cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Equations for the Equilibrium Surface Pressure Increase on the Penetration of an Insoluble Monolayer by a Soluble Surfactant

This study addresses the penetration of a pre-existing insoluble monolayer by a bulk soluble surfactant. It is shown that if the adsorption isotherm is known describing the partitioning of the soluble component between the interface and the bulk, the equation for the resulting increase in surface pressure Δπ can be derived using the Gibbs adsorption equation. The relationship is valid for any adsorption isotherm. A framework for studying monolayer penetration is presented based on these equations. Two example calculations are presented based on adsorption site models for the interface that allow closed form solutions for Δπ(x1,C2), where C2 is the molality of the soluble component and x1 is the fractional coverage of the insoluble component. First, a Langmuir model is posed, where the insoluble surfactant reduces the adsorption of the soluble component. The Δπ caused by the soluble surfactant at a given C2 is exactly equal to the surface tension reduction caused by that surfactant in the absence of the in...
Laparoscopic surgery for lower gastrointestinal fistulas

Background: Increased experience and improved instrumentation have lead to a reduction in morbidity and a commensurate increase in the spectrum of laparoscopic indications. The purpose of this study was to assess the feasibility of laparoscopic surgery in patients with gastrointestinal fistulas.
Early use of cisplatin is safe after partial hepatectomy

Abstract Although cisplatin is widely used in the treatment of liver tumors, little information is available concerning its effect on liver regeneration. This report evaluates the effect of cisplatin on liver regeneration after hepatectomy (HPx). One hundred sixty male Sprague-Dawley rats were placed into five experimental groups following 70% hepatectomy. Group I (untreated controls, n=32) received 0.9% saline intraperitoneally (IP); group II (n = 31), cisplatin 4 mg/kg IP; group III (n = 36), cisplatin 10 mg/kg IP; group IV (n = 34), cisplatin 20 mg/kg IP; and group V (n = 27), doxorubicin 6 mg/kg intravenously (IV). Five additional sham groups underwent celiotomy without hepatectomy (n = 106) followed by the above treatment protocols. Liver regeneration was evaluated by liver weight, DNA incorporation measured by tritiated thymidine ( 3 H-TdR), and quantitative image analysis (QIA) of hepatic nuclei at 18, 24, 36, 48, and 72 hours, and 5 days postoperatively. 3 H-TdR incorporation peaked at 36 hours and was similar in hepatectomized controls group I (404 ± 110 counts per minute [CPM]/mg liver weight) and cisplatin-treated rats (groups II to IV) (ifP > .05, ANOVA). All sham groups were similar to controls. QIA of feulgen-stained touch preps identified polyploid, stem line, and proliferating nuclei in both controls and treated groups. At 36 hours, QIA showed differences in mitotic status of sham, control, and adriamycin-treated HPx rats, consistent with 3 H-TdR incorporation. In contrast, although cisplatin-treated rats receiving 4 mg/kg showed proliferating nuclei, QIA demonstrated decreasing hepatocyte proliferation with higher doses of cisplatin (10 mg/kg, and 20 mg/kg). These data indicate that 3 H-TdR DNA incorporation is not inhibited by cisplatin. QIA, however, shows a dose-dependent inhibition with 4 mg/kg, 10 mg/kg, and 20 mg/kg cisplatin administration. Early use of cisplatin (4 mg/kg = 2 times the human dose) following hepatic resection is feasible and may reduce the risk of local recurrence and/or metastatic spread. QIA may represent a more sensitive indicator of hepatocyte toxicity not detected by 3 H-TdR incorporation.
Genetic linkage of vitelliform macular degeneration (Best's disease) to chromosome 11q13

Macular degeneration is the most common cause of legal blindness in older patients in developed countries. Best's vitelliform dystrophy is an early–onset, autosomal dominant form of macular degeneration characterized by an egg–yolk–like collection of lipofuscin beneath the pigment epithelium of the retinal macula. Fifty–seven members of a five–generation family affected with this disease were studied. A combination of ophthalmoscopy and electro–oculography was used for diagnosis; 29 patients were found to be affected and 16 unaffected. Linkage analysis mapped the disease–causing gene to chromosome 11q13. Three markers in this region were found to be significantly linked (Zmax > 3.0) to the disease. Multipoint analysis yielded a maximum Lod score of 9.3 in the interval between markers INT2 and D11S871.
Activity-aware adaptive compression: a morphing-based frame synthesis application in 3DTI

In view of the different demands on quality of service of different user activities in the 3D Tele-immersive (3DTI) environment, we combine activity recognition and real-time morphing-based compression and present the Activity-Aware Adaptive Compression. We implement this scheme on our 3DTI platform: the TEEVE Endpoint, which is a runtime engine to handle the creation, transmission and rendering of 3DTI data. User study as well as objective evaluation of the scheme show that it can achieve 25% more bandwidth saving compared to conventional 3D data compression as zlib without perceptible degradation in the user experience.
The serum urate-lowering impact of weight loss among men with a high cardiovascular risk profile: the Multiple Risk Factor Intervention Trial

