cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Genetic control of developmental patterns of cerebral enzyme activities: further differences between C3H and ICR strains of mice.

We have investigated developmental changes in activity for five enzymes associated with different cerebral metabolic systems in two separate strains of mice. The enzymes studied were acid β-galactosidase, arylsulfatase A, cerebroside β-galactosidase, cerebroside sulfotransferase, and glutamate decarboxylase. The two strains of mice were C3H/SWV and ICR/SWV. We confirm the experiments of Meisler, Paigen, and colleagues showing higher acid β-galactosidase activity throughout development in C3H mice. In addition we have demonstrated higher arylsulfatase A activity throughout development in C3H mice. The shape of the developmental curve for arylsulfatase A activity in brain in the two strains was similar. There were no differences in developmental changes of activity between the two strains for the other three enzymes studied.
Neuropeptide biosynthesis: focus on the carboxypeptidase processing enzyme

Abstract Many peptide neurotransmitters and hormones are initially synthesized as large protein precursors (prohormones) which must undergo proteolytic processing to yield the biologically active fragment. Often, the neurotransmitter or hormone is flanked by pairs of basic amino acids in the precursor molecule, and the sequential action of a trypsin-like endopeptidase followed by a carboxypeptidase-B-like exopeptidase would liberate the hormone. An important question is whether unique enzymes are associated with each prohormone, or whether general processing enzymes perform similar cleavages for all prohormones. Recent studies on the carboxypeptidase-B-like processing enzyme associated with enkephalin biosynthesis suggests that this enzyme is also involved in the biosynthesis of many other peptide hormones and neurotransmitters.
The specific heat of bulk amorphous arsenic

Abstract The specific heat of bulk amorphous arsenic deposited from the vapor at 415°K has been measured between 1.8 and 20°K. A comparison with compacted amorphous As films deposited at room temperature reveals appreciable differences in the form of C/T 3 . The results indicate a relative increase in the density of low frequency vibrational modes in the bulk amorphous As. The specific heat measurements support x-ray and Raman scattering studies that suggest variations in the local structure of amorphous As prepared under different deposition conditions. A comparison with neutron scattering measurements in bulk amorphous As also indicates an underestimate of the low frequency density of states.
Effects of rapid and slow dehydration on the hemolymph osmolarity and Na+-K+ concentration in the millipede Pachydesmus crassicutis.

Abstract 1. 1. Hemolymph osmolarity increases more (165–208 mOsM) when the animal is rapidly dehydrated than when more slowly dehydrated (165–182 mOsM). 2. 2. Hemolymph Na + and Cl − concentrations increase with rapid dehydration but not with slow dehydration. 3. 3. Rehydration of rapidly dehydrated animals results in osmolarity and Na + concentrations lower than controls, but rehydration of slowly dehydrated animals results in return to control levels. 4. 4. Hemolymph K + concentrations do not change with rapid or slow dehydration.
Ablative therapies in adrenal tumors: primary and metastatic.

A large number of adrenal tumors are now identified either incidentally or associated with a metastatic workup for cancer. While the vast majority of these lesions are benign, those that prove to be primary or secondary cancers are traditionally treated with surgical resection. A wide variety of alternative, less invasive therapies exist. One of these, thermal ablation, is examined herein. J. Surg. Oncol. 2012; 106:626–631. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Effects of benzodiazepines and valproic acid on brain aldehyde reductase and a proposed mechanism of anticonvulsant action

Abstract Benzodiazepines (clonazepam, diazepam, flurazepam, fosazepam, lorazepam, nitrazepam, oxazepam and R07-5205) were shown to inhibit the activity of brain aldehyde reductase obtained from DBA/2J mice with the ic 50 values (concentration of inhibitor at 50 per cent of control activity) ranging from 0.24 to 7.0 mM. ed 50 Values of these benzodiazepines for protection against maximal electroshock-induced convulsions were determined for DBA/2J mice which were pretreated with either saline or β-diethylaminoethyl diphenylpropylacetate (SKF-525A), an inhibitor of microsomal drug-metabolizing systems. Spearman rank order and Pearson correlation coefficients between the ic 50 values for inhibition of aldehyde reductase activity and the ed 50 values for protection against maximal electroshock-induced convulsions were calculated to be 0.62 and 0.82, respectively, for a group of eight benzodiazepines. When the animals were pretreated with SKF-525A, the correlation coefficients were 0.83 and 0.71, respectively. R m values, indicators of relative lipid solubility, were measured for these benzodiazepines. Correlations between R m values and ic 50 values or ed 50 values were not significant at the 95 per cent confidence level. Valproic acid inhibited DBA/2J mouse brain aldehyde reductase activity with an ic 50 value of 7 × 10 −5 M. Data presented in this study are consistent with the hypothesis that highly reactive aldehyde intermediates of biogenic amine metabolism may be implicated in anticonvulsant drug action.
Preparation and optical properties of titania/epoxy nanocomposite coatings

