cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Does seed availability limit plant establishment during salt marsh restoration

Patterns of seed dispersal and seed bank accumulation need to be known to predict the species that will recruit into restoration sites versus those that must be introduced. We assessed the temporal and spatial patterns of seed availability and seed accumulation on the salt marsh plain of an 8-ha resforation site, based on seedlings that emerged from tidal material, wrack, rabbit pellets, and soil samples (in controlled experiments). We compared results from the first 3 yr of restoration (2000–2002) with results from a 5-yr-old restoration and an extant marsh, all within Tijuana Estuary, California. Seed dispersal was limited for most marsh plain species. Tidal dispersal occurred mainly in winter; seedling density and richness were highest with high spring tides and after fruiting of the dominant species,Sarcocornia pacifica (>90% of emergent seedlings).S. pacifica was also common in the seedlings that emerged from soil seed banks (up to 63%) and wrack (60%), while other species common in the vegetation were present at much lower densities. Seed bank accumulation in restored sites was low and few species were abundant. Seedlings that emerged from soil samples from the youngest restoration were mostly invasive exotics (64%), those of the 5-yr restoration were mostlyS. pacifica (63%), and those from the nearby extant marsh were mostlyTriglochin concinna (70%), despite more diverse vegetation. No salt marsh seedlings emerged from rabbit pellets; all were invasives (Mesembryanthemum crystallimum andCarpobrotus edulis). Emerging seedlings were much sparser in soil from the younger restoration than from the 5-yr restoration and the extant site (32.9±5.7<4642.2±1131.5 and 4689.3±359.3 seedlings m−2, respectively). Because dispersal is limited for most species, restoring diverse vegetation will require seeding or planting. Natural recruitment could be facilitated by completing restoration by early winter, when seeds of native plants have maximum tidal dispersal.
Development of optical transmitters for high-amplitude focused ultrasound

This paper investigates the use of thin-film optical transmitters to generate focused ultrasound, aiming to develop highamplitude focused ultrasound. Composite films were used as the optoacoustic sources, which consist of carbonnanotubes (CNTs) and elastomeric polymers. As the nano-composites work as excellent optical absorbers and efficient heat converters, thermo-elastic volume deformation within the composites produces strong optoacoustic pressure. These films were formed on concave substrates for optoacoustic generation of the focused ultrasound. A focal waveform was measured using a single-mode fiber-optic hydrophone. A peak positive pressure of ~4 MPa was achieved.
Measurement of association constants for complexes by reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography

Abstract Association constants for metal-binding by various nucleotides, crown ethers and nitroso-napththolsulfonic acids in solution were measured by high-performace liquid chromatography employing appropriate eluents and non-polar bonded stationary phases. The results are in excellent agreement with pertinent literature data. The procedure is applicable to the measurement of stability constants of complexes which contain one solute molecule and are formed in the solution used as the eluent, provided species bound to the stationary phase are not involved in the complex formation and the chromatographic system is linear. The concentration of the metal ion in the appropriate mobile phase was varied and small quantities of the above substances were injected into the column. The hyperbolic dependence of the retention factgor, k, on the concentration of Na+, K+, Mg2+ or Zn2+ in the eluent allowed the use of various linear plots for the evaluation of the stability constants for complexes formed by such ions with substances mentioned above. The effect of complexation on retention is conveniently measured by the retention modulus, ν, which is given for the complex, νc, by the ratio of the retention factors of the complex and the uncomplexed solute, both measured under otherwise identical conditions. With nucleotides chromatographic retention increases upon metal binding due to reduction of electronic charge on the molecule and η > 1. On the other hand nitroso-naphtholsulfonates and crown ethers eluted faster in the form of a complex with metal ions so that η
Selective Protein--Protein Interactions Driven by a Phenylalanine Interface

Highly specific protein-protein interfaces have been the subject of considerable study for their potential utility in disrupting or interrogating cellular signaling and control networks. We report that coiled-coil sequences decorated with phenylalanine core residues fold into stable alpha-helical bundles and that these self-sort from similar peptide assemblies with aliphatic core side chains. For self-assembled ensembles derived from 30-residue monomeric peptides, the DeltaG of specificity is -1.5 kcal/mol, comparable with earlier self-sorting coiled-coil systems. Intriguingly, although this interface is constructed from canonical amino acids, it does not appear to have been exploited in native proteins.
Calculations of curvature continuous cubic splines

Abstract The connection between the recursion formula for B-splines and the de Boor algorithm is well-known. This connection can be transferred to the curvature continuous cubic case where the use of results of Goodman & Unsworth (for a recursion formula) and Boehm (for a de Boor-like algorithm) yields two different pairs of recursion formulas and de Boor-like algorithms. Some properties are discussed.
Inhibition of cell division in hepatoma cell cultures by chlordecone and carbon tetrachloride combination