Objectives. To evaluate the person-level impact of weight loss on serum urate levels among men with a high cardiovascular risk profile. Methods. We analysed 12 379 men (mean serum urate level = 407 μmol/l) from the Multiple Risk Factor Intervention Trial, using data prospectively collected at baseline and annually over a 7-year period (78 881 visits). Our endpoint was normouricaemia, defined by serum urate levels ≤360 μmol/l, a widely accepted therapeutic target. Person-level effects were estimated using conditional logistic regression models to adjust for time-varying covariates (age, congestive heart failure, hypertension, diuretic use, renal function, alcohol intake and dietary factors). Results. There was a graded relation between weight loss and achieving normouricaemia (P-value for trend <0.001). Compared with no weight change (−0.9 to 0.9 kg), the multivariate odds ratios of achieving normouricaemia for a weight loss of 1–4.9, 5–9.9 and ≥10 kg were 1.43 (95% CI: 1.33, 1.54), 2.17 (1.95, 2.40) and 3.90 (3.31, 4.61), respectively. The corresponding serum urate level changes were −7, −19 and −37 μmol/l (−0.12, −0.31 and −0.62 mg/dl). Similar levels of associations persisted among subgroups stratified by demographics, presence of gout, hypertension, diuretic use, renal insufficiency, alcohol intake, trial group assignment and adiposity categories (all P-values for trend <0.001). Conclusions. Weight reduction could help achieve a widely accepted therapeutic urate target level (≤360 μmol/l) among men with a high cardiovascular risk profile. Although the urate-lowering effect appeared weaker than that of urate-lowering drugs, other associated health benefits would make weight reduction important, particularly in this population.
Signal Extraction and Hyperinflations with a Responsive Monetary Policy

This paper develops a multi-period extension of the Lucas (1972) overlapping generations "island" model with endogenous monetary policy (based on the minimization of a loss function over inflation and output deviations) and stochastic realization of the "allocation" of the young people across the two islands. These allocation realizations are interpreted as output shocks (since only the young people produce). The paper examines two cases: the certainty case when the exact monetary policy is known to the young, and uncertainty case where the young receive only a mixed signal of the output shock and the monetary policy weights through the price (the signal extraction problem). In the certainty case, the neutrality result holds. In the uncertainty case, even monetary shocks have real effects as a result of the signal extraction problem. After characterizing the resulting price function by its constant elasticity to the signal, we derive values of this elasticity and the monetary policy weights such that hyperinflations will develop. We find that for certain weights, hyperinflations can develop even when the price function is concave in the signal. Finally, we formulate a particular convex case of the price function (making distributional assumptions) to analyze the price and monetary policy examples and statics as functions of the weights on the inflation and output deviation terms.
Analysis of the macroscopic equations for second sound in solids

The microscopic theories of second sound in solids can be ex-pressed in macroscopic form (Guyer and Krumhansl, 1966; Ackerman and Guyer, 1968) when the normal and resistive process phonon relaxation times τN(ω,T) and τR(ω,T) have been averaged appropriately over all ω’s. Thus, for given temperature T, τN(T) and τ­R(T) can be regarded as fixed parameters. The macroscopic equations given in Ref. 2 for the heat current in 3-dimensions can be expressed in one dimension according to $$(l + {\tau _o}{\textstyle{\partial \over {\partial t}}}){\textstyle{{{\partial ^2}Q} \over {\partial {x^2}}}} - {\textstyle{1 \over {{v^2}{\tau _R}}}}{\textstyle{{\partial Q} \over {\partial t}}} - {\textstyle{1 \over {{v^2}}}}{\textstyle{{{\partial ^2}Q} \over {\partial {t^2}}}} = - {F_Q}({x_o},\omega )\delta (x - {x_o})e{ - ^{i\omega t}},$$ (1) where \({\text{v}}\,{\text{ = }}\,{{\text{c}}_{\text{D}}}/\sqrt 3 = \) second sound velocity, cD = mean Debye velocity, \({\tau _{\text{o}}} = 9{\tau _N}/5\), and we have here inserted an impulse driving function over the plane x = xo. Eq. (l) represents the experimental situation in which the single crystal solid is excited by a heat pulse applied on one face at xo= 0. Both the face at x = 0 and the opposite face at x = L serve as reflectors of the heat current Q. Sensitive thermometers on the plane at x = L measure the second sound phenomenon.
Comparative Victim and Offender Research: Cross-National and Cross-Cultural Theoretical Approaches and Methodologies

Cross-national research is valuable, even indispensible, for establishing the generality of findings and the validity of interpretation derived from singlenation studies. In no other way can we be certain that what we believe to be social-structural regularities are not merely particularities, the product of some limited set of historical and cultural or political circumstances. . . . Crossnational research is equally valuable, perhaps even more valuable, for forcing us to revise our interpretations to take account of cross-national differences and inconsistencies that could never be uncovered in single-nation research. (Kohn, 1987)
Placental vascularity and growth factor expression in singleton, twin, and triplet pregnancies in the sheep

