cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Nitrogen fixation and nitrogen limitation of primary production along a natural marsh chronosequence.

Nitrogen (N) limitation of primary production is common in temperate salt marshes, even though conservative N recycling can fulfill a large proportion of plant N demand. In nutrient poor young marshes, N limitation may be more severe and new N sources, such as N fixation, more important for plant growth. We measured N fixation and the response of salt marsh primary producers (Spartina alterniflora and benthic microalgae) to N fertilization in one mature (>150 year) and two young (7 and 15 year) naturally developing marshes at the Virginia Coast Reserve LTER site. S. alterniflora aboveground biomass in the mature marsh (1,700±273 g m−2) was 1.8 and 2.8 times higher than in the 15 year and 7 year old marshes, respectively. Fertilization significantly increased S. alterniflora biomass in the two young marshes (160–175%) and areal aboveground tissue N in the youngest marsh (260%). Microalgal chlorophyll a (Chl a) in the mature marsh was nearly 2-fold lower than in the 7-year-old marsh, and there was no evidence that this was due to light limitation. However, Chl a in fertilized plots was 30% higher than control plots at the youngest site. Daily N fixation decreased with increasing marsh age in summer, when rates were highest at all sites. Autotrophic N fixation (difference between rates in the light and dark) was most important in the summer, but we saw no indication of a shift in dominance between autotrophic and heterotrophic N fixers during marsh development. Estimated annual N fixation was 2- to 3-fold higher in the young marsh (18.3±1.5 g N m−2 year−1), than in the intermediate-aged (9.0±0.7) or mature marsh (6.1±0.5). In the young marshes, N fixation was sufficient to provide a substantial proportion of aboveground S. alterniflora N demand. Our results suggest that both benthic microalgae and S. alterniflora in young salt marshes are N limited, and that this limitation decreases as the marsh matures. The high rates of N fixation by autotrophic and heterotrophic bacteria in the sediment could provide an important source of N for primary producers during marsh development.
The Prevalence and Correlating Characteristics of Disordered Eating among Adolescent Female Cheerleaders and Dancers

Abstract Design: A survey questionnaire was designed to determine scale scores in the areas of "fear of fatness," "body dissatisfaction," and "extreme concern with weight loss." These scale scores were used as predictors of the development of an eating disorder. Subjects: The subjects consisted of 181 middle and high school cheerleaders and dancers attending cheerleading/dancing camp at a Southeastern university campus. Main outcome measurements: Measurements included scale scores in the areas of "fear of fatness," "body dissatisfaction," "extreme concern with weight loss," and "overall risk of developing an eating disorder." Statistical Analysis: Data was analyzed using frequency analysis, t-tests, one-way ANOVA, and Pearson correlation with the SPSS computer system. Results: Approximately 18% of all subjects scored higher than one standard deviation above the mean on the "overall risk of developing an eating disorder" scale. A high "overall risk of developing an eating disorder" scale was positively correlated with body mass index and age. The percentage of Caucasians at high risk for developing an eating disorder was significantly higher than the percentage of African Americans at risk. Discussion: This study suggests that a large percentage of adolescent female cheerleaders and dancers are at risk for developing an eating disorder. Therefore, nutrition education efforts shoold focus upon cheerleaders/dancers and their coaches/sponsors. The scale scores did suggest predictive capabilities for evaluation of the risk for developing eating disorders. Therefore, the questionnaire could serve as a valuable screening tool for coaches/sponsors.
Type I collagen N-Telopeptides adopt an ordered structure when docked to their helix receptor during fibrillogenesis*†

The in vitro rate and specificity of fibrillogenesis in type I collagen depends on the integrity of the amino (N)-telopeptide domain. In vivo an intact N-telopeptide domain is also required for normal fibril assembly. Although Chou-Fasman predictions and NMR studies suggested that a type I beta-turn could be induced in alpha1(I) N-telopeptide chains, computer modeling did not identify ordered structures. Nevertheless, X-ray analysis and electron tomography studies have shown that the N-telopeptide is in one of the most highly ordered fibril domains. This study was undertaken to determine if the docking of the N-telopeptide to its helix receptor domain could induce the telopeptides to take up a specific conformation. With use of molecular modeling suite of programs, a (Gly-Pro-Pro)(n) triple-helical structure was built on the basis of high-resolution X-ray crystallographic coordinates and then replaced with the actual bovine collagen residues 924-938, the triple-helical alpha1(I)-N-telopeptide-receptor sequences. Energy minimization produced a modified triple-helical conformation. The bovine alpha1(I) N-telopeptide sequence was similarly minimized and docked to this receptor. The docking induced an ordered conformation with a stabilizing hydrogen bond in the N-telopeptide and, importantly, a reciprocal reordering of the triple-helical conformation in the binding domain. This docked structure placed Lys residues in both telopeptide and helix in the correct locations for cross-link formation. The modeling has been extended to the three-chain N-telopeptide domain and finally to the construction of the Hulmes-Miller quasi-hexagonal packing structure. Each N-telopeptide domain can form linkages with two adjacent, aligned helix receptor domains. The telopeptides and the order of staggering of the three chains in the helix play crucial roles in the packing and intrafibrillar cross-linking patterns and the relative azimuthal orientations of adjacent molecules in the fibril. The models confirm the high order in the N-telopeptide 4D overlap zone.
Detection of Pre-Sol Aggregation and Carbon Dioxide Scrambling in Alkylammonium Alkylcarbamate Gelators by Nuclear Magnetic Resonance†

