cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Origin of granules in polymorphonuclear leukocytes. Two types derived from opposite faces of the Golgi complex in developing granulocytes.

The origin, nature, and distribution of polymorphonuclear leukocyte (PMN) granules were investigated by examining developing granulocytes from normal rabbit bone marrow which had been fixed in glutaraldehyde and postfixed in OsO4. Two distinct types of granules, azurophil and specific, were distinguished on the basis of their differences in size, density, and time and mode of origin. Both types are produced by the Golgi complex, but they are formed at different stages of maturation and originate from different faces of the Golgi complex. Azurophil granules are larger (∼800 mµ) and more dense. They are formed only during the progranulocyte stage and arise from the proximal or concave face of the Golgi complex by budding and subsequent aggregation of vacuoles with a dense core. Smaller (∼500 mµ), less dense specific granules are formed during the myelocyte stage; they arise from the distal or convex face of the Golgi complex by pinching-off and confluence of vesicles which have a finely granular content. Only azurophil granules are found in progranulocytes, but in mature PMN relatively few (10 to 20%) azurophils are seen and most (80 to 90%) of the granules present are of the specific type. The results indicate that inversion of the azurophil/specific granule ratio occurs during the myelocyte stage and is due to: (a) reduction of azurophil granules by multiple mitoses; (b) lack of new azurophil granule formation after the progranulocyte stage; and (c) continuing specific granule production. The findings demonstrate the existence of two distinct granule types in normal rabbit PMN and their separate origins from the Golgi complex. The implications of the observations are discussed in relationship to previous morphological and cytochemical studies on PMN granules and to such questions as the source of primary lysosomes and the concept of polarity within the Golgi complex.
The effects of intra-accumbens neurotensin on sensorimotor gating

Neurotensin is a neuropeptide which coexists with mesolimbic dopamine. Previous studies have shown that centrally administered neurotensin can modulate the activity of mesolimbic dopamine with a profile similar to neuroleptics. For example, infusions of neurotensin into the nucleus accumbens inhibit amphetamine-induced hyperlocomotion. Prepulse inhibition (PPI) occurs when a weak prestimulus ('prepulse') inhibits the amplitude of the startle response to an intense stimulus ('pulse'). PPI is an operational measure of sensorimotor gating which is strongly regulated by mesolimbic dopamine. This study examined the effects of various doses of neurotensin infused into the nucleus accumbens of rats on the prepulse inhibition (PPI) of their acoustic startle reflex. Neurotensin (0.25-5.0 microg) was infused into the nucleus accumbens of rats. Animals then received subcutaneous injections of amphetamine (2 mg/kg) or saline and were placed in startle chambers where measures of startle amplitude and PPI were obtained. Neurotensin increased baseline PPI and blocked amphetamine-induced disruption of PPI in a dose-dependent fashion. The lowest dose of neurotensin tested (0.25 microg) significantly increased baseline PPI and both 0.25 and 1.0 microg neurotensin blocked amphetamine-induced decreases in PPI. The 5.0 microg dose of neurotensin had no significant effect on prepulse inhibition. Neurotensin had no effect on the amplitude of the acoustic startle reflex in amphetamine- or saline-treated rats. The results suggest that intra-accumbens neurotensin has a significant, dose-dependent effect on sensorimotor gating in which lower doses (0.25-1.0 microg) exhibit a neuroleptic-like action.
The relationship between early speech and later speech and language performance for children with cleft lip and palate

This study examined the relationship between speech measures at presurgery/9 months and postsurgery/13 months and speech and language performance at 21 months for children with cleft lip and palate and their noncleft peers. Comparisons were also made between the speech and lexical development of children with cleft lip and palate and noncleft children at 21 months of age. The participants included 30 children; 15 with cleft lip and palate and 15 noncleft children. Results revealed differences between the groups for several measures of speech and lexical development at 21 months. For the children with cleft palate, correlational analyses suggested that true stop production, both immediately before and after palatal surgery, was positively correlated with a majority of the speech production measures at 21 months. At postsurgery/13 months, true stop production was related to later vocabulary development, and size of true consonant inventory was related to all measure of speech production and one measure of lexical development at 21 months. For the noncleft group, true canonical babbling ratio at 13 months was the only measure that was significantly correlated with any of the speech and/or language measures at 21 months. The impact of clefting on prelinguistic and later speech and language skills is discussed.
Design of an insulation device using phosphotransfer systems

As in several engineering applications, biomolecular systems present impedance-like effects at interconnections called retroactivity. This phenomenon presents a challenge for modular design in synthetic biology. An insulation device is a biological module that enables attenuation of retroactivity at interconnections. In this paper, we propose the design of an insulation device by exploiting the naturally existing time-scale separation of phosphotranspher systems.1
The target period during fetal life for the production of tellurium hydrocephalus.

