cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Complex Permittivity Model for Time Domain Reflectometry Soil Water Content Sensing: I. Theory

Despite numerous applications of time-domain reflectometry (TDR), serious difficulties remain in estimating accurate soil water contents under field conditions, especially in fine-textured soils. We developed a physically based calibration model to predict the frequency- and temperature-dependent complex dielectric response of soils. The model was used to predict frequency-dependent attenuation and a single "effective" frequency approximation of apparent permittivity of the soil. Effective frequency was predicted to decline from 450 to 160 MHz as water contents increased from air dry to saturation. Predicted frequency decline was small for an input bandwidth of 130 MHz, reflecting that modeled polarization mechanisms associated with relaxation frequencies above 100 MHz were responsible for most of the frequency-dependent attenuation. For specific surface areas ranging from 150 to 300 m 2 g -1 , simulations indicate that ignoring dielectric and conductive losses or the associated decline in effective frequency results in a 5 to 22% underestimation of the apparent permittivity. Both the power-law and de Loor-Dobson mixing models gave a reasonable approximation to the measured apparent permittivity for a silty clay loam (34% clay) across the entire water content range. Moreover, the models were able to describe the behavior of apparent permittivity in response to temperature for two soils with contrasting bulk electrical conductivity contributions to losses. These results demonstrate that loss mechanisms and declines in effective frequency need to be considered to accurately predict the soil water content of fine-textured soils.
Vibrational energy transfer pathways in CH3F under weak and strong excitation conditions: A comparison

Abstract Energy transfer processes in CH 3 F have been reinvestigated under high excitation conditions with and without added rare gas via a mathematical model developed as a consequence of studies under low excitation. The model can be used to describe energy transfer under high excitation conditions with the inclusion of an additional state and energy transfer pathways coupling that state to others in the model. A conclusion using this model is that population from 3ν 3 does not significantly fill ν 1 /ν 4 or 2(ν 2 /ν 5 ) even in the high excitation regime. It is also concluded that multiple photon absorption takes place under high excitation conditions.
Bedside chest radiography as part of a postcardiac surgery critical care pathway: a means of decreasing utilization without adverse clinical impact.

Objective: To evaluate the use of bedside chest radiography and patient outcome before and after implementation of a cardiac surgery critical care pathway that included guidelines for bedside radiography. Design: A cohort observational study. Setting: A university hospital in the midwest. Patients: Three groups, of 100 patients each, undergoing cardiac surgery in 1990, 1991, and 1995. Intervention: Introduction of a critical care pathway. Measurements: Medical records were retrospectively reviewed in three groups of 100 patients each: before the introduction of the critical care pathway; 2 months after introduction of the pathway in 1991; and 4 yrs after introduction in 1995. Data were analyzed to determine operative risk for each group. Subsequent analyses determined bedside radiography use, total length of hospital stay, and patient outcome (mortality rate, complications requiring intervention, and reoperation) during hospitalization and at outpatient follow-up 15-30 days postdischarge. Results: Total length of hospital stay was shorter for the 1995 group (7.6 ± 6.6 days) compared with other groups (prepathway, 11.1 ± 10.3 days; 1991 postpathway, 10.2 ± 9.6 days; p <.05). The mean numbers of radiographs per patient were as follows: prepathway, 5.1; 1991 postpathway, 5.2; and 1995 postpathway, 3.3. The mean number of radiographs in the 1995 group was significantly lower (p =.02). More patients had the proposed number of two bedside radiographs described in the pathway in the 1995 group compared with the other groups (prepathway, p < .0001; the two-month postpathway group, p =.01). Twenty-three malpositioned catheters/tubes were found in the prepathway and 1991 groups compared with 11 in the 1995 group (p =.02). No statistically significant difference was found in inpatient complications (mediastinal bleeding, pneumothoraces, and pleural effusions), postdischarge complications, reoperations, or mortality rate. Conclusion: Introduction of a critical care pathway can decrease the use of bedside radiography without adversely affecting near-term patient outcomes.
Are clinical practice guidelines valid for primary care

Development of evidence-based clinical practice guidelines has emphasized treatment efficacy under methodologically rigorous conditions; internal validity (i.e., efficacy) has been assessed well. Despite their experimental foundations, guidelines originally were considered physician education tools relevant to singular, idealized encounters. Now, in rushing to generalize, quantify, and regulate quality, guidelines are being applied to whole populations as quality review criteria. Clinical guidelines do not make operational how, or even make clear whether they should be so used. We studied the external validity, the generalizability and measurability for primary care, of a guideline for treatment of systolic heart failure. Patient and clinical factors reducing generalizability were examined. Imprecise definition and reliance on single measures of recommendations were studied as limits to measurability. Patient, physician, organizational, and system factors influenced guideline validity. Attention to myriad invalidity sources undermining implementation and evaluation of efforts to improve quality and outcomes of primary care is critical.
New Imaging Modalities in Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Imaging studies play a critical role in the diagnosis and evaluation of patients with known or suspected inflammatory bowel disease. Historically, conventional barium small-bowel follow-through or enteroclysis was used in the evaluation of suspected or newly diagnosed IBD. However, they continue to have a declining role, supplanted by more revealing and sensitive cross-sectional imaging techniques. Computed tomography enterography and magnetic resonance enterography are currently the primary modalities for imaging luminal as well as extraluminal disease. Ultrasound with Doppler evaluation is widely used in some centers. Positron emission tomography scanning is currently an investigative tool in IBD. These modalities are of value in establishing the diagnosis, assessing the extent, activity, and severity of disease, monitoring therapeutic response, and identifying complications, which may require change in therapy or surgical intervention. This chapter will review examination techniques and diagnostic findings, performance and limitations of each modality, and highlight their utility in clinical practice.
Identification of a novel human phosphatidic acid phosphatase type 2 isoform

