cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Papillary renal cell carcinoma: quantitation of chromosomes 7 and 17 by FISH, analysis of chromosome 3p for LOH, and DNA ploidy

Papillary renal cell carcinoma (papillary RCC) is an uncommon histologic variant of RCC with distinct gross, microscopic, and immunohistochemical features. Recent karyotypic analyses suggest that papillary RCC differs from other types of RCC at the genetic level as well. Whereas nonpapillary (clear cell, granular cell) RCC is characterized by deletions in chromosome 3p, papillary tumors reportedly exhibit a pattern of chromosomal trisomies, typically including chromosomes 7 and 17. To further examine the relationship between overrepresentation of these chromosomes and papillary histology, archival material from 36 papillary tumors was subjected to fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) analysis using alpha-satellite repeat probes specific to 7 and 17. Excess signals for chromosome 17 were detected in 22 of 28 (78%) low-grade papillary tumors (Fuhrman nuclear grades 1 and 2), and in seven of eight (87%) high-grade tumors (grades 3 and 4). Correlation of chromosome 17 FISH signals with karyotypes performed on two low-grade and three high-grade tumors was excellent. Among the cases without evidence of excess chromosome 17 were three unusual papillary tumors with sclerotic and hyalinized fibrovascular cores. In two cases, comparison was made of FISH signals from multiple, separate gross nodules of tumor; concordance for trisomic 17 signals was observed in one case, but not in the other. Chromosome 7 signals were overrepresented in all seven papillary tumors examined. DNA ploidy was determined in 19 of the 36 tumors; a relationship between DNA ploidy and polysomy 7 or 17 was not apparent. To examine the possible role of chromosome 3p deletions in the development of papillary RCC, 11 cases were studied for loss of heterozygosity (LOH) at one or more loci in the region of 3p13-21. Only three of the 11 cases had LOH at these loci. The findings are discussed with respect to the development and progression of papillary RCC.
Efficacy of Azithromycin for Treating Babesia microti Infection in the Hamster Model

Because of its prevalence and severity, Babesia microti infection is an important public health problem. The current treatment of choice is clindamycin plus quinine. However, in some cases other treatments are needed because of drug intolerance or relapse. The activity of azithromycin was investigated for treatment of babesiosis in the hamster model. All animals received vancomycin to prevent antibiotic-associated colitis. Quinine (250 mg/kg/day), azithromycin (150 mg/kg/day), and the combination of azithromycin and quinine were compared. A significant suppression of parasitemia was found in all treatment groups (combination had the greatest effect, followed by azithromycin, then quinine; P < .05). The mean survival was significantly prolonged in the combination group (P < .05). Azithromycin as monotherapy in a higher dose (300 mg/kg/day) also resulted in a significant prolongation of survival (P < .05). Spirogermanium and ciprofloxacin, which have been reported to have antimalarial activity, had no effect on parasitemia or survival in this experimental babesiosis model.
Enhanced signal transduction by adenylate cyclase in platelet membranes of patients showing antidepressant responses to alprazolam: preliminary data.

Abstract The triazolobenzodiazepine, alprazolam, was administered to 11 depressed patients over a period of six weeks, and six patients showed a favorable antidepressant response. There were no significant differences between responders and nonresponders in age, pretreatment Hamilton Depression Rating Scores, 4 p.m. postdexamethasone plasma cortisol levels, or platelet monoamine oxidase activities. Blood levels of alprazolam were not meaningfully different in responders and nonresponders when measured on treatment day 8. However, on treatment day 8, significantly enhanced prostaglandin D2-stimulated platelet adenylate cyclase activity, greater suppression of prostaglandin D2-stimulated platelet adenylate cyclase activity by epinephrine, and enhanced sodium fluoride-stimulated platelet adenylate cyclase activity were seen in the six patients who went on to respond to alprazolam, but not in the five nonresponders. In contrast, there were no significant changes in prostaglandin D2, (-)-isoproterenol, or fluoride ion-stimulated leukocyte adenylate cyclase activity in responders or nonresponders. No meaningful changes were observed in the mean densities of either the high-affinity platelet α2-adrenergic receptor (for 3H-p-aminoclonidine) or the leukocyte β-adrenergic receptor (for 3H-dihydroalprenolol) in responders or nonresponders. The present findings, taken in conjunction with findings from other recent studies, suggest that enhanced coupling between certain neurotransmitter or hormone receptors and adenylate cyclase through the guanine nucleotide regulatory proteins may help explain the antidepressant effects of alprazolam and possibly other forms of antidepressant treatment.
An object-oriented data handling system for spectral or chromatographic data acquisition and analysis

Abstract A comprehensive data handling package for spectral or chromatographic data acquisition and analysis has been developed. The software is written in Turbo Pascal and will run on any IBM/AT compatible computer. Extensive use of the object-oriented features of the language provides a high degree of flexibility and portability. The software provides routines for two types of file I/O, real-time data acquisition and display, several post-run data display formats and an updated version of the BANDIT peak resolution algorithm.
Blocking [211At]astatide accumulation in normal tissues: preliminary evaluation of seven potential compounds.