Le terme de «target period», qui peut se traduire par periode-cible, signifie la periode de grossesse la plus sensible aux effets nocifs d'un agent teratogene. Le present travail situe chez le rat la periode-cible du tellure entre les 10e et 15e jours de la grossesse.
The role of the jelly coat in the uptake of calcium by eggs of Arbacia punctulata before and after fertilization

Abstract 1. 1. The uptake of radioactive calcium from calcium-enriched sea water by the unfertilized and fertilized eggs and embryos of the sea urchin, Arbacia punctulata, has been investigated up to the time of the swimming blastula stage. 2. 2. It was found that normal eggs surrounded by intact jelly coats take up radioactive calcium before as well as after fertilization until about six hours after fertilization when a loss of calcium to the medium is observed. This loss begins at about the 256 cell stage and is believed to be associated with the secretion of the hatching enzyme by the egg. 3. 3. No change in the rate of increase of “egg” radioactivity has been noted on fertilization. 4. 4. Eggs that have their jelly coats removed by gentle shaking, whether these are washed out of or remain in solution, show no uptake and no loss of calcium for several hours before fertilization as well as for the ten hours of development to the swimming blastula stage (20.0 °C.). 5. 5. Eggs incubated in radioactive medium and then studied as the jelly coats are disrupted and dissolved in the medium show a loss of “egg” radioactivity which is followed by a constant level of radioactivity emanating from the medium. 6. 6. From this evidence and from some theoretical considerations it is concluded that the egg jelly coat accumulates calcium and that the Arbacia egg does not accumulate radioactive calcium during the period studied. 7. 7. Statistical analyses neither indicate nor exclude the possibility of cycles of calcium uptake and loss correlated with cell division within the ± 5 per cent range of accuracy permitted by the technique.
Population-Based Rates of Revision of Primary Total Hip Arthroplasty: A Systematic Review

Background Most research on failure leading to revision total hip arthroplasty (THA) is reported from single centers. We searched PubMed between January 2000 and August 2010 to identify population- or community-based studies evaluating ten-year revision risks. We report ten-year revision risk using the Kaplan-Meier method, stratifying by age and fixation technique. Results Thirteen papers met the inclusion criteria. Cemented prostheses had Kaplan-Meier estimates of revision-free implant survival of ten years ranging from 88% to 95%; uncemented prostheses had Kaplan-Meier estimates from 80% to 85%. Estimates ranged from 72% to 86% in patients less than 60 years old and from 90 to 96% in older patients. Conclusion Data reported from national registries suggest revision risks of 5 to 20% ten years following primary THA. Revision risks are lower in older THA recipients. Uncemented implants may have higher ten-year rates of revision, regardless of age.
Tankyrase function at telomeres, spindle poles, and beyond

Telomeres have special needs; they require distinct mechanisms for their protection, replication, and separation at mitosis. A dedicated six-subunit protein complex termed shelterin attends to these needs. But shelterin cannot do it alone and often relies on recruits from other cellular locales. One such recruit is tankyrase 1, a poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase that is brought to telomeres by the shelterin DNA binding subunit TRF1, where it functions in telomere length regulation and sister chromatid separation. An understanding of how tankyrase 1 functions at telomeres has been confounded by its complexity; it localizes to multiple subcellular sites, it has many diverse binding partners, and it has a closely related homolog (tankyrase 2) with which it may functionally overlap. This review summarizes our current knowledge of tankyrases focusing on their localization, binding partners, and function.
Key side products due to reactivity of dimethylmaleoyl moiety as amine protective group

Dimethylmaleoyl (DMM) moiety has become an important amine protective group in sugar chemistry. We disclose herein that DMM-containing D-glucosamine analogues, because of their electrophilic nature, are prone to reactions with strong nucleophiles, such as hydrazine, resulting in a set of undesired side products that are difficult to detect, yet proved to be problematic for organic synthesis.
Politics and science.

Letters from: [ H. David Kay ][1] [ Henry Lardy ][1] Shame on you for publishing such a transparent, politically motivated letter as that by U.S. Representative Dana Rohrabacher (15 Mar., p. 1479). After reading the complete text of U.S. Vice President [Al Gore's speech][2] to the recent AAAS
Radioprotection of Lung Tissue by Soy Isoflavones

Introduction: Radiation-induced pneumonitis and fibrosis have restricted radiotherapy for lung cancer. In a preclinical lung tumor model, soy isoflavones showed the potential to enhance radiation damage in tumor nodules and simultaneously protect normal lung from radiation injury. We have further dissected the role of soy iso- flavones in the radioprotection of lung tissue. Methods: Naive Balb/c mice were treated with oral soy isoflavones for 3 days before and up to 4 months after radiation. Radiation was administered to the left lung at 12 Gy. Mice were monitored for toxic- ity and breathing rates at 2, 3, and 4 months after radiation. Lung tis- sues were processed for histology for in situ evaluation of response. Results: Radiation caused damage to normal hair follicles, leading to hair loss in the irradiated left thoracic area. Supplementation with soy isoflavones protected mice against radiation-induced skin injury and hair loss. Lung irradiation also caused an increase in mouse breathing rate that was more pronounced by 4 months after radia- tion, probably because of the late effects of radiation-induced injury to normal lung tissue. However, this effect was mitigated by soy isoflavones. Histological examination of irradiated lungs revealed a chronic inflammatory infiltration involving alveoli and bronchioles and a progressive increase in fibrosis. These adverse effects of radia- tion were alleviated by soy isoflavones. Conclusion: Soy isoflavones given pre- and postradiation protected the lungs against adverse effects of radiation including skin injury, hair loss, increased breathing rates, inflammation, pneumonitis and fibrosis, providing evidence for a radioprotective effect of soy.
Hoffa’s fat pad injuries and their relationship with anterior cruciate ligament tears: new observations based on MR imaging in patients and MR imaging and anatomic correlation in cadavers

