cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Effects of Morella faya tree invasion on aboveground carbon storage in Hawaii

The negative effects of biological invasion are often the focus of ecological studies, but few have considered potential positive impacts, such as increased carbon storage, resulting from invasion. We combined airborne imaging spectrometer and LiDAR (light detection and ranging) observations with field measurements to assess if the highly invasive nitrogen-fixing tree Morella faya alters canopy 3-D structure and aboveground biomass (AGB) along a 1,500 mm precipitation gradient in Hawaii. Airborne analysis of canopy water content, leaf nitrogen concentration, fractional canopy cover, and vegetation height facilitated mapping of native- and Morella-dominated canopies in rainforest, woodland–savanna and shrubland ecosystems, with Morella detection errors ranging from 0 to 13.4%. Allometric equations were developed to relate the combined LiDAR and spectral data to field-based AGB estimates (r2 = 0.97, P < 0.01), and to produce a map of biomass stocks throughout native and invaded ecosystems. The structure of the invasive Morella canopies varied by ecosystem type, and the invader shaded out native understory plants in rainforest zones. Despite a 350% increase in AGB going from shrubland to rainforest, Morella did not increase average AGB in any ecosystem it invaded. Furthermore, spatial distributions of biomass indicated that Morella decreased maximum AGB in the woodland–savanna ecosystems. We conclude that Morella tree invasion does not enhance aboveground carbon stocks in any ecosystem it invades in Hawaii, thereby minimizing its contribution to this potentially important ecosystem service. We also found that the fusion of spectral and LiDAR remote sensing provided canopy chemical and structural data facilitating a landscape assessment of how biological invasion alters on carbon stocks and other ecosystem properties.
Preclinical Study of Near-Infrared–Guided Sentinel Lymph Node Mapping of the Porcine Lung

Background The presence of lymph node metastasis is the most important prognostic factor in early non-small cell lung cancer. Our objective was to develop a rapid, simple, and reliable method for thoracic sentinel lymph node (SLN) identification using near-infrared fluorescence imaging and clinically available contrast agents. Methods Indocyanine green (ICG) reconstituted in saline, human serum albumin, human fresh frozen plasma, and autologous porcine plasma was evaluated for optimal formulation and dosing for SLN within porcine lungs. Animals were imaged using the fluorescence-assisted resection and exploration for surgery imaging system. The SLN identification rate, time to identification and fluorescence intensity of the SLN, bronchus, and background were measured. Results The SLN identification rates varied widely, ranging from 33% to 100% as a function of the carrier used for ICG reconstitution. No significant difference was noted in SLN fluorescence intensity; however, bronchial intensity was significantly higher with ICG: albumin, which resulted in the lowest rate of SLN identification. Subsequent evaluation with 125 μM and 250 μM ICG:porcine plasma resulted in identification of strongly fluorescent SLNs, with identification rates of 93% and 100% and median signal-to-background ratios of 8.5 and 12.15, respectively, in less than 2 minutes in situ. Conclusions Near-infrared fluorescence imaging with ICG is a reliable method for SLN mapping in the lung with high sensitivity. Mixing of ICG with plasma resulted in strong SLN fluorescence signal with reliable identification rates.
A Maritime Oil Spill Risk Assessment Model

ABSTRACT Mantime oil transportation decision-making models that integrate with oil spill risk assessment methodologies are scarce. Recently, first time quantitative efforts have been developed for the maritime transportation of petroleum products. However, there still exists a serious gap in the literature concerning risk assessment models that provide a rather significant input to any maritime oil transportation model, namely the estimation and assignment of risk costs to the links of such a network. The authors first present a critical review of oil spill risk assessment efforts found in the literature and then the development of a novel oil spill risk assessment model. The goal of this risk assessment methodology is twofold: first, to determine and assign risk costs to the links of a maritime transportation network, and second, to provide insights into contributors that lead to spills. Such insights may further lead to guidelines for the prevention of future incidents leading to spills. A federal regul...
A Natural Analogue Approach for Estimating the Health Risks from Release and Migration of Radionuclides from Radioactive Waste.

The health risks from radioactive waste may be expressed as a sum of products of transfer factors that characterize the causal chain of events between disposal of radionuclides in a waste field and the consequent health effects. “Model” estimates for the transfer factors are commonly obtained by modeling transport and other mechanisms in the subsystems that form the links in the causal chain. “Natural” estimates of some transfer factors for naturally occurring radionuclides can be obtained from data on the concentrations of naturally occurring radionuclides in soil, food, and the human body. These “model” and “natural” estimates can be used with scaling procedures to estimate the uncertainties and to obtain better estimates of the transfer factors. The scaling procedures take into account the differences in the source characteristics for radionuclides in a waste field of limited size and for radionuclides generally distributed in the natural environment. The ratios of the natural estimates to the model estimates for several transfer factors and several radionuclides belonging to the U-238 decay series have been determined. These ratios range from 1/8 to 4/1 for food-concentration/sourceconcentration transfer factors for the food pathways and from 1 to 77 for dose-rate/source-concentration transfer factors for the internal radiation dose pathways to various organs.
Inflammation in maternal obesity and gestational diabetes mellitus.

