cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Effects of Skin-to-Skin Contact on Autonomic Pain Responses in Preterm Infants

Abstract The purpose of this randomized crossover trial was to determine the effects on autonomic responses in preterm infants of longer Kangaroo Care (30 minutes, KC30) and shorter KC (15 minutes, KC15) before and throughout heel stick compared with incubator care (IC). Beat-to-beat heart rate (HR) and spectral power analysis of heart rate variability, low frequency power (LF), high frequency power (HF), and LF/HF ratio were measured in 26 infants. HR changes from Baseline to Heel Stick were significantly less in KC30 and KC15 than in IC, and more infants had HR decrease in IC than in 2 KC conditions. In IC, LF and HF significantly increased from Baseline to Heel Stick and dropped from Heel Stick to Recovery; in 2 KC conditions, no changes across study phases were found. During Heel Stick, LF and HF were significantly higher in IC than in KC30. In all 3 conditions, LF/HF ratio decreased from Baseline to Heel Stick and increased to Recovery; no differences were found between IC and two KC conditions. Both longer and shorter KC before and throughout heel stick can stabilize HR response in preterm infants, and longer KC significantly affected infants’ sympathetic and parasympathetic responses during heel stick compared with incubator care. Perspective This study showed that KC has a significant effect on reducing autonomic pain responses in preterm infants. The findings support that KC is a safe and effective pain intervention in the neonatal intensive care unit.
Biotinidase Deficiency: Novel Mutations and Their Biochemical and Clinical Correlates

Biotinidase deficiency is a defect in the recycling of the vitamin biotin. Biotin supplementation can markedly improve the neurological and cutaneous symptoms of affected children and prevent symptoms in children identified by newborn screening or treated since birth. We have determined thirteen novel mutations in children with the disorder. Two nonsense mutations, eight single missense mutations, three allelic double missense mutations, and two are polymorphisms were identified in the biotinidase gene (BTD). One of the missense mutations, c.734G>A (p. C245Y), is the first to be reported that alters the cysteine in the putative location crucial for ester formation and binding of the biotinyl-moiety in the active site of the enzyme. These mutations add to the growing list of mutations that are helping to delineate structure/function relationships of the enzyme.
Searching for Genes Underlying Behavior: Lessons from Circadian Rhythms

The success of forward genetic (from phenotype to gene) approaches to uncover genes that drive the molecular mechanism of circadian clocks and control circadian behavior has been unprecedented. Links among genes, cells, neural circuits, and circadian behavior have been uncovered in the Drosophila and mammalian systems, demonstrating the feasibility of finding single genes that have major effects on behavior. Why was this approach so successful in the elucidation of circadian rhythms? This article explores the answers to this question and describes how the methods used successfully for identifying the molecular basis of circadian rhythms can be applied to other behaviors such as anxiety, addiction, and learning and memory.
Silica uptake by Spartina—evidence of multiple modes of accumulation from salt marshes around the world

Silicon (Si) plays a critical role in plant functional ecology, protecting plants from multiple environmental stressors. While all terrestrial plants contain some Si, wetland grasses are frequently found to have the highest concentrations, although the mechanisms driving Si accumulation in wetland grasses remain in large part uncertain. For example, active Si accumulation is often assumed to be responsible for elevated Si concentrations found in wetland grasses. However, life stage and differences in Si availability in the surrounding environment also appear to be important variables controlling the Si concentrations of wetland grasses. Here we used original data from five North American salt marshes, as well as all known published literature values, to examine the primary drivers of Si accumulation in Spartina, a genus of prolific salt marsh grasses found worldwide. We found evidence of multiple modes of Si accumulation in Spartina, with passive accumulation observed in non-degraded marshes where Spartina was native, while rejective accumulation was found in regions where Spartina was invasive. Evidence of active accumulation was found in only one marsh where Spartina was native, but was also subjected to nutrient over-enrichment. We developed a conceptual model which hypothesizes that the mode of Si uptake by Spartina is dependent on local environmental factors and genetic origin, supporting the idea that plant species should be placed along a spectrum of Si accumulation. We hypothesize that Spartina exhibits previously unrecognized phenotypic plasticity with regard to Si accumulation, allowing these plants to respond to changes in marsh condition. These results provide new insight regarding how salt marsh ecosystems regulate Si exchange at the land-sea interface.
Structure-activity relationships of melatonin and related indoleamines.