To determine the normal anatomic relationships of Hoffa’s fat pad with the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and with the frequency of Hoffa’s fat pad abnormalities in ACL-deficient knees. Retrospective clinical study on patients and observational anatomic study on cadavers. The study was approved by the Institutional Review Board. MR imaging studies of the knees of 100 patients (21–48 years old) with or without arthroscopically proven tears of the ACL, performed at a single institution, were reviewed by two readers for abnormalities of Hoffa’s fat pad. Ten cadaveric knee specimens were studied with MR imaging and Faxitron radiographs, and by inspection of sections and histology. Alterations in Hoffa’s fat pad on MR imaging were present in 64% (32/50) of patients with torn ACLs, and in 24% (12/50) of patients without a tear of the ACL (P < 0.05). Hoffa’s fat pad inserted into the intercondylar notch in 50% (5/10) of cadaveric specimens, four in conjunction with the ligamentum mucosum and in one in an isolated fashion. Histological study demonstrated the composition of the ligamentum mucosum and Hoffa’s fat pad and their course and insertion sites in the intercondylar notch. Abnormalities of Hoffa’s fat pad, such as focal and diffuse edema, tears, scars and synovial proliferation, are more common in knees with torn ACLs than in knees with intact ACLs.
Telomerase in yeast

The ribonucleoprotein enzyme telomerase synthesizes telomeric DNA by copying an internal RNA template sequence. The telomerase activities of the yeasts Saccharomyces castellii and Saccharomyces cerevisiae--with regular and irregular telomeric sequences, respectively--have now been identified and characterized. The S. cerevisiae activity required the telomerase RNA gene TLC1 but not the EST1 gene, both of which are required for normal telomere maintenance in vivo. This activity exhibited low processivity and produced no regularly repeated products. An inherently high stalling frequency of the S. cerevisiae telomerase may account for its in vitro properties and for the irregular telomeric sequences of this yeast.
Furnace atomization plasma ionization mass spectrometry.

Development and initial characterization of FAPES as an ion source for elemental mass spectrometry is presented. The source is configured with an integrated contact cuvette in which a 40 MHz He plasma is sustained at atmospheric pressure. A differentially pumped interface consisting of a stainless steel sampling tube (0.5 mm i.d.) and tandem skimmer cone serves to sample the plasma from the open end of the cuvette. Mass spectra, characterizing plasma species with the furnace at ambient and elevated temperatures, are relatively structureless and show no evidence of He(+), He(2)(+), or carbonaceous ions. Transient ion signals, generated during the atomization of a number of analytes introduced in solution form, reveal that the plasma contains sufficiently energetic species to ionize elements having ionization potentials as high as 10.45 eV (iodine). Significant ionization does not occur in the absence of the plasma, nor in the extraction interface. Using Pb as a test element, acceptable isotopic abundances can be obtained, with an estimated absolute limit of detection of 10 pg (2 ng/mL relative). Future directions are discussed.
Control systems’ effect on attributional processes and sales outcomes: A cybernetic information-processing perspective

Built upon a cybernetic information-processing framework, this article advances and empirically tests a conceptual model proposing the relationships between sales controls (outcome, activity, capability), salespeople’s attributional ascriptions (effort, strategy, ability), attributional dimensions (internal/external, stable/unstable), and psychological consequences (job satisfaction, performance expectation). The study challenges the assumption in the sales literature that attributional dimensions cleanly map onto attributional ascriptions. Findings support that sales control systems affect salespeople’s attribution processes in ways suggesting that the processes are more malleable than heretofore theorized in the marketing literature. Furthermore, the study demonstrates that control systems differentially affect attribution processes across two cultures: the United States and China. The article concludes with a discussion of research and managerial implications.
Favorable cardiovascular risk profile in young women and long-term risk of cardiovascular and all-cause mortality.