For singleton, twin, and triplet pregnancies, uteri were collected on day 140 of pregnancy. For each ewe (n = 18), placentomes were fixed by arterial perfusion supplying the fetal (cotyledon) and maternal placenta (caruncle). Tissue sections were stained for determination of vascularity by image analysis. Further, protein expression for factor VIII, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and its receptor, VEGFR1, as well as basic fibroblast growth factor (FGF2) and its receptor, FGFR, in tissue sections was determined by immunohistochemistry and image analyses. Cotyledonary and caruncular samples were analyzed for expression of mRNA for Vegf and its two receptors, Vegfr1 and Vegfr2, as well as Fgf2 and Fgfr. Fetal number did not affect placental capillary density or factor VIII expression, whereas increased fetal number reduced total cotyledon and caruncle capillary volume. While expression of Vegf, Vegfr1, Vegfr2, and Fgfr mRNA in cotyledonary but not caruncular tissue was greater in twin pregnancies compared to singleton and triplet pregnancies, protein expression of VEGF in the placentome decreased with increasing numbers of fetuses, VEGFR1 did not change, and FGFR was greater in twin versus singleton and triplet pregnancies. Fetal number did not affect the expression of Fgf2 mRNA in placental tissues, whereas FGF2 protein expression was less in triplet compared to singleton and twin pregnancies. Reduced fetal and placental weights in twins and/or triplet pregnancies are associated with an overall decrease in total placental vascularity, VEGF and FGF2 and/or FGFR protein expression, but not in angiogenic factor mRNA expression or VEGFR1 protein expression in sheep.
Recent Advances in Melanoma Biology

The incidence and mortality rates of melanoma have increased at annual rates of 2%-3% for the last 30 years. Disseminated disease is largely refractory to cytotoxic chemotherapy and is almost universally fatal. Several recent advances in melanoma biology offer new strategies for potentially treating this aggressive malignancy. This review focuses on three significant advances involving tumor initiation, etiology, and progression. New experimental models reveal a direct role for UV-B light in initiating melanomas in human skin. Studies on E- and N-cadherin elucidate the importance of local homeostatic mechanisms in regulating tumor progression. Finally, several discoveries concerning apoptotic mechanisms in melanoma suggest strategies for future treatments.
Identification of a domain involved in ATP-gated ionotropic receptor subunit assembly.

P2X receptors are ATP-gated ion channels found in a variety of tissues and cell types. Seven different subunits (P2X1-P2X7) have been molecularly cloned and are known to form homomeric, and in some cases heteromeric, channel complexes. However, the molecular determinants leading to the assembly of subunits into P2X receptors are unknown. To address this question we utilized a co-immunoprecipitation assay in which epitope-tagged deletion mutants and chimeric constructs were examined for their ability to co-associate with full-length P2X subunits. Deletion mutants of the P2X2 receptor subunit were expressed individually and together with P2X2 or P2X3 receptor subunits in HEK 293 cells. Deletion of the amino terminus up to the first transmembrane domain (amino acid 28) and beyond (to amino acid 51) did not prevent subunit assembly. Analysis of the carboxyl terminus demonstrated that mutants missing the portion of the protein downstream of the second transmembrane domain could also still co-assemble. However, a mutant terminating 25 amino acids before the second transmembrane domain could not assemble with other subunits or itself, implicating the missing region of the protein in assembly. This finding was supported and extended by data utilizing a chimera strategy that indicated TMD2 is a critical determinant of P2X subunit assembly.
Teleoperated 3-D Force Feedback From the Nanoscale With an Atomic Force Microscope

In this study, 3-D experimental teleoperated force feedback during contact with nanoscale surfaces is demonstrated using an atomic force microscope (AFM) on the slave side and a haptic device on the master side. To achieve 3-D force feedback, coupling between one of the horizontal forces and the vertical force is a crucial bottleneck. To solve this coupling issue, a novel force decoupling algorithm is proposed. This algorithm uses local surface slopes, an empirical friction force model, and the haptic device motion angle projected onto the surface to estimate the friction value during experiments. With this estimation, it is possible to decouple the three orthogonal forces acting on the tip of the AFM cantilever. Moreover, using an adaptive observer, parameters of the friction model can be changed online, removing the necessity to calibrate the friction model initially. Finally, a modified passivity-based bilateral control is used to reflect the scaled nanoscale forces to the master side and the operator. The performance of the system is demonstrated on experimental results for flat and non-flat, and hard and soft surfaces.
Compact, high-extinction waveguide polarizers that use localized surface plasmons.

We report a new type of waveguide polarizer that utilizes surface plasmon modes localized in nanometer-size silver particles to polarize light. Polarization is due to selective excitation of a lossy surface plasmon mode in the silver. Planar waveguides have been fabricated by a K+ −Na+ ion-exchange process in a glass composite containing elongated silver particles. Both TE- and TM-pass polarizers have been fabricated with extinction ratios of >50 dB/100 μm at 836 nm. Propagation losses for the pass axis were <0.2 dB/100 μm. The polarizing properties are modeled by an effective medium theory.
Real-time Earthquake Location Using Kirchhoff Reconstruction

Real-time location of earthquakes can be achieved by using direct imaging of the recorded wave field based on a Kirchhoff reconstruction method similar to that used in the migration of seismic reflection data. The standard method of event location requires the wave arrival at each sensor to be picked and associated with an event. By using direct imaging, the event is identified once in the imaged wave field. The computation is independent of the level of seismic activity and can be carried out on a typical desktop computer. The procedure has been successfully demonstrated in two and three dimensions using data from the Southern California Seismic Network (Trinet). At higher resolutions, the reconstruction method can identify finite source effects. Further work considers extending the method by implementing full elastic theory and solving for moment tensors at all locations in the mesh.
ON STEREOTROPISM IN TENEBRIO LARVÆ