Abstract In vitro studies of the skin-lightening activity of melatonin and related indoleamines were conducted on the frog, Rana pipiens . Using objective, photometric measurements of reflectance, the response of the dermal melanocytes to these compounds was determined. Melatonin consistently produced significant lightening of skins at concentrations as low as 5 × 10−11M. Other indoleamines found to possess skin-lightening activity were ranked in approximate order of potency relative to melatonin, the most potent of the compounds studied. Studies of these and a number of related, but inactive, compounds provided evidence suggesting structural requirements for compounds having activity on the melatonin receptor. Among the least potent of the active compounds, a melatonin blocking agent, N-acetylserotonin, was discovered. This prompted the synthesis of a second melatonin blocking agent, N-acetyltryptamine, which, unlike N-acetylserotonin, was shown to possess no intrinsic skin-lightening activity. The data suggest that the mechanism of blockade is by competitive inhibition at the binding site of the receptor. In addition, the data indicate that the intrinsic activity of indolic compounds on the melatonin receptor is determined primarily by the moiety substituted on the 5th carbon atom, whereas, the affinity for the receptor binding site is determined primarily by the moiety substituted on the 3rd carbon atom of the indole nucleus. Based on these findings, criteria for the identification of similar melatonin receptors in other tissues are suggested.
Towards perpetual flight of a gliding unmanned aerial vehicle in the jet stream

In this paper, we investigate the potential of a self-powered gliding aircraft to remain aloft indefinitely. We focus specifically on operations in the jet stream where persistent wind gradients can be used to enable unpowered flight. The advantage of such a paradigm is that power requirements are reduced to those needed for aircraft navigation, control, and communication systems. To investigate the feasibility of such an approach, we examine both aircraft design requirements for perpetual flight, as well as trajectory strategies for solar power generation. Both the aircraft design and power generation problems are cast as non-linear optimization problems where the aircraft equations of motion and periodicity serve as constraints to ensure that sustainable flight trajectories are maintained. Simulation results indicate a suitable aircraft design capable of unpowered flight in the jet stream and capable of generating sufficient electrical power can be achieved.
Characterization of Recombinant Long-Chain Rat Acyl-CoA Synthetase Isoforms 3 and 6: Identification of a Novel Variant of Isoform 6

The metabolism of long-chain fatty acids in brain and their incorporation into signaling molecules such as diacylglycerol and LPA and into structural components of membranes, including myelin, requires activation by long-chain acyl-CoA synthetase (ACSL). Because ACSL3 and ACSL6 are the predominant ACSL isoforms in brain, we cloned and characterized these isoforms from rat brain and identified a novel ACSL6 clone (ACSL6_v2). ACSL6_v2 and the previously reported ACSL6_v1 represent splice variants that include exon 13 or 14, respectively. Homologue sequences of both of these variants are present in the human and mouse databases. ACSL3, ACSL6_v1, and ACSL6_v2 with Flag-epitopes at the C-termini were expressed in Escherichia coli and purified on Flag-affinity columns. The three recombinant proteins were characterized. Compared to ACSL4, another brain isoform, ACSL3, ACSL6_v1, and ACSL6_v2 showed similarities in kinetic values for CoA, palmitate, and arachidonate, but their apparent Km values for oleate were 4-...
High performance IC package design and electrical reliability

Many changes have occurred in packaging technology during the last five years as a result of a continuous drive to higher electrical performance and higher I/O count chips. In meeting these performance demands, the complexity of the packages has increased which in turn has led to an increased susceptibility to electrostatic discharge (ESD) events. This paper will review the current packaging field, discuss future trends in IC packaging, and relate packaging design considerations such as trace spacing and material selection to the ESD performance of IC packages.
Multi-plate, multi-exposure camera calibration by the stellar method☆

Abstract A series of field and data reduction procedures have been developed to obtain highly accurate camera calibration constants for metric reseau cameras from time exposures of the star field. The calibration techniques include combined data from several two-and-a-half hour chopped and precisely timed exposures. Each exposure is made with the camera rigidly mounted and oriented to a different direction about the zenith. The double measurement of up to 2400 cataloged star images evenly spaced throughout the format of each plate provides sufficient redundancy to determine accurately the systematic deviations of all rays in the format from a central perspective. Special provisions have been included in the data reduction processes to minimize the influence of measurement errors, atmospheric refraction anomalies, thermal variations, and random variations in plate flatness. The calibration of the reseau coordinates is performed from redundant measurements of multiple photographic flash plates. All calibration parameters and coordinates are defined in a common coordinate system and are provided with complete error analysis and a thorough graphical portrayal of their values. Results from a single aperture-filter calibration of two special aerial mapping reseau cameras (Wild RC-8 and Zeiss RMK 15/23) as part of an ISP Commission I Working Group Investigation are presented.
A teaching oath: a commitment to medical students' learning and development.

