cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Lower cognitive function in the presence of obesity and hypertension: the Framingham heart study

OBJECTIVE: To determine the independent effects of obesity and hypertension on cognitive functioning. METHODS: Using a prospective design, male (n=551) and female (n=872) participants of the Framingham Heart Study were classified by presence or absence of obesity and hypertension based on data collected over an 18-y surveillance period. All subjects were free from dementia, stroke, and clinically diagnosed cardiovascular disease up to the time of cognitive testing. Statistical models were adjusted for age, education, occupation, cigarette smoking, alcohol consumption, total cholesterol, and a diagnosis of type II diabetes. Body mass index status (nonobese or obese) and blood pressure status (normotensive or hypertensive) were then related to cognitive performance (learning, memory, executive functioning, and abstract reasoning) on tests administered 4–6 y later. RESULTS: Adverse effects of obesity and hypertension on cognitive performance were observed for men only. Obese and hypertensive men performed more poorly than men classified as either obese or hypertensive, and the best performance was observed in nonobese, normotensive men. CONCLUSIONS: The adverse effects of obesity and hypertension in men are independent and cumulative with respect to cognitive deficit.
Morphology and mechanical properties of fibers from blends of a liquid crystalline polymer and poly(ethylene terephthalate)

The domain morphology and mechanical properties of fibers spun from blends of a thermotropic liquid crystalline polymer, Vectra A-900, and poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) have been studied across the entire composition range. The PET phase was removed by etching to reveal fibrillar LCP domains in the blends of all compositions. The 0.5μm fibril appeared to be the basic structural entity of the LCP domains. A primary effect of composition was the change from discontinuous fibrils when the composition was 35 and 60% by weight LCP to continuous fibrils when the composition was 85 and 96% LCP. This transition had major ramifications on the mechanical properties: the modulus increased abruptly between 60 and 85% LCP, and a change in the fracture mode from brittle fracture to a splitting mode was accompanied by an increase in fracture strength. Different models were required to describe the mechanical properties of the discontinuous and continuous fibril morphologies. Analytic models for short aligned fibers of Nielsen, and Kelly and Tyson were applicable when the LCP fibrils were discontinuous, while modulus and strength of blend fibers with continuous LCP fibrils were discribed by the rule of mixtures.
Predictions of structural homologies in cytochrome c proteins.

The helix probability profiles of the denatured forms of 27 species of cytochrome c proteins have been computed. As in an earlier paper, there is a good correlation between the pr0pensit.y of a residue to be helical in the denatured state and its occurrence in the helical regions of native horse and bonito ferricytochrome c. Despite amino acid substitutions, all but three of the cytochrome c’s have similar helix probability profiles. If the three-dimensional structures of all but these three are the same, then the substitutions preserve the helix-forming power of each amino acid. If the amino acid sequences of the three anomalous cytochrome c’s are correct, then it would be very desirable to have X-ray structures of these proteins to check the prediction that they differ from those for the horse and bonito proteins. In a previous paper (l), the helix probability profiles for 11 proteins in the denatured state were calculated using the Zimm-Bragg (2) formulation for the one-dimensional Ising model. A strong positive correlation was found between the propensity of a particular amino acid residue to be in the right-hand a-helical (c+J conformation in the denatured protein and its occurrence in a helical region in the globular structure of the corresponding native protein. These results supported earlier conclusions (3-5) that short-range interactions (in a linear sense) are very important in determining the conformations of the amino acid residues of a native protein. One of the proteins considered in the original set of 11 was horse ferricytochrome c for which only 47 % of the residues had been predicted correctly (1). However, with the
Pseudohemobilia: a case report

Case Presentation: Seventy eight year-old woman with hypertension, mitral valve replacement and coronary artery disease presented with melena and dizziness. She was alert, pale, had orthostatic changes in blood pressure and a positive stool hemoccult test. Orogastric tube lavage was clear. Her hematocrit dropped to 18% from her baseline of 35%. EGD revealed projectile drainage of blood from papilla of Vater along with bile. A diagnosis of hemobilia was made. Urgent celiac artery angiogram was unremarkable for a bleeding site. Hepatobiliary sonogram was normal. A duodenoscope could demonstrate bleeding close to the tip of papilla. EGD after 48 hours showed no bleeding. Colonoscopy did not demonstrate another bleeding source. She received blood transfusions and was discharged in a stable condition. Four months later she presented with melena for 1 day, with a hematocrit of 19% required blood transfusions. EGD showed no active bleeding. A duodenoscope revealed an arterio-venous malformation close to the opening of papilla of Vater.
Changes in mouse skin cyclic nucleotides during chemical carcinogenesis and tumor response to treatment with BCG, L-Dopa and cyclic DBAMP.

