cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Is the lack of keyword synergism inhibiting maturation in the MIS theory? an exploratory perspective

Abstract This article explores previous research on keyword search techniques and evaluates the comprehensiveness of a well-known keyword classification scheme. Comparison of literature reviews provide evidence that this topic is not well agreed upon and these contradictions have reduced reliance on keyword searches as a method of exploring prior research on a given topic. Presently, there does not exist a comprehensive management information systems (MIS) keyword list. Information regarding keyword usage in 14676 articles published in 27 MIS journals from 1985–1994 was collected electronically from an ABI Inform database. After several levels of refinements on 4386 keywords, a comprehensive list of 1056 keywords was obtained. Our MIS keyword list was compared with that of Barki and differences with Barki's list were identified, such as: (i) failing to include many keyword subjects that have frequently occurred during the past decade, and (ii) inclusion of keywords that have not had a single occurrence in MIS journals for the same period.
Comment on "Early Archaean microorganisms preferred elemental sulfur, not sulfate"

Philippot et al. (Reports, 14 September 2007, p. 1534) interpreted multiple-sulfur isotopic compositions of approximately 3.5-billion-year-old marine sulfide deposits as evidence that early Archaean microorganisms were not sulfate reducers but instead metabolized elemental sulfur. However, their data can be better explained by a scenario involving poor mixing of photochemical and surface sulfide sources.
Clinical and Neurocognitive Aspects of Source Monitoring Errors in Schizophrenia

OBJECTIVE: Source monitoring, an aspect of memory that involves judgments about the origin of information, has been found to be more prone to errors in schizophrenic subjects than in normal persons. To examine the precise nature of such errors and their relationship to clinical and neurocognitive variables, the authors compared schizophrenic and normal subjects. METHOD: Schizophrenic subjects who had been medication free for 1 week (N=26) and demographically matched normal subjects (N=21) performed a source monitoring task and were assessed on current psychiatric symptoms, IQ, and frontal lobe functioning. RESULTS: The schizophrenic subjects had normal recognition memory of target words (recognition hits) and a normal generation effect but made more errors than the comparison subjects in identifying the source of target words. Specifically, the schizophrenic subjects made more errors in remembering the source of new and self-generated items, and they tended to attribute items to an external source. In 11 ...
One-Dimensional Hollow Cathode Model

Hollow cathodes with barium-rich inserts are used in ion engines as electron sources both in the discharge chamber and to neutralize the ion beam. Future deep space missions will require hollow cathode lifetimes in excessof the 28,000 h demonstrated during the International Space Station plasma contactor hollow cathode life test. A hollow cathode model is developed based on the observation that xenon ion mobility is diffusion limited due to resonant charge exchange reactions. Application of the model to the orifice region shows that the resultant ion generation profile correlates with previously reported orifice erosion. Modeling of the insert region shows that vapor-phase barium atoms are ionized almost immediately and electric fields accelerate the ions upstream from the "emission zone".
Low Gravity Issues of Deep Space Refueling

This paper discusses the technologies required to develop deep space refueling of cryogenic propellants and low cost flight experiments to develop them. Key technologies include long term storage, pressure control, mass gauging, liquid acquisition, and fluid transfer. Prior flight experiments used to mature technologies are discussed. A plan is presented to systematically study the deep space refueling problem and devise low-cost experiments to further mature technologies and prepare for full scale flight demonstrations.
A new method for noninvasive estimation of ventricular septal defect shunt flow by Doppler color flow mapping: imaging of the laminar flow convergence region on the left septal surface.

Abstract An accurate but simple and noninvasive method for quantifying flow across a ventricular septal defect has yet to be implemented for routine clinical use. A region of flow convergence is commonly imaged by Doppler color flow mapping on the left septal surface of the ventricular septal defect, appearing as a narrowed region of laminar flow with aliased flow velocities entering the orifice. If the first aliasing region represents a hemispheric isovelocity boundary of a surface of flow convergence and all flow at this surface crosses the ventricular septal defect, the flow through the defect can be estimated by using the radius (R), measured from the first alias to the orifice, and the Nyquist limit (NL) velocity (the now velocity at the first alias). Doppler color flow imaging was performed in 18 children with a single membranous ventricular septal defect undergoing cardiac catheterization at a mean age of 29.8 months (Group I). Indexes of maximal flow rate across the defect were developed from either the radius or the area, obtained by planimetry, of the first alias, based on Doppler color flow images. All indexes were corrected for body surface area and compared with shunt flow (Qp — Qs) and pulmonary to systemic flow ratio (Qp/Qs) determined at cardiac catheterization. Doppler color flow indexes derived from images of flow convergence in both the long-axis (n = 15) and oblique four-chamber (n = 10) views correlated closely with Qp/Qs (r = 0.71 to 0.92) and Qp — Qs (r = 0.69 to 0.97). In another eight patients (Group II), the same indexes correlated well with results of Qp — Qs determined by planimetry of pulsed Doppler curves and by areas measured with use of two-dimensional echocardiography (r = 0.94). These results suggest that simple and clinically useful quantitative indexes of shunting across a ventricular septal defect can be derived from the flow convergence region proximal to the defect.
Some characteristics of a strain of Theileria mutans (Theiler, 1906) isolated from cattle in the County of Kent, England, and maintained in splenectomized calves