Abstract Normal tissue accumulation of 211 At must be minimized during targeted radiotherapy with 211 At-labeled compounds. Therefore, we investigated the ability of seven compounds to block normal organ uptake of [ 211 At]astatide in mice: potassium iodide, sodium thiocyanate, sodium perchlorate, sodium periodate, cysteine, 2,3-dimercapto-1-propanesulfonic acid, and meso -2,3-dimercaptosuccinic acid. The monovalent anions I − , SCN − , and ClO 4 − reduced 211 At uptake in stomach and thyroid, while thiocyanate and cysteine were the only compounds to significantly reduce activity levels in lungs and spleen. This study suggests that blocking agents may help reduce normal organ radiation doses in endoradiotherapeutic procedures with 211 At-labeled radiopharmaceuticals.
The p-Aminobenzoic Acid Requirement of the "Sulfonamide-Requiring" Mutant Strain of Neurospora.

Emerson and Cushing (1) isolated a strain of Neurospora which instead of being inhibited in growth by sulfonamides requires the drug for growth at high temperatures. It seemed as if the roles of p-aminobenzoic acid (PABA) and sulfanilamide (SA) were reversed,(2) the mold being poisoned by PABA and this action being antagonized by SA. The evidence suggested that SA took the place of PABA as a metabolite.
Maternal condition determines birth date and growth of newborn bear cubs

The number, size, and survival of bear cubs emerging from winter dens depend on maternal condition prior to entering the den. We hypothesized that delayed implantation provides flexibility in timing of birth such that pregnant females are able to track environmental or body conditions long after conception to optimize reproductive output in a changing environment. We tested the hypotheses that causative links between maternal condition and size of newly emerging brown bear (Ursus arctos) cubs were females in superior condition give birth earlier and, thereby, lactate longer in the den than females in poorer condition; and females in superior condition produce more milk or higher quality milk, which accelerates cub growth relative to females in poorer condition. No brown bear with a body fat content 20% produced cubs even though breeding occurred. Brown bears that were fat gave birth earlier than those that were lean. Cubs nursing from fat mothers grew faster than those nursing from lean mothers. The combination of an earlier birth date and faster growth by cubs produced from fat mothers increased mass of brown bear and polar bear (U. maritimus) twins at den emergence by 330– 360 g for each unit increase in percent maternal body fat content when entering hibernation.
Pronunciation and individual item identifications in multiple-item recognition learning

Item identifications were tested following either pronunciation or no pronunciation of intrapair R and W members of a prior study list. Pronunciation had no effect on W items in terms of identifying either their oldness or their prior pairwise function. However, pronunciation adversely affected identifications of R items in terms of both their oldness and their prior pairwise function. The results were interpreted in terms of both a frequency model and a depth of processing model.
Approaching religious diversity in Central Asia

Religions of the Silk Road: premodern patterns of globalization, by Foltz, Richard, Second ed. New York: Palgrave, 2010. Why do Uzbeks have to be Muslims? Exploring religiosity in the Ferghana Vall...
Using Strengthsfinder to Identify Relationships Between Marketing Graduate Strengths and Career Outcomes

The present study seeks to better understand how marketing graduates' strengths, and utilization of those strengths in the workplace, may be associated with a variety of academic and career outcomes. Respondents completed two different questionnaires. Findings suggest that marketing graduates whose strengths are not being utilized with their work situation report more negative attitudes and intentions than those whose strengths are being used on the job. Marketing educators are encouraged to assist students to identify and self-market their unique strengths to secure the benefits that result from appropriate job fit.
Advancing the Technology of the Large Utility-Size Gas Turbine Burning Coal-Derived Fuel

A review of the status of development activities underway for advanced, utility-size gas turbines points out that the remaining technologies requiring proof of concept in full-size units are those related to operation at higher firing temperatures while lowering metal temperatures with advanced air and water cooling systems. Programs at Curtiss-Wright Corp., General Electric Co., United Technologies Corp., and Westinghouse Electric Corp. aim at developing high-reliability gas turbines for combined-cycle power generation applications using coal-derived fuels.
Activation of plasma and amniotic prorenin by metalloprotease and trypsin.