Background: There are several oaths and affirmations that are integrated into the academic customs of the health sciences, such as the Hippocratic Oath and the Ethical Affirmation for Scientists. What current oaths do not communicate is that teaching and learning are the foundation of the professions. Summary: We articulated an oath to punctuate the important role of teaching and to emphasize that educating students is not a marginal responsibility but an important duty. The goal of this oath is to include all educators who contribute to teaching medical students, including basic science and clinical faculty, residents, nurses, and healthcare providers. This oath is also designed to be concise, allowing for a public declaration during ceremonies that call attention to teaching and learning. Conclusions: Publically declaring the Teaching Oath is an opportunity to clarify the highest standards of teaching and to energize educators to fulfill the promise of a dynamic learning community.
Root cortex structure and metabolic responses of Spartina patens to soil redox conditions

Abstract Under controlled rhizotron oxidation-reduction conditions, roots of Spartina patens (Ait) Muhl. were subjected to low soil redox potentials. Root elongation was inhibited by root hypoxia resulting from low soil oxidation-reduction and there was a substantial change in root cortex structure. Studies on root anatomy indicated that low soil oxidation-reduction resulted in a dramatically changed cellular structure in the cortex but not in the vascular cylinder. Alcohol dehydrogenase activity in the roots was increased by approximately three times that of control plants, an indication of acceleration in fermentation. Results suggest that in coastal marshes, S. patens requires periods of drainage or less reducing soil conditions during the growing season for root penetration into otherwise anaerobic zones of the soil-root profile.
Operator and dual operator bases in linear topological spaces

A net {Sd d E D} of continuous linear projections of finite range on a Hausdorff linear topological space V is said to be a Schauder operator basis-S.O.B. -(resp. Schauder dual operator basis-S.D.O.B.) provided it is pointwise bounded and converges pointwise to the identity operator on V, and SeSd = Sd (resp. SdSe Sd) whenever e _ d. S.O.B.'s and S.D.O.B.'s are natural generalizations of finite dimensional Schauder bases of subspaces. In fact, a sequence of operators is both a S.O.B. and S.D.O.B. iff it is the sequence of partial sum operators associated with a finite dimensional Schauder basis of subspaces. We show that many duality-theory results concerning Schauder bases can be extended to S.O.B.'s or S.D.O.B.'s. In particular, a space with a S.D.O.B. is semireflexive if and only if the S.D.O.B. is shrinking and boundedly complete. Several results on S.O.B.'s and S.D.O.B.'s were previously unknown even in the case of Schauder bases. For example, Corollary IV.2 implies that the strong dual of an evaluable space which admits a shrinking Schauder basis is a complete barrelled space.
Modified technique of realtime ultrasound guided percutaneous balloon dilatational tracheostomy through laryngeal mask airway insertion

Background The technique of bedside percutaneous tracheostomy (BPT) has become a routine procedure in the ICU. As a common standard, a bronchoscope is used during the BPT in order to assess the upper airway anatomy and to assist guiding the needle while penetrating the tracheal inter-ring space into the correct central positioning. However, using the bronchoscope during the puncture of the trachea holds a potential patient safety risk due to the possibility of inaccurate device placement and associated temporary hypoventilation. Moreover, an accidental needle puncture of the bronchoscope is a frequent problem and leads to high repair costs as well as to prolonged downtime periods of the damaged device. It is therefore important to further improve the BPT technique aiming towards minimizing patient safety risks as well as eliminating avoidable technical and financial burdens for healthcare institutions.
Overview of diagnosis and treatment of psychological trauma in children

The extent of children's exposure to psychological trauma is only now being recognized. The concept of trauma has been in use since the earliest concepts developed by Freud, but there has been limited effort to define the term with consistency. This article provides a comprehensive definition of the term and offers guidance to practitioners who are increasingly being required to treat traumatized children. Key therapy considerations are organized around the role of dissociation and repetition compulsion in trauma. The author presents specific treatment concepts in connection with aloneness of trauma experience, dream and nightmare reactions, use of animals in treatment, parent#shchild intervention, and external influences.
Precision measurements of photoabsorption cross sections of Ar, Kr, Xe, and selected molecules at 58.4, 73.6, and 74.4 nm

Absolute absorption cross sections have been measured for the rare gases at 58.43, 73.59, and 74.37 nm with an accuracy of + or - 0.8 percent. For the molecules H2, N2, O2, CO, N2O, CO2, and CH4, precision measurements were made at 58.43 nm with an accuracy of + or - 0.8 percent. Molecular absorption cross sections are also reported at 73.59 and 74.37 nm. However, in the vicinity of these wavelengths most molecules exhibit considerable structure, and cross sections measured at these wavelengths may depend on the widths and the amounts of self-reversal of these resonance lines. A detailed discussion is given of the systematic errors encountered with the double-ion chamber used in the cross-sectional measurements. Details are also given of precision pressure measurements.
The Advent of Land Mobile Satellite Service Systems

The practicality of providing cellular-type communications service to underserved remote areas of the country is now possible through the use of satellites in geostationary orbit. The advent of high-power, land-mobile satellites, coupled with high-performance, low-cost ground receivers, makes it possible to provide mobile radio, mobile telephone, data communication, and other services to large numbers of rural and suburban users. A recent Federal Communications Commission (FCC) decision has allocated L-band (1.5 GHz, 1.6 GHz) spectrum to this service. Even though there is a significant amount of spectrum available at L-band, the expected demand for this service is high and spectral efficient means must be devised to maintain sufficient capacity. Expedient means used to increase capacity, in the absence of additional spectrum, are single channel per carrier, demand assignment multiple access (SCPC-DAMA) with voice, frequency reuse via multiple beams, and orbital reuse by using multiple satellites. Some of the operational, systemic, and technological considerations of the first generation land mobile satellite service (LMSS) that would provide thin-route services to large land masses of North America are considered here.
Conditioned taste aversions: Generalization to taste mixtures

