cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Formation, Repair, and Genotoxic Properties of Bulky DNA Adducts Formed from Tobacco-Specific Nitrosamines

4-(Methylnitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanone (NNK) and -nitrosonornicotine (NNN) are tobacco-specific nitrosamines present in tobacco products and smoke. Both compounds are carcinogenic in laboratory animals, generating tumors at sites comparable to those observed in smokers. These Group 1 human carcinogens are metabolized to reactive intermediates that alkylate DNA. This paper focuses on the DNA pyridyloxobutylation pathway which is common to both compounds. This DNA route generates 7-[4-(3-pyridyl)-4-oxobut-1-yl]--deoxyguanosine, -[4-(3-pyridyl)-4-oxobut-1-yl]--deoxycytosine, -[4-(3-pyridyl)-4-oxobut-1-yl]--deoxythymidine, and -[4-(3-pyridyl)-4-oxobut-1-yl]--deoxyguanosine as well as unstable adducts which dealkylate to release 4-hydroxy-1--1-butanone or depyriminidate/depurinate to generate abasic sites. There are multiple repair pathways responsible for protecting against the genotoxic effects of these adducts, including adduct reversal as well as base and nucleotide excision repair pathways. Data indicate that several DNA adducts contribute to the overall mutagenic properties of pyridyloxobutylating agents. Which adducts contribute to the carcinogenic properties of this pathway are likely to depend on the biochemistry of the target tissue.
Overlapping PPM for band-limited visible light communication and dimming

The synthesis of visible light communication (VLC) and lighting state control necessitates data-light modulation that can accommodate intensity control. A number of techniques that enable both optical wireless data transmission and intensity control of light-emitting diodes (LEDs) have been proposed as a response to this need. Relevant schemes leverage amplitude modulation (AM)/continuous current reduction (CCR) and/or pulse-width modulation (PWM) for dimming capability. Two-level schemes related to PWM, such as on-off keying with compensation time (OOK + CT), variable pulse position modulation (VPPM), and multiple pulse position modulation (MPPM), are most commonly investigated. In this paper, we survey and compare OOK + CT, VPPM and MPPM. Moreover, we propose a novel approach towards dimming and data transmission through the variation of codeword weights in overlapping pulse-position modulation (OPPM). The proposed approach has comparatively high spectral efficiency. Using realistic constraints of a practical VLC system, analysis reveals that OPPM can increase data rates by more than 20Mbps over expected performance of related, two-level schemes, when using LEDs suitable for lighting that have relatively low modulation bandwidths.
Power of d Choices for Large-Scale Bin Packing: A Loss Model

We consider a system of $N$ parallel servers, where each server consists of B units of a resource. Jobs arrive at this system according to a Poisson process, and each job stays in the system for an exponentially distributed amount of time. Each job may request different units of the resource from the system. The goal is to understand how to route arriving jobs to the servers to minimize the probability that an arriving job does not find the required amount of resource at the server, i.e., the goal is to minimize blocking probability. The motivation for this problem arises from the design of cloud computing systems in which the jobs are virtual machines (VMs) that request resources such as memory from a large pool of servers. In this paper, we consider power-of-d-choices routing, where a job is routed to the server with the largest amount of available resource among d ≥ 2 randomly chosen servers. We consider a fluid model that corresponds to the limit as N goes to infinity and provide an explicit upper bound for the equilibrium blocking probability. We show that the upper bound exhibits different behavior as B goes to infinity depending on the relationship between the total traffic intensity λ and B. In particular, if (B -- λ)/√λ → α, the upper bound is doubly exponential in √λ and if (B -- λ)/logd λ → β, β > 1, the upper bound is exponential in λ. Simulation results show that the blocking probability, even for small B, exhibits qualitatively different behavior in the two traffic regimes. This is in contrast with the result for random routing, where the blocking probability scales as O(1/√λ) even if (B -- λ)/√λ → α.
QoS-based Broadcast Protocol Under Blind Information in Cognitive Radio Ad Hoc Networks

In this book, we consider a CR ad hoc network where N SUs and K PUs co-exist in an \(L\times L\) area, as shown in Fig. 2.1. PUs are distributed within the area under the probability density function (pdf) \(f_{G}(g)\). For simplicity, in this book, we consider that PUs are evenly distributed. The SUs opportunistically access M licensed channels. In Fig. 2.1, the solid circle represents the transmission range of a SU with a radius of r c . Other SUs within the transmission range are considered as the neighboring nodes of the corresponding SU. That is, only when a SU receiver is within the transmission range of a SU transmitter, the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) at the SU receiver is considered to be acceptable for reliable communications.
Creating Nanoporosity by Selective Extraction of Porogens Using Supercritical Carbon Dioxide/Cosolvent Processes