Human renin occurs in a latent form as prorenin in blood and amniotic fluid. We found that the metalloprotease thermolysin is a more potent activator of amniotic and plasma prorenin than trypsin, provided the thermolysin alpha 2-macroglobulin plasma inhibitor was inactivated. Thermolysin fully activated amniotic prorenin at a 23-fold lower molar concentration than trypsin, and renin activated by thermolysin was more stable than when activated by trypsin. Thermolysin also activated plasma prorenin at a 16-fold lower concentration than trypsin in the presence of methylamine (100 mM). Thermolysin activated prorenin directly, because added inhibitors of other endogenous proteases did not block the activation. The maximum activation values obtained after incubation with trypsin or thermolysin in plasma samples from 17 normotensive and 58 hypertensive subjects were similar. The mean renin concentration did not differ significantly in normotensives and hypertensives, but after activation, total renin was significantly higher in hypertensive subjects (89.8 vs. 53.4 ng angiotensin I/h . ml). The Km of the substrate, angiotensinogen, was about the same with both active renin and activated prorenin (281-290 nM). The mol wt of prorenin was 60,000 after gel filtration; activation by thermolysin reduced it to 51,000. Thus, thermolysin, which has a different peptide bond specificity than trypsin, is another model for a prorenin activator.
The Fear of Cultural Decline: Josiah Strong's Thought about Reform and Expansion

Congregational minister and onetime home missionary Josiah Strong (1847–1916) is perhaps best known for his militant advocacy of American expansion. He was also, however, an early leader of the Social Gospel movement who urged the reform of society to cope with the problems of an industrial era. Throughout the thirty-year period during which Strong set forth his views in print (1885–1915) expansion and reform were important themes in his thought, although significant changes appeared in his treatment of both; this was symptomatic of a basic attitudinal shift toward American society.
Automorphisms of even unimodular lattices and unramified Salem numbers

Abstract In this paper we study the characteristic polynomials S(x)=det(xI−F|IIp,q) of automorphisms of even unimodular lattices with signature (p,q). In particular, we show that any Salem polynomial of degree 2n satisfying S(−1)S(1)=(−1)n arises from an automorphism of an indefinite lattice, a result with applications to K3 surfaces.
Effect of Thermal Treatments on the Transduction Behaviors of Conductometric Hydrogen Gas Sensors Integrated with HCl-Doped Polyaniline Nanofibers

We present the effect of thermal treatments on the transduction behaviors of HCl-doped polyaniline (PANI) nanofibers integrated in conductometric devices upon exposure to 1% H2 (carried by N2). After drying in N2 at 25oC for 12 hours, devices showed a ∼10% decrease in electrical resistance upon exposure to 1% H2. However, devices subject to 12-hour drying in N2 at 25oC followed by further thermal treatments in N2 at 100oC, 164oC or 200oC for 30 minutes showed different transduction behaviors. Specifically, devices subject to thermal treatments at 100oC and 164oC showed a decrease in electrical resistance by ∼7% and <0.5%, respectively. More interestingly, the device subject to thermal treatment at 200oC showed a transduction behavior with opposite polarity, i.e. a ∼5% increase in electrical resistance upon exposure to 1% H2. SEM, FTIR and TGA were employed to investigate the effect of thermal treatments on the morphology and chemical characteristics of HCl-doped polyaniline nanofibers. The results indicated that the change in the devices' interesting transduction behaviors might be related to the thermal treatment effects on the HCl-doped PANI nanofibers in (i) removal of adsorbed water, and (ii) crosslinking and/or degradation of polymer backbones.
The Effect of Political Trust on the Presidential Vote, 1968–96

Scholars have consistently demonstrated that no link exists between declining political trust and declining turnout, but they have paid less attention to the effect of trust on vote choice. In an era characterized by declining trust, the incumbent party has lost, and third parties have strongly contested, four of the last eight presidential elections. Such outcomes are historically anomalous. This study demonstrates that declining political trust affects vote choice, but the electoral beneficiary differs according to electoral context. In two-candidate races, politically distrustful voters support candidates from the nonincumbent major party. In races with three viable candidates, third-party alternatives benefit from declining political trust at the expense of both major parties.
Flow birefringence studies of a concentrated polystyrene solution in a two‐roll mill. I. Steady flow and start‐up of steady flow

We have studied a 4.8 volume percent solution of a narrow distribution polystyrene with molecular weight 3.84 × 106 in flows generated by a co-rotating two-roll mill. These flows have a stagnation point at the midpoint between the roller axes. Further, they are linear, two-dimensional, and the magnitudes of the strain-rates are greater than the vorticity. The overall objective of our studies is to explore the dynamics of concentrated polymer solutions which are in the highly deformed state that is generated in the two-roll mill. Birefringence data are presented for both steady flow and start-up of steady flow in the two-roll mill. The steady and transient data are used to analyze the linear and nonlinear viscoelastic regions of material behavior. In the nonlinear regime, the birefringence upon start-up shows an initial overshoot followed by a strong undershoot that is enhanced as the ratio of elongation to rotation is increased (i.e., the flow becomes increasingly extensional in character.) We attribute this undershoot, which does not seem to appear in simple shear flows, or flows close to simple shear flow, to polymer segment stretching following an initial period of segment reorientation. Model studies are currently underway to test this notion. © 1992 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Teaching with Virtual Worlds: Factors to Consider for Instructional Use of Second Life