The initial stages of aggregation of a series of organogelator salts, prepared from n-alkylamines by the rapid in situ and isothermal (at room temperature) uptake of the neutral triatomic molecule,...
Two approaches to teaching software components using Ada 95

Abstract data types (ADTs) have been used for many years to teach the specification and implementation of software components. With the advent of object-oriented programming languages (OOPLs), many ADT specifications and implementations are now encoded in OOPLs as classes. OOPLs typically provide a variety of language mechanisms that support data abstraction and make classes convenient for encoding ADT specifications and implementations. In particular, the inheritance mechanism supported by OOPL classes provides useful ways of relating ADT specifications and implementations. The Ada programming language has always provided solid support for specification and implementation of ADTs with its package construct. The 1995 revision to Ada (Ada 95) added a variety of powerful new language mechanisms such as tagged types (full-fledged inheritance), abstract types, and hierarchical library units. Each of these new Ada language mechanisms, in addition to packages, can be used in various combinations to support the specification, implementation, and extension of ADTs. In this paper, we compare two approaches used to teach to second-year undergraduates specification and implementation of software components in Ada. The first approach is a traditional Ada approach relying solely on the package mechanism to support data abstraction. The second approach relies heavily on Ada's newer object-oriented language mechanisms in addition to hierarchical library units.
An electroactive IPMC-based cylindrical robotic platform

Ionic polymer-metal composites (IPMCs) are soft electroactive materials with actuating and sensing capabilities that have potential applications in biomedicine as active catheters and surgical probes. In this study, we design and develop a cylindrical IPMC with multiple degrees-of-freedom motion capability for application as a robotic catheter platform. The main advantage of using this type of IPMC is the ability to embed specific tool through the cylinder-shaped IPMC, allowing an accurate control of the tool tip in catheter procedures. The multi-DOF functionality is achieved by uniquely sectored electrodes on the surface of cylinder-shaped ionic polymer. The cylindrical IPMC is 20 mm in length, has an outer diameter of 1.3 mm and inner diameter of 0.7 mm. We successfully demonstrated that the multi-DOF bending of the fabricated cylindrical IPMC is feasible. The design optimization on different cylinder wall thicknesses, diameters and electrode dimensions as well as developing better control systems is currently in progress. 3D FEM was developed and calculations were carried out to confirm the model validity. Furthermore, model was used to show how the undulating motion of a rod-shaped IPMC could be achieved.
Torsional stiffness of a machine drive element with tensile web structure.

This paper examines a torque transmitting machine member that is comprised of a tensile element web. In particular, the torsional stiffness of such a device is considered. The torsional stiffness is found to consist of two components, that due to the structural geometry and that due to material elasticity. Each of these components' contributions to overall stiffness are presented, and expressions for optimum stiffness in terms of system geometry are derived.
Second primary cancer risk of radiation therapy after radical prostatectomy for prostate cancer: an analysis of SEER data.

Objectives To determine the incidence of second primary cancer (SPC) and primary pelvic late SPC/radiation-induced SPC after radical prostatectomy and radiation. Methods A total of 228 235 prostate cancer patients in the 1973-2002 Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results database were studied. The age-adjusted estimates of SPCs was calculated. Competing risk multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression analysis was adjusted for age at diagnosis, race or ethnicity, and radiation and was used to evaluate the effect of treatment on SPC. Results The overall incidence of SPC was 8.4%. The most frequent pelvic SPCs were bladder (2303 cases), rectum or rectosigmoid junction (1006 cases). The most frequent nonpelvic SPCs were bronchus and lung (4131 cases), colon (2665 cases), and skin (1769 cases). The absolute risk of developing a second malignancy was 1747 cases per 100 000 in the "Radical surgery and x-ray treatment" group and 1581 in the "radical surgery" group. With regard to late primary pelvic SPC, a higher age-adjusted rate of 374 cases per 100 000 was seen in the radiated group. Conclusions Radiation after radical surgery increased late primary pelvic SPC. No increases were seen in secondary pelvic or extrapelvic SPCs.
Scanning Electron Microscope (Sem) Dimensional Measurement Tool