Larvae of Tenebrio while creeping show homostrophic responses, and stereotropic orientation to lateral contacts. Homostrophic orientation is inhibited by stereotropism. Both depend upon the anterior portion of the central nervous system. Stereotropic orientation due to unilateral contact, particularly at the anterior end, persists briefly after the cessation of the contact. Equal posterior bilateral contact of the body obliterates stereotropic bending. Unequal posterior bilateral contacts lead to orientation through an angle roughly proportional to the differences in contact areas. Functional symmetry in such responses is not disturbed by asymmetrical distribution of the body "hairs." The stereotropic orientation undergoes reversal of direction, central in origin, when the stimulation is sufficiently intense. Stereotropic response, leading to maintained lateral contact with a surface or to bending when the end of such a surface has been passed, is inhibited by a definite intensity of light. These findings (1) round out the demonstration that stereotropism is truly of a tropistic character, and (2) make possible the understanding of conduct in a case involving the participation of contact stimulation, phototropism, temperature, and homostrophy.
Racial Ethnic Differences in Rates and Determinants of Deceased Donor Kidney Transplantation

Contemporary studies have not comprehensively compared waiting times and determinants of deceased donor kidney transplantation across all major racial ethnic groups in the Unites States. Here, we compared relative rates and determinants of waitlisting and deceased donor kidney transplantation among 503,090 nonelderly adults of different racial ethnic groups who initiated hemodialysis between1995 and 2006 with follow-up through 2008. Annual rates of deceased donor transplantation from the time of dialysis initiation were lowest in American Indians/Alaska Natives (2.4%) and blacks (2.8%), intermediate in Pacific Islanders (3.1%) and Hispanics (3.2%), and highest in whites (5.9%) and Asians (6.4%). Lower rates of deceased donor transplantation among most racial ethnic minority groups appeared primarily to reflect differences in time from waitlisting to transplantation, but this was not the result of higher rates of waitlist inactivity or removal from the waitlist. The fraction of the reduced transplant rates attributable to measured factors (e.g., demographic, clinical, socioeconomic, linguistic, and geographic factors) varied from 14% in blacks to 43% in American Indians/Alaska Natives compared with whites. In conclusion, adjusted rates of deceased donor kidney transplantation remain significantly lower among racial ethnic minorities compared with whites; generally, differences in time to waitlisting were not as pronounced as differences in time between waitlisting and transplantation. Determinants of delays in time to transplantation differed substantially by racial ethnic group. Area-based efforts targeted to address racial- and ethnic-specific delays in transplantation may help to reduce overall disparities in deceased donor kidney transplantation in the United States.
The three-body potential for heavy quark bayrons in lattice QCD

The three-body static QQQ potential which binds a baryon composed of three heavy quarks is measured in lattice QCD. The data is well described by a sum of twebody Qa meson potentials with no evidence for a three-body term. A conjugate gradient algorithm for calculating eigenvalues and eigenfunctions of the three-body Schfidinger equation is dezscribed.
Transient thyrotoxicosis in an infant delivered to a long-acting thyroid stimulator (LATS)- and LATS protector-negative, thyroid-stimulating antibody-positive woman with Hashimoto's thyroiditis

A thyrotoxic infant was delivered to a woman with a long-standing history of Hashimoto's thyroiditis, but with no evidence of Graves' disease. Long-acting thyroid stimulator (LATS) and LATS protector were absent, but thyroid-stimulating antibody was transiently present in the infant and markedly and persistently elevated in the mother. It is concluded that the maternal level of thyroid-stimulating immunoglobulins determines the presence and duration of transient neonatal thyrotoxicosis, and that thyroid-stimulating antibody is distinct from LATS and LATS protector.
A Prototype Global Drought Information System Based on Multiple Land Surface Models

AbstractThe implementation of a multimodel drought monitoring system is described, which provides near-real-time estimates of surface moisture storage for the global land areas between 50°S and 50°N with a time lag of about 1 day. Near-real-time forcings are derived from satellite-based precipitation estimates and modeled air temperatures. The system distinguishes itself from other operational systems in that it uses multiple land surface models (Variable Infiltration Capacity, Noah, and Sacramento) to simulate surface moisture storage, which are then combined to derive a multimodel estimate of drought. A comparison of the results with other historic and current drought estimates demonstrates that near-real-time nowcasting of global drought conditions based on satellite and model forcings is entirely feasible. However, challenges remain because hydrological droughts are inherently defined in the context of a long-term climatology. Changes in observing platforms can be misinterpreted as droughts (or as exc...
Magic-sense: dynamic cursor sensitivity-based magic pointing

MAGIC (Manual and Gaze Input Cascaded) pointing methods use eye gaze as a complementary input for the primary input device. This paper introduces a novel MAGIC pointing technique to provide fast and accurate selection. Cursor sensitivity is reduced near eye focus to allow fine selection, and increased away from target to improve selection speed. MAGIC-SENSE is tested against a traditional mouse and a gaze only pointing method using an ISO 9241-9 compliant circular Fitts' Law experiment. Using MAGIC-SENSE, subjects achieved lower error rates without compromising movement times compared to mouse-only method. A local calibration method that can boost all MAGIC pointing techniques is discussed.
Urinary concentrations of PAH and VOC metabolites in marijuana users

