cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Effect of Bariatric Surgery on Cardiovascular Risk Profile

Obesity is associated with increased risk for cardiovascular (CV) disease (CVD) and CV mortality. Bariatric surgery has been shown to resolve or improve CVD risk factors, to varying degrees. The objective of this systematic review was to determine the impact of bariatric surgery on CV risk factors and mortality. A systematic review of the published research was performed to evaluate evidence regarding CV outcomes in morbidly obese bariatric patients. Two major databases (PubMed and the Cochrane Library) were searched. The review included all original reports reporting outcomes after bariatric surgery, published in English, from January 1950 to July 2010. In total, 637 studies were identified from the initial screen. After applying inclusion and exclusion criteria, 52 studies involving 16,867 patients were included (mean age 42 years, 78% women). The baseline prevalence of hypertension, diabetes, and dyslipidemia was 49%, 28%, and 46%, respectively. Mean follow-up was 34 months (range 3 to 155), and the average excess weight loss was 52% (range 16% to 87%). Most studies reported significant decreases postoperatively in the prevalence of CV risk factors, including hypertension, diabetes, and dyslipidemia. Mean systolic pressure reduced from to 139 to 124 mm Hg and diastolic pressure from 87 to 77 mm Hg. C-reactive protein decreased, endothelial function improved, and a 40% relative risk reduction for 10-year coronary heart disease risk was observed, as determined by the Framingham risk score. In conclusion, this review highlights the benefits of bariatric surgery in reducing or eliminating risk factors for CVD. It provides further evidence to support surgical treatment of obesity to achieve CVD risk reduction.
Hypervelocity impact of two spheres

Abstract The phenomena produced by hypervelocity impact of two nylon spheres were studied analytically and experimentally. The results demonstrated that, when the impact velocity is very high, (1) the deformation of the target sphere and the propagation of the debris cloud can be analyzed by applying the spherical shock wave theory, and (2) the forward momentum of projectile does not have a significant effect on the geometry of debris cloud. The analysis predicted that, upon impact, the target sphere is broken into debris particles. The materials in the outer layer of the target sphere are ejected with high velocities, and the materials in the interior of the sphere are separated into an outer shell and an inner core. The particle velocities in the outer shell are higher than those in the inner core. The experimental results showed a qualitative agreement with the analytical predictions.
Analysis of the Acute Ophthalmic Manifestations of the Erythema Multiforme/Stevens-Johnson Syndrome/Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis Disease Spectrum

Purpose: To evaluate the epidemiology, possible etiologic factors, complications encountered, and treatment administered to a group of patients with ocular involvement in the erythema multiforme/Stevens-Johnson syndrome/toxic epidermal necrolysis disease spectrum who were seen at two large tertiary referral centers over a 34-year period. Methods: Hospital records from 1960 to 1994 at the Massachusetts General Hospital and Shriners Hospital for Crippled Children were reviewed for patients with erythema multiforme, Stevens-Johnson syndrome, or toxic epidermal necrolysis. Only patients fulfilling specific clinical diagnostic criteria and those who received a diagnosis by a dermatologist were included in the review. Results: A total of 366 patients with erythema multiforme, Stevens-Johnson syndrome, or toxic epidermal necrolysis were identified. Drugs were the most commonly identified etiologic factor in all three conditions; sulfonamides were the most frequently identified agents. Eighty-nine patients (24%) had ocular manifestations at the time of their acute hospital stay. Ocular involvement was seen in 9% of patients with erythema multiforme, in 69% with Stevens-Johnson syndrome, and in 50% with toxic epidermal necrolysis. The ocular problems were more severe in patients with both Stevens-Johnson syndrome and toxic epidermal necrolysis. There was no significant difference between the number of patients who were treated with systemic steroids and those who were not ( P = 0.42). Conclusion: The erythema multiforme/Stevens-Johnson syndrome/toxic epidermal necrolysis disease spectrum remains an important cause of severe visual loss in a significant number of patients. Systemic steroids used during the acute phase of the disease appear to have no effect on the development of ocular manifestations. Studies on the acute immunopathogenic mechanisms occurring in these diseases are warranted if more effective therapies are to be found.
Scan pattern optimization for uniform proton beam scanning.

Magnetic beam scanning allows one to spread proton beam over the desired radiation field area, improving beam utilization and conformity to the target area. This article discusses generic scan forms for generating uniform circular and rectangular fields and establishes criteria that can be applied to optimize selected scan patterns. During construction of the Midwest ProtonRadiotherapy Institute (MPRI), Indiana University developed a magnetically scanned beam spreading system for the 3 m long gantry nozzle. Based on the commissioning experience, criteria for optimizing the scan patterns were derived. A numerical integration model was used to perform initial optimization of the resulting dose distribution. The selected scan patterns were then experimentally validated via test irradiation of Gafchromic films. Generic spiral and linear scan forms are proposed capable of delivering uniform circular and rectangular fields in continuous scanning mode. The test irradiations performed indicate that dose uniformity is within ± 3 % for both scan forms and that penumbra of the uncollimated field can approach the radius of the pristine beam spot. A well designed uniform scanning system can have a large library of uniform circular and rectangular fields of different sizes, which would increase beam utilization and minimize out-of-field dose to the patient.
Effects of abrasion and Na+ on dactyl‐mediated chemoreception in mature kelp crabs, Pugettia producta (Randall)