Requirements for measurement of very small integrated circuit (IC) device structures have become increasingly more demanding with the advent of electron beam, x-ray and advanced optical lithographic processes. High throughput, highly accurate and repeatable measurement tools are needed to guarantee dimensional control for device performance. This paper describes a dimensional measurement tool based on a Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) which uses a fixed beam and scanning stage technique for gathering measurement data. This measurement tool is designed to make dimensional measurements of IC devices from 0.1 μm to 15 μm. Superior accuracies and precision are realized by eliminating dependence on calibration of the beam deflection as is required in digital scanning type tools. The deflection of the stage is measured by a laser interferometer which provides accurate traceability. Deflection versus secondary electron intensity profiles are gathered as scan lines. The scan lines are analyzed by the computer with an algorithm designed to detect the edges of the line according to particular sets of criteria set up uniquely for each line type. An important application of this tool is the capability to use the SEM electron beam to expose precisely spaced lines in photoresist with line widths as small as 0.1 μm and a pitch as small as 0.3 μm. These lines are excellent for use as calibration standards for other measurement operations.
Separate mechanisms of aluminium toxicity for nitrate uptake and root elongation

Aluminium toxicity has been shown to decrease NO3 - uptake in Zea mays seedlings during the first 30 minutes after addition of Al3+. This suggests that NO3 - uptake inhibition could be a primary response to Al addition. We therefore tested the hypothesis that NO3 - uptake and root elongation are affected differently by Al3+. Eight-day old seedlings were exposed to 100 μM Al3+ in the presence of 1 or 10 mM Ca2+, added as either CaSO4 or CaCl2. In the presence of Al3+, cumulative uptake of NO3 --N during an 8 h period was not affected by Ca2+ level (1 or 10 mM). Root elongation at 1 mM Ca2+ was decreased to 63% of the control by the presence of Al3+. Raising ambient Ca2+ from 1 to 10 mM in the presence of Al3+ restored elongation rates to 78% (CaCl2) and 88% (CaSO4) of elongation without Al. Because reductions in root elongation were partially overcome by added Ca2+, but lowered uptake of NO3 - was not, it was concluded that Al3+ toxicity decreased root growth and NO3 - uptake by different mechanisms.
Cloud Classification of AVHRR Imagery in Maritime Regions Using a Probabilistic Neural Network

Abstract Using Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer data, 16 pixel × 16 pixel sample areas are classified into one of ten output classes using a probabilistic neural network (PNN). The ten classes are cirrus, cirrocumulus, cirrostratus, altostratus, nimbostratus, stratocumulus, stratus, cumulus, cumulonimbus, and clear. Over 200 features drawn from spectral, textural, and physical measures are computed from the pixel data for each sample area. The input patterns presented to the neural network are a subset of these features selected by a routine that indicates the discriminatory potential of each feature. The training and testing input data used by the PNN are obtained from 95 expertly labeled images taken from seven maritime regions; these images provide 1633 sample areas. Theoretical accuracy of the PNN classifier is determined using two methods. In the hold-one-cut method, the network is trained on all data samples minus one and is tested on the, remaining sample. Using this technique, 79.8% of the...
RADIO EMISSION FROM SN 1988Z AND VERY MASSIVE STAR EVOLUTION

We present observations of the radio emission from the unusual supernova SN 1988Z in MCG +03-28-022 made with the Very Large Array at 20, 6, 3.6, and 2 cm, including new observations from 1989 December 21, 385 days after the optically estimated explosion date, through 2001 January 25, 4438 days after explosion. At a redshift z = 0.022 for the parent galaxy (~100 Mpc for H0 = 65 km s-1 Mpc-1), SN 1988Z is the most distant radio supernova ever detected. With a 6 cm maximum flux density of 1.8 mJy, SN 1988Z is ~20% more luminous than the unusually powerful radio supernova SN 1986J in NGC 891 and only ~3 times less radio luminous at 6 cm peak than the extraordinary SN 1998bw, the presumed counterpart to GRB 980425. Our analysis and model fitting of the radio light curves for SN 1988Z indicate that it can be well described by a model involving the supernova blast wave interacting with a high-density circumstellar cocoon, which consists almost entirely of clumps or filaments. SN 1988Z is unusual, however, in that around age 1750 days, the flux density begins to decline much more rapidly than expected from the model fit to the early data, without a change in the absorption parameters. We interpret this steepening of the radio flux density decline rate as due to a change in the number density of the clumps in the circumstellar material (CSM) without a change in the average properties of a clump. If one assumes that the blast wave is traveling through the CSM at ~2,000 times faster than the CSM was established (20,000 km s-1 vs. 10 km s-1), then this steepening of the emission decline rate represents a change in the presupernova stellar wind properties ~10,000 yr before explosion, a characteristic timescale also seen in other radio supernovae. Further analysis of the radio light curves for SN 1988Z implies that the SN progenitor star likely had a zero-age main sequence mass of ~20-30 M?. We propose that SNe such as SN 1986J, SN 1988Z, and SN 1998bw with very massive star progenitors and associated massive wind ( 10-4 M? yr-1) have very highly clumped, wind-established CSM and unusually high blast-wave velocities (greater than 20,000 km s-1).
Catamenial Epilepsy: A Review