Two human isoforms of membrane associated phosphatidic acid phosphatase have been described (PAP-2a and -2b), and both enzymes have been shown to have broad substrate specificity and wide tissue distribution [Kai et al., J. Biol. Chem. 272 (1997) 24572–24578]. With this report we describe a third isoform, PAP-2c, that we found by searching the database of expressed sequence tags (dbEST) with PAP-2a and PAP-2b sequences. Key structural features described previously in PAP-2a and -2b, including the glycosylation site, putative transmembrane domains, and the proposed catalytic site, are conserved in the novel phosphatase. The kinetics of the three enzymes were compared using as substrates phosphatidic acid, lysophosphatidic acid, and N-oleoyl ethanolamine phosphatidic acid. Km values for each of the substrates, respectively, were (in μM) PAP-2a: 98, 170, 116; PAP-2b: 100, 110, 56; and PAP-2c: 150, 340, 138. Expression of PAP-2c mRNA is more restricted than the two previously described isoforms.
Photopheresis therapy of cutaneous T cell lymphoma.

Photopheresis is a relatively safe and technically simple modality for immunomodulation. The extracorporeal activation of a drug with UVA constitutes a novel form of drug delivery. The usefulness of this system in erythrodermic CTCL is well established. Immunomodulating therapy can thus be conducted outside the host where controlled conditions permit cellular manipulations not possible in the intact patient. Indeed, if one wished, as we did, to develop a system capable of stimulating an immunological response to damage, reinfused lymphocytes, the use of an extracorporeally photo-activated drug presents a distinctive special advantage. Because the only blood components immediately impacted by the photoactivated drug will be those in the extracorporeal system, mononuclear leukocytes localized to the reticuloendothelial system will be uninhibited by the drug. Therefore, unlike with classical chemotherapy which exposes the total body to the effects of the drugs, photopheresis leaves the reticuloendothelial system intact and capable of responding to the reinfused cells. This system is an excellent paradigm for future immunomodulating therapies of malignant diseases.
The High Intra-Abdominal Testis: Technique and Long-Term Success of Laparoscopic Testicular Autotransplantation

Background and Purpose: Treatment of the high intra-abdominal testis is often a challenging problem. We present our technique of and results with laparoscopically assisted testicular autotransplantation (LATA) for treatment of the high intra-abdominal testis. Patients and Methods: We reviewed the medical records of 15 patients with a high intra-abdominal testis who underwent procedures between 1993 and 1999 in which intra-abdominal dissection and testicular mobilization was performed laparoscopically. The LATA technique is described. Results: The 15 patients underwent 17 LATA procedures. Age at surgery ranged from 6 months to 13 years (mean 3.6 years; median 2.5 years). Two of these patients had undergone failed contralateral orchidopexy for an intra-abdominal testis, and two patients underwent metachronous bilateral procedures. The laparoscopic dissection and microvascular anastomoses were successful in all patients. There were no postoperative complications. The involved testis remained viable with adeq...
P4-14-01: Weight-Adjusted Change of Unilateral Arm Volumes for Quantification of Lymphedema after Bilateral Breast Surgery.

Background: Accurate quantification of breast cancer-related lymphedema (BCRL) is important for early detection and successful management. Arm volume changes after unilateral breast surgery can be calculated through relative volume change (RVC) of the affected arm using the contralateral arm as a control (Ancukiewicz et al Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys 79(5):1436–43 2011). However there currently exists no accurate method for quantifying arm volume changes in patients after bilateral breast surgery. As the number of women undergoing bilateral mastectomies continues to increase, it is critical to develop a method to quantify arm volume changes in this population for detection of lymphedema. Our aim was to develop a weight-adjusted formula for unilateral arm volume changes independent of the contralateral arm for application in the setting of bilateral breast surgery. Materials and Methods: We analyzed longitudinal measurements of arm volumes in 141 unilaterally affected patients undergoing screening for BCRL with a perometer at our institution (71 with left affected and 70 with right affected arms). Each patient had a baseline measurement prior to surgery and at least one post-surgical measurement. Median time of follow-up was 27.5 months and median standard deviation of longitudinal weight changes within patients during follow-up was 3%. Results: Unilateral arm volume changes of the unaffected arm were correlated with weight changes at the last follow-up point (Kendall9s tau=.58 and P Discussion: Unilateral arm volume changes can be quantified by adjusting for weight changes. We propose the weight-adjusted change (WAC) formula to calculate unilateral arm volume changes for detection and monitoring of BCRL in patients who undergo bilateral breast surgery. The validity of such a formula needs to be assessed in conjunction with clinically reported lymphedema. Citation Information: Cancer Res 2011;71(24 Suppl):Abstract nr P4-14-01.
The homicidal nation: An investigation into violence in the United States