Abstract Background The prevalence of maternal obesity is rising rapidly worldwide and constitutes a major obstetric problem, increasing mortality and morbidity in both mother and offspring. Obese women are predisposed to pregnancy complications such as gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), and children of obese mothers are more likely to develop cardiovascular and metabolic disease in later life. Maternal obesity and GDM may be associated with a state of chronic, low-grade inflammation termed “metainflammation”, as opposed to an acute inflammatory response. This inflammatory environment may be one mechanism by which offspring of obese women are programmed to develop adult disorders. Methods Herein we review the evidence that maternal obesity and GDM are associated with changes in the maternal, fetal and placental inflammatory profile. Results Maternal inflammation in obesity and GDM may not always be associated with fetal inflammation. Conclusion We propose that the placenta ‘senses’ and adapts to the maternal inflammatory environment, and plays a central role as both a target and producer of inflammatory mediators. In this manner, maternal obesity and GDM may indirectly program the fetus for later disease by influencing placental function.
The Application of Single Subject Research Methods to the Study of Exceptional Ability and Extraordinary Achievement.

The author presents a convincing case that large-scale studies do not necessarily yield useful information for describing the phenomenon we call giftedness, or for identifying related cause-and-eff...
Synthesis and characterization of amine terminated poly(arylene ether sulphone) oligomers

Abstract The nucleophilic aromatic substitution step polymerization route to poly(arylene ether sulphones) was investigated. Molecular weight control and/or endgroup functionalization can be achieved through simple stoichiometric control of monomers. The introduction of polymer endgroup functionality can also be accomplished through the use of an appropriate endcapping reagent. This paper describes the synthesis and characterization of poly(arylene ether sulphone) oligomers possessing terminal aromatic primary amine groups. A novel endcapping reagent, 2- p -aminophenyl-2-hydroxyphenylpropane or MBA, was synthesized for incorporation of the amine functionality. The use of MBA, together with a potassium carbonate, N -methyl-2-pyrrolidone reaction scheme affords a one-step synthesis yielding controlled molecular weight oligomers which are difunctional in nature. A second practical route using m -aminophenol was also demonstrated. The molecular weights, 〈 M n 〉, of these amine terminated poly(arylene ether sulphone) oligomers (NH 2 PSF) are predictable from stoichiometric considerations and were determined by a non-aqueous potentiometric titration of the amine endgroups. The materials were reproducibly synthesized in the range 3700–25 000 g mol −1 (Daltons). All oligomers were characterized with respect to their structure, molecular weight distribution and thermal properties. They have proved in other studies to be very useful for the synthesis of segmented poly(amide) and poly(imide) copolymers and for the toughening of epoxide and maleimide networks.
A Hospital Survey of Postpartum Depression Education at the Time of Delivery

Objective To assess and characterize health education regarding postpartum depression (PPD) received by recently delivered women during their postpartum hospital stay. Design Mailed, self-administered survey. Setting All 121 hospitals in Ohio that provide obstetric and postpartum care. Participants Nurse managers for obstetric services, 90 (74%) of whom returned surveys. Main Outcome Measures Types of postpartum education provided, format of postpartum depression education delivery, attitudes regarding postpartum depression education. Results Most hospitals (89.7%) educate newly delivered women about PPD, most often by passive methods. Specific educational programs were offered by only 14% of hospitals. Most PPD education was provided during hospitalization after delivery; however, 50% of respondents felt that it should be provided at every possible opportunity. Conclusion PPD education is one of several topics covered during hospitalization for newly delivered mothers. Health providers of all disciplines should be involved in educating a new mother about PPD.
Night eating status and influence on body weight, body image, hunger, and cortisol pre- and post- Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass (RYGB) surgery.

Night Eating Syndrome is a common disorder in severely obese individuals and may be associated with hypothalamic pituitary adrenal (HPA) axis dysregulation. This study compared night eaters (NE) and comparably obese controls (C) pre- and post-Roux-en- Y Gastric Bypass surgery at 2 and 5 months, following an overnight fast on hormonal measures associated with HPA axis and related appetite and psychological measures. There were 24 (10 NE, 14 C) clinically severely obese participants (body mass index =47.0±8.4 SD). At pre-surgery baseline, afternoon fasting hunger ratings differed significantly and were lower for NE than for C (p=0.01). Eight of the participants (4 NE, 4C) returned for all 3 study visits. At 5 months post-surgery, NE and C did not differ in weight loss, reductions in waist circumference, insulin levels, and insulin resistance (homeostasis model assessment). However, NE as compared to C, did not improve in self ratings of body image (p<0.05), and had significant increases in fasting afternoon cortisol levels 5 months after surgery (p=0.01).
268 THE RELATIONSHIP OF SMOKING AND PRENATAL DIETARY INTAKE TO WANT BIRTH WEIGHT