During chemical carcinogenesis by 9, 10-dimethyl 1,2-benzanthracene the cyclic AMP and GMP content was measured in the skin of mice. The tissue of the developing skin tumor is characterized by an elevated cyclic GMP- and a lowered cyclic AMP level. Consequently the quotient of cyclic AMP and GMP is greatly lowered and is discussed as a crucial factor of cell derangement. Complete regression of the tumor is to be achieved by increasing the cyclic AMP level by means of cyclic DBAMP and l-Dopa in 20% of the experimental animals. Additional stimulation by BCG of the unspecific immune defence has a favourable effect on tumor regression (about 50%). In a different type of tumor (solid Ehrlich carcinoma) it was possible after pretreatment of the mice with l-Dopa, cyclic DBAMP and BCG and after treatment following tumor injection to prevent tumor development in 67% of the animals.
Test and non-test cubes for diagnostic test generation based on merging of test cubes

Test generation by merging of test cubes supports test compaction and test data compression. This paper describes a new approach to the use of test cube merging for the generation of compact diagnostic test sets. For this the paper uses the new concept of non-test cubes. While a test cube for a fault fi0 detects the fault, a non-test cube for a fault fi1 prevents the fault from being detected. Merging a test cube for a fault fi0 and a non-test cube for a fault fi1 produces a diagnostic test cube that distinguishes the two faults. The paper describes a procedure for diagnostic test generation based on merging of test and non-test cubes. Experimental results demonstrate that compact diagnostic test sets are obtained.
CdO as the Archetypical Transparent Conducting Oxide. Systematics of Dopant Ionic Radius and Electronic Structure Effects on Charge Transport and Band Structure

A series of yttrium-doped CdO (CYO) thin films have been grown on both amorphous glass and single-crystal MgO(100) substrates at 410 degrees C by metal-organic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD), and their phase structure, microstructure, electrical, and optical properties have been investigated. XRD data reveal that all as-deposited CYO thin films are phase-pure and polycrystalline, with features assignable to a cubic CdO-type crystal structure. Epitaxial films grown on single-crystal MgO(100) exhibit biaxial, highly textured microstructures. These as-deposited CYO thin films exhibit excellent optical transparency, with an average transmittance of >80% in the visible range. Y doping widens the optical band gap from 2.86 to 3.27 eV via a Burstein-Moss shift. Room temperature thin film conductivities of 8,540 and 17,800 S/cm on glass and MgO(100), respectively, are obtained at an optimum Y doping level of 1.2-1.3%. Finally, electronic band structure calculations are carried out to systematically compare the structural, electronic, and optical properties of the In-, Sc-, and Y-doped CdO systems. Both experimental and theoretical results reveal that dopant ionic radius and electronic structure have a significant influence on the CdO-based TCO crystal and band structure: (1) lattice parameters contract as a function of dopant ionic radii in the order Y (1.09 A) Y > Sc; (3) the dopant d state has substantial influence on the position and width of the s-based conduction band, which ultimately determines the intrinsic charge transport characteristics.
Concepts in limb-sparing treatment of adult soft tissue sarcomas

Pretreatment assessment of patients with soft tissue sarcomas of the extremities requires careful attention to a biopsy approach that will establish the precise diagnosis and will not compromise the subsequent definitive operative procedure. Also, staging procedures are required to evaluate the status of both local and distant sites. Limb-sparing surgery for high grade extremity soft tissue sarcomas is a feasible and appropriate approach in approximately 90% of patients with such lesions. Wide gross surgical margins around the sarcoma are the optimal operative approach. Circumstantial evidence is convincing that local treatment failure can be reduced by adjuvant regional radiation treatment when surgical margins are narrow, and end results appear to be equal to those obtained by more extensive surgical resection alone. Adjuvant radiation following operation with optimal gross surgical margins has not been established as adding benefit. Although some groups treating soft tissue sarcomas do use intraarterial chemotherapy in conjunction with these other modalities, there is, as yet, no convincing evidence that this aspect of the multimodality treatment adds to local and/or systemic disease control. The efficacy of adjuvant systemic chemotherapy for high grade soft tissue sarcomas remains to be established within the context of prospective clinical trials.
Descriptions of Mature Larvae of the Bee Tribe Emphorini and Its Subtribes (Hymenoptera, Apidae, Apinae)

A description of the mature larvae of the bee tribe Emphorini based on representatives of six genera is presented herein. The two included subtribes, Ancyloscelidina and Emphorina, are also characterized and distinguished from one another primarily by their mandibular anatomy. The anatomy of abdominal segments 9 and 10 is investigated and appears to have distinctive features that distinguish the larvae of the tribe from those of related apine tribes.
Time Trend Estimation for a Geographic Region

Abstract We discuss a framework for estimation of temporal trend for an evolving spatial field. The spatial field is regularly sampled in time at arbitrary monitoring locations whose position may change over time. The estimation of time trend and the quantification of estimation error derives from a probabilistic model. We illustrate with an example involving the surface temperature field in the steppe region of eastern Europe.
Receptive field for dorsal cochlear nucleus neurons at multiple sound levels.