Abstract This work reports the preparation of TiO2/Epoxy nanocomposites coatings with high refractive index and optical transparency. Highly dispersed titania nanoparticles were synthesized by sol-gel method at room temperature. The TiO2 nanoparticles can be dispersed directly into the polymer without the use of organic surfactant. Nanocomposite coating with refractive index of 1.668 can be obtained by adding 30 wt% TiO2 nanoparticles into the polymer matrix. All coatings with different amount of TiO2 exhibit excellent optical transparency of more than 90%. Although higher refractive index of the nanocomposite can be obtained by increasing the content of TiO2 nanoparticles, cracks also appear in the surface of the hybrid coating.
Baseband Modeling and Distortion Equalization of the Feedback FM Demodulator by Functional Methods

Exact and approximate baseband models for the feedback FM demodulator are derived. Exact and approximate distortion equalizers that may be used to remove distortion in the output of the demodulator are also presented.
Effectiveness of Recovered Magnesium Phosphates as Fertilizers in Neutral and Slightly Alkaline Soils

Magnesium phosphates such as struvite (MgNH4PO4x6H2O) can be recovered from municipal, industrial and agricultural wastewaters. However, minimal research has been conducted on the beneficial reuse of these recovered products; conducted research has focused on low pH soils. This study determined whether recovered struvite and dittmarite (MgNH4PO4xH2O) were effective P fertilizers in alkaline soils. In addition to commercially available triple superphosphate (TSP) and certified organic rock phosphate (RP), recovered struvite, dittmarite, and a heterogeneous recovered phosphate were evaluated in a laboratory dissolution study and as fertilizers for spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) in a greenhouse study. Struvite and dittmarite were much more soluble than RP, but less soluble than TSP. Laboratory dissolution kinetics were fast, with most materials nearing equilibrium within 24 hours. At a soil pH of 6.5, both dittmarite and struvite increased the average plant P concentration over the control. Struvite and dittmarite performance was similar to TSP. There were no significant differences in plant dry matter (DM) production or total P uptake at pH 6.5. In the limed soil (pH 7.6), many treatments had plant P concentrations significantly lower than the control, but most fertilizers increased DM production over the control; all fertilizers generally performed similarly to one another. These findings support previous work showing recovered Mg phosphates to be effective in acidic soils, and provide evidence that they are also effective in alkaline soils. Recovered Mg phosphates could become a useful alternative for P fertilization in arid and semi-arid environments.
Microscopy with spatial filtering for sorting particles and monitoring subcellular morphology

Optical scatter imaging (OSI) was developed to non-invasively track real-time changes in particle morphology with submicron sensitivity in situ without exogenous labeling, cell fixing, or organelle isolation. For spherical particles, the intensity ratio of wide-to-narrow angle scatter (OSIR, Optical Scatter Image Ratio) was shown to decrease monotonically with diameter and agree with Mie theory. In living cells, we recently reported this technique is able to detect mitochondrial morphological alterations, which were mediated by the Bcl-xL transmembrane domain, and could not be observed by fluorescence or differential interference contrast images. Here we further extend the ability of morphology assessment by adopting a digital micromirror device (DMD) for Fourier filtering. When placed in the Fourier plane the DMD can be used to select scattering intensities at desired combination of scattering angles. We designed an optical filter bank consisting of Gabor-like filters with various scales and rotations based on Gabor filters, which have been widely used for localization of spatial and frequency information in digital images and texture analysis. Using a model system consisting of mixtures of polystyrene spheres and bacteria, we show how this system can be used to sort particles on a microscopic slide based on their size, orientation and aspect ratio. We are currently applying this technique to characterize the morphology of subcellular organelles to help understand fundamental biological processes.
Environmental effects on dangling and floating bonds in amorphous Si

Abstract Since bond angles in a-Si have distortions of order 10°, we have calculated defect state wave functions and energies for numerous configurations of non-ideal dangling and floating bonds in a-Si using Bethelattice terminated clusters and a tight-binding approach. We find that energy eigenvalue for the dangling bond is highly dependent on deviations from ideality while the wave function amplitudes are much less so. Exactly the opposite holds for the floating bond. These results are consistent with experimental data if one assumes that the defect state is a dangling bond but is inconsistent with the assumption of a floating bond.
Essential role of the unfolded protein response regulator GRP78/BiP in protection from neuronal apoptosis

Neurodegenerative diseases are often associated with dysfunction in protein quality control. The endoplasmic reticulum (ER), a key site for protein synthesis, senses stressful conditions by activating the unfolded protein response (UPR). In this study we report the creation of a novel mouse model in which GRP78/BiP, a major ER chaperone and master regulator of UPR, is specifically eliminated in Purkinje cells (PCs). GRP78-depleted PCs activate UPR including the induction of GRP94, PDI, CHOP and GADD34, feedback suppression of eIF2alpha phosphorylation and apoptotic cell death. In contrast to current models of protein misfolding in which an abnormal accumulation of ubiquitinated protein is prominent, cytosolic ubiquitin staining is dramatically reduced in GRP78-null PCs. Ultrastructural evaluation reveals that the ER shows prominent dilatation with focal accumulation of electron-dense material within the ER. The mice show retarded growth and severe motor coordination defect by week 5 and cerebellar atrophy by week 13. Our studies uncover a novel link between GRP78 depletion and reduction in cytosolic ubiquitination and establish a novel mouse model of accelerated cerebellar degeneration with basic and clinical applications.
Immunohistochemical myofiber typing and high-resolution myofibrillar lesion detection in LR white embedded muscle

