cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Disparities in colon and rectal cancer queried individually between Hispanics and Whites

Background: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most commonly diagnosed cancer and the second leading cause of cancer related deaths in the United States. Racial disparities between Hispanics and Whites exist for incidence of late-onset (LO) CRC. However, not much is known about potential disparities between colon cancer (CC) and rectal cancer (RC) incidence queried individually. Methods: Using the SEER database data from 2000 to 2010, we obtained the national estimates of CC and RC for Hispanics and Whites. We analyzed trends in incidence, mortality, gender and stage of disease for early-onset (EO) ( 50 years old) CC and RC. Results: In Hispanics, the overall incidence of CC and RC increased by 47% and 52%, respectively; while in Whites, the overall incidence of CC and RC decreased by 13% and 2% respectively. Incidence of EO CC increased in both Hispanics and Whites by 83% and 17%, respectively, and incidence of EO RC also increased for both groups with a 76% increase in Hispanics and a 34% increase in Whites. For LO CC, the incidence increased by 37% in Hispanics while it decreased by 17% in Whites and for LO RC, the trend in incidence increased in Hispanics by 41%, but decreased in Whites by 11%. Conclusions: This study established that the incidence of CC and RC are different and there is racial disparity in incidence between Whites and Hispanics. This study, hopefully, will help in crafting public policy that might help in addressing this disparity.
Pathophysiology of Hypertension

Hypertension is diagnosed if a blood pressure greater than 150/95 mm Hg is obtained in both upper extremities in individuals less than 50 years of age on at least three office visits. It is an extremely common syndrome affecting over 23,000,000 people in the United States. The complications of hypertension are reversible if the syndrome is recognized early and treated adequately. Probably the single most significant study illustrating the effects of antihypertensive therapy in controlling the morbid events caused by hypertension was the V.A. Cooperative Study initiated in 1963. If individuals with diastolic blood pressures between 115 and 129 mm Hg were vigorously treated, morbid events (cerebrovascular accidents, coronary artery disease, congestive heart failure, or renal damage) were significantly reduced within 18 months of followup. For those individuals with diastolic blood pressures between 90 and 114 mm Hg, 36 months of followup were required to document a reduction in these morbid events. The results of the V.A. Cooperative Study clearly defined the beneficial effects of therapy in patients with severe (diastolic blood pressure greater than 115 mm Hg) hypertension.
Characterizing Surface Transport Barriers in the East Sea of Vietnam

Abstract : The long term research goal of this project is to develop a thorough appreciation of the key seasonal transport barriers that are responsible for organizing surface transport in the ocean waters off the coast of Vietnam. The long term educational goal is to enhance the capability of Vietnamese scientists to identify the existence transport barriers in geophysical data sets and understand the role of these transport barriers in the East Sea of Vietnam.
Two-step synthesis of few layer graphene using plasma etching and atmospheric pressure rapid thermal annealing

Abstract A two-step process using halogen based plasma etching combined with atmospheric pressure rapid thermal annealing has been used to synthesize few layer graphene films on 6H-SiC (0001) surfaces. In this process, the 6H-SiC substrates were etched under different plasma conditions to produce a carbon rich surface layer. This was followed by rapid thermal annealing in a flow of atmospheric pressure Ar to produce the graphene films. The effects of different etching conditions, heating rates, and average and maximum annealing temperatures were investigated. Changes in surface and near-surface composition after each step were characterized by x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and overall film quality was assessed using Raman spectroscopy. Film defects associated with this synthesis method included a buffer layer between the SiC substrate and graphene as well as oxygen-based defects on the graphene surface. Electrical characterization of these films was performed using both two and four point methods. In the two point measurements, these films exhibited back-to-back Schottky behavior from which the Schottky barrier height, carrier density and mobility were determined. The four point measurements were used to determine the contact and film resistivity as well as the transfer length.
A Flexible Design Automation Tool for Accelerating Quantized Spectral CNNs

CNNs have proven to be extremely powerful in various computer vision applications. To alleviate the computation burden and improve hardware efficiency, low-complexity convolution algorithms (e.g., spectral convolution) and data quantization schemes have been implemented on FPGAs. However, to translate the reduced algorithm complexity into improved hardware performance, we need significant manual tuning of mapping parameters specific to the CNN model and the target FPGA device. We propose a flexible tool to automate the process of generating high throughput accelerators for quantized, spectral CNNs. The tool takes as input high level specification of the CNN model, the data quantization scheme and the target hardware architecture. It outputs synthesizable Verilog after fast exploration of the complete design space. Our tool is flexible in three dimensions: 1) data representation, 2) FPGA architecture, and 3) CNN models. To support arbitrary quantization bit width, we propose a resource-efficient multiplier design, which uses the fixed, high bit-width DSPs to implement various low bit-width complex multiplications needed in spectral CNNs. To support FPGAs with limited on-chip memory, we propose a systolic array-based architecture for spectral convolution, which exploits high computation parallelism in DSPs without stressing BRAM resources. To support CNNs with various layer parameters, we tile and permute data blocks to saturate the communication and computation capacity. Finally, we propose a fast design space exploration algorithm to complete the end-to-end Verilog generation. The whole design space exploration and verilog generation takes less than 1 second on an Intel Core i5 laptop. We perform evaluation on Stratix-10 and Stratix-V FPGAs, using AlexNet and VGG16. The generated accelerators achieve 2X to 4X higher throughput than state-of-the-art, for 8-bit and 16-bit data quantization.
Daily localization of partial breast irradiation patients with three-dimensional ultrasound imaging.

