cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Density Functional Theory Study of Atomic Nitrogen on the Si(100)−(2 × 1) Surface

Atomic nitrogen on the Si(100)-(2 x 1) surface is investigated using B3LYP density functional theory to study the incorporation of nitrogen atom into the silicon surface during growth of nitride films on silicon. Several possible structures for nitrogen on the Si(100)-(2 x 1) surface are investigated, including N bridge-bonded into the Si-Si dimer, N bridge-bonded into the Si-Si back-bond, and N inserted by forming three bonds with three Si atoms. Furthermore, the energetics and reaction mechanisms leading to these structures are also calculated. We find that the structure with nitrogen atom bridge-bonded into the Si-Si dimer to be the most thermodynamically stable, with an adsorption energy of 105 kcal/mol and an insertion barrier of 29 kcal/mol. Insertion into the Si-Si back-bond, however has the lowest activation barrier of 11 kcal/mol, although its adsorption energy is 13 kcal/mol lower than insertion into the Si-Si dimer. The third configuration investigated with N forming three bonds with Si atoms has a relatively high activation barrier of 35 kcal/mol and an adsorption energy of 95 kcal/mol. In addition, the formation of this structure "consumes" three Si atoms. Hence, at high nitrogen pressure, this structure is expected to be less dominant than those with N inserted into the Si-Si bonds, which only consume two Si atoms.
ROOT ANATOMY OF THE BAMBUSOIDEAE (POACEAE).

Root anatomy was examined for 15 species, in 6 of the 11 tribes of the Bambusoideae. Wide ranges of anatomical variation were found in epidermis, exodermis, cortex, endodermis, pericycle, phloem, xylem, and pith. Although roots of most species seem to resemble the Panicoid type, our study shows much more variation than was described by Goller (1977). These variations could play a role in characterizing taxa within tribes.
Malignant rhabdoid tumor of the uterus: report of a case with findings in a cervical smear

Rhabdoid tumors are an uncommon group of neoplasms which share a distinctive morphology. We report the cytologic and histologic findings of a uterine rhabdoid tumor. The presence of rhabdoid cells on a cervical Papanicolaou (Pap) smear raises an intriguing differential diagnosis. Cytologists should be aware of this entity and consider rhabdoid tumor in the differential diagnosis when single malignant cells are noted on cervical Pap smear.
The direction of the causal relationship between job satisfaction and work performance

Abstract A crossed-lagged correlation design was used to test causal relationships between work performance and four different measures of job satisfaction. Longitudinal data over a 1-yr period was collected for a sample of 35 managers and 59 machine operators in a specialty steel firm. Affective measures of job satisfaction were linked to managers' performance in a lagged performance → satisfaction relationship. Need deficiency measures of job satisfaction were linked to the machine operators' performance in a lead dissatisfaction → performance relationship. The inclusion of the importance moderator in measures of job satisfaction did not improve the correlation between satisfaction and performance.
A new technique for liquid phase epitaxy

Abstract A new type of boat was designed for liquid phase epitaxy. The boat axis coincides with the axis of the tube furnace and rotation about this axis by 180° or 360° serves to bring the melt into contact with the substrates. Improved surface uniformity and thickness control is obtained. The morphology of the layers is discussed and the observed growth rate is compared with a diffusion-limited theory.
Generalized NEQ for assessment of ultrasound image quality

An information-theoretic framework for assessing and predicting ultrasound system performance for detection tasks is outlined. Current models of image quality for ultrasound detection tasks make some stringent assumptions, including large target area, that place limits on the applicability of the theory. New models of image quality for ultrasound systems are proposed based on the ideal observer that account for noise, system, and object properties. One result is an expression for the ideal observer detectability that is a generalization of Noise-Equivalent Quanta (NEQ), a measure used by photon imaging modalities. The detection signal-to-noise ratio is shown to be an integration of the generalized NEQ weighted by the spectral variance of the target signal (in contrast to the squared magnitude of the Fourier transform of the signal, as is the case with other modalities). This reflects that ultrasound systems are sensitive not to the magnitude of the medium parameters but rather the variance (spatial fluctuations) of these quantities. The resulting framework is amenable to measurement and prediction of system performance. The theory is used to predict the information content of the ultrasonic beam at various field points. New strategies are revealed for processing RF data that could improve detection of lesions.
Effect of stimulus duration on stereo and vernier displacement thresholds

Stereo and vernier thresholds were determined as a function of stimulus duration in both misalignment and displacement paradigms. All four thresholds increase as stimulus duration decreases. The increase is greatest for the stereo displacement threshold, less for the vernier displacement threshold, and least for the misalignment thresholds. The results are consistent with the hypothesis that depth signals are averaged over time.
Preoperative Partitioning of Pulmonary Vascular Resistance Correlates With Early Outcome After Thromboendarterectomy for Chronic Thromboembolic Pulmonary Hypertension

Background— Pulmonary thromboendarterectomy (PTE) is the preferred treatment for chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH), but persistent pulmonary hypertension after PTE, as a result ...
Final report of Intergroup Trial 0122 (ECOG PE-289, RTOG 90-12): Phase II trial of neoadjuvant chemotherapy plus concurrent chemotherapy and high-dose radiation for squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus.