Substantial evidence now supports pedagogical applications of virtual worlds; however, most research supporting virtual worlds for education has been conducted using researcher-developed Multi-User Virtual Environments (MUVE). Second Life (SL) is a MUVE that has been adopted by a large number of academic institutions; however, little research has systematically investigated the potential of using SL for higher education. A 2–year pilot study was conducted that included seven SL activities and a mixed-methods evaluation of the SL's affordances, challenges, and limitations. Three SL integration factors emerged, each with sub-factors: pedagogical (relevance, complexity of required SL skills, use of SL affordances); contextual (student prior gaming experience, activity duration, frequency of events); and logistical (SL usability, training, technical support, computer issues). A framework for creating SL instructional activities is presented using the factors.
An analysis of information technology adoption by IRBs of large academic medical centers in the United States

The clinical research landscape has changed dramatically in recent years in terms of both volume and complexity. This poses new challenges for Institutional Review Boards' (IRBs) review efficiency and quality, especially at large academic medical centers. This article discusses the technical facets of IRB modernization. We analyzed the information technology used by IRBs in large academic institutions across the United States. We found that large academic medical centers have a high electronic IRB adoption rate; however, the capabilities of electronic IRB systems vary greatly. We discuss potential use-cases of a fully exploited electronic IRB system that promise to streamline the clinical research work flow. The key to that approach utilizes a structured and standardized information model for the IRB application.
Propagule limitation and competition with nitrogen fixers limit conifer colonization during primary succession

Questions: Is conifer colonization on primary successional sites limited by propagule availability or environmental filters? How do nitrogen-fixing pioneer species (Lupinus lepidus and Alnus viridis) affect conifer emergence and establishment?
Understanding the stratigraphic context of the maya postclassic in belize

The Maya Postclassic (A. D. 900–1500) is a complex and poorly understood period of history which represents a conspicuous gap in the understanding of processes of social change in lowland Mesoamerica. Difficulties in interpreting this period are directly related to the stratigraphic context of Postclassic deposits such as those described in this examination of the site of Laguna de On, northern Belize. Belize Postclassic settlement has been heavily underestimated due to difficulties in detecting remains from this period in disturbed surface deposits. A lack of priority placed on Postclassic research in the southern Maya lowlands has also contributed to the relatively low number of large scale projects and refined descriptions of Postclassic remains that would enable regional synthetic reconstruction. Given the combined effect of problematic stratigraphy and limited professional attention, it is not surprising that the southern Maya lowlands are generally thought to have been drastically depopulated at the time of the collapse of Maya “civilization” around A.D. 900. © 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
AsyMOS-an asymmetric multiprocessor operating system

As the role of the computer as a communications device increases, one must reexamine the role an operating system plays in managing resources to support users. In support of general purpose computation, symmetric multiprocessing has generally proven better than attached processors, master/slave, or other configurations. The authors examine a different approach, an asymmetric multiprocessor operating system (AsyMOS) which applies a subset of available processors toward supporting an abstraction of a virtual "smart device". As a software solution, AsyMOS is able to exploit the cost/performance advantages of sharing memory and packaging that accrue to small scale SMPs, while tracking processor performance much more tightly than front-end processors can. The ability to move OS functionality into the "smart" device is demonstrated in the context of a network subsystem. Application-specific resource management is facilitated by the exporting of interfaces directly to applications. A prototype implementation of the architecture running on commodity hardware demonstrates quantitative advantages over a traditionally structured SMP operating system and provides a framework for further research into functional devolution.
VLSI Design Methodology - the Problem of the 80's for Microprocessor Design

The rapid evolution of semiconductor technology continues to make possible increasingly sophisticated electronic systems on single chips of silicon. By 1982, a single silicon chip is projected to have well over 100,000 transistors. This level of complexity represents a major problem for the VLSI designer in the 1980's. Unless there is a fundamental change in design methodology, this level of VLSI technology will be grossly under-utilized due to the problems of design, layout and checking. With present design methods, the mask set for a 100,000 transistor MOS chip will take 60 man years to lay out and another 60 man years to debug.
Leclercia adecarboxylata Infections: Case Report and Review

Leclercia adecarboxylata has been rarely isolated from environmental and clinical specimens. On review of the world literature, we found two reports of L. adecarboxylata infection: one report described a patient with hepatic cirrhosis, and the other described a child dependent on total parenteral nutrition. L. adecarboxylata was isolated from five infected patients who were evaluated at our institution. Three patients had lower-extremity wound infections in which L. adecarboxylata was part of a mixed microbial growth. One patient had pneumonia due to multiple bacteria, including L. adecarboxylata, which were isolated from sputum. L. adecarboxylata was isolated from the blood of one patient with neutropenia and from the blood of the two patients reported in the literature. All patients except one had fever and leukocytosis. L. adecarboxylata isolates were susceptible to all the antimicrobials tested. L. adecarboxylata is most frequently isolated as part of a mixed microbial growth. Its role in these infections is not clear. However, the organism caused bacteremia in three patients.
HEAT TRANSFER DURING LAMINAR FLOW FLAME QUENCHING: EFFECT OF FUELS

