cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Daily timed meals dissociate circadian rhythms in hepatoma and healthy host liver.

Dividing cells, including human cancers, organize processes necessary for their duplication according to circadian time. Recent evidence has shown that disruption of central regulation of circadian rhythms can increase the rate at which a variety of cancers develop in rodents. In order to study circadian rhythms in liver tumors, we have chemically induced hepatocellular carcinoma in transgenic rats bearing a luciferase reporter gene attached to the promoter of a core circadian clock gene (Period 1). We explanted normal liver cells and hepatomas, placed them into short-term culture, and precisely measured their molecular clock function by recording light output. Results show that isolated hepatocellular carcinoma is capable of generating circadian rhythms in vitro. Temporally restricting food availability to either day or night altered the phase of the rhythms in both healthy and malignant tissue. However the hepatomas were much less sensitive to this signal resulting in dramatically different phase relationships between host and tumor tissue as a function of mealtime. These data support the conclusion that hepatoma is differentially sensitive to circadian timing signals, although it maintains the circadian organization of the non-malignant cells from which it arose. Because circadian clocks are known to modulate the sensitivity of many therapeutic cytotoxic targets, controlling mealtiming might be used to increase the efficacy of treatment. Specifically, meal and treatment schedules could be designed that take advantage of coincident times of greatest tumor sensitivity and lowest sensitivity of host tissue to damage.
Influence of bile acids on cholesterol metabolism in the mouse.

SummaryFeeding various bile acids to mice for 3 weeks had the following effects: 1. Cholic acid increased hepatic and intestinal cholesterol levels, but had no effect on kidney cholesterol. It decreased hepatic cholesterol synthesis rates, but had no effect on intestinal synthesis rates. 2. Hyodeoxycholic and lithocholic acids decreased liver cholesterol levels. Hyodeoxycholic acid had no effect on intestine and kidney cholesterol, or on intestinal cholesterol-x-C14. Both acids effected large increases in hepatic cholesterol synthesis. 3. Deoxycholic acid significantly decreased liver, small intestine and kidney cholesterol levels. It also decreased hepatic cholesterol synthesis. 4. Results of this study suggest that homeostatic control of cholesterol metabolism in tissues other than liver is independent of hepatic control.
Frontier Land Use Change: Synthesis, Challenges, and Next Steps

Abstract Profound social, economic, and environmental changes that include new land management practices are often associated with advancing agricultural frontiers. We argue that existing approaches to case studies do not allow for clear generalization or the systematic testing of hypotheses. As an alternative, our study uses Mill's method of agreement approach to synthesize results from seven long-term case studies of land cover change in frontier areas. We identify a number of generalizations that hold across the specific case studies. We also identify changes in the spatial organization of land use in agricultural frontier areas, which are typically characterized by agricultural expansion, growing population, and transportation improvements. We then evaluate the methodological strengths and weaknesses of Mill's method of agreement based on use in this study. Finally, we argue that agent-based models, using virtual landscapes and the logic of demographic standardization, are an important next step to fa...
Covalent binding of the endogenous estrogen 16 alpha-hydroxyestrone to estradiol receptor in human breast cancer cells: characterization and intranuclear localization

Abstract The interactions of 16 alpha-hydroxyestrone (16 alpha-OHE1), a metabolite of estradiol (E2), with estrogen receptors (ERs) were compared in this study to the classic E2-receptor mechanism in human breast cancer cells MCF-7 in culture. When MCF-7 cells were incubated with radioinert 16 alpha-OHE1 or its 3H-labeled form for 4 weeks, the estrogen bound extensively and irreversibly in a time-dependent fashion to nuclear protein species that correspond to the ER. Here we show that the interactions of 16 alpha-OHE1 with the ER are different from those of E2 with the receptor. Dissociation of tritiated E2-ER or 16 alpha-OHE1-ER complexes, salt extraction, DNase and proteinase K digestion, and ethanol treatment demonstrated that the binding of 16 alpha-OHE1 to the ER corresponds to two different forms: a classical noncovalent interaction similar to that of E2, and a covalent adduct formation between the metabolite and the ER. These complexes localized preferentially in nuclear matrix components as revealed by cell fractionation and probing with a monoclonal anti-ER antibody. [3H]16 alpha-OHE1-ER complexes analyzed by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis demonstrated a radiolabeled band at approximately 66 kDa that was absent when the exposure of cells was done in the presence of E2 in competition and that was also absent in [3H]E2 incubations. The present results when considered together with our previous findings of elevated activities of estrogen 16 alpha-hydroxylase, the enzyme responsible for the formation of 16 alpha-OHE1, in breast cancer patients and in women at enhanced risk for the disease, suggest that covalent modification of the ER may be one mechanism of malignant transformation in estrogen target tissues.
Framing the Cubas narrative: The American dream and the capitalist reality