Abstract Purpose: To determine the outcome of neoadjuvant chemotherapy followed by concurrent chemotherapy plus high-dose radiation therapy in patients with local/regional squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus. Methods and Materials: Forty-five patients with clinical Stage T1-4N0-1M0 squamous cell carcinoma were entered on a prospective single-arm study, of which 38 were eligible. Patients received 3 monthly cycles of 5-FU (1000 mg/m 2 /24 h × 5 days) and cisplatin (100 mg/m 2 day 1; neoadjuvant segment) followed by 2 additional monthly cycles of 5-FU (1000 mg/m 2 /24 h × 5 days) and cisplatin (75 mg/m 2 day 1) plus concurrent 6480 cGy (combined modality segment). The median follow-up in surviving patients was 59 months. Results: For the 38 eligible patients, the primary tumor response rate was 47% complete, 8% partial, and 3% stable disease. The first site of clinical failure was 39% local/regional and 24% distant. For the total patient group, there were 6 deaths during treatment, of which 9% (4/45) were treatment related. The median survival was 20 months. Actuarial survival at 3 years was 30%, and at 5 years, 20%. Conclusion: This intensive neoadjuvant approach does not appear to offer a benefit compared with conventional doses and techniques of combined modality therapy. However, high dose radiation (6480 cGy) appears to be tolerable, and is being tested further in Intergroup Trial INT 0123.
Relationships between Personality and Organization Switching: Implications for utility estimates

This study examined individuals' tendencies to migrate from one organization to another (i.e., the propensity to switch employers). Previous researchers have suggested that switching organizations throughout the career span may be partially heritable and therefore related to individual differences in personality traits. If personality traits are indeed related to a tendency to turnover from organizations, this suggests that current procedures for calculating utility may be inaccurate. Using a database of 1081 individuals who have been in the workforce for several years, results indicated that personality traits measured by the Occupational Personality Questionnaire (non-ipsative; OPQn) were modestly related to organization switching (i.e., repeated moves from organization to organization). We found that higher scores on extraversion, openness to experience, and conscientiousness-related traits were modestly correlated with more frequent organization switching. However, we demonstrate that these modest relationships can produce large inaccuracies in utility estimates.
52.4L: Late-News Paper: Ultra-Low-Power Reflective Display with World's Best Color

We report an ultra-low-power stacked reflective display with world leading print-like full color. These results were achieved with a novel stacked Electrokinetic Display (EKD) architecture, proprietary electrically addressable inks, high transparency indium-gallium-zinc-oxide (IGZO) thin-film transistor (TFT) backplanes, and an efficient method of grayscale driving.
Particulate deposition from dry unpaved roadways

Abstract Atmospheric transport and deposition of dust generated by vehicular traffic on dry unpaved roadways is quantified by use of a mass-conserving numerical model. Input to the model includes meteorological conditions, surface roughness, source and receptor heights, and measured particulate-size distribution. Model output includes mass deposited and effective area coverage per vehicle pass at various downwind distances. The model can be used to quantify nuisance levels resulting from fugitive road dust, reduction in efficiency of solar collectors, reduction in photosynthesis, and sedimentation in aquatic bodies caused by airborne dust.
A Predictive Equation for Determination of Resting Energy Expenditure in Mechanically Ventilated Patients

Study objective To evaluate an equation that estimates resting energy expenditure from two easily obtained measurements—expired carbon dioxide and minute ventilation, and compare the results of this equation with standard methods of estimating and measuring caloric expenditure in mechanically ventilated patients. Design Prospective evaluation in a consecutive, unselected cohort. Setting Medical, surgical, and coronary intensive care units in a university hospital. Patients Twenty-five patients (16 to 79 years of age) receiving mechanical ventilation. Intervention Indirect calorimetry (IC), minute ventilation (Ve), and partial pressure of expired carbon dioxide (PeCO 2 ) were obtained on all patients. Harris-Benedict equations were calculated and corrected for known stress factors (HBc). Calculated energy expenditure (CEE) was determined using the following equation: C E E = 9 . 27 × V E × P E C O 2 CEE was then compared with IC and HBc. Measurements and results The IC was interpretable in 22 of 25 patients, and CEE was significantly better at estimating caloric requirements than HBc. The mean absolute difference between CEE and IC was significantly less than between HBc and IC (118 ± 96 vs 302 ± 269, p Conclusions Minute ventilation and expired carbon dioxide measurements are easily and inexpensively obtainable. Energy expenditures calculated from these measurements (CEE) compare favorably with values obtained from a metabolic cart and are significantly more accurate than HBc.
Abstract 3829: Chronic stimulation with IL-15/IL-15Rα complexes leads to NK cell dysfunction