BROCKLESBY D. W., SELLW~~D S. A. and HARNESS E., 1972. Some characteristics of a strain of Theileria mutans (Theiler, 1906) isolated from cattle in the County of Kent, England and maintained in splenectomized calves. International Journal for Parasitology, 2: 265-271. A strain of T. mutans was isolated from British cattle and maintained by blood inoculation in splenectomized calves. The strain was avirulent but caused a haemolytic anaemia with a tendency towards macrocytosis. Sixteen passages were made with blood taken at or near peak parasitaemia but this did not result in any change in the behaviour or virulence of the parasite. Maximum parasitaemias varied between S/l000 R.B.C. and 131/1OOO R.B.C. and were achieved between the 8th and 31st day after infection. Attempts to transmit the parasite with three tick species were not successful.
Pathogenesis of airway mucus hypersecretion

Etude du controle neurohumoral des secretions des voies respiratoires et des mediateurs produits par les cellules des voies respiratoires, capable d'affecter la secretion de mucus. Les substances exogenes capales d'affecter la secretion et des mecanismes therapeutiques de l'asthme ont ete etudies
Effect of multiple dopants on the quantum efficiency of LiF thermoluminescent dosimeters (TLD) and BaFX (X = Br,Cl,I) storage phosphors

The radiant quantum efficiency (RQE) of x-ray phosphors is defined as the ratio of the emitted luminescent power and the power absorbed by the material. For a given x-ray imaging technique, a high RQE phosphor means a lower x-ray exposure to patients and a better image quality. To improve RQE, phosphors such as LiF and BaFX:Eu ( X = Br, Cl, I) host lattices, which are commonly used in medical dosimetry and imaging system, are always doped with Cu, Ti, or Tb. Experimental observations showed that these dopants can increase phosphor RQE significantly. In this study, we theoretically investigated the effect of additional dopants on the RQE of LiF:Mg and BaFX:Eu host lattices using Density Functional Theory (DFT) in the Local Density Approximation (LDA). Self-consistent charge density calculations were performed. The energy loss function L(w) was obtained and used to calculate the RQE for different phosphors. The results showed that additional dopants produced changes in the optical properties of the phosphors, particularly the energy loss function L(w). Doping with more substitutional impurities increased the RQE of all host lattices except the BaFI lattice where the RQE decreased.
Dust From Pig Confinement Facilities Bind to and Activate Skeletal Muscle Ryanodine Receptor Calcium-Release Channel (RyR1)

Individuals working in industrial pig farms and residents in communities surrounding these confinement facilities report increased muscle weakness and fatigue. However, causative factors and molecular mechanisms responsible for this remain poorly characterized. In this study we investigated whether dust from confinement facilities contains components that can bind to and activate RyR1. Dust collected 1–2 meters from the ground of pig confinement facilities in Nebraska were extracted with chloroform, filtered and rotor evaporated to dryness. The residues were redissolved in hexane:chloroform (20:1) and precipitates herein referred to as HEX-INS were filtered and air-dried. Thin layer chromatography revealed three major compounds in HEX-INS fractions and 1H NMR suggests these compounds contained fatty acid moieties. In binding assays, HEX-INS displaced [3H]ryanodine from rabbit skeletal muscle RyR1 in a dose-dependent manner, with an IC50 of 2.0μg/ml. HEX-INS also displaced [3H]ryanodine from RyR2 (dog heart), but was significantly less potent (IC50 of 21.0μg/ml). HEX-INS displacement curves were parallel to that of ryanodine and occurred principally at activating Ca2+ concentrations. In single channel studies, HEX-INS increased open probability of RyR1 in a dose-dependent manner (3.5 to 14.0μg/ml, cis Ca2+ 3μM). At 17.5μg/ml, HEX-INS induced RyR1 in a state of reduced conductance (55.2% of maximum). This subconductance state was more likely to occur and persist at positive holding potentials. Increasing HEX-INS further to 21.0μg/ml resulted in reversible channel closure. At a higher cis Ca2+ (20μM), lower amounts of HEX-INS were required for induction of the subconductance state and channel closure. These data are the first to demonstrate that pig confinement dust contains component(s) that selectively bind to and activate RyR1, providing a mechanism rationale for reported muscle weakness and fatigue. (Supported in part by grants from NIH to DJR and KRB)
Mitochondrial DNA of the sea anemone, Metridium senile (Cnidaria): prokaryote-like genes for tRNA(f-Met) and small-subunit ribosomal RNA, and standard genetic code specificities for AGR and ATA codons.