We have developed a method of fixing, embedding, sectioning, and staining that allows high-resolution detection of myofibrillar structure and myosin immunocytochemical muscle fiber typing in serial semithin sections of LR White plastic embedded muscle at the light microscopic level. Traditional approaches, such as cryostat sections, permit fiber typing, but small myofibrillar lesions (1-3 sarcomeres) are difficult to detect because of section thickness. Semithin sections of hydrophobic resins do not stain well either histochemically or immunocytochemically. Electron microscopy can resolve lesions and discriminate fiber types based on morphology, but the sampling area is small. Our goal was to develop a rapid method for defining both fiber type and high-resolution primary myofibrillar lesion damage. Mild fixation (1-4% paraformaldehyde, 0. 05-0.1% glutaraldehyde) and embedment in a hydrophilic resin (LR White) were used. Myofibrillar structure was extremely well preserved at the light microscopic (LM) level, and lesions could be readily resolved in Toluidine blue stained 500-nm sections. Fiber type was defined by LM immunomyosin staining of serial plastic semithin sections, which demonstrated reciprocal staining patterns for "fast (Sigma M4276) and "total" (skeletal muscle) myosins (Sigma M7523). Copyright 2000 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Role of surface-dimer and gas-phase excitation models in electron-stimulated desorption of ions from sodium chloride (1 0 0) crystals

The desorption of Na+ under electron irradiation at low energies (<1 keV) is reported. Electron-stimulated desorption of alkali atoms from alkali halides is described in terms of two distinct mechanisms of desorption. One being the gas-phase excitation model and the other, the surface-dimer model. The dimer model has been used to explain excited-state desorption from alkali halides. Desorption signatures of Na+ as functions of temperature are presented here for the first time. Comparison with Na• desorption suggests that a surface reaction process, similar to the dimer model, is significant for Na+ desorption.
The Rules Have Changed, and I Don't Remember Voting on It

Personally Speaking provides a forum for readers to describe important issues or events in their lives and the role, if any, counseling has played. Guidelines for submitting manuscripts may be obtained from Stephen G. Weinrach, 303 Falvey Hull, Villanova University, Villanova, PA 19085–1699.
Having ‘Need’ and Needing ‘Have’

A survey of a number of the world’s languages reveals that only those languages that have a transitive verb used to express possession (i.e., Have-languages) also have a transitive verb ‘need’. No Be-language lacking a transitive verb for possession has a transitive verb ‘need’. This generalization suggests a Hale and Keyser (1993, 2002)–style incorporation approach, whereby nominal ‘need’ incorporates to an unpronounced verbal HAVE, yielding transitive verbal ‘need’.
Comparison of dual photon and dual energy X-ray bone densitometers in a clinic setting.

In clinical practice, decisions must be made about whether and how to convert to newer technologies. To address this issue, two separate studies were conducted. We evaluated the relationships between results of lumbar spine measurements using two dual photon absorptiometry (DPA1 and DPA2) instruments and one dual energy X-ray (DXA) instrument with the same subjects (49 volunteers), and also in 65 patients who were measured on the DPA1 and DXA machines. Second, we measured the lumbar spine and the proximal femur in three groups of 12 female volunteers three times on one instrument within 1 week. We purposely simulated a busy clinic setting with different technologists, older radioactive sources, and a heterogeneous patient group. The comparison study indicated a significant difference between the mean bone density values reported by the machines, but the results were highly correlated (R 2 = 0.89–0.96). The short-term precision errors (coefficients of variation) differed among the instruments, ranging from 1.3% (DXA of the spine) to 5.1% (DPA1 of the spine), and in the femoral neck, 2.3% and 2.4% (DXA and DPA1, respectively) versus 3.5% by DPA2. This study emphasizes the differences between instruments, the potential for greater error in busy clinic environments, and the apparent superiority of dual energy X-ray absorptiometry under these less than ideal conditions.
Monolithically integrated high performance digital variable gain amplifiers

In this paper, a new monolithically integrated, digitally-controlled variable gain amplifier (DVGA) is presented. The DVGA includes a gain block, a digital step attenuator (DSA), and a ¼ W driver amplifier, fabricated by using commercial GaAs BiFET process. This high performance, low cost DVGA operates from 100MHz to 4000MHz, with 0.5dB step and 31.5dB gain dynamic range. It shows the noise figure of 4dB, output IP3 of 41dBm, and 25dBm output power at 1dB gain compression (P1dB). The DVGA consumes total 175mA DC current with 5V power supply at room temperature.
HOW LONG ARE ASTRONOMICAL PAPERS REMEMBERED