Violent crime occupies a central place in American political culture, both as an element of the national character and as the focus of continuing policy debates on issues as disparate as school integration and gun control. This paper seeks to identify the root of the American penchant for violent crime, and for homicide in particular, and sketches its political implications. An “opportunity” model, stressing reaction to social immobility in a society with pervasive achievement‐oriented symbols, provides an appealing approach. It fails to explain, however, the regional violence characterising the South. Institutional factors, notably the weaknesses in a fragmented, locally‐controlled system of law enforcement within a non‐parliamentary democracy, must also contribute to this American problem.
Applying Deming's Process Improvement Techniques to Banking

A small-business loan department of a branch of a large bank wondered why clients were not enrolling as expected in an automatic loan payment program that offered many advantages. Rather than seeing this as a marketing problem, they dug deep into the program's process and discovered a variety of real problems which, once identified, were relatively easy to fix. The critical step was to correctly identify the problem—and they found that applying classic Total Quality Management (TQM) analysis tools worked remarkably well. Even in this non-manufacturing situation, the work process was what needed scrutiny in order to improve. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Longitudinal Characteristics of the Center for Epidemiologic Studies—Depression Scale

The internal structure of the Center for Epidemiologic Studies--Depression Scale was examined within the context of a three-year longitudinal study of 80 low-income parents of young children. The baseline, first-year, and second-year follow-up home interviews included the scale. Principal components factor analyses with varimax rotation yielded six factors for the baseline data, and five factors for the follow-up data with different items loading on different factors each year suggesting some instability of the factors. Cronbach alpha estimates of the internal consistency of the original factors showed satisfactory values for Depressed Affect, Positive Affect, and possibly Somatic, but not for Interpersonal. However, alpha for the total score was very strong. Positive Affect and the total score also showed stability over the three administrations. These results question the use of the original factor scores for the CES-Depression as subscales but support the use of the total score as a measure of depression.
Toward Prediction of Magnetic Properties in Layered Vanadyl Phosphonates: Correlation of Magnetic Exchange with the Hammett σ Parameter

The magnetic properties of the layered vanadyl phosphonates (LVPs) VO(O3PC6H4−X)·nH2O (X = p-NO2, m-F, p-Cl, p-F, H, p-CH3) have been investigated. In the isostructural n = 1 series (X = p-NO2, m-F...
Cancer associated fibroblasts stimulated by transforming growth factor beta1 (TGF-β1) increase invasion rate of tumor cells: a population study

Cancer associated fibroblasts (CAFs) are believed to promote tumor growth and progression. Our objective was to measure the effect of TGF-beta1 on fibroblasts isolated from invasive breast cancer patients. Fibroblasts were isolated from tissue obtained at surgery from patients with invasive breast cancer (CAF; n = 28) or normal reduction mammoplasty patients (normal; n = 10). Myofibroblast activation was measured by counting cells immunostained for smooth muscle alpha actin (ACTA2) in cultures +/- TGF-beta 1. Conditioned media (CM) was collected for invasion assays and RNA was isolated from cultures incubated in media +/- TGF-beta1 for 24 h. Q-PCR was used to measure expression of cyclin D1, fibronectin, laminin, collagen I, urokinase, stromelysin-1, and ACTA2 genes. Invasion rate was measured in chambers plated with MDA-MB-231 cells and exposed to CM in the bottom chamber; the number of cells that invaded into the bottom chamber was counted. Wilcox Rank Sum tests were used to evaluate differences in CAFs and normal fibroblasts and the effect of TGF-beta 1. There was no difference in percent myofibroblasts or invasion rate between normal and CAF cultures. However, TGF-beta1 significantly increased the percent of myofibroblasts (P < 0.01) and invasion rate (P = 0.02) in CAF cultures. Stromelysin-1 expression was significantly higher in normal versus CAF cultures (P < 0.01). TGF-beta 1 significantly increased ACTA2 expression in both normal and CAF cultures (P < 0.01). Expression of fibronectin and laminin was significantly increased by TGF-beta in CAF cultures (P < 0.01). CAFs were measurably different from normal fibroblasts in response to TGF-beta 1, suggesting that TGF-beta stimulates changes in CAFs that foster tumor invasion.
Spirituality and the twelve steps

This paper relates to the Spirituality of Twelve Step Programs. The Twelve Steps are normally thought of as a spiritual and not a religious program. A brief history of the Twelve Steps as related to Alcoholics Anonymous with specific reference to Carl Jung is given. The author then relates the application of Twelve Steps to his own life. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A Probabilistic Assessment of NASA Ultra-Efficient Engine Technologies for a Large Subsonic Transport