The nucleotide sequence of a segment of the mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) molecule of the sea anemone Metridium senile (phylum Cnidaria, class Anthozoa, order Actiniaria) has been determined, within which have been identified the genes for respiratory chain NADH dehydrogenase subunit 2 (ND2), the small-subunit rRNA (s-rRNA), cytochrome c oxidase subunit II(COII), ND4, ND6, cytochrome b (Cyt b), tRNAf-Met, and the large-subunit rRNA (1-rRNA). The eight genes are arranged in the order given and are all transcribed from the same strand of the molecule. The overall order of the M. senile mt-genes differs from that of other metazoan mtDNAs. In M. senile mt-protein genes, AGA and AGG codons appear to have the standard genetic code specification of arginine, rather than serine as found for other invertebrate mt-genetic codes. Also, ATA has the standard genetic code specification of isoleucine. TGA occurs in three M. senile mt-protein genes and may specify tryptophan as in other metazoan, protozoan, and some fungal mt-genetic codes. The M. senile mt-rRNAf-Met gene has primary and secondary structure features closely resembling those of the Escherichia coli initiator tRNA, including standard dihydrouridine and TΨC loop sequences and a mismatch pair at the top of the aminoacyl stem. Determinations of the 5′ and 3′ end nucleotides of the M. senile mt-srRNAs indicated that these molecules have a homogenous size of 1,081 ntp, larger than any other known metazoan mt-s-rRNAs. Consistent with its larger size, the M. senile mt-s-rRNA can be folded into a secondary structure that more closely resembles that of the E. coli 16S rRNA than can any other metazoan mt-s-rRNA. These findings concerning M. senile mtDNA indicate that most of the unusual features regarding metazoan mt-genetic codes, rRNAs, and probably tRNAs developed after divergence of the Cnidarian line from the ancestral line common to other metazoa.
Acculturation, Food Insecurity, Diet Quality, and Body Mass Index Among Pre-Conception-Aged Latino Women in Eastern North Carolina

We examined associations between acculturation, food insecurity, diet quality, and body mass index (BMI) among pre- conception-aged Latino women in Pitt County, North Carolina. A convenience sample (n = 74) was recruited through the health department. Acculturation was the age of immigration. Food insecurity was determined with the US Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Food Security Scale. Diet quality was represented by the Diet Quality Index for Pregnancy. Pearson's correlation coefficients and linear regression were used to examine hypothesized relationships. Food insecurity and BMI were inversely associated. There were positive associations between acculturation and vegetable and iron intake. Future research to mitigate food insecurity and obesity among Latino women is needed.
THE IMPACT OF POLLUTION CONTROL ON CONSUMER INCOME A METHODOLOGICAL STUDY

This paper develops a methodology for assessing the impact of a comprehensive pollution control program on income distribution. A regional input-output table is employed to determine the overall effect of pollution control costs on prices. These price changes, are then translated into changes in consumption expenditures by income groups, which serve as a measure of the impact on consumers. The validity of this methodology is tested on the metropolitan Philadelphia region. It was found that the EPA air quality standards would raise the spending of middle income groups by about 3 percent as compared to about 2 percent increase for the highest and the lowest income groups. The paper concludes with an examination of the advantages and limitations of the proposed methodology.
Structural Model of the Outer Vestibule and Selectivity Filter of the Shaker Voltage-gated K+ Channel

Abstract A new generation of structural models were developed of the outer vestibule and ion-selective portion of the voltage-gated Shaker K+ channel. Some features of these models are similar to those that we have developed previously [ Durrell and Guy (1992) Biophys. J. 62, 238–250; Guy (1990) In Monovalent Cations in Biological Systems (Pasternakk C.A., Ed.), pp. 31–58, CRC Press, Boca Raton, FL; Guy and Durell (1994) In Molecular Evolution of Physiological processes (Fambrough D., Ed.), pp. 197–212, The Rockefeller University Press, NY; Guy and Durell (1995) In Ion Channels and Genetic Diseases (Dawson D., Ed.), pp. 1–16, The Rockefeller University Press, NY] and other features were modified to make the models more consistent with recent experimental findings. The first part of the P segment is postulated, as always, to form a short α helix that spans only the outer portion of the membrane. The helix is tilted so that its C-terminal is nearer the pore than its N-terminal. The latter part of the P segment, P2, is postulated to have a relatively elongated conformation that is positioned approximately parallel to the axis of the pore. Four of the P2 segments assemble to form an ion-selective region that has two narrow regions; one formed by the Y445 side-chains at the outer entrance of the pore and one formed by the backbone of the T442 residues near the innermost part of the P segments. The S6 segment is postulated to form two α helices. The first S6 helix packs next to the P segments in our models. The NMR structures of two scorpion toxins, charybdotoxin and agitoxin 2, have been docked into the models of the outer vestibules. The shape of the outer vestibule has been modeled so that specific toxin-channel residue-residue interactions correspond to those that have been identified experimentally. Published by Elsevier Science Ltd
Lincoln and the policy of eloquent silence: November, 1860, to march, 1861

(1961). Lincoln and the policy of eloquent silence: November, 1860, to march, 1861. Quarterly Journal of Speech: Vol. 47, No. 1, pp. 1-9.
Institutionalizing Student Outcomes Assessment: The Need for Better Research to Inform Practice

This article explores the organizational impediments and facilitators that influence the implementation of student learning outcomes assessment (SLOA). This review points to the importance of culture, leadership, and organizational policies to the implementation of SLOA. However, we need to approach research differently, both conceptually and methodologically, if we want to understand these key factors better. I argue that our understanding of implementation conditions is superficial due to systemic weaknesses in the research. The article provides a framework for defining these terms clearly, suggests theories that can be applied, and reviews key methodological changes that can improve the quality of research.
Soil Organic Matter Accumulation in Creeping Bentgrass Greens: A Chronosequence with Implications for Management and Carbon Sequestration