Neurons in the dorsal cochlear nucleus (DCN) exhibit nonlinearities in spectral processing, which make it difficult to predict the neurons’ responses to stimuli. Here, we consider two possible sour...
Image Based Flow Computations Without User Generated Meshes

Medical image processing has emerged as a powerful way to simulate fluid flows through realistic models of complex patient-specific geometries without relying upon simplifying geometric approximations. However, image-based flow modeling processes traditionally involve several steps (e.g. image segmentation, surface mesh generation, volumetric flow mesh generation, and finally computational simulation) that must often be performed using separate pieces of software. This work presents an alternative methodology in which the entire image-based flow modeling process takes place on a Cartesian domain with the image embedded as an implicit surface, circumventing the need for complex surface meshes and body-fitted flow meshes. The complete framework is demonstrated with flow calculations performed in a computed tomography (CT) image reconstruction of an intracranial aneurysm (ICA). Flow calculations are compared against calculations performed following a standard multi-step route using the Vascular Modeling Toolkit (VMTK) [1, 2] and Fluent™ (Ansys, Inc., Lebanon, NH).Copyright © 2013 by ASME
Processing of high molecular weight ovalbumin and ovomucoid precursor RNAs to messenger RNA

Abstract The existence of poly(A) sequences in the multiple high molecular weight forms of ovalbumin and ovomucoid nuclear RNA has been determined. The results indicate that all the bands observed in the total nuclear RNA including the largest (7.8 kb) were also detected in the poly(A) RNA. Kinetic labeling and chase experiments in oviduct tissue-suspension system indicated that the ovalbumin and ovomucoid high molecular weight RNAs which were labeled with a short-time incubation can be chased by cold nucleosides and actinomycin D into mature mRNAs. The largest RNAs labeled in this oviduct suspension system have a size of 7.8 kb for ovalbumin and 5.5 kb for ovomucoid, which correspond respectively to the "a" bands of steady state RNA. The processing of the precursors to mature mRNA was also examined by electron microscopic analysis, by hybridizing oviduct nuclear RNA to probes which were isolated from different segments of intervening DNA sequences and by measuring the turnover kinetics of specific intervening sequences present in cellular poly(A) RNA. The results indicate that the seven intervening sequence regions of the ovomucoid precursor are removed in a preferred but not necessarily an obligatory order.
Will the EU survive an Eastern European crisis

Austria has lent 70 percent of its gross domestic product to Eastern European countries. Even a modest default rate on these loans will cause the collapse of the Austrian financial system. Other Western European banks also have significant exposure to Eastern Europe, which is heavily indebted and likely to default. Will the European Union be able to survive this crisis? © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
A new catalytic transformation of diazo esters: hydride abstraction in dirhodium(II)-catalysed reactions

Secondary benzylic and allylic diazoacetates undergo dirhodium(II)-catalysed diazo decomposition to form, competitively or exclusively, ketone and vinylidene products from intramolecular hydride abstraction in catalyst ligand-dependent molar ratios.
The concentration dependence of sodium efflux from muscle.

Frog sartorius muscles subjected to overnight loading with Na+ in K-free Ringer in the cold were subsequently labeled with Na24 and then immersed in choline Ringer and the efflux of Na24 followed for 4 hours. The initial efflux of Na+ appeared to be 17 pmole/cm2 sec.; this value was maintained for 20 minutes and was followed by an abrupt decline to about 9 pmole/cm2 sec. This latter rate was maintained for the next 20 minutes of efflux. The efflux then declined gradually with time and reached values of the order of 0.1 pmole/cm2 sec. The back addition of counts lost from muscles enabled one to calculate the relationship between efflux and [Na]i for muscle. This roughly approximates an S-shaped curve with a value at half-saturation of about 17 mmole Na per liter of fiber water. The efflux-concentration curve is closely described by assuming that 3 Na+ are transported per carrier cycle.
Severe Multidirectional Instability in the Multiply Operated Shoulder: The Last Stand Before Arthrodesis

Multidirectional instability is symptomatic inferior instability with instability in at least one other direction. Patients presenting with recurrent multidirectional instability despite prior surgical stabilization present a difficult challenge for shoulder surgeons. Patients who have had multiple failed stabilizations with continued symptomatic instability may go on to require gleonhumeral arthrodesis. The kitchen sink procedure combines an inferior capsular shift, Nikola biceps tenodesis, and CHL reconstruction in a salvage type procedure in an effort to avoid glenohumeral arthrodesis.
Abstract 3274: Loss of interleukin 10 (IL-10) decreases mouse mammary gland development and lactogenic differentiation