Abstract Background Marijuana is seeing increased therapeutic use, and is the world's third most-popular recreational drug following alcohol and tobacco. This widening use poses increased exposure to potentially toxic combustion by-products from marijuana smoke and the potential for public health concerns. Objectives To compare urinary metabolites of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) among self-reported recent marijuana users and nonusers, while accounting for tobacco smoke exposure. Methods Measurements of PAH and VOC metabolites in urine samples were combined with questionnaire data collected from participants in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys (NHANES) from 2005 to 2012 in order to categorize participants (≥ 18 years) into exclusive recent marijuana users and nonusers. Adjusted geometric means (GMs) of urinary concentrations were computed for these groups using multiple regression analyses to adjust for potential confounders. Results Adjusted GMs of many individual monohydroxy PAHs (OH-PAHs) were significantly higher in recent marijuana users than in nonusers ( p p p p Conclusions We found elevated levels of biomarkers for potentially harmful chemicals among self-identified, recent marijuana users compared with nonusers. These findings suggest that further studies are needed to evaluate the potential health risks to humans from the exposure to these agents when smoking marijuana.
Groups of Multiplicative Type

Separable algebras, besides describing connected components, are related to a familiar kind of matrix and can lead us to another class of group schemes. One calls an n × n matrix g separable if the subalgebra k[g] of End(k n ) is separable. We have of course k[g] ≃ k[X]/p(X) where p(X) is the minimal polynomial of g Separability then holds iff k[g]⊗\( bar k \) = \( bar k \)[g] ⋍ \( bar k \)[X]/p(X) is separable over k. This means that p has no repeated roots over k, which is the familiar criterion for g to be diagonalizable over \( bar k \). (We will extend this result in the next section.) Then p is separable in the usual Galois theory sense, its roots are in k s , and g is diagonalizable over k s .
How to Split the Tax Baby: What Would Solomon Do?

For as long as taxpayers have been able to claim deductions or credits for their children, separated parents have argued over which of them is entitled to those benefits. In 1967, Congress enacted legislation to resolve these disputes. That legislation did not accomplish its objectives, so Congress revised those rules in 1984. With a minor tweak those rules remain in place today. Under the current statute, the parent having custody for the greater portion of the year is generally entitled to the tax benefits. However, that “Custodial Parent” can transfer some of those benefits to the “Noncustodial Parent” by signing a written declaration, in such manner and form as the Treasury Department prescribes, stating that he will not claim the benefits. For twenty-five years, the Treasury Department allowed an unconditional divorce decree or separation agreement to serve as the written declaration necessary for transferring tax benefits. Abruptly, however, in 2008, the Treasury Department issued new Regulations under which divorce decrees and separation agreements are no longer acceptable. Now, the Noncustodial Parent must obtain a signed Internal Revenue Service Form from the Custodial Parent in order to qualify for the tax benefits – even in cases where the decree or agreement – binding under State law – provides that the Noncustodial Parent is entitled to the benefits. This Article will explain why there was no reasonable justification for changing the Regulations, and why the Regulations will create unexpected, unnecessary, unreasonable, and difficult-to-surmount problems for Noncustodial Parents. The new Regulations are plain bad and should be repealed.
DNA as Property: Implications on the Constitutionality of DNA Dragnets (Comment)

Law enforcement officials around the world have utilized DNA profiling to aid in their investigations for over fifteen years. While the use of genetic information may ensure that justice is served, civil rights may also be endangered by DNA profiling. For example, DNA dragnets involve the mass DNA sampling of individuals whom authorities have neither probable cause nor reasonable suspicion to believe perpetrated the crime in question. Unlike fingerprints used for identification purposes, an individual’s DNA contains a myriad of information about health and genetic identity that deserves increased protection. This comment argues that when a state seeks to deprive a person of his or her DNA, greater constitutional protections than are currently afforded in the context of dragnets must be provided. After describing the unique characteristics of DNA and the history of DNA dragnets, this paper ultimately argues that DNA ought to be considered the property of the individual from whom it is sought to be removed. Recognition of property rights in such DNA implicates Due Process under the 14th Amendment, and makes clear that the process currently provided in DNA dragnets is constitutionally inadequate.
Statistics of Primes (and Probably Twin Primes) Satisfy Taylor's Law from Ecology

ASBTRACTTaylor's law, which originated in ecology, states that, in sets of measurements of population density, the sample variance is approximately proportional to a power of the sample mean. Taylor's law has been verified for many species ranging from bacterial to human. Here, we show that the variance V(x) and the mean M(x) of the primes not exceeding a real number x obey Taylor's law asymptotically for large x. Specifically, V(x) ∼ (1/3)(M(x))2 as x → ∞. This apparently new fact about primes shows that Taylor's law may arise in the absence of biological processes, and that patterns discovered in biological data can suggest novel questions in number theory. If the Hardy-Littlewood twin primes conjecture is true, then the identical Taylor's law holds also for twin primes. Taylor's law holds in both instances because the primes (and the twin primes, given the conjecture) not exceeding x are asymptotically uniformly distributed on the integers in [2, x]. Hence, asymptotically M(x) ∼ x/2, V(x) ∼ x2/12. High...
Screening for low-phosphorus tolerance among tomato strains