Purpose Accurate localization of the lumpectomy cavity during accelerated partial breast radiation (APBR) is essential for daily setup to ensure the prescribed dose encompasses the target and avoids unnecessary irradiation to surrounding normal tissues. Three-dimensional ultrasound (3D-US) allows direct visualization of the lumpectomy cavity without additional radiation exposure. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of 3D-US in daily target localization for APBR. Materials and methods Forty-seven patients with stage I breast cancer who underwent breast conserving surgery were treated with a 2-week course of APBR. Patients with visible lumpectomy cavities on high quality 3D-US images were included in this analysis. Prior to each treatment, X-ray and 3D-US images were acquired and compared to images from simulation to confirm accurate position and determine shifts. Volume change of the lumpectomy cavity was determined daily with 3D-US. Results A total of 118 images of each modality from 12 eligible patients were analyzed. The average change in cavity volume was 7.8% (range, -24.1% to 14.4%) on 3D-US from simulation to the end-of-treatment. Based on 3D-US, significantly larger shifts were necessary compared to portal films in all three dimensions: anterior/posterior (p = 7E-11), left/right (p = 0.002), and superior/inferior (p = 0.004). Conclusion Given that the lumpectomy cavity is not directly visible via X-ray images, accurate positioning may not be fully achieved by X-ray images. Therefore, when the lumpectomy cavity is visible on US, 3D-US can be considered as an alternative to X-ray imaging during daily positioning for selected patients treated with APBR, thus avoiding additional exposure to ionizing radiation.
Testimony of Erik F. Gerding Before the U.S. House of Representatives Subcommittee on Consumer Protection and Financial Institutions on 'Emerging Threats to Stability: Considering the Systemic Risk of Leveraged Lending'

Risk is building in the leveraged loan and collateralized loan obligation (“CLO”) markets. These two markets are connected: leveraged loans are being repackaged into CLOs just as mortgages and mortgage-backed securities were used to create collateralized debt obligations (“CDOs”), the financial products at the heart of the financial crisis 11 years ago. There are important differences but also troubling parallels between the leveraged loan/CLO markets and the earlier mortgage/CDO markets. One alarming similarity is the decline in leveraged loan underwriting standards: the market is now dominated by “covenant-lite loans.” Covenant-lite loans permit greater leverage by borrowers and remove an early warning system for lenders. Purchases of CLOs by banks and other regulated financial institutions made in order to game crucial regulatory capital requirements (“regulatory capital arbitrage”) remain a significant concern . Like mortgages and CDOs, leveraged loans and CLOs form a pipeline or system. Disruptions at either end of the system can cause financial havoc on the other end and then ricochet back. This is akin to a coiled spring or “crisis accordion.” Losses or disruptions in the leveraged loan/CLO markets, even if they do not approach the levels of mortgages/CDOs in the global financial crisis could still be significant, e.g., amplifying a recession. We should be humble about our ability to predict the upper bound of financial market disruptions or crises. Some tranches of CLO securities appear not to trade actively. Many CLO securities trade on opaque markets lacking transparent prices. A lack of trading of CLO securities undermines the economic rationale of these securities, as well as their safety and favorable regulatory treatment. A lack of transparent prices means that neither the marketplace nor regulators can rely on prices to police risk-taking in the CLO market. Regulators must monitor and analyze data on leveraged loans and CLO markets. The OFR needs cooperation from other financial regulators in assessing risk in these markets. Lack of data sharing among financial regulators remains a crucial weakness. The OFR needs an independent source of funding. Regulators need minimum standards in their examinations with respect to assessing bank exposure to leveraged loans. I also recommend: - Stress testing of financial markets, not just individual institutions; - Requiring financial regulators to conduct war games to prepare for market disruptions; - Underscoring that the burden is on financial institutions to prove that leveraged loans and CLOs are safe rather than on regulators to prove that they are unsafe. If data gathering reveals significant systemic risk in leveraged lending/CLO markets, regulators should use a mix of tools, including limiting bank investments in CLOs, enhanced and countercyclical capital requirements, and the Volcker Rule “covered funds” provisions.
PyARPES: An analysis framework for multimodal angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopies

Author(s): Stansbury, C; Lanzara, A | Abstract: The advent of higher resolution and throughput photoemission spectroscopy experiments has made angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy (ARPES) a critical tool for the study of quantum materials. The simultaneous development of novel ARPES techniques, including nano/μ-ARPES, spin-resolved ARPES, and pump-probe ARPES mirrors the expansion in scanning modes for scanning tunneling microscopy, which made scanning probe methods the gold standard for driving insights into surface physics. In this paper, we introduce PyARPES, an open source and modular data analysis framework for angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopies. We highlight PyARPES’ current capabilities for the analysis of the large photoemission datasets created by nano-ARPES and pump-probe ARPES experiments, show how PyARPES fulfills current data analysis needs for ARPES analysis, and discuss prospects for the future of analysis techniques enabled by PyARPES.
Dynamic anti-windup compensation for multi-agent systems with input saturation.