IL-15/IL-15Rα complexes induce expansion and activation of cytotoxic lymphocytes including NK and CD8 T cells with higher activity compared to IL-15 alone in vivo, and therefore, have therapeutic potential against cancer and chronic infections. Recent studies demonstrated that continuous treatment with IL-15/IL-15Rα complexes improves the survival of tumor bearing mice, however fail to control tumor outgrowth. Given the limited efficacy of long-term cytokine therapy, we sought to investigate the impact of continuous stimulations with IL-15/IL-15Rα complexes on NK and CD8 T cells in tumor-free mice in vivo. Long-term treatment with IL-15/IL-15Rα complexes induced massive expansion of both NK and CD8 T cells. While the functional capacity of CD8 T cells was enhanced after long-term treatments, NK cells exhibited marked defects in activation, IFNγ production, degranulation, and cytotoxicity. In addition, long-term treatment generated a suppressive environment and resulted in marked increase in Treg and CD11c+Gr1+ cell numbers. However, impaired NK cell function was not due to regulatory T cells or various myeloid cell mediated-suppressive factors. Our results have important clinical implications for the design of immunotherapies and vaccines using multiple doses of immunostimulatory agents. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 101st Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2010 Apr 17-21; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2010;70(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 3829.
Note on “Influences of Resource Limitations and Transmission Costs on Epidemic Simulations and Critical Thresholds in Scale-Free Networks”

In a recent paper entitled “Influences of Resource Limitations and Transmission Costs on Epidemic Simulations and Critical Thresholds in Scale-Free Networks” by Huang et al., the authors attempted to establish a key characteristic of epidemic dynamics in a scale-free network when properly accounting for the cost of transmitting the infection at each node and the resources available for transmission to that node. The main input parameter is the effective rate of spreading the infection, i.e. the instantaneous rate at which the infection is spread to an uninfected node via a single link to an infected node. The primary result is the existence of a positive critical threshold for the infection-spreading rate at or below which the epidemic dies out and above which the epidemic is spread through the network and ultimately reaches a steady-state non-vanishing condition. Some flaws in the authorsâ€#8482; proof of this result are discussed, and an alternative derivation is provided that sheds additional light on the transient and steady-state behavior of the system. The alternative derivation may be adapted to the analysis of other scale-free networks with different features.
Influence of "thickening" agents on the antidotal efficacy of activated charcoal.

(1976). Influence of “Thickening” Agents on the Antidotal Efficacy of Activated Charcoal. Clinical Toxicology: Vol. 9, No. 1, pp. 89-92.
Marijuana initiation in 2 American Indian reservation communities: Comparison with a national sample

Objectives. We examined disparities in age-related patterns of marijuana initiation in 2 culturally distinct American Indian reservation communities (from the Northern Plains and the Southwest) compared with a national sample. Methods. We used discrete-time survival models to estimate age-related risk for initiation with data from 2 population-based studies: the American Indian Service Utilization, Psychiatric Epidemiology, Risk and Protective Factors Project and the baseline National Comorbidity Survey. Results. Among respondents who were born before 1960, peak risk for marijuana initiation in all samples was at age 18 years, and risk was greatest in the national sample. Among those who were born later than 1960, risk peaked at age 16 years and was highest in the American Indian samples. Males were at increased risk compared with females, especially in the older cohort and the Southwest tribal sample. Conclusions. Findings of disproportionate risk for marijuana initiation among younger members of the tribal samples raise concerns that American Indian reservation youths may be increasingly vulnerable to drug use and its concomitants, which suggests a need for more aggressive prevention efforts in these communities. (Am J Public Health. 2007;97:1311‐1318. doi:10.2105/AJPH.2005.071266)
The IGF-derived tripeptide Gly-Pro-Glu is a weak NMDA receptor agonist

Glutamate acts as the universal agonist at ionotropic glutamate receptors in part because of its high degree of conformational flexibility. Other amino acids and small peptides, however, can activa...
P2X7 nucleotide receptor plays an important role in callus remodeling during fracture repair.

The P2X7 nucleotide receptor (P2X7R) is an ATP-gated ion channel expressed in bone cells. Homozygous null P2X7R (P2X7R–/–) mice have reduced bone formation, so we hypothesized that P2X7R–/– mice have impaired fracture healing compared to P2X7R+/+ control mice. To test the hypothesis, adult P2X7R–/– mice and P2X7R+/+ mice were studied. Osteotomy of the right femur was performed and a stainless-steel pin was inserted into the medullary cavity to stabilize the fracture site. No differences in callus development were seen in the radiograph, micro computed tomography, or dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry measurements. Mechanical testing showed that the recovery of ultimate force, stiffness, and energy to failure were slightly decreased in P2X7R–/– mice compared with the control. Histomorphometric measurements of the callus revealed that mineralizing surface and bone formation were significantly decreased, by 22% (p < 0.001) and 29% (p < 0.05), respectively, in P2X7R–/– mice in comparison with the wild-type control. These data show that a null mutation of the P2X7R does not affect the amount of callus formed in our osteotomy fracture model. However, callus remodeling was significantly delayed. Our data suggest the different role of the P2X7R in woven bone and lamellar bone formation.
A variational principle in optics