NASA's Ultra Efficient Engine Technology (UEET) program features advanced aeropropulsion technologies that include highly loaded turbomachinery, an advanced low-NOx combustor, high-temperature materials, intelligent propulsion controls, aspirated seal technology, and an advanced computational fluid dynamics (CFD) design tool to help reduce airplane drag. A probabilistic system assessment is performed to evaluate the impact of these technologies on aircraft fuel burn and NOx reductions. A 300-passenger aircraft, with two 396-kN thrust (85,000-pound) engines is chosen for the study. The results show that a large subsonic aircraft equipped with the UEET technologies has a very high probability of meeting the UEET Program goals for fuel-burn (or equivalent CO2) reduction (15% from the baseline) and LTO (landing and takeoff) NOx reductions (70% relative to the 1996 International Civil Aviation Organization rule). These results are used to provide guidance for developing a robust UEET technology portfolio, and to prioritize the most promising technologies required to achieve UEET program goals for the fuel-burn and NOx reductions.
Excellent activity and selectivity of Cu-SSZ-13 in the selective catalytic reduction of NOx with NH3

Abstract Superior activity and selectivity of a Cu ion-exchanged SSZ-13 zeolite in the selective catalytic reduction (SCR) of NO x with NH 3 were observed, in comparison with Cu-beta and Cu-ZSM-5 zeolites. Cu-SSZ-13 was not only more active in the NO x SCR reaction over the entire temperature range studied (up to 550 °C), but also more selective toward nitrogen formation, resulting in significantly lower amounts of NO x by-products (i.e., NO 2 and N 2 O) than the other two zeolites. In addition, Cu-SSZ-13 demonstrated the highest activity and N 2 formation selectivity in the oxidation of NH 3 . The results of this study strongly suggest that Cu-SSZ-13 is a promising candidate as a catalyst for NO x SCR with great potential in after-treatment systems for either mobile or stationary sources.
Computer-task testing of rhesus monkeys (Macaca mulatta) in the social milieu.

Previous research has demonstrated that a behavior and performance testing paradigm, in which rhesus monkeys (Macaca mulatta) manipulate a joystick to respond to computer-generated stimuli, provides environmental enrichment and supports the psychological well-being of captive research animals. The present study was designed to determine whether computer-task activity would be affected by pair-housing animals that had previously been tested only in their single-animal home cages. No differences were observed in productivity or performance levels as a function of housing condition, even when the animals were required to “self-identify” prior to performing each trial. The data indicate that cognitive challenge and control are as preferred by the animals as social opportunities, and that, together with comfort/health considerations, each must be addressed for the assurance of psychological well-being.
An Objective and Functional Matrix for Introducing Concepts of Reinforcement and Punishment

Although the operant approach to psychology is based on objective empirical observations and is descriptive in nature, much of psychology is filled with subjective, interpretive terminology. Such t...
Characterization of low density lipoprotein-like particle in the human aorta from grossly normal and atherosclerotic regions.

Abstract Physical and chemical criteria of lipoproteins containing apolipoprotein B, extracted from human aortic intima, were compared with those of plasma low density lipoproteins (LDL). Homogenates of grossly normal intima and advanced atherosclerotic lesions were subjected to differential ultracentrifugation to isolate a d = 1.006–1.063 g / ml density fraction which was extensively characterized. By electroimmunoassay, over 90% of the recovered apolipoprotein B immunological reactivity was found in isolates from both plaques and normal intima. In isolates of plaque and normal intima, particles of the same size as LDL were found, although a small population of very large structures was also present in plaque fractions. Apolipoprotein composition was similar to that of plasma LDL except for the presence of human serum albumin in aortic isolates. Fractions from aorta demonstrated greater electrophoretic mobilities than LDL. The lipid composition of isolates from normal intima was similar to that of LDL. The lipid composition of plaque fractions showed a significant decrease in the cholesteryl ester to free cholesterol ratio and in the triglyceride content in comparison to LDL and to fractions from normal intima. The fatty acid pattern of the cholesteryl ester fraction from isolates of both normal and plaque aortic homogenates demonstrated a significant decrease in the linoleate to oleate ratio as compared to LDL. Our initial studies suggest that although aortic fractions are similar to LDL by certain criteria, some differences observed are more pronounced in fractions from lesions than from normal intima.
Towards cytoprotection in the peritransplant period.

Abstract As a consequence of ischemia–reperfusion injury of whole organ transplants and hypoxia–anoxia of cell transplants, transplantation unavoidably triggers adverse, cytodestructive inflammation within the allograft. Interventions that dampen adverse inflammation may limit the extent and duration of this injury, and preserve tissue function. Moreover, these interventions should create a milieu that guides many donor-activated T cells into a tissue-protective phenotype, thus promoting graft acceptance or even tolerance. Hence, it is useful, maybe crucial, to identify the measures that minimize deleterious consequences of acute and chronic inflammation upon allograft. Several therapies that inhibit activity of certain proinflammatory cytokines or expression of tissue “danger signals”, while sustaining or potentially enhancing the expression of tissue-intrinsic anti-inflammatory and cytoprotective genes, are awaiting clinical trials or are already approved for the treatment of immuno-inflammatory disorders. If applied in the peritransplant period, such cytoprotective regimens may increase the pool of donor organs suitable for transplantation, reduce the overall requirements for maintenance immunosuppression and perhaps foster transplant tolerance.
The Influence of a Mainstream Thermal Boundary Layer on Film Effectiveness