Increased expression of IL-10 has been associated with a decreased breast cancer risk but the mechanism is not clear. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of IL-10 loss on mouse mammary gland development. Female wild-type and IL-10 knockout mouse littermates born to and raised by IL-10 +/− mothers were maintained under specific pathogen-free (SPF) condition with NIH31 diet. They were sacrificed at days 21, 50-55, 80, and 150 of postnatal age, and at day 2 of lactation. IL-10 loss had no effect on body weight at any age. Whole mounts and paraffin sections of mammary glands from wild type and IL-10 knockout mice were compared for changes in development, differentiation, and the presence of any preneoplastic histologic changes. Interactions between genotype and estrus stage were also examined. Despite its role as an anti-inflammatory immune regulator, IL-10 loss did not result in the enlargement of the intramammary lymph node or frank leukocyte infiltration under SPF condition. No significant differences in mammary gland development were observed in prepubertal glands (day 21). In the pubertal gland at day 50-55 of age, loss of IL-10 was associated with significantly decreased epithelial area, decreased terminal end buds, and decreased adipose tissue. This decrease in peripheral structures and terminal end buds was maintained at day 80 and day 150 of age. Pregnancy and lactogenesis was unable to rescue this phenotype: at day 2 of lactation, the IL-10 knockout mouse maintained a decreased lobular complexity and glandular area, accompanied by abnormal retention of large adipocytes, compared to wild-type mice, consistent with published reports of decreased pup growth in pups born to and raised by IL-10 knock-out mother. Lactating IL-10 knockout mice had a significant increase in abundance of cysts, but no other signs of hyperplasia or neoplasia were present. In conclusion, IL-10 loss decreases epithelial branching in the resting gland, resulting in a compromised differentiation during lactogenesis with decreased glandular area. Although the loss of IL-10 alone was not sufficient to induce frank neoplastic changes in the resting mouse mammary gland, our observation suggests a epithelial differentiation-promoting role of IL-10 which is consistent with its association with a decreased breast cancer risk. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 101st Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2010 Apr 17-21; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2010;70(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 3274.
Noninvasive detection of changes in cerebral blood flow by near-infrared spectroscopy in a piglet model of hydrocephalus.

Noninvasive Detection of Changes in Cerebral Blood Flow by Near-Infrared Spectroscopy in a Piglet Model of Hydrocephalus
Effect of Two-Way Air–Sea Coupling in High and Low Wind Speed Regimes

Abstract A recent advance in the Coupled Ocean–Atmosphere Mesoscale Prediction System (COAMPS) is described and used to study two-way air–sea coupling and its impact on two different weather scenarios. The first case examines the impact of a hurricane-induced cold ocean wake on simulated changes in the structure of Hurricane Katrina. The second case investigates the effect of wind- and current-induced island wakes and their impact on the local electromagnetic (EM) and acoustic propagation characteristics in the Southern California Bight region. In the Katrina case, both the atmosphere and ocean show a strong response from air–sea interaction. The model results show that wind-induced turbulent mixing, vertical advection, and horizontal advection are the three primary causes of the development of the trailing cold ocean wake. A distinct spatial separation is seen in these three primary forcing terms that are generating the bulk of the cooling in the ocean mixed layer. An asymmetric tropical cyclone structur...
Reducing the risk of hyperammonemia from transfusion of stored red blood cells

Ammonia concentration increases in red cell units (RBCs) during storage. We measured absolute amounts of ammonia (AA) per unit serially in stored RBCs and before and after removal of the supernatant by volume reduction (VR) or washing. Ammonia increased 6.4-fold in untreated units over 31 days. VR decreased AA 3.7-fold, whereas washing decreased it 38-fold (p < 0.0001). At least for certain patients, e.g., infants receiving large volume transfusions and patients in liver failure, it may be advisable to use RBCs as fresh as possible and to limit infusion (by VR or washing) of ammonia in the supernatant.
Factoring games to isolate strategic interactions

Game theoretic reasoning about multi-agent systems has been made more tractable by algorithms that exploit various types of independence in agents' utilities. However, previous work has assumed that a game's precise independence structure is given in advance. This paper addresses the problem of finding independence structure in a general form game when it is not known ahead of time, or of finding an approximation when full independence does not exist. We give an expected polynomial time algorithm to divide a bounded-payout normal form game into factor games that isolate independent strategic interactions. We also show that the best approximate factoring can be found in polynomial time for a specific interaction that is not fully independent. Once known, factors aide computation of game theoretic solution concepts, including Nash equilibria (or e-equilibria for approximate factors), in some cases guaranteeing polynomial complexity where previous bounds were exponential.
Effect of Pressure (Crust Formation) on Bread Crumb Grain Development

ABSTRACT Previous work showed that the critical changes in crumb grain occurred during the early stages of baking. Oven spring and crust formation also occurred during this time. To determine whether the stress caused as a result of expansion during oven spring was related to the deterioration of crumb grain, doughs were baked at different heating rates to produce different expansion rates in an electrical resistance oven (ERO). The heating rate did not affect crumb grain, thus showing that the stress developed during oven spring are not related to changes in crumb grain. Therefore, two flours were selected that produced bread of different crumb grains when baked conventionally. However, when the two flours were baked in the ERO they gave similar (and fine) crumb grains. The ERO produces bread with no crust. This suggests that pressure in the dough resulting from crust formation during baking is one factor that affects the crumb grain of bread. Adding weight to the surface of the loaf to simulate crust fo...
Esterification of palmitic acid in swine aortic microsomes