For the 165 papers published in the Astrophysical Journal and Supplements in 1954, we counted the citations during 1955-1994. They show an exponential decay with a halflife of 29 yr. Papers receiving more citation than others during the first five years do not have longer halflives. This sample shows that observational papers have an average halflife (35 yrs) that is somewhat longer than for theoretical papers (22 yrs). Longer papers, such as Supplement ones, are cited more frequently on the average than short ones, such as Journal papers and, especially, Notes. Excluding Notes, 57% of the 1954 papers are still cited in 1990-1994. These durations are so long primarily because the field has been growing so rapidly--by a factor of 24 in 40 years. If normalized to a constant literature output, the average halflife would have been 6 yr. Another pertinent effect is caused by the changing fields of interest. Because studies of extragalactic objects, relative to other fields, are now 7 times more frequent than in 1954, citations to them have remained nearly constant in 40 years while citations to papers in other fields have dropped off more quickly.
The sixties between the microgrooves: Using folk and protest music to understand American history, 1963–1973

(1999). The sixties between the microgrooves: Using folk and protest music to understand American history, 1963–1973. Popular Music and Society: Vol. 23, No. 4, pp. 105-122.
Genetic and molecular diversity of colon cancer hepatic metastases

Background Colon cancer arises through distinct molecular pathways resulting in diverse tumor populations demonstrated by differences in microsatellite instability (MSI), CpG island methylator phenotype (CIMP), and mutations in oncogenes KRAS and BRAF. Although these molecular differences are well-described for primary neoplasms, the molecular nature of hepatic metastases is not well-characterized. This study seeks to describe molecular characteristics of colon cancer hepatic metastases in terms of oncogenic pathway. Methods Tumor DNA was isolated from fresh frozen hepatic metastases from colon cancer and analyzed for MSI by polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based microsatellite analysis and for CIMP using MethyLight quantitative PCR. KRAS and BRAF oncogenes were analyzed for DNA mutations. Metastases were classified by their molecular and genetic features. Unfortunately, tissue from the primary neoplasms from these patients were not available Results Thirty patients with liver metastases from colon cancer were studied. Molecular analysis revealed 10% (3/30) were MSI-H, 10% (3/30) were CIMP positive, 33% (10/30) had KRAS mutations, and none had BRAF mutations. Literature describing primary colon cancers reports an incidence of approximately 20% MSI-H, 20% CIMP-positive, 35% KRAS mutants, and 17% BRAF mutants. Conclusion Hepatic metastases from colon cancer, like primary colon adenocarcinomas, show genetic and molecular diversity. Furthermore, hepatic metastases may have a different incidence of MSI and methylation compared with primary neoplasms. These differences could impact treatment decisions.
Effects of surface curvature and surface chemistry on the structure and activity of proteins adsorbed in nanopores.

The interactions of proteins with the surface of cylindrical nanopores are systematically investigated to elucidate how surface curvature and surface chemistry affect the conformation and activity of confined proteins in an aqueous, buffered environment. Two globular proteins, lysozyme and myoglobin, with different catalytic functions, were used as model proteins to analyze structural changes in proteins after adsorption on ordered mesoporous silica SBA-15 and propyl-functionalized SBA-15 (C3SBA-15) with carefully controlled pore size. Liquid phase ATR-FTIR spectroscopy was used to study the amide I and II bands of the adsorbed proteins. The amide I bands showed that the secondary structures of free and adsorbed protein molecules differ, and that the secondary structure of the adsorbed protein is influenced by the local geometry as well as by the surface chemistry of the nanopores. The conformation of the adsorbed proteins inside the nanopores of SBA-15 and C3SBA-15 is strongly correlated with the local geometry and the surface properties of the nanoporous materials, which results in different catalytic activities. Adsorption by electrostatic interaction of proteins in nanopores of an optimal size provides a favorably confining and protecting environment, which may lead to considerably enhanced structural stability and catalytic activity.
Framing Practice-Research Engagement for Democratizing Knowledge

Practice research engagement (PRE) is increasingly important for producing knowledge and innovations in practice for complex social problem-solving. We pose several questions: Why do PRE? What is required to organize effective PRE? And what is needed for PRE to contribute to democratizing knowledge? We present a framework to encourage researchers to think systematically about organizing PRE that focuses on: 1) frameworks, goals and interests, 2) relationships and organization, 3) strategies and methods, and 4) contextual forces and institutions. We describe challenges to effective engagement posed by these elements and identify a few approaches to dealing with them. We illustrate the concept and the challenges with four case studies - Gender Relations in India; Heroin Prescriptions in Australia; Inter-sectoral Cooperation in Africa and Asia; and Building Grassroots Movements in the US. We argue that PRE that contributes to the democratization of knowledge must pay special attention to social change theori...
Pupil-function design for complex incoherent spatial filtering

A procedure for designing pupil functions for four-channel, three-channel, and two-channel syntheses of complex incoherent point-spread functions is presented. This procedure is then generalized for synthesis of multiple bipolar point-spread functions. Examples of pupil-function design for complex syntheses are also presented.
Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation in children after repair of congenital cardiac lesions.