Abstract The propensity of chlordecone (CD) to potentiate the hepatotoxic and lethal effects of CCl 4 is well established. Mirex (M), a close structural analogue of CD, or phenobarbital (PB), both powerful inducers of hepatic microsomal drug metabolizing enzymes, are much weaker potentiators of CCl 4 toxicity. Considerable evidence has accumulated to suggest that this increase in CCl 4 toxicity caused by CD is due to the failure of the hepatocellular regeneration, tissue repair and hepatolobular restoration mechanisms. This interaction occurs at concentrations of CD and CCl 4 that are individually non-toxic and do not interfere with hepatocellular division. To test this unique interaction at cellular level, we employed a rapidly dividing Reuber hepatoma cell line in vitro . Cells were pretreated with a non-toxic dose of either CD, M or PB and exposed to a single addition of CCl 4 in the concentration range 5 to 40 m m 16 days later. The results indicate that CD + CCl 4 combination specifically arrested hepatocellular division. The inhibition of cell division occurred at individually non-toxic concentrations of CD and CCl 4 . M + CCl 4 or PB + CCl 4 failed to manifest similar effects. At higher concentrations, these combinations caused cellular toxicity, resulting in cell death. Suppression of cell division might play an important role in the progression of chemical-induced toxicities in the liver. This unique observation opens up new avenues to investigate biochemical molecular mechanisms underlying the interference with hepatocellular division.
TRPV1 activation by endogenous anandamide triggers postsynaptic long-term depression in dentate gyrus

The authors report that the cation channel TRPV1 suppresses excitatory synaptic transmission in dentate gyrus via a Ca2+-calcineurin and clathrin-dependent internalization of AMPA receptors. Activation of TRPV-1 triggers a form of LTD that is mediated by anandamide, but is independent of type 1 endocannabinoid receptors.
Attitudes and perceptions of indigenous fishermen towards marine resource management in Kuna Yala, Panama

The Kuna are a strong and independent culture, however outside influences are imposing growing pressure on their people. Overpopulation and large-scale overfishing are among the most severe threats. The Kuna have developed their own management strategies to address these pressing issues. This study presents local perceptions and attitudes towards marine resource management of six indigenous fishing communities in Kuna Yala, Panama. Results highlight significant general and comparative differences in fishermen's attitudes and perceptions based on socio-cultural structures of communities, occupation and role in local decision-making. The level of cultural survival in communities was a strong indicator for different priorities and attitudes. Differences were also evident based on the level of marine resources used for income generation. Participation in local decision-making processes had positive impacts on levels of knowledge and information, and fostered critical thinking among participants. In addition, ...
The generation of three-dimensional bipolar transistor models for circuit analysis

The results of a two-dimensional bipolar numerical device-analysis program are processed by identifying three regions of the transistor: the intrinsic transistor, the sidewall transistor, and the extrinsic base collector diode. The key parameters which describe each of these regions are extracted using a linking program and fed into a quasi-three-dimensional device analysis program referred to here as the Model Generation Program (MGP). The MGP first generates a large equivalent-circuit distributed network which simulates the three-dimensional geometry of an actual transistor. This distributed network is then analyzed using the existing Advanced Statistical Analysis Program (ASTAP) for circuit analysis. Finally the MGP extracts parameters from the ASTAP analysis to characterize the elements of a lumped-model equivalent circuit, which is then suitable for the circuit design of large-scale integrated circuit chips. The MGP is sufficiently flexible that transistors with a variety of geometries can be generated without repeating the two-dimensional analysis.
Stability of the Cheng–Yau gradient estimate

We prove that the Cheng?Yau gradient estimate on positive harmonic functions on manifolds with nonnegative Ricci curvature is globally stable under certain perturbations of the metric. In some cases, one only needs the condition Ricci(x) =-e / (1 + d(x)2+d), with d > 0 and e > 0 suficiently small.
Pulse pressure monitoring through non-contact cardiac motion detection using 2.45 GHz microwave Doppler radar

The use of a Continuous Wave (CW) quadrature Doppler radar is proposed here for continuous non-invasive Pulse Pressure monitoring. A correspondence between the variation in systemic pulse and variation in the displacement of the chest due to heart is demonstrated, establishing feasibility for the approach. Arctangent demodulation technique was used to process baseband data from radar measurements on two test subjects, in order to determine the absolute cardiac motion. An Omron digital Blood pressure cuff was used to measure the systolic and diastolic blood pressures from which the pulse pressure was calculated. Correlation between pulse pressure and cardiac motion was observed through changes induced due to different postures of the body.
Language Development in Individuals with Fragile X Syndrome

Fragile X syndrome (FXS) is the leading inherited cause of intellectual disability. The syndrome is caused by a single gene mutation on the X chromosome. Although individual differences are large, most individuals with FXS display weaknesses across all language and literacy domains compared to peers of the same chronological age with typical cognitive and language development. Expressive, receptive, and pragmatic language abilities as well as literacy skills are similar to those of younger, typically developing peers at similar cognitive and language developmental levels, although there are areas in which impairments exceed developmental-level expectations. One area of special impairment is the higher occurrence of repetition in the language of individuals with FXS compared to developmentally matched peers. In this paper, we review the behavioral, language, and literacy characteristics of individuals with FXS and discuss potential clinical implications.
Mathematical simulation of melt flow, heat transfer and non-equilibrium solidification in planar flow casting