We derive a new variational principle in optics. We first formulate the principle for paraxial waves and then generalize it to arbitrary waves. The new principle, unlike the Fermat principle, concerns both the phase and the intensity of the wave. In particular, the principle provides a method for finding the ray mapping between two surfaces in space from information on the wave’s intensity there. We show how to apply the new principle to the problem of phase reconstruction from intensity measurements.
Intravascular Molecular Imaging of Proteolytic Activity

Atherosclerotic plaque disruption leads to myocardial infarction and stroke, but current clinical diagnostic tests lack the ability to predict which patients will suffer these complications. New strategies to define high-risk plaque biology in vivo hold promise to differentiate stable from vulnerable atherosclerotic plaques. Plaque proteolytic activity has emerged as a key target for identifying vulnerable plaques given its association with plaque inflammation and role in mechanical destabilization of plaques. Protease activity can now be evaluated in vivo with intravascular molecular imaging, a leading technology to identify inflammation in high-risk atherosclerotic plaques in coronary-sized arteries. In particular, hybrid catheters combining micrometer-resolution optical frequency domain structural imaging and high-sensitivity near-infrared fluorescence molecular imaging are proving to be powerful tools to investigate plaque biology in living subjects with clear translational potential for human use. Ultimately, through additional validation in human clinical trials, intravascular imaging of proteolytic activity and inflammation could inform new treatment strategies for atherosclerotic vascular disease that are likely to have significant impact on cardiovascular health.
Surgical resection is necessary to maximize tumor control in function-preserving, aggressive chemoradiation protocols for advanced squamous cancer of the head and neck (stage III and IV).

Background:The role of surgery in aggressive chemoradiation protocols for advanced head and neck cancer has been questioned because of the quoted high clinical response rates in many series.
What can we expect from new guidelines

New guidelines for the treatment of hypertension are being published, starting with the seventh report of the US Joint National Committee. These guidelines are certain to address the major developments that have been presented over the past few years. These include the risks of any level of increased blood pressure, either alone or in concert with other known risk factors; the value of out-of-office blood pressure measurements; the preventive potential of lifestyle changes; the results of multiple prospective comparative trials, which have largely negated the quest for the best initial choice of therapy; and the need to increase adherence to enough therapy to reach the appropriate goal for each patient.
The roles of landscape context, niche breadth, and range boundaries in predicting species responses to habitat alteration

Extant species in human-dominated landscapes differ in their sensitivity to habitat loss and fragmentation, although extinctions induced by environmental alteration reduce variation and result in a surviving subset of species with some degree of ‘resistance’. Here, we test the degree to which variable responses to habitat alteration are (1) essentially an inherent property of a taxon subject to constraints imposed by its geographical range, as suggested by Swihart et al. (2003), (2) a function of the landscape in which a species occurs, or (3) a function of spatial trends occurring on large scales. We used data collected on 33 vertebrate species during 2001–04 across the upper Wabash River basin, Indiana, in 35 square ‘landscapes’, each 23 km2 in size. Six species of forest rodent, six species of grassland rodents, seven species of bats, eight species of aquatic turtles, and six species of amphibians were sampled at 504, 212, 590, 228, and 625 patches, respectively. The fraction of patches of primary habitat (e.g. forests for tree squirrels, wetlands for aquatic turtles) occupied by a target species was used as a response variable. On a basin-wide scale, 47% of variation in proportional occupancy among species could be explained by taxon-specific variables; occupancy rates were related positively to niche breadth and negatively to the proximity of a geographical range boundary. After controlling for species effects, landscape-level occupancy rates varied significantly for 16 of 33 species, with variation partitioned among landscape variables alone (mean = 11% of variation), spatial trend variables alone (26%), and both variable sets jointly (8%). Among landscape variables, percentage forest cover positively affected occupancy rates of three bat species and a tree squirrel. Variation in occupancy rates among landscapes was consistent with large-scale spatial trends for 13 species. Our findings demonstrate the general importance of niche breadth as a predictor of species responses to habitat alteration and highlight the importance of viewing the effects of habitat loss and fragmentation at multiple spatial scales.
Depression, anxiety, and asthenia in advanced illness.

Depression, anxiety, and asthenia are frequently experienced by those suffering with an advanced (life-limiting) illness. Many caregivers may feel that it is “normal for patients in this condition to be depressed or anxious,” and this misunderstanding may lead to missed opportunities to address a treatable condition. The role played by the yet more “normal” phenomenon of asthenia (ie, reduced energy or vitality) at the end of life also confounds treatment. Failure to recognize asthenia and to acknowledge depression in this population are exacerbated by the discomfort most physicians experience when they are confronted with a dying patient. A patient’s terminal illness and accompanying psychological distress can remind physicians all too painfully of their treatment “failures” and their own mortality. The objectives of this article are to help readers recognize clinical depression, anxiety, and asthenia in patients with advanced illness; become more aware of the need for active intervention; and gain a knowledge of the pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic approaches to treatment.
The Houston 2001 National Counseling Psychology Conference Making a Difference for the Specialty