Propagation of a laminar flame in a constant volume combustion chamber is associated with wall-quenching heat transfer. The unsteady heat transfer has been determined from measurements that were made in the closed chamber. The experiments were performed at pressures near atmospheric for methane-air, ethyleneair and propane-air mixtures over the range of equivalence ratios from 0.8 to 1.2 A substantially universal relation between the normalized wall heat flux and the normalized time is obtained. The normalizing factor for the heat flux is the rate of heat liberation in the flame prior to quenching, πuSu(−ΔHc per unit of mass of mixture), and the normalizing factor for the time is the thermal diffusivity divided by the square of the flame speed, αu/Su2. The peak value of the wall heat flux is one third of the value used for scaling. Calculations were also made using a finite difference method and an integral method. Two step chemical kinetics was used in the finite difference calculations while a greatly simplified ignition temperature approach was employed in the integral method. The results from the finite difference calculation were in good agreement with the experimental data. In the integral method, choosing a single value for the ignition temperature (equal to the unburned gas temperature plus three-tenths of the adiabatic temperature increase due to combustion) for all three fuels also yielded good agreement with the experimental data.
A minimally invasive technique for tongue base stabilization in obstructive sleep apnea

Tongue base collapse is a problematic component of obstructive sleep apnea from a surgical point of view. Current surgical technique requires invasive surgery with related morbidity. Presented in this article is initial experience with a new minimally invasive technique that achieves stabilization of the tongue base. This technique uses a soft tissue to bone anchor inserted intra-orally into the mandible with an attached Prolene (Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc, Cincinnati, OH) 1-0 suture that is passed through the tongue. After incorporation of the suture in the tongue musculature rigidity is added to the airway. This procedure can be performed alone or as part of a comprehensive multilevel approach in obstructive sleep apnea surgery.
D-type cyclins

D-type cyclins couple extracellular signals to the biochemical machinery that governs progression through G1 phase of the mammalian cell division cycle. Induced by growth factor stimulation, D-type cyclins assemble with cyclin-dependent kinases CDK4 and CDK6 to form holoenzymes that facilitate exit from G1 by phosphorylating key substrates, including the retinoblastoma protein. Activation of the holoenzymes is antagonized by polypeptide inhibitors of CDK activity, which are induced by antiproliferative signals. Once cells pass a late G1 restriction point, cyclin-D-dependent kinases are unnecessary for completion of the cell cycle, implying that their primary role is to sense the cell's readiness to replicate DNA and to enforce the commitment to enter S phase.
MCP-induced protein 1 deubiquitinates TRAF proteins and negatively regulates JNK and NF-κB signaling

The intensity and duration of macrophage-mediated inflammatory responses are controlled by proteins that modulate inflammatory signaling pathways. MCPIP1 (monocyte chemotactic protein-induced protein 1), a recently identified CCCH Zn finger-containing protein, plays an essential role in controlling macrophage-mediated inflammatory responses. However, its mechanism of action is poorly understood. In this study, we show that MCPIP1 negatively regulates c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) and NF-κB activity by removing ubiquitin moieties from proteins, including TRAF2, TRAF3, and TRAF6. MCPIP1-deficient mice spontaneously developed fatal inflammatory syndrome. Macrophages and splenocytes from MCPIP1(-/-) mice showed elevated expression of inflammatory gene expression, increased JNK and IκB kinase activation, and increased polyubiquitination of TNF receptor-associated factors. In vitro assays directly demonstrated the deubiquitinating activity of purified MCPIP1. Sequence analysis together with serial mutagenesis defined a deubiquitinating enzyme domain and a ubiquitin association domain in MCPIP1. Our results indicate that MCPIP1 is a critical modulator of inflammatory signaling.
Strategies For Gaining Competitive Advantage In A Dynamic Environment Thru Data Quality

Raw data should be treated as materials for manufacturing products so that organizations can identify errors which otherwise could not be detected. Information system can be studied from the same perspective of product manufacturing.
Mapping a Locus for Familial Thoracic Aortic Aneurysms and Dissections (TAAD2) to 3p24–25

Background— Familial thoracic aortic aneurysms and dissections (TAAD) occur as part of known syndromes such as Marfan syndrome but can also be inherited in families in an autosomal dominant manner as an isolated condition. Previous studies have mapped genes causing nonsyndromic familial TAAD to 5q13–15 (TAAD1) and 11q23.2-q24 (FAA1). Further genetic heterogeneity for the condition was evident by the presence of TAAD in some families not linked to these known loci. Methods and Results— A 4-generation family with dominant mode of inheritance of TAAD was studied. Affected status was determined by dilation of the ascending aorta, surgical repair of an aneurysm or dissection, or death as the result of aortic dissection. None of the family members evaluated met the diagnostic criteria for Marfan syndrome. After exclusion of known loci for familial TAAD, a genome-wide scan was carried out to map the defective gene causing the disease in the family. A locus was mapped to a 25-cM region on 3p24–25 with a maximum m...
CAMEL : Concept annotated IMagE libraries