Phosphorus is one of the nutrients most frequently limiting crop yields on tropical acid soils. Strategies to improve agricultural production on these soils include using adapted crop cultivars that efficiently exploit all available, applied and recycled soil P, so that crop production can be sustained with minimum P applications. The purpose of this work was to compare various screening techniques for identifying P-efficient tomato genotypes in laboratory or greenhouse environments with results obtained in the field in the presence or absence of vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhizal (VAM) fungi. Tomato strains were grown under high-P and P-limiting conditions in sand-alumina, liquid root culture, and a sand-soil mixture; growth, P-uptake or P utilization efficiency were compared with the same parameters measured in a field study. Low-P tolerance, the ability to better maintain, relative to other strains, dry weight accumulation under P-deficient conditions, was poorly correlated between any of the screening techniques and the field study. In the field, inoculation of strains with VAM fungi significantly altered ratings of low-P tolerance. Overall the results underscore the difficulty of identifying field-relevant genotypic differences for P efficiency with simplified screening techniques.
Current analytical techniques for analysis of carbohydrate containing biosimilars

T analysis of the glycoconjuagtes has become important for all comparability studies and in the quality control of therapeutic recombinant glycoproteins and polysaccharides. We will describe current mass spectrometry methods and procedures that are commonly used for polysaccharide and glycoprotein analysis in order to obtain regulatory approval. Details will be given on the pros and cons of certain methods from regulatory stand point. We will discuss procedures necessary for the complete structural elucidation of any N/O-glycan mixture found in glycoprotein products as well as sites of glycosylation. In addition challenges in the structural characterization of heparin and low molecular heparin will be discussed. Examples of the methodologies will include data needed in different phases of the study. Currents analysis of biosimilars will be included.
Abstract B30: Rnaseh2c is a candidate metastasis susceptibility gene in breast cancer

Breast cancer is a leading cause of cancer-related female deaths in the United States, the majority of which are due to distant metastases. Elucidating novel genes that drive metastasis is critical to improving patient outcome. Our laboratory has extensively shown that germline variants impact an individual9s susceptibility for metastasis, and we have used this to identify novel metastasis modifier genes. Here we applied a mouse model of spontaneous metastasis to a mouse breeding scheme to screen for strain-specific haplotypes associated with metastatic phenotype. Additional filtering of the haplotype-containing genes was performed for those that were highly expressed in tumors. This screen identified Rnaseh2c, a scaffolding subunit of the Ribonuclease H2 complex which degrades RNA from DNA:RNA heteroduplexes such as those generated during replication and transcription, thus helping maintain genomic stability. Though mutations in RNASEH2C are known to cause the neurological autoinflammatory disorder Aicardi-Goutieres Syndrome (AGS), it has not previously been linked to cancer. Given the known pathology of AGS, we hypothesize that differential expression of Rnaseh2c in tumor cells alters tumor progression and metastasis potentially via interaction with the immune system. We directly assessed the effect of tumor cell Rnaseh2c expression on metastasis using in vivo metastasis assays. We implanted into the mammary fat pad tumor cells expressing shRNAs that reduced Rnaseh2c expression and observed significantly fewer pulmonary metastases and reduced tumor burden. To complement this approach, we performed the same metastasis assay with cells overexpressing exogenous Rnaseh2c. In agreement with our initial result, overexpression generated significantly more metastases without affecting primary tumor size, confirming Rnaseh2c as a metastasis modifier. The results thus far validate our approach of employing germline variation in mice to identify novel metastasis modifier genes. Current and future work will focus on elucidating the mechanism by which Rnaseh2c expression impacts metastasis. Specifically, we will determine where Rnaseh2c functions in the metastatic cascade, whether modulated expression disrupts Rnase H2 complex formation, and whether the immune system is involved in mediating this gene9s effect on metastasis. Elucidating the mechanism by which this gene acts can contribute to both the development of novel metastasis biomarkers as well as potential therapeutic targets. Citation Format: Sarah Deasy, Kent Hunter. Rnaseh2c is a candidate metastasis susceptibility gene in breast cancer. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Special Conference on Tumor Metastasis; 2015 Nov 30-Dec 3; Austin, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2016;76(7 Suppl):Abstract nr B30.
Continuous noninvasive monitoring in the neonatal ICU.

Purpose of reviewStandard hemodynamic monitoring such as heart rate and systemic blood pressure may only provide a crude estimation of organ perfusion during neonatal intensive care. Pulse oximetry monitoring allows for continuous noninvasive monitoring of hemoglobin oxygenation and thus provides es
Video-Assisted Thoracoscopic Lobectomy Is the Preferred Approach Following Induction Chemotherapy.