A theoretical and experimental investigation on the effect of a mainstream thermal boundary layer on adiabatic film effectiveness is presented. The theory is based on a simple model which accounts for mixing between the the injected flow and a mainstream flow which has a viscous and thermal boundary layer. In order to apply this theory, the adiabatic film effectiveness in a flow with uniform temperature must be known either from experiments or from another theory. Experiments are described for an injection geometry having a simple two-dimensional slot. These tests were conducted with an insulated lip having a lip-diameter to slot-height ratio of 0.6. The mainstream thermal boundary layer was produced by heating the surface in contact with the mainstream flow upstream of the slot. Velocity and temperature distributions were measured at various distances downstream of the slot, along with measurements of the adiabatic wall temperatures. All tests were performed at a secondary to mainstream mass flux ratio of 0.7, but with different amounts of mainstream heating. While a comparison between theoretical and experimental results shows a discrepancy near injection, the trend is correct, and the agreement downstream is good.Copyright © 1988 by ASME
On the Identification of Pre-Hispanic Obsidian Mines in Southern Hidalgo

An examination of reports by Tylor (1861), Holmes (1900, 1919), and Spence and Parsons (1967) describing obsidian mines near Cerro de las Navajas in southern Hidalgo indicates that not one but three mine groups have been visited and described.
Primary and secondary school choice among public and religious alternatives

Abstract In this paper we develop a conceptual framework for analyzing school choice decisions, evaluate past empirical research, and estimate an individual level model of choice using a unique data set. Previous empirical work modeling households' decisions to send their children to public or private schools frequently employed incomplete or aggregate data that precluded firm policy conclusions. The data employed here merges 1980 individual level census data with information about schools in New York. The results suggest that parents are sensitive to the relative quality of school offerings, the tuition of religious schools, characteristics of other students in each alternative, and socioeconomic characteristics of the family. The empirical findings contribute to our understanding of the existing school choice structure and provide insights concerning new school choice proposals.
Inelastic scattering in normal metal/superconductor point contacts

Electrical characteristics of normal metal/superconductor point contacts of Ag on annealed Nb, work hardened Nb and Nd1.85Ce0.15CuO4−δ as a function of temperature, are compared to predictions of the BTK theory, modified to include inelastic scattering. A procedure for determining the inelastic scattering parameter, Γ and the elastic scattering parameter, Z, is demonstrated. Results indicate that although Z and Γ are essentially uncorrelated, they take on substantially different value ranges on the Z-Γ surface for the three systems studied.
Homology Models of the Trimeric CNG Channel C-Leucine Zipper Domains Offer Insight about the Olfactory CNG Channel Subunit Stoichiometry

CNG channels in rod, cone and olfactory sensory neurons are tetrameric proteins composed of A-type and B-type subunits. The subunit compositions of rod and cone photoreceptors are 3:1 CNGA1:CNGB1 and CNGA3:CNGB3, respectively. A parallel 3-helix coiled-coil domain in the carboxy-terminal leucine zipper (CLZ) region of CNGA1 constrains the channel to incorporate a single CNGB1 subunit. High-resolution crystal structures of soluble trimeric CLZ domains from CNGA1 and CNGA3 were similar and support the idea that the trimeric CLZ domain governs rod and cone subunit stoichiometry (Shuart et al. 2011 doi:10.1038/ncomms1466). By contrast, olfactory neurons have a subunit composition of 2:1:1 of CNGA2:CNGA4:CNGB1b. We used the X-ray structures of the CNGA1 and CNGA3 CLZ domains to construct a homo-trimeric CNGA2 and a hetero-trimeric CNGA2:CNGA4 (2:1) model using probablistic protein design. Once the homology models were constructed, the energies of the structures were minimized to equilibrate the systems. The potential energies of the systems after equilibration serve as a baseline reference point to quantify the overall stability of each structure. The potential energies from CNGA1, CNGA2, CNGA3 and CNGA2/CNGA4 were compared, and the heterotrimer was shown to have a more favorable structure than the homotrimers. We then performed energetic calculations using robust classical methods. The results reinforced the hypothesis that the heterotrimeric CNGA2/CNGA4 CLZ structure is the thermodynamically favored configuration. This approach was used to examine achromatopsia-associated mutations in the CLZ region of the cone CNGA3 channel subunit. The results and implications from the modeling will be presented in the context of achromatopsia pathophysiology.
Tumor regression and histologic clearance after neutron brachytherapy for bulky localized cervical carcinoma

The response of bulky, advanced Stage IB and early Stage II carcinoma of the cervix to neutron brachytherapy (NT and radiotherapy) was studied using combined NT radiation) and extrafascial hysterectomy with histologic evaluation. Scheduling of neutron therapy relative to external beam photon therapy, tumor volume, tumor stage, tumor histology, and clinical tumor clearance were assessed in these studies. NT was easily combined with surgery in this study. Low stage tumors, small tumor volume and ''early'' neutron implants (scheduled within +/- one week of the start of fractionated radiation) showed more frequent histologic clearance of tumor. Long-term tumor control has been achieved and failures developed distant metastases without pelvic or local recurrence. This experience indicates that NT was effective for tumor clearance and control and represents a promising new modality for localized, advanced tumor therapy.
A HYPOTHESIS LINKING THE SUCCINIC DEHYDROGENASE SYSTEM TO AN INTERMEDIATE OF OXIDATIVE PHOSPHORYLATION.