Rats were trained to take their daily water ration within a 30-min session, during which the number of licks per 10-sec presentation of a drinking tube could be recorded. During one of these sessions, one of three stimuli (sucrose, NaCl or HCl) was presented, followed by the administration of cyclophosphamide to produce a conditioned taste aversion. When tested with mixtures of the conditioned stimulus (CS) with the other two stimuli and also with quinine hydrochloride, the animals avoided mixtures containing the CS in proportion to its concentration in the mixture. Although the natural preferences and aversions for these stimuli interacted somewhat with the learned taste aversions, rats responded to the presence of a CS in a mixture and did not generalize to other stimuli not containing the CS. Thus, the generalization of conditioned taste aversions provides a good measure of the behavioral similarities among gustatory stimuli.
Why some firms never invest in formal R&D

In this paper we study the frequency of formal R&D investments. We link real options theory to the knowledge-based view to explain how a firm's knowledge resources influence its frequency of investing in R&D to establish technological options. Specifically, we propose that a firm that lacks internal knowledge resources is more likely to never invest in R&D, a firm that has both internal and external knowledge resources is more likely to sometimes invest in R&D, while a firm that has internal knowledge resources but lacks external knowledge resources is more likely to always invest in R&D. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Position effect influencing alcohol dehydrogenase activity inDrosophila melanogaster

A small decrease in alcohol dehydrogenase activity was found in translocation stocks ofDrosophila melanogaster in which a section of the heterochromatic Y-chromosome is inserted proximal toAdh. This small position effect is consistent with our growing knowledge of the control and transcription of theAdh locus. *** DIRECT SUPPORT *** A2025089 00003
Reverse alarm clock: a research through design example of designing for the self

This paper documents a first attempt at "designing for the self", an approach to designing products intended to help people move closer to their idealized sense of self as they perform a specific role through the interaction with a product. This work follows a research through design approach, applying theory from consumer behavior research to address the needs of dual-income parents with young children. The clock, called the reverse alarm clock attempts to meet the goal of "Design for the Self" in four ways. First, the clock communicates information about time in a form children can understand, and so help children learn to become more responsible. Second, it gives parents more control over their lives by allowing them in absentia to relatively control the expression of time to their children. Third, the interaction with the clock has been placed within the intimate bedtime ritual parents and children share. Fourth, by keeping young children from waking their parents in the middle of the night, the clock increases parents' emotional reserve to deal with the morning rush. This paper details the design process and evaluation of the reverse alarm clock and provides our insights on designing for the self through the reflection of our process.
Reversible boolean networks II. Phase transitions, oscillations, and local structures

We continue our consideration of a class of models describing the reversible dynamics of N Boolean variables, each with K inputs. We investigate in detail the behavior of the Hamming distance as well as of the distribution of orbit lengths as N and K are varied. We present numerical evidence for a phase transition in the behavior of the Hamming distance at a critical value Kc ≈ 1.62 and also an analytic theory that yields the exact bounds 1.5 <K c < 2. We also discuss the large oscillations that we observe in the Hamming distance for K< K c as a function of time as well as in the distribution of cycle lengths as a function of cycle length for moderate K both greater than and less than Kc. We propose that local structures, or subsets of spins whose dynamics are not fully coupled to the other spins in the system, play a crucial role in generating these oscillations. The simplest of these structures are linear chains, called linkages, and rings, called circuits. We discuss the properties of the linkages in some detail, and sketch the properties of circuits. We argue that the observed oscillation phenomena can be largely understood in terms of these local structures. © 2001 Published by Elsevier Science B.V.
Relationship between the clinical characteristics of osteomyelitis and the finding of extraosseous fat on MRI in pediatric patients.

MRI is frequently utilized to evaluate patients for osteomyelitis. The findings of intramedullary and extramedullary fat globules as well as extramedullary fat-fluid levels can help improve the specificity of MRI for this diagnosis. To correlate these MRI findings with the clinical characteristics in children with osteomyelitis. A retrospective electronic medical record search for pediatric patient charts from March 2004 to November 2009 that contained the word “osteomyelitis” in the “principal diagnosis” portion of the international classification of disease (ICD) billing code. Each electronic chart was reviewed. MRI examinations of selected children were reviewed by a pediatric radiologist, a general radiologist and a transitional year resident. A total of 10 patients/11 MRI studies were included. Five of the 11 had the MRI finding of extramedullary globular fat signal. There was a significantly increased likelihood of seeing this finding in children of pubertal or postpubertal age compared to those of prepubertal age (p < 0.05). This study provides evidence that the MRI finding of extramedullary fat globules in children with acute osteomyelitis is associated with the clinical characteristic of being within or above the age range for puberty.
Iodine and Pregnancy