Excessive organic matter (OM) accumulation in creeping bentgrass (Agrostis palustris Huds.) putting greens, and its restriction of permeability, is one of the most difficult problems in turfgrass management. In this transition zone study, we characterized temporal and spatial aspects of OM accumulation, in an attempt to assess the effectiveness of management and to begin to uncover the processes controlling C sequestration. Root zone samples were collected from sand-based putting greens at 49 golf courses of various ages, generating 212 individual observations. Organic matter accumulated hyperbolically over time in the top 2.5 cm; apparent critical levels of 40 g kg -1 were exceeded within 5 yr. At a depth of 2.5 to 7.6 cm, accumulation was much slower and linear over time, and critical levels were not reached even after 20 yr. Oxygen levels were never depressed more than 15%, indicating that intensive management of the upper soil profile was successfully allowing gas exchange into the root zone. Carbon accumulated in the soil profile hyperbolically, reflecting changes in the large OM pool near the soil surface. The sequestration rate of 59 g m -2 yr -1 over 25 yr was less than that observed by others examining soil under bentgrass greens in different environments. The evidence indicates that OM and C accumulation are strongly influenced by increasing microbial degradation rates as turfgrass systems age.
Congenital attenuation of the extensor tendon central slip

A congenital attenuation of the central slip results in a flexion attitude of the affected digit that can be confused with more common conditions such as congenital trigger finger or camptodactyly. It is a mild form of congenital absence of the central slip. The diagnosis is discussed. Treatment consists of limited excision of the attenuated area and suturing of the normal components of the central slip. The author has treated five cases in the last 10 years.
Cellular Origin, Antigen Reactivity, and VH Segment Structure of IgM mAbs from AIDS Lymphomasa

In the present studies we analyzed the Ag specificity, VH gene structure, and cellular origin of three IgM mAb-producing cell lines established in vitro from bioptic specimens of three AIDS patients with BL. We found that (i) both HBL-2 and HBL-3 IgM mAbs were cold agglutinins highly specific for the i blood group determinant, a self Ag the expression of which is dominant in the early stages of life, and both mAbs used somatically point-mutated VH 4-21 segments; (ii) HBL-1 IgM mAb, the Ag-specificity of which has not been determined, used a putatively mutated member of the VHIII family; and (iii) both HBL-1 and HBL-2, but not HBL-3, cells expressed CD5 mRNA, suggesting a B-1 cell origin. The utilization of VH4-21 by the HBL-2 and HBL-3 cold agglutinins is consistent with the usage of this gene segment by all the reported pathogenic except the naturally occurring cold agglutinins. This restricted VH gene usage may reflect an inherent affinity of the germline VH4-21 gene product for the i/I carbohydrate structure, and, perhaps, an overrepresentation of VH4-21 in the human early and late B-cell repertoire. Consistent with both an early and late developmental expression of the VH4-21 gene is the B-1 and B-2 cellular origin of the two VH4-21+ cold agglutinins reported here. Thus, the two cold agglutinin autoantibodies possibly emerged at different stages of the natural history of the B-cell repertoires of these patients and might display a different temporal relationship, as discussed below, to the time of emergence of the respective tumoral cells. The somatically mutated status of the HBL-2 and HBL-3 mAb VH segments was suggested by the monomorphism of the human VH4-21 gene, the extension of the nucleotide differences to the, in general, highly conserved JH segment; and it was formally proved in HBL-3 mAb. Positive selection by Ag of the R mutations in the HBL-2 and HBL-3 mAb VH segments was suggested by the differential R:S mutation ratios in the CDRs and FRs (HBL-2 mAb, 5.0 and 1.1, respectively; HBL-3 mAb, 2.2 and 0.3, respectively) but not substantiated by appropriate statistical analysis according to the binomial distribution model.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
Identification of a simple and sensitive microplate method for the detection of oversulfated chondroitin sulfate in heparin products

Heparin is a commonly implemented anticoagulant used to treat critically ill patients. Recently, a number of commercial lots of heparin products were found to be contaminated with an oversulfated chondroitin sulfate (OSCS) derivative that could elicit a hypotensive response in pigs following a single high-dose infusion. Using both contaminated heparin products and the synthetically produced derivative, we showed that the OSCS produces dose-dependent hypotension in pigs. The no observed effect level (NOEL) for this contaminant appears to be approximately 1 mg/kg, corresponding to a contamination level of approximately 3%. We also demonstrated that OSCS can be identified in heparin products using a simple, inexpensive, commercially available heparin enzyme immunoassay (EIA) kit that has a limit of detection of approximately 0.1%, well below the NOEL. This kit may provide a useful method to test heparin products for contamination with oversulfated GAG derivatives.
Tumor Necrosis Factor-α Promotes Myocarditis in Female Mice Infected with Coxsackievirus B3 Through Upregulation of CD1d on Hematopoietic Cells