RECENT work1 has demonstrated that incubation of heart mitochondria with succinate, inorganic phosphate and NAD for short periods at 0° yields a highly labile mono-phosphorylated derivative of NADH. This derivative, capable of phosphorylating ADP, has the properties required for an oxidative phosphorylation intermediate and it is suggested that during its formation the nicotinamide ring has been opened1. (Abbreviations: NAD and NADH, oxidized and reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide, respectively; ADP and ATP adenosine-5′-di- and tri-phosphate, respectively.)
Gene expression profiling identifies genes associated with invasive intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms of the pancreas

The molecular pathology of intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms (IPMNs) of the pancreas has not been well characterized, and there are no reliable markers to predict the presence of an associated invasive carcinoma in IPMNs. Using oligonucleotide microarrays, we performed a large-scale gene expression profiling of 12 IPMNs with or without an associated invasive carcinoma. A subset of genes identified was validated for the gene expression patterns in a large panel of IPMNs by reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction and/or immunohistochemistry. A total of 673 transcripts were identified as expressed at significantly higher levels (P < 0.05 and at fivefold or greater) in IPMNs relative to normal pancreatic ductal epithelial samples. Of interest, many of the genes identified as overexpressed in IPMNs have also been previously reported to be highly expressed in infiltrating ductal adenocarcinoma of the pancreas. By analyzing genes overexpressed selectively in IPMNs with an associated invasive carcinoma (n = 7), we also identified a panel of genes potentially associated with the invasive phenotype of the neoplasms. Immunohistochemical validation revealed that claudin 4, CXCR4, S100A4, and mesothelin were expressed at significantly high frequency in invasive IPMNs than in noninvasive IPMNs. Notably, the expression of at least two of the four proteins was observed in 73% of 22 invasive IPMNs but in none of 16 noninvasive IPMNs (P < 0.0001). Our findings suggest that preoperative assessment of gene expression profiles may be able to differentiate invasive from noninvasive IPMNs.
A Life Cycle Model of Virtual Communities

The importance of virtual communities is well established in Information Systems (IS) research. A significant number of studies on this topic have focused on investigating motivators and inhibitors of members participation. However, virtual communities are not static, but dynamically evolve, and often die to be replaced by other virtual communities. To date, there is very little research that investigates the life cycle of virtual communities. The goal of this research is to identify influences that could explain this phenomenon. We summarize our insights in the form of a conceptual model.
Use of ergogenic aids by athletes.

“Ergogenic aid” is defined as any means of enhancing energy utilization, including energy production, control, and efficiency. Athletes frequently use ergogenic aids to improve their performance and increase their chances of winning in competition. It is estimated that between 1 and 3 million male and female athletes in the United States alone have used anabolic steroids. In response to the problem of drug use, many athletic organizations have established policies prohibiting the use of certain pharmacologic, physiologic, and nutritional aids by athletes and have implemented drug testing programs to monitor compliance. Therefore, it is important for physicians to be knowledgeable about the available ergogenic aids so they can appropriately treat and counsel the athletic patient. J Am Acad Orthop Surg 2001;9:61-70
Zinc/Nickel exchange and ligand cannibalism in N2S2O1,2 donor ligand sets

To explore the displacement of Zn2+ by Ni2+ from within N-, S-, and O-chelate ligands, (N-(3-thiabutyl)-N′-(3-thiapentaneoate)-1,4-diazacycloheptane)zinc(II), Zn-1′-Ac, and 1,4-diazacycloheptane-1,4-diylbis(3-thiapentanoato) zinc(II), Zn-1′-Ac2, were reacted with Ni(BF4)2 in a methanol solution and were found to yield, in both cases, the bright blue, hexa-coordinate Ni-1′-Ac2 metal-exchanged product. The latter conditions imply an intact-ligand unwrapping process as the hexadentate N2S2O2 ligand is transferred from zinc to nickel. The former involves transfer of the pentadentate N2S2O ligand generating a green, penta-coordinate nickel intermediate which engages in CH2CO2 fragment scavenging from a second zinc unit. This conclusion is supported by the observed analogous reformulation of the stable Zn-1′-Ac complex into Zn-1′-Ac2 and the dithiolato [Zn-1′]2 dimer. To our knowledge, this is a rare (possibly the first) example of cannibalism reported in such ligand systems. The M-1′-Ac2 complexes were characterized by X-ray diffraction and compared to the directly synthesized products.
Additive Nature of Sodium Bicarbonate and Magnesium Oxide on Milk Fat Concentrations of Milking Cows Fed Restricted-Roughage Rations