This work presents a novel approach using supercritical carbon dioxide (SCCO2) to selectively extract poly(propylene glycol) (PPG) porogen from a poly(methylsilsesquioxane) (PMSSQ) matrix, which results in the formation of nanopores. Nanoporous thin films were prepared by spin-casting a solution containing appropriate quantities of PPG porogen and PMSSQ dissolved in PM acetate. The as-spun films were thermally cured at temperatures well below the thermal degradation temperature of the organic polymer to form a cross-linked organic/inorganic polymer hybrid. By selectively removing the CO2 soluble PPG porogen, open and closed pore structures are possible depending upon the porogen load and its distribution in the matrix before extraction. In the present work, two different loadings of PPG namely 25 wt.% and 55 wt.% were used. Both static SCCO2 and pulsed SCCO2/cosolvent treatments were used for PPG extraction. The initial results indicate that the pulsed SCCO2/cosolovent treatment was more efficient. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and refractive index measurements further corroborate the successful extraction of the porogens at relatively low temperatures (2000C). For the pure PMSSQ film, the k value is 3.1, whereas it is 1.46 and 2.27 for the open and closed pore compositions respectively after the static SCCO2 extraction and 430°C subsequent annealing. The reduction in the k-value is attributed to the formation of nanopores. The pore structure was verified from transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and from small-angle x-ray scattering (SAXS) measurements, the pore size was determined to be 1-3 nm for these films.
A Low-Range Drift-Free Bio-compatible Pressure Sensor Based on P(VDF-TrFE) Piezoelectric Thin Film

A low-range pressure sensor (0-100kPa) based on the P(VDF-TrFE) piezoelectric thin film is proposed, where the long-term drift is eliminated by operating near the piezoelectric resonance. The pressure sensor is designed for blood pressure and tissue swelling pressure monitoring. The poled 50μm±1μm P(VDF-TrFE) copolymer film is used as the sensing element, with all fabrication and assembly materials biocompatible. A modified Butterworth-Van Dyke (BVD) [1] equivalent circuit model is used to characterize the sensor behavior. The pressure sensor exhibits negligible drift in weeks of operation. The device shows a sensitivity of 0.038MHz/kPa resonance frequency shift under stress, which leads to a maximum readout change of 1.1%/kPa in the present setup.
Characteristics of Rice Restorer Line R1126 with Super-large Panicles

Using Minghui 63 and Shuhui 527,two mainstay rice restorer lines,as the controls,the characteristics of R1126,a rice restorer line with super-large panicles newly developed by Hunan Hybrid Rice Research Center,were surveyed in canopy leaf,dry matter accumulation and grain yield.The results showed that R1126 had a larger canopy leaf area,a greater specific leaf weight,a higher net photosynthetic rate,a stronger anti-premature senescence ability and a greater photosynthetic production capacity.R1126 has super-large panicles with 321 spikelets per panicle,87% of seed-setting rate and 26 g of 1 000-grain weight on average,but a weak tillering ability and a small number of productive panicles with only 4.8 panicles per plant on average.The strategy of the application of R1126 in super hybrid rice breeding was also discussed in the paper.
Influenza pandemic planning

In this article the most important properties of influenza A viruses are described to understand influenza pandemics. There are at least three possibilities: (1) By reassortment between an avian and the prevailing human influenza A virus viruses with a new surface are created, against which no neutralizing antibodies are present in the human population. Such a virus can spread immediately worldwide. (2) Viruses, which have been present in the human population some time ago, reappear and infect the new generation, which has not been in contact with this virus before. (3) An avian influenza virus crosses the species barrier to humans and forms there a new stable lineage. In relation to pandemic planning, the first possibility can be more or less excluded, since the now-a-days human influenza A viruses have evolved so far away from their original source, the avian influenza viruses, that the formation of a well-growing and well-spreading reassortant is practically not possible anymore. Point two is a dangerous possibility, in that, e.g., a human H2N2 virus could reappear, which had disappeared in 1968 from the human population. The third possibility is at the moment the most dangerous situation, if, e.g., a highly neurotropic H5N1 virus from Southeast Asia crosses the species barrier to humans. An infection with such a pandemic virus presumably cannot be treated efficiently by antivirals. In such a situation only a rapid vaccination would be successful. In this respect in the last year important results have been obtained by using the reverse genetics. Meanwhile in about 50 countries there have been drawn up pandemic-preparedness plans.
Percutaneous intrarenal electrosurgery.

AbstractA 16F nephroscope with a 5F cutting element was used for percutaneous removal of kidney stones in 10 patients in whom an open operation otherwise would have been necessary. Stone removal was accomplished via percutaneous incision of narrowed infundibula, caliceal diverticula and the ureteropelvic junction. A thorough knowledge of renal vasculature, meticulous care and fluoroscopic control are necessary for successful percutaneous intrarenal electrosurgery.
Discussion of Aleskerov’s Paper

To give some background to this paper it is worth briefly reviewing some of the Arrovian results relating rationality principles of a social choice function, σ, to the nature of the ‘decisiveness structure’ Dσ defined by σ. (A coalition M is in Dσ if the coalition can get its way under σ when its members agree.) Assuming the usual Pareto and universal domain conditions, the theory focused on constraints on Dσ sufficient to restrict the image, Im(σ), of σ in an appropriate way. For example, suppose that one wishes σ to have as image the class of acyclic relations (with domain the acyclic profiles). Then a necessary condition is that Dσ be a prefilter: essentially this means the collegium K(Dσ) = ∩ {M: M ∈ Dσ} is non-empty (Brown, 1973). On the other hand if σ is to have as image the strict partial orders, then the collegium must be decisive, that is an oligarchy. If σ is to have as image the weak orders then Dσ must be a fixed filter, which in the case of a finite society means there is a dictator (Kirman and Sondermann, 1972; Arrow, 1951). Note these need not be sufficient conditions: however if σ is simple, defined entirely by Dσ, then these restrictions on Dσ are also sufficient to constrain the image as required.
Adverse event reports following yellow fever vaccination, 2007-13.