Abstract Coxsackievirus B3 (CVB3) induces cardiac inflammation (myocarditis) in male but not female C57BL/6 mice. Protection of females correlates with reduced expression of TNF-α and IL-1β at both the mRNA and protein levels in the heart. Treatment of females with 300 ng/mouse of recombinant TNF-α on days +1 and +3 relative to infection restores myocarditis susceptibility to levels approximating those of infected male mice, showing that TNF-α deficiency is central to disease resistance. Female mice express little CD1d on spleen lymphocytes or cardiac myocytes, while females treated with TNF-α show increased CD1d expression in both cell populations. TNF-α treatment of male or female CD1d knockout (CD1dKO) mice failed to restore myocarditis susceptibility, demonstrating that of the multiple potential TNF-α activities, its ability to upregulate this non-classical major histocompatibility complex antigen is its dominant function in myocarditis susceptibility. Bone marrow chimeric mice were produced between f...
Design of a Novel Electronic Travel Aid to Assist Visually Impaired Individuals Navigate Their Environment

Worldwide there are over 160 million people with severe visual impairment, as defined by visual acuity poorer than 20/200.1 A prominent concern for visually impaired individuals is their limited navigational abilities due to insufficient sensory information about their surrounding environment which results in difficulty with navigating new or complex environments. In these situations, they often have to rely on the assistance of others to help them reach their destination. Furthermore, even when the visually impaired individuals are familiar with the area, they are not always aware of non-stationary obstacles, such as cars or people. Two commonly used solutions currently available to help visually impaired individuals navigate their surroundings are the white cane and guide dogs. The white cane is useful for alerting its users to obstacles closer than 1.5 m, but it does not provide any information about the environment beyond that scope. Guide dogs are in unfortunately limited supply and can cost upwards of $42,000 to train.2 To address this challenge, multiple groups have examined more technologically advanced solutions to help visually impaired individuals. However, these devices have some major limitations, such as complicated display modalities and non-intuitive sensory representation of environmental information. The major goal of this proposal is to develop a new electronic travel aid (ETA) that will help visually impaired individuals navigate their environment more easily by using a novel method of directly displaying the location of obstacles up to 4 m away on the user’s torso with a grid of small vibrational devices called tactors. This device is intended to be used with a traditional white cane that can detect objects very close to the user and terrain changes, such as a step in a stairwell.Copyright © 2012 by ASME
A Common SCN5A Polymorphism Restores the Biophysical Defects of LQT3 Mutations

Mutations in SCN5A cause inherited susceptibility to ventricular arrhythmias such as Long QT syndrome (LQTS). We recently found a family which exhibited an unusual LQT3 syndrome phenotype. Although, the SCN5A mutation (P2006A) was found, there are no clinical sign of LQTS at rest. Additionally, the patients were found to be homozygous for a common sodium channel polymorphism H558R. In HEK293 cells, P2006A displayed a typical pathological signature of the LQT3 phenotype. Interestingly, when the mutation was co-expressed with the H558R polymorphism, the sodium currents behaved like wild-type (WT). Given that the polymorphism entirely restored the biophysical defects caused by the P2006A mutation, we considered whether residual kinetic changes due to the interaction between the SCN5A-H558R and SCN5A-H558R-P2006A could explain the mild phenotype seen in the patients who are homozygous for H558R and heterozygous for P2006A. Co-expression of SCN5A-H558R with SCN5A-P2006A or SCN5A-H558R-P2006A in HEK293 cells were characterized using the patch-clamp technique. Here we show that SCN5A-H558R can mitigate the in vitro gating defects caused by SCN5A-P2006A explaining the absence of typical LQT3 phenotype in the family members carrying the H558R polymorphism in addition to the P2006A LQT3 mutation. Moreover, we investigated whether H558R can also modulate fast inactivation in other LQT3 mutations located in the C-terminus of SCN5A. The V1950L mutation causes depolarizing shift in steady-state inactivation and produces a long QT phenotype. Once again, the double mutation SCN5A-H558R-V1950L restored the gating defects to the WT level, suggesting that H558R might play an important role in stabilization of channel inactivation. These results not only point to a modulatory effect of the H558R polymorphism on the fast inactivation gating characteristics of these LQT3 mutations, but may provide a plausible mechanism for the variable penetrance seen in several LQT3 families.
Chromosome 9p deletions identify an aggressive phenotype of clear cell renal cell carcinoma