Abstract Sodium bicarbonate (272 or 363 g/day) and MgO (136 or 181 g/day) alone or combined were added to the diet of 20 cows given a low-roughage–high-grain ration in a Latin-square trial. Responses were the same for the second, third, and fourth weeks of each four-week period. Both supplements increased fat test and rumen pH, but decreased molar proportion of valerate and propionate in the rumen. These effects were additive when both were fed together. Sodium bicarbonate increased daily milk and fat production, but MgO caused a slight decrease, probably due to its more pronounced effect on decreasing grain intake. Cows with the greatest level of milk and fat production had the greatest mammary uptake of glucose and acetate. Mammary uptake of plasma glucose, acetate, cholesterol, cholesterol esters, and triglycerides were positively related to arterial concentrations. Simple and multiple correlation coefficients indicated that milk fat concentration was negatively related to rumen valerate and propionate proportions, but when supplements were fed valerate assumed much more importance than propionate. The extent and sign (− or +) of several coefficients changed when MgO was fed.
Dissecting the social body: social inequality through AIDS counter-narratives

HIV/AIDS conspiracy theories constitute a loosely grouped set of meanings that share the notion of secret collusion among allied parties. This paper traces one woman's etiological narrative of HIV/AIDS. Such embodied experience and cultural understanding when placed against the backdrop of current thinking on the topic in the United States builds a new framework for understanding the emergence and circulation of HIV/AIDS conspiracy theories as "counter-narratives" employed by individuals and publics in the face of the AIDS pandemic. Such counter-narrative creates a rhetorical space for challenges to power through the articulation of oppositional ideas about dominant scientific knowledge. Without a critical exploration of HIV/AIDS conspiracy theories that examines their emergence and effects as a form of discourse circulating in the public domain, public health advocates will not be able to trace and respond to these narratives' impact on HIV prevention efforts or consider their relevance for other emerging infectious diseases.
Corrosion at the Head-Neck Taper as a Cause for Adverse Local Tissue Reactions After Total Hip Arthroplasty

Background: Corrosion at the modular head-neck junction of the femoral component in total hip arthroplasty has been identified as a potential concern, although symptomatic adverse local tissue reactions secondary to corrosion have rarely been described. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the records of ten patients with a metal-on-polyethylene total hip prosthesis, from three different manufacturers, who underwent revision surgery for corrosion at the modular head-neck junction. Results: All patients presented with pain or swelling around the hip, and two patients presented with recurrent instability. Serum cobalt levels were elevated prior to the revision arthroplasty and were typically more elevated than were serum chromium levels. Surgical findings included large soft-tissue masses and surrounding tissue damage with visible corrosion at the femoral head-neck junction; the two patients who presented with instability had severe damage to the hip abductor musculature. Pathology specimens consistently demonstrated areas of tissue necrosis. The patients were treated with debridement and a femoral head and liner exchange, with use of a ceramic femoral head with a titanium sleeve in eight cases. The mean Harris hip score improved from 58.1 points preoperatively to 89.7 points at a mean of 13.0 months after the revision surgery (p = 0.01). Repeat serum cobalt levels, measured in six patients at a mean of 8.0 months following revision, decreased to a mean of 1.61 ng/mL, and chromium levels were similar to prerevision levels. One patient with moderate hip abductor muscle necrosis developed recurrent instability after revision and required a second revision arthroplasty. Conclusions: Adverse local tissue reactions can occur in patients with a metal-on-polyethylene bearing secondary to corrosion at the modular femoral head-neck taper, and their presentation is similar to the adverse local tissue reactions seen in patients with a metal-on-metal bearing. Elevated serum metal levels, particularly a differential elevation of serum cobalt levels with respect to chromium levels, can be helpful in establishing this diagnosis. Level of Evidence: Diagnostic Level III. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.
In Vivo Protein Architecture of the Eukaryotic Kinetochore with Nanometer Scale Accuracy

Summary The kinetochore is a macromolecular protein machine [1] that links centromeric chromatin to the plus ends of one or more microtubules (MTs) and segregates chromosomes duringcelldivision.Itscorestructureconsistsofeightmulticomponent protein complexes, most of which are conserved in all eukaryotes. We use an in vivo two-color fluorescence microscopy technique to determine, for the first time, the location of these proteins along the budding yeast kinetochore axis at nanometer resolution. Together with kinetochore protein counts [2, 3], these localizations predict the 3D protein architecture of a metaphase kinetochore-microtubule attachment and provide new functional insights. We also find that the kinetochore becomes much shorter in anaphase as metaphase tension is lost. Shortening is due mainly to a decrease in the length of the Ndc80 complex, which may result either from intramolecular bending of the Ndc80 complex at the kink within the stalk region of the Ndc80-Nuf2 dimer [4, 5] or from a change in its orientation relative to the microtubule axis. Conformational changes withintheNdc80andMtw1complexesmayserveasmechanical cues for tension-dependent regulation of MT attachment and the spindle-assembly checkpoint. The geometry of the core structure of the budding yeast kinetochore reported here is remarkably similar to that found in mammalian kinetochores, indicating that kinetochore structure is conserved in eukaryotes with either point or regional centromeres.
Flecainide-associated bradycardia-dependent torsade de pointes: Another potential mechanism of proarrhythmia