This paper describes a two-dimensional model of fluid flow and heat transfer with phase change for the planar flow casting process. Boundary-layer theory is used to model fluid flow and heat transfer in the solidification puddle, and a semi-implicit finite difference scheme is used to solve the corresponding governing equations. In order to take into account non-equilibrium solidification with melt undercooling, a kinetics relationship between the interface velocity and the interface undercooling is incorporated in the model. The location of the interface and its temperature are calculated using an interface tracking technique based on control volume integrals with element subdivision. Besides the interface velocity and temperature, the model also predicts the shape of the downstream meniscus formed between the crucible and the moving wheel. Some results for the planar flow casting of an aluminium melt with undercooling are also presented, including predictions of the streamlines and isotherms in the puddle. The effect of the interface kinetics and melt undercooling on the solidification characteristics is quantified through comparison with an equilibrium solidification model.
Use of TPA-induced clot lysis time (TCLOT) to diagnose abnormal clot structure and fibrinolysis in a patient with spontaneous bleeding into his leg

Diagnosis and treatment of patients with bleeding due to enhanced fibrinolysis is hampered by the absence of a rapid screen of fibrinolytic potential. The authors have developed a simple assay to assess clot structure and fibrinolysis in patient samples exposed to tissue plasminogen activator (TPA). They present the case of a forty-one-year-old man who presented with spontaneous bleeding despite normal results from coagulation screening tests, platelet count, platelet aggregation studies, platelet force development, and bleeding time. Evaluation of the patient's clot structure revealed a very weak, low-modulus, clot that rapidly dissolved in the presence of TPA. Identification of the abnormality allowed treatment with epsilon-aminocaproic acid with prompt resolution of bleeding.
Obesity, High-Calorie Food Intake, and Academic Achievement Trends Among U.S. School Children

ABSTRACT The authors investigated children's self-reported high-calorie food intake in Grade 5 and its relationship to trends in obesity status and academic achievement over the first 6 years of school. They used 3-level hierarchical linear models in the large-scale database (the Early Childhood Longitudinal Study–Kindergarten Cohort). Findings indicated that frequency of eating fast food in Grade 5 was negatively related to mathematics and reading scores at Grade 5 and to the grow rate in both subjects. Frequency of obtaining salty snacks at school was moderately and negatively related to mathematics performance at Grade 5. School vending machines were not significantly associated with academic achievement patterns or obesity status. These results are informative of trends worth further investigation through prospective models.
Euhemerism and Christology in Origen: Contra Celsum Iii 22-43

L'utilisation de l'evhemerisme par les apologistes chretiens comporte le danger evident de faire assimiler la divinite de Jesus a une apotheose. Ce que Celse suppose et rejette comme une absurdite dans le passage en question, en fonction de l'interpretation sceptique de l'evhemerisme. Or, il est remarquable que, dans sa reponse, Origene developpe ses affirmations christologiques precisement dans le contexte de la conception greco-romaine des hommes divinises. Jesus est superieur aux rivaux qu'on lui oppose par son elevation morale et par la nature des bienfaits qu'il apporte a l'humanite. Son argumentation, pour faire admettre la divinisation d'un corps et d'une âme humaine par union au Logos, ne peut se comprendre qu'en reference a sa doctrine de la preexistence des âmes.
Scheduling of thermal units with a nonlinear load flow network model

Abstract We describe a formulation of the thermal unit commitment problem that includes AC network constraints, which allows taking into account VAr production as a criterion for generator commitment for the first time. The formulation makes it possible to use the Lagrangian Relaxation technique as a solution algorithm even though the network constraints are not linear. Although the solution method is computationally intensive, the problem exhibits a separation structure and a price coordination schedule that suggest several ways of improving the performance. Preliminary test results are reported.
Effects of Vaccinations with Strain 19 Brucella abortus, Triple Bacterin, or Endotoxins on Serum Alkaline Phosphatase in Dairy Calves

Abstract Routine vaccination of dairy heifers for brucellosis, with Strain 19 Brucella abortus, and with triple bacterin for blackleg, malignant edema, and pasteurellosis (shipping fever) is followed by a very large depression in serum alkaline phosphatase activity (SAP). This was serendipitously observed in another experiment and subsequently verified in controlled experiments. The reduction in phosphatase activity was not accompanied by important reductions in feed intake. Phosphatase activity levels were depressed from two to eight days after vaccination and probably to a lesser degree after 11 days. Additional experiments indicated that Strain 19 brucella vaccine from different manufacturers had a comparable effect on depressing phosphatase, but that the diluent for the brucella vaccine and the triple bacterin did not have an important influence. Phosphatase activity in bull calves was affected comparably to that in heifers. Endotoxins in amounts comparable to those in the Strain 19 brucella caused a significant reduction in SAP in one experiment, but not in another. There were considerably different levels of phosphatase activity in calves of comparable age, size, and condition in different herds, and also of individual animals within herds. Within treatments, there were large positive correlations between SAP levels for the same animals in samples obtained prior to vaccination and several days later.
Fracturing the real-self↔fake-self dichotomy: Moving toward "crystallized" organizational discourses and identities