BACKGROUND: The authors investigated whether deletion of chromosome 9p in clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) predicted worse disease-specific survival (DSS) and recurrence-free survival (RFS) and whether it was associated with more aggressive behavior in small renal masses. METHODS: In total, 703 ccRCC tumors were analyzed using fluorescence in situ hybridization (316 tumors) and cytogenetics (388 tumors). Tumor grade, classification, and size; 9p status; Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status (ECOG PS); lymph node involvement; and the presence of metastasis were recorded. Outcomes were stratified by 9p status, and a Cox proportional hazards models was constructed using TNM staging, ECOG PS, tumor size, tumor grade, and 9p status. RESULTS: Deletions of 9p were detected in 97 tumors (13.8%). At presentation, 9p-deleted tumors were larger and were more likely to be high grade (grade 3 or 4), to have a high tumor (T) classification (T3-T4), and to have lymph node or distant metastases (P < .01). The median DSS for patients with and without 9p deletions was 37 months and 82 months, respectively (P < .01). In patients with localized disease, the median RFS in those who had 9p deletions was 53 months and was not reached in those without 9p deletions (P < .01). In patients who had localized lesions that measured ≤4 cm in greatest dimension, 9p-deleted tumors were more likely to recur (19% vs 2%; P = .01). CONCLUSIONS: Deletion of chromosome 9p in ccRCC occurred in 14% of patients and was associated with higher grade and T classification, and the presence of lymph node and distant metastases. In addition, 9p deletion independently conferred a worse prognosis for patients with localized ccRCC, and most noteworthy, in patients with localized, small renal masses. Preoperatively identifying patients with 9p deletions will improve risk stratification and will help to select appropriate patients for surveillance protocols or aggressive treatment. Cancer 2010. © 2010 American Cancer Society.
Current trends in paleobotany

The remarkable growth of paleobotany within recent years is revealed in the expanded body of literature and by the increase in number of languages in which it is written. New techniques are involved in the use of cuticles and the electron microscope. Precambrian rocks, once regarded as essentially without fossils, have been found to contain a variety of micro-organisms, and compounds believed to be decomposition products of chlorophyll have been identified in rocks three billion years old. Some new ideas have developed concerning the morphology and relationships of some of the very old vascular plants. The original reconstruction of Psilophyton embodied more than one plant, and Asteroxylon now appears to be a lycopod. The Hyeniales and Pseudosporochnus belong to the Cladoxylales. Archaeopteris and Callixylon are the foliage and woody trunks of the same plant which has been designated a “progymnosperm”. Seeds now appear to have been recognized in the Upper Devonian, and a considerable number of primitive seeds have lately been found in the Lower Carboniferous calciferous sandstone. Decreased coal mining has curtailed the supply of Carboniferous compressions. In North America outstanding progress has been made in the study of petrified plants in coal balls. Studies of the Glossopteris flora have been extended into Antarctica. Continental drift seems to be the only hypothesis that satisfactorily explains the position of the fragments of ancient Gondwanaland at the present time. Reinvestigations of the inflorescences of Cycadeoidea have shown that the structure of the staminate disc was originally misinterpreted. It is a complex synangium that encircles the gynoecium, rather than being a whorl of pinnate stamens. The occurrence of angiosperm leaves in the Lower Cretaceous of Greenland is questioned. Some investigators now believe that angiosperms originated at high altitudes in the tropics during the Permian Period. Others would derive them from the Glossopteridae during the same period. Fruits and seeds have proved quite useful in accurate determination of Tertiary angiosperms. Petrified woods create special problems in identification and nomenclature.
Prognostic value of electrocardiographic criteria for left ventricular hypertrophy.

Background Many electrocardiographic (ECG) criteria for left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) exist, but few studies have compared their relative prognostic value for predicting cardiovascular (CV) mortality. Methods We analyzed the first ECG on 46 950 consecutive veterans. We targeted male outpatients with a body mass index >20 to avoid confounding by complicating catabolic illnesses and further excluded those with conduction abnormalities. Using Cox regression models adjusted for age, heart rate, and body mass index, we compared the hazard ratios (HRs) for CV mortality obtained from seventeen commonly used ECG criteria for LVH. Results During a mean follow-up of 7 ± 4 years, in a total population of 19 434 patients (mean age 54 ± 14 years), 1254 (6%) patients died of CV causes. The adjusted HR for CV mortality ranged from 1.4 (95% CI 1.2-1.6) to 3.7 (95% CI 2.7-5.0) among the various criteria. Left ventricular hypertrophy defined by composite criteria was generally associated with higher adjusted HRs compared with voltage-only criteria. Among patients with ECG-LVH, the presence of a left ventricular strain pattern or increased negative P-terminal force were most predictive of CV mortality (HR 3.9 and 3.5, 95% CI 3.3-4.6 and 2.8-4.2). Conclusions Compared with voltage-only criteria for detecting LVH, composite ECG criteria are more strongly predictive of CV mortality. By applying these ECG criteria into routine clinical practice, individuals with LVH who are at higher risk for CV mortality can be identified and appropriately treated.
Accounts of the New Madrid Earthquakes: Personal Narratives across Two Centuries of North American Seismology

The New Madrid earthquakes shook much of North America in the winter of 1811–1812. Accounts of the New Madrid earthquakes originally were collected and employed as scientific evidence in the early nineteenth century. These early accounts were largely ignored when scientific instruments promised more quantitative and exact knowledge. Years later the earthquakes themselves became both more important and less understood because of changes in scientific models. Today, so-called intraplate or stable continental region earthquakes pose a significant problem in seismology. Historical accounts of the New Madrid events offer some of the most significant examples upon which researchers can draw and form the basis for debates over present public policy. The changing function of accounts, from narrative elements of widely-shared scientific discussion, to raw data, and back into wide-ranging conversation once again, demonstrates both deep ruptures and surprising continuities during two centuries of understanding the earth and its movement.
A Web based configuration control system for team projects