Iodine is a necessary element for the production of thyroid hormone. We will review the impact of dietary iodine status on thyroid function in pregnancy. We will discuss iodine metabolism, homeostasis, and nutritional recommendations for pregnancy. We will also discuss the possible effects of environmental contaminants on iodine utilization in pregnant women.
Nonseparable 2D FIR filter design using nonuniform frequency sampling

We propose a nonuniform frequency sampling method for 2D FIR filter design based on the concept of the nonuniform discrete Fourier transform (NDFT). The NDFT of a 2D sequence is defined as a sequence of samples of its z-transform taken at distinct points located arbitrarily in the (z 1 , z 2 ) space. In our design method, we determine the independent filter coefficients by taking samples of the desired frequency response at points located nonuniformly on the unit bi-disc, and then solving the linear equations given by the NDFT formulation. The choice of sample values and locations depends on the shape of the 2D filter. Best results are obtained when samples ar placed on contour lines that match the desired passband shape. The proposed method produces nonseparable filters with good passband shapes and low peak ripples. In this paper, we consider the design of square- and diamond-shaped filters. Extensive comparisons with filters designed by other methods demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed method. We also investigate the performances of the filters designed by applying them as prefilters and postfilters to schemes for rectangular and quincunx downsampling of images. Examples show that the filters designed by our method produce output images which are sharper and have a higher PSNR, as compared with other filters.
Observations of inverted-V electron precipitation

The energy and pitch angle distributions of inverted-V electron precipitation fluxes predominantly determined from Atmosphere Explorer satellite observations are shown to be in general agreement with acceleration by a parallel electrostatic potential. The characteristics of secondary electrons are examined, and the effects of beam plasma instabilities on these electrons are discussed. It is found that plasma sheet electrons are continuously accelerated to form inverted-V structures in the premidnight hemisphere, independent of substorm phase. The acceleration processes are probably related to large scale, electrostatic wave turbulence observed at altitudes of a few thousands km. It is suggested that narrow bursts of intense electron precipitation possess characteristics which may cause auroral arcs in the atmosphere.
Use and abuse of frozen section in the diagnosis of follicular thyroid lesions.

The role of intraoperative frozen section in certain organ systems such as the thyroid continues to be problematic. In many cases, diagnoses are deferred or nonhelpful—“follicular lesion.” In the modern era, the widespread use of preoperative aspiration biopsy has allowed for more careful selection of patients who undergo thyroid surgery. In many cases, the fine-needle-aspiration (FNA) biopsy diagnosis can be definitive or can guide the specific surgical procedure. The literature supports our approach, which is summarized as follows: Intraoperative consultation is not needed on the intrathyroidal nodule if a preoperative FNA was definitive for papillary carcinoma. Frozen section is of no value in the intraoperative diagnosis of lesions diagnosed on FNA as “follicular neoplasm” or “Hurthle cell neoplasm” because the characterization of these lesions requires detailed analysis of the tumor capsule for the demonstration of capsular and/or vascular invasion—an analysis that is not practical in the intraoperative setting. Finally, intraoperative consultation including frozen section and intraoperative cytologic examination is most useful in those cases that are diagnosed as suspicious for papillary carcinoma by FNA, because the assessment of nuclear features needed for the definitive diagnosis is possible with intraoperative techniques in a significant number of cases.
Bayesian Acceptance Sampling

This tutorial paper shows, via an example, how optimum sampling plans can be derived using Bayesian decision theory. Both nonsequential and sequential sampling plans are described. The Bayesian method is contrasted with classical methods. The salient difference between Bayesian and classical methods is that the Bayesian approach allows one formally to pose and answer the question: ``How many should I test?''.
Classification of raster maps for automatic feature extraction

Raster maps are widely available and contain useful geographic features such as labels and road lines. To extract the geographic features, most research work relies on a manual step to first extract the foreground pixels from the maps using the distinctive colors or grayscale intensities of the pixels. This strategy requires user interaction for each map to select a set of thresholds. In this paper, we present a map classification technique that uses an image comparison feature called the luminance-boundary histogram and a nearest-neighbor classifier to identify raster maps with similar grayscale intensity usage. We can then apply previously learned thresholds to separate the foreground pixels from the raster maps that are classified in the same group instead of manually examining each map. We show that the luminance-boundary histogram achieves 95% accuracy in our map classification experiment compared to 13.33%, 86.67%, and 88.33% using three traditional image comparison features. The accurate map classification results make it possible to extract geographic features from previously unseen raster maps.
Overlapping Lsp‐2 gene sequences target expression to both the larval and adult Drosophila fat body