Copyright 2001 Society of Photo-Optical Instrumentation Engineers. One print or electronic copy may be made for personal use only. Systematic electronic or print reproduction and distribution, duplication of any material in this paper for a fee or for commercial purposes, or modification of the content of the paper are prohibited. http://dx.doi.org/10.1117/12.410975
Decision Analysis Methodology to Evaluate Integrated Solid Waste Management Alternatives

Value-focused thinking, a decision analysis technique, is used to produce a multiple-objective model that captures a site's municipal solid waste (MSW) management goals, objectives, and concerns in order to facilitate the evaluation of competing strategies. The model ranks competing MSW alternatives based on how well they meet the decision maker's strategic objective, a 20-year compliant MSW system. Sensitivity analysis is incorporated in the model to assess and illustrate the effects of changes in model objective weights and changes in model parameters. Overall, the model provides decision-makers with a decision tool to make a better decision when choosing a new MSW management strategy. The entire process is applied to a case study using Earekson Air Station, a remote U.S. Air Force installation.
Basics of Diesel Engines and Diesel Fuels

Publisher Summary The diesel engine has been the engine of choice for heavy-duty applications in agriculture, construction, industrial, and on-highway transport for more than 50 years. Its early popularity could be attributed to its ability to use the portion of the petroleum crude oil that had previously been considered a waste product from the refining of gasoline. Later, the diesel's durability, high torque capacity, and fuel efficiency ensured its role in the most demanding applications. Although diesel engines have not been widely used in passenger cars in the United States ( 50% of the total market. In the United States, on-highway diesel engines now consume greater than 40 billion gallons of diesel fuel per year and virtually all of this is in trucks. At the present time, only a small fraction of this fuel is biodiesel. However, as petroleum becomes more expensive to locate and extract and concerns about fuel security and global warming increase, biodiesel is likely to emerge as one of several potential alternative diesel fuels. To understand the requirements of a diesel fuel and how biodiesel can be considered a desirable substitute, it is important to understand the basic operating principles of the diesel engine. This chapter describes these principles, particularly in light of the fuel used and the ways in which biodiesel provides advantages over conventional petroleum-based fuels.
Selmer groups and the indivisibility of Heegner points

For elliptic curves over Q, we prove the p-indivisibility of derived Heegner points for certain prime numbers p, as conjectured by Kolyvagin in 1991. Applications include the rened Birch{SwinertonDyer conjecture in the analytic rank one case, and a converse to the theorem of Gross{Zagier and Kolyvagin. A slightly dierent version of the converse is also proved earlier by Skinner.
Zinc Chloride Methylene Blue. I. Biological Stain History, Physical Characteristics and Approximation of Azure B Content of Commercial Samples

Zinc chloride methylene blue appeared on the market almost contemporaneously with the zinc-free medicinal form. The former has rarely been reported as being used in blood stains. Recent suspension of manufacture of medicinal methylene blue by it. principal American producer has excited interest in the use of the zinc chloride form for the preparation of blood stains. According to Lillie (1944a,b) the azure B content of zinc chloride methylene blue may have varied from 5 to 30% in the samples studied. Taking the Merck Index (1968, 1976) figures for the spectroscopic absorption maximum (λmax) of 667.8 and 668 nm as standard, recent samples of zinc chloride methylene blue are calculated to contain 6-8% azure B. These figures are baaed on 1) the shift of λmax after exhaustive pH 9.5 chloroform extraction, 2) evaluation of the actual ratio of the observed TiCl2 dye content to the theoretical for pure zinc chloride methylene blue, 3) comparison of spectroscopic and staining effects of graded hot dichromate oxid...
Can rash associated with HER1/EGFR inhibition be used as a marker of treatment outcome?

Rash is a class effect of HER1/epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-targeted agents, and has occurred with high frequency and in a dose-dependent manner in clinical trials of these agents in cancer patients. Analysis of phase II trials of erlotinib (Tarceva) in non–smallcell lung cancer, head and neck cancer, and ovarian cancer shows a significant association between rash severity and objective tumor response. Rash severity was highly significantly associated with survival in patients with non–small-cell lung cancer receiving erlotinib; median survival in patients with no rash was 46.5 days, compared with 257 days in those with grade 1 rash (P < .0001) and 597 days in those with grade 2/3 rash (P < .0001). Similarly, for the combined non–smallcell lung cancer, head and neck cancer, and ovarian cancer studies, median survival in patients with no rash was 103 days, compared with 191 days in those with grade 1 rash (P = .0001) and 266 days in those with grade 2/3/4 rash (P = .0001). Similar findings have been made with cetuximab (Erbitux) and in some settings with gefitinib (Iressa). The strong association of rash severity with response/survival suggests that rash may serve as a marker of response to erlotinib treatment and may be used to guide treatment to obtain optimal response. Dosing erlotinib at the maximum tolerated dose, which is associated with more frequent and more severe rash, may improve response rates and survival durations. Further study of the potentially important association between rash and outcome of treatment with EGFR-targeted agents is needed.
Mexico and Latin America