This article begins with the following question: Why, even with the proliferation of poststructuralist theoretical understandings of identity, do people routinely talk in terms of “real” and “fake” selves? Through an analysis of critical empirical studies of identity-construction processes at work, this article makes the case that the real-self↔fake-self dichotomy is created and maintained through organizational talk and practices and, in turn, serves as a constitutive discourse that produces four subject positions with both symbolic and material consequences: strategized self-subordination, perpetually deferred identities, “auto-dressage,” and the production of “good little copers.” The article challenges scholars to reflexively consider the ways they may perpetuate the dichotomy in their own academic practices. Furthermore, the authors present the metaphor of the “crystallized self” as an alternative to the real-self↔fake-self dichotomy and suggest that communication scholars are well-poised to develop alternative vocabularies, theories, and understandings of identity within the popular imagination.
Performance of a Transmitter Diversity MSK Mobile Radio System with Two Bit Differential Detection

The error rate performance of a transmitter diversity using frequency offset MSK signals and 2 bit differential detection in land mobile radio communication systems is derived under the general conditions of additive Gaussian noise, cochannel interference and fast Rayleigh fading. Numerical results and useful design curves are presented for cases of practical interest and compared with the case of no diversity. Transmitter diversity can be used in the base stations when simplicity is required in the receiver at the mobile units.
Time series analysis of the strategic petroleum reserve's brine pipeline test data

Abstract Ability to detect leaks in the Strategic Petroleum Reserve's brine pipeline depends on the ability to observe small drops in pressure, e.g. changes of the order of 0.3 psi (pounds per square inch). Typical pressure variation includes a random component (referred to as measurement noise) due primarily to measurement error and a systematic component (referred to as process noise) due to various internal and external disturbances such as offshore tides, temperature changes, and pump action. Much of the systematic component can be removed through time series modeling, with residuals from the model representing the random component. This paper addresses the estimation of the noise components through time series models applied to test data. Effectiveness of leak-detection algorithms based on test statistics (e.g. two-minute averages of pressure readings) can be determined from known or estimated standard deviations of the process and measurement noise components. The U.S. Department of Energy (operator of the Strategic Petroleum Reserve) plans to use the results of the time series analysis, together with hydraulic models, in order to establish leak-detection procedures that will meet Environmental Protection Agency requirements.
Ctyoplasmic DNA: Separation into two components with detergents

Summary Homogenates of rat liver in media containing sucrose, Triton X-100 and Mg ++ were separated by centrifugation into nuclei and cytoplasm. A method is described for separating two types of DNA from the cytoplasmic fraction that closely resemble the DNA obtained from mitochondria and microsomes isolated from liver by conventional cell fractionation procedures.
GROWTH DEFICIENCIES IN MEXICAN-AMERICAN CHILDREN IN THE UNITED STATES

The nutritional status of Mexican-American (M-A) children was evaluated by analyzing data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey I (1971-1974), a probability survey of the nutritional and health status of the United States population. A subsample comprised of M-A children (N=335), ages 1-19 years was compared with non-Hispanic (N-H) children of the same age (N=6728). The groups' mean height, weight, and caloric intake were compared, controlled for socioeconomic status (SES). The M-A childrens' height and weight percentiles were also examined utilizing the N.C.H.S. growth curves. The results showed that the M-A sample was significantly smaller in both height and weight than the N-H group (H: p<.001, W: p<.05). The lowest SES M-A group was significantly smaller than the comparable N-H group (H: p<.01, W: p<.02). These differences were not present among higher SES groups. Within the M-A sample, the mean height and weight was significantly smaller for the low SES group (p<.05). The examination of the growth percentiles revealed that 10% of M-A children were below the 5th percentile in height. A similar comparison of weight percentiles did not demonstrate a difference. M-A children in the lowest SES group had caloric intakes significantly lower than comparable N-H groups or higher SES groups among M-A. Conclusion: There are significant growth differences between M-A and N-H children which are affected by SES. This suggests that malnutrition may be a concern among M-A children.
Primary hyperaldosteronism caused by adrenocortical carcinoma.

Since the syndrome of primary hyperaldosteronism was described by Jerome Conn in 1955, over 300 patients with this disorder have been identified in the medical centers of Vanderbilt University and the University of Michigan. The most frequent cause of this endocrinopathy has been a solitary adenoma of the adrenal cortex (72%); bilateral adrenocortical hyperplasia has been the cause of primary hyperaldosteronism in 27% of cases; less frequently, the cause has been multiple and/or bilateral adenomas (1%). During the last 4 years in these 2 medical centers, we have encountered 3 patients who have had biochemically proven primary hyperaldosteronism due to adrenocortical carcinoma. Each of these unusual cases is summarized with review of the recent literature.
Inpatient child and adolescent therapy groups: Boundary maintenance and group function