In this paper, the multi-agent consensus problem is considered for a group of double integrator systems with input saturation. For each agent, velocity and position information of its neighbors is used to control itself to achieve consensus. Therefore, signal communication between different agents plays a significant role in the success of distributed control. However, due to control signal amplitude limits, velocity, position or both velocity and position produced control signals could saturate. Therefore, in this paper a dynamic anti-windup compensation architecture is employed to tackle the challenge of saturated control signals. Simulation results are provided to verify the effectiveness of the proposed anti-windup compensation for the multi-agent systems.
A Trail of Scented Salaams: Migrating and Settling Along the Tariq-Al-Sudan (19th and 20th C.)

Borrowing from John O. Hunwick's translations of Ahmed Baba's words, I call trail of "scented salaams" the Tariq-al-Sudan, or Sudan Road, a major axis crossing the Sahel from West to East. The Tariq-al-Sudan is a pilgrimage route, used by West African Muslims performing the hajj to Mecca and Medina. Many settled along the way, resulting in the formation of a considerable West African diaspora in the modern-day Republic of Sudan. Gazing eastwards from Kano to Khartoum, or Bamako to Cairo -- Egypt is included as the main periphery of the Tariq-al-Sudan -- this study examines the role of the Sudan Road in shaping Islamic thought and political movements in the 19th and 20th centuries Sahel. It explores the religious, political, and labor migrations that shaped and reinforced each other on the Tariq-al-Sudan. These migrations revolved around the practice of the hajj. As pilgrims traveled and settled along this trail, they carried with them names, ideas, and practices, which now connect the Western and Eastern Sahel.
The FNR-type transcriptional regulator SinR controls maturation of Agrobacterium tumefaciens biofilms

Summary Agrobacterium tumefaciens is a plant pathogen that persists as surface-associated populations on plants or soil particles. A genetic screen for A. tumefaciens mutants deficient for surface interactions identified a mutant that forms thin, sparsely populated biofilms, but is proficient for initial attachment. The mutant is disrupted in a gene designated sinR, encoding a member of the DNR subfamily of FNR-type transcription regulators. SinR is required for normal maturation of A. tumefaciens biofilms on both inert surfaces and plant tissues, and elevated sinR expression results in accelerated biofilm formation. Expression of sinR is increased close to 30-fold in cultures grown in oxygen-limited environments and is also induced within biofilms grown under oxic conditions. A consensus FNR box, the presumptive binding site for FNR-type proteins, is located upstream of the sinR promoter. FnrN, a second A. tumefaciens FNR-like regulator, is required for induction of sinR in oxygen-limited cultures, whereas SinR negatively influences its own expression. FnrN influences biofilm formation, but its effects are less dramatic than those of SinR. We propose a model in which a signal cascade, responsive to oxygen limitation and initiated by FnrN, activates sinR expression in response to decreased oxygen levels, and influences the formation of A. tumefaciens biofilms.
Design of a discretely folded mini-protein motif with predominantly beta-structure.

Here we report the creation of a predominantly β-structured mini-protein motif. The design target is based on the naturally occurring toxin hand (TH) motifs that are composed of four disulfide bonds and three loops that form a 'hand'. Analysis and subsequent modification of several generations of mini-proteins produced the final 29-residue mini-protein. The structured motif of this new mini-protein provides insight into the compensatory changes that result in the formation of a tightly packed hydrophobic core in a small, globular β-structure motif. Additionally, this mini-motif represents a new, distinct surface topology for protein design and a valuable, yet compact, model system for the study of β-sheet structure in water.
Introduction to the minitrack on self-organized criticality

Many large complex systems seem to exhibit evidence of self-organized criticality. Examples range from the much-studied sandpiles to the Internet. The minitrack includes five papers focused on such behavior in the bulk electric power system. Two of the papers analyze data for large disturbances in the power system gathered by the North American Electric Reliability Council (NERC) for the years 1984 through 1999. The authors conclude that the data is consistent with the power system being a self-organized critical system. Three of the papers introduce Markov processes or models into the power network environment to capture the process of selforganization or occurrence of cascading outages. Although the availability of the NERC data makes the bulk power system a convenient exemplar for major system events it is assumed that these models will form a basis for the study on major disturbances in many networks. The ultimate goal is the design and operation of large networks so they are more immune to such failures.
Secretory control of basolateral membrane potassium and chloride channels in colonic crypt cells.