ContextFor women, impact of cardiovascular risk factors measured in young adulthood, particularly favorable (low-risk) profile, on mortality has been difficult to assess due to low short-term death rates.ObjectiveTo assess the relationship of baseline coronary risk factor status to mortality from coronary heart disease (CHD), cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), and all causes in young women.DesignProspective cohort study.Setting and ParticipantsA total of 7302 women aged 18 to 39 years without prior CHD or major electrocardiographic abnormalities screened between 1967 and 1973 for the Chicago Heart Association Detection Project in Industry. Risk groups were defined using national guidelines for values of systolic and diastolic blood pressure, serum cholesterol level, body mass index, presence of diabetes, and smoking status. Participants were divided into 4 groups: low risk, 0 risk factors high but 1 or more unfavorable, 1 only risk factor high, and 2 or more risk factors high.Main Outcome MeasuresAll-cause mortality, CHD mortality, and CVD mortality; hazard ratio of outcome measures comparing low-risk group with other groups.ResultsOnly 20% met low-risk criteria; 59% had high levels of 1 or more risk factors. During an average follow-up of 31 years, there were 47 CHD deaths, 94 CVD deaths, and 469 deaths from all causes. The age-adjusted CVD death rate per 10 000 person-years was lowest for low-risk women and increased with the number of risk factors, ie, 1.5, 1.7, 5.0, and 9.1 for low-risk; 0, 1, and 2 or more risk factors high, respectively. Multivariate-adjusted CVD mortality hazard ratio for low-risk women was 0.19 (95% confidence interval, 0.08-0.45) compared with women with 2 or more risk factors high. Similar patterns were observed for CHD and all-cause mortality and for both blacks and whites.ConclusionFor women with favorable levels for all 5 major risk factors at younger ages, CHD and CVD are rare; long-term and all-cause mortality are much lower compared with others.
Approach to Hodgkin's lymphoma in the new millennium.

Approximately 75% of patients with Hodgkin's lymphoma can be cured with modern chemotherapy and radiation. Most patients are treated according to clinical stage and the associated prognostic factors. For patients with limited stage Hodgkin's lymphoma, combined modality treatment has replaced subtotal nodal irradiation as the preferred treatment option. This approach eliminates laparotomy and potentially decreases the long-term toxicity secondary to extended field irradiation and splenectomy. Furthermore, recent studies suggest that it may improve disease control and possibly survival. Multiple novel regimens have been tested in the past 20 years in patients with advanced Hodgkin's lymphoma including dose-intense regimens, but current evidence suggests that ABVD remains the treatment of choice outside clinical trials. Over the past decade, the treatment-related morbidity and mortality associated with autologous stem cell transplantation have reduced significantly and stem cell transplant is becoming the treatment of choice for most patients with primary refractory or recurrent Hodgkin's lymphoma. With longer follow-up, long-term complications, in particular secondary malignancy have become the leading cause of late treatment failure for patients with Hodgkin's lymphoma. To improve the overall outcome of patients with Hodgkin's lymphoma, future studies need to focus on reducing the therapy-related toxicity for patients with good risk disease as well as improving disease control for patients with poor risk disease through a risk-adapted approach.
Microarray Identification of FMRP-Associated Brain mRNAs and Altered mRNA Translational Profiles in Fragile X Syndrome

Fragile X syndrome results from the absence of the RNA binding FMR protein. Here, mRNA was coimmunoprecipitated with the FMRP ribonucleoprotein complex and used to interrogate microarrays. We identified 432 associated mRNAs from mouse brain. Quantitative RT-PCR confirmed some to be >60-fold enriched in the immunoprecipitant. In parallel studies, mRNAs from polyribosomes of fragile X cells were used to probe microarrays. Despite equivalent cytoplasmic abundance, 251 mRNAs had an abnormal polyribosome profile in the absence of FMRP. Although this represents <2% of the total messages, 50% of the coimmunoprecipitated mRNAs with expressed human orthologs were found in this group. Nearly 70% of those transcripts found in both studies contain a G quartet structure, demonstrated as an in vitro FMRP target. We conclude that translational dysregulation of mRNAs normally associated with FMRP may be the proximal cause of fragile X syndrome, and we identify candidate genes relevant to this phenotype.
On the Joint Compensation of IQ Imbalances and Phase Noise in MIMO-OFDM Systems

OFDM systems are susceptible to receiver impairments such as IQ imbalance and phase noise. These impairments can severely degrade the achievable effective signal-to-noise ratio at the receiver. In this paper, we propose a joint compensation scheme to mitigate the effects of the IQ imbalance and phase noise in multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) OFDM systems. For ease of notation, a system with one transmit and two receive antennas is used to illustrate how to exploit the structure of MIMO transceivers to efficiently compensate for such impairments. We exploit the fact that the two received signals suffer from the same phase noise distortion, making it possible to achieve better compensation results than the single-input single-output case. The pilot tones in OFDM symbols are exploited to aid data recovery, and the data symbols are jointly estimated with the phase noise components that are parameterized by using the principle component analysis technique. The sensitivity of OFDM receivers to the analog impairments is significantly lowered, which helps simplify the RF and analog circuitry design in terms of implementation cost, power consumption, and silicon fabrication yield.
Low dose CE-MRA