Abstract The incorporation of labeled palmitic acid into lipids was studied in swine aortic microsomes. The results showed that palmitic acid was actively incorporated into phospholipids and neutral lipids. Low fatty acid esterification was observed when cofactors (ATP, CoA, Mg 2+ , and F − ) were omitted from incubation medium. The incorporation of labeled palmitate into phospholipids was markedly stimulated by the addition of l -3-glycerophosphate or lysophosphatidylcholine, indicating that de novo synthesis and fatty acyl-CoA:lysophosphatidylcholine fatty acyltransferase are active in swine aortic microsomes. Predominantly labeling of phospholipids and especially of phosphatidylcholine was observed when l -3-glycerophosphate and lysophosphatidylcholine were used as fatty acid acceptors. Addition of 105,000 g supernatant fraction (S 105 ) stimulated the incorporation of labeled palmitate into diglycerides and triglycerides, whereas phospholipid synthesis was decreased.
Women’s Experiences of Female Ejaculation

Thirteen women responded to an open-ended questionnaire about their female ejaculation experiences. Responses are described from a phenomenological perspective. The major themes of responses include feelings of humiliation and shame or feelings of exploration and wonder, moving towards acceptance or acceptance tinged with resignation. Women explain their relationships to their bodies as well as their relationship to the ejaculation fluids and how this affects their sexual identities. The origins of their sexual fluids are mysterious. The stimulation needed for ejaculation differed among respondents, and was also found to occur separately from orgasm for some women. Ejaculation began at one of two distinct time points in the life course. This study supports the existence of female ejaculation as a common experience for some women, and proposes new areas for further exploration.
A premature consensus: are happiness and sadness truly opposite affects?

Within the debate on the structure of affect, a consensus began emerging in the last decade regarding the bipolarity of happiness–sadness. We argue that this consensus is premature. Focusing on the psychometrics of momentary affect, particularly happiness and sadness, and using a simulation study, a large-scale data set, and 2 experiments manipulating affect, we plot a map of affective space that departs from the consensus. One key departure is the finding that happiness and sadness are not bipolar opposites. Another is that nonuniform skewness plays a major role in studies of affective structure, but can be addressed with appropriate analyses.
Patterns of oral-nasal balance in normal speakers with and without cleft palate.

Objective: The aero-acoustic aspects of nasalization that distinguish speakers with velopharyngeal adequacy from those with velopharyngeal inadequacy are well known. Differences in aerodynamic aspects of nasalization also have been demonstrated in normal speakers with cleft palate and their noncleft counterparts. The purpose of this study was to compare the amplitude and temporal patterns of oral-nasal balance in speakers with cleft palate and normal speech to those with normal speech without cleft palate. Patients and Methods: Using the Nasal Accelerometric Vibrational Index technique, the time course and amplitude of oral-nasal balance were studied in 10 children with cleft palate and velopharyngeal adequacy and 10 noncleft controls. The speech sample included syllable, word, and sentence contexts, most of which were devoid of nasal consonants. Results: The results indicate few differences between the two groups in contexts devoid of nasal consonants. However, significant differences were evident with regard to temporal aspects of oral-nasal balance in a nasal-oral consonant word context. Conclusions: Subtle structural-motor differences that may exist between normal speakers with and without cleft palate may be more evident when the spatiotemporal requirements for velar movement become more complex and result in a greater possible combination of oral-nasal impedance ratios.
The Formula for the Volume Sampled by a Sweep Net

A formula is developed which allows sweep net data to be reported as the number of insects caught per unit volume of vegetation sampled. Presenting results in these absolute units will facilitate comparisons with other sampling methods and with other sweep net data when parameters of the sweeps employed differ.
High-Voltage Switches, Bushings, Lightning Arresters Experiences of the Southern California Edison Company on its 60,000, 150,000 and 220,000-Volt System

This paper describes the experiences of the Southern California Edison Company with oil switches on its 60-kv., 150-kv. and 220-kv. systems, with air break switches on its 220-kv. system, with bushings on its 60-kv., 150-kv. and 220-kv. systems, and with lightning arresters on all voltages from 11 kv. up. In some instances the experiences do not lead to unquestionable conclusions. This is particularly true in the case of lightning arresters. More nearly complete information in regard to actual occurrences will aid in drawing definite conclusions.
Small-angle neutron scattering of nanometer-size magnetic particles

Abstract Nanoscale Fe particles in an Al 2 O 3 matrix have been investigated by Small-Angle Neutron Scattering (SANS), in addition to SQUID magnetometry and Mossbauer spectroscopy. SANS data analysis indicates an increase of the ferromagnetic correlation length as the temperature decreases, with saturation at roughly the particle size. The amplitude of this scattering decreases with temperature, indicating that it is likely dynamic in origin. There is a second component of the SANS at the smallest wavevector transfers, which we believe arises from inter-particle correlations. The amplitude of this component increases with decreasing temperature, as expected for order parameter scattering.
Abstract 3144:Tgfbr1haploinsufficiency inhibits the development of murine mutantKras-induced pancreatic precancer