The authors briefly note the accomplishments of the Houston 2001 National Counseling Psychology Conference and focus on several questions raised that, in their judgment, have implications for how counseling psychology will continue to develop as a specialty. Noteworthy accomplishments are the following: (a) inclusiveness in content and participation, (b) better linkages to the American Psychological Association (APA) and among counseling psychology organizations, (c) spotlighting the importance of political advocacy, and (d) concretizing counseling psychology’s social advocacy mission to focus on social justice. The questions raised include (a) preparation of students for entry-level positions in science and practice, (b) ratio of potential earnings as an autonomous professional to the educational investment required, and (c) appropriate balance of breadth and depth in training professional psychologists.
Adaptive clustering: obtaining better clusters using feedback and past experience

Adaptive clustering uses external feedback to improve cluster quality; past experience serves to speed up execution time. An adaptive clustering environment is proposed that uses Q-learning to learn the reward values of successive data clusterings. Adaptive clustering supports the reuse of clusterings by memorizing what worked well in the past. It has the capability of exploring multiple paths in parallel when searching for good clusters. In a case study, we apply adaptive clustering to instance-based learning relying on a distance function modification approach. A distance function adaptation scheme that uses external feedback is proposed and compared with other distance function learning approaches. Experimental results indicate that the use of adaptive clustering leads to significant improvements of instance-based learning techniques, such as k-nearest neighbor classifiers. Moreover, as a by-product a new instance-based learning technique is introduced that classifies examples by solely using cluster representatives; this technique shows high promise in our experimental evaluation.
Technological and Managerial Innovation: The Johnson Company, 1883–1898

The Johnson Company was initially innovative in both a technological and a managerial sense, but its technically-oriented inventor-managers proved unable to provide creative leadership once the enterprise had passed through its early, technologically creative period.
Single Crystal High Frequency Cavity-based EPR Spectroscopy of Single Molecule Magnets

We report high frequency electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) investigations of a series of high spin (total spin up to S = 10) manganese and nickel complexes which have been shown to exhibit single molecule magnetism, including low temperature (below - IK) hysteresis loops and resonant magnetic quantum tunneling. A cavity perturbation technique enables high sensitivity oriented single crystal EPR measurements spanning a very wide frequency range (16 to 200+ GHz). Fitting of the frequency and field orientation dependence of EPR spectra allows direct determination of the effective spin Hamiltonian parameters. Studies on a range of materials with varying (approximately axial) site symmetries facilitates an assessment of the role of transverse anisotropy (terms in the Hamiltonian that do not commute with S,) in the magnetic quantum tunneling phenomenon.
Insulin Receptors in Acute Infection: A Study of Factors Conferring Insulin Resistance

Acute infections are accompanied by tissue insulin resistance, as manifested by worsening of metabolic control in diabetic patients and decreased glucose tolerance in non-diabetic subjects. To clarify the potential role of altered insulin receptor status in this phenomenon, we studied [125I]insulin binding to monocytes in 7 otherwise healthy subjects during acute bacterial and viral infections of moderate severity. The values were compared to those obtained after convalescence (five patients) and those of 24 normal subjects. Insulin binding during infection, at a time when insulin resistance was demonstrable, was indistinguishable from convalescent or normal values. Plasma glucose and insulin levels, the insulin to glucose ratio, as well as plasma GH, cortisol, and FFA were significantly elevated during infection, while plasma glucagon, epinephrine, and norepinephrine levels were normal. We conclude that insofar as monocyte receptors are representative of other tissues, insulin resistance in infection is mediated at the postreceptor level.
Total and High-Molecular-Weight Adiponectin and Risk of Incident Diabetes in Older People

OBJECTIVE To delineate the associations of total adiponectin, high-molecular-weight (HMW) adiponectin, and the HMW-to-total adiponectin ratio with diabetes in older adults. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS Total and HMW adiponectin were measured in a population-based study of older adults. The relations of total adiponectin, HMW adiponectin, and their ratio with incident diabetes ( n = 309) were assessed in 3,802 individuals. RESULTS Total and HMW adiponectin were highly correlated ( r = 0.94). Analysis using cubic splines revealed that the associations between total and HMW adiponectin and new-onset diabetes were not linear. Specifically, after adjustment for confounders, there were similar inverse relationships for total (hazard ratio per SD 0.49 [95% CI 0.39–0.63]) and HMW adiponectin (0.42 [0.32–0.56]) with diabetes up to values of 20 and 10 mg/L, respectively, above which the associations plateaued. These associations persisted after adjustment for potential mediators (blood pressure, lipids, C-reactive protein, and homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance). There was, however, evidence of interaction by homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance in the lower range, of adiponectin with stronger inverse associations among insulin-sensitive than insulin-resistant participants. HMW-to-total adiponectin ratio showed a linear adjusted association with outcome, but this was abolished by inclusion of mediating variables. CONCLUSIONS In this older cohort, increasing concentrations of total and HMW adiponectin were associated with comparably lower risks of diabetes, but these associations leveled off with further increases above concentrations of 20 and 10 mg/L, respectively. The more pronounced risk decreases at the lower range among participants without insulin resistance support a role for adiponectin that is independent of baseline hyperinsulinemia, but this will require further investigation.
Developmental phytotoxicity of metal oxide nanoparticles to Arabidopsis thaliana