Background : Yellow fever (YF) vaccines have been available since the 1930s and are generally considered safe and effective. However, rare reports of serious adverse events (SAE) following vaccination have prompted the Advisory Committee for Immunization Practices to periodically expand the list of conditions considered contraindications and precautions to vaccination. Methods : We describe adverse events following YF vaccination reported to the U.S. Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS) from 2007 through 2013 and calculate age- and sex-specific reporting rates of all SAE, anaphylaxis, YF vaccine-associated neurologic disease (YEL-AND) and YF vaccine-associated viscerotropic disease (YEL-AVD). Results : There were 938 adverse events following YF vaccination reported to VAERS from 2007 through 2013. Of these, 84 (9%) were classified as SAEs for a rate of 3.8 per 100 000 doses distributed. Reporting rates of SAEs increased with increasing age with a rate of 6.5 per 100 000 in persons aged 60–69 years and 10.3 for ≥70 years. The reporting rate for anaphylaxis was 1.3 per 100 000 doses distributed and was highest in persons ≤18 years (2.7 per 100 000). Reporting rates of YEL-AND and YEL-AVD were 0.8 and 0.3 per 100 000 doses distributed, respectively; both rates increased with increasing age. Conclusions : These findings reinforce the generally acceptable safety profile of YF vaccine, but highlight the importance of continued physician and traveller education regarding the risks and benefits of YF vaccination, particularly for older travellers.
U Suk! Participatory Media and Youth Experiences With Political Discourse

In light of evidence that the Internet, participatory media, and online communities are increasingly central to civic and political life, this article investigates online political discourse as a c...
Providing Comfort at Home: Safe Haven in Iraq

On 16 April 1991, President George Bush announced that the US, along with its two main Gulf War allies Britain and France, would create a safe haven in northern Iraq so that the Kurds who had fled Iraqi repression could return home again in safety. Following the 1991 Gulf War, both the Shi’ites in the South and the Kurds in the North launched rebellions that succeeded for a time but were eventually brutally crushed by the Iraqi regime. Targeted by Iraqi helicopter gunships and fearing possible chemical weapons attacks, a means used by Saddam Hussein in his 1988 punishment of the Kurds for their involvement with the enemy in the Iran-Iraq war, the Kurds fled en mass toward the Turkish and Iranian borders. Concerned that an influx might exacerbate its own Kurdish minority problem and unwilling to be burdened financially with massive numbers of refugees, Turkey closed its border, leaving the Kurds to languish in severe, freezing conditions along the mountains just inside Iraq. The resulting humanitarian crisis sparked greater and greater international involvement to alleviate the suffering in an incremental process that eventually culminated in a safe haven once it became clear that sufficient comfort could not be provided in the harsh landscape along the Iraqi-Turkish border. Although not explicitly authorized by the Security Council, the safe haven came to encompass almost 10,000 square kilometres of Iraqi territory;2 and its protection was successfully guaranteed through the presence of coalition troops that remained within Iraq until mid-July and through an effective air power deterrent that prevented Iraq from using military aircraft within a no-fly zone above the 36th parallel.3
Daniel R. Coquillette and Bruce A. Kimball, On the Battlefield of Merit: Harvard Law School, the First Century .

Daniel R. Coquillette and Bruce A. Kimball, On the Battlefield of Merit: Harvard Law School, the First Century (Cambridge: Harvard University Press, 2015). Pp. xi + 688. $39.95 (hardcover). ISBN: 978-0-674-96766-3. This first of a two-volume bicentennial history of the Harvard Law School traces the institution from its founding in 1817 through the death of Dean James Barr Ames in 1909. The various “eras” of this first century are amply covered: a first decade of great struggle under Isaac Parker and Asahel Stearns; tremendous growth over the following twenty years orchestrated by Joseph Story and Simon Greenleaf; another two decades of prosperity with the “triumvirate” of Joel Parker, Theophilus Parsons, and Emory Washburn; the revolutionary twenty-five year Deanship of Christopher Columbus Langdell; and the school continuing its Langdellian ways under Ames. Much of this has been previously covered in the numerous histories of the school, so to differentiate their work, the authors … thunter{at}westga.edu
An RNA-based signature enables high specificity detection of circulating tumor cells in hepatocellular carcinoma

Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) are shed into the bloodstream by invasive cancers, but the difficulty inherent in identifying these rare cells by microscopy has precluded their routine use in monitoring or screening for cancer. We recently described a high-throughput microfluidic CTC-iChip, which efficiently depletes hematopoietic cells from blood specimens and enriches for CTCs with well-preserved RNA. Application of RNA-based digital PCR to detect CTC-derived signatures may thus enable highly accurate tissue lineage-based cancer detection in blood specimens. As proof of principle, we examined hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), a cancer that is derived from liver cells bearing a unique gene expression profile. After identifying a digital signature of 10 liver-specific transcripts, we used a cross-validated logistic regression model to identify the presence of HCC-derived CTCs in nine of 16 (56%) untreated patients with HCC versus one of 31 (3%) patients with nonmalignant liver disease at risk for developing HCC (P < 0.0001). Positive CTC scores declined in treated patients: Nine of 32 (28%) patients receiving therapy and only one of 15 (7%) patients who had undergone curative-intent ablation, surgery, or liver transplantation were positive. RNA-based digital CTC scoring was not correlated with the standard HCC serum protein marker alpha fetoprotein (P = 0.57). Modeling the sequential use of these two orthogonal markers for liver cancer screening in patients with high-risk cirrhosis generates positive and negative predictive values of 80% and 86%, respectively. Thus, digital RNA quantitation constitutes a sensitive and specific CTC readout, enabling high-throughput clinical applications, such as noninvasive screening for HCC in populations where viral hepatitis and cirrhosis are prevalent.
Technetium: The First Radioelement on the Periodic Table

The radioactive nature of technetium is discussed using a combination of introductory nuclear physics concepts and empirical trends observed in the chart of the nuclides and the periodic table of the elements. Trends such as the enhanced stability of nucleon pairs, magic numbers, and Mattauch’s rule are described. The concepts of nuclear binding energies and the nuclear shell model are introduced and used to explain the relative stability of radionuclides and, in particular, the isotopes of technetium.
Correction to: Coakley, Maurice “Ireland, Europe and the Global Crisis.”

A series of citations in the text were missing page numbers. There were a series of quotations in the original text from journal articles and books that have been changed to reflect the exact page that the author is referencing in the article. The author has also attributed the quotations from public figures and politicians to their respective journalistic sources. Finally, the author has updated the “About the Author” section of the paper. The original article can be found at http://dx.doi.org/10.5195/jwsr.2016.634
An Integrated Media, Integrated Processes Watershed Model – WASH123D: Part 8 – Reactive Chemical Transport in Subsurface Media

A watershed system includes river/stream networks, overland regions, and subsurface media. This paper presents a reaction-based numerical model of reactive chemical transport in subsurface media of watershed systems. Transport of M chemical species with a variety of chemical and physical processes is mathematically described by M partial differential equations (PDEs). Decomposition via Gauss-Jordan column reduction of the reaction network transforms M species reactive transport equations into M reaction extent-transport equations (a reaction extent is a linear combination of species concentrations), each involves one and the only one linearly independent reaction. Thus, the reactive transport problem is viewed from two different points of view. Descirbed with a species-transport equation, the transport of a species is balanced by a linear combinations of rates of all reactions. Described by a reaction extent-transport equation, the rate of a linear independent reaction is balanced by the transport of the linear combination of species. The later description facilitates the decoupling of fast reactions from slow reactions and circumvent the stiffness of reactive transport problems. This is so because the M reaction extent-transport equations can be approximated with three subsets of equations: NE algebraic equations describing NE fast reactions (where NE is the set of linearly independent fast/equilibrium reactions), NKI reactive transport equations of kinetic-variables involving no fast reactions (where NKI is the number of linearly independent slow/kinetic reactions), and NC transport equations of components involving no reaction at all (where NC = M – NE – NKI is the number of components). The elimination of fast reactions from reactive transport equations allows robust and efficient numerical integration. The model solves the PDEs of kinetic-variables and components rather than individual chemical species, which reduces the number of reactive transport equations and simplifies the reaction terms in the equations. Two validation examples involving simulations of uranium transport in soil columns are presented to evaluate the ability of the model to simulate reactive transport with reaction networks involving both kinetic and equilibrium reactions. A hypothetical three-dimensional example is presented to demonstrate the model application to a field-scale problem involving reactive transport with a complex reaction network.
Translating Health Disparities

In order to effectively reduce and/or eliminate health disparities, scientifically based remedies have to be implemented in broad/based behavioral interventions that are focused on changing conditions at the community, state, and governmental levels, in addition to the individual level. Infrastructure, such as social networks involving community-health representatives, peer-outreach workers, community-health aides, and peer educators and their interactions with health-care professionals needs to be established.
Cross-Sectional and Longitudinal Analysis of Development: The Interbehavioral Perspective

The interbehavioral concept of human development is reviewed and proposals are offered for refining the cross-sectional stages (foundational, basic, and societal) and for specifying longitudinal analyses in terms of effective, language, cognitive, and affective interactions.
SRSD in Writing and Professional Development for Teachers: Practice and Promise for Elementary and Middle School Students with Learning Disabilities

In this article, we outline common challenges students with LD have with writing and then provide an overview of the evidence-based Self-Regulated Strategy Development (SRSD) instructional model in writing. Next, we provide detailed descriptions of SRSD instruction for students with LD in elementary and middle school classrooms, noting important considerations when planning for and implementing SRSD in these grades. We then address an emerging area of research, practice-based professional development (PBPD) for SRSD. After providing descriptions of PBPD for SRSD, we summarize PBPD for SRSD studies and argue for continued research in this area. We provide our readers with rich descriptions of PBPD for SRSD, highlighting its promise for students with LD and their teachers.
Complete Genome Sequence of Livestock-Associated Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus Sequence Type 398 Isolated from Swine in the United States.