Abstract Background . The purpose of this study was to review our experience in the early application of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) in patients requiring mechanical assistance after cardiac surgical procedures. Methods . The hospital records of all children requiring ECMO after cardiac operation were retrospectively reviewed, and an analysis of variables affecting survival was performed. Results . Fifty pediatric patients between May 1997 and October 2000 required ECMO for cardiopulmonary support after cardiac operation. Patients ranged in age from 1 day to 11 years (median age, 40 days). Forty-eight patients underwent repair of congenital cardiac lesions and 2 were included after receiving a heart transplant. Twenty-two children could not be weaned from cardiopulmonary bypass and were placed on ECMO in the operating room for circulatory support. Of the 28 children who required ECMO in the intensive care unit, 10 had ECMO instituted after cardiopulmonary arrest (mean cardiopulmonary resuscitation time, 42 minutes; range, 5 to 110 minutes). In infants with single-ventricle physiology, survival to discharge was 61% (11 of 18 patients) as compared with 43% (14 of 32 patients) in those with biventricular physiology. Thirty of the 50 patients (60%) were successfully weaned from ECMO, of which 25 (83%) were discharged home. Overall survival to discharge in the entire cohort was 50%. Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation support greater than 72 hours was a grave prognostic indicator. Overall survival in this group was 36% (9 of 25 patients) compared with 56% (14 of 25 patients) in those with ECMO support less than 72 hours ( p Conclusions . Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation provides effective support for postoperative cardiac and pulmonary failure refractory to medical management. Early institution of ECMO may decrease the incidence of cardiac arrest and end-organ damage, thus increasing survival in these critically ill patients.
On heat displacement based hybrid transfinite element formulations for uncoupled/coupled thermally induced stress wave propagation

Abstract The present paper describes the evaluation of heat displacement based hybrid transfinite element formulations for their applicability to coupled/uncoupled thermally induced stress wave propagation problems. The hybrid formulations developed herein utilize the concept of heat displacement which is related to temperature changes in the manner mechanical displacement is related to strain. Therein, transform methods in conjunction with classical Galerkin schemes and contemporary finite element formulations are employed for predicting the dynamic response of coupled/uncoupled thermally induced stress wave propagations. In particular, the test cases analyzed pertain to the well-known Danilovskaya's models of coupled/uncoupled thermoelasticity. Applicability to these models is demonstrated via a unified hybrid thermal-structural approach, thereby retaining the advantages of heat displacement and transfinite element formulations.
Biblical theology and/or theological interpretation of scripture?: Defining the relationship

‘Biblical theology’ has long influenced modern theological method, especially Protestant, as both boon and bane. Its role has been seen as either pivotal or problematic in the attempt to construe the Christian Bible as scripture with unified teaching for the contemporary church. The attempt to unfold biblical teaching as having organic unity, related to an internal structure of theological concepts, is frequently perceived as a failure, a has-been that leaves us only with fragmentation – between parts of the Bible, between academy and church, church and world, clergy and laity, and between various theological disciplines. Today a new movement is afoot, often labelled ‘theological interpretation of scripture’. Some of its adherents define this practice as distinct from, even opposed to, biblical theology. Others treat the two practices as virtually coterminous, while perhaps contesting what ‘biblical theology’ is typically taken to be in favour of new theological hermeneutics. Much of the difficulty in defining the relationship, then, stems from lingering debates about what biblical theology can or should be. The rest of the difficulty is perhaps rooted in the dilemma of any interdisciplinary efforts: how to breach unhelpful sections of disciplinary boundaries without redefining territory so nebulously that no one knows where they are.
The Role of Disordered-Eating Cognitions and Psychological Flexibility on Distress in Asian American and European American College Females in the United States

The present study investigated whether different forms of disordered-eating-related cognitions and psychological flexibility were associated with psychological distress among female Asian American and European American college students in the United States. Disordered-eating-related cognitions examined in the present study included thoughts (a) associated with the fear of gaining weight, (b) on perceived importance of having an ideal weight and shape as a means of being accepted by others, and (c) of perceived self-worth related to self-control over diet and weight levels. Data from 87 Asian American and 231 European American female college students were used for the present analyses. In both groups, all forms of disordered-eating cognitions were positively associated with psychological distress, which was in turn inversely associated with psychological flexibility. In the Asian American group, cognitions on perceived importance of having an ideal body shape and weight to be socially accepted by others and psychological flexibility were uniquely related to psychological distress when controlling for other disordered-eating cognitions (i.e., thoughts related to fear of weight gain, self-worth from feeling in control of eating), age, and Body Mass Index (BMI). In the European American group, when controlling for other study variables, only psychological flexibility uniquely related to psychological distress. Implications of the present findings for counseling practice are discussed.
Detection of abnormalities in biological tissue using optical coherence tomography

We studied the performance of an OCT imaging modality on the task of detecting an abnormality in biological tissue. Optical propagation in biological samples is dominated by scattering due to fluctuations in refractive index. We used the first order multiple scattering approximation to describe the scattered field from the tissue. The biological tissue was described by it permittivity field and the corresponding scattering potential. The normal state of the tissue (the background) was modeled as a spatial Poisson field of randomly distributed scattering centers, and the abnormality (the target) as a region with a higher concentration of scattering centers embedded in the background. The target detectability was then calculated using a quadratic observer. We considered the effect of fluctuations from the broadband source, the shot noise fluctuation of the imaging system, and the scattering noise due to refractive index fluctuation in the biological tissue. We also studied the detectability of an embedded abnormality in biological tissue with respect to to size of th abnormality.
Incidence and survival patterns of cranial chordoma in the United States.