Religion is the law of conscience. Any law imposed on it annuls it, because when we enforce duty, we remove merit from faith, which is the basis of religion. The precepts and sacred dogmas of religion are useful, luminous proofs of transcendence; we should all profess them, but this obligation is moral, not political. – Simon Bolivar, Address to the Constituent Congress (1826) O n january 28, 1992, the Mexican national legislature approved changes to the country's revolutionary 1917 Constitution and effectively reversed eight decades of officially sanctioned hostility toward religious organizations, including principally (and surprisingly) the Roman Catholic Church. Church leaders greeted this new legal framework with a sense of optimism and accomplishment, having obtained the legal recognition and freedom it had sought for many years. Jeronimo Prigione, the papal nuncio who spearheaded the Church's struggle to obtain legal recognition, stated, “We [the Catholic hierarchy] are sincerely appreciative and thankful for the effort of the House of Deputies, and the concern of [President Carlos Salinas], a wise statesman … for opening new horizons in the relations between the Church and State [ sic ], channeling the forces of the two societies toward the service of social and religious peace” (Prigione 1992, 24). Archbishop Adolfo Suarez Rivera, then president of the Conferencia del Episcopado Mexicano (CEM), declared that this legislation “has marked a new stage in our history.
Inhibition of Glycolate and D-Lactate Metabolism in a Mutant of Chlamydomonas Reinhardtii Deficient in Mitochondrial Respiration

Glycolate dehydrogenase, an enzyme of the oxidative photosynthetic carbon cycle (C2 cycle), catalyzes the oxidation of glycolate to glyoxylate (1). This enzyme also reportedly catalyzes the oxidation of D-lactate (1). Unlike glycolate oxidase of higher plants, the dehydrogenase does not use molecular O2 as the direct electron acceptor; however, the natural acceptor is unknown. Both glycolate and D-lactate dehydrogenase activities have been cytochemically localized in the mitochondrial membrane (2) and glycolate-dependent reduction of cytochrome c by Chlamydomonas mitochondrial fractions has been reported (3). The present study describes the use of a mutant of Chlamydomonas reinhardtii deficient in cytochrome oxidase activity (4) to provide evidence that the metabolism of both glycolate and D-lactate in these algae is linked to mitochondrial electron transport.
Cell-cycle markers do not improve discrimination of EORTC and CUETO risk models in predicting recurrence and progression of non–muscle-invasive high-grade bladder cancer

Abstract Purpose To assess if a panel of cell-cycle markers could improve the discrimination of European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) and Spanish Urological Club for Oncological Treatment (CUETO) models in predicting recurrence and progression of high-grade non–muscle-invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC). Materials and methods Between January 2007 and January 2012, every patient with high-grade NMIBC treated with transurethral resection of bladder underwent immunohistochemical staining for 5 biomarkers (p21, p27, p53, KI-67, and cyclin E1). We excluded patients who had muscle-insvasive disease, underwent early cystectomy, and those with incomplete follow-up. Kaplan-Meier curves assessed recurrence and progression-free survival. Univariate and multivariate Cox regression analysis assessed the predictive ability of markers after correcting for EORTC or CUETO risk scores. Harrel concordance index assessed for discrimination. Results There were 131 patients with a median follow-up of 31.1 months. Stage was Ta (50%), T1 (44%), and Tis (8%). For 95 patients this was the primary tumor. Intravesical therapy was used in 76% of cases of which 45% had maintenance. Recurrence-free survival rates at 6, 12, and 24 months were 68.9%, 52.1%, and 33.2%, respectively, whereas progression-free survival rate at 6, 12, and 24 months were 93.8%, 88%, and 84.3%, respectively. No differences in survival based on number of altered markers were noted. Biomarker status was neither a significant predictor of recurrence nor progression. Marker alterations marginally improved discrimination of EORTC and CUETO models, which were confirmed to be mediocre. Conclusions Markers were not significant predictors of recurrence nor progression in patients with high-grade NMIBC and their addition to prediction models is of little benefit.
Disparities in the Receipt of Local Treatment of Node-positive Prostate Cancer.

Abstract Introduction We sought to determine whether any sociodemographic disparities are present in the receipt of local treatment for node-positive prostate cancer. Patients and Methods We identified 9771 patients with clinical N1M0 prostate cancer diagnosed from 1998 to 2012 using the National Cancer Database. We used multivariable logistic regression modeling to identify patient-specific factors that were associated with a reduced likelihood of receiving prostate or pelvic radiation or radical prostatectomy. We also used Cox regression modeling to estimate the differences in overall survival (OS) using these factors. Results The factors associated with a reduced likelihood of receiving local therapy included black race versus white race (43.6% vs. 49.4%; adjusted odds ratio [AOR], 0.76; P = .001), bottom income quartile versus top quartile (44.7% vs. 52.7%; AOR, 0.69; P = .001), age > 66 years versus ≤ 66 years (40.8% vs. 55.1%; AOR, 0.48; P P P P P P = .032), these disparities were no longer present or were smaller in magnitude after adjustment for receipt of local treatment. Conclusion Significant treatment disparities exist in the receipt of local therapy for node-positive prostate cancer. Given the accumulating evidence supporting this practice, the factors underlying these disparities should be studied and addressed.
Association of Blood Pressure Trajectory With Mortality, Incident Cardiovascular Disease, and Heart Failure in the Cardiovascular Health Study.