Fluid secretion across epithelia generally is driven by the active secretion of ions and serves to lubricate surfaces and propel macromolecules such as mucus. 2 In the colonic epithelium, secretion of Cl and K is activated to drive water movement into the lumen. Several types of signals act to initiate this secretion, including nerve activity and paracrine release from cells in the intestine. Two potent stimulators of this Cl and K secretion are cholinergic nerves and prostaglandins released from cells in the intestinal mucosa and muscle. K secretion without concurrent Cl secretion also is stimulated through these routes, specifically by epinephrine acting via -adrenergic receptors and by prostaglandin-E2 acting via prostanoid EP2 receptors. 3, 4
Convergence Rate of Incremental Subgradient Algorithms

We consider a class of subgradient methods for minimizing a convex function that consists of the sum of a large number of component functions. This type of minimization arises in a dual context from Lagrangian relaxation of the coupling constraints of large scale separable problems. The idea is to perform the subgradient iteration incrementally, by sequentially taking steps along the subgradients of the component functions, with intermediate adjustment of the variables after processing each component function. This incremental approach has been very successful in solving large differentiable least squares problems, such as those arising in the training of neural networks, and it has resulted in a much better practical rate of convergence than the steepest descent method.
Enzymic hydroxylation of aromatic compounds: II. Further studies of the properties of the microsomal hydroxylating system

Abstract The substrate specificity of the microsomal hydroxylating system has been further investigated. The products of the reactions are phenols in all cases studied, as well as a dihydrodiol in the case of naphthalene, and a dihydrodiol-like compound in the case of quinoline. The conversion of indole to 3-hydroxyindole has been demonstrated. This finding raises the possibiltiy that the indican of the urine might be derived from hydroxylation of indole in the liver rather than from hydroxylation by bacteria in the gut. Evidence is presented for the presence of a family of hydroxylating enzymes in liver microsomes. Although it was not possible to solubilize the hydroxylating enzymes, it was possible to obtain enzymically active microsomal fragments. DPNH was considerably less active than TPNH as a cofactor for the hydroxylation of acetanilide by microsomes from nine animal species. On the contrary, where it was possible to show a stimulation of activity by a reduced pyridine nucleotide, DPNH was more effective than TPNH as a cofactor for the soluble phenylalanine hydroxylase.
Physical and Chemical Characterization of Interfaces by Electron Optical Methods

Although the study of ceramics using transmission electron microscopy (TEM) lagged behind metallurgy because of specimen preparation difficulties and because many ceramics are ionisation sensitive to 100kV electron beams, today there is considerable research activity. This is due to perfection of ion thinning methods (first devised by Castaing in the early 1950’s actually for metals) and improvements in instrumentation, particularly high voltage, high resolution and analytical microscopes. These developments and many applications have been summarized recently(1) and will not be given in any more detail in this review. However, it is important not to underestimate the severe problems of specimen preparation methods for ceramic materials.
Evaluation of acid-base disorders in dogs and cats presenting to an emergency room. Part 1: comparison of three methods of acid-base analysis.

Objective To compare the diagnostic performance of the traditional approach to acid–base analysis with the Stewart approach and a semiquantitative approach. Design Prospective cohort study. Setting University teaching hospital. Animals A total number of 84 dogs and 14 cats presenting to a university teaching hospital emergency room. Procedures All dogs and cats in which venous blood samples for acid–base, lactate, and serum biochemical analysis were all collected within 60 minutes of each other, over a 5-month enrollment period. Acid–base analysis was performed using the traditional approach, Stewart approach, and a semiquantitative approach. Results Traditional acid–base analysis identified respiratory acid–base abnormalities in 14/98 animals and metabolic acid–base abnormalities in 67/98. A mixed disorder of metabolic acidosis and respiratory alkalosis was most common occurring in 29/98 patients. The Stewart approach identified metabolic abnormalities in 82/98 patients; strong ion difference abnormalities were evident in 68/98 cases; an increased strong ion gap acidosis was identified in 49/98 cases; and changes in the quantity of weak acids in 25/98 cases. The semiquantitative approach identified abnormalities in all cases evaluated. Of the 14 patients with a primary respiratory acid–base abnormality, the Stewart approach identified metabolic abnormalities in 9 and the semiquantitative approach found abnormalities in all animals. Conclusions and Clinical Relevance The physicochemical approaches diagnosed more acid–base abnormalities in this population than the traditional approach although many of the abnormalities identified were small and of unknown clinical relevance. The physicochemical approaches may provide greater insight as to the underlying etiology of abnormalities, which maybe of particular relevance to cases with changes in albumin and/or phosphorus concentration.
Food Insecurity Increases the Odds of Obesity Among Young Hispanic Children

Obesity is a growing public health concern and is more prevalent among low-income and minority populations. Food insecurity may increase the odds of obesity in children. We investigated the association between food insecurity and obesity among low-income, Hispanic, mother-child dyads (n = 74). The United States Department of Agriculture 18-item Household Food Security Survey was used to determine food security status. The majority of households were food insecure (74 %) and one-third (30 %) of children were obese. Food insecurity increased the odds of childhood obesity (OR 10.2; 95 % CI 1.2, 85.5) with stronger associations found within households where mothers were also overweight/obese compared to normal weight (p-for interaction < 0.05). Rates of household food insecurity and childhood obesity were high among this low-income Hispanic sample. Future studies should elucidate the mechanisms through which food insecurity impacts childhood obesity.
Commentary on Consideration of Diagnostic Criteria for Erectile Dysfunction in DSM-V