29% of pregnant women (309) enrolled in a longitudinal study determining effects of maternal nutrition and environmental factors on the infants' subsequent growth and development were identified as smokers. They were compared with an equal number of women randomly selected from the same investigation who were non-smokers. Prenatal caloric intake and maternal weight gain were examined as well as the resultant infant birth weight and gestational age. Trends were identified in the following areas: 1) Smoking mothers produced lower birth weight infants (P<.005); 2) Smoking mothers' prenatal intake was as much if not more than non-smoking mothers (P<.10); 3) Smoking mothers evidenced as much if not more weight gain than non-smoking mothers (P<.10); 4) Smoking mothers produced infants of a similar gestational age; 5) Despite adequate prenatal caloric intake, weight gain and gestational age, smokers produced lower birth weight infants. Additional variables influencing birth weight were identified and controlled with the above trends remaining. These variables included race, parity, maternal size, socioeconomic status and sex of the child. Results indicate that despite eating as much or more than non-smoking females, smoking women continue to produce low birth weight infants.
Imaging the Upper Airway in Patients with Sleep Disordered Breathing

Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome is an increasingly common disorder, but the etiology and site of obstruction often remain unknown. The obstruction seldom is imaged or identified. All surgical procedures must be directed toward the anatomic site of obstruction. Currently, it is very difficult to identify the site of obstruction in the awake, nonsupine patient. Therefore, better diagnostic methods must be developed to help direct treatment options and improve surgical outcomes. This article will help surgeons identify possible sites of obstruction and direct surgical intervention.
Chloride conductance is activated by membrane distention of cultured chick heart cells

Objective: The aim was to apply various maneuvers to perturb the volume of cultured chick cardiac myocytes and to evaluate the association between the swelling-activated chloride conductance and membrane distention. Methods: Swelling of single chick heart cells was induced by (1) reduction of external osmolarity; (2) elevation of intracellular osmolarity; (3) isosmotic urea uptake; and (4) positive pressure injection. Changes in cell volume and whole-cell currents were recorded simultaneously and a comparison among differently activated whole-cell currents was made in terms of time course, reversal potential (Erev), whole-cell conductance, and response to a number of channel blockers. Results: Although the time course of cell swelling varied between the different experimental maneuvers, the resultant whole-cell current displayed nearly identical current-voltage relationships: outward rectification and a reversal potential near the calculated chloride equilibrium potential (ECl). The induced currents were inhibited by Cl−1 channel blockers, diphenylamine-2-carboxylate (DPC) and 5-nitro-2-(3-phenylpropylamino)-benzoate (NPPB), and were almost completely suppressed by gadolinium. In addition, the Cl−1 conductance activated by hyposmotic swelling was largely reversed when cell volume was reduced by applying negative pressure through the whole-cell patch pipette. Conclusions: The close relationship between the degree of cell volume increase and current activation suggests that membrane distention induced by cell swelling triggers a Cl−1-selective conductance in cardiac myocytes.
Gene library for real-time monitoring of large scale time-sensitive systems

For time-sensitive applications with hard real-time constraint, the utility of a decision goes to zero if the deadline is missed thus it is very important to use methodologies that can deliver solutions within their time limit. For large scale monitoring and prediction systems with small time periods this problem renders conservative optimization techniques to be useless especially because of the time they take to calculate optimal values. In order to make real-time decisions, we need to introduce methods that are computationally light and can still maintain accuracy that is close to results given by optimization methods. A gene library was formulated that stored (i) the regulatory proteins in order to select the relevant features that determined the system behavior and (ii) computationally simple mappings that mapped these relevant features to the desired system state. The proposed method was implemented in an Intelligent Transportation System scenario to determine the rollover risk. A gene library was created that eliminated the need to perform heavy computations (solving second order differential equation) while still maintaining the accuracy of prediction to +/− 4% of the actual value in the normal operating range.
The role of type-2 turkey astrovirus in poult enteritis syndrome

ABSTRACT An experimental study was conducted to determine the comparative pathogenicity of type-2 turkey astrovirus (TAstV-2) obtained from turkey flocks afflicted with poult enteritis syndrome (PES) and from turkey flocks displaying no apparent signs of infection. In total, ninety 7-d-old poults, which tested negative for the presence of astrovirus, rotavirus, coronavirus, and reovirus by reverse transcriptase (RT) PCR, were divided evenly into 3 groups: A, B, and C. Birds in group A were inoculated orally with turkey astrovirus-positive intestinal contents from birds affected with PES. Group B received turkey astrovirus-containing intestinal contents from apparently healthy flocks. Group C served as a negative control and was given PBS. Clinical signs of diarrhea, depression, and dullness were observed in group A. Birds in group B also showed clinical signs similar to those in group A, although the signs were milder in nature. Birds in group C did not show any clinical signs. At 16 d postinoculation, the BW of birds in group A was significantly lower than that of birds in groups B or C. In addition, the bursa size was reduced in group A, but not in groups B or C. Birds in groups A and B, but not in group C, were found to shed turkey astrovirus in their feces, as detected by RT-PCR. These results provide a preliminary indication that TAstV-2 from PES birds may be more pathogenic than TAstV-2 from apparently healthy poults. Further studies are needed to determine if pathogenic and nonpathogenic strains of TAstV-2 exist in the environment. These results also reinforce our previous observations that astrovirus is involved in PES, causing significant retardation in growth and weight gain.
Impact of reach geometry on stream channel sensitivity to extreme floods