Proceedings: AACR 101st Annual Meeting 2010‐‐ Apr 17‐21, 2010; Washington, DC Abstract Transforming Growth Factor Beta (TGFβ) signaling can play dual roles in pancreatic tumor development. In human pancreatic cancer, loss of DPC4/smad4 has been observed in more than half of all pancreatic cancers. In vivo loss of either Smad4 or Tgfbr2 promotes pancreatic adenocarcinoma in mice expressing mutant Kras. Conversely, pharmacologically-induced reduction in Tgfbr1 kinase activity attenuates growth and metastasis of Panc1 cells orthotopically injected into mouse pancreas. To dissect the role of constitutively altered Tgfbr1 signaling in pancreatic cancer development, we crossed Elastase-KrasG12D (EL-Kras) mice with Tgfbr1 haploinsufficient mice to generate EL-Kras/Tgfbr1+/− mice. Mice were euthanized at 6-9 months to compare the incidence, frequency, and size of precancerous lesions in the pancreas. Only 50% of all EL-Kras/Tgfbr1+/− mice developed preinvasive lesions compared to 100% of EL-Kras (wild type Tgfbr1) mice. The frequency of precancerous lesions was 4-fold lower in haploinsufficient than in control mice. The mitotic index of precancerous cells and the observable levels of fibrosis, lipoatrophy, and lymphocytic infiltration were reduced in EL-Kras/Tgfbr1+/− mice. Tgfbr1 haploinsufficiency was demonstrated by decreased levels of psmad2, psmad3, and nuclear localization of psmad4 and was culminated by a reduction in the Tgfbr1: Tgfbr2 ratio in whole mouse pancreas, which was predominantly caused by increased Tgfbr2. Paradoxically, the precancerous lesions of EL-Kras/Tgfbr1+/− mice were considerably larger than those in EL-Kras mice, which was due, in part, to a reduced level of apoptosis. We conclude that Tgfbr1 signaling promotes the development of precancerous lesions in mice. These findings correlate with TGF-β signals that increase ECM deposition and augment immune responses and strongly suggest that Tgfbr1 haploinsufficiency may have a protective role with respect to early pancreatic cancer development. It is also possible that individuals with constitutively decreased TGFBR1 expression may have a decreased risk of pancreatic cancer. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 101st Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2010 Apr 17-21; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2010;70(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 3144.
Probing kink interactions with fermions

A dilute gas of kinks exhibits strong but short-ranged intrinsic interactions. When these intrinsic interactions are supplemented by other ''extrinsic'' interactions, a phase transition can occur in which kinks and antikinks bind to form a gas of bounces. The extrinsic interactions arise from the coupling of kinks to an additional degree of freedom, which we take to be a fermion field. The class of quantum-mechanical models which we study includes examples of supersymmetry. The way in which kinks and antikinks bind depends in detail on aspects of the intrinsic interactions. This structure is probably shared by field-theoretic models.
Technology for a robotic asteroid redirect mission

In-space transportation technology is the key to unlocking the material resources of near-Earth asteroids for the benefit of human spaceflight activities beyond low-Earth orbit. High-power solar electric propulsion, with power levels of around 50 kW represents the most capable, affordable, near-term propulsion technology available and is enabling for the capture and retrieval of entire small near-Earth asteroids. Future technology advances, stimulated by the successful retrieval of the first asteroid, will likely include scaling to higher power levels, operation at higher specific impulse levels, and ultimately the use of asteroid-derived materials as propellant.
Accumulation Rate in the Whole Blood of Market Turkeys Fed Prophylactic and Therapeutic Levels of Sulfadimethoxine

Abstract A study was conducted to determine the accumulation of sulfadimethoxine (SDM) in the blood of market turkeys. Fifty-two 12-week-old female turkeys were fed SDM at either prophylactic or therapeutic levels, .00625 and .03125% (w/w), respectively, for 24 days. A semiqualitative test, the Whole Blood Sulfa Test (WBST), was used to determine sulfa levels in the whole blood. Blood samples were obtained at 0, 3, 6, 12, and 24 hr for the first day for both groups after the incorporation of SDM in the feed. Blood sampling was continued at 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, and 24 days in the prophylactic treatment and at 2, 3, 12, and 24 days in the therapeutic treatment. Six birds were chosen at random from each drug level for the sampling period. The blood concentration of SDM reached a plateau of about 1 ppm after 15 days of feeding with the highest level of about 1.2 ppm attained at 14 days in the prophylactic treatment. In the therapeutic treatment, the level of SDM in the whole blood leveled at 24 hr at approximately 4 ppm, and the highest levels of 30 ppm were attained at 11 days on the drug.
A Protein-Based Electrochemical Biosensor Array Platform for Integrated Microsystems

This paper elucidates challenges in integrating different classes of proteins into a microsystem and presents an electrochemical array strategy for heterogeneous protein-based biosensors. The overlapping requirements and limitations imposed by biointerface formation, electrochemical characterization, and microsystem fabrication are identified. A planar electrode array is presented that synergistically resolves these requirements using thin film Au and Ag/AgCl electrodes on a dielectric substrate. Using molecular self-assembly, electrodes were modified by nano-structures of two diverse proteins, alkali ion-channel protein and alcohol dehydrogenase enzyme. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and cyclic voltammetry measurements were performed to characterize sensor response to alkali ion and alcohol, respectively. This work demonstrates the viability of the electrochemical microsystem platform for heterogeneous protein-based biosensor interfaces.
A low power architecture for online detection of execution errors in SMT processors