This paper analyzes news coverage of Major League Baseball agent Joe Cubas and his clients, defecting Cuban ballplayers. Based on the political, economic and social orientation of the media, we argue that the stories about Cubas are framed in a way which reifies the dominant ideology of the materialist mythos of the American Dream. This analysis of more than 30 news stories suggests that the “Cubas Narrative”; presents anecdotal evidence justifying the American “rags‐to‐riches”; Dream, framed against a vilified Communist Cuba. We suggest that the processes of selection, emphasis, and exclusion are employed in the Cubas Narrative to marginalize any aspects of the story which call that Dream into question. An alternative framing for the Cubas Narrative would illustrate a reality in which freedom and opportunity are accorded to those who can advance a multi‐billion dollar business, while denied to those who cannot. We conclude that the Cubas Narrative provides a poignant example of how the news media's frami...
Viscoelastic hinge formation in beams

A constitutive equation for nonlinear viscoelasticity is used to model the mechanical response of solid polymers such as polycarbonate. The nonlinearity arises from a reduced time variable which causes stress relaxation to occur faster as strain increases. This constitutive equation is used to study the consequences of the interaction of the acceleration of stress relaxation with strain and the spatial variation of strain within the context of the structural theory of beams undergoing small displacements. Two examples are presented — a cantilever beam under a concentrated force at the tip and a simply supported beam with an off center concentrated force. The regions with the greatest bending moments are also the regions of asccelerated stress relaxation. It is shown that there is a time after the transverse loads are applied when the stresses at the outer material elements in these cross sections decrease to such an extent that the location of the maximum stress begins to move to the interior of the cross section. In addition, the curvature begins to increase rapidly. The effect is analogous to that which occurs during the development of a plastic hinge in the context of elastic-perfectly plastic materials. These events can be interpreted as the onset and growth of a “viscoelastic hinge”.
Accurate lithography hotspot detection based on PCA-SVM classifier with hierarchical data clustering

As technology nodes continues shrinking, layout patterns become more sensitive to lithography processes, resulting in lithography hotspots that need to be identied and eliminated during physical verication. In this paper, we propose an accurate hotspot detection approach based on PCA (principle component analysis)-SVM (support vector machine) classier. Several techniques, including hierarchical data clustering, data balancing, and multi-level training, are provided to enhance performance of the proposed approach. Our approach is accurate and more ecient than conventional time-consuming lithography simulation; in the meanwhile, provides high exibility to adapt to new lithography processes and rules.
Abstract SY16-02: microRNA regulation of the tumor angiogenic switch

Proceedings: AACR 102nd Annual Meeting 2011‐‐ Apr 2‐6, 2011; Orlando, FL Endothelial cells (EC) in the adult mammal are among the least proliferative cell types, with about 1 in 10,000 cells entering the cell cycle at any given time. Such a degree of quiescence is rapidly reversed in response to growth factors during pathological neovascularization, particularly during tumorigenesis. This robust proliferative switch of the quiescent endothelium is a complex process governed by intricate checks and balances. Recently, small 22-nt RNAs termed microRNAs (miR) have been identified as important regulators of several physiological processes including angiogenesis. To identify microRNAs that activate might regulate the tumor angiogenic switch, we profiled miRs in both human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) treated with angiogenic growth factors VEGF or FGF and in a human embryonic stem (hES) cell vasculogenesis model in which hES cell derived embryoid bodies form well-defined, endothelial networks. We show here that microRNA miR-132 represents an angiogenic switch by targeting p120RasGAP in quiescent endothelium inducing neovascularization. miR-132 was highly expressed in the endothelium of human tumors and hemangiomas yet was undetectable in normal endothelium. Ectopic expression of miR-132 in endothelial cells increased their proliferation and tube-forming capacity while intraocular injection of anti-miR-132 blocked postnatal retinal vascular development in mice. Among its likely targets, miR-132 only impacted p120RasGAP expression, identified in normal but not tumor endothelium. Accordingly, endothelial expression of miR-132 suppressed p120RasGAP levels and increased Ras activity while a miR-resistant version of p120RasGAP reversed the miR-132-induced vascular response. Importantly, anti-miR-132 failed to inhibit angiogenesis in mice with an inducible deletion of p120RasGAP. Finally, vascular-targeted nanoparticle delivery miof anti-miR-132 restored p120RasGAP in the tumor endothelium, where it suppressed angiogenesis and inhibited breast cancer in mice. Therefore, miR-132 acts as an angiogenic switch by suppressing endothelial p120RasGAP expression leading to Ras activation and the induction of neovascularization, whereas the application of anti-miR-132 prevents this effect by maintaining vessels in the resting state. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 102nd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2011 Apr 2-6; Orlando, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2011;71(8 Suppl):Abstract nr SY16-02. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2011-SY16-02
How much do Manhattan-arrestees spend on drugs?