ABSTRACT Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) colonizes and causes disease in many animal species. Livestock-associated MRSA (LA-MRSA) isolates are represented by isolates of the sequence type 398 (ST398). These isolates are considered to be livestock adapted. This report provides the complete genome sequence of one swine-associated LA-MRSA ST398 isolate from the United States.
Supporting students' reasoning with inscriptions

In this paper we look at how students can be supported to reason with a mathematical inscription system. We do so by analyzing several episodes from a classroom design experiment that centered on supporting middle school students' understanding of proportional relations in the context of measurement. We illustrate how the teacher orchestrated whole-class conversations that built on students' diverse ways of reasoning and how she used an inscription system to revoice their contributions. We explain that such efforts made it possible for students to start communicating and reasoning mathematically with the inscriptions.
Sex-related differences in oxidative stress and neurodegeneration

Oxidative stress has been implicated in a number of neurodegenerative diseases spanning various fields of research. Reactive oxygen species can be beneficial or harmful, depending on their concentration. High levels of reactive oxygen species can lead to oxidative stress, which is an imbalance between free radicals and antioxidants. Increased oxidative stress can result in cell loss. Interestingly, sex differences have been observed in oxidative stress generation, which may underlie sex differences observed in neurodegenerative disorders. An enhanced knowledge of the role of sex hormones on oxidative stress signaling and cell loss can yield valuable information, leading to sex-based mechanistic approaches to neurodegeneration.
Assessing Clinical Outcomes in Colorectal Cancer with Assays for Invasive Circulating Tumor Cells.

Colorectal carcinoma (CRC) is the second leading cause of cancer-related mortality. The goals of this study are to evaluate the association between levels of invasive circulating tumor cells (iCTCs) with CRC outcomes and to explore the molecular characteristics of iCTCs. Peripheral blood from 93 patients with Stage I–IV CRC was obtained and assessed for the detection and characterization of iCTCs using a functional collagen-based adhesion matrix (CAM) invasion assay. Patients were followed and assessed for overall survival. Tumor cells isolated by CAM were characterized using cell culture and microarray analyses. Of 93 patients, 88 (95%) had detectable iCTCs, ranging over 0–470 iCTCs/mL. Patients with Stage I–IV disease exhibited median counts of 0.0 iCTCs/mL (n = 6), 13.0 iCTCs/mL (n = 12), 41.0 iCTCs/mL (n = 12), and 133.0 iCTCs/mL (n = 58), respectively (p < 0.001). Kaplan–Meier curve analysis demonstrated a significant survival benefit in patients with low iCTC counts compared with in patients with high iCTC counts (log-rank p < 0.001). Multivariable Cox model analysis revealed that iCTC count was an independent prognostic factor of overall survival (p = 0.009). Disease stage (p = 0.01, hazard ratio 1.66; 95% confidence interval: 1.12–2.47) and surgical intervention (p = 0.03, HR 0.37; 95% CI: 0.15–0.92) were also independent prognostic factors. Gene expression analysis demonstrated the expression of both endothelial and tumor progenitor cell biomarkers in iCTCs. CAM-based invasion assay shows a high detection sensitivity of iCTCs that inversely correlated with overall survival in CRC patients. Functional and gene expression analyses showed the phenotypic mosaics of iCTCs, mimicking the survival capability of circulating endothelial cells in the blood stream.
Docetaxel (Taxotere) for the treatment of anthracycline-resistant breast cancer

Until the introduction of the taxoids, docetaxel (Taxotere; Rhone-Poulenc Rorer, Antony, France) and paclitaxel (Taxol; Bristol-Myers Squibb Oncology, Princeton, NJ), in the 1990s, anthracyclines were widely recognized as the best single agents for the treatment of breast cancer. However, even when anthracyclines are used in combination regimens with response rates of over 50%, including complete responses in 17% of patients, few women (3%) with metastatic disease remain disease free at 5 years after treatment. The low level of sustained responses is largely due to the phenomenon of drug resistance. Anthracycline resistance often involves multidrug resistance efflux mechanisms, but also can involve factors affecting topoisomerase II and apoptosis. When combining other cytotoxic agents with anthracyclines, it is of value to use non-cross-resistant drugs so that the induction of anthracycline-resistance mechanisms does not also affect the efficacy of other agents in the combination therapy. Clinical studies have shown that docetaxel, which is highly active against metastatic breast cancer as a single agent, has a high level of non-cross-resistance with anthracyclines. The overall response rate to docetaxel monotherapy in patients with anthracycline-resistant or refractory metastatic disease has been shown to be 41%. The response rate to first-line docetaxel monotherapy for metastatic breast cancer has been shown to be 61%, suggesting that two thirds of the activity of docetaxel is retained in anthracycline-resistant disease. Treatment with a simultaneous combination of docetaxel and doxorubicin has been found to be very active, with a response rate of 89%, and trials to exploit the lack of cross-resistance between these agents, in sequential regimens and adjuvant therapies, are under way.
Diversity, Function and Potential Applications of the Root-Associated Endophytes