Inpatient therapy groups are described as subsystems of the social systems that comprise hospital units. System theory concepts are used to illustrate how clear group boundaries are essential for the effective functioning of inpatient therapy groups. Milieu dependency dynamics are viewed as a major source of resistance to group boundary formation in psychiatric institutions for children and adolescents.
Conformist learning in nine-spined sticklebacks' foraging decisions

Theoretical analyses have reported that in most circumstances where natural selection favours reliance on social learning, conformity (positive frequency-dependent social learning) is also favoured. These findings suggest that much animal social learning should involve a copy-the-majority strategy, yet there is currently surprisingly little evidence for conformist learning among animals. Here, we investigate this possibility in the nine-spined stickleback (Pungitius pungitius) by manipulating the number of demonstrator fish at two feeders, one rich and one poor, during a demonstration phase and evaluating how this affects the likelihood that the focal fish copy the demonstrators' apparent choices. As predicted, we observed a significantly increased level of copying with increasing numbers of demonstrators at the richer of the two feeders, with copying increasing disproportionately, rather than linearly, with the proportion of demonstrators at the rich foraging patch. Control conditions with non-feeding demonstrators showed that this was not simply the result of a preference for shoaling with larger groups, implying that nine-spined sticklebacks copy in a conformist manner.
MRI in hemiballismus due to subthalamic nucleus hemorrhage: An unusual complication of liver transplantation

A 60-year-old man developed hemiballismus due to an intracranial hemorrhage involving the subthalamic nucleus 8 weeks after orthotopic liver transplantation. The hemorrhage was thought to be due to alterations in cerebral blood flow following a period of hypotensive shock due to sepsis, in the presence of anticoagulant therapy and thrombocytopenia. This represents a rare neurologic complication of liver transplantation.
The surface exchange energy of a metal for the full range of wave vector fluctuations

Abstract The exchange energy for a finite barrier model of realistic density profile variation is studied as a function of the full range of wave vector fluctuations. The deviation between the exact and approximate treatments is examined with particular attention to the small wave vector behavior.
TP53 and MDM2 polymorphisms and the risk of endometrial cancer in postmenopausal women.

The aim of the study was to determine an association of TP53 codon 72 (Arg72Pro, G>C transversion, rs1042522) and MDM2 SNP309 (T>G change, rs2279744) polymorphisms in endometrial cancer (EC) of postmenopausal women, regarding grading and staging of EC. In the study, endometrial samples from 202 postmenopausal female patients (the study group, n = 152, was women with EC; the control group, n = 50, cancer-free patients) were taken for the evaluation of two gene polymorphisms: TP53 codon 72 and MDM2 SNP309, respectively. Genotypic analyses were performed using the PCR–RFLP technique. There were significant differences in the frequency of TP53 and MDM2 genotypes in EC patients—increased EC occurrence was observed with the presence of MDM2 G/G and TP53 Arg/Arg genotypes, while allele Pro of TP53 decreased cancer risk. Analysis of combined MDM2/TP53 polymorphisms revealed that T/T-Pro/Arg genotype decreased EC risk, whereas G/G-Arg/Arg genotype increased it. Association of these genetic polymorphisms with histological grading showed increased MDM2 G/G homozygote and TP53 Arg/Arg homozygote frequencies in grading 2 as well as allele G overrepresentation in G1 and G3 EC patients. Finally, with clinical FIGO staging under evaluation, an increase in MDM2 G/G and TP53 Arg/Arg homozygote frequencies in staging I and TP53 Arg/Arg homozygote frequencies in staging II were observed. Co-occurrence of some MDM2 SNP309 and TP53 codon 72 polymorphisms seems to influence EC risk, involving grading and staging of this neoplasm at the same time.
Rubber‐filler interactions: Solution adsorption studies

To help explain the mechanism of rubber reinforcement, studies of equilibrium adsorption from benzene solution of several polyisobutylenes and of a butyl rubber onto a high abrasive furnace black and other fillers were made. The adsorption is essentially physical in nature. On a weight basis, it decreases with increasing temperature in the range 25–75°C., is unaffected by unsaturation of the polymer, and increases with concentration in the range 0.25–1% for the lower molecular weight polymers and with increasing molecular weight (but above about 500,000 the effect is small). Adsorption of the higher molecular weight polymers is unaffected by concentration. Adsorption by the more polar, oxygenated channel blacks or by the highly polar, inorganic Hi-Sil is negligible. The higher molecular weight species are preferentially adsorbed to such an extent that apparently reliable molecular weight distribution curves can be obtained from these simple equilibrium experiments. Milling studies show that a high molecular weight polymer can be softened by a filler.
Is the TNM Staging System for Breast Cancer Still Relevant in the Era of Biomarkers and Emerging Personalized Medicine for Breast Cancer – An Institution's 10‐year Experience