Abstract Introduction: Information about individuals’ drug expenses can indicate much about the size of drug markets, the financial burden of use, drug-related crime, and potential challenges for treatment. Most often, expenses have been estimated holistically by asking respondents to report how much they spent. In 2000, the Arrestee Drug Abuse Monitoring (ADAM) program introduced an advanced questionnaire using a series of highly specific questions like, “how much cash did you pay for crack that last time you bought it?” Methods: This paper describes a procedure for estimating arrestees’ drug expenses with the new ADAM questionnaire, discusses pitfalls in interpretation, presents findings for 2979 ADAM-Manhattan respondents interviewed 2000–2002, examines covariates of drug expense, and compares the 2000–2002 findings with those obtained from 2256 respondents interviewed 1998–1999 with the previous questionnaire. Results: Among 2000–2002 arrestees, median drug expense in the past 30 days varied widely with frequency of use and drug-user type. Infrequent marijuana-only users spent as little as $5, daily marijuana-only users spent about $600. Arrestees that used both heroin and cocaine spent over $1000. Estimates with the 1998–1999 data were about half as large. Discussion: ADAM’s new drug market questions may greatly advance the quality of estimates of drug expenses. However, further research is needed to better establish the estimator’s accuracy.
Thin films of cubic boron nitride on silicon

Abstract Thin films of cubic boron nitride were grown on Si(100) surfaces using an ion-beam-assisted physical vapour deposition process. We studied the film microstructure with transmission electron microscopy and selected-area electron diffraction. The films are polycrystalline with a grain size as large as 0.4 μm. Sometimes individual grains are found to extend through the film. Electron diffraction and large-angle tilting were used to identify clearly the structure as cubic boron nitride. Multiple twins on {111} planes are abundant in individual grains, as revealed by electron diffraction.
Workers’ Compensation, Fibromyalgia, and Kafka

In this issue of The Journal Mary-Ann Fitzcharles and colleagues present statistics describing the appeals process for patients with “fibromyalgia” (FM) whose indemnity claim for workers’ compensation had been denied by the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB) of Ontario, Canada1. No doubt these descriptive statistics will be of interest to and even have use for those involved in this process in Ontario. They may even be relevant to actuaries and policy-makers in other jurisdictions. But are they of interest to anyone else? In particular, are they of interest to rheumatologists who are not involved in the workers’ compensation indemnity scheme of Ontario? I will argue the affirmative; this process is a window on the social construction of illness and on the role of the physician in determination of disability. I have a personal bias in that this fascination has captured a great deal of my scholarly efforts for many decades. A recent monograph bears witness and hopefully can imbue the reader with a similar level of interest2. Workers’ compensation indemnity schemes made landfall in North America almost exactly a century ago. However, unlike the Prussian precedent that swept Europe country by country, this species of social legislation was met with a politic that resulted in distinctive programs in each Canadian province and American state. All these schemes were designed to serve a particular ethic: any worker who is injured in the course of working should not fear for loss of wages while recovering from the injury or after recovery. The initial notion of “injury” was straightforward, the damage that resulted from a violent event. Injury of this nature still accounts for the vast majority of … Address correspondence to Dr. N.M. Hadler, UNC 3330 Thurston Building, CB 7280, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-7280, USA. E-mail: nmh{at}med.unc.edu
Diode-pumped ytterbium-doped Sr/sub 5/(PO/sub 4/)/sub 3/F laser performance

The performance of the first diode-pumped Yb/sup 3+/-doped Sr/sub 5/(PO/sub 4/)/sub 3/F (Yb:S-FAP) solid-state laser is discussed. An InGaAs diode array has been fabricated that has suitable specifications for pumping a 3/spl times/3/spl times/30 mm Yb:S-FAP rod. The saturation fluence for diode pumping was deduced to be 5.5 J/cm/sup 2/ for the particular 2.8 kW peak power diode array utilized in our studies. This is 2.5/spl times/ higher than the intrinsic 2.2 J/cm/sup 2/ saturation fluence as is attributed to the 6.5 nm bandwidth of our diode pump array. The small signal gain is consistent with the previously measured emission cross section of 6.0/spl times/10/sup -20/ cm/sup 2/, obtained from a narrowband-laser pumped gain experiment. Up to 1.7 J/cm/sup 3/ of stored energy density was achieved in a 6/spl times/6/spl times/44 mm Yb:S-FAP amplifier rod. In a free running configuration, diode-pumped slope efficiencies up to 43% (laser output energy/absorbed pump energy) were observed with output energies up to /spl sim/0.5 J per 1 ms pulse. When the rod was mounted in a copper block for cooling, 13 W of average power was produced with power supply limited operation at 70 Hz with 500 /spl mu/s pulses.
Runtime leakage power estimation technique for combinational circuits