Both mycorrhizal fungi and systemic fungal endophytes in the Order Clavicipitales have been extensively studied. Compared to these groups, root-associated fungal endophytes have received very little attention, even though they seem common in many ecosystems. Based on published reports, comparisons between host colonization by the root endophytes and mycorrhizal fungi from various habitats suggest that endophytes are possibly as abundant as mycorrhizas (Mandyam and Jumpponen 2005). As more reports that document the abundance of root endophytes in different habitats become available, a better understanding of the ecology and functions of these endophytes seems not only logical but critical. The term ‘endophyte’ is used to describe either bacterial or fungal intracellular symbionts of plants that do not cause any visible signs of tissue damage or adverse effects on the host (Petrini 1991; Wilson 1995; Stone et al. 2000; Schulz and Boyle 2005). Fungal root endophytes are a paraphyletic group primarily occurring in the Ascomycota, although some examples also exist for Basidiomycetous endophytes (see Verma et al. 1998; Barazani et al. 2005). In this group, we usually include all root-inhabiting fungi that are considered non-mycorrhizal based on the morphology of the colonized host roots and on fungal structures produced in colonized roots typically considered indicative of dark septate endophytes (DSE). We also include fungi that produce hyaline structures when colonizing hosts intracellularly (O’Dell et al. 1993; Barrow and Aaltonen 2001; Ohki et al. 2002; Narisawa et al. 2003), but do not form typical DSE structures. These hyaline fungi can routinely be isolated from the roots of many plant species. Well-studied systemic and foliar endophytes of grasses, such as Acremonium sp., Epichoe sp. and Neotyphodium sp., will be excluded from this discussion. Many of the studies of fungal root endophytes have either made no effort to identify the fungi or have focused on one fungus isolated at a single site. This gives the impression that the species diversity of fungal root endophytes is low. Phialocephala
BORN AGAIN: GLOBALIZATION'S SIXTEENTH CENTURY ORIGINS (ASIAN/GLOBAL VERUS EUROPEAN DYNAMICS)

. Globalization began when all heavily populated land masses began interacting – both directly and indirectly via other land masses – in a sustained manner with deep consequences for all interacting regions. Globalization emerged during the sixteenth century. Dynamism emanating from within China played a pivotal role. Valid hypotheses concerning globalization's emergence must accommodate evidence from numerous disciplinary debates. Discussion of globalization's birth in terms of economic issues alone – for example, O’Rourke and Williamson's price convergence of the 1820s – is doomed. The central role of economic history – including Chinese economic history – becomes salient when arguments are formulated in the context of a multidisciplinary, global historical narrative.
Assessing L2 Listening: Moving towards authenticity

This book is relevant for language testers, listening researchers, and oral proficiency teachers, in that it explores four broad themes related to the assessment of L2 listening ability: the use of authentic, real-world spoken texts; the effects of different speech varieties of listening inputs; the use of audio-visual texts; and assessing listening as part of an interactive speaking/listening construct. Each theme is introduced with a review of the relevant literature, and then is examined through either two or three empirical studies. The notion of authenticity underlies each of these four themes. By creating more authentic test tasks that are similar to real world language tasks, test developers can create listening assessments that not only more effectively assess test takers’ communicative competence, but can also have a positive washback effect on educational systems.
How to determine slot sizes in a unit-load warehouse

Storage racks in a unit-load warehouse typically have slots of equal height, whereas the unit-loads themselves have heights that vary significantly. The result of this mismatch is unused vertical s...
Aminoalkyl Radicals as Powerful Intermediates for the Synthesis of Unnatural Amino Acids and Peptides

A robust method for the direct addition of unactivated tertiary amines to dehydroalanine (Dha) derivatives has been developed. This method, which is driven by a photoredox catalyst and light, opera...
Replaced gastroduodenal artery with continuation as accessory left hepatic artery: a rare anatomical variant

Presented here is a rare case of a gastroduodenal artery (GDA) replaced to the superior mesenteric artery with continuation into an accessory left hepatic artery. To the authors’ knowledge, this rare anomaly is not described previously. Replaced GDA is reported, however without continuation into an accessory LHA. A 74-year-old male with recurrent peptic ulcer disease presented with acute onset melena. This anomaly was discovered during abdominal angiography performed for treatment of a hemorrhagic duodenal ulcer. Initial celiac and common hepatic artery (CHA) subselection and angiography demonstrated no branch vessels. Angiography via the superior mesenteric artery demonstrated free extravasation into the duodenum and distal perfusion of the left hepatic lobe. This is a rare variant of hepatic arterial anatomy. Importantly, this variant challenges a previously described anatomical model that attempts to explain observed CHA variation.
WHO/HAI Methodology for Measuring Medicine Prices, Availability and Affordability, and Price Components