Over the last decade, three-dimensional contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance angiography (CE-MRA) has emerged as a widely accepted and powerful technique for diagnostic assessment of almost all vascular territories. Its non-invasive nature and lack of ionizing radiation, its potential to cover a large field of view and the safety of gadolinium-based contrast agents make CE-MRA an appealing alternative to digital subtraction angiography (DSA) or computed tomography angiography (CTA). However, recent reports linking high dose gadolinium-based contrast agents to the development of nephrogenic systemic fibrosis [1-3] have raised concerns over the safety of CE-MRA. As a result, many investigators have focused attention on gadolinium dose reduction strategies [4,5]. This article reviews existing state-of-the-art 3D CE-MRA strategies to reduce contrast dose and summarizes current applications and clinical experience to date. It also highlights evolving techniques, which the authors feel are likely to enhance the future impact of CE-MRA.
Extraction of electro-optic coefficient in thin-film linear electro-optic Mach-Zehnder interferometers with nonperiodic intensity-voltage output characteristics

The intensity-voltage output characteristics of thin-film linear electro-optic Mach-Zehnder interferometer modulators can be nonperiodic for configurations where the optic axis is perpendicular to the applied electric field. As a result, the electro-optic coefficient for the material can not be determined assuming a periodic half-wave voltage. From the Jones matrix calculation, an analytic expression of the output intensity is derived in terms of the phase retardation. A method of determining the linear electro-optic coefficient is proposed based on the determination of the first intensity minimum in intensity-voltage characteristics. This method provides a simple expression for determining the electro-optic coefficient given values for the ordinary and extraordinary refractive indices, the modulator geometry, and the first half-period voltage. The first half-period voltage is found to be approximately inversely proportional to the square root of the electrode length. The method shows close agreement to the exact Jones matrix method for the case where the sum of the principal refractive indices in one arm of Mach-Zehnder interferometer is close to that of the other arm under an electric field.
Network duality and its application to multi-user MIMO wireless networks with SINR constraints

For any multiple-input and multiple-output (MIMO) network with linear beamformers, there exists a dual network that attains the same signal to interference plus noise ratio (SINR) performance. This network duality is a generalization of the virtual uplink concept investigated in R. Rashid-Farrokhi et al. (1998) in the context of cellular networks. In this paper, we develop network duality which is applicable to arbitrary multi-user MIMO networks with a generalized cost function. More importantly, we provide an optimization theoretic perspective of network duality which naturally leads to the construction of a dual network. We then consider the joint MIMO beamforming and power control problem with individual SINR constraints. We apply the network duality to this problem and propose a high performance algorithm which compared to past approaches has improved convergence behavior.
Histone acetylation associated with gastrulation in Rana pipiens.

Differentiation of the embryo into a multicellular organism can be viewed as a result of selective repression of certain genes and activation of others. Since histone acetylation has been correlated with gene activation, it was of interest to determine if the activation of the embryonic genome at the beginning of gastrulation is associated with an increase in the rate of histone acetylation. Acetate incorporation into acid-soluble crude chromatin protein was studied in Rana pipiens embryonic cells dissociated from mid-blastula, late blastula, and early gastrula embryos. [3H] acetate incorporation increased two—three fold between the mid-blastula and early gastula stage. The increased rate of acetylation closely paralleled an increase in uridine incorporation observed at the onset of gastrulation. Acetate uptake, as well as acetate incorporation into total TCA-precipitable protein, remained constant during this period of development. Electrophoretic analysis of acetate incorporation into gastrula acid-soluble crude chromatin protein showed that acetate was almost completely incorporated into histones and not into other proteins found in the acid extract of crude chromatin. Inhibition of histone synthesis with cycloheximide completely abolished acetate incorporation into lysine-rich histone H1 while it produced only 50–60% inhibition of acetate incorporation into histones H3, H2A, and H4. This finding is consistent with other studies that have shown that H1 and H2A are acetylated at the serine N-terminus, H3 is acetylated at internal lysine residues, and H4 is acetylated N-terminally and internally. Histone acetylase activity was detected in whole embryonic homogenates. Determination of acetylase activity in embryos prior to and at the onset of gastrulation showed no change in acetylase activity. Therefore, the increase in histone acetylation at the onset of gastrulation cannot be attributed to an increase in acetylase activity. Since activation of RNA synthesis at the onset of gastrulation has been correlated with histone acetylation it is possible that a cause and effect relationship exists between these two biochemical events. Activation of RNA synthesis has been shown to be necessary for initiation of cellular differentiation at gastrulation. Thus, histone acetylation may be part of the underlying biochemical mechanism of embryonic differentiation.
EFFECT OF SUB-PIXEL VARIABILITY AND LAND-COVER ON SOIL MOISTURE RETRIEVAL FROM RADARSAT-1 DATA

The dynamic of soil moisture is generally affected by the spatial variation in soil surface characteristics such as land cover, vegetation density, soil texture, and soil material. The main purpose of this project is to develop neural network algorithm for soil moisture retrieval from active microwave data. A back-propagation neural network has been used to estimate the soil moisture from Synthetic Aperture Radar data. Soil moisture data with a spatial resolution of 800 m acquired during the SGP97 campaign, were used as truth data in the training and the validation processes. In addition to backscatter values retrieved from RADARSAT-1 image, normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI), land cover and soil texture have been added as an input to neural network algorithm. The effects of sub-pixels variability of the NDVI and land cover type on the retrieval of soil moisture have been investigated by comparing the measured and the predicted soil moisture. Further, all training and validation pixels (800 m resolution) have been labeled as either homogeneous or heterogeneous based on the occurrence of the same land cover type. The results showed that, homogeneous pixels are more likely to have better accuracy than heterogeneous pixels in soil moisture classification. A better correlation between soil moisture and SAR backscattering was found in areas with high soil moisture content, where the surface wetness dominated the vegetation contribution to the radar backscatter
The Parti Québécois and Sources of Partisan Realignment in Contemporary Quebec