This paper carefully examines subthreshold leakage during circuit operation (runtime) and develops a novel analysis technique to capture this important effect, which is currently ignored in traditional steady-state leakage calculation approaches. We implement novel dynamic and static estimation methods that provide significant speed improvements over full SPICE simulations and yield estimation errors of approximately 12% on average compared to more than 2times errors in steady-state based subthreshold leakage analysis.
THE EXPRESSION OF SURFACE ANTIGEN LEU 1 BY OCULAR ADNEXAL LYMPHOID NEOPLASMS

Abstract Leu 1 is a surface membrane antigen expressed by benign systemic T cells, most cases of B-cell-derived chronic lymphocytic leukemia, and approximately one half of the systemic B-cell lymphomas. Benign systemic B cells are Leu 1 - . Our studies showed that the percentage of Leu 1 + cells was essentially the same as the percentage of OKT3 + E + (T) cells in six ocular adnexal pseudolymphomas, strongly suggesting that the benign B cells in these lesions were similarly Leu 1 - . These studies also showed that malignant B cells in six of 15 (40%) ocular B-cell lymphomas were Leu 1 + . Thus, the expression of Leu 1 by some malignant ocular adnexal B cells but not by benign ocular adnexal B cells appears to be analogous to the situation for lymph nodal and other systemic B cells. Although the explanation for the existence of this shared determinant is unknown, Leu 1 expression may possess clinical and diagnostic significance as a marker of neoplastic B cells
The Utility of a Developmentally Based Quadrant Classification Model of Co-occurring Substance Use and Depressed Mood in Adolescents

Objective: This article investigates the utility of the quadrant classification of co-occurring substance use and depressed mood in adolescents. The addition of developmentally risky but diagnostically subthreshold symptoms was hypothesized to improve the utility of co-occurring disorder classification. Methods: Data from the 2008 National Survey of Drug Use and Health were utilized. Adolescents were classified by severity of depression and substance abuse symptoms into single and co-occurring disorder groups. Results: Lowering the depression and substance use thresholds for categorizing adolescents as having co-occurring disorders maintained the utility of the quadrant model co-occurring disorders classification system and marginally improved the prediction of service utilization. Conclusions: The quadrant model of classification is appropriate for adolescents. The inclusion of developmental risk factors in addition to diagnostic indicators is useful in predicting a broad population of adolescents who us...
Imaging Synaptic Neurotransmission with in Vivo Binding Competition Techniques: A Critical Review

Several groups have provided evidence that positron emission tomography (PET) and single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) neuroreceptor imaging techniques might be applied to measure acute fluctuations in dopamine (DA) synaptic concentration in the living human brain. Competition between DA and radioligands for binding to D2 receptor is the principle underlying this approach. This new application of neuroreceptor imaging provides a dynamic measurement of neurotransmission that is likely to be informative to our understanding of neuropsychiatric conditions. This article reviews and discusses the body of data supporting the feasibility and potential of this imaging paradigm. Endogenous competition studies performed in rodents, nonhuman primates, and humans are first summarized. After this overview, the validity of the model underlying the interpretation of these imaging data is critically assessed. The current reference model is defined as the occupancy model, since changes in radiotracer binding potential (BP) are assumed to be directly caused by changes in occupancy of D2 receptors by DA. Experimental data supporting this model are presented. The evidence that manipulation of DA synaptic levels induces change in the BP of several D2 radiotracers (catecholamines and benzamides) is unequivocal. The fact that these changes in BP are mediated by changes in DA synaptic concentration is well documented. The relationship between the magnitude of BP changes measured with PET or SPECT and the magnitude of changes in DA concentration measured by microdialysis supports the use of these noninvasive techniques to measure changes in neurotransmission. On the other hand, several observations remain unexplained. First, the amphetamine-induced changes in the BP of D2 receptor antagonists [123I]IBZM and [11C]raclopride last longer than amphetamine-induced changes in DA extracellular concentration. Second, nonbenzamide D2 receptor antagonists, such as spiperone and pimozide, are not affected by changes in DA release, or are affected in a direction opposite to that predicted by the occupancy model. Similar observations are reported with D1 radiotracers. These results suggest that the changes in BP following changes in DA concentration might not be fully accounted by a simple occupancy model. Specifically, the data are reviewed supporting that agonist-mediated receptor internalization might play an important role in characterizing receptor-ligand interactions. Finally, it is proposed that a better understanding of the mechanism underlying the effects observed with benzamides is essential to develop this imaging technique to other receptor systems.
Characterization and Detection of Uranyl Ion Sorption on Silver Surfaces Using Surface Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy

The study of the chemical behavior of uranyl species and its rapid detection is of primary environmental and nonproliferation concern. Herein, we report on a surface enhanced Raman spectroscopic study of uranyl ion (UO22+) sorption onto the thermally vapor deposited silver particle surface. The ability of vibrational spectroscopy to characterize surface phenomenon and the remarkable sensitivity of surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) have been introduced as an appropriate combination for the surface characterization and detection of UO22+ onto the silver surface. The appearance of symmetric stretching frequency of UO22+ around 700 cm−1 and the disappearance of the 854 cm−1 band are attributed to the development of a chemical bond between silver surface and uranyl species. The effects of temperature, solute−surface interaction time, and pH have been studied using silver modified polypropylene filter (PPF) substrates. Results show that under appropriate conditions, the concentration of uranyl ion as l...
Modeling Temporal Pattern and Event Detection using Hidden Markov Model with Application to a Sludge Bulking Data