Objectives/Hypothesis To determine trends in survival patterns for cranial chordoma in the United States. Study Design A cross-sectional analysis of a national healthcare database. Methods All cases of microscopically confirmed cranial chordoma between 1973 and 2009 from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) program of the National Cancer Institute were examined. Age-adjusted incidence and survival rates were calculated and stratified by treatment. Additionally, in order to assess trends over time, comparisons in survival were conducted for 3 calendar year cohorts: 1975 to 1984, 1985 to 1994, and 1995 to 2004. Results A total of 594 cases of microscopically confirmed chordoma involving cranial sites were identified, which accounted for 42% of all chordomas. Age-adjusted incidence rate (IR) of all chordomas was 0.089 per 100,000. Overall median survival time with surgery plus radiation was 9.2 years. Age and treatment modality were found to influence patient survival. Specifically, age > 50 years was associated with a significant increase in mortality rate (P < .05). Five-year survival for the 1975 to 1984, 1985 to 1994, and 1995 to 2004 cohort was 48.5%, 73.0%, and 80.7%, respectively, with improved survival in the more recent cohorts (P < 0.01). Conclusion This study provides new data regarding survival patterns of cranial chordoma in the United States, with a trend toward improvement in survival in recent decades. Level of Evidence NA. Laryngoscope, 124:1097–1102, 2014
The use of information sets in decoding cyclic codes

A class of decoding algorithms using encoding-and-comparison is considered for error-correcting code spaces. Code words, each of which agrees on some information set for the code with the word r to be decoded, are constructed and compared with r . An operationally simple algorithm of this type is studied for cyclic code spaces A . Let A have length n , dimension k over some finite field, and minimal Hamming distance m . The construction of fewer than n^2/2 code words is required in decoding a word r . The procedure seems to be most efficient for small minimal distance m , but somewhat paradoxically it is suggested on operational grounds that it may prove most useful in those cases where m is relatively large with respect to the code length n .
Agar diffusion method for toxicity screening of plastics on cultured cell monolayers

In a previous paper, a tissue culture method (fluid-medium) was used to screen the toxicity of plastic materials to be used in medical practice. Even though this method was found to be very acceptable for most plastic materials, some difficulties were encountered when plastics having low densities or plastics having odd shapes or forms were tested. For this reason an agar-diffusion method was adapted which could be used for the testing of any type of plastic as well as for the testing of solid and liquid extracts.
Ground States of Molecules. 67.* MNDO Calculations for Compounds Containing Iodine

MNDO has been parametrized for bromine. Since d atomic orbitals (AOS) are not included, the calculations are restricted to BrI. Heats of formation, molecular geometries, ionization energies, and dioole moments are reproduced with useful accuracy.
High-Level Diversity of Dinoflagellates in the Natural Environment, Revealed by Assessment of Mitochondrial cox1 and cob Genes for Dinoflagellate DNA Barcoding

DNA barcoding is a diagnostic technique for species identification using a short, standardized DNA. An effective DNA barcoding marker would be very helpful for unraveling the poorly understood species diversity of dinoflagellates in the natural environment. In this study, the potential utility for DNA barcoding of mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase 1 (cox1) and cytochrome b (cob) was assessed. Among several primer sets examined, the one amplifying a 385-bp cob fragment was most effective for dinoflagellates. This short cob fragment is easy to sequence and yet possess reasonable taxon resolution. While the lack of a uniform gap between interspecific and intraspecific distances poses difficulties in establishing a phylum-wide species-discriminating distance threshold, the variability of cob allows recognition of species within particular lineages. The potential of this cob fragment as a dinoflagellate species marker was further tested by applying it to an analysis of the dinoflagellate assemblages in Long Island Sound (LIS) and Mirror Lake in Connecticut. In LIS, a highly diverse assemblage of dinoflagellates was detected. Some taxa can be identified to the species and some to the genus level, including a taxon distinctly related to the bipolar species Polarella glacialis, and the large number of others cannot be clearly identified, due to the inadequate database. In Mirror Lake, a Ceratium species and an unresolved taxon were detected, exhibiting a temporal transition from one to the other. We demonstrate that this 385-bp cob fragment is promising for lineage-wise dinoflagellate species identification, given an adequate database.
Ketoconazole Retains Activity in Advanced Prostate Cancer Patients with Progression Despite Flutamide Withdrawal