In courses involving team programming projects, it is desirable to have team members share files, and establish procedures for developing a configuration. Often, faculty members also wish to track each team to detect team problems and to determine the team dynamics.This paper describes a system that uses the Web to provide a simple to use student interface for getting and submitting files to their team for building a new configuration. It also describes some of the tools available to the faculty member to organize the teams. Since the system backend is programmable, the faculty member can add any functionality desired.
Relationships between rates of steady-state ATP synthesis and the magnitude of the proton-activity gradient across thylakoid membranes

Abstract Rates of ATP synthesis by illuminated spinach chloroplast thylakoids in the steady state have been compared to the magnitude of the pH difference across the thylakoid membrane (ΔpH). The apparent dependence of the rate of photophosphorylation on ΔpH was not affected by the method used to vary these parameters. ΔpH generated by electron flow through each photosystem alone or through both photosystems was equivalent in its ability to drive ATP synthesis. The uncouplers, gramicidin and carbonylcyanide m-chlorophenylhydrazone, affected the relationship between phosphorylation and ΔpH in the same way as alteration in the rate of electron transport by changes in light intensity. Also, N,N′-dicyclohexylcarbodiimide, an inhibitor of phosphorylation, increased ΔpH as phosphorylation is inhibited. The Km of ADP for photophosphorylation was previously reported to increase when uncouplers were used to decrease the rate, but to decrease when the light intensity was lowered (Vinkler, C. (1981) Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun. 99, 1095–1100). We show that higher uncoupler concentrations decrease the Km for ADP and provide an explanation for the increase in the Km caused by low uncoupler concentrations. These results are consistent with the concept that steady state ATP synthesis in thylakoids is driven by delocalized pH gradients.
Gene therapy for diabetes: strategies for β‐cell modification and replacement

Keywords: β-cell; gene transfer; cell line; transplantation; retroviral vector; SV40 T antigen; transgenic mouse
Attention, Motivation, and Reading Coherence Failure: A Neuropsychological Perspective

Reading coherence, defined as the ability to create appropriate, meaningful connections between the elements within a specific text itself and between elements within a text and the reader's prior knowledge, is one of the key processes involved in reading comprehension. This article describes reading coherence within the context of a neuropsychological model combining recent research in motivation, attention, and working memory. Specifically, a unique neuropsychologically identifiable form of reading coherence failure arising from the attentional and motivational deficiencies, based in altered frontoventral striatal reward circuits associated with noradrenaline (NA) circuitry, consistent with the delay-aversion model (dual-pathway model) of Sonuga-Barke ( 2003 ) is postulated. This article provides a model for this subset of reading disorders of which etiology is based on the executive support processes for reading and not in the mechanics of actual reading such as decoding and phonetics.
Monosomal Karyotype Provides Better Prognostic Prediction after Allogeneic Stem Cell Transplantation in Patients with Acute Myelogenous Leukemia

We studied cytogenetic risk grouping schemes to stratify patients with acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) (n = 212) into prognostically distinct subgroups for relapse incidence (RI), progression-free survival (PFS), and overall survival (OS) after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). Patients were divided according to cytogenetic abnormalities based on the Medical Research Council, Southwest Oncology Group, Cancer and Leukemia Group B (CALGB), Dana-Farber, and recently described monosomal karyotype (MK) classification schemes and analyzed separately for first complete remission (CR1; n=134) and beyond (CR2+; n=78). Multivariate analysis was performed after adjusting for age, conditioning intensity, donor type, and cytomegalovirus serology status. Although none of the covariates was associated with OS in CR1, the presence of MK (MK+) was associated with worse RI and PFS (hazard ratio [HR], 3.3, P = .01 and HR, 2.0, P = .05, respectively). No other classification scheme was predictive of outcomes in CR1. In CR2+, for RI, only MK+ was predictive of poor outcome (HR, 3.7; P = .03). For PFS, all 5 classification schemes were predictive, and for OS, both the MK+ and CALGB adverse karyotypes were predictive. In addition to cytogenetics, nonmyeloablative conditioning was associated with decreased PFS and OS in patients in CR2+ in all models. Our results indicate that among all classification schemes, MK classification can identify a subgroup with very poor prognosis in patients with AML after allogeneic HSCT.
Miniature multifunctional high-performance three-axis positioning and scanning platform

This study proposes a novel concept for a three-axis positioning and scanning platform that overcomes the existing gap in technology towards meeting the requirements for displacements, resolution, weight carrying capacity and velocity at smaller dimensions. The novelty of this work stems from the fact that our three-axis stage design utilizes only two actuators. This system was developed to meet the specific requirements needed for implementation of Multifunctional Image Guided Surgical (MIGS) platform. Mathematical model accounting for the open and closed loop operation of the stage was developed. The stage can provide displacements between 10-20mm in each axis, resolution of less than 10μm and scanning velocity in the range of 10-40mm/s. It can carry weights up to 10grams while meeting the desired requirements. Additionally, the stage has small footprint (50mm × 50mm × 34mm), modular design and extremely cost-effective fabrication. Integration of computer controlled three-axis stage with MIGS platform will provide the opportunity for conducting intricate surgical procedures using remote control or joystick. We demonstrate novel applications that became possible due to the development of this stage.
Vacancy winds in cyclic deformation