Abstract This paper discusses a method of modeling temporal pattern and event detection based on Hidden Markov Model (HMM) for a continuous time series data. We also provide methods for checking model adequacy and predicting future events. These methods are applied to a real example of sludge bulking data for detecting sludge bulking for a water plant in Chicago.
Invisibility Blues: From Pop to Theory

In the shifting and conflicting currents of recent cultural criticism, no space is more ambiguous or difficult to define than that held by black feminism. In this new book, Michele Wallace poses the historical and conceptual questions which an emergent black feminist theory address. The author begins with a consideration of the work of her mother, the artist Faith Ringgold, and moves on to recollections of her own early life in Harlem, and an account of her development as a writer in the 1970s. She examines the collective legacy with which black artists - from Zora Neale Hurston and Ntozake Shange, to Spike Lee and Michael Jackson - must contend in carving out a distinctive cultural practice. Wallace's book marks a new departure in contemporary criticism, as she combines the flair of a popular journalist with the rigor of a committed scholar. Invisibility Blues is certain to become a landmark in cultural studies and a fundamental document in the history of black feminism.
Three perspectives on the limit of a function

The purpose of this article is to discuss the evaluation of the limit of a function in three ways. First the calculation is done, using L'Hopital's rule. The second method uses Taylor expansions of functions. The third method is based on graphical interpretation. Maple software provides the necessary framework for all the above discussions. The purpose is clearly to show that a better understanding of this challenging evaluation can be achieved by using all the above tools provided by technology.
A simple assay for human factor IX: Use of canine hemophilia B plasma as substrate

Abstract A one stage clotting assay for human Factor IX based on the partial thromboplastin time which employs canine hemophilia B plasma as substrate is described. The assay system is more sensitive in the detection of small amounts of human Factor IX than previously reported methods using human congenitally deficient plasmas in addition to being faster and safer for the technician.
Effectiveness of a Free Exercise Program in a Neighborhood Park.

Background Faculty, students, and alumni in a university-based kinesiology program developed an innovative model for health promotion practice by partnering with the local park administration in San Fernando, California to offer these exercise classes for free in a low-income, predominantly Latino neighborhood park. The classes were taught by students as practical training for academic credit.
The crystal and molecular structure of trans -cyano triethylenetetramine cobalt(III) perchlorate

Abstract The crystal and molecular structure of trans-cyano-triethylenetetramine cobalt(III) perchlorate has been determined from three-dimensional X-ray diffraction data collected on a four-circle diffractometer with scintillation counter. The compound crystallizes in space group P21/n with a = 9.85, b = 22.35, c = 6.68 A, β = 100.9°, and Z = 4. The structure was solved by conventional Patterson and Fourier techniques and full-matrix least squares refinement of 3314 observed reflections (Fobs>3σF) gave a final discrepancy factor of 0.123. The complex has a distorted octahedral configuration with the trien ligand equatorially coordinated. The bonding mode of the CN group is through the carbon.
On martensitic phase nucleation with surface effects

Abstract C ontinuum treatments of martensitic phase transitions are capable of accounting for a variety of surface effects caused by the interaction of coexisting phases of a material. Such phenomena are thought to play a critical role in determining the size, shape and stability of nucleated embryos as well as to affect the conditions under which nucleation occurs. These issues are examined within a purely mechanical context with the interaction modeled by traction and energy fields defined on the interface between phases. A class of isotropic, hyperelastic materials is introduced that is capable of modeling the dilatational component of martensitic phase transformations. Such materials are considered in a noninertial, axisymmetric setting that provides a means of exploring a variety of surface effects. Here nucleation events are modeled as deterministic, temporal shocks that are global in spatial extent, and a criterion for nucleation is suggested that is based on the energy available to create an embryo composed of a new phase. The model presented does more than capture the desired surface effects. It shows how they are related to specific assumptions regarding the constitution of interfaces. Three different types of interface are presented that serve to illustrate this.
Auto/Ethnography: Rewriting the Self and the Social

Auto/Ethnography: Rewriting the Self and the Social. Deborah E. Reed-Danahay. ed. New York: Berg, 1997. xiv. 277 pp., contributors, notes, bibliography, index.
Safely selecting subsets of training data