Phytotoxicity is an important consideration to understand the potential environmental impacts of manufactured nanomaterials. Here, we report on the effects of four metal oxide nanoparticles, aluminum oxide (nAl(2)O(3)), silicon dioxide (nSiO(2)), magnetite (nFe(3)O(4)), and zinc oxide (nZnO), on the development of Arabidopsis thaliana (Mouse-ear cress). Three toxicity indicators (seed germination, root elongation, and number of leaves) were quantified following exposure to each nanoparticle at three concentrations: 400, 2,000, and 4,000 mg/L. Among these particles, nZnO was most phytotoxic, followed by nFe(3)O(4), nSiO(2), and nAl(2)O(3), which was not toxic. Consequently, nZnO was further studied to discern the importance of particle size and zinc dissolution as toxicity determinants. Soluble zinc concentrations in nanoparticle suspensions were 33-fold lower than the minimum inhibitory concentration of dissolved zinc salt (ZnCl(2)), indicating that zinc dissolution could not solely account for the observed toxicity. Inhibition of seed germination by ZnO depended on particle size, with nanoparticles exerting higher toxicity than larger (micron-sized) particles at equivalent concentrations. Overall, this study shows that direct exposure to nanoparticles significantly contributed to phytotoxicity and underscores the need for eco-responsible disposal of wastes and sludge containing metal oxide nanoparticles.
Predicting Individualized Postoperative Survival for Stage II/III Colon Cancer Using a Mobile Application Derived from the National Cancer Data Base.

Background Prediction calculators estimate postoperative survival and assist the decision-making process for adjuvant treatment. The objective of this study was to create a postoperative overall survival (OS) calculator for patients with stage II/III colon cancer. Factors that influence OS, including comorbidity and postoperative variables, were included. Study Design The National Cancer Data Base was queried for patients with stage II/III colon cancer, diagnosed between 2004 and 2006, who had surgical resection. Patients were randomly divided to a testing (n t ) cohort comprising 80% of the dataset and a validation (n v ) cohort comprising 20%. Multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression of n t was performed to identify factors associated with 5-year OS. These were used to build a prediction model. The performance was assessed using the n v cohort and translated into mobile software. Results A total of 129,040 patients had surgery. After exclusion of patients with carcinoma in situ, nonadenocarcinoma histology, more than 1 malignancy, stage I or IV disease, or missing data, 34,176 patients were used in the development of the calculator. Independent predictors of OS included patient-specific characteristics, pathologic factors, and treatment options, including type of surgery and adjuvant therapy. Length of postoperative stay and unplanned readmission rates were also incorporated as surrogates for postoperative complications (1-day increase in postoperative stay, hazard ratio [HR] 1.019, 95% CI 1.018 to 1.021, p v cohort with 5-year area under the curve of 0.77. Conclusions An individualized, postoperative OS calculator application was developed for patients with stage II/III colon cancer. This prediction model uses nationwide data, culminating in a highly comprehensive, clinically useful tool.
Prostate MRSI predicts outcome in radical prostatectomy patients

Background New non-invasive methods are needed for sub-stratifying high-risk prostate cancer patients. Magnetic resonance spectroscopic imaging (MRSI) maps metabolites in prostate cancer, providing information on tumor aggressiveness and volume.
Assessment of Glomerulonephritis in Children by Ultrasound

With the improved resolution of the gray scale B-mode ultrasonic scanners and the transducers now available, more attention can be given to the pattern of echos produced by the renal parenchyma itself, as opposed to the renal capsule and hilar structures. With normal appearances well established, it is becoming apparent that the renal parenchyma may produce an abnormal echographic pattern in a variety of conditions. Various types of acute and chronic glomerulonephritis and nephrosis have been seen to produce a diffuse and evenly distributed increase in echogenicity of the renal parenchyma.
Effects of CD34+ cell selection and perfusion on ex vivo expansion of peripheral blood mononuclear cells

Ex vivo expansion of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (MNCs), cultured both directly and after selection for CD34+ cells, was compared in static and continuously perfused cultures containing interleukin (IL)-3, IL-6, granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF), and stem cell factor (SCF). Cultures inoculated with either MNCs or CD34+ cells produced cells that were remarkably similar after 10 days of culture, as evidence by cell morphology, expression of CD34, CD33, CD15, and CD11b, and the fractions of cells giving rise to colony-forming units granulocyte-monocyte (CFU-GM) and long-term culture-initiating cells (LTC-IC). Static and perfusion cultures gave similar average total cells and CFU-GM expansions for both MNC and CD34+ cell cultures. However, those samples that performed poorly in static culture performed at near-normal levels in perfusion. In addition, perfusion supported higher LTC-IC numbers for both MNC and CD34+ cell cultures. While total cell expansion was about ten times greater in CD34+ cell cultures (approximately 100-fold), CFU-GM expansion (approximately 20-fold) was similar for both MNC and CD34+ cell cultures. The similar distribution of cell types produced in MNC and CD34+ cell cultures allows direct comparison of total and colony-forming cell production. After 15 days in perfusion, MNC cultures produced 1.5-, 2.6-, and 2.1-fold more total cells, CFU-GM, and LTC-IC, respectively, than the same sample selected and cultured as CD34+ cells. Even if the CD34+ selection process was 100% efficient, CFU-GM production would be 1.5-fold greater for MNCs than for CD34+ cells.
Picosecond Pulse Generation by Edge Illumination of Si and InP Photoconductive Switches