Although flecainide has a risk of proarrhythmia in patients with structural heart disease, its mechanism has been mainly ascribed to use-dependency and a rapid ventricular response to organized atrial tachyarrhythmias or to ventricular tachycardia. We present a patient who experienced recurrent syncope due to bradycardia-dependent torsade de pointes (TdP) associated with flecainide-related bradycardia and QT prolongation. Bradycardia-dependent TdP with QT prolongation can be considered as one of mechanisms of flecainide-induced proarrhythmia.
Measurement of phospholipid fatty acids at picomolar concentrations in biofilms and deep subsurface sediments using gas chromatography and chemical ionization mass spectrometry

Abstract Examination of ester-linked phospholipid fatty acids (PLFA) have provided a means to characterize the community structure of microbial assemblies. Attempts to analyze such acids at low picomolar levels in environmental samples by gas chromatography and chemical ionization mass spectrometry (CIMS) using positive or negative ion detection, showed that the limit of detection (LOD) was mainly dependent on the background levels of fatty acids, introduced as contaminants during the preparation of the samples. The lowest backgrounds were obtained using a procedure preparing methyl esters of fatty acids by a mild alkaline transesterification, followed by analysis with positive ion CIMS. The blank samples of this procedure were three times as low as and less variable than the background values obtained using a procedure involving preparation of pentafluorobenzyl (PFB)-esters for negative ion CIMS. The LOD (background values + three times the standard deviation) of the positive ion CIMS method was approximately 30 pmole. The coefficient of variation (n = 5) for determining the proportions and amounts of PLFA in microgram amounts of Escherichia coli cells using the developed CIMS method were between 2–30%, depending of the amount of extracted cells and the fatty acids analyzed. The recovery of the PLFA was between 63% and 100%. The positive ion CIMS method was used to determine PLFA in deep subsurface samples with a LOD of approximately 2–3 pmoles/g dry wt corresponding to a fatty acid content of 105–106 bacterial cells/g dry wt. Measurement of PLFA in Pseudomonas atlantica grown in a Fowler cell adhesion module demonstrated differences in membrane composition between free and attached cells in biofilms.
Aborigines and positional segregation in Australian Rugby League.

Researchers have found the existence of positional segregation in North American and British sports in which an overrepresentation of black players existed. Data gathered for the 1987 and 1988 seasons are presented as a test of the 'stacking' and outcome control hypotheses in NSW rugby league, where an overrepresentation of Aborigines clearly existed. It was found that the most likely position to be played by an Aborigines as one which supports the population stereotype. As well, analysis of match videotapes and tackle counts revealed that Aboriginal positions had the least involvement of any field playing position. These results lend support to the notion that positional segregation may be likely in team sports for all anglocentric societies.
Discover regulatory DNA elements using chromatin signatures and artificial neural network

Motivation: Recent large-scale chromatin states mapping efforts have revealed characteristic chromatin modification signatures for various types of functional DNA elements. Given the important influence of chromatin states on gene regulation and the rapid accumulation of genome-wide chromatin modification data, there is a pressing need for computational methods to analyze these data in order to identify functional DNA elements. However, existing computational tools do not exploit data transformation and feature extraction as a means to achieve a more accurate prediction. Results: We introduce a new computational framework for identifying functional DNA elements using chromatin signatures. The framework consists of a data transformation and a feature extraction step followed by a classification step using time-delay neural network. We implemented our framework in a software tool CSI-ANN (chromatin signature identification by artificial neural network). When applied to predict transcriptional enhancers in the ENCODE region, CSI-ANN achieved a 65.5% sensitivity and 66.3% positive predictive value, a 5.9% and 11.6% improvement, respectively, over the previously best approach. Availability and Implementation: CSI-ANN is implemented in Matlab. The source code is freely available at http://www.medicine.uiowa.edu/Labs/tan/CSIANNsoft.zip Contact: kai-tan@uiowa.edu Supplementary Information:Supplementary Materials are available at Bioinformatics online.
Using Judgmental Anchors to Establish Challenging Self-Set Goals Without Jeopardizing Commitment

We applied the decision-making literature on judgmental anchors to develop a strategy for establishing challenging self-set goals. In experiments involving the generation of uses for common objects, we demonstrated that introducing an arbitrary and unreasonably high anchor significantly increased the value selected as a self-set goal. Self-efficacy and task performance also increased subsequent to the introduction of a high anchor. These results of anchoring goals occurred without reducing the goal commitment that is associated with self-set goals. Moreover, when anchored self-set goals were compared to assigned goals, they were found to have similar levels of performance and greater goal commitment. Discussion focused on the implications of anchoring goals for the processes and outcomes related to assigned and self-set goal-setting situations.
Diary writing as a means to increased self-evaluation

The completion of a structured diary task is considered as a means of increasing self-evaluation. Seventeen drug dependence inpatients completed 5 weeks of the diary. Change was assessed using a self-rating of self-evaluation skill and the Rotter Locus of Control Scale. Pre-post changes on both indices indicated significantly increased internalization/self-evaluation. Clinically, the diary procedure has been helpful in gathering baseline information, encouraging self-evaluation habits, facilitating rapport, providing material useful in understanding cognitive style, and validating therapy progress. Clinicians are cautiously encouraged to use the diary procedure with substance dependence patients although design confounding variables limit the extent of the endorsement.