Extracellular recordings from the mixed sensory nerves innervating the abraded dactylopodites of the kelp crab, Pugettia producta (Randall), indicate that at least some chemoreceptors and mechanoreceptors remain functional. The chemoreceptors of the abraded dactyls are sensitive to both the concentration and chemical nature of the stimulants. The responses of the chemoreceptors, but not of the mechanoreceptors, are reduced when choline is substituted for sodium in the stimulant solutions. Only chemoreception is blocked by the topical application of tetrodotoxin (TTX) to the dactyls; partial reversal of the blockage occurs with time. The differential blockage of receptor activity by low Na+ and TTX is consistent with the idea that spike initiation occurs more distally in the dendrites of the chemosensory neurons than in the mechanosensory neurons. The relevance of this to the ability of at least some abraded dactyl setae to remain functional in a long-lived, nonmolting crab is considered.
Design of X-band VCO for marine radar product

The authors explain the design approach of a VCO using linear simulation. The design method uses measured S-parameters for the active device of the oscillator and then, employs computer simulation to optimize the oscillator circuit to satisfy the oscillation conditions. The oscillator was fabricated using a GaAs-FET and Si abrupt junction varactor diode on Duroid substrate. The tested prototype achieved tuning frequencies from 9.2 to 9.5 GHz, and provided output power of approximately 14 dBm over the frequency band. The oscillator was tested under temperature from -20/spl deg/C to 60/spl deg/C and the performance was excellent. The simulated and measured results are presented. >
Integrity in Research: The Scientific Community View

The views of the scientific community on integrity in research are not well understood. A recent survey provided some new insights into these views and the personal experiences of a sample of U.S. scientists with the issue of misconduct and fraud in science. It also suggests some of the difficulties and limitations in interpreting and communicating information on this subject.
Natural numbers, order and mathematical induction

A great deal of mathematics relies heavily on the natural numbers, including the basic operations and order properties. Mathematical induction is used frequently as a tool for proving statements, for defining objects, for recursion, etc. Many developmental treatments of these concepts are so formal and so heavily steeped in set‐theoretic language that their study requires extensive amounts of time and patience. We present an approach to these concepts that is accurate, yet streamlined and informal in development. It may provide insight into the natural numbers, operations on them, and mathematical induction.
Capacitor Voltage Regulation in Single-DC-Source Cascaded H-Bridge Multilevel Converters Using Phase-Shift Modulation

Cascaded H-bridge multilevel power electronic converters generally require several dc sources. An alternative option is to replace all the separate dc sources feeding the H-bridge cells with capacitors, leaving only one H-bridge cell with a real dc voltage source. This will yield a cost-effective converter. However, the required capacitor voltage balancing is challenging. In this paper, using the phase-shift modulation approach, a new control method for cascaded H-bridge multilevel converters fed with only one independent dc source is presented. The proposed method has a wide voltage regulation range for the replacement capacitors in the H-bridge cells. Experimental and simulation results support the proposed control method.
Enriched or latent cosmopolitanism? Identity negotiations of female international students from Japan in the US

Drawing from a qualitative study with 13 female international students from Japan to the United States, this article examines ways in which studying abroad has impacted the students' social and ethnic identities. Findings indicate that while the students did experience social marginalization, they did actively resist it and individually and collectively tried to find ways to integrate in their new social context. Furthermore, and while the students' discussions expressed a strong ethnic identity upon relocation, they did not plan to go back to their native country upon graduation. The discussion centres on the theoretical contributions of this work and attempts to identify directions for institutions of higher education that enroll international students.
Induction of bicalutamide sensitivity in prostate cancer cells by an epigenetic Purα‐mediated decrease in androgen receptor levels

BACKGROUND Increased androgen receptor (AR) levels support resistance to apoptosis and hormone therapy in advanced prostate cancer (PC). We recently linked the overexpression of AR in androgen-independent LNCaP cells (AI-cells) and tissues from castration-resistant patients to decreased nuclear levels of Pur-alpha (Purα) and loss from a protein complex bound to repressor sequences (ARS) in the 5′-UTR of AR. Strategies to regain control of increased AR transcription may overcome resistance of AI-cells and improve treatment outcomes. METHODS MTT, real-time PCR, Western blot, ChIP, flow cytometry, and caspase 3/7 activation measured the effect on growth and targets of LBH589/bicalutamide treatment of AI-cells and androgen-dependent LNCaP cells (AD). RESULTS Within 16 hr of treatment of AI-cells with low concentrations of the histone deacetylase inhibitor LBH589, a shift of cytoplasmic Purα restored the nuclear levels and the binding of Purα to the ARS. This was followed by a decline in AR-mRNA and protein reaching levels of parental AD-cells. The fraction of AI-cells in G1 increased and the cells in S phase decreased similar to AD-cells, and there was a modest caspase activation. Most notably, treatment of bicalutamide-resistant AI-cells with 10 nM LBH589 combined with 12.5 µM bicalutamide synergistically inhibited cell growth and induced a fivefold higher level of caspase 3/7 activation than observed in AD-cells. CONCLUSIONS Low-dose LBH589 restores Purα binding to ARS and down-regulates AR transcription. Biologically, LBH589 reverses the resistance of AI-cells to bicalutamide and to apoptosis. The combination may restore the hormonal response of castration-resistant PC patients. Prostate 70: 179–189, 2010. ©2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Performance of young calves fed soybean protein replacers.