Background Common blood pressure (BP) trajectories are not well established in elderly persons, and their association with clinical outcomes is uncertain. Methods We used hierarchical cluster analysis to identify discrete BP trajectories among 4,067 participants in the Cardiovascular Health Study using repeated BP measures from years 0 to 7. We then evaluated associations of each BP trajectory cluster with all-cause mortality, incident cardiovascular disease (CVD, defined as stroke or myocardial infarction) (N = 2,837), and incident congestive heart failure (HF) (N = 3,633) using Cox proportional hazard models. Results Median age was 77 years at year 7. Over a median 9.3 years of follow-up, there were 2,475 deaths, 659 CVD events, and 1,049 HF events. The cluster analysis identified 3 distinct trajectory groups. Participants in cluster 1 (N = 1,838) had increases in both systolic (SBP) and diastolic (DBP) BPs, whereas persons in cluster 2 (N = 1,109) had little change in SBP but declines in DBP. Persons in cluster 3 (N = 1,120) experienced declines in both SBP and DBP. After multivariable adjustment, clusters 2 and 3 were associated with increased mortality risk relative to cluster 1 (hazard ratio = 1.21, 95% confidence interval: 1.06-1.37 and hazard ratio = 1.20, 95% confidence interval: 1.05-1.36, respectively). Compared to cluster 1, cluster 3 had higher rates of incident CVD but associations were not statistically significant in demographic-adjusted models (hazard ratio = 1.16, 95% confidence interval: 0.96-1.39). Findings were similar when stratified by use of antihypertensive therapy. Conclusions Among community-dwelling elders, distinct BP trajectories were identified by integrating both SBP and DBP. These clusters were found to have differential associations with outcomes.
The Crowd Work Accessibility Problem

Crowd work is an increasingly prevalent and important kind of work. Because of its flexible nature, crowd work may offer benefits for people with disabilities. Unfortunately, people with disabilities currently lack access to much of this work because the tasks that are posted are often inaccessible. In this paper, we first characterize the accessibility of the tasks posted to a popular crowd marketplace, Amazon Mechanical Turk, by performing manual and automatic checks on 120 tasks from several common types. We then outline research directions that could have positive impact on this problem. Given ongoing and upcoming changes to the world economy and technological progress, we believe it is important to find a way to make sure people with disabilities are able to equally participate in this kind of work.
The effects in the human of diethylstilbestrol (DES) use during pregnancy.

Intrauterine diethylstilbestrol (DES) exposure is associated with an increased risk for the development of clear cell adenocarcinoma (CCA) of the vagina and cervix. The age of the patients at diagnosis has varied from 7-35 years with the highest frequency from 14-22 years. The risk among the exposed, however, is small and is of the order of 1 per 1,000. Almost all of the cases occur in postmenarchal females. Other factors that may increase the risk are maternal history of prior miscarriage, exposure to DES in early gestation, a fall season of birth and prematurity. The occurrence of CCA has paralleled the sales of DES for pregnancy support in the U.S. Both vaginal adenosis (benign glands in the vagina) and CCA are more frequent among those whose mothers began DES in early pregnancy. An increased risk of squamous cell neoplasia has been hypothesized but not proven. The changes that occur in the female genital tract of the DES exposed appear to result from alterations in the development of the mullerian ducts. Currently there is not definitive evidence for an elevated risk of cancer among DES mothers or DES sons but studies have suggested a possible increase of breast cancer in the former group and testicular cancer in the latter group; a valid association has not been established in either.
Statistical Analyses to Understand the Relationship Between the Properties of Exoplanets and Their Host Stars

The increasing number of exoplanet detections shows that planetary systems around other stars are common in the Universe but also that they may possess a wide range of physical and orbital properties. Physical and statistical models are needed to explain the relation between exoplanets and the characteristics of their host stars. Here we analyze this issue through the application of multivariate statistical techniques. The results show that both the temperature and the magnetic activity of the host star seem to determine the properties of an exoplanet within any system, in particular, of the orbital period. The star’s metallicity also appears to be influential in the multiplanet systems.
D=10 Superstring Theory

The supersymmetric string of Schwarz and Green [1] is a variant of the old fermionic string theory of Ramond-Neveu-Schwarz [2]. It is consistent only in ten dimensions and apparently must be interpreted in the sense of a Kaluza-Klein theory, the ten dimensions consisting of four Minkowskian ones and six compact ones.
Why Is This Trash Can Yelling at Me? Big Bellies and Clean Green Gentrification

Rasanblaj: n. assembly, compilation, enlisting, regrouping (of ideas, things, people, spirits. For example, fe yon rasanblaj, do a gathering, a ceremony, a protest).“Hey there, good looking!” On a ...