Ultrafast electrical pulses are beginning to be used for performing broadband frequency domain characterization of circuits and for test and failure analysis of digital circuits.3 With frequency components in the terahertz regime, these pulses have been used for the characterization of transmission lines for high-speed interconnections on integrated circuits,1 and for measuring microwave S-parameters.2 Generation of ultrafast electrical pulses has been developed using pulsed lasers on semiconductors.4-6 Some of these techniques require special materials or geometries, which makes it difficult to use these methods as an analysis tool as in Ref. 2. However, edge illumination requires no special designs other than a coplanar transmission line.
Optimizing High Frequency Vibroseis Data

Vibratory sources used for seismic investigation are often subjected to coupling and transmission problems between the baseplate and actuator mass system and the ground surface. This results in dramatic force amplitude fluctuations at points throughout the sweep and excessive attenuation of intermediate and higher frequencies ranging from 200 to 500 Hz. This study is focused on determining if the baseplate of a commercial high frequency hydraulic vibrator behaves like a rigid body throughout its operational frequencies. Specialty accelerometers were strategically placed to determine optimal location that best matches ground response as measured by a buried geophone. This aided in discovering aberrations within the sweep spectra related to source configuration, and provided target enhancement opportunities for higher frequencies through optimized measurements of baseplate and ground coupling. The results show a significant variation in acceleration depending on where the accelerometer is positioned on the baseplate. Moreover, the baseplate accelerometer alone is sufficient for deconvolution.
Too Much Is Never Enough: The Cautionary Tale of Soviet Illegal Whaling

Despite being a signatory to the International Convention for the Regulation of Whaling in 1946, the U.S.S.R. conducted a 30-yr campaign of illegal whaling which arguably represents one of the greatest failures of management in the history of the industry. Here, using a variety of sources including published literature, formerly secret Soviet industry reports, and interviews with former biologists and whalers, we provide an overview of the history, scope, and economic origins of Soviet whaling and examine the domestic and international political context in which it was set. At various times from 1933 into the 1970’s, the U.S.S.R. operated a total of seven whaling factory fl eets and several shore whaling stations. We estimate that 534,119 whales were killed, of which 178,726 were not reported to the International Whaling Commission (IWC). In the Southern Hemisphere, the greatest impact of these catches was on humpback whales, Megaptera novaeangliae, where (mostly illegal) takes of more than 48,000 whales precipitated a population crash and closure of shore whaling stations in Australia and New Zealand. The Southern Hemisphere also saw large illegal catches of southern right whales, Eubalaena australis. In the North Pacifi c, the greatest impacts were on sperm whales, Physeter macrocephalus (where data on sex and length were routinely misreported together with falsifi ed total catches), as well as on the two already-small populations of right whales, Eubalaena japonica, across the North Pacifi c, and bowhead whales, Balaena mysticetus, in the Okhotsk Sea. Soviet whaling was driven by the state industrial planning system, which frequently set high production targets without regard to the ability of the resource to sustain the Introduction In this article, we trace the history and details of what might be called one of the 20th century’s more notorious environmental crimes: the global campaign of illegal whaling conducted by the U.S.S.R. between 1948 and 19721, a campaign that, together with the poorly managed “legal” whaling of other nations, devastated many whale populations. It is a story of the sprawling Soviet planning system’s obsession with attaining production goals despite limited and diminishing resources, and of the U.S.S.R.’s desire to do every1In 1972 an International Observer Scheme was introduced and large-scale Soviet unrestricted catches ceased, but some falsifi cations of catch data continued on at least some Soviet fl eets for a few more years (Mikhalev et al., 2009). thing bigger and better than other nations, especially those in the capitalist world. More than anything, this is a cautionary tale of the failure of other whaling nations and the International Whaling Commission (IWC) to react to mounting evidence of declining whale stocks, and to adequately monitor adherence to regulations and catch limits2 as set through international
Soybean Resistance to the Southern Green Stink Bug, Nezara viridula