Abstract In two 12-wk trials we evaluated soybean protein in calf milk replacers. In trial 1, twelve 5-day-old Holstein calves were allotted randomly to three milk replacers. The diets contained 26% crude protein. In trial 2, 18 calves were used and the diet contained 30% crude protein. In trial 1 period 1 (10 to 15 days), mean coefficients of apparent digestibility (%) for milk protein, soy protein concentrate, and full fat soy flour replacers were dry matter 92.0, 70.0, 71.0; protein 90.1, 56.6, 61.3;fat 88.9, 55.0, 53.2; and ash 85.8, 62.5, 61.2. Average daily nitrogen retentions were 10.8, −1.24, and −.7g. Results in period 2 (30 to 3 5 days) for digestibilities and nitrogen retention showed considerable improvement over those in period 1. In trial 2 period 1, mean coefficients of apparent digestibility (%) for milk protein, soy protein concentrate, and defatted soy flour replacers were dry matter 87.5, 66.6, 47.9; protein 80.5, 57.2, 28.5; fat 81.5, 55.9, 33.5; and ash 83.8, 58.9, 48.4. Average daily nitrogen retentions were 10.8, 2.9, and −3.6g. Results in period 2 for digestibilities and nitrogen retention also showed considerable improvement. Calves are able to use soy based replacers more effectively with age.
A Method for Simulating Correlated Non-Normal Systems of Linear Statistical Equations

A procedure is derived for simulating correlated non-normal systems of linear statistical equations. The method is based on fifth-order polynomial transformations to generate multivariate non-normal distributions. The procedure allows for the simultaneous control of the correlated non-normal (a) stochastic disturbance distributions, (b) independent variables, and (c) dependent and independent variables for each equation throughout a system. A numerical example is provided to demonstrate the procedure. The results of a Monte Carlo simulation are provided to confirm that the proposed method generates the specified standardized cumulants and correlations.
Mothers Choose: Reasons for Enrolling Their Children in a Two-Way Immersion Program.

This article reports a qualitative study of the reasons mothers chose to enroll their children in a Spanish/English two-way immersion (TWI) Program in Central Texas. Some of the mothers' reasons varied, and others overlap. All mothers expressed the belief that the program would provide their children with more opportunities, cognitive benefits, and an increased ability to communicate, confirming earlier studies. The qualitative nature of this study allows for a more in-depth and nuanced look at the reasons why parents from varying backgrounds chose to enroll their children in a Spanish/English TWI program.
Portfolios, the Pied Piper of teacher certification assessments: Legal and psychometric issues.

Since about 90% of schools, colleges, and departments of education are currently using portfolios of one form or another as decision-making tools for standards-based decisions regarding certification or licensure (as well as NCATE accreditation), it is appropriate to explore the legal and psychometric aspects of this assessment device. The authors demonstrate that portfolios being used in a high-stakes context are technically testing devices and therefore need to meet psychometric standards of validity, reliability, fairness, and absence of bias. These standards, along with federal law, form the cornerstone for legal challenges to high-stakes decisions when students are denied a diploma or license based on the results of the assessment. The conclusion
Risk of neonatal death is increased by birth outside the normal working week for singleton infants with cephalic presentation born at term.

Commentary on: D Pasupathy, AM Wood, JP Pell, et al.. Time of birth and risk of neonatal death at term: retrospective cohort study.BMJ2010;341:c3498.
Modeling side‐chains using molecular dynamics improve recognition of binding region in CAPRI targets

The CAPRI-II experiment added an extra level of complexity to the problem of predicting protein–protein interactions by including 5 targets for which participants had to build or complete the 3-dimensional (3D) structure of either the receptor or ligand based on the structure of a close homolog. In this article, we describe how modeling key side-chains using molecular dynamics (MD) in explicit solvent improved the recognition of the binding region of a free energy– based computational docking method. In particular, we show that MD is able to predict with relatively high accuracy the rotamer conformation of the anchor side-chains important for molecular recognition as suggested by Rajamani et al. (Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 2004;101:11287–11292). As expected, the conformations are some of the most common rotamers for the given residue, while latch side-chains that undergo induced fit upon binding are forced into less common conformations. Using these models as starting conformations in conjunction with the rigid-body docking server ClusPro and the flexible docking algorithm SmoothDock, we produced valuable predictions for 6 of the 9 targets in CAPRI-II, missing only the 3 targets that underwent significant structural rearrangements upon binding. We also show that our free energy– based scoring function, consisting of the sum of van der Waals, Coulombic electrostatic with a distance-dependent dielectric, and desolvation free energy successfully discriminates the nativelike conformation of our submitted predictions. The latter emphasizes the critical role that thermodynamics plays on our methodology, and validates the generality of the algorithm to predict protein interactions. Proteins 2005;60:245–251. © 2005 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Finding Equivalent Network Formulations for Constrained Network Problems