Abstract Objective: A video-assisted thoracoscopic surgical (VATS) resection, after induction chemotherapy, has long been considered a relative contraindication. We report our experience with VATS lobectomy after induction chemotherapy for patients with nonsmall cell lung cancer (NSCLC), with propensity-matched group of patients, who underwent an open approach, to determine safety and oncological outcome. Methods: A retrospective review of a prospective database (2002–2014) was performed to identify patients undergoing potentially curative lobectomy for NSCLC after induction therapy. Propensity score matching (age, gender, and clinical stage) was performed (1:2) to obtain a balanced cohort of patients undergoing VATS resection and thoracotomy. Results: A total of 285 patients underwent lobectomy after induction therapy, 114 were propensity matched (VATS, n = 40, thoracotomy, n = 74). There were no differences in the clinicopathological factors or type of induction therapy (conventional versus targeted) be...
An Optimized and Validated Method for Isolation and Characterization of Lymphocytes from HIV+ Human Gut Biopsies

The gastrointestinal (GI) tract harbors most of the body's immune cells and is also a major HIV reservoir in ART-treated patients. To achieve a cure, most HIV-infected cells must be identified and eliminated. While obtaining gut biopsies is a relatively noninvasive method of sampling relevant tissue for monitoring HIV activity, immune cell isolation from these limited tissue samples has proven to be challenging. Enzymatic tissue digestion is required for maximal immune cell isolation from gut biopsies. However, these enzymatic digestions can also be detrimental for preservation of cellular surface markers that are required for accurate identification of various subsets of leukocytes. In this study, we describe an optimized protocol for isolation of lymphocytes from human gut biopsies. We also discuss our validation results, which show that compared with several other collagenase preparations, the use of CSLPA maintains high lymphocyte recovery while preserving the integrity of most cellular surface antigens that we tested. Importantly, chemokine receptors that are used to characterize various subsets of T cells, which are notorious for being digested during a typical enzymatic tissue digestion, are highly preserved using this protocol.
Microstructural Evolution of Cast Austenitic Stainless Steels Under Accelerated Thermal Aging

Thermal aging degradation of cast austenitic stainless steels (CASS) was studied by electron microscopy to understand the mechanisms for thermal embrittlement potentially experienced during extended operations of light water reactor coolant systems. Four CASS alloys—CF3, CF3M, CF8, and CF8M—were thermally aged up 1500 h at 330 and 400 °C, and the microstructural evolution of the material was characterized by analytical aberration-corrected scanning transmission electron microscopy. The primary microstructural and compositional changes during thermal aging were spinodal decomposition of the δ-ferrite into α/α′, precipitation of G-phase in the δ-ferrite, segregation of solute to the austenite/ferrite interphase boundary, and growth of M23C6 carbides on the austenite/ferrite interphase boundary. These changes were shown to be highly dependent on aging temperature and chemical composition, particularly the amount of C and Mo. A comprehensive model is being developed to correlate the microstructural evolution with mechanical behavior and simulation.
Tallow Candles and Meaty Air in Bleak House

In Charles Dickens’s Bleak House there is a strange (and disgusting) pattern of characters feeling that they can ‘taste’ the air, and that that air tastes either meaty or greasy. Esther notices that snuffing ‘two great office candles in tin candlesticks’ at Mrs Jellyby’s ‘made the room taste strongly of hot tallow’, the mutton or beef fat out of which inexpensive candles were made. In Bleak House, candles retain their sheepy atmospheres and release them into the surrounding air when consumed. Mrs Jellyby’s home and Mr Vholes’s office are just two places in which Dickens suggests that the process of turning organic animal bodies into urban commodities (candles, parchment, wigs) has not quite been completed. Candles and parchment are part animal, part object, and they constantly threaten to revert back into their animal forms. The commodification of animal bodies occurs primarily in the city, where parts of formerly living bodies are manufactured into things. Filled with the smell of burning chops or a spontaneously combusted human, Dickens’s greasier atmospheres contain animal matter suspended in the air that the characters smell, taste, and touch. Once we realize that the apparent smell of chops and candles is, in fact, Krook’s body, this act of taking the air becomes a form of cannibalism that is at least as unsettling as Michael Pollan’s recent account of cows being fed cow parts in factory farms. Drawing on this insight and on Allen MacDuffie’s analyses of energy systems in Bleak House, this article focuses on instances in which Dickens defamiliarizes the human consumption of energy by having his characters unintentionally ingest animal particles. Studying Dickens’s treatment of animal fat suspended in air adds a new dimension to recent work on systems of energy expenditure and exchange in an age of industrial capitalism.
Earth abundant perovskite oxides for low temperature CO2 conversion

Conversion of CO2 in a scalable technology has the potential for enormous energy and environmental impact but remains a challenge. We present several stable, earth abundant perovskite oxide materials for the reverse water gas shift chemical looping (RWGS-CL) process as a potential solution for this CO2 mitigation problem. This material and process combination circumvents issues plaguing other emerging technologies, viz. poor rates of CO2 conversion, high operation temperatures, use of precious metal catalysts, or combinations thereof. Using DFT-calculated oxygen vacancy formation energy, a key descriptor for the RWGS-CL process, we have successfully predicted several earth abundant perovskite oxides with high CO2 conversion capability. We simultaneously achieved 100% selective CO generation from CO2 at the highest known rates (∼160 μmoles per min per gram perovskite oxide) at record low process temperatures of 450–500 °C using lanthanum and calcium based perovskite oxides. These materials are stable over several RWGS-CL cycles, enabling industrial implementation.
High sensitivity 8-color flow cytometry assay for paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria granulocyte and monocyte detections