The Parti Quebecois' 1976 electoral victory precipitated Canada's recent constitutional crisis. Four years later the PQ suffered the defeat of its cherished referendum proposal for sovereignty-association. Yet, within a year the party swept back into power in the subsequent provincial election. This dramatic reversal of electoral fortune suggests the strength and durability of the PQ's partisan base. Analyses of cross-sectional and panel survey data gathered in 1974, 1979, and 1980 confirm this, and indicate that the PQ has profited handsomely from both conversion and replacement processes catalyzed by low levels of national regime and community support. Although the PQ has not achieved its dream of a sovereign Quebec, its protracted campaign to do so has shifted the grounds of constitutional debate to a polarity of moderate and extreme change. This fact, and the party's strong electoral base, ensure that it will be a formidable force in Quebec politics for the foreseeable future.
Metals in solution in mercury expressed from copper-rich dental amalgams.

Metals dissolved in excess mercury expressed from copper-rich amalgams ranged from 0.06 to 0.63 wt %. Such small percentages are not likely to affect pertinent properties. The solubility data may assist in explaining the kinetics of hardening of amalgams.
Prelude to African Christian Independency: the Afro-American Factor in African Christianity

A remarkable phenomenon in African Christianity occurred between about 1912 and 1930 when, mostly out of the ferment of indigenous reaction to Western Christian missions, local “prophets” emerged and founded African Independent Churches. “Independency” is the term employed to characterize this phenomenon which came to embrace both the charismatic prophet figures and the separatist churches they or their followers created. Over six thousand such movements were identified throughout Africa in 1968, with the situation still in considerable flux. By the end of the twentieth century it is estimated that some 350 million Africans will have converted to one form or another of the various types of Christian practice now active on the continent.
Monitoring Azinphosmethyl Resistance in Adult Male Platynota idaeusalis (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) in Apple from Georgia to New York

Sex pheromone traps coated with concentrations of azinphosmethyl-impregnated adhesive were used to test levels of resistance in adult populations of male tufted apple bud moth, Platynota idaeusalis (Walker) from apple orchards in seven Eastern states. Resistance levels >10-fold were found in insects from five of six Adams County, Pa., orchards, one orchard in New Jersey, and one of two orchards in West Virginia. Moderate levels of resistance (5 to 9-fold) were found in insects from the remaining orchard in Adams County, one orchard in New York, and one of two orchards in North Carolina. Males from three Pennsylvania orchards outside of Adams County, the other orchards in West Virginia and North Carolina, one orchard in Georgia, and two orchards in Delaware had low levels of resistance (<4-fold). These results suggest that the level of resistance found within an orchard may be influenced by the intensity of fruit production within a region. Level of resistance to azinphosmethyl was positively correlated with current seasonal carbamate use, but was not significantly correlated with current use of azinphosmethyl or other organophosphates (negative correlation coefficients). Levels of resistance and fruit injury were both significantly correlated with population densities in orchards as measured by mean daily catches of brood I or brood II male moths. Levels of resistance were not significantly correlated with surrounding habitat types or percentage of fruit injury. These results suggest that many apple growers have responded to the development of azinphosmethyl resistance within their orchards with increased use of carbamates and decreased use of azinphosmethyl. Levels of fruit injury were highest in orchards where populations of P. idaeusalis were moderately resistant to azinphosmethyl, seasonal azinphosmethyl use was high, and only small amounts of carbamate insecticides were used.
Finite volume methods and the equations of finite scale: A mimetic approach

SUMMARY After introducing the general concept of mimetic differencing, we focus on two specific methodologies, nonoscillatory methods and finite volume approximations. We provide a brief historical account of the development of these two mimetic strategies. We then describe the extension of these strategies to new techniques, a discrete operator calculus and implicit large eddy simulation. In each case, we provide illustrative examples. Further abstraction of these ideas leads to the concept of equations of finite scale, which we advocate as a more appropriate PDE model for constructing numerical algorithms. Published in 2007 by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Toward the physical basis of thermophilic proteins : linking of enriched polar interactions and reduced heat capacity of unfolding

Abstract The enrichment of salt bridges and hydrogen bonding in thermophilic proteins has long been recognized. Another tendency, featuring lower heat capacity of unfolding (Δ C p ) than found in mesophilic proteins, is emerging from the recent literature. Here we present a simple electrostatic model to illustrate that formation of a salt-bridge or hydrogen-bonding network around an ionized group in the folded state leads to increased folding stability and decreased Δ C p . We thus suggest that the reduced Δ C p of thermophilic proteins could partly be attributed to enriched polar interactions. A reduced Δ C p might serve as an indicator for the contribution of polar interactions to folding stability.
Neocortical expansion: An attempt toward relating phylogeny and ontogeny