This paper describes a procedure for determining if constrained network problems i.e., network problems with additional linear constraints can be transformed into equivalent pure network problems by a linear transformation involving the node constraints and the extra constraints. These results extend procedures for problems in which the extra constraints consist of bounding certain partial sums of variables. This has proved to be an effective managerial technique for a major automobile manufacturer and a major energy modeling company.
Evaluation of a Real-Time Reverse Transcription-PCR Assay for Detection of Enterovirus D68 in Clinical Samples from an Outbreak in New York State in 2014

An outbreak of severe respiratory illness associated with enterovirus D68 (EV-D68) infection was reported in mid-August 2014 in the United States. In this study, we evaluated the diagnostic utility of an EV-D68-specific real-time reverse transcription-PCR (rRT-PCR) that was recently developed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in clinical samples. Nasopharyngeal (NP) swab specimens from patients in a recent outbreak of respiratory illness in the lower Hudson Valley, New York State, were collected and examined for the presence of human rhinovirus or enterovirus using the FilmArray Respiratory Panel (RP) assay. Samples positive by RP were assessed using EV-D68 rRT-PCR, and the data were compared to results from sequencing analysis of partial VP1 and 5′ untranslated region (5′-UTR) sequences of the EV genome. A total of 285 RP-positive NP specimens (260 from the 2014 outbreak and 25 from 2013) were analyzed by rRT-PCR; EV-D68 was detected in 74 of 285 (26.0%) specimens examined. Data for comparisons between rRT-PCR and sequencing analysis were obtained from 194 NP specimens. EV-D68 detection was confirmed by sequencing analysis in 71 of 74 positive and in 1 of 120 randomly selected negative specimens by rRT-PCR. The EV-D68 rRT-PCR showed diagnostic sensitivity and specificity of 98.6% and 97.5%, respectively. Our data suggest that the EV-D68 rRT-PCR is a reliable assay for detection of EV-D68 in clinical samples and has a potential to be used as a tool for rapid diagnosis and outbreak investigation of EV-D68-associated infections in clinical and public health laboratories.
Perineural invasion on prostate needle biopsy: an independent predictor of final pathologic stage

Abstract Objectives. To examine the significance of perineural invasion (PNI) in predicting pathologic findings in patients treated by radical prostatectomy, because a recent study concluded that PNI on needle biopsy has no independent predictive value. Methods. Between 1993 and 1998, radical prostatectomy was performed in 319 consecutive patients. Prostate needle biopsies were reviewed in all cases. We compared PNI with other preoperative parameters, including digital rectal examination, PSA, and biopsy Gleason score, for the ability to predict tumor stage. Clinical records and pathologic findings were reviewed for all cases. Tumor stage was defined as either pT2 (organ confined) or pT3 (extraprostatic extension and/or seminal vesicle invasion). Results. The median age was 61.4 years (range 40 to 75.6). Seventy-two percent of the 95 men with nonpalpable disease and 67% of the 224 men with palpable disease had organ-confined prostate cancer on final pathologic staging. Of 205 men with a Gleason score on biopsy of 6 or less, 159 (78%) had organ-confined disease compared with 59 (52%) of 114 with a Gleason score of 7 to 9 ( P P P = 0.0031), PSA ( P = 0.0004), and Gleason score ( P = 0.0003) independently predicted stage (pT3 disease). Conclusions. PNI is an important preoperative predictor of pathologic stage and should be reported when adenocarcinoma is diagnosed on prostate needle biopsies.
PERSISTENT STUNTING FOLLOWING X-IRRADIATION OF THE FETUS.

CFl female mice were time mated and the embryos at each gestation day from 0.0 to 18.0 were x-rayed to 100 r and the young carried to four months at which time a skeletal study was made. With this exposure the litters were reduced in size, following irradiation at certain gestation ages, and there was neo-natal mortality so that this skeletal study is based upon the survivors to four months and represents the maximum development under the conditions of irradiation. The sex ratio was not altered by this irradiation. Male mice of this strain are always heavier than the females of the same age, and this exposure reduced the over-all average of either sex by 2.5 grams. The skeletal measurements were taken from 1,005 radiographs of the living animals, and the averages calculated for each gestation day. There were sex differences in stunting, even when x-irradiation occurred before day 9.0. When the differences were pronounced the female was the more adversely affected. The highest statistical significance in skeletal effects of seven measurements was between 11 and 13 days, when the embryo shows the earliest skeletal differentiation. Such mice were topographically well developed.
Halokinetic sequence stratigraphy adjacent to the El Papalote diapir, northeastern Mexico