Abstract The World Health Organization (WHO)/Health Action International (HAI) methodology was developed in response to a resolution passed by the World Health Assembly in 2001. It was requested to explore the feasibility and effectiveness to implement systems that involve voluntary monitoring and global reporting of medicine price information. Experts of the WHO and HAI developed a methodology tool to measure medicine prices (government procurement prices and patient prices), availability, the affordability, and price components. The first version of the methodology manual was published in 2003 for field testing, and a second edition was published in 2008, which incorporated a wealth of practical experience gained through field testing in many countries. Over 100 surveys using the WHO/HAI methodology have been conducted in various countries to date. There are several steps involved in conducting the medicine price and availability research using this methodology, which are outlined in the chapter.
Extended Methodologies for Using Extreme Value Statistic for SRAM Vmin

This paper focuses on the practical usage of the Gumbel distribution for measured Vmin data of static random access memory (SRAM) arrays. It provides a framework which allows to estimate the failure density at end of life (EOL) in units of failing devices per million (dpm). This includes methodologies for considering aging, screening prior to aging, and erratic bit behavior. In particular, screening prior to aging is the relevant scenario in practice as it reflects the usage of semiconductor products at the end customer. The methodologies are applied to two examples of SRAM Vmin data which were measured for CMOS technologies with high- $k$ metal gate.
High-Performance Styrene-Butadiene Rubber Nanocomposites Reinforced by Surface-Modified Cellulose Nanofibers

Styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR) is widely used in the tire, footwear, and belt industries. SBR products contain a high content of carbon black, which is hazardous to human health and the environment. The goal of this study is to investigate the potential of using bio-based cellulose nanofibrils (CNFs) as a replacement for carbon black under simulated industrial formula/processing conditions. CNFs were surface-modified using five different reagents to have either -SH or -C=C functional groups grafted onto their surfaces. Vulcanized SBR sheets reinforced with pristine CNFs, and the five functionalized CNFs were prepared and their properties were tested and compared with those of industrial SBR containing carbon black. All the CNFs, pristine or modified, demonstrated higher reinforcing efficiencies (property increase/amount of reinforcement) than carbon black. The modified CNFs showed even higher reinforcing efficiencies than the pristine ones because of the former's better dispersion and stronger interfacial bonding. The -SH and -C=C functional groups reduced the hydrophilicity of CNFs and allowed chemical linkages between CNFs and SBR to be established during vulcanization. Solvent (toluene) resistance of the rubber was also improved after the incorporation of CNFs because of the barrier effect of the nanofibers and the restrained SBR chain mobility. The latter also led to reduced rubber damping. Although CNFs provide much stronger reinforcement than carbon black, going forward, SBR/CNFs/carbon black hybrid nanocomposites can also be developed to offer tailorable property combinations that meet different application requirements.
Physiologic Implications of Reactive Oxygen Species Production by Mitochondrial Complex I Reverse Electron Transport

Mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (ROS) can be either detrimental or beneficial depending on the amount, duration, and location of their production. Mitochondrial complex I is a component of the electron transport chain and transfers electrons from NADH to ubiquinone. Complex I is also a source of ROS production. Under certain thermodynamic conditions, electron transfer can reverse direction and reduce oxygen at complex I to generate ROS. Conditions that favor this reverse electron transport (RET) include highly reduced ubiquinone pools, high mitochondrial membrane potential, and accumulated metabolic substrates. Historically, complex I RET was associated with pathological conditions, causing oxidative stress. However, recent evidence suggests that ROS generation by complex I RET contributes to signaling events in cells and organisms. Collectively, these studies demonstrate that the impact of complex I RET, either beneficial or detrimental, can be determined by the timing and quantity of ROS production. In this article we review the role of site-specific ROS production at complex I in the contexts of pathology and physiologic signaling.
Comparing Statistical Significance versus DIC for Selecting Best-Fitting Multivariate Multiple-Membership Random-Effects Model

When selecting a multilevel model to fit to a dataset, it is important to choose both a model that best matches characteristics of the data’s structure, but also to include the appropriate fixed an...
Vancomycin-induced drug rash with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS).