ABSTRACTPurpose: We tested the hypothesis that certain patients with hormone refractory prostate cancer retain hormonal sensitivity even after progression following antiandrogen withdrawal. The efficacy of ketoconazole and hydrocortisone in this patient population was evaluated.Materials and Methods: A total of 50 consecutive patients with advanced prostate cancer received ketoconazole and hydrocortisone at progression after antiandrogen withdrawal. Prostate specific antigen (PSA) response was defined as greater than a 50% decrease in PSA from baseline that was maintained for at least 8 weeks.Results: Overall, of 48 evaluable patients 30 (62.5%, 95% confidence interval 47.3 to 76.1%) had greater than a 50% decrease in PSA, while 23 (48%) had greater than an 80% decrease. The median duration of response was 3.5 months but 23 of 48 patients continue to exhibit a response, ranging from 3.25 to 12.75 or more months. The ketoconazole response rate in patients with no response to prior antiandrogen withdrawal w...
An integrated language and content approach for history teachers

Abstract This article reports on a project that situates language teaching in the subject matter classroom, illustrating how a functional linguistics perspective can raise secondary school teachers’ awareness about the language challenges of their discipline and enable them to engage in discussion about language and content with their students. We report on the linguistic constructs that teachers without a background in language study were able to take up in analyzing passages from history textbooks, and show how this language awareness enables them to engage students in discussion of history content as they explore the meanings in texts written by historians. The integrated language and content approach we describe responds to recent calls for more situated and contextualized language teaching and illustrates a role that language teachers can adopt to contribute to the development of content-area teachers’ knowledge about language.
TUNICA VAGINALIS ONLAY URETHROPLASTY AS A SALVAGE REPAIR

AbstractPurpose: We review our experience with tunica vaginalis onlay urethroplasty for urethral repair after multiple previous hypospadias repairs.Materials and Methods: From January 1992 through December 1997 we repaired the urethra in 10 boys and 1 man using a tunica vaginalis onlay flap. The tunica vaginalis was placed as a patch on the urethra that was proximal to the glans or brought out to the urethral meatus.Results: No intraoperative complications or difficulties were associated with harvesting the tunica vaginalis. Of the 4 children and 1 adult in whom the onlay flap was brought out to the urethral meatus meatal stenosis developed in 3 (60%), while 2 void without problems. In 6 children the onlay flap was placed proximal to the glans and in 1 who was lost to followup 2 discontinuous patches were placed. In 3 of the 5 remaining boys (60%) stricture developed, while 2 void without problems.Conclusions: Tunica vaginalis onlay urethroplasty results in a substantial complication rate. We did not conf...
Tip Clearance Control Using Plasma Actuators

Abstract : This report documents experimental results from a series of experiments using active flow control to improve the performance and efficiency of turbine tip clearance flows. The flow control was based on plasma actuators. Two experimental facilities were used as part of this research project. The first was a low-speed, large-scale turbine cascade using Pak-B turbine blades. The second was a smaller scale, high-speed cascade with low aspect ratio. The active flow control was design to act as a plasma squealer". Specifically, the plasma force was oriented perpendicular to the camber line in order to resist the leakage flow through the tip gap. Both steady and unsteady forcing was used as a method for manipulating natural jet-like instabilities that existed as the leakage flow separated in the tip gap. The results have indicated that the unsteady plasma forcing was as effective as the passive squealer geometry in reducing the losses that occurred in the wake of the blade tip.
“Una persona derechita (staying right in the mind)”: Perceptions of Spanish-Speaking Mexican American Older Adults in South Texas Colonias

Purpose: This study describes the perceptions of brain health among older Spanish-speaking Mexican Americans who reside in colonia areas of the Lower Rio Grande Valley of Texas. Design and Methods: In 2007, 33 Mexican American older adults (9 men and 24 women) were recruited by promotoras (community health workers) from clusters of colonias in Hidalgo County to participate in focus group discussions conducted in Spanish. After participants completed a 19-item questionnaire (in Spanish), a bilingual and bicultural researcher from the community, trained as a moderator, conducted 4 focus groups using a semistructured interview guide, culturally modifi ed with the assistance of promotoras . All discussions were audio recorded; audio recordings were transcribed verbatim in Spanish and then translated into English. Analyses were conducted in English. Results: Almost 85% had less than a high school education and 100% reported a household income less than $20,000/year. Groups attached cultural meaning to aging well. The idea of “ staying straight in the mind ” resonated as a depiction of brain health. Participants also mentioned the types of activities they could do to stay “ right in the mind. ” Implications: Particular attention must be focused on development of programs that provide satisfying culturally appropriate activities for older participants and the delivery of health messages th at take into consideration culture and language.
Cardiovascular responses to pacifier experience and feeding in newborn infants.