The stratigraphy adjacent to the El Papalote diapir in the La Popa basin, northeastern Mexico, displays depositional thinning, abrupt lateral facies changes, and intense local deformation near the diapir. The strata comprise a series of halokinetic sequences that provide a means of local correlation of stratal packages in an otherwise complex patchwork of seemingly disparate facies. Halokinetic sequences are relatively conformable successions of growth strata genetically influenced by near-surface or extrusive salt movement and are locally bounded at the top and base by angular unconformities that become disconformable to conformable with increasing distance from the diapir. Halokinetic sequences differ from traditional depositional sequences in scale and mechanism of formation. Halokinetic sequences at El Papalote diapir could not be traced farther than 1 km from the diapir, whereas depositional sequences are typically basin wide. Halokinetic sequences form as the rate of net vertical diapiric rise varies relative to the local sediment-accumulation rate, whereas depositional sequences form as the accommodation rate varies relative to the regional sediment-accumulation rate. Angular unconformities form when the net diapiric-rise rate exceeds the local sediment-accumulation rate, allowing diapiric inflation at the surface to generate steep, unstable slopes along which subjacent growth strata are either truncated by attendant slope failure or by current or shoreface erosion. In the case of slope failure, the sequence-bounding unconformity is typically overlain by mass-transport deposits derived from gravitational failure of the domed salt body. Increasing the local sediment-accumulation rate relative to the net diapiric-rise rate results in diapir onlap and overlap, which suppress diapiric surface topography and erosion. Halokinetic sequences are previously unrecognized but probably common features around near-surface or extrusive salt bodies in salt basins found elsewhere in the world. Their understanding may be used to predict the geometry, distribution, and quality of reservoir facies directly adjacent to salt bodies and provide critical data to determine the complex evolution of migrating passive salt bodies.
A Critical Evaluation of Cohesive Zone Models of Dynamic Fracture

Finite element calculations of dynamic fracture based on embedding cohesive surfaces in a continuum indicate that the predictions are sensitive to the cohesive law used. Simulations were performed on a square block in plane strain with an initial edge crack loaded at a constant rate of strain, Cohesive laws that have an initial elastic response were observed to produce spontaneous branching at high velocity, but to modify the linear elastic properties of the body As a consequence the cohesive surface spacing cannot be refined arbitrarily and becomes an important length scale in the simulations. Cohesive laws that are initially rigid do not alter the linear elastic response of the body. However, crack branching behavior was not observed when such a cohesive relation was implemented using a regular finite element mesh.
Conformable GORE TAG thoracic endoprosthesis

US FDA approval of the conformable Gore TAG thoracic endoprosthesis for multiple indications including aneurysm, traumatic transection and Type B dissection marks significant progress in minimally invasive therapies for the treatment of complex, life-threatening thoracic aortic pathology. This second generation device, with its enhanced flexibility and conformability, is providing improvements in both short- and long-term outcomes for many patients who may otherwise be denied life-saving treatment for thoracic aortic pathology.
Urbanization alters litterfall rates and nutrient inputs to small Puget Lowland streams

AbstractTerrestrial allochthonous inputs represent the primary energy source for small stream ecosystems, and activities that alter those inputs produce cascading effects through multiple trophic levels. Urban development affects riparian forests through direct removal or through modifications to species composition and structure. Our study evaluated stand composition and litterfall inputs to small streams across a range of urbanization. Heterogeneity was high, but a consistent pattern of deciduous dominance was observed in more-disturbed areas and a mosaic of conifer, mixed, and deciduous forest patches in less-disturbed areas. Such mosaics are a region-dependent pattern that results from Pacific Northwest forest succession. Riparian vegetation disturbance level increased as total impervious area in the watershed increased. Annual mean daily litterfall rates ranged from 0.0 to 2.5 g m−2 d−1 in 128 trap locations distributed over 13 stream reaches that represent the range of riparian vegetation conditions...
Packet Routing in Dynamically Changing Networks: A Reinforcement Learning Approach

This paper describes the Q-routing algorithm for packet routing, in which a reinforcement learning module is embedded into each node of a switching network. Only local communication is used by each node to keep accurate statistics on which routing decisions lead to minimal delivery times. In simple experiments involving a 36-node, irregularly connected network, Q-routing proves superior to a nonadaptive algorithm based on precomputed shortest paths and is able to route efficiently even when critical aspects of the simulation, such as the network load, are allowed to vary dynamically. The paper concludes with a discussion of the tradeoff between discovering shortcuts and maintaining stable policies.
Atmospheric Moisture and Cloud Cover Characteristics Forecast by AMPS