Summary: This review of 126 reports on catamenial epilepsy describes seizure exacerbations associated with the menses. The importance of hormonal measurements, the influence of antiepileptic drugs and oral contraceptives, and the significance of hormonal changes on epilepsy are evaluated. The EEG changes during menses are discussed. Explanations for conflicting data are offered, and potential future investigations on catamenial epilepsy are suggested. RESUMEN Esta revision de 126 casos de “epilepsyia catamenial” describe la exacerbacion de las crisis durante los periodos menstruales. La importancia de las mediciones hormonales, de la influencia entre anticomiciales y contraceptivos orales y la significacion de los cambios hormonales en la epilepsyia son tratadas en este estudio. Se dan explicaciones para los datos contradictories existentes y se sugieren vias de investigacion potencial sobre la “epilepsyia catamenial”.
Pathological attachment and attachment style in late adolescence

Attachment theory is frequently invoked to account for patterns of adaptation within relationships. West and Sheldon derived a measure of dysfunctional adult attachment from Bowlby's theory. Four patterns are identified: compulsive self-reliance; caregiving; care-seeking; and angry withdrawal. The aim of this study was to assess the psychometric properties of this promising measure, and to assess its ability to predict symptomatology relative to measures of attachment style. Participants included 209 late adolescents who were involved in committed relationships. They responded to categorical and continuous measures of attachment style and various measures of symptomatology and college adjustment. The four dimensions of pathological attachment showed strong internal consistency and few gender differences. Compulsive care-seeking, angry withdrawal and compulsive self-reliance were particularly strong predictors of psychiatric symptomatology and insecure attachment style. Attachment pathology and insecure attachment style predicted symptomatology similarly, though variations were evident depending on how style was assessed. This study is the first to provide evidence of convergent, discriminant and predictive validity for this measure. Directions for future research are noted.
Effects of Surface Roughness and Inclination Angle on Nucleate Boiling of PF-5060 Dielectric Liquid on Copper

Saturation pool boiling experiments of PF-5060 dielectric liquid are performed using eleven different Cu surfaces with average roughness, Ra = 0.21 to 1.79 μm, at inclination angle, θ, from 0° (upward facing) to 180° (downward facing). Nucleate boiling heat transfer coefficient, hNB, increases with increasing surface roughness and with decreasing inclination angle. The measured enhancements in hNB with increased surface roughness are in excess of 36%. In the upward facing orientation, the experimental values of hNB are correlated in terms of the surface heat flux in the experiments, q, as: hNB = A qB. The coefficient “A” increases from ∼0.14 to 0.23, while the exponent “B” decreases from 0.76 to 0.69 as Ra increases from 0.21 to 1.79 μm.Copyright © 2013 by ASME
Enzymatically cross-linked injectable alginate-g-pyrrole hydrogels for neovascularization.

Abstract Microparticles capable of releasing protein drugs are often incorporated into injectable hydrogels to minimize their displacement at an implantation site, reduce initial drug burst, and further control drug release rates over a broader range. However, there is still a need to develop methods for releasing drug molecules over extended periods of time, in order to sustain the bioactivity of drug molecules at an implantation site. In this study, we hypothesized that a hydrogel formed through the cross-linking of pyrrole units linked to a hydrophilic polymer would release protein drugs in a more sustained manner, because of an enhanced association between cross-linked pyrrole groups and the drug molecules. To examine this hypothesis, we prepared hydrogels of alginate substituted with pyrrole groups, alginate-g-pyrrole, through a horse-radish peroxidase (HRP)-activated cross-linking of the pyrrole groups. The hydrogels were encapsulated with poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) microparticles loaded with vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). The resulting hydrogel system released VEGF in a more sustained manner than Ca 2 + alginate or Ca 2 + alginate-g-pyrrole gel systems. Finally, implantations of the VEGF-releasing HRP-activated alginate-g-pyrrole hydrogel system on chicken chorioallantoic membranes resulted in the formation of blood vessels in higher densities and with larger diameters, compared to other control conditions. Overall, the drug releasing system developed in this study will be broadly useful for regulating release rates of a wide array of protein drugs, and further enhance the quality of protein drug-based therapies.
Orientation of the primary quinone of bacterial photosynthetic reaction centers contined in chromatophore and reconstituted membranes

Abstract The orientation of the reaction center bacteriochlorophyll dimer, (BChl) 2 , and primary quinone, Q I , has been studied by EPR in chromatophores of Rhodopseudomonas sphaeroides R26 and Chromatium vinosum and in the reconstituted membrane multilayers of the isolated Rps. sphaeroides reaction center protein. The similarity in the angular dependence of the (BChl) 2 triplet and Q I ⨪Fe 2+ signals in the chromatophore and reconstituted reaction center membrane multilayers indicates that the reaction center is similarly oriented in both native and model membranes. The principle magnetic axes of the (BChl) 2 triplet are found to lie with the x direction approximately parallel to the plane of the membrane surface, and the z and y directions approx. 10–20° away from the plane of the membrane surface and membrane normal, respectively. The Q I ⨪Fe 2+ signals are found to have the g 1.82 component positioned perpendicular to the plane of the membrane surface, with an orthogonal low-field transition (at g 1.68 in Rps. Sphaeroides and at g 1.62 in C. vinosum ) lying parallel to the plane of the membrane surface. The orientation of Q I was determined by the angular dependence of this signal in Fe 2+ -depleted reaction center reconstituted membrane multilayers, and it was found to be situated most likely with the plane of the quinone ring perpendicular to the plane of the membrane surface.
Eye Contact with Strangers in City, Suburb, and Small Town:

Eye contact with a stranger was relatively rare in center-city Philadelphia, more common in a Philadelphia suburb, and very common in a small rural Pennsylvania town. Speaking to a stranger occurred only if eye contact occurred and was rare in city and suburb but more common in the small town. These results suggest that social interaction in the city is an adaptation to overload of interpersonal contacts, rather than an expression of social pathology.
Who Provides Care? A Prospective Study of Caregiving Among Adult Siblings

Purpose: We use data from a longitudinal, withinfamily study to identify factors that predict which adult siblings assumed caregiving responsibilities to older mothers over a 7-year period. Design and Methods: Data for the study were collected from 139 older mothers at 2 points 7 years apart regarding their expectations and experiences of care from 537 adult children. Results: Children whom mothers identified at T1 as their expected future caregivers were much more likely to provide care when a serious illness occurred. Caregiving offspring were also more likely at T1 to have shared their mothers’ values, lived in proximity, and to be daughters. Implications: The findings indicate the degree to which a mother’s expectations for care predict actual caregiving by that child. Practitioners working with older adults should explore parents’ expectations for future care that involves their adult children.
Phenolic acid detection thresholds in processed potatoes

Abstract Phenolic acids in potatoes vary naturally and due to handling practices, but little is known about their effects on potato flavor. Best-estimate thresholds (BET) were calculated on data obtained from a 12 member panel utilizing the ASTM Standard Practice E 679-91. Six scale steps were used at a concentration factor of 1.25. Thresholds were determined for chlorogenic and ferulic acids in water and in reconstituted dehydrated mashed potatoes with and without corn oil margarine. Total phenolic concentration of the processed potatoes was measured by HPLC. Aqueous thresholds were 82 ppm and 62 ppm for chlorogenic and ferulic acids, respectively. The chlorogenic acid threshold value was higher in potatoes with added margarine (152 ppm). Addition of margarine to potatoes did not affect the ferulic acid threshold.
Surface Faulting: A New Paradigm for the Pacific Northwest

The past twenty years have witnessed three major paradigm shifts in our understanding of earthquake hazards in the Pacific Northwest. The first paradigm shift was the recognition in the 1980's that the Cascadia subduction zone is capable of great earthquakes. The locked part of the Cascadia subduction zone lacks instrumental seismicity, but geological evidence shows that it can produce an earthquake of MW 9, larger than any expected for California south of Cape Mendocino. In response to the geological evidence, building codes have been upgraded, tsunami inundation maps have been prepared for coastal areas from northern California to northern Washington, and earthquake hazard maps have been constructed for northwestern cities, including Victoria, British Columbia. Earthquake awareness has increased among the general public and within many private companies. Earthquake awareness has increased among the general public and within many private companies in the Pacific Northwest. The second paradigm shift, the alignment of seismic provisions in building codes to reflect greatly increased scientific understanding, has been subtle but of overarching societal importance. This alignment began in the early 1990's when Washington, under the leadership of the Structural Engineers Association of Washington, expanded the Uniform Building Code seismic zone III to include the Mount St. Helens seismic zone, and Oregon adopted a greatly revamped designation of seismic zone maps. This trend toward direct use of scientific results in the building code has accelerated in the last two years, with the State of Washington adopting the International Building Code (IBC). The IBC uses the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) probabilistic hazard map as its basis, thus aligning current best science with engineering practice. Oregon may follow suit; currently 32 states have adopted the IBC. The IBC literally brings USGS hazard calculations onto the desktops of structural engineers. Despite the paradigm shifts related to Cascadia …
Acoustics of Infant Pain Cries: Fundamental Frequency as a Measure of Arousal

Purpose: The goal of the current study is to examine fundamental frequency (F0) from a sample of healthy newborn infant pain cries. Methods: A total of 58 healthy infants were included in the study...
pyGlobus: a Python interface to the Globus Toolkit™

Developing high-performance problem solving environments/applications that allow scientists to easily harness the power of the emerging national-scale “Grid” infrastructure is currently a difficult task. Although many of the necessary low-level services, e.g. security, resource discovery, remote access to compute/data resource, etc., are available, it can be a challenge to rapidly integrate them into a new application. To address this difficulty we have begun the development of a Python based high-level interface to the Grid services provided by the Globus Toolkit [ref]. In this paper we will explain why rapid application development using Grid services is important, look briefly at a motivating examle, and finally look at the design and implemenation of the pyGlobus package.
Feed Efficiency of Selected and Nonselected Japanese Quail Lines

Abstract Two trials were conducted to investigate the feed conversion ratios of quail following long-term selection for high 4-week body weight. Feed conversions of two selected lines were superior to that of the nonselected control line. Feed intake of the selected lines was less than twice that of the control line, while the body weights of selected quail were approximately double the body weights of control quail. Special procedures utilized to reduce feed wastage resulted in feed/gain ratios of 2.08 and 2.34 in the two selected lines through 4 weeks of age on a diet with 28% protein. The feed/gain ratio in the control line was 2.72.
Advances in diagnosis and management of oligodendroglioma.