We have previously demonstrated that TNM status and age were significant predictors of overall survival (OS) in our study population of Caucasian patients with invasive breast carcinoma (2000-2004 study period). However, estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR), and epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) biomarker expression was not predictive of OS when using the five-group ER/PR/HER2 subtype classification system recommended by St. Gallen International Consensus Panel in 2011. The current study reassessed the relevance of tumor biomarkers (ER/PR/HER2) in our study population using a recently proposed biologic TNM (bTNM) classification system in which the inclusion of triple negative ER/PR/HER2 phenotype (TNP) could improve the prognostic accuracy of TNM for staging, prognosis and treatment of breast cancer patients. Seven hundred eighty-two Caucasian women diagnosed with invasive ductal carcinoma from 1998 to 2008 were grouped according to their TNM stage and TNP versus non-TNP ER/PR/HER2 phenotype. OS was measured comparing these categories using Kaplan Meier curves and Cox regression analysis. TNM stage (Stage II = HR 1.41, 95% CI 1.01-1.97; Stage III = HR 3.96, 95% CI 2.68-5.88; Stage IV = HR 27.25, 95% CI 16.84-44.08), and age (HR 1.05, 95% CI 1.04-1.06) were significant predictors of OS. TNP significantly worsened prognosis/survival only in higher TNM stages (Stage III = HR 3.08, 95% CI 1.88-5.04, Stage IV = HR 24.36, 95% CI 13.81-42.99), but not in lower stages (I and II). Our data support the traditional TNM staging as a continued relevant predictive tool for breast cancer outcomes and show that biomarkers primarily improve the accuracy of TNM staging in advanced stages of breast cancer. We suspect that type of ER/PR/HER2 classification system(s) (St. Gallen, TNP, etc.), characteristics of populations studied (Caucasians, minorities, etc.), and the time period chosen for a study are major factors that determine impact of biomarkers on the prognostic accuracy of TNM. We propose systematic analyses of these factors before biomarkers are fully incorporated into the TNM staging system (bTNM).
The Basic Symptom Inventory–-53 and its Use in the Management of Patients with Psychogenic Dizziness:

OBJECTIVE: To identify an accurate psychological screening questionnaire to assist in the management of patients with psychogenic dizziness.STUDY DESIGN: Patients referred to the Balance Center of the University of Pennsylvania with a presumptive diagnosis of psychogenic dizziness based on neurotologic assessment were administered a Basic Symptom Inventory–-53 (BSI–-53) psychological screening questionnaire and were referred for psychiatric assessment. Neither the patients nor the psychiatrist were aware of the results of the BSI–-53. The results of the neurotologic assessment, the BSI–-53, and the psychiatric assessment were then compared for their degree of association.RESULTS: Strong associations were demonstrated between the results of the BSI–−53 questionnaire and the results of the neurotologic and psychiatric assessments.CONCLUSIONS: The BSI–-53 is an easily administered, objective, and accurate tool useful in identifying the presence of psychopathology in patients thought to have psychogenic dizzi...
MONTE CARLO SIMULATION OF THE SORPTION OF PURE AND MIXED ALKANES IN POLY[1-(TRIMETHYLSILYL)-1-PROPYNE]

The sorption of alkanes (methane, ethane, propane, and n-butane) and alkane mixtures in poly[1-(trimethylsilyl)-1-propyne] (PTMSP) has been studied by means of Grand Canonical Monte Carlo (GCMC) simulations at low pressure. Sorption isotherms for the four alkanes in PTMSP were obtained by fixed-pressure GCMC simulation at several temperatures. The sorption isotherms followed dual-mode sorption behavior, often observed for gases and some vapors in glassy polymers; however, sorbate concentrations were consistently lower than experimental values with increasing pressure. On the other hand, solubility coefficients calculated by extrapolating the ratio, cell loading/p, to zero pressure were in good agreement with those reported from gravimetric measurements. Heats of sorption determined from plots of simulation solubility coefficients against reciprocal temperature were large and negative and, at least in the case of methane where data was available, there was good agreement with experiment. In the case of the...
Model-observer based quality measures for decompressed medical images

This paper provides the fundamental basis for model observers on decompressed images by the understanding of compression noise statistics. In medical applications, model observers have been successfully used to predict human observer performance and to empirically evaluate image quality for detection tasks on various backgrounds. To derive closed-form expressions for model observers, however, requires closed-form expressions for noise statistics. This paper views a decompressed image as the sum of the original image and compression noise. The statistics of compression noise depend on the compression algorithms. One of the most efficient image compression techniques is transform coding, on which the JPEG image compression standard is based. By analyzing transform coding, this paper derives probability density functions (PDF), and the first and second moments of compression noise. Those statistics are used to derive closed-form representations for the ideal and channelized Hotelling observers on decompressed images. It provides the closed-form decompressed image quality measurements in terms of model observer performance.
Mass transfer to a surfactant‐covered bubble or drop

We examine the mass transfer of a diffusion species toward a small spherical bubble (or drop) translating in Stokes flow with a surface-active agent adsorbed on its interface. Mass transfer of surfactant between the interface and bulk fluid is assumed to be negligible, implying that the surfactant is nearly insoluble in the bulk or the adsorption/desorption is slow. Small deviations in surface coverage are assumed, but the retardation parameter and bulk Peclet number are arbitrary. This situation is of particular relevance in the case of very small gaseous bubbles (with diameters less than approximately 50 μm) rising in an aqueous medium; practical examples include electroflotation and microflotation.
Canine hepatic carcinoids