Normal erectile function is characterized by the capacity to sustain sexual arousal and transduce this unique emotion into a lasting firm erection. Erections occur within and outside of sexual contexts. In sexual contexts, orgasm is expected to terminate the erection in masturbation, mutual manual stimulation, oral-genital stimulation, vaginal intercourse, or anal insertion. The partner behaviors, during which a man expects to remain erect, are a result of the interaction of the preferences of two people. Reliable erections in chosen social contexts are highly desirable cultural symbols of competence, vitality, and maleness. All concepts of ED and its emotional consequences derive from these concepts. It is well established that erectile function and its myriad problems are imbedded in a man’s psychology, interpersonal relationship, cultural expectations, and biology [1].
Is it time for Newborn Screening for Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders ? A Commentary

Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) is one of the most common causes of acquired mental retardation in the United States and worldwide. The fetal brain is highly susceptible to the teratogenic effects of alcohol from maternal consumption during pregnancy resulting in newborns with mental deficits and congenital malformations. FAS diagnosis is difficult to diagnose in newborns where distinct anatomical defects are not apparent from mothers of moderate to light alcohol use. Hence, medical diagnoses are often not ascertained until mid-childhood after irreparable brain damage has already occurred. Such infants will have been deprived of available socioclinical interventions, trainings, measures, and future treatments that may someday be implemented soon after birth. Presently, there are no FASD newborn biomarker screening programs in place despite cost benefit analyses revealing an annual societal cost of $1.3 million per FASD incident case. Since newborn biomarkers have been reported in the biomedical literature, can we afford not to implement newborn screening for FASD?
Extended Kalman filter based friction compensation

Two friction compensation schemes for a single-axis servomechanism are developed and compared. The first compensator is an integral control regulator/estimator which uses the Coulomb friction model. The second, more complicated, compensator is an extended Kalman filter (EKF) design which uses the friction model developed by P. R. Dahl in the late 1960s. Comparisons are made of the time response characteristics to determine if any increases in performance are worth the added complexity of the Dahl model EKF controller. >
Neoadjuvant therapy for breast cancer: controversies in clinical trial design and standard of care.

Neoadjuvant therapy for breast cancer has been increasingly used in recent years as first-line treatment for operable breast cancer—serving as both a management strategy and a research tool. In add...
Auroral Zones in a Quadrupole Magnetosphere

The nondipolar component of the geomagnetic field is likely to dominate during at least some geomagnetic reversals. The magnetosphere and auroral zones for a nondipolar field are more complex than for a dipole field. To begin to explore the nature of this complexity, we have studied the auroral zones appropriate to a pure quadrupole field. The quadrupole coefficients for the historical geomagnetic field were used in the study. The result is that such auroral zones are much more extensive than at present. They extend in association with two great circles from the tropics to midlatitudes in both north and south hemispheres. As a consequence, bombardment of the upper atmosphere by magnetosheath (polar cusp) and quasitrapped energetic magnetospheric (plasma sheet) particle is also much more extensive.
A Requirement for the Mitogen-activated Protein Kinase Cascade in Hippocampal Long Term Potentiation

The mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) cascade has been intensely studied as a primary biochemical pathway through which a variety of extracellular stimuli initiate and regulate processes of cellular transformation. That MAPKs are abundantly expressed in postmitotic neurons, however, suggests different yet currently unknown functions for this cascade in the mature nervous system. Here we report that the MAPK cascade is required for hippocampal long term potentiation (LTP), a robust and widely studied form of synaptic plasticity. We observed that PD 098059, a selective inhibitor of the MAPK cascade, blocked MAPK activation in response to direct stimulation of the NMDA receptor as well as to LTP-inducing stimuli. Furthermore, inhibition of the MAPK cascade markedly attenuated the induction of LTP. PD 098059, however, had no effect on the expression of established LTP, and the MAPK cascade was not persistently activated during LTP expression. Our observations provide the first demonstration of a role for the MAPK cascade in the activity-dependent modification of synaptic connections between neurons in the adult mammalian nervous system.
Nitrification inhibition in Iowa soils treated with Stay-N 2000 as affected by temperature and matric potential.