Predicting spatial and temporal variations in bank erosion due to extreme floods presents a long-standing challenge in geomorphology. We develop two methodologies for rapid, regional-scale assessments of stream reaches susceptible to channel widening. The first proposes that channel widening occurs when unit stream power exceeds a critical threshold (300 W/m2). The second is motivated by the observation that widening often occurs at channel bends. We introduce a new metric, the bend stress parameter, which is proportional to the centripetal force exerted on a concave bank. We propose that high centripetal forces generate locally high bank shear forces and enhance channel bank erosion. We test both metrics using the geomorphic signature of Tropical Storm Irene (2011) on the White and the Saxtons Rivers, Vermont. Specifically, we test if reaches where significant channel widening occurred during Irene required one or both metrics to exceed threshold values. We observe two distinct styles of channel widening. Where unit stream power and bend stress parameter are high, widening is usually due to bank retreat. Elsewhere widening is usually due to the stripping of the upstream end of mid-channel islands. Excluding widening associated with the stripping of the heads of mid-channel islands, almost all the widening (> 98%) occurred along reaches identified as susceptible to widening. The combined metrics identify up to one-quarter of the reaches lacking susceptibility to channel widening. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A self-testing systolic module for VLSI DSP applications

The authors propose a novel concurrent error-detection scheme for error detection in VLSI arrays. The proposed scheme is called LOED (logarithm-based online error detection) and is based on the use of logarithmic coding. This scheme is analyzed and its implementation details are described. Fault coverage and hardware overhead of the scheme are also discussed. The application of LOED to the convolution problem is described, and the advantages of LOED are enumerated. >
Spectacle: Faster and more accurate chromatin state annotation using spectral learning

Recently, a wealth of epigenomic data has been generated by biochemical assays and next-generation sequencing (NGS) technologies. In particular, histone modification data generated by the ENCODE project and other large-scale projects show specific patterns associated with regulatory elements in the human genome.It is important to build a unified statistical model to decipher the patterns of multiple histone modifications in a cell type to annotate chromatin states such as transcription start sites, enhancers and transcribed regions rather than to map histone modifications individually to regulatory elements. Several genome-wide statistical models have been developed based on hidden Markov models (HMMs). These methods typically use the Expectation-Maximization (EM) algorithm to estimate the parameters of the model.Here we used spectral learning, a state-of-the-art parameter estimation algorithm in machine learning.We found that spectral learning plus a few (up to five) iterations of local optimization of the likelihood outperforms the standard EM algorithm.We also evaluated our software implementation called Spectacle on independent biological datasets and found that Spectacle annotated experimentally defined functional elements such as enhancers significantly better than a previous state-of-the-art method. Spectacle can be downloaded from https://github.com/jiminsong/Spectacle .
REPRODUCTIVE SUCCESS OF SMALLMOUTH BASS ESTIMATED AND EVALUATED FROM FAMILY‐SPECIFIC DNA FINGERPRINTS

This paper presents the results of the first attempt to estimate and identify factors influencing individual reproductive success in a fish species, under natural conditions, after the progeny have dispersed from their site of origin. Using family-specific DNA fingerprints, the reproductive success of male smallmouth bass in Lake Opeongo, Ontario was estimated and evaluated at the point when their offspring were fall young-of-the-year (YOY). For the 1992 spring spawning season, we generated family-specific fingerprints using DNA of fry captured from 116 nests in Jones Bay. In the fall of the same year, 283 YOY were captured by electrofishing along the shoreline of the study area. Using DNA obtained from fin tissue, a fingerprint was generated for each fall YOY and compared to the family fingerprints to determine the family of origin. Males were considered successful if at least one of their offspring survived to the fall YOY stage. Although 27.7% of all males who acquired eggs (N = 57) had at least one of...
Alkoxyalkyl Esters of Cidofovir and Cyclic Cidofovir Exhibit Multiple-Log Enhancement of Antiviral Activity against Cytomegalovirus and Herpesvirus Replication In Vitro