Flow cytometry is the gold standard in diagnosis of paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH) by detecting the absence of glycol-phosphatidyl inositol (GPI)-linked protein expression on granulocyte and monocyte surfaces. However, the current assays are not optimized and require improvement, particularly in reducing background fluorescence and optimizing sensitivity and specificity. With more fluorochromes available and with advances in instrument engineering, rare populations may be identified with high sensitivity. The present study assessed an 8-color combination of comprehensive GPI-linked markers, namely fluorescein-labeled proaerolysin (FLAER), cluster of differentiation 157 (CD157), CD24 and CD14, and the lineage markers for granulocyte (CD15) and monocyte (CD64) cells to detect PNH clones. Additionally, to optimize the PNH flow assay, a 'dump' channel was used, comprised of CD5 and CD19, to exclude non-specific binding in order to reduce background. This method aimed to improve sensitivity and reduce the background to create an optimized PNH flow cocktail. The results demonstrated that the current 4-color PNH combination identifies a CD55- and FLAER+ population that is not PNH clones. By contrast, the 8-color panel delineated PNH clones from both monocyte and granulocytes by using granulocyte antigen (CD15) and monocyte antigen (CD64) as a gating strategy. The sensitivity was 0.01% for granulocytes and 0.05% for monocytes with an acquisition of 100,000 monocyte and granulocyte events. The background on a normal whole blood sample was 0.00076% on monocytes and 0.00277% on granulocytes. Thus, overall, the 8-color PNH assay exhibited high levels of specificity and sensitivity. The 8-color combination facilitated the improvement and enhancement of sensitivity in PNH clone identification, and may provide a useful tool for pathologists in PNH diagnosis and for monitoring patients at risk of developing classical/hemolytic PNH, to enable treatment to be delivered promptly.
HOTEL DEMAND BEFORE, DURING, AND AFTER SPORTS EVENTS: EVIDENCE FROM CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA

This paper uses daily hotel occupancy data to examine the effects of a wide variety of political and sporting events on the hotel room market of Charlotte, North Carolina from 2005 to 2014. Two political conventions and NASCAR auto races are associated with large increases in hotel occupancy, prices, and revenue, but many other events have no discernable effect on Charlotte's hotel market. The results also indicate that occupancy effects before or after most events are modest at best. Backâofâtheâenvelope calculations show incremental hotelâtax receipts fall short of the debt service incurred in constructing and maintaining the city's sports venues. (JEL H71, Z23, Z28)
No-Show Modeling for Adult Ambulatory Clinics

Patient no-show is a pervasive problem in outpatient clinics. This chapter provides a literature review and discussion on how to develop statistical no-show models. The literature review is a structured and representative selection of research studies from a variety of medical areas. The literature is grouped into four classes. The first class covers self-reported reasons for no-show. The most common self-reported reasons are forgetting, conflicts, transportation, scheduling system problems, and physical or mental illness. The second class discusses the effect of no-show interventions such as appointment reminders, patient education, and changes in scheduling systems on no-show behavior. The third class develops statistical models of no-show behavior in a variety of settings. Several patient, provider, and clinic characteristics are considered in developing these models. The last class of literature considers the impact of no-shows on health outcomes, which illustrates the importance of no-show modeling. The second part of the chapter explains how statistical no-show models can be developed. The data requirements, determination of significant factors, development of logistic regression models, and model validation are explained in detail. An example no-show model is provided to illustrate the modeling and validation process. The chapter concludes with summarizing thoughts and a discussion of future research opportunities.
Al 0.8 In 0.2 As 0.23 Sb 0.77 Avalanche Photodiodes

We report avalanche photodiodes (APDs) fabricated from the digital alloy Al0.8In0.2As0.23Sb0.77 (lattice-matched to GaSb). The APDs exhibit high avalanche multiplication and low excess noise.
Pictorial Encounter: Iconoclasm and Syncretism on India’s Western Coast

This essay deals with the violent campaign which Portuguese-Catholic forces launched against Hindu culture in India in the second half of the sixteenth century. The areas affected were part of the Estado da ĺndia or Portuguese colonial empire in Asia and were located, above all, on India’s western coast. The most severe damage was done in Goa, the headquarters of the Estado da ĺndia, and in Bacaim, Bombai, Damao and Chaul, that is, the Provincias do Norte or Northern Provinces. Driven by an old Judeo-Christian adversary against ‘idolatry’ or idol worship, the violent onslaught especially targeted images and icons of Hindu gods. Spared from this iconoclasm were solely images which Hindus managed to bring to safekeeping outside the Portuguese-controlled territories, where an emerging Hindu diaspora culture gave refuge to the ‘escaped deities’ in newly constructed temples (Axelrod and Fuerch 1996). Above all, the campaign did not simply aim at destroying Hindu monuments and images, but in an obviously strategic and carefully planned manner it systematically replaced Hindu monuments with Catholic churches, chapels, crosses and shrines. The effects of the campaign were devastating. In little more than two decades, most Hindu temples, shrines and images in the Portuguese-controlled territories were either destroyed or removed, and most Hindus who were not willing to convert to Christianity were expulsed or had fled the area.