Highly versatile classifiers for document analysis systems demand representative training sets which can be dauntingly large, often challenging conventional trainable classifier technologies. We propose to select a small subset of training data, matched to each particular test set, in hopes of improved speed without loss of accuracy. Since selection must occur on line, we cannot use classifiers that require off-line training. Fortunately, Nearest Neighbors classifiers support on-line training; we use a fast approximate kNN technology using hashed k-D trees. The distribution of samples in k-D bins can be used to measure similarity between any two document images: we select the three most similar training images for any given test image. In experiments on a document image content extraction system, our algorithm was able to prune 118 training images to three, for a speedup of a factor of 17 with no loss of accuracy. Other experiments with an oracle and manual selection suggest that it may be possible to improve accuracy as well.
Using classification trees to detect induced sow lameness with a transient model

Feet and legs issues are some of the main causes for sow removal in the US swine industry. More timely lameness detection among breeding herd females will allow better treatment decisions and outcomes. Producers will be able to treat lame females before the problem becomes too severe and cull females while they still have salvage value. The objective of this study was to compare the predictive abilities and accuracies of weight distribution and gait measures relative to each other and to a visual lameness detection method when detecting induced lameness among multiparous sows. Developing an objective lameness diagnosis algorithm will benefit animals, producers and scientists in timely and effective identification of lame individuals as well as aid producers in their efforts to decrease herd lameness by selecting animals that are less prone to become lame. In the early stages of lameness, weight distribution and gait are impacted. Lameness was chemically induced for a short time period in 24 multiparous sows and their weight distribution and walking gait were measured in the days following lameness induction. A linear mixed model was used to determine differences between measurements collected from day to day. Using a classification tree analysis, it was determined that the mean weight being placed on each leg was the most predictive measurement when determining whether the leg was sound or lame. The classification tree’s predictive ability decreased as the number of days post-lameness induction increased. The weight distribution measurements had a greater predictive ability compared with the gait measurements. The error rates associated with the weight distribution trees were 29.2% and 31.3% at 6 days post-lameness induction for front and rear injected feet, respectively. For the gait classification trees, the error rates were 60.9% and 29.8% at 6 days post-lameness induction for front and rear injected feet, respectively. More timely lameness detection can improve sow lifetime productivity as well as animal welfare.
Morphologic and clinical determinants of response to therapy in small cell carcinoma of the lung

The authors reviewed a series of 29 cases of small cell carcinoma of the lung in order to determine the influence of histologic type and other prognostic factors on response to combination chemotherapy and survival. Comparing classical (lymphocyte-like and fusiform) versus nonclassical histologic types (polygonal and other), no significant difference could be found in response to therapy (CR + PR 11/16 versus 8/11), median survival (7 versus 6 months) or median survival of responders (9 versus 10 months). Furthermore, tumors with atypical histology ("other") behaved similar to the overall series. Of clinical factors investigated, only decreased performance status and presence of metastatic disease were significant prognostic indicators. The results suggest that tumor histologic type is not a useful prognostic indicator in small cell carcinoma, and that atypical tumors resembling small cell carcinoma appear to respond similarly to classical small cell carcinoma and should probably be treated as such.
Azumaya Extensions and Galois Correspondence

For H a finite-dimensional Hopf algebra over a field k, we study H*-Galois Azumaya extensions A, i.e., A is an H-module algebra which is H*-Galois with A/A H separable and A H Azumaya. We prove that there is a Galois correspondence between a set of separable subalgebras of A and a set of separable subalgebras of C A (A H ), thus generalizing the work of Alfaro and Szeto for H a group algebra. We also study Galois bases and Hirata systems.
A frequency domain analysis of spatial organization of epicardial maps

Mapping of organized rhythms like sinus rhythm uses activation times from individual electrograms, and often assumes that the map for a single activation is similar to maps for subsequent activations. However, during fibrillation, activation times and electrograms are not easy to define, and maps change from activation to activation. Volume and complexity of data make analysis of more than a few seconds of fibrillation difficult. Magnitude squared coherence (MSC), a frequency domain measure of the phase consistency between two signals, can be used to help interpret longer data segments without defining activation times or electrograms. Sinus rhythm, flutter, and fibrillation in humans and swine were mapped with an array of unipolar electrodes (2.5 mm apart) at 240 sites on the atrial or ventricular epicardium. Four-second data segments were analyzed. One site near the center of the array was chosen ad hoc as a reference. MSC maps were made by measuring mean MSC from 0-50 Hz between every point in the array relative to the reference. Isocoherence contours were drawn. The effects of bias in the coherence estimate due to misalignment were investigated. Average MSC versus distance from the reference was measured for all rhythms. Results indicate that in a 4-s segment of fibrillation, there can exist some phase consistency between one site and the reference and little or none between a second site and the reference even when both sites are equidistant from the reference. In fibrillation, isocoherence contours are elongated and irregularly shaped, reflecting long-term, but nonuniform, spatial organization. That is, activation during fibrillation cannot be considered as random over a 4-s interval, Bias in the coherence estimate due to misalignment is significant for sinus rhythm and flutter, but can be corrected by manual realignment. Average MSC drops with distance for all rhythms, being most pronounced for fibrillation, MSC maps may provide insights into long-term spatial organization of rhythms that would otherwise be cumbersome and difficult to interpret with standard time domain analysis. >
Phyto-extracts in wound healing.