A 52-year-old previously healthy man presented to the emergency department with pruritic rash, angioedema and fever of 39.3°C that started the day previously. Four weeks ago, he was treated for left fifth digit osteomyelitis with surgical debridement and initiated a 6-week course of vancomycin and
Temporal RVL: A Depth Stream Compression Method

The advent of depth cameras has led to new opportunities, but at the same time has led to new challenges in the form of larger network bandwidth. To address this problem, we propose a lossy compression method Temporal RVL, which results in better compression with little loss of depth information. Temporal RVL adds a preprocessing step to RVL and effectively utilizes the similarities across frames, while maintaining important depth information such as edges. For the default settings, Temporal RVL achieves a compression ratio of 20.1 (4.2 times higher than RVL) while at the same time facilitating faster decompression.
Southwest extension of dextral transpression along the Burnsville fault into the Clyde 7.5-minute quadrangle, western North Carolina, USA

The Neoacadian Burnsville fault is a dextral transpressional structure exposed in western North Carolina. Bedrock geologic mapping in the Clyde 7.5-minute quadrangle documents the fault an addition...
Correlation of pathologic tumor grade with survival in oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma.

e18557Background: Pathologic tumor grade is a well-established prognostic risk factor that impacts staging and standard-of-care treatment decisions across multiple cancer types. However, the signif...
The internal challenges to medical education

This presentation shall discuss the major "internal" challenges to medical education--that is, challenges to achieving effective medical teaching that have arisen from the evolution of the science and practice of medicine. These issues are defined as "internal" in that they reflect the internal evolution of the profession and of academic medical centers, independent of the perturbations in medical education we are presently experiencing as a result of the hostile external environment of health care. Examples of these internal challenges include the growing "bench-bedside gap," the traditional tensions at medical schools between teaching and research, and the need to adjust medical education to meet the challenges imposed by chronic diseases. The need for "internal" leadership from within the profession to help solve some of the "external" problems of medical education shall also be discussed.
A Comparison of Three Methods for Determining Thermal Inactivation Kinetics: A Case Study on Salmonella enterica in Whole Milk Powder

ABSTRACT Different methods for determining the thermal inactivation kinetics of microorganisms can result in discrepancies in thermal resistance values. In this study, thermal resistance of Salmonella in whole milk powder was determined with three methods: thermal death time (TDT) disk in water bath, pouches in water bath, and the TDT Sandwich system. Samples from three production lots of whole milk powder were inoculated with a five-strain Salmonella cocktail and equilibrated to a water activity of 0.20. The samples were then subjected to three isothermal treatments at 75, 80, or 85°C. Samples were removed at six time points and cultures were enumerated for survivors. The inactivation data were fitted to two consolidated models: two primary models (log linear and Weibull) and one secondary model (Bigelow). Normality testing indicated that all the model parameters were normally distributed. None of the model parameters for both consolidated models were significantly different (α = 0.05). The amount of inactivation during the come-up time was also not significantly different among the methods (α = 0.05). However, the TDT Sandwich resulted in less inactivation during the come-up time and overall less variation in model parameters. The survivor data from all three methods were combined and fitted to both consolidated models. The Weibull had a lower root mean square error and a better fit, according to the corrected Akaike's information criterion. The three thermal treatment methods produced results that were not significantly different; thus, the methods are interchangeable, at least for Salmonella in whole milk powder. Comparisons with more methods, other microorganisms, and larger varieties of food products using the same framework presented in this study could provide guidance for standardizing thermal inactivation kinetics studies for microorganisms in foods. HIGHLIGHTS
Evidence for Mental Health Contributions to Medical Care in Diabetes Management: Economic and Professional Considerations

This paper considers the potential contributions of behavioral health providers to interprofessional, collaborative treatment for diabetes. We have the following objectives: (1) review the behavioral health complications, risks, burdens, and costs associated with diabetes management and consider the role of behavioral health providers in treating mental health concerns specific to diabetes; (2) highlight two frameworks for incorporating behavioral health into diabetes treatment, and review the empirical support for each; and (3) consider the financial feasibility of integrating behavioral health services into diabetes medical care settings. The healthcare field is still in the nascent stages of integrating behavioral health services in endocrinology clinics, but there is growing evidence that integrated behavioral healthcare has the potential to improve disease management and psychological functioning for individuals with chronic medical conditions. Furthermore, as a result of recent changes to the billing structure for behavioral health services in a medical setting, reimbursement rates for behavioral health providers in this capacity have improved considerably. If delivered by qualified behavioral health providers using evidence-based guidelines, behavioral health integration has the potential to optimize health outcomes, improve quality of life, and decrease fragmentation of care for patients with diabetes. Future research should focus on developing a financially feasible, empirically supported model of integrated behavioral health and disseminating the model to medical providers treating patients with diabetes.
Beyond the VPN: Practical Client Identity in an Internet with Widespread IP Address Sharing

To support remote employees, organizations often use virtual private networks (VPNs) to provide confidential and authenticated tunnels between the organization’s networks and the employees’ systems. With widespread end-to-end application-layer encryption and authentication, the cryptographic features of VPNs are often redundant. However, many organizations still rely upon VPNs. We examine the motivations and limitations associated with VPNs and find that VPNs are often used to simplify access control and filtering for enterprise services.To avoid limitations associated with VPNs, we propose an approach that allows straightforward filtering. Our approach provides evidence a remote user belongs in a network, despite the address sharing present in tools like Carrier-Grade Network Address Translation. We preserve simple access control and eliminate the need for VPN servers, redundant cryptography, and VPN packet headers overheads. The approach is incrementally deployable and provides a second factor for authenticating users and systems while minimizing performance overheads.