The neocortex is the most characteristic feature of the human brain. On gross inspection, its convoluted surfaces can be seen to have overgrown and covered most other brain structures. In the functional sphere, it is to the neocortex that we attribute those behaviors assumed to be most uniquely human such as cognition and linguistic behavior. This essay is an attempt to understand how this structure expanded during the course of mammalian evolution. At present, any attempt must be more speculative than definitive, but it is offered in the hope that it will generate more discussion on a topic that is central to all neurobiology, as well as a number of allied disciplines. I will proceed by outlining current views on the evolution of the brain, briefly review the organization of the somatosensory cortex in several mammalian forms, and then discuss in some detail ontogenetic mechanisms that may have some bearing on neocortical phylogeny. The primary proposition put forth is that the mammalian neocortex is relatively unspecified by strict genetic means, and that this allowed the neocortex to expand and adapt to a variety of circumstances during the course of phylogeny.
Tracheostomy for acute respiratory failure.

SUMMARY The effects of tracheostomy were evaluated in 17 patients moribund due to severe respiratory failure. When tracheostomy was added to the previous therapy, which included intermittent positive pressure breathing, there was dramatic improvement in their condition. This is attributed to the more effective application of ventilatory assistance, the improved clearing of the airway, and the decrease in dead space ventilation. Earlier tracheostomy would have been advantageous in several instances. Thirteen of these patients were discharged from the hospital, and restored to their previous level of respiratory competence. Eight have survived without need for continuing ventilatory assistance for periods up to 64 months at the time of this report. Mortality was considerably higher in five others on whom tracheostomy was refused and in 12 who did not have detailed respiratory management postoperatively. The common complications of tracheostomy are largely preventable. Cardiac arrhythmia during tracheostomy and during the period of correction of blood gas levels is an insufficiently recognized cause of morbidity and mortality. Apparatus that fully controls ventilation may produce unduly rapid carbon dioxide washout and necessitates careful observation of the arterial blood carbon dioxide tension, pH, blood electrolytes and electrocardiogram. Death due to massive hemorrhage secondary to peptic ulcers occurred in two of our patients. Thus, it would seem advisable to prescribe anti-ulcer therapy in patients with respiratory failure. Severe chronic pulmonary insufficiency may require permanent tracheostomy.
Magnetic Effects in NiI2·[(NH2)2CS]6

Specific heat measurements of single crystals of NiI 2 ·[(NH 2 ) 2 CS] 6 in the temperature range 1.3°–6.0°K indicated two magnetic phase transitions at 1.64°K and 1.77°K. These transitions appear to be of the paramagnetic-antiferromagnetic type. The total entropy associated with these transitions is 2.179 cal/mole·deg which is in good agreement with the value of 2.182 cal/mole·deg from R ln (2 S +1) where S =1 for the spin of the Ni ++ ion. Approximately 75% of this total entropy change is recovered above 1.77°K. The sublattice magnetization, calculated from the specific heat data, is compared with the molecular field theory and several other statistical models.
Usability study of a novel, self-lighted, disposable speculum: military applications.

ABSTRACTStudy design: Data collected from a postutilization questionnaire were used to evaluate the usability of the OfficeSPEC disposable vaginal speculum, specifically the effectiveness, efficiency, and acceptability, in clinical, hospital, and austere environments. Results: Usability data analysis showed the OfficeSPEC speculum had an effectiveness rating of 4.6/5, efficiency rating of 4.5/5, and acceptability rating of 4.6/5; overall usability in deployed environments was favorable. The overall rankings were 3.4 for plastic, 4.2 for metal (p < 0.001), and 4.5 for OfficeSPEC (p < 0.001). Cost analysis of the OfficeSPEC placed the disposable speculum as a reasonable alternative with yearly cost of $129,200, compared to traditional metal ($209,100) and plastic ($319,175). Conclusion: By evaluating the OfficeSPEC speculum within a usability framework, it proved to be practical, viable alternative in all environments, particularly in the forward deployed environment.
The View From Below: Public Interest Lawyering, Social Change, and Adjudication

In Public Interest Lawyering: A Contemporary Perspective, Professors Alan Chen and Scott Cummings provide a nuanced and thorough account of the relationship between lawyering and social change. In this Review Essay, I explore how key insights from Chen and Cummings’ textbook could impact the way students approach adjudication, which remains the primary subject of instruction in law school classrooms. Continuing the marriage equality case study with which Chen and Cummings conclude, I analyze the U.S. Supreme Court’s recent decisions in Hollingsworth v. Perry and United States v. Windsor through the lens of Public Interesting Lawyering. I argue that rather than understand the decisions as instances of top-down, court-ordered reform, students would locate the Court’s intervention within a bottom-up, dynamic process of legal and social change. As Public Interest Lawyering reveals — and as the Court’s approach in Perry and Windsor confirms — lawyers, litigants, and activists, rather than judges, drive that process.
Novel therapy for advanced gastric cancer