The Larval serum protein-2 gene (Lsp-2) of Drosophila melanogaster encodes one of the major hexameric haemolymph proteins of third-instar larvae and a major component of adult serum. Regulated transcription of Lsp-2 results in high-level, ecdysone-stimulated expression throughout the larval fat body and low-level, spatially restricted expression in the adult fat cells. To localize cis-acting regulatory se quences responsible for the stage- and tissue-specific activity of Lsp-2, the expression of Lsp-2–IacZ fusion genes was studied by P element-mediated germline transformation of Drosophila. A 230 base pair larval enhancer, which includes an ecdysone response element (EcRE), specifically targets gene activity to the larval fat body. Although the adult mode of Lsp-2 expression depends on the larval enhancer, additional negative regulatory elements dictate both tissue-specificity and unique spatial restriction within the adult fat body. Implications of these findings for the identification of fat body-specific gene regulatory units in other insects are discussed.
MINERALS AND MINERAL RELATIONSHIPS OF THE CLAY MINERALS

The invitation to be the Edward Orton, Jr., Fellow Lecturer of the American Ceramic Society for 1945 is a very great honor and a privilege which one interested in the mineralogy of clays must heartily appreciate. Dr. Orton was a geologist as well as a founder of this Society, and no doubt in issuing this invitation you had in mind the maintenance of this historic relationship. Those of us who follow him cannot add to that relationship, but I hope that I can help to foster it. Perhaps not all geologists know of this common ground between ceramics and geology as you do, and no doubt you would have me remind my geologic colleagues of this and of the mutual contributions which its maintenance entails. Another common bond of interest is that ceramists have made use of mineralogic and petrographic techniques to an extent not matched in any other applied science. In particular, they have utilized the petrographic microscope, and ceramists and mineralogists alike have found in X rays a wonderful new method of research. Clays, the subject of this lecture, should provide a common meeting ground and one which no doubt would win the hearty approval of Dr. Orton.
Application of an Optimization Algorithm to Satellite Ocean Color Imagery: a Case Study in Southwest Florida Coastal Waters

A spectra-matching optimization algorithm, designed for hyperspectral sensors, has been implemented to process SeaWiFS-derived multi-spectral water-leaving radiance data. The algorithm has been tested over Southwest Florida coastal waters. The total spectral absorption and backscattering coefficients can be well partitioned with the inversion algorithm, resulting in RMS errors generally less than 5% in the modeled spectra. For extremely turbid waters that come from either river runoff or sediment resuspension, the RMS error is in the range of 5-15%. The bio-optical parameters derived in this optically complex environment agree well with those obtained in situ. Further, the ability to separate backscattering (a proxy for turbidity) from the satellite signal makes it possible to trace water movement patterns, as indicated by the total absorption imagery. The derived patterns agree with those from concurrent surface drifters. For waters where CDOM overwhelmingly dominates the optical signal, however, the procedure tends to regard CDOM as the sole source of absorption, implying the need for better atmospheric correction and for adjustment of some model coefficients for this particular region.
Evidence for an iron center in the ammonia monooxygenase from Nitrosomonas europaea

Binding of the ligand, nitric oxide, in the presence of reductant was used to identify a ferrous S=3/2 signal, characteristic of a ferrous nitrosyl complex, and a g=2.03 copper of iron signal in membranes of the ammonia-oxidizing bacterium, Nitrosomonas europaea. The same ferrous S=3/2 signal is thought to be a component of the membrane-associated methane monooxygenase (pMMO) of Methylococcus capsulatus Bath, since it is seen in the membrane fraction of cells expressing pMMO and in the purified enzyme, but not in the membrane fraction of cells expressing the soluble MMO [Zahn, J.A. and DiSpirito, A.A. (1996) J. Bacteriol. 178, 1018–1029]. Treatment of resting membranes or cells of N. europaea with nitrapyrin, 2-chloro,6-trichloromethylpyridine, resulted in the increase in magnitude of a g = 6, high-spin ferric iron signal. In the presence of NO and reductant, nitrapyrin prevented the formation of the S=3/2 nitrosyl-iron complex while increasing the intensity of the g=6 signal. Nitrapyrin is a specific inhibitor of, and is reduced by, the ammonia monoxygenase (AMO) [Bedard, C. and Knowles, R. (1989) Microbiol. Rev. 53, 38–83]. Taken together the data suggest that iron capable of forming the S=3/2 complex is a catalytic component of AMO of N. europaea, possibly a part of the oxygen-activating center. Inactivation of the membrane-associated AMO with acetylene did not diminish the S=3/2 nitrosyl-iron signal, the g=6 signal, or the g=6 signal.
Pore formation and rupture in fluid bilayers

Structure and stability of fluid bilayers under stress are examined by modeling lipid as diblock copolymer and solvent as homopolymer. The model is solved using self-consistent field theory, and equilibrium phases are determined. We find that on increasing the stress applied to the bilayer, one of two scenarios occurs depending upon the architecture of the lipid. Either the bilayer ruptures, or pores form within it and condense into a regular array. In the former case, the fractional increase in area from its unstressed value is found to be approximately 2% at rupture, in satisfactory agreement with experiment. In the latter, the pores appear and disappear reversibly with the stress, in accord with experiment. We find the pores to be slightly hydrophobic. \textcopyright{} 1996 The American Physical Society.
High temperature reaction and defect chemistry at the Si/SiO2 interface