In highly scaled nano-CMOS devices, soft errors and aging defects are a design concern. Online detection of errors is necessary to address such errors. For online error detection in microprocessors, redundant execution of the entire pipeline has been studied. Software solutions for such re-execution impose significant performance penalty due to competition for execution resources between the main and the redundant threads, while hardware implementations incur large area overhead. Previously, researchers have proposed alternative low-cost mechanisms targeting only the execution stage of the processor pipeline. Earlier work, however, (i) neglects the effect of such redundant execution in simultaneous multi-threaded processors, (ii) neglects the energy overhead of such redundant execution and (iii) only focus on soft error detection, while neglecting detection of hard errors. In this paper, we extend the earlier work by addressing these shortcomings. Our studies indicate that prior solutions are either energy or performance efficient, but not both. Towards this end, we explore a hybrid scheme based on earlier work that is both energy and performance efficient. Results indicate that such a hybrid scheme may result in performance and energy improvement of 5% when compared to earlier solutions. This is a significant improvement since unlike previous schemes, the proposed scheme enables detection of both soft and hard errors.
Sun exposure and sunscreen use following a community skin cancer screening.

Background. In May 1988, a community skin cancer screening was held, and of the 251 individuals who attended, 214 (85%) completed a follow-up questionnaire. The objective of this study was to examine the associations among attitudes, knowledge, and behavior in those who had attended the screening. Results. Analysis showed that females were twice as likely to have false positive screening diagnoses as males (odds ratio 2.2; P = 0.06). Attitudes toward tanning were not correlated with knowledge about the harmful effects of excess sun exposure (rp = −0.02; P = 0.67) or with behaviors such as reported sun exposure (for positive attitude versus “poor” attitude, linear trend P < 0.11) and sunscreen use (linear trend P = 0.70). Behavior, defined as reported sunscreen use, was highly correlated with knowledge, both of the harmful effects of the sun and of the definition of SPF (linear trend P < 0.001). Sunscreen use was also associated with the younger age group (those less than 59, P < 0.05), female sex (P < 0.001), higher education (P < 0.05), and perceived risk for melanoma (P < 0.05). Conclusions. We conclude that more targeted education in the domain of knowledge would benefit males and those over the age of 59.
High-resolution in-vivo intra-arterial imaging with optical coherence tomography

High resolution imaging of intraarterial structure is necessary for the identification of high risk coronary plaque. Optical coherence tomography (OCT), a recently developed technology, is a compact, fiber optic based imaging modality with resolutions between 2-20 μm and real time image acquisition rate. Previous in vitro studies have demonstrated the capability of OCT to identify plaque morphology and distinguish plaques with high lipid content. This work demonstrates the feasibility for OCT imaging of in-vivo intraarterial structures. We demonstrate the detection of microstructural detail and the effects of blood on imaging. Saline injections were required during imaging to reduce the signal attenuation of blood. An axial resolution of 10 μm was achieved. Microstructure within the arterial wall was sharply defined and correlated with histology. OCT shows potential to assist in the risk stratification of plaques and the guidance of interventional procedures, such as stent deployment.
The International Symposium on Head Injuries.

N International Symposium on Head Injuries was held in two parts, in Edinburgh and Madrid in April, 1970, under the joint chairmanship of Professor John Gillingham of the Royal Infirmary and Dr. Sixto Obrador of the Social Security Hospital of La Paz. A publication of the Proceedings is planned but in the interval a commentary seems warranted because of the importance of the subject. It would be impossible in a short review to summarize the many papers given or to acknowledge the authors; rather an attempt will be made here to produce a digest of the views. It is evident that traffic accidents, considered at the Symposium as the primary etiological agent, have now assumed epidemic proportions. This is truer in the "overdeveloped" countries than in the developing ones, though even in many of the latter the urban problems are significant. It was recognized that alcohol is a grave precipitating factor, being involved in 50% of the deaths in some urban areas. Considerable concern was also expressed over the possible consequences of the worldwide increase in the use of drugs as an additional cause of slowing the driver's reaction time. Australian studies indicate very clearly the importance of the driver's attitudes in the creation of accidents; one of seven individuals involved in fatal crashes on that continent has a criminal record in contrast to one in 20 in the general population. A plea was made for international standards of driver training and accreditation. The need for improvement in road design and lighting and the provision of more effective protective devices such as the inflatable bag to reduce impact injuries were emphasized. Considerable stress was placed on community planning in anticipation of emergency situations, and a film was shown entitled, "Before the Emergency," which is available through the Film Library of the American College of Surgeons. This film demonstrated facilities for roadside care provided by one small rural resort area in the State of Wisconsin, and emphasized that the time to plan is before rather than after tragedy. Analysis of the mechanisms of head injury emphasized the millisecond nature of the actual impact. One entire session, with participation by ophthalmologists and otorhinolaryngologists, was devoted to the injuries of the face and jaw that may be associated with head injury. It was pointed out that the deafness resulting from disruption of the ossicular chain may be improved by reconstruction of the chain. Nor was the near 10% coincidence of cervical fractures and dislocations overlooked. The need for adequate cervical films in all head injuries was emphasized. There was extended discussion of immediate roadside care and its role in the prevention of "the second accident," a euphemism used to label the mishandling provided by inept individuals, whether passersby or untrained ambulance crews. The possible value of inclusion of physicians as a part of the
The Decline and Fall of the Mongol Empire