Antarctic Mesoscale Prediction System (AMPS) forecasts of atmospheric moisture and cloud fraction (CF) are compared with observations at McMurdo and Amundsen–Scott South Pole station (hereafter, South Pole station) in Antarctica. Overall, it is found that the model produces excessive moisture at both sites in the mid- to upper troposphere because of a weaker vertical decrease of moisture in AMPS than observed. Correlations with observations suggest AMPS does a reasonable job of capturing the low-level moisture variability at McMurdo and the upper-level moisture variability at South Pole station. The model underpredicts the cloud cover at both locations, but changes to the AMPS empirical CF algorithm remove this negative bias by more than doubling the weight given to the cloud ice path. A “pseudosatellite” product based on the microphysical quantities of cloud ice and cloud liquid water within AMPS is preliminarily evaluated against Defense Meteorological Satellite Program (DMSP) imagery during summer to examine the broader performance of cloud variability in AMPS. These comparisons reveal that the model predicts high-level cloud cover and movement with fidelity, which explains the good agreement between the modified CF algorithm and the observed CF. However, this product also demonstrates deficiencies in capturing low-level cloudiness over cold ice surfaces primarily related to insufficient supercooled liquid water produced by the microphysics scheme, which also reduces the CF correlation with observations. The results suggest that AMPS predicts the overall CF amount and high cloud variability notably well, making it a reliable tool for longer-term climate studies of these fields in Antarctica.
Assessing Landscape Change and Processes of Recurrence, Replacement, and Recovery in the Southeastern Coastal Plains, USA

The processes of landscape change are complex, exhibiting spatial variability as well as linear, cyclical, and reversible characteristics. To better understand the various processes that cause transformation, a data aggregation, validation, and attribution approach was developed and applied to an analysis of the Southeastern Coastal Plains (SECP). The approach integrates information from available national land-use, natural disturbance, and land-cover data to efficiently assess spatially-specific changes and causes. Between 2001 and 2006, the processes of change affected 7.8 % of the SECP but varied across small-scale ecoregions. Processes were placed into a simple conceptual framework to explicitly identify the type and direction of change based on three general characteristics: replacement, recurrence, and recovery. Replacement processes, whereby a land use or cover is supplanted by a new land use, including urbanization and agricultural expansion, accounted for approximately 15 % of the extent of change. Recurrent processes that contribute to cyclical changes in land cover, including forest harvest/replanting and fire, accounted for 83 %. Most forest cover changes were recurrent, while the extents of recurrent silviculture and forest replacement processes such as urbanization far exceeded forest recovery processes. The total extent of landscape recovery, from prior land use to natural or semi-natural vegetation cover, accounted for less than 3 % of change. In a region of complex change, increases in transitory grassland and shrubland covers were caused by large-scale intensive plantation silviculture and small-scale activities including mining reclamation. Explicit identification of the process types and dynamics presented here may improve the understanding of land-cover change and landscape trajectory.
Association of Mutations in SLC12A1 Encoding the NKCC2 Cotransporter With Neonatal Primary Hyperparathyroidism

Context: Primary hyperparathyroidism with hypercalciuria has not been described in the newborn period. Objective: Our objectives are to identify the genetic basis for neonatal primary hyperparathyroidism in a family with 2 affected children. Subjects: An African American boy presenting with mild neonatal primary hyperparathyroidism and hypercalciuria was evaluated at The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. His older brother with neonatal primary hyperparathyroidism had died in infancy of multiple organ failure. Methods: We collected clinical and biochemical data and performed exome sequencing analysis on DNA from the patient and his unaffected mother after negative genetic testing for known causes of primary hyperparathyroidism. Results: Exome sequencing followed by Sanger sequencing disclosed 2 heterozygous mutations, c.1883C>A, p.(A628D) and c.2786_2787insC, p.(T931fsX10), in the SLC12A1 gene, which was previously implicated in antenatal type 1 Bartter syndrome. Sanger sequencing confirmed the 2 mutati...
Methylation of t-RNA: effect of vitamin B12 deficiency in rat.

SummaryMethylation of t-RNA is studied both in vivo and in vitro in rat liver. Addition of either vitamin B12 or DMBC-coenzyme to the in vitro system improves significantly the rate of methyl incorporation from methionine-C14H3. Cold S-adenosylmethionine does not dilute the radioactivity incorporated from serine-3-C14. An alternate pathway of t-RNA methylation involving methyl-B12 is suggested.
I-TRIZ: Anyone Can Innovate on Demand

Would it be nice to have Yoshiro Nakamatsu, the world record holder for the most number of patents, consult with you on your next project? Would it be wonderful to bring Thomas Edison in anytime you needed some innovative insight for a day? What if you could consult with Nikola Tesla when faced with your next critical problem? How much better could you solve problems if you could bring the collective innovative force of the entire human race to bear on your next project? This is the promise of I-TRIZ. I-TRIZ is the modern extension, and ongoing development of TRIZ begun some 65 years ago. ITRIZ represents the distillation of human innovative thought down to a set of principles, tools, and methodologies that can be taught to anyone making it possible for anyone to innovate on demand. TRIZ, I-TRIZ, and new educational initiatives are described as well as potential long-term implications of everyone having the ability to innovate on demand.
Mosquito (Diptera: Culicidae) Adulticide Drift into Wildlife Refuges of the Florida Keys