The incidence of cytomegalovirus (CMV) retinitis is declining in AIDS patients but remains a significant clinical problem in patients with organ transplants and bone marrow transplants. Prophylaxis with ganciclovir (GCV) or valganciclovir reduces the incidence of CMV disease but may lead to the emergence of drug-resistant virus with mutations in the UL97 or UL54 gene. It would be useful to have other types of oral therapy for CMV disease. We synthesized hexadecyloxypropyl and octadecyloxyethyl derivatives of cyclic cidofovir (cCDV) and cidofovir (CDV) and found that these novel analogs had 2.5- to 4-log increases in antiviral activity against CMV compared to the activities of unmodified CDV and cCDV. Multiple-log increases in activity were noted against laboratory CMV strains and various CMV clinical isolates including GCV-resistant strains with mutations in the UL97 and UL54 genes. Preliminary cell studies suggest that the increase in antiviral activity may be partially explained by a much greater cell penetration of the novel analogs. 1-O-Hexadecyloxypropyl-CDV, 1-O-octadecyloxyethyl-CDV, and their corresponding cCDV analogs are worthy of further preclinical evaluation for treatment and prevention of CMV and herpes simplex virus infections in humans.
Symmetrizable Structures and Modal Control

Recently [1] it was shown that certain asymmetric lumped parameter systems have dynamical properties very similar to the properties of related symmetric systems. In fact, for certain systems there exists a similarity transformation that transforms the asymmetric system into an equivalent symmetric one. The work here intends to extend this idea to non-self-adjoint distributed parameter systems and to apply modal control theory to the results. The key to making this extension and the inspiration for this work has been provided by Leipholz [2] and Walker [3].
Human papillomavirus and prognosis of oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma: implications for clinical research in head and neck cancers.

Oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinomas are etiologically heterogeneous, with one subset attributable primarily to human papillomavirus (HPV) infection and another to alcohol and tobacco use. These subsets are clinically and molecularly distinct, and these distinctions extend to patient prognosis. 1 In this issue of the Journal of Clinical Oncology, Licitra et al 2 report that patients with HPV DNA–positive oropharyngeal cancers have an approximately 60% reduction in 5-year mortality when compared with patients with HPV-negative tumors, who have a considerably worse prognosis. These data corroborate several previous single-institutional, retrospective analyses that reported similarly improved disease
Measurement of Dynamic Efficiency: A Directional Distance Function Parametric Approach

This research proposes a parametric estimation of the structural dynamic efficiency measures proposed by Silva and Oude Lansink (2009). Overall, technical and allocative efficiency measurements are derived based on a directional distance function and the duality between this function and the optimal value function. The applicability of the parametric proposal is illustrated by assessing dynamic efficiency ratings for a sample of Dutch dairy farms observed from 1995 to 2005
Staining Method to Demonstrate Urate Crystals in Formalin-Fixed, Paraffin-Embedded Tissue Sections

T histologic appearance of tophi is usually diagnostic. The tophi typically have a characteristic feathery appearance and foreign body giant cells around aggregates of needle-shaped empty spaces in a basophilic matrix formed by washed urate crystals.1,2 However, some lesions may have less characteristic histologic features because of minimal crystal deposits, small size of the biopsy specimen, minimal or absent foreign body giant cell response, abundance of basophilic matrix with scant crystals, or the formation of a prominent palisading granuloma-like pattern. In such cases, special techniques are important to demonstrate the presence of urate crystals in tissue. Different staining methods are described to demonstrate urate crystals in tissue, including deGalantha stain3 and Gomori methenamine-silver stain.4 These stains share the nonspecificity of routine hematoxylin-eosin (HE) stain without any advantage. Traditionally, alcohol fixation is preferred over formalin fixation.5 The present study describes a simple method that visualizes urate crystals in formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue sections under a light microscope and allows the confirmation by a polarizing microscope.
Care in the Last Year of Life for Community Patients With Heart Failure

Background—Healthcare utilization peaks at the end of life (EOL) in patients with heart failure. However, it is unclear what factors affect end of life utilization in patients with heart failure and if utilization has changed over time. Methods and Results—Southeastern Minnesota residents with heart failure were prospectively enrolled into a longitudinal cohort study from 2003 to 2011. Patients who died before December 31, 2012, were included in the analysis. Information on hospitalizations and outpatient visits in the last year of life was obtained using administrative sources. Negative binomial regression was used to assess the association between patient characteristics and utilization. The 698 decedents (47.3% men; 53.4% preserved ejection fraction) experienced 1528 hospitalizations (median 2 per person; range, 0–12; 37.6% because of cardiovascular causes) and 12 927 outpatient visits (median 14 per person; range, 0–119) in their last year of life. Most patients (81.5%) were hospitalized at least once...
Motion in Three Dimensions

Consider the equation for the potential function of an irrotational, incompressible fluid in three dimensions ΔФ = 0 with the velocity vector \(\vec q\) = grad Φ. The components of \(\vec q\) are \(u = \frac{{\partial \Phi }}{{\partial x}}v = \frac{{\partial \Phi }}{{\partial u}}w = \frac{{\partial \Phi }}{{\partial z.}}\)
Decentralizing a Centralized State: Local Government Finance in Chile Within the Latin American Context

A major issue in Latin. America is the decentralization of public finances and the autonomy of local government. This article begins with a brief review of the ongoing decentralization debate. We then discuss key features of local government finance and autonomy among unitary and federal governments in Latin America. Against that backdrop, we focus on the Chilean case, which has been a widely celebrated success story in the economic development literature. We argue that despite major gains by municipal governments over the past two decades, financial decision making powers still rest with the national government. This creates financial complacency among local governments. To remedy this, we conclude with six proposals for promoting effective decentralization.
Dosimetric predictors of hypothyroidism in oropharyngeal cancer patients treated with intensity-modulated radiation therapy.