The effects of temperature and water potential on nitrification were investigated in two Iowa soils treated with Stay‐N 2000. The soils were incubated at 10, 20, and 30 °C after soil water potentials of −1, −10, or −60 kPa were applied to each soil. A first‐order equation was used to calculate the maximum nitrification rate (K max), duration of lag period (t′), period of maximum nitrification (Δt), and termination period of nitrification (t s). The highest K max were 18 and 24 mg kg−1 d−1 nitrate (NO3 −)–nitrogen (N), respectively, at 30 °C and −10 kPa in both the Nicollet (fine‐loamy, mixed, superactive, mesic Aquic Hapludoll) and Canisteo (fine‐loamy, mixed, superactive, calcareous, mesic Typic Endoaquoll) soils and reduced to 4 and 16 mg kg−1 d−1 NO3 −‐N when Stay‐N 2000 was added. The extension of t′ due to the addition of Stay‐N 2000 was as high as 7 d in the Nicollet soil at 10 °C and −1 kPa and as little as 2 d in the Canisteo soil at 20 °C and −10 kPa.
The effects of surfactant concentration and crystal size on the olein yield from the detergent fractionation of tallow

The surfactant concentration, the electrolyte concentration, the detergent solution to tallow weight ratio and the crystal surface area affect the olein yield from the detergent fractionation of tallow. Three crystal sizes were produced by using various rates of cooling for the partial crystallization step. The amount of sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) needed to maximize olein yield was proportional to the surface area of the crystals. The olein yield of the separation increased with increasing detergent solution to tallow weight ratio and increased with increasing electrolyte concentration up to their optimum levels.
Glass transition elevation by polymer entanglements

Abstract For some polymers a plot of glass transition temperature, T g , versus reciprocal molecular weight can be taken to define two lines which intersect at a molecular weight which is designated as M g . The value of M g agrees, within a factor of two, with critical values of molecular weight reported for other properties which are generally attributed to incipient formation of a network of entanglements. Therefore, it is suggested that an increased elevation of T g at molecular weights greater than M g is due to an increasing concentration of entanglements. A more detailed analysis was made by extending the Fox-Flory theory of the glass transition to include negative contributions to the free volume from entanglements. This extension leads to revised estimates of the free volume per chain end which are much smaller (6–19 A 3 near T g ) than previous estimates which took no account of entanglements. These smaller values are interpreted to mean that the jump units are correspondingly small at T g , such as envisaged in the Gibbs-diMarzio theory of the glass transition.
Division of the genitofemoral nerve and late orchiectomy: effects on the contralateral testis in ipsilateral testicular torsion.

Unilateral torsion of the spermatic cord has been demonstrated to damage the contralateral testis; however, the pathogenesis has not yet been examined in detail. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the influence of unilateral torsion on the contralateral testis in rats by performing ipsilateral division of the genitofemoral nerve (GFN) and/or late orchiectomy. Male 25-day-old, prepubertal Wistar albino rats were divided into five groups: (1) sham operation; (2) unilateral testicular torsion; (3) simultaneous unilateral testicular torsion and ipsilateral GFN division; (4) unilateral testicular torsion and orchiectomy on the 4th day after torsion; and (5) simultaneous unilateral testicular torsion and GFN ipsilateral division, and orchiectomy on the 4th day after torsion. Torsions performed were 720°, all on the right testes. On day 55 after torsion, which represents the early postpubertal period of the rat, the contralateral testes were removed. Tubular biopsy score (TBS) was calculated, and seminiferous tubular diameters (STD) were measured. Student's t-test was used for statistical analysis. There was no contralateral testicular damage in the control group, but in all of the study groups destructive changes were found in the left gonad after torsion of the right testicle. The mean TBS of the study groups was higher than that of the control group. STD values were lower in the study groups, but the differences were not statistically significant between groups. In prepubertal rats, unilateral torsion causes histologically measurable changes in the contralateral testis. Ipsilateral division of the GFN and late orchiectomy did not cause any significant alterations in terms of contralateral damage. Further investigations are needed to determine the role of the GFN in testicular torsion.
Behavior and movements of Indian meal moths (Plodia interpunctella Hübner) during commodity infestation

A model warehouse with carefully regulated environmental conditions was used to study the behavior of adult Indian meal moths during commodity infestation. Sequences of moth distributions in the warehouse, calculated by spatial analysis, clearly showed the coordinated movements of moth populations from eclosion to death. Many facets of adult behavior in a warehouse were coordinated with the photoperiod. Adult moths emerged at the end of a photophase and fairly rapidly moved to the walls and, to a lesser extent, to the undersides of the commodity pallets. Most females are mated in the first 24 h after emergence, largely during the scotophase. Air circulation within the warehouse probably compromised pheromone-directed guidance of males to females, although pheromones may still have a major role in regulating other aspects of male mating behavior. When mating subsided, many of the males flew upwind to the air circulating unit, but only during the photophases. The females moved to the return air side of the warehouse and then migrated towards the same end as the males, but only during the scotophases. They moved from pallet to pallet largely by walking on the warehouse floor and laid eggs in or on the cups of commodity. Direct oviposition on the commodity during the infestation period was lower than expected, probably because commodity odors were dissipated by air circulation and did not provide appropriate orientation. At 144 h after emergence, 90% of the moth population had died.
Removing the hype from hypertension

Symplicity HTN-3 illustrates the importance of randomisation and blinding for exciting new treatments
Ovarian, oviductal, and placental morphology of the reproductively bimodal lizard, Sceloporus aeneus