Oligodendrogliomas are primary brain tumors, genetically characterized by chromosomal alterations in the 1p and 19q. Recent clinical trials have shown that oligodendrogliomas are sensitive to PCV chemotherapy with 60–65% of patients responding and median response duration of 1–1.5 years. The response rate in mixed oligoastrocytomas may be slightly less but is still better than that of pure astrocytic tumors. The chemosensitivity of oligodendroglioma is not limited to PCV but also to newer agent, such as temozolomide. Gross total resection remains the main step in the management of oligodendrogliomas and the extent of surgical tumor resection is an important prognostic variable. The role of postoperative radiation in low-grade oligodendroglioma remains controversial and are being trials conducted now to define its role.
Development and psychometric properties of the Pulmonary-specific Quality-of-Life Scale in lung transplant patients

Background The Pulmonary-specific Quality-of-Life Scale (PQLS) was developed to measure quality of life (QoL) among patients awaiting lung transplant. The objective of this study was to determine the psychometric properties of the PQLS, identify empirically derived sub-scales, and examine ability to detect changes in pulmonary-specific QoL scores after lung transplantation. Methods Data were derived from the INSPIRE trial, a dual-site randomized controlled trial of coping skills training in 389 lung transplant candidates (obstructive [48.3%], restrictive [24.2%], cystic fibrosis [13.6%], and other [13.9%]). Cronbach alpha was calculated to assess the internal reliability of the PQLS ( n = 388). Test-retest reliability was assessed with correlation coefficients between baseline and 12-week post-baseline scores for the usual care control condition ( n = 140). Convergent validity was assessed with correlation coefficients between the PQLS and established measures of QoL and emotional distress, 6-minute walk test distance, forced expiratory volume in 1 second, and use of supplemental oxygen at rest ( n = 388). Change from baseline to 6 months post-transplantation was assessed with repeated measures analysis of variance ( n = 133). Results The PQLS was internally reliable and stable across 12 weeks. The PQLS correlated strongly with QoL measures (e.g., Shortness of Breath Questionnaire, r = 0.78, p r = 0.59, p r = −0.41, p Conclusions These results demonstrated the reliability, validity, and sensitivity to change of the PQLS for measuring pulmonary QoL among patients with advanced lung disease and the responsiveness of the PQLS to changes in QoL after lung transplantation.
Computerized Physician Order Entry: Helpful or Harmful?

Computerized physician order entry (CPOE) is touted as a major improvement in patient safety, primarily as a result of the Institute of Medicine's 1999 report on medical errors and the subsequent formation of the “Leapfrog Group” of companies to preferentially direct their employees' health care to those institutions that install such systems (as part of directives that “Leapfrog” feels will improve patient care). Although the literature suggests that such systems have the potential to improve patient outcomes through decrease of adverse drug events, actual improvements in medical outcomes have not been documented. Installation of such systems could actually increase the number of adverse drug events and result in higher overall medical costs, particularly in the first few years of their adoption.
The Transmission of Incompetence

The ways in which parents influence the development of their children are many, some quite obvious and direct, others quite subtle and elusive. Socialization and educational practices produce the diversity of human cultural differences in fairly straightforward ways. However, the transmission of the individual differences which characterize mental illness is far from clear.
Naloxone-induced prolactin secretion in women: evidence against a direct prolactin stimulatory effect of endogenous opioids.

Because both opioids and ovarian steroids influencePRL secretion, the relationship between these inputs toPRL control was investigated. Infusion of the opiate receptorantagonist naloxone (1.6 mg⁄h for 4–8 h) failed to alter serumPRL levels in hypogonadal women or normal women in the earlyfollicular or late luteal phase. In contrast, a prompt and sustainednaloxone-induced release of PRL was found in the latefollicular and midluteal phases of the cycle, with maximumincrements (mean ± SE) of 16.9 ± 5.3 and 9.7 ± 3.2 ng⁄ml,respectively. In the luteal phase women, the number of PRLpulses was significantly (P < 0.001) greater during naloxonethan during saline infusion (3.4 us. 1.6 pulses⁄8 h), and a positivelinear correlation was found between the integrated PRL responseto naloxone and the levels of circulating estradiol (r =0.62) and progesterone (r = 0.95). When serum LH concentrationswere determined in the same samples, a significantly (P <0.001) greater synchrony of PRL with LH pulses during naloxoneinfusio...
Dead Newspapers and Citizens’ Civic Engagement

Using data from the 2008 and 2009 Current Population Survey (CPS) conducted by the United States Census Bureau, this article assesses the year-over-year change in the civic engagement of citizens in America's largest metropolitan areas. Of special interest are Denver and Seattle, where the Rocky Mountain News and Seattle Post-Intelligencer closed during the intervening year. The data from the CPS indicate that civic engagement in Seattle and Denver dropped significantly from 2008 to 2009—a decline that is not consistently replicated over the same time period in other major American cities that did not lose a newspaper. The analysis suggests that this decline may plausibly be attributed to the newspaper closures in Seattle and Denver. This short-term negative effect is concerning, and whether it lasts warrants future attention.
Multilayered diluted magnetic semiconductor structures and 2DEG