Abstract From these calculations it is shown that if a deformation induced vacancy flux should occur as hypothesized, it will result in a Zn concentration differrence between the center of a dislocation cell and the dislocation cell walls of at least 10 −3 atom fraction, or possibly more in cylically deformed CuZn alloy. The zinc concentration should decrease near the vacancy sinks and increase near the sources. Hence, if such concentration gradients can be shown to develop during steady state fatigue, they will provide evidence as to the dominant direction of vacancy flow during fatigue. Such measurements will also provide insight into the magnitude of the vacancy generation rate and should lend support to one of the theories mentioned in the introduction. Such measurements require concentration determinations at the sensitivity of 10 −4 over a spatial dimension approximately 1/10 of the cell size, or approximately 0.2 μm. A step counting energy dispersive x-ray technique such as available on modern electron microprobes with measurement of Cu and Zn peaks or the use of STEM with energy dispersive x-ray capability should provide the answers. We are in the process of developing collaborative efforts to carry out these experiments. These calculations also estimate the vacancy flux at the cell wall due to the creation of 1 ppm vacancies per second [7] during cyclic deformation as sufficient to generate one unit climb of every dislocation in the cell wall during 35 cycles under typical low cycle fatigue deformation conditions. The rapid dislocation rearrangement and recovery in the cell walls produced by this flux of vacancies lends additional credibility to the cell shuttling model.
Image restoration using a neural network

An approach for restoration of gray level images degraded by a known shift invariant blur function and additive noise is presented using a neural computational network. A neural network model is used to represent a possibly nonstationary image whose gray level function is the simple sum of the neuron state variables. The restoration procedure consists of two stages: estimation of the parameters of the neural network model and reconstruction of images. Owing to the model's fault-tolerant nature and computation capability, a high-quality image is obtained using this approach. A practical algorithm with reduced computational complexity is also presented. A procedure for learning the blur parameters from prototypes of original and degraded images is outlined. >
Impact of type 1 diabetes on cardiac fibroblast activation: enhanced cell cycle progression and reduced myofibroblast content in diabetic myocardium

Diabetic patients are prone to developing myocardial fibrosis and suffer from decreased wound healing capabilities. The purpose of this study was to determine whether diabetes alters cardiac fibroblast activity in the myocardium in a 6-wk streptozotocin-induced type 1 diabetic model. In vivo echocardiography indicated significant dilation of the left ventricle (LV) in the diabetic animals, while cardiac function was comparable to that in the normal group. We isolated cardiac fibroblasts from diabetic and control hearts and observed increased proliferation of the diabetic fibroblasts. Microarray analysis using mRNA collected from whole LVs revealed downregulation of known inhibitors of proliferation, p53 and p21, in the diabetic group, consistent with our proliferation data. Western blot analysis confirmed a reduction in p53 protein expression in the diabetic hearts compared with control. We explored the potential signaling underlying the downregulation of these cell cycle mediators and determined that activated Akt, a signal that inhibits p53, was elevated in the diabetic group. Surprisingly, the hearts from the diabetic group contained lower levels of the myofibroblast marker α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) and higher levels of desmin and platelet endothelial cell adhesion molecule (PECAM). The isolated fibroblasts from the diabetic group also contained significantly less α-SMA. These data suggest that early-stage diabetic hearts contain highly proliferative fibroblasts, which predisposes the diabetic myocardium to fibrosis, but have fewer myofibroblasts, which may compromise wound healing.
Field programmable gate array based radar front-end digital signal processing

As Field programmable Gate Array (FPGA) technology has steadily improved, FPGAs are now viable alternatives to other technology implementations for high-speed classes of digital signal processing (DSP) applications. In particular, radar front-end signal processing, an application formerly dominated by custom very large scale integration (VLSI) chips, may now be a prime candidate for migration to FPCA technology. As this paper demonstrates, current FPGA devices have the power and capacity to implement a FIR filter with the performance and specifications of an existing, in-system, front-end signal processing custom VLSI chip. A 512-tap, 18-bit FIR filter was built that could achieve sample rates of 5 MHz (with a clock rate of at least 40 MHz) using Xilinx Virtex FPGA technology, and was demonstrated through simulation. Distributed arithmetic was determined to be the most optimal structure for a FPGA FIR design, although future research may show that fast FIR algorithms or filtering in the frequency domain might give better results.
International Graduate Student PowerPoint Presentation Designs: A Reality Check

The present study set out to examine what novice international graduate student presenters consider to be effective PowerPoint slide design practices and the extent to which these practices are in agreement with experts’ advice. The analysis focused on three main features of students’ PowerPoint presentations – organisation, style and typography. The general conclusion is that we can mostly rely on students’ intuitions concerning ‘relevance’ and ‘simplicity’ of PowerPoint presentation designs, but we should draw their attention to ‘consistency’, i.e., the systematic application of the organisation, style and typological features to their PowerPoint presentations.
Education-specific estimates of life expectancy and age-specific disability in the U.S. elderly population: 1982 to 1991.

The authors used mortality data for 1982 to 1991 linked to survey records from the 1982, 1984, and 1989 National Long Term Care Surveys to calculate gender differences over age in mortality and fun...