Background Radiation to the neck has long been associated with an elevated risk of hypothyroidism development. The goal of the present work is to define dosimetric predictors of hypothyroidism in oropharyngeal cancer (OPC) patients treated with intensity-modulated radiation therapy.
Larval fly activity on sunlit versus shaded raccoon carrion in southwestern West Virginia with special reference to the black blowfly (Diptera: Calliphoridae)

Larvae of Phormia regina (Meigen), Phaenicia sp., and Sarcophaga sp. were identified from raccoon carcasses placed in sunlit and shaded areas at a southwestern West Virginia site in May of 2000. Samples of larvae were taken from each carcass at 3-h intervals over a 153-h experimental period. Phormia regina was clearly the dominant species with large numbers of third instars observed at every 3-h collection period from 81 to 153 h on both carcasses. Mean lengths of third-instar P. regina larvae collected from the sunlit carcass were significantly greater than mean lengths of larvae collected from the shaded carcass. Third-instar Phaenicia sp. also appeared at 81 h on both carcasses, but relatively few (≤4) individuals were present in each 3-h collection sample from 81 through 126 h. Larvae of this species were not present in samples from either carcass in those 3-h intervals from 129 to 147 h. Sarcophaga sp. larvae were also collected, but only in samples taken from the sunlit carcass at 81 and 93 h. Ambient temperatures were recorded throughout the experimental period, whereas maggot mass temperatures were not recorded until the appearance of large numbers of second instars at 48 h. From 48 to 69 h, maggot mass temperatures were equivalent to ambient temperatures; but after 69 h, maggot mass temperatures were considerably elevated over ambient temperatures.
Conventional and reversed partial reinforcement effects in selective learning

A reversed PRE was obtained for choice behavior following T-maze training in which CRF and PR Ss were “yoked” for correct and incorrect responses. Conventional acquisition procedures yielded differences in acquisition performance and a conventional PRE during extinction. Speed data yielded conventional PREs during extinction in all cases.
Assessment of new formulations of nonoxynol-9 coprecipitated with polyvinylpyrrolidone and iodine as possible vaginal contraceptives

Objective To assess the in vitro spermicidal activity of new formulations of nonoxynol-9, coprecipitated with polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) or iodinated PVP, against human spermatozoa via the use of the Sander-Cramer test and the cervical mucus penetration test. Design Solutions of PVP-nonoxynol-9 and iodinated PVP-nonoxynol-9 containing nonoxynol-9 whole molecule (oligomers 1 to 18) and its isolated fractions (oligomers 8 to 10, 4 to 6, and 1 to 3) at various concentrations ( μ g/mL) were prepared via serial dilutions. Spermicidal solutions were mixed with human semen to determine the minimal lethal dose ( μ g/mL). In the Sander-Cramer test, the lethal dose was reported as the minimal dose capable of killing spermatozoa within 20 seconds. In the cervical mucus penetration test, the lethal dose was reported as the minimal dose capable of preventing penetration of spermatozoa into cervical mucus beyond the second millimeter length of the capillary. Setting Andrology laboratory, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky. Patient(s) Normospermic male donors. Main Outcome Measure(s) Spermicidal lethal dose determination of various nonoxynol-9 preparations containing the whole nonoxynol-9 molecule and its isolated fractions coprecipitated with PVP or iodinated PVP. Result(s) The use of PVP increased the aqueous solubility of the nonoxynol-9 formulations containing oligomers 1 to 18 and 8 to 10 slightly. The coprecipitation of the nonoxynol-9 formulations containing nonoxynol-9 oligomers 4 to 6 and 1 to 3 with PVP significantly increased their solubilization and spermicidal action in vitro. Moreover, the incorporation of iodine significantly decreased the minimal nonoxynol-9 dose required for complete killing of spermatozoa in preparations containing nonoxynol-9 oligomers 4 to 6 and 1 to 3. Conclusion(s) Incorporation of all three components tested in this study (PVP, nonoxynol-9, and iodine) enhanced the efficiency of the spermicidal preparations, especially for nonoxynol-9 preparations containing nonoxynol-9 oligomers 4 to 6 and 1 to 3.
Cardiac transplantation in children.