Sceloporus aeneus exhibits reproductive bimodality. That is, one taxon (Sceloporus aeneus bicanthalis) is viviparous whereas the other (Sceloporus aeneus aeneus) is oviparous. Morphological differences in luteal and oviductal structure were examined. Oviparous and viviparous females have distinct corpora lutea that form immediately after ovulation and remain active until just prior to oviposition or parturition. Luteal activity is correlated positively with follicular atresia. The oviduct of both subspecies is divided into three distinct morphological regions: an anterior infundibulum, a median uterus, and a posterior vagina. The infundibulum and vagina of females exhibiting either parity type are similar, whereas distinct differences in utering morphology are apparent. Primarily, these differences include the loss of uterine glands and a reduction in epithelial cell height in the viviparous form. Moreover, viviparous females possess a simple but well-developed chorioallantoic placenta and a simple choriovitelline placenta. Chorioallantoic placentation is associated with a significant increase in uterine vascularity, indicating a role in gas and/or water exchange. The evolution of viviparity and placentation are discussed in relation to these observations.
Gamma delta T cells are activated by polysaccharide K (PSK) and contribute to the anti-tumor effect of PSK

Polysaccharide K (PSK) is a widely used mushroom extract that has shown anti-tumor and immunomodulatory effects in both preclinical and clinical studies. Therefore, it is important to understand the mechanism of actions of PSK. We recently reported that PSK can activate toll-like receptor 2 and enhances the function of NK cells. The current study was undertaken to study the effect of PSK on gamma delta (γδ) T cells, another important arm of the innate immunity. In vitro experiments using mouse splenocytes showed that γδ T cells produce IFN-γ after treatment with PSK and have up-regulated expression of CD25, CD69, and CD107a. To investigate whether the effect of PSK on γδ T cells is direct or indirect, purified γδ T cells were cultured either alone or together with bone marrow-derived DC in a co-culture or trans-well system and then stimulated with PSK. Results showed that direct cell-to-cell contact between γδ T cells and DC is required for optimal activation of γδ T cells. There was also reciprocal activation of DC by PSK-activated γδ T cells, as demonstrated by higher expression of costimulatory molecules and enhanced production of IL-12 by DC in the presence of γδ T cells. PSK can also co-stimulate γδ T cells with anti-TCR and anti-CD3 stimulation, in the absence of DC. Finally, in vivo treatment with PSK activates γδ T cells among the tumor infiltrating lymphocytes, and depleting γδ T cells during PSK treatment attenuated the anti-tumor effect of PSK. All together, these results demonstrated that γδ T cells are activated by PSK and contribute to the anti-tumor effect of PSK.
A new constitutive equation for the long-term creep of polymers based on physical aging

Based on the observation that during long-term creep the viscosity of polymers will continue to increase due to physical aging, a new constitutive equation is derived to describe the long-term creep behavior of polymers that are chrono-rheologically simple. The theory is developed using the concept of effective time for such materials whose long-term creep compliances with various aging times are characterized by a horizontal shift on the log(t)-scale. The derivation makes use of the basic mathematical structure for such a horizontal shift, with a result that is both sufficient and necessary. A linear viscosity function is found to be required for such a material, and the corresponding shift rate for both the long-term creep and the short-time creep is found to increase with aging time te, reaching an asymptotic value of unity. This theory improves Struik’s (1978) classic theory for the special class of chrono-rheologically simple materials, in that, when the aging time is sufficiently long, both theories are identical, but when it is short, the present one can account for the transition to the asymptotic state. The developed effectivetime theory is then extended to a polymer–matrix composite to predict the effect of physical aging on the long-term creep of a fiber-reinforced composite material.  2002 Editions scientifiques et medicales Elsevier SAS. All rights reserved.
Binding and inhibition of human spermidine synthase by decarboxylated S-adenosylhomocysteine.

Aminopropyltransferases are essential enzymes that form polyamines in eukaryotic and most prokaryotic cells. Spermidine synthase (SpdS) is one of the most well-studied enzymes in this biosynthetic pathway. The enzyme uses decarboxylated S-adenosylmethionine and a short-chain polyamine (putrescine) to make a medium-chain polyamine (spermidine) and 5′-deoxy-5′-methylthioadenosine as a byproduct. Here, we report a new spermidine synthase inhibitor, decarboxylated S-adenosylhomocysteine (dcSAH). The inhibitor was synthesized, and dose-dependent inhibition of human, Thermatoga maritima, and Plasmodium falciparum spermidine synthases, as well as functionally homologous human spermine synthase, was determined. The human SpdS/dcSAH complex structure was determined by X-ray crystallography at 2.0 A resolution and showed consistent active site positioning and coordination with previously known structures. Isothermal calorimetry binding assays confirmed inhibitor binding to human SpdS with Kd of 1.1 ± 0.3 μM in the absence of putrescine and 3.2 ± 0.1 μM in the presence of putrescine. These results indicate a potential for further inhibitor development based on the dcSAH scaffold.
. . . And the Olive Said to the Cerebellum: Organization and Functional Significance of the Olivo-Cerebellar System:

What is the role of the olive in cerebellar operations? And what is the role of the cerebellum in the sensory and motor functioning of the nervous system? It is clear that the olivo-cerebellar network plays a key role in the managing of vertebrate motor control, as lesions in this network cause motor deficits in humans and animals. However, it is increasingly becoming clear that the olivo-cerebellar system is involved in the control of more than simple motor behaviors. The elegant and almost geometric organization of the olivocerebellar network lends itself to performing these complex operations. In this review, the salient anatomical, physiological, and clinical features of this system are discussed. A computer-assisted visualization system is used to illustrate some of the anatomical points. The idea that the cerebellum and the olivo-cerebellar networks are perhaps in the upper echelons of the hierarchy of brain functioning, if such a hierarchy indeed exists, is discussed. NEUROSCIENTIST 13(6):616—625, ...
Role of a GAG hinge in the nucleotide-induced conformational change governing nucleotide specificity by T7 DNA polymerase.