When historians explain the end of empires, they often follow a ‘decline and fall’ paradigm which owes its fame to Edward Gibbon's great book on the Roman Empire. Recent historians of Late Antiquity, however, have tended to doubt its validity. This article considers the reasons for the end of the Mongol Empire of the thirteenth and fourteenth centuries. It examines the division of the empire into four khanates, the eventual collapse of each of which is then studied. It suggests that the khanates which retained more of their original nomadic ethos – the Golden Horde in the Pontic steppes and the Chaghatai Khanate in Central Asia – were able to survive longer than those – in the Ilkhanate in Persia and the Great Khanate in China and Mongolia – which had their centres in sedentary lands. It concludes that in all cases, ‘fall’ was the result of internal factors, about which there was nothing that was inevitable, and that there is little evidence of a long ‘decline’. Hence the ‘decline and fall’ paradigm does not seem to provide an adequate explanatory framework.
pH-Dependent Growth and Morphology of Multilayer Dendrimer/Poly(acrylic acid) Films

Because hyperbranched poly(amidoamine) dendrimers are relatively well-defined polycations with a high density of charge, they provide unique materials for controlled synthesis of films by alternating electrostatic adsorption of polycations and polyanions. Thicknesses of generation 4 (G4) dendrimer/poly(acrylic acid) (PAA) “bilayers” can be tuned from 2000 A simply by varying deposition pH, while generation 8 (G8) dendrimer/PAA bilayers can be as thick as 4000 A. The highest thicknesses occur when using deposition pH values at which PAA and dendrimers are only partially charged, and the thickest films show high surface roughnesses, which may in part account for the rapid film growth. Deposition of dendrimer/PAA films on porous alumina supports yields highly gas-permeable membranes. This is in sharp contrast to the case of poly(allylamine hydrochloride)/PAA films, which allow little gas flux. Dendrimer/PAA films can also be induced to form microporous coatings through pH- and salt-induced structural...
Focal segmental glomerulosclerosis associated with nephrotic syndrome in cholesterol atheroembolism: Clinicopathological correlations

To better characterize the heavy proteinuria occasionally described in cholesterol atheroembolic renal disease (CAE), we reviewed the clinical features and histological findings of 24 patients found at renal biopsy to have CAE. Twelve (50%) had a typical clinical presentation soon after an invasive vascular procedure. Eight (33%) underwent biopsies to evaluate proteinuria and four (17%) with insidiously developing renal failure to exclude rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis. All had usual and similar risk factors for CAE; 71% were male, 96% had peripheral vascular disease, 79% had recently undergone an invasive vascular procedure, 74% were hypercholesterolemic, and all were hypertensive. Proteinuria was higher and serum creatinine lower in the proteinuria group. In the nine (38%) nephrotic patients, serum creatinine measurements were lower (2.7 +/- 1.2 v 5.6 +/- 2.4 mg/dL), duration of renal disease to biopsy longer, and time from biopsy to dialysis greater (23.5 +/- 14.8 v 0.03 +/- 0.098 mo, P < 0.05 for all). Focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) was observed in 15 (63%) of the biopsy specimens. Although FSGS itself did not occur more commonly in nephrotic patients, these patients did have a higher fraction of segmentally sclerosed glomeruli (0.158 +/- 0.097 v 0.026 +/- 0.050, P < 0.01). A variant of FSGS, the cellular lesion with epithelial cell prominence and capillary loop collapse, was observed in 7 of 9 (78%) patients with nephrotic-range proteinuria, but in only 3 of 12 (25%) patients with lesser degrees of protein excretion (P < 0.05). The cellular lesion was accompanied by higher mean proteinuria, 7.6 +/- 4.3 versus 2.1 +/- 2.4 g/24 hr (P < 0.01). In a larger group of patients with a similar age range as the CAE group who were identified by search of a computerized biopsy database, membranous nephropathy was the only other form of idiopathic glomerulonephritis that occurred with CAE. One of 82 (1.2%) patients with membranous nephropathy also had CAE, compared with 20 of 102 (19.6%) with FSGS (P < 0.0002, chi2). Thus, the finding of FSGS with CAE was not coincidence. Mean follow-up was 20 +/- 26 months (range, 0 to 103 months). Six patients (25%) were followed-up at least 3 years after renal biopsy. These findings indicate that extended survival in CAE is not rare and that heavy proteinuria occurs as part of a chronic disorder with distinctive histological features. Cholesterol atheroembolism with FSGS should be considered in the differential diagnosis of nephrotic syndrome in elderly patients with advanced atherosclerosis.