The 2DEG adjacent to a diluted magnetic semiconductor heterobarrier is altered in the presence of a magnetic field. The alteration is dependent upon at least three factors: the Zeeman energy, the self consistent potential energy and the equilibrium distribution. Concentrating on the first two features we present results for the alteration of the 2DEG for a spin heterodiode configuration and for a single barrier DMS structure, demonstrating that the 2DEG can be modified by a magnetic field, thereby permitting the magnetic field to function as a gate in two terminal structures with spin dependent contacts.
The Effect of Postoperative Myocardial Ischemia on Long-Term Survival After Vascular Surgery

Introduction The impact of a postoperative troponin elevation on long-term survival after vascular surgery is not well-defined. We hypothesize that a postoperative troponin elevation is associated with significantly reduced long-term survival. Methods The Vascular Study Group of New England registry identified all patients who underwent carotid revascularization, open abdominal aortic aneurysm repair (AAA), endovascular AAA repair, or infrainguinal lower extremity bypass (2003-2011). The association of postoperative troponin elevation and myocardial infarction (MI) with 5-year survival was evaluated. Multivariable models identified predictors of survival and of postoperative myocardial ischemia. Results In the entire cohort (n = 16,363), the incidence of postoperative troponin elevation was 1.3% (n = 211) and for MI was 1.6% (n = 264). Incidences differed across procedures ( P P P P = .02) and MI (hazard ratio, 2.9; 95% confidence interval, 2.3-3.8; P Conclusions Postoperative troponin elevation and MI predict a 26% or a 55% relatively lower survival in the 5 years following a vascular surgical procedure, respectively, compared with patients who do not experience myocardial ischemia. This highlights the need to better characterize factors leading to postoperative myocardial ischemia. Postoperative troponin elevation, either alone, or in combination with an MI, may be a useful marker for identifying high-risk patients who might benefit from more aggressive optimization in hopes of reducing adverse long-term outcomes.
Using Pipe Cleaners to Bring the Tree of Life to Life

ABSTRACT Phylogenetic trees, such as the “Tree of Life,” are commonly found in biology textbooks and are often used in teaching. Because students often struggle to understand these diagrams, I developed a simple, inexpensive classroom model. Made of pipe cleaners, it is easily manipulated to rotate branches, compare topologies, map complete lineages, identify informative phylogenetic features, and examine the effects of superficial structural changes.
Generating autonomous dynamic behavior for computer animation: A constrained optimal control approach

An extensive simulator has been developed to simulate the dynamics of an intelligent system. The simulation program is written in C and it runs on IBM RISC/6000 workstations in a UNIX environment. A graphical user interface using NGI (Northstar Graphics Interface) has been built and all the results are displayed graphically. The authors show the result obtained in trying to avoid several planes, the implementation result for pole balancing behavior, and the simulation result for hopping motion, when the maximum allowable acceleration during a hopping cycle is limited. >
Current use of low-osmolality contrast agents: results of a survey

Members of the Society of Cardiovascular and Interventional Radiology and the Society of Uroradiology were surveyed to assess both current practice and determinants of use of low-osmolality contrast agents (LOCA). Of 715 questionnaires mailed, 229 were returned (32%). Many indicated that the responses referred to the practice of a group, rather than to an individual. Two thirds of the responses indicated that the choice of agent was made by the radiologist alone; one third shared the decision with administrators. Approximately 40% of respondents use written guidelines, but this percentage was higher when administrators were involved in the decision. Almost all (99%) obtained written informed consent--one third for all procedures that use contrast material and two thirds for angiographic studies only. Four percent noted the availability of LOCA in obtaining consent. Overall, LOCA were used for most angiographic procedures by 38% and for most IV studies by only 9% of respondents. All used them for at least ...
Genetic Algorithm Based Construction-Conscious Minimum Weight Design of Seismic Steel Moment-Resisting Frames

The minimum weight criterion, which has been widely adopted in the literature for optimal design of steel structural systems, is inadequate to fully reflect the initial monetary investment due to lack of consideration of additional construction expenses resulting from varied degree of design complexity such as different member sections and splice/connection types. In this paper, design optimization of seismic steel moment-resisting frames involves simultaneous consideration of two competing objective functions: the steel material weight and an approximate measure of design complexity in terms of the number of different standard steel member section types. The code-compliant seismic structural design follows the equivalent lateral force procedure of the 2000 National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program seismic provisions in conjunction with American Institute of Steel Construction load resistance factor design seismic steel design criteria. A genetic algorithm is used for the posed biobjective structural optimization problem to produce a set of alternative designs establishing optimized trade-off between the two merit objectives. Numerical examples show that a minimum weight design with a balanced degree of design complexity is expected to achieve an initial investment economy with more accuracy.
Inhibitors of Monoethanolamine Oxidation in CO2 Capture Processes