Data generated through systematic investigation, carried out on the evaluation of phyto-extracts on wound healing research during the last 20 years have been compiled. About 450 plant species having wound healing properties have been identified. The present knowledge of the wound healing process comprise coagulation, inflammation, proliferation, formation and accumulation of fibrous tissues, collagen deposition, epithelialization, contraction of wound with formation of granulation tissues, remodeling and maturation. The constituents of the plant extracts modulate one or more of the above stages. It was the endeavor to identify the active constituents responsible for antimicrobial activity, free radical scavenging properties, stimulators of enhanced collagen production and/or angiogenesis promoters with identification of lead scaffold chemical structures. Multiple phytochemicals concentrated and blended in optimal concentrations, are expected to be available in future years to carry out multi-tasking efforts in wound healing as more knowledge about the properties of the key constituents are unveiled. This article is open to POST-PUBLICATION REVIEW . Registered readers (see “For Readers”) may comment by clicking on ABSTRACT on the issue’s contents page.
Who needs a forelimb anyway? Locomotor, postural and manipulative behavior in a one-armed gibbon.

Given the predominance of brachiation and other forms of suspension in gibbon locomotion, we compared the locomotor, postural, and manipulative behaviors of a captive, juvenile, one-armed gibbon to the behavioral profiles of his family members. We expected Kien Nahn, whose arm was amputated in response to an untreatable injury approximately 1 year before observations began, to avoid suspensory locomotion, to spend more time immobile, and to be less likely to exhibit postures involving forelimb suspension. Data were collected using scan sampling to record the behaviors and postures of Kien Nahn, his younger brother, and his parents. Additional postural and manipulative behaviors were recorded ad lib. Kien Nahn and his younger sibling had similar activity levels, and although differences in postural profiles existed, they were surprisingly few. Specifically, Kien Nahn spent significantly less time in motion and in nonsuspensory forms of locomotion than his brother. When compared to his parents, Kien Nahn was found to be both active and in motion more often, but was less likely to exhibit the forelimb suspension posture. Despite the increased energetic demands associated with one-armed brachiation, Kien Nahn preferred suspensory locomotion to other forms of locomotion. Furthermore, he found unique solutions for foraging and locomoting, often making use of his feet and teeth, and he was generally the first to approach and manipulate enrichment objects. We found no evidence to suggest that Kien Nahn’s injury has altered his activity levels. Although the one-armed gibbon displayed slightly different locomotor, postural, and manipulative behaviors than his family members, he seems to have adapted well to his injury. Zoo Biol 26:215‐222, 2007. ! c 2007 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Blogging With Authority: Strategic Positioning in Political Blogs

Blogs have quickly become prominent parts of the Internet landscape. Attention has largely been focused on a small subset of blogs — the politically-oriented filter blog. This paper examines four of the most-noticed blogs: Andrew Sullivan’s The Daily Dish, Mickey Kaus’s Kausfiles, Glenn Reynolds’ InstaPundit, and Joshua Micah Marshall’s Talking Points Memo. Using a grounded, qualitative technique, I analyze the methods these bloggers use to cast themselves as authoritative commentators in the world of politics. We find that their authority is largely staked out through their assertions of differences from journalism and of commonality with the audience. Concluding remarks explore the tension between bloggers and journalists and suggest that the success of these bloggers has much to do with how they have managed to position themselves rhetorically.
On the Importance of Surface Forcing in Conceptual Models of the Deep Ocean

In the major ocean basins, diapycnal mixing upwells dense Antarctic Bottom Water, which returns southward and closes the deepest cell of the meridional overturning circulation (MOC). This cell ventilates the deep ocean and regulates the partitioning of CO2 between the atmosphere and the ocean. The oceanographic community's conceptual understanding of the deep stratification and MOC has evolved from classic “abyssal recipes” arguments to a more recent appreciation of along-isopycnal upwelling in the Southern Ocean, consistent with a weakly mixed ocean interior. Both the deep stratification and the deep MOC are shown here to be sensitive to the form of the surface buoyancy forcing in a two-dimensional model that includes a circumpolar channel and northern basin. For a fixed surface buoyancy condition, the deep stratification is essentially prescribed, whereas for a fixed surface buoyancy flux, the deep stratification varies by orders of magnitude over the range of diapycnal diffusivity κ observed in the ocean. These cases also produce different scalings for the deep MOC with κ, in both weak and strong κ regimes. In addition, these scalings are shown to be sensitive not only to the type of surface boundary condition, but also to the latitudinal structure of the surface fluxes. This latter point is crucial as buoyancy budgets and dynamical features of the circulation are poorly constrained along the Antarctic margins. This study emphasizes the need for caution in the interpretation of simple conceptual models that, while useful, may not include all mechanisms that contribute to the MOC’s strength and structure.
An application-driven approach to designing secure wireless sensor networks