In 110 primary hepatic neoplasms in the dog, 15 carcinoids were diagnosed. Diffuse involvement of all liver lobes with severe hemorrhage and necrosis was seen in all cases. The neoplasms had three distinct histologic patterns: solid nests, cords or ribbons; and an alveolar pattern with rosettes. In all three groups there was fibrovascular stroma that was hyalinized, mineralized, and thick in some places. The neoplastic cells were relatively uniform, polygonal to spindle-shaped, with eosinophilic, granular cytoplasm and vesiculated nuclei. Mitotic activity varied among the three groups. Argyrophilia was seen in all specimens stained with modified Grimelius stain. Metastasis occurred in 14 of 15 dogs (93.3%); the peritoneal wall and adjoining lymph nodes were the most common sites.
Subpicosecond observation of photoexcited carrier thermalization and relaxation in InP-based films

Advancements in microfabrication techniques and thin film growth have led to complex integrated photonic devices. The performance of these devices relies upon precise control of the band gap and absorption mechanisms in the thin film structures, as well as a fundamental understanding of the photoexcited carrier thermalization and relaxation processes. Using a pump-probe technique, it is possible to monitor the transient thermalization and relaxation of hot electrons and holes on a sub-picosecond time scale. This method relies upon the generation of hot carriers by the absorption of an intense ultrashort laser pulse (~135 fs). Transient changes in reflectance due to the pump pulse excitation are monitored using a weaker probe pulse. Control of the relative time delay between the pump and probe pulses allows for temporal measurements with resolution limited only by the pulse width. The transient change in reflectance is the result of the transient change in the electron and hole distributions. Observation of the reflectance response of InP films on a subpicosecond timescale allows for detailed examination of thermalization and relaxation processes of the excited carriers. Longer timescales (>100 ps) are useful for correlating the transient reflectance response to slower processes such as thermal conduction and recombination. A description of this technique and results for several InP-based films are presented.
Layers of Evolvability in a Bacteriophage Life History Trait

Functional redundancy in genomes arises from genes with overlapping functions, allowing phenotypes to persist after gene knockouts. Evolutionary redundancy or evolvability of a genome is one step removed, in that functional redundancy is absent but the genome has the potential to evolve to restore a lost phenotype. Exploring the extent to which this recovery alters gene networks can illuminate how functional gene interactions change through time. Here, the evolvability of lysis was studied in bacteriophage T7, revealing hidden functional interactions. Lysis is the destruction of host cell wall and membranes that releases progeny and is therefore essential for phage propagation. In most phages, lysis is mediated by a two-component genetic module: a muralytic enzyme that degrades the bacterial cell wall (endolysin) and a holin that permeabilizes the inner membrane to allow the endolysin access to the cell wall. T7 carries one known holin, one endolysin, and a second muralytic enzyme that plays little role in lysis by wild-type phage. If the primary endolysin is deleted, the second muralytic enzyme evolves to restore normal lysis after selection for faster growth. Here, a second level of evolutionary redundancy was revealed. When the second muralytic enzyme was prevented from adapting in a genome lacking the primary endolysin, the phage reevolved lysis de novo in the absence of any known muralytic enzymes by changes in multiple genes outside the original lysis module. This second level of redundancy proved to be evolutionarily inferior to the first, and both result in a lower fitness and slower lysis than wild-type T7. Deletion of the holin gene delayed lysis time modestly; fitness was restored by compensatory substitutions in genes that lack known roles in lysis of the wild type.
Embeddings in Recursive Combinatorial Networks

This paper, evolved from an interplay between interconnection topology and combinatorics, is of interest to network designers and graph theorists. From combinatorial principles, we have recently designed a new family of labeled networks, called Recursive Combinatorial Networks (RCN's). These bipartite networks are recursive in nature with incrementability of one and succinctly representable. They have low diameter (equal to three), good fault-tolerance, and high degree of symmetry. In this paper we show that several standard interconnection topologies can be embedded in RCNs with dilation of one. For example, t-dimensional hypercube (Qt) is a subgraph of RCN of 2t vertices. Rings of even lengths are also embeddable. We provide an algorithm to systematically construct two isomorphic, embedded full binary trees (FBT's) in RCN's with expansion of two. A routing scheme is designed which resolves the root congestion problem in such binary trees. Finally, an m× m mesh is embedded in RCN's with dilation of one and expansion of 2km, where 2k−1 < m ≤ 2k for k ≥ 2.
Part acquisition using the SRI vision module

A brief history of SRI industrial vision research and its application to part acquisition tasks is presented. The goal is to explore techniques to locate parts visually and to simplify as much as possible the proramming required for each new task. Part acquisition tasks that involve two-dimensional and three-dimensional uncertainties are discussed.
Feature-based design for heterogeneous objects