Aqueous monoethanolamine (MEA) is a good solvent for postcombustion CO2 capture; however, it is prone to oxidative degradation. The initial test conditions mimicked those found in the absorber of a commercial system: MEA was degraded in the presence of CO2, with high oxygen mass transfer, and with dissolved metals, at absorber temperatures. In later experiments, high temperature cycling was incorporated into the apparatus to better represent a real system. These cycling results suggest that the unadditized 7 m MEA in a real system contacted with 5% oxygen in the absorber and with the stripper operated at 120 °C would experience close to 5% amine loss per week. Inhibitors such as inhibitor A (Inh A), 2,5-dimercapto-1,3,4-thiadiazole (DMcT), diethylenetriamine pentaacetic acid (DTPA), hydroxyethylidenediphosphonic acid (HEDP), and methyldiethanolamine (MDEA) reduced MEA oxidation at low temperature by more than 90%. Results of the screening study also confirmed the reliability of ammonia production as an ac...
The status of plasma expanders in open heart surgery.

In terms of the safety achieved, we were probably justified in the use of almost extravagant quantities of homologous whole blood in the initial years of open heart surgery. Our knowledge of the physiologic and mechanical problems of open heart surgery has advanced rapidly during the last seven years. Certainly not all of the problems have been solved. At least two minor problems, that of intravascular aggregation and protein denaturation have been solved, however, by the use of Rheomacrodex. There are no apparent reasons why plasma expanders should not be used as partial blood substitutes in open heart surgery. Theoretically, it should be possible to avoid the use of homologous blood entirely. Blood loss due to hemorrhagic diatheses has been greater in patients subjected to open heart surgery than in closed heart surgery. Only with the use of better apparatus and less homologous blood will it be ascertained whether or not this bleeding is related to massive transfusion. With the hemodilution of the patient's blood and the prevention of aggregation, damage to corpuscular elements is proportionately decreased.
Rate Constant for the OH + CO Reaction at Low Temperatures.

Rate constants for the reaction of OH + CO → products (1) have been measured using laser photolysis/laser-induced fluorescence (LP/LIF) over the temperature range 193–296 K and at pressures of 50–700 Torr of Ar and N2. The reaction was studied under pseudo-first-order conditions, monitoring the decay of OH in the presence of a large excess of CO. The rate constants can be expressed as a combination of bimolecular and termolecular components. The bimolecular component was found to be temperature-independent with an expression given by kbi(T) = (1.54 ± 0.14) × 10–13[e–(13±17)/T] cm3 molecule–1 s–1, with an error of one standard deviation. The termolecular component was fitted to the expression, kter = k0(T)[M]/[1 + (k0(T)[M]/k∞(T)] × 0.6{1+[log10(k0(T)[M]/k∞(T))]2}−1 where k0(T) = k0300(T/300)−n and k∞(T) = k∞300(T/300)−m. The parameters for k0(T) were determined to be k0300 = (6.0±0.5) × 10−33 cm6 molecule–2 s–1 in N2 and k0300 = (3.4 ± 0.3) × 10–33 cm6 molecule–2 s–1 in Ar, with n = 1.9±0.5 and 2.0±0.4 in...
Measuring of Competitiveness of Labor Force of Tianjin Binhai New Area by BP Artificial Neural Network Based on Genetic algorithm

Basing on Regional Competitiveness Theory and the reference of evaluation models of countries or cities,this research designs a theoretical framework for an independent evaluation system of regional competitiveness of talents and conducts an empirical analysis of competitiveness of labor force of the key region of China Three Economic Circle.It Measures and ranks the competitiveness of regional labor force of the five major areas of the three economic circles,basing on Genetic BP Artificial Neural Network in MATLAB environment,thus proofs the position of competitiveness of talents of Tianjin Binhai New Area and present solutions and suggestions.
Correlations Between Atrial Fibrillation and Interleukin

Atrial fibrillation(AF) is one of the most common arrhythmias in the clinical setting.It has a high rate of morbidity and mortality.In recent years an increasing number of clinical studies have shown that interleukin is involved in the occurrence and duration of AF.The incidence and duration of AF is closely related to interleukin and its genotypes.This article illustrates the relationship between AF,the interleukin gene,and the correlations between the two.
Vascular Prosthetics: the Gore-Tex ePTFE Stretch Graft.

Following introduction of the Gore-Tex stretch vascular graft in 1991, over 15,000 bifurcated and 35,000 straight grafts have been distributed (Figure I). This novel graft, recommended for arterial and venous reconstruction, is touted to afford significantly superior handling characteristics, kink-resistance and conformability. In addition, the "stretch" feature is thought to confer ease of sizing and anastomotic accuracy. Whether this product of advanced polymer science represents a panacea in the field of vascular grafting or a mere addition to the host of less than ideal synthetic conduits remains to be discerned. The first human implantation of a stretch graft was conducted by one of the authors (R.T.G.) during aortic replacement at the Eastern Virginia Medical School (EVMS). A favorable experience has since been gained by utilization of the stretch graft during vascular reconstruction for aortoiliac, infrainguinal and visceral arterial disease. This review will present the intriguing history of synthetic graft development and recount our experience with the Gore-Tex stretch vascular graft.