Wireless sensor networks (WSNs) have recently attracted a lot of interest due to the wide range of applications they enable. Unfortunately, WSNs are exposed to numerous security threats that can adversely affect the success of important applications. Securing WSNs is challenging due to their limited capabilities and the unique nature of the network and applications. In this paper, we argue that the WSN security research generally considers mechanisms that are modeled after and evaluated against abstract applications and WSN organizations. Instead, we propose that the solution for WSN security must be sensitive to the application and infrastructure. Specifically, we formulate a new notion of an application-specific security context as the combination of a potential attacker's motivation and the WSN vulnerability. The vulnerability is a function of factors such as the sensor field, WSN infrastructure, application, protocols, system software, accessibility, and the observability of the WSN. To reduce the vulnerability, we argue that WSN design must balance security with traditional objectives such as the cost, energy efficiency, and application level performance to a degree proportional to the attacker's motivation. We illustrate this argument via four example applications. Overall, our work can be considered a basis to derive more grounded and realistic assumptions for WSN security and develop cost-effective security solutions to handle application-specific vulnerabilities in WSNs. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The Calhoun Textile Mill Case: An Exercise on the Significance of Linear Programming Model Formulation

Abstract We present a real-world problem that illustrates how different linear programming formulations allow different interpretations of solution results and sensitivity analyses. The problem involves the allocation of looms to weave various fabrics in a textile mill and the determination of which fabrics should be purchased outside of the mill in order to meet demand. The case has been used as a teaching tool for emphasizing often over-looked model formulation issues.
Relations between ergodicity and observability

Aspects of global observability (GO) for some standard examples of chaotic systems are considered, the underlying philosophy being that such systems should be easy to observe and should be observed by large classes of scalar functions. Consideration is given to GO for piecewise monotone maps of the interval (a standard example of a chaotic system). Attention is then given to GO for ergodic translations on compact (metrizable) topological groups; the most familiar examples are the irrational translation flows on the n-torus.
An Empirical Study of the Relations Between Hospital Volume, Teaching Status, and Service Quality

This paper contributes to research on quality drivers in healthcare settings by examining the relationships between patient volume, teaching mission, and process quality in US hospitals. To develop a model that accurately assesses the impact of patient volume and teaching status on quality, we draw on three related research streams pertaining to the volume–quality relationship, the comparative quality of care in teaching and non-teaching hospitals, and quality drivers in service institutions. We propose the impact of patient volume on process quality varies across hospitals with different teaching intensities. The test of this proposition uses a large data set that measures process quality for treatments for heart attacks and heart failures in all major US hospitals. Our results suggest that, as hospital teaching intensity increases, greater patient volume is associated with decreased process quality. Never before was such a relationship uncovered. This initial finding has important practical implications. First, the regionalization policy of hospitals should be re-evaluated in light of their teaching function. Second, the root causes for the lower quality scores of large, high resident-to-bed ratio teaching hospitals, compared with smaller versions, must be found.
Correction of the evaporative resistance of clothing by the temperature of skin fabric on a sweating and walking thermal manikin

Determining the evaporative resistance of clothing by using a sweating thermal manikin requires the accurate skin temperature of the manikin. The skin temperature measured by an embedded wire sensor (EWS), which is widely used in existing manikins, is theoretically higher than that of the wet skin fabric on the manikin where water evaporates. Therefore, we directly measured the surface temperature of the skin fabric using multiple thermistors (MT) and compared it with that of EWS. Four different work clothing ensembles were tested in an isothermal condition. The mean skin temperatures of MT were lower than those of EWS by 0.49, 0.62, 0.75, and 0.89°C, for the manikin walking at 0.00 (standing), 0.27, 0.53, and 0.80 m/s, respectively. Concomitantly, the real evaporative resistances using MT were lower than those using EWS by 9.1, 10.9, 12.5, and 14.4%. These results clearly show that the skin temperature of EWS should be corrected. In our thermal manikin, the temperature difference (TD) (°C) between MT and...
Limitations of the Arealometer Method for the Measurement of Fiber Diameters

The surface area and hence the diameter of a variety of fibers calculated from arealometer data using the Lea and Nurse equation decrease with decreasing sample-bed porosity, indicating that the influence of porosity should be quantitatively determined. Previously suggested correla tions for such data are found to be of little value for fibrous materials. A new correlation is offered which indicates that a definite porosity function is associated with each material.
Fault simulation in a distributed environment

Fault simulation of VLSI circuits takes considerable computing resources and there have been significant efforts to speed up the fault simulation process. A distributed fault simulator implemented on a loosely-coupled network of general-purpose computers is described. The techniques used result in a close to linear speedup and can be used effectively in most industrial VLSI CAD (computer-aided design) environments. >