Drift residues of naled and fenthion, which were applied for mosquito control, were sampled with α-cellulose pads in pineland and hammock ecosystems of the Florida Keys in 1989. These included habitats of state and federally protected insect and cactus species on wildlife refuges with no-spray zones. Naled residues were detected up to 750 m downwind in a no-spray zone in pinelands 6 h after application to adjacent target areas. Fenthion residues were detected up to 50 m downwind in hammock 15 min after application to adjacent target areas. In controlled residue degradation experiments, technical naled did not disappear significantly from pads suspended vertically from wires or laid flat on the substrate over a 240-min period. Fenthion did not disappear significantly from pads laid on the substrate but did disappear partly from pads suspended from wires. Estimated environmental concentrations of naled and fenthion in these habitats may be used to calculate ecological risk indexes for protected species.
Pollution in the Garden of the Argentine Republic: Building State Capacity to Escape from Chaotic Regulation

Environmental regulation in middle-income and developing countries is often viewed with high degrees of pessimism. Although many countries have adopted protective laws, violations are widespread and institutions are weak. This paper analyzes the puzzle of shifting patterns of environmental regulation in Argentina, a country with widespread institutional weakness. Most regulators in Argentina take a firefighting approach, acting only when skirmishes emerge between communities and firms. Amidst regulatory chaos, improvements in the environmental performance of firms are few, and noncompliance remains the norm. However, in the province of Tucuman, the pattern of regulation shifted, and officials began to systematically enforce regulations. This paper traces shifts in patterns of enforcement back to broad pressures that provoked industry and environmentalists to support increases in the internal and external components of state regulatory capacity. The analysis uncovers political dynamics that can contribute to strengthening the institutions necessary for sustainable development. Acknowledgments:
A note on the estimation of the rate of learning in statistical learning models

Three estimation techniques for the Estes-Straughan learning rate parameter are discussed and restrictions on their application are indicated.
Analysis of drinking water quality in urban area of Hangzhou from 2009 to 2011

Objective:To understand the drinking water quality in urban area of Hangzhou in recent three years,and provide scientific basis to ensure the drinking water safety for urban residents.Methods:Samples were collected from water supply,tap water,secondary water supply,production and catering water accepted by Hangzhou CDC from 2009 to 2011 for detection and evaluation.Results:The results showed that the total qualification rate of 2509 samples was 88.2%,and the qualification rates of samples from water supply,tap water,secondary water supply,production and catering water were 97.4%,89.3%,85.0%,77.1% respectively,showing the trend of decline.The disqualification items of tap water,secondary water supply,production and catering water were total platecount,opacity,iron,et al.Conclusion:Aging equipment of urban water supply network should be improved,storage equipment for secondary water supply should be cleaned frequently and water quality supervision should be strengthened in production and catering industry.
Influence of parental attitude on children's dental visits

Objective To analyze causes for children's hospital visit as well as parents' attitude,so as to make effective treatment plans. Methods We selected first-visit children patients,aged 2 to 8 years,who were admitted to Hefei Stomatological Hospital from January to December 2012,and classified the diseases and the reasons for reluctance to accept treatment. Results Toothache was the main reason,accounting for 45. 02%. 32. 17% of parents resisted treatment for various reasons,including fear of pain( 36. 38%),seeing no need for treating deciduous teeth( 35. 45%) and complaint of overpriced and duration of treatment( 26. 29%). 51. 4% cases of resisted treatment were caries without clinical symptoms. Parents' education level and financial status as well as pain of children were the main influence factors of whether children accepted treatment. Deseases were mainly classified into dental decay,pulpitis and apicitis,cross bite,trauma. Conclusions Parents' lack of knowledge on children's oral disease and their educational and financial status are the main reasons for giving up treatment. We need to raise their awareness on oral health prevention,in order to promote early prevention and treatment of children's oral diseases.
Poulson: An 8 core 32 nm next generation Intel® Itanium® processor

This article consists of a collection of slides from the author's conference presentation on Intel's Itanium processor family of products. Some of the specific topics discussed include: the special features, system specifications, and system design for these products; system architectures; applications for use; platforms supported; processing capabilities; memory capabilities; and targeted markets.
Non-human animals within contemporary capitalism: A Marxist account of non-human animal liberation

Many intellectuals, various social movements, as well as all manner of individuals from around the globe who are critical of the ills of global, expansionist capitalism have written, spoken out abo...
The effects of dopant impurities on Cu2ZnSnS4 system Raman properties

Impurities in Cu2ZnSnS4 (CZTS) can alter the electronic and optical properties, which may reduce photovoltaic device efficiency. Phonon dispersion susceptibility can be used to investigate the effects of foreign dopants on pairing between atoms within lattice. In order to investigate the effect of free holes on the optical phonons and asymmetry in the Raman peaks due to impurities, Sb-, Fe-, and Ag-doped CZTS thin films were prepared and systematically studied. Doping with impurities causes a shift in Raman peak frequency as well as linewidth. An investigation has been made based on the reduced mass of the vibrating CZTS lattice that changes due to dopant addition. For polycrystalline Sb-doped CZTS, the predicted wavenumber shift for Raman ‘A’ mode follows a similar trend as evidenced in experiments and can be explained by the square-root relationship between frequency and the vibrating mass. Raman lineshape for Sb-doped CZTS thin films and nanocrystals becomes wider, asymmetric, and moves toward lower vibrational frequency when laser power density increases. Atomic force microscopy was also performed to examine surface properties.
Abstract LB-338: Extensive subclonal mutations in human colorectal cancers detected by duplex sequencing