Heart transplantation is an acceptable way of treating children with irreversible myocardial disease if their quality of life is sufficiently poor with good medical management. Survival rates are influenced by the underlying cardiac problem and by the level of pulmonary vascular resistance. Chronic immune suppression is required. Long-term problems include coronary artery disease, lymphoprobiferative disease, hypertension, infection, and decreased renal function. Quality of life is almost always markedly improved in children who survive the procedure.
Device-Related Reoperations after Laparoscopic Adjustable Gastric Banding:

Laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (LAGB) is considered a relatively safe weight loss procedure with low morbidity. When complications occur, obstruction, erosion, and port malfunction require reoperation. We retrospectively reviewed our experience with 270 consecutive patients who underwent LAGB. Device-related reoperations were performed in 26 (10%) patients. Reoperations were related to the band in 13, to port/tubing in 11, and related to both in 2 patients. Of the 15 band-related problems, it was removed in 5 (2%): slippage (3), intra-abdominal abscess (1), and during emergent operation for bleeding duodenal ulcer (1). Revision or immediate replacement was performed in 10 (4%): slippage (5), obstruction (4), and leak from the reservoir (1). Port/tubing problems were the reason for reoperations in 13 (5%): infection (5), crack at tubing-port connection (6), and port rotation (2). Port removal for infection was followed later by port replacement (average 9 months). Overall, slippage occurred in 8 (3%), obstruction in 4 (1.5%), leak from reservoir in 7 (3%), and infection in 5 (2%) patients. Fifteen device-related problems occurred during our first 100 cases and 12 subsequently (P = 0.057). Permanent LapBand loss was only 5 per cent, leading to overall rate of 95 per cent of LapBand preservation as a restrictive device.
Preexposure Prophylaxis with Tenofovir/Emtricitabine Prevents HIV Infection in Men Who Have Unprotected Anal Intercourse

In this group of older patients (mean age = 68 years) who do not have diabetes but are at high risk of cardiovascular disease, a more aggressive systolic BP target of 120 mm Hg instead of 140 mm Hg led to benefits (lower all-cause mortality, lower cardiovascular mortality, less heart failure), but also some harms (more serious episodes of hypotension, electrolyte abnormality, syncope, and acute kidney injury).
What do Small and Medium-Sized Manufacturers Need to Enhance Their Globalization Efforts?

Federal and state agencies as well as private sector agencies often try to serve the needs of small and medium-sized firms to facilitate their efforts for globalization. Educational and training programs are usually developed based on hypothetical needs. Understanding the perceived barriers or impediments for globalization of small and medium sized is absolutely essential. This study is a prelude to developing programs to serve the needs of business enterprises in the state of Wisconsin under a grant from U.S. Department of Education. Such a need-based program development is expected to be more effective in serving the educational and informational needs of this segment. A survey instrument was designed and pre-tested to assess business needs. The surveys were mailed to 695 randomly selected small and medium-sized firms in the twelve counties that contained over 50 percent of all manufacturing firms in the state of Wisconsin. Some 185 usable responses were received.
Glutathione-complexed [2Fe-2S] clusters function in Fe–S cluster storage and trafficking

Glutathione-coordinated [2Fe-2S] complex is a non-protein-bound [2Fe-2S] cluster that is capable of reconstituting the human iron-sulfur cluster scaffold protein IscU. This complex demonstrates physiologically relevant solution chemistry and is a viable substrate for iron-sulfur cluster transport by Atm1p exporter protein. Herein, we report on some of the possible functional and physiological roles for this novel [2Fe-2S](GS4) complex in iron-sulfur cluster biosynthesis and quantitatively characterize its role in the broader network of Fe-S cluster transfer reactions. UV-vis and circular dichroism spectroscopy have been used in kinetic studies to determine second-order rate constants for [2Fe-2S] cluster transfer from [2Fe-2S](GS4) complex to acceptor proteins, such as human IscU, Schizosaccharomyces pombe Isa1, human and yeast glutaredoxins (human Grx2 and Saccharomyces cerevisiae Grx3), and human ferredoxins. Second-order rate constants for cluster extraction from these holo proteins were also determined by varying the concentration of glutathione, and a likely common mechanism for cluster uptake was determined by kinetic analysis. The results indicate that the [2Fe-2S](GS4) complex is stable under physiological conditions, and demonstrates reversible cluster exchange with a wide range of Fe-S cluster proteins, thereby supporting a possible physiological role for such centers.
Ben Sira and the Giants of the Land: A Note on Ben Sira 16:7

6:1-4.1 argue that understanding the verse in this way is not unreasonable but that this position needs to be qualified. The primary reference of the line is not the flood story but archaic peoples of the land. Genesis 6 and early Jewish traditions that per tain to this chapter influence Ben Siras description of archaic Canaanite rulers. Ben Sira, in an effort to assert the inevitability of Gods punishment of sin, writes: "He did not forgive the ancient giants, who revolted in their might" (16:7 NSRV).1 This translation reflects the Greek, which reads:
Isogeometric unstructured tetrahedral and mixed-element Bernstein–Bézier discretizations

