status. Methods: Data from September 1995 to October 2002 were extracted from the computerized patient record system of the CTVHCS for continuously enrolled adult outpatients receiving antipsychotic monotherapy and filling at least 2 prescriptions within a year of the index date. Patients' prescription records were tracked for up to 12 months. Underadherence was defined as an MPR 1.2. Results: Of 3268 eligible patients, 49.9% had good adherence, 42.6% were underadherent, and 7.6% had medication oversupply. The overall mean (SD) MPR was 0.83 (0.33). Multinomial logistic regression analysis revealed that compared with patients with good adherence, underadherent patients were significantly more likely to be nonwhite ( P P P P P P P P P Conclusions: Although half of adult outpatients receiving antipsychotic monotherapy in the CTVHCS were adherent to their treatment regimens, a large proportion were underadherent, and a small proportion had medication oversupply. Patients receiving second-generation antipsychotics were more likely to be adherent and were more likely to have medication oversupply than patients receiving first-generation antipsychotics.
Tricholemmal cysts of the head and neck.

Abstract Purpose: Tricholemmal cysts, sometimes termed pilomatrixomas, are benign skin neoplasms. This study was undertaken to evaluate the clinical experience with management of pilomatrixomas at a large, referral-based university hospital. Patlents and Methods: The records of patients treated at the UCLA Medical Center were reviewed retrospectively. Patients treated during the years 1966 to 1991 inclusive were reviewed for details of the clinical course. All pathology slides were confirmed histologically. Results: Pilomatrixoma was confirmed in 53 patients. Of these, 29 patients (55%) had pilomatrixoma isolated to the head and neck region. All were treated with surgical excision. One patient (3%) experienced recurrence due to inadequate initial excision. Subsequent re-excision resulted in a cure. Conclusion: Tricholemmal cysts present as solitary, painless, slow-growing cutaneous nodules often resulting in discoloration of the overlying skin. Simple excision cures this benign neoplasm, and recurrences are rare. Fine-needle aspiration biopsy may aid in the diagnostic workup.
Application profiling on Cell-based clusters

In this paper, we present a methodology for profiling parallel applications executing on the IBM PowerXCell 8i (commonly referred to as the “Cell” processor). Specifically, we examine Cell-centric MPI programs on hybrid clusters containing multiple Opteron and Cell processors per node such as those used in the petascale Roadrunner system. Our implementation incurs less than 3.2 µs of overhead per profile call while efficiently utilizing the limited local store of the Cell's SPE cores. We demonstrate the use of our profiler on a cluster of hybrid nodes running a suite of scientific applications. Our analyses of inter-SPE communication (across the entire cluster) and function call patterns provide valuable information that can be used to optimize application performance.
Silencing FOXP2 in breast cancer cells promotes cancer stem cell traits and metastasis

In a recent article in Cell Stem Cell, we showed that mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), progenitor cells that populate the breast tumor stroma, induce microRNA-mediated FOXP2 repression in breast cancer cells (BCCs), thus promoting cancer stem cell (CSC) and metastatic traits. Here, we discuss the implications of these findings for understanding metastatic CSC genesis.
A novel open-system technique to monitor real-time oxygen consumption during early phases of seed germination

A novel technique allows long-term monitoring of real-time oxygen consumption during seed germination in an open system. Most current techniques used to detect oxygen consumption by seeds measure the decrease in oxygen concentration in a closed chamber. This is not ideal for long-term experiments because the chamber must be replenished with air periodically, subjecting the seeds to abrupt changes in oxygen concentration. The current technique employs an open system, in which seeds are submerged in a continuously aerated aqueous environment. Oxygen electrodes are used to measure the steady-state concentration of oxygen in the solution, which is a function of both the rate of oxygen consumption by the seed and the rate of aeration from the atmosphere. The rate of aeration is directly dependent on the oxygen concentration of the bathing solution; therefore, previous calibration of the system allows the direct conversion of steady-state oxygen concentrations into oxygen consumption rates. Because oxygen is not limiting, the experimental design described here can monitor the same sample non-intrusively every minute for more than 24 h, allowing for greater precision than hourly readings often reported with current techniques. Multiple treatments and/or replicates can be run simultaneously, allowing sensitive comparison of various seed treatments or seed types. To illustrate its potential application, the technique was used to follow the rehydration and pre-emergence phases of germination of cucumber (Cucumis sativum), pea (Pisum sativum) and mustard (Brassica juncea) seeds, detect the inhibitory effects of surface sterilization techniques on seed respiration of cucumber, and follow the interaction of a bacterial biocontrol agent with germinating cucumber and pea seeds.
Preface to special section on Fifty Years of Research and Data Collection: U.S. Department of Agriculture Walnut Gulch Experimental Watershed

[1] This special section of Water Resources Research and the associated Web site (http://www.tucson.ars.ag.gov/dap/) describe 50 years of data collection and the most recent research results at the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Agricultural Research Service (ARS) Walnut Gulch Experimental Watershed (WGEW) in southeast Arizona. The goal of this compilation is to encourage cooperative, interdisciplinary studies of semiarid ecohydrology at WGEW based on continuing long-term measurements of soils, vegetation, hydrology, and climate.
Distinctive arrangements for international interconnection

Abstract An issue of growing importance in telecommunications policy is the relationship between interconnection for domestic and international telephony. While international telephony’s need for international transport is an inherent distinction, that factor will not determine distinctions in interconnection arrangements. Under the existing pricing structure for telephony, crossborder rent shifting is the key issue. Innovations in the pricing structure for telephony, whether through Internet telephony or other avenues, offer the potential for changing the structure of interconnection negotiations and eliminating distinctions between international and domestic telephony interconnection.