The generation of structural and electrical defects in Si/SiO2 structures upon high temperature annealing by the oxide decomposition reaction Si+SiO2→2SiO ↑ has been studied using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and ramped current-voltage measurements. The SiO decomposition is nucleated at crystalline defects in the substrate and results in the formation of voids in the oxide. The voids grow laterally with annealing time, independent of the nature of the defect. Prior to the formation of physical voids in the oxide, defects become electrically active, leading to low field dielectric breakdown. The breakdown degradation is prevented when the O2 pressure in the annealing ambient is sufficient to reverse the decomposition reaction by reoxidizing the SiO product at the interface.
SU-GG-T-216: Practical Considerations and Clinical Implementation of Patient Specific QA for Volumetric Modulated Arc Therapy

Objectives: We developed the first no‐commercial treatment planning system for volumetric modulated radiation therapy (VMAT) in the United States. Because VMAT involves multi‐parameter modulations, it is imperative to develop a comprehensive, rigorous and yet, practical procedure for routine patient‐specific QA. Here, we present our own approach as currently practiced at our institution. Materials and Methods: Our patient‐specific QA procedure involves multi‐levels: pre‐treatment QA, on‐treatment QA, and post‐treatment QA. The pre‐treatment QA focuses on dosimetry verification. It is done with the commercial MapCHECK in MapPHAN, mounted on an isocentric mounting fixture (IMF). This approach is also called the fixed‐gantry technique, i.e., the beams are always perpendicular to the detector plane. The on‐treatment QA involves in‐vivo optically stimulated luminescent dosimetry (OSLD). Prior to the treatment, two nanoDot™ OSLD dosimeters are placed on the patient abdomen under 1 cm bolus at the isocenter location. The irradiated dosimeters are read by a nanoDot™ reader and the average reading of the two is calculated. The post‐treatment QA involves analyzing the DynaLog and DLog files. The DynaLog is a treatment log file that contains the planned and actual leaf positions for a given gantry angle. The DLog file is a treatment log file that contains the planned segmented treatment table (STT) and the corresponding segment boundary samples, i.e., the actual delivered MU and gantry angle increment for each control point. Results: For the VMAT plans we have treated so far, the average pass rate was 97.3±2.0% and the dose discrepancy at the isocenter was −0.77±0.96%. The difference between the calculated and measured doses at the chosen point on patient skin was −3.1±0.24%. Conclusions: We believe that our QA procedure can minimize the possibility of treatment errors and maximize the patient safety.
Soybean agronomic response to management systems in the Upper Midwest

There has been a rapid increase of soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] production in cropping systems in Wisconsin. The objective of this research was to determine the influence of five management systems on agronomic traits for three soybean cultivars grown at two different planting dates. An older cultivar (Hardin) and two newer cultivars (DeKalb CX232 and Spansoy 250) were grown in five management systems between 1997 and 2000. Four management systems were located on a silt loam soil and consisted of conventional and no-tillage systems with and without irrigation. The fifth management system was located on a sandy loam soil that was irrigated. A planting date x cultivar interaction was observed on the silt loam soil where CX232 yielded 7% greater for the early planting date (4.37 Mg ha -1 ) than for the late planting date, but no planting date effect was observed for Hardin and Spansoy 250. Over all cultivars, yield was 4% greater for early planting on the silt loam soil. Grain yield and other agronomic traits were not influenced by cultivar and planting date on the sandy loam soil. Tillage and irrigation did not affect grain yield or most of the other agronomic traits. Regression of cultivar means on management system indicated an equal stability for yield among the cultivars tested with Hardin tending to be the most stable. It was concluded that soybean cultivar decisions in the Upper Midwest should be based on selecting the highest yielding cultivars adapted to a particular geographic region and location regardless of management system.
The modulatory effect of anti-idotypic antibody on hybridoma cells secreting antibody to human myelin basic protein peptide 80–89

Abstract The idiotype (ID) of an antibody is postulated to be involved in immunoregulation by means of the immune network. This hypothesis was examined by stuying the effect of a monoclonal antibody (MAb) anti-ID on hybridoma cells secreting an ID-bearing MAb, 845D3, to human myelin basic protein (MBP) peptide 80–90. The monoclonal anti-ID (IgM/kappa), reacted with heavy and light chains of 845D3, an IgG 1 /kappa MAb, but not with a control MAb of the same isotype specific for an MBP peptide differing by one amino acid residue. Fluorescence-activated cell sorting revealed IgG heavy and kappa light chains on the surface and in the cytoplasm of 90% or more of the 845D3 cells. The anti-ID did not react with the surface of the 845D3-secreting cells, and reacted with the cytoplasm of 14–18% of these cells. In spite of the absence of cell surface ID, the anti-ID significantly decreased antibody production by the ID-secreting cells. There was no effect of the anti-ID on control hybridoma cells secreting MAb to another MBP peptide. Anti-ID exerted no cytotoxic effect on ID-bearing hybridoma cells and in fact caused a marginal increase in their proliferation compared to control MAb. These results indicate that an anti-ID may alter the antibody production of ID-secreting cells in a specific manner and without cytotoxicity. This may be one of the means for controlling an immune response against MBP generated by the cells of the immune system or in situ within the nervous system. The cellular mechanism(s) for this effect remains to be defined.
Hematopoietic stem cells, explicitly