Abstract A well-known problem in the field of isogeometric analysis is that of surface-to-volume parameterization. In CAD packages, solid objects are represented by a collection of NURBS or T-spline surfaces, but to perform engineering analysis for many real world problems, we must find a way to parameterize the volumes of these objects as well. This has proven to be difficult using traditional isogeometric methods, as the tensor-product nature of trivariate NURBS and T-splines limit their ability to provide analysis suitable parameterizations of arbitrarily complex volumes. To overcome the limitations of trivariate NURBS and T-splines, we propose the use of unstructured Bernstein–Bezier discretizations. In earlier work, we demonstrated the feasibility of this approach in two dimensions through the construction of an automatic mesh generation environment capable of generating geometrically exact unstructured meshes comprised of rational Bezier triangles. This paper extends the concepts presented in our previous work to unstructured tetrahedral and mixed-element meshes in three dimensions. The main contributions of this paper are three-fold. First, we present a framework for creating geometrically exact meshes comprised of rational Bezier hexahedra, tetrahedra, wedges and pyramids through degree elevation of suitable linear meshes. We additionally discuss how our approach may be applied to higher-order mesh generation for more traditional finite element approaches. Next, we propose two quality metrics for three-dimensional curvilinear meshes, and discuss some important considerations for mesh quality of higher-order meshes. Finally, we demonstrate the analysis suitability of the meshes constructed using our framework through numerical examples.
Biochemical Characterization of AP Lyase and m6A Demethylase Activities of Human AlkB Homologue 1 (ALKBH1)

Alkbh1 is one of nine mammalian homologues of Escherichia coli AlkB, a 2-oxoglutarate-dependent dioxygenase that catalyzes direct DNA repair by removing alkyl lesions from DNA. Six distinct enzymatic activities have been reported for Alkbh1, including hydroxylation of variously methylated DNA, mRNA, tRNA, or histone substrates along with the cleavage of DNA at apurinic/apyrimidinic (AP) sites followed by covalent attachment to the 5′-product. The studies described here extend the biochemical characterization of two of these enzymatic activities using human ALKBH1: the AP lyase and 6-methyl adenine DNA demethylase activities. The steady-state and single-turnover kinetic parameters for ALKBH1 cleavage of AP sites in DNA were determined and shown to be comparable to those of other AP lyases. The α,β-unsaturated aldehyde of the 5′-product arising from DNA cleavage reacts predominantly with C129 of ALKBH1, but secondary sites also generate covalent adducts. The 6-methyl adenine demethylase activity was examine...
No Mathematical Work is Ever Wasted

It often happens that in seeking a solution to one problem leads to unanticipated discoveries. Scientists in the late 19th century sought means of describing atoms. Among these was the famous Scottish physicist and mathematician Sir William Thomson, Lord Kelvin, he of the temperature scale. The atomic theory was first proposed around 460 B.C. by the Greek philosopher, Democritus.
Long Term Temperature Trends in Daily Station Data: Australia

A month by month trend analysis of more than 100 years of daily maximum (TMAX) and daily minimum (TMIN) temperatures from three weather stations in Australia is presented. The results show warming trends in TMIN for all twelve calendar months at all three stations with observed warming rates ranging from 0.4 to 2.3 degrees Celsius per century. The TMAX data show a combination of warming trends, cooling trends, and no trends with significant differences among stations and among the calendar months so that no coherent conclusion can be drawn with respect to the long term trend in TMAX. Temperature trends in a moving 30-year window indicate that long term linear OLS trends in temperature are the residual product of violent multi-decadal cycles of warming and cooling at rates that are an order of magnitude greater. Detrended correlation analysis failed to establish a relationship between emissions and warming. The strong evidence of warming found in the TMIN data is confounded by its absence in TMAX as no theoretical basis exists for fossil fuel emissions to cause warming in TMIN and not in TMAX.
The Incidence of Labour-Land and Labour-Credit Interlocking in Agriculturally Developed Region of Rajasthan

The present study investigates the functioning of Agricultural labour market in Jaipur district of Rajasthan. The Chomu tehsil was purposively selected for study. A cluster of three villages namely, Jaitpura, Kanpura and Khushalpura was randomly selected from the selected tehsil. From above selected villages, a sample of sixty respondents was selected at random with the help of probability proportion. Primary data were collected from the selected agricultural labour households by personally interviewing the results of study revealed that more than 80 per cent of the households reported either borrowing or leasing in land from their employers in all selected villages. Further, labour-credit interlocking was much more pronounced as compared to labour-land interlocking. The number of days worked on lower wages per annum varied from as high as 81.00 in Khushalpura to 61.00 in Jaitpura. The implicit rate of interest varied between as high as 36.00 per cent in Khushalpura and 24.00 per cent in Jaitpura. The incidence of hereditary debt was reported only in one sample villages, which was Rs. 12500 in Khushalpura. The incidence of labour land interlocking was very low; it varied from 14 per cent to around 18 per cent sample households involved in such interlocking. The low incidence of labour land interlocking was primarily due to the fact that most of the agricultural labour households did not have the supporting inputs, like bullocks and other farm implements which are essentially required in farming.
Impacts of Hurricane Storm Surge on Infrastructure Vulnerability for an Evolving Coastal Landscape

AbstractPredicting coastal infrastructure reliability during hurricane events is important for risk-based design and disaster planning, including delineating viable emergency response routes. Previ...