Abstract Heterogeneous objects are objects composed of different constituent materials. In these objects, multiple desirable properties from different constituent materials can be synthesized into one part. In order to obtain mass applications of such heterogeneous objects, efficient and effective design methodologies for heterogeneous objects are crucial. In this paper, we present a feature based design methodology to facilitate heterogeneous object design. Under this methodology, designers design heterogeneous objects using high-level design components that have engineering significance. These high level components are form features and material features. In this paper, we first examine the relationships between form features and material features in heterogeneous objects. We then propose three synthesized material features in accordance with our examination of these features. Based on these proposed features, we develop a feature based design methodology for heterogeneous objects. Two enabling methods for this design methodology, material heterogeneity specification within each feature and combination of these material features, are developed. A physics (diffusion) based B-spline method is developed to (1) allow design intent of material variation be explicitly captured by boundary conditions, (2) ensure smooth material variation across the feature volume. A novel method, direct face neighborhood alteration, is developed to increase the efficiency of combining heterogeneous material features. Examples of using this feature based design methodology for heterogeneous object design, such as a prosthesis design, are presented.
A municipal forest report card: Results for California, USA

Abstract This study integrates two existing computer programs, the Pest Vulnerability Matrix and i-Tree Streets, into a decision-support tool for assessing municipal forest stability and recommending strategies to mitigate risk of loss. A report card concept was developed to communicate levels of performance in terms that managers and the public easily understand. Grades were assigned to four aspects of a stable and resilient municipal forest: Species Dominance, Age Structure, Pest Threat and Potential Asset Loss. The data pool of 29 California municipal forest inventories contained information on 836,943 trees. Letter grades (A–F) were assigned to the four criteria and each city received customized recommendations for improving its grades. Three inventories received final grades of As, 18 received Bs, 6 Cs and 2 Ds. Twelve inventories received their highest grade for Species Dominance. Thirteen inventories received their lowest grade for Age Structure, largely because juvenile trees were underrepresented. Pest Threat received the lowest grade in 11 inventories and reduce Pest Threat was the top priority recommendation in 18 inventories. Four multi-host pests posed the greatest risk: Granulate ambrosia beetle, Asian longhorned beetle, Armillaria root rot and red palm weevil. Sycamore/plane was the most vulnerable taxon, followed by oaks, ash and eucalyptus. Eliminating or limiting the use of highly vulnerable tree species was recommended in nearly every city to reduce Pest Threat and improve Species Dominance. Increased planting of vacant sites with species not vulnerable to the most abundant and severe pests was a frequent recommendation for improving Age Structure. Another common recommendation to improve Age Structure was planned removal and replacement of overabundant mature and senescent taxa such as pear, eucalyptus, jacaranda and carrotwood.
Women and Families in Early (North) America and the Wider (Atlantic) World

This article is part of a History Compass cluster on ‘Rethinking Gender, Family and Sexuality in the Early Modern Atlantic World’. The cluster is made up of the following articles: ‘On Currents and Comparisons: Gender and the Atlantic ‘Turn’ in Spanish America’, Bianca Premo, History Compass 8.3 (2010): 223–237, doi: 10.1111/j.1478-0542.2009.00658.x ‘Women and Families in Early (North) America and the Wider (Atlantic) World’, Karin Wulf, History Compass 8.3 (2010): 238–247, doi: 10.1111/j.1478-0542.2009.00659.x ‘Family Matters: The Early Modern Atlantic from the European Side’, Julie Hardwick, History Compass 8.3 (2010): 248–257, doi: 10.1111/j.1478-0542.2009.00660.x The following essay originated as one of these three contributions to a roundtable discussion held at the 14th Berkshire Conference on the History of Women, June 2008. The roundtable, ‘Rethinking Gender, Family, and Sexuality in the Early Modern Atlantic World’, was meant to be as much invitation as inventory and was astonishingly well attended at 08:00 in the morning, with standing room only for a thoughtful, lively audience whose comments, questions and suggestions are reflected here (although in no way fully represented). As historians of gender and family in the North Atlantic, European and Iberian worlds, we had hoped to encourage more central and systematic attention to gender within the Atlantic World paradigm by cataloging some recent works in their fields and pointing the way for future studies. Yet, a funny thing happened on the way to the conference. Independently, each of us began to engage with the challenges of simply inserting family and gender into ‘the Atlantic’ as both as conceptual place and a historical practice. The essays that emerged, therefore, departed from conventional historiographies that survey the state of the field. Rather, these are theoretical and methodological reflections on the implications of de-centering national and colonial narratives about the history of gender. At a time when transnational historical scholarship on early modern women promises to explode, these essays aim to inspire debate about the conceptual utility of the Atlantic as a paradigm for understanding issues of gender, family, and sexuality, as well as its ramifications for feminist scholarship everywhere.
Counseling Psychology and the Fulbright Program The Australian Connection

This article describes counseling psychology in Australia. Undergraduate preparation in psychology, ethnic minority issues, and the future of counseling psychology in Australia are discussed.
Three physics applications using time digitizing modules

Abstract We describe here CAMAC controlled memory module systems which have made possible our experimental searches for magnetic monopoles, fast beta decay and electrically charged dark matter particles.