Comment on Balazs et al, page [2317][1] A study by Balazs and colleagues in this issue of Blood begins to fill a significant gap in our abilities to analyze the biology of hematopoietic stem cells. Stem cells in mammalian tissues such as gut, epidermis, and blood are responsible for the robust
The synthesis of tetra-modified RNA for the multidimensional control of gene expression via light-activated RNA interference

Light-activated RNA interference (LARI) is an effective way to control gene expression with light. This, in turn, allows for the spacing, timing and degree of gene expression to be controlled by the spacing, timing and amount of light irradiation. The key mediators of this process are siRNA or dsRNA that have been modified with four photocleavable groups of dimethoxy nitro phenyl ethyl (DMNPE), located on the four terminal phosphate groups of the duplex RNA. These mediators can be easily synthesized and purified using two readily available products: synthetic RNA oligonucleotides and DMNPE-hydrazone. The synthesis of the tetra-DMNPE-modified duplex RNA is made possible by a remarkable regiospecificity of DMNPE for terminal phosphates (over internal phosphates or nucleobases) that we have previously identified. The four installed DMNPE groups effectively limit RNAi until irradiation cleaves them, releasing native, active siRNA. By using the described protocol, any process that is mediated by RNAi can be controlled with light. Although other methods exist to control gene expression with light by using specialized reagents, this method requires only two commercially available products. The protocol takes ∼3 d in total for the preparation of modified RNA.
Folate supplementation during methotrexate therapy for patients with psoriasis

Methotrexate is a folate antagonist that is a well-established therapy for autoimmune and inflammatory conditions. In some patients, methotrexate is associated with significant side effects and toxicity. Folate supplementation is often used to ameliorate methotrexate-associated side effects and toxicities. We sought to demonstrate that folate supplementation during methotrexate therapy reduces both toxicity and side effects without compromising efficacy. A MEDLINE search of the search terms "methotrexate," "folic acid," "folinic acid," and "leucovorin" was performed and literature relevant to the use of folates as a supplement to methotrexate was reviewed. According to studies reviewed, the use of folate supplements in patients treated with methotrexate reduces the incidence of hepatotoxicity and gastrointestinal intolerance without impairing the efficacy of methotrexate. Both folic acid and folinic acid are equally effective; however, folic acid is more cost effective. It must be noted that there are relatively few studies that have addressed folate supplementation with the use of methotrexate for the treatment of psoriasis. After examining the available data from the literature and drawing from clinical experience, we advise folate supplementation for every patient who receives methotrexate.
Bogoch Replikins Pandemic Prevention: Increase of Strain-Specific Influenza Genomic Replikin Counts, Having Predicted Outbreaks and their Location Seven Times Consecutively, Up to Two Years in Advance, Provides Time for Prevention of Pandemics

Earlier studies have shown that the increased concentration of a new class of virus genomic peptides, Replikins, precedes and predicts virus outbreaks. We now find that the area in the genome of the highest concentration of Replikins, and the country in which this peak exists in scout viruses, have permitted in the past five years seven consecutive accurate predictions of the geographic localization of coming outbreaks, including those now realized in Mexico for H1N1, and in Cambodia for H5N1. Real-time Replikin analysis of the evolution of the virus genome identified both mutations and structural reorganization of the hemagglutinin and p B1 genes over several years before each outbreak. This information, together with the specific Replikin sequences so obtained, permitted solid-phase synthesis of Replikin vaccines in seven days, which blocked H5N1 in chickens. The information also now provides up to two years of time to thoroughly test and distribute vaccines to high risk individuals in the countries identified; thus for the first time, a quantitative genomic Replikins method to both predict initial outbreaks and to prevent the development of a pandemic.
Factors influencing corporate web site adoption : a time-based assessment

Although the World Wide Web (Web) has become one of the most widely used information technologies, research indicates that there are many firms that are still considering whether to establish a Web presence. This study presents results from a survey of 286 medium-to-large US firms that have adopted corporate Web sites. Findings reveal significant differences in the reasons that these firms decided to adopt Web technology depending on when the firm made the adoption decision; early adopters placed more emphasis on perceived benefits and compatibility of the Web with existing technology and organizational norms than did later adopters. This paper also discusses findings for practitioners. Finally, some implications for the future of the field are discussed.