In 1973,654 soybean lines were field-screened for resistance to pentatomid pests in South Carolina. Twenty-seven lines were selected and tested in 1974 in replicated field plots. None was highly resistant under heavy feeding pressure by Nezara virudula (L.), Acrosternum hilare (Say), and Euschistus spp., with seed damage ranging from 30.2 to 84.2%. Five of these lines and 3 insect resistant plant introductions (PIs) 171451, 227687, and 229358 were tested for development, mortality, and weight gain of N. viridula nymphs confined over pods in the field and under laboratory conditions. All 3 PIs exhibited resistance to N. viridula in 2 or 3 of the forced-feeding tests. PI229358 was the most consistently resistant in all tests, causing significantly higher mortality, longer development, and lower weight gain for nymphs compared to those on ‘Bragg’. The performance of some of the breeding lines was variable among the tests but showed that the resistance can be transferred by crosses with commercial cultivars.
Control of the Boll Weevil on Cotton with Ultra-Low-Volume (Undiluted) Technical Malathion

Applications of ultra-low-volume (undiluted) technical Inalathion at 8, 12, and 16 fluid oz per acre (about 10, 15, and 20 actual oz per acre) from a J-3 Piper Cub flying 15 feet above the cotton in 75-foot swaths were as effective against the boll weevil, Anthonomus grandis Boheman, as the standard application of mcthyl parathion (0.4 lb per acre in 2 gallons of water applied in 37.5-fool, swaths from a plane flying in the conventional manner directly above the cotton). Populations of bollworms, Heliothis zea (Boddie), were not sufficiently large to allow evaluation of the control achieved by the 4 treatments, numbers of boll wcevils found in surface woods trash in the fall and spring ncar treated ftelds were reduced considerably by fall applications of technical malathion, compared with areas that received no late treatment. The populations of overwintered weevils found in cotton planted in 1965 in the area treated in the fall of 1964 were also considerably reduced over that found in an area that had received no treatlnent.
Droplet dynamics in controlled InAs nanowire interconnections.

Semiconductor nanowires offer a versatile platform for the fabrication of new nanoelectronic and nanophotonic devices. These devices will require a high level of control of the nanowire position in relation to both other components of the device and to other nanowires. We demonstrate unprecedented control of the position of InAs nanowires using selective-area vapor–liquid–solid epitaxy (VLS) on an InP ridge template. The high level of control allows us to design structures which connect individual nanowires through coalescence of their catalyst particles. The interconnection process acts as a perturbation to the geometry of the nanowire system that can contribute to the understanding of droplet dynamics in VLS growth. Postgrowth imaging reveals a complex sequence of droplet configurations, including predicted geometries that have not previously been observed.
mHealth Musculoskeletal Applications: Bluetooth Low Energy Devices and Android

Plantar Fasciitis is a common condition involving inflammation of the plantar fascia, causing heel pain and reduced mobility. Typical treatment methods for plantar fasciitis include medications (NSAIDs), exercises, physical therapy, and surgery. Mobile Health (mHealth) technologies stand to improve care for plantar fasciitis via daily monitoring and by addressing barriers to patient adherence with treatment programs. The ability to closely monitor treatment also gives opportunities for curation that were previously unavailable. Pain and inflammation can be decreased by following a simple home exercise routine of stretches specific to the plantar fascia [1]. Our team has developed a system for assistance with monitoring of home exercise program for treatment of plantar fasciitis. The system interfaces Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) devices with smartphones to send and receive accelerometer and other sensory data, and an accompanying app to be used for at home monitoring and analysis of physical therapy exercises which have been shown to help with plantar fasciitis [2]. Such system can be used to track movement, amplitude, angle, pressure, stretch, and number of repetitions, and overall improve patient adherence to a Home Exercise Program and involvement in treatment. Increased self-monitoring has been shown to directly influence and increase behavior change of patients. In order to increase patient adherence to a prescribed routine, awareness of a behavior and the consistent tracking of its implementation and progress over time are effective [3]. Modern BLE devices are very energy efficient and can work throughout the course of a day, making them an apt choice for a home treatment program. The accompanying app receives, aggregates, and analyzes data from the BLE sensor, and provides actionable feedback to users and clinicians. By increasing patient adherence and speeding up healing, this mHealth system will improve patient outcomes regarding treatment of plantar fasciitis, and also decrease cost of treatment.
Composition-Preserving Deep Photo Aesthetics Assessment

Photo aesthetics assessment is challenging. Deep convolutional neural network (ConvNet) methods have recently shown promising results for aesthetics assessment. The performance of these deep ConvNet methods, however, is often compromised by the constraint that the neural network only takes the fixed-size input. To accommodate this requirement, input images need to be transformed via cropping, scaling, or padding, which often damages image composition, reduces image resolution, or causes image distortion, thus compromising the aesthetics of the original images. In this paper, we present a composition-preserving deep Con-vNet method that directly learns aesthetics features from the original input images without any image transformations. Specifically, our method adds an adaptive spatial pooling layer upon the regular convolution and pooling layers to directly handle input images with original sizes and aspect ratios. To allow for multi-scale feature extraction, we develop the Multi-Net Adaptive Spatial Pooling ConvNet architecture which consists of multiple sub-networks with different adaptive spatial pooling sizes and leverage a scene–based aggregation layer to effectively combine the predictions from multiple sub-networks. Our experiments on the large-scale aesthetics assessment benchmark (AVA [29]) demonstrate that our method can significantly improve the state-of-the-art results in photo aesthetics assessment.