A nucleotide-induced change in DNA polymerase structure governs the kinetics of polymerization by high fidelity DNA polymerases. Mutation of a GAG hinge (G542A/G544A) in T7 DNA polymerase resulted in a 1000-fold slower rate of conformational change, which then limited the rate of correct nucleotide incorporation. Rates of misincorporation were comparable to that seen for wild-type enzyme so that the net effect of the mutation was a large decrease in fidelity. We demonstrate that a presumably modest change from glycine to alanine 20 A from the active site can severely restrict the flexibility of the enzyme structure needed to recognize and incorporate correct substrates with high specificity. These results emphasize the importance of the substrate-induced conformational change in governing nucleotide selectivity by accelerating the incorporation of correct base pairs but not mismatches.
Reflections on the development of electric vehicles in the smart grid

The advanced smart grid sensing measurement technology, information and communication technology, analysis and decision technology, automatic control technology and grid technology, and a high degree of integration with grid infrastructure, the power grid is the future direction of development. Through the use of advanced smart grid technology, electric vehicle charging behavior of a reasonable adjustment to achieve fully meet electric vehicle charging, while reducing the impact of electric vehicle charging on the grid, so as to realize the coordinated development of electric vehicles and smart grid.
Therapy and Prophylaxis in Boccaccio's Decameron

(2005). Therapy and Prophylaxis in Boccaccio's Decameron. Romance Quarterly: Vol. 52, No. 2, pp. 159-162.
Temporal and Spatial Analysis of Clinical and Molecular Parameters in Dextran Sodium Sulfate Induced Colitis

Background Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), including mainly ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn's disease (CD), are inflammatory disorders of the gastrointestinal tract caused by an interplay of genetic and environmental factors. Murine colitis model induced by Dextran Sulfate Sodium (DSS) is an animal model of IBD that is commonly used to address the pathogenesis of IBD as well as to test efficacy of therapies. In this study we systematically analyzed clinical parameters, histological changes, intestinal barrier properties and cytokine profile during the colitic and recovery phase.
Inversion of ferromagnetic proximity polarization by MgO interlayers.

We investigate the spin-dependent reflection properties in $\mathrm{Fe}/\mathrm{MgO}/\mathrm{GaAs}$ heterostructures by optical pump-probe measurement of the ferromagnetic proximity polarization (FPP). As a function of MgO thickness, the FPP is initially enhanced ($l2.0\text{ }\text{ }\AA{}$) and then exhibits an unexpected sign reversal at $\ensuremath{\sim}5.0\text{ }\text{ }\AA{}$. The identification of two competing thresholds in the intensity dependence of FPP and the observation of FPP sign reversal in $\mathrm{Fe}/\mathrm{Mg}/\mathrm{GaAs}$ suggest that the inversion of FPP is related to an interfacial bonding effect.
Rectilinear Partitioning of Irregular Data Parallel Computations

This paper describes new mapping algorithms for domain-oriented data-parallel computations, where the workload is distributed irregularly throughout the domain, but exhibits localized or rectilinear communication patterns. We consider the problem of partitioning the domain for parallel processing in such a way that the workload on the most heavily loaded processor is minimized, subject to the constraint that the partition be perfectly rectilinear. Rectilinear partitions are useful on architectures that have a fast local mesh network and a relatively slower global network; these partitions heuristically attempt to maximize the fraction of communication carried by the local network. We provide an improved algorithm for finding the optimal partition in one dimension, propose new algorithms for partitioning in two dimensions, and show that optimal partitioning in three dimensions is NP-complete. We discuss our application of these algorithms to real problems.
Characterization of henequen fibers and the henequen fiber/poly(hydroxybutyrate-co-hydroxyvalerate) interface

The henequen fiber/poly(hydroxybutyrate-co-hydroxyvalerate) resin (PHBV) interfacial shear strength was characterized by single-fiber fragmentation (SFF) (also called the single-fiber composite tes...
Sun-Sensitizing Effects of PKCε Shine on Multiple Mouse Strains

Like many skin phenotypes, susceptibility to carcinogenesis is profoundly influenced by genetic background. Sand et al. (this issue) explored the sensitizing effects of epidermal protein kinase C e (PKCe)expression in the hairless SKH-1 mouse strain commonly used in UV carcinogenesis studies. They reported that PKCe overexpression profoundly sensitized these mice to UV skin carcinogenesis and activated oncogenic pathways similar to those reported in FVB/N mice.