Gastric cancer (GC) is a common lethal malignancy. Gastroesophageal junction and gastric cardia tumors are the fastest rising malignancies due to increasing prevalence of obesity and acid reflex in the United States. Traditional chemotherapy remains the main treatment with trastuzumab targeting human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 positive disease. The median overall survival (OS) is less than one year for advanced GC patients; thus, there is an urgent unmet need to develop novel therapy for GC. Although multiple targeted agents were studied, only the vascular endothelial growth factor receptor inhibitor ramucirumab was approved recently by the United States Food and Drug Administration because of its 1.4 mo OS benefit (5.2 mo vs 3.8 mo, P = 0.047) as a single agent; 2.2 mo improvement of survival (9.6 mo vs 7.4 mo, P = 0.017) when combined with paclitaxel in previously treated advanced GC patients. It is the first single agent approved for previously treated GC and the second biologic agent after trastuzumab. Even with limited success, targeted therapy may be improved by developing new biomarkers. Immune therapy is changing the paradigm of cancer treatment and is presently under active investigation for GC in clinical trials. More evidence supports GC stem cells existence and early stage studies are looking for its potential therapeutic possibilities.
Potential of minimally invasive procedures in the treatment of uterine fibroids: a focus on magnetic resonance-guided focused ultrasound therapy

Minimally invasive treatment options are an important part of the uterine fibroid-treatment arsenal, especially among younger patients and in those who plan future pregnancies. This article provides an overview of the currently available minimally invasive therapy options, with a special emphasis on a completely noninvasive option: magnetic resonance-guided focused ultrasound (MRgFUS). In this review, we describe the background of MRgFUS, the patient-selection criteria for MRgFUS, and how the procedure is performed. We summarize the published clinical trial results, and review the literature on pregnancy post-MRgFUS and on the cost-effectiveness of MRgFUS.
A multidisciplinary assessment instrument to predict fall risk in hospitalized patients: A prospective matched pair case study

Objective: To identify fall risk for hospitalized patients utilizing a multidisciplinary assessment tool based on patients’ physical, mental, pharmacological, and metabolic data. Methods: A prospective case-control design comparing 48 patients who fell (incidence group) and 48 patients who did not experience fall (control group), based on patients’ age, gender, and hospital unit location. The study was conducted over an 8-month period at a large academic hospital. Setting: The Methodist Hospital, tertiary care academic referral center with 824 operating beds in Houston, TX. Participants: One hundred and twenty patients, sixty patients who fell, and sixty control subjects. Main Outcome Measures: The sensitivity and specificity of variables identified in logistic regression are able to distinguish patients who fell from patients who did not fall. Results: Logistic regression results identified six variables (2 summary variables and 4 individual variables) that correctly classified patients with 90% sensitivity (patients who fell) and 90% specificity (patients who did not fall). The first variable was an 11-item summary variable that included history, weakness or balance problem, altered mental status or confusion, visual impairment, dizziness or vertigo, urinary tract infection or abnormal urinary analysis (UA), diuretics/IV drips, continence, acute renal failure (ARF), antihypertensives and narcotics. The second variable represented the combination of 3 medication classes: neuroleptic, anticonvulsant and antidepressant. The third variable that had a negative impact on fall risk was the presence of a therapeutic anticoagulant. The other 3 significant variables were hypoglycemia, vital sign abnormality, and low hemoglobin. Conclusions: A multidisciplinary fall-risk assessment tool that screens combinations of physiological, pharmacological and metabolic patient factors improves the probability of correctly distinguishing patients who were more likely to fall from those patients who were less likely to fall.
Biomarkers for Kidney Injury in Cystic Fibrosis

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is an autosomal recessive disease affecting sodium and chloride transport predominantly in the lungs and digestive system. Patients with this disease develop recurrent and chronic respiratory tract infections often necessitating repeated and aggressive antimicrobial therapy. Patients also commonly develop pancreatic insufficiency, diabetes, malabsorption, and liver problems. The role of the CF gene mutation in the kidney is not well described. However, patients with CF are at risk for development of acute kidney injury (AKI) due to receipt of nephrotoxic medications, particularly antibiotics, as well as long-term renal damage from long-standing diabetes and repeated nephrotoxin exposures. The traditional marker of kidney injury and function, serum creatinine, is an unreliable marker of kidney function and injury in patients with CF and low muscle mass: it often overestimates true kidney function and does not detect kidney injury until a significant number of nephrons have been affected. Novel biomarkers, such as cystatin C (CysC), retinol-binding protein (RBP), kidney injury molecule-1 (KIM-1), and neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) have been studied preliminarily in this population but hold significant promise for early detection of AKI, risk stratification, and prognosis. With advances in medical therapies leading to substantial improvement in lifetime survival among CF patients, the long-term ramifications of the disease and its treatments on the kidney are becoming apparent. Methods to improve detection of kidney injury and risk of development of chronic kidney disease in patients with CF are paramount. This chapter reviews the available literature on the causes and impact of AKI in patients with CF, as well as the strengths, limitations, and potential uses of traditional and novel biomarkers of kidney injury in this population.