The accumulation of somatic mutations is a defining hallmark of cancer. Human colorectal cancers (CRC) contain thousands of mutations that are detected at frequencies greater than 1%. Some of these are “driver mutations” that have been positively selected during tumor progression. In addition, subclonal mutations—those occurring only in a fraction of malignant cells—are randomly distributed and contribute to phenotypic and morphologic heterogeneity of cancer cells within a tumor. Cells containing specific subclonal mutations may be present prior to therapy and can be positively selected and account for the rapid emergence of therapeutic resistance. The extent of subclonal mutations in cancer, however, has been difficult to quantify, as the high error rate of next-generation sequencing precludes reliable detection of mutations present in fewer than 1-5% of cells. Here, we apply the highly accurate duplex sequencing methodology to quantify the extent of subclonal mutations in CRC. We analyzed somatic mutations in genes encoding replicative DNA polymerases (POLδ and POLϵ) as well as in genes reported to be frequently mutated in CRC. Duplex sequencing was carried out at depths varying from 500X-30,000X and an accuracy of 10-8. We find that CRCs with DNA repair deficits harbor an unexpectedly large complement of unique subclonal mutations; indicating that the mutational diversity of CRCs has been greatly underestimated. The frequency of subclonal mutations in normal colonic mucosa and CRC is greater than reported for clonal mutations. The burden of tumor-associated subclonal mutations does not correlate with age and the spectrum of single-nucleotide substitutions is different from that in nonmalignant cells, indicating that different mechanisms of mutation accumulation are operative in normal and CRC. Our data are consistent with a mutation rate of 1.1 x 10 per base pair, indicating that each malignant cell and its daughter encoded genomic DNA differs by more 3,000 nucleotides. The linearity of subclonal mutation accumulation as a function of sequencing depth, using DNA obtained from five different tumors, is in accord with a neutral model of tumor evolution. We calculate that the probability of mutations at any type is so high that it is likely that every possible somatic point mutation is present by the time a tumor is clinically detectable, and this could account for the high frequency by which tumors become resistant to therapeutic agents. Citation Format: Lawrence A. Loeb, Kaitlyn J. Loubet-Senear, Brendan F. Kohrn, Michael W. Schmitt, Mary P. Bronner, Robert A. Beckman. Extensive subclonal mutations in human colorectal cancers detected by duplex sequencing [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2018; 2018 Apr 14-18; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2018;78(13 Suppl):Abstract nr 3377.
Screening for CRC Using CT Colonography

Air contrast barium enema (ACBE), flexible sigmoidoscopy, and colonoscopy have been used to image the colon for many years. In recent years, a number of new techniques to image the colon have been introduced and prominent among these is computed tomographic (CT) colonography (also called “CTC,” “CT colography,” or “virtual colonoscopy”). CT colonography is a high spatial resolution, low-dose CT exam of the abdomen and pelvis performed following colonic insufflation. CT datasets are reviewed on a computer workstation that generates multidimensional images of the colon (Figs. 8.1–8.3). CT colonography is extremely attractive because it is noninvasive and also relatively simple for patients to undergo and these qualities have made CT colonography a serious entrant into the field of colorectal cancer (CRC) screening.
Research Article: Mycobacterium bovis-BCG regulates macrophage vasodilator-stimulated phosphoprotein

Abstract Vasodilator-stimulated phosphoprotein (VASP) is a processive actin polymerase that regulates membrane architecture, cell motility, and pathophysiologic processes such as metastatic invasion. VASP is also a putative regulator of host-pathogen interactions. Intracellular pathogens such as Listeria monocytogenes, Cryptosporidium parvum, and Mycobacterium marnium are known to utilize the host's actin network to facilitate entry into and motility within host cells. In order to determine if VASP is involved in mediating cytoskeletal rearrangement in cells infected with Mycobacterium bovis-BCG, a model organism for the study of Mycobacterium tuberculosis, murine macrophages were infected with the bacterium and analyzed by immunofluorescence. Antibodies against VASP were used to determine its localization. Results indicate that VASP is present on the membrane of murine macrophages in an evenly distributed fashion. Macrophages infected with M. bovis-BCG showed punctate VASP structures. Activated macrophag...
Optimal control and management of a large-scale battery energy storage system to mitigate fluctuation and intermittence of renewable generations

Battery energy storage system (BESS) is one of the effective technologies to deal with power fluctuation and intermittence resulting from grid integration of large renewable generations. In this paper, the system configuration of a China’s national renewable generation demonstration project combining a large-scale BESS with wind farm and photovoltaic (PV) power station, all coupled to a power transmission system, is introduced, and the key technologies including optimal control and management as well as operational status of this BESS are presented. Additionally, the technical benefits of such a large-scale BESS in dealing with power fluctuation and intermittence issues resulting from grid connection of large-scale renewable generation, and for improvement of operation characteristics of transmission grid, are discussed with relevant case studies.