This study examined the effects of sucking on a pacifier immediately before feeding on cardiovascular responses to feeding. Twenty-eight bottle-feeding infants were studied at 12 to 40 hr of age. Blood pressure and heart rate measurements were made during three periods: Period 1—while infants rested in their cribs before a regularly scheduled feeding, Period 2—while being held by the feeder immediately before feeding, and Period 3—during the first 3 to 5 min of feeding. Half of the infants were given a pacifier during Period 2. Blood pressures and heart rates increased across the periods; however, increases in systolic blood pressure during feeding were reduced for the group of infants given a pacifier prior to feeding. We suggest that cardiovascular responses to feeding in infants are comprised of multiple elements. Most of the systolic blood pressure responses to feeding are elicited by sucking whereas the heart rate response is dependent on both sucking and nutrient intake. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Dev Psychobiol 39: 34–39, 2001
Optoelectronic Oscillators Using Direct-Modulated Semiconductor Lasers Under Strong Optical Injection

In this paper, optoelectronic oscillators (OEOs) are demonstrated by using direct-modulated edge-emitting lasers under strong optical injection. The optically injection-locked OEO (OIL-OEO) enables a stable optoelectronic oscillation by converting an optical signal to an electrical signal through a long optical fiber loop. Low RF threshold gain of 7 dB for loop oscillation is attained by utilizing the cavity resonance amplification of an injection-locked semiconductor laser. We investigated both the open- and closed-loop characteristics of the OIL-OEO link by varying the injection locking parameters. Using this novel technique with optimized locking parameters, a 20-GHz RF signal with a phase noise of -123 dBc/Hz is successfully achieved without sophisticated frequency or temperature stabilization.
Spatial learning in preweanling rats trained in a Morris water maze

In three experiments, spatial learning in preweanling rats was examined, using the Morris water maze (MWM). Contrary to previous findings, Experiment 1 revealed that rat pups younger than 20 days of age showed good spatial learning. Experiment 2 revealed that spatial learning in preweanlings was influenced by the nature of the training procedure; a spaced distribution of trials resulted in good spatial learning, but a massed distribution of trials did not. Despite evidence that preweanlings have the capacity for spatial learning, Experiment 3 indicated that they are not as proficient as adults. These results are discussed in terms of procedural variables that may influence MWM performance in immature rats.
Effect of TNF-α on SMIT mRNA levels andmyo-inositol accumulation in cultured endothelial cells

Previously we have shown that hyperosmolarity increases Na+-myo-inositol cotransporter (SMIT) activity and mRNA levels in cultured endothelial cells. Because hyperosmolarity and cytokines, such as ...
On Certain (Nearly) Convex Joint Numerical Ranges

Let H be a complex Hilbert space with scalar product denoted (··), and let L(H) denote the algebra of bounded linear operators on H. For a family r = {T i : i ∈ J} ⊂ L(H) one defines the joint numerical range W(τ) by $$ W\left( \tau \right) = \left\{ {\left\{ {\langle {{{\text{T}}}_{i}}x,x\rangle :x \in H,\left\| x \right\| = 1} \right.} \right\} $$
A Prospective Study of Alcohol Consumption and Risk of Cataract

The role of alcohol as a determinant of age-related cataract is largely unexplored, although a possible influence has been suggested by previous retrospective and cross-sectional studies. We used the prospective data base of the Physicians’ Health Study to examine the association between alcohol consumption and incidence of cataract as well as cataract extraction among U.S. male physicians. Participants in the Physicians’ Health Study, a randomized trial of aspirin and beta-carotene among 22,071 male physicians 40-84 years of age at entry in 1982, were included in these analyses if they did not report cataract at baseline and if they provided information about alcohol consumption and other cataract risk factors. A total of 17,824 physicians satisfied these criteria. An incident cataract was defined as a self-report confirmed by medical record review, first diagnosed after randomization, with an age-related cause, and responsible for a reduction in best corrected visual acuity to 20/30 or worse. During 88,565 person-years of follow-up, 371 participants had a confirmed incident cataract and 110 under¬ went cataract extraction. Compared to physicians consuming alcohol less than once per month, daily consumers of alcohol had an age-adjusted relative risk (RR) of cataract of 1.31 (95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.95, 1.81). For posterior subcapsular (PSC) cataract, the most disabling subtype in terms of vision loss, the RR was 1.38 (95% CI = 0.84, 2.27); for PSC cataract extraction, the RR was 1.43 (95% CI = 0.71, 2.88). Comparing daily drinkers with those who consumed alcohol less than daily, the RR of PSC cataract extraction among daily drinkers was 1.73 (95% CI = 1.06, 2.83). After further control in multivariate analyses for cigarette smoking, diabetes, and other cataract risk factors, the RR of PSC extraction among daily drinkers was 1.65 (95% CI = 0.99, 2.72). These prospective data suggest that increased alcohol consumption may be a modifiable determinant of cataract, particularly PSC. Further data from continued follow-up of this cohort, as well as from other analytic studies, are needed to corroborate these findings.
Factors Affecting Venture Philanthropy Behavior

Drawing upon two theoretical perspectives actively utilized in entrepreneurship and strategic management, i.e., institutional theory and entrepreneurial orientation, I investigate impacts of instit...