cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Sociodemographic Correlates of Dietary Practices among Asian-Americans: Results from the California Health Interview Survey

Studies show that Asian-American subgroups do not always meet dietary recommendations and are at high risk of cardiovascular diseases. The purpose of our research is to illustrate the various sociodemographic correlates of dietary habits for six subgroups of Asian-Americans in California. The 2005 California Health Interview Survey (CHIS) was utilized. A total of 3772 Asian-Americans were included in this study, with the largest subgroup being Chinese (n = 1280; N = 913,798). The outcome variable for this study was dietary behavior defined as consuming five or more fruits and vegetables per day (5-a-day), provided by CHIS. Univariate and multivariable regression analyses were conducted accounting for complex survey design. Being a female (Chinese, Filipina, Korean, and Vietnamese), not being married (Chinese), not being a college graduate (Chinese), living in poverty (South Asian), and speaking only English language at home (Chinese and Japanese) were associated with higher odds of not meeting a 5-a-day requirement. Results highlighted several sociodemographic correlates to not meeting 5-a-day requirement among six Asian-American subgroups. Targeted health promotion measures for such at-risk groups should be implemented to improve dietary practices.
Protein prenylation, et cetera: signal transduction in two dimensions.

Many signaling proteins, including the proto-oncogene Ras, require the covalent addition of a lipid chain for proper function. This prenylated protein is then earmarked for further proteolysis and methylation. In his Perspective, Gelb discusses two reports in this issue that illuminate how the lipid is initially attached to the protein [Park et al. (p. 1800)] and how the later proteolytic modifications are accomplished [Boyartchuk et al. (p. 1796)]
Postoperative pulmonary complications after preoperative chemoradiation for esophageal carcinoma: correlation with pulmonary dose-volume histogram parameters.

Purpose To clarify the relationship between the percentage of lung receiving low radiation doses with concurrent chemotherapy and the occurrence of postoperative pulmonary complications in the treatment of esophageal carcinoma. Methods From 117 patients who underwent preoperative chemoradiation for esophageal cancer at our institution between 1998 and 2002, we selected 61 patients for whom complete pulmonary dose–volume histogram (DVH) data were available and analyzed the incidence of pneumonia and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) in this group. All patients received concurrent chemoradiation therapy, and 39 patients also received induction chemotherapy before concurrent chemoradiation. The median age was 62 years, and the median radiotherapy dose was 45 Gy. The percentage of lung volume receiving at least 10 Gy (V10), 15 Gy (V15), and 20 Gy (V20) were recorded from each pulmonary DVH. Results Eleven (18%) of the 61 patients had pulmonary complications, 2 of whom died after progression of pneumonia. Pulmonary complications were noted more often (35% vs. 8%, p = 0.014) when the pulmonary V10 was ≥40% vs. <40% and when the V15 was ≥30% vs. < 30% (33% vs. 10%, p = 0.036). An apparent increase in pulmonary complication rate when V20 was ≥20% vs. <20% (32% vs. 10%, p = 0.079) was not significant. None of the other factors analyzed (surgical procedure, tumor location, use of induction chemotherapy, use of concurrent taxane-based chemoradiation, or smoking history) was associated with the occurrence of pulmonary complications. The median hospital stay was 17 days for patients who had pulmonary complications vs. 12 days for patients who did not (p = 0.08) Conclusion The use of multimodality therapy may require minimization of lung volume irradiation to levels lower than previously expected. Radiotherapy techniques that decrease the volume of lung receiving low radiation doses may significantly reduce the risk of this potentially life-threatening complication.
Detailed description of the Mayo/IBM PACS

The Mayo Clinic and IBM/Rochester have jointly developed a picture archiving system (PACS) for use with Mayo's MRI and Neuro-CT imaging modalities. The system was developed to replace the imaging system's vendor-supplied magnetic tape archiving capability. The system consists of seven MR imagers and nine CT scanners, each interfaced to the PACS via IBM Personal System/2(tm) (PS/2) computers, which act as gateways from the imaging modality to the PACS network. The PAC system operates on the token-ring component of Mayo's city-wide local area network. Also on the PACS network are four optical storage subsystems used for image archival, three optical subsystems used for image retrieval, an IBM Application System/400(tm) (AS/400) computer used for database management and multiple PS/2-based image display systems and their image servers.
Global optimization of the illumination distribution to maximize integrated process window

This paper extends our previous work on globally optimizing source shapes for lithography. A key extension is our global optimization against metrics that involve process window through focus. For example, the user can determine the particular source shape which maximizes the area of the ED window (common exposure-defocus window) across all patterns. In nominal terms, integrated process window is a highly nonlinear objective function; for example, ED window is defined in terms of fractional (i.e. percentage or relative) exposure latitude, and dose is proportional to the reciprocal of intensity, which means that when ED window is calculated the source variables appear in both numerator and denominator of a ratio of reciprocals. In addition, exposure and focus latitudes are defined in terms of the common window as bounded by all features, and the determination of which features are gating is a conditional and non-differentiable function of the source variables. Also, the focus integration should only extend to the plane where ED window first closes down to zero; this limit also depends on the variables in a nonlinear way. However, despite these complexities, it proves possible under quite benign approximations to reformulate ED window maximization as a near-linear-programming problem that can be solved globally, in polynomial time. The algorithm can be extended in several ways, e.g. to account for effects like mask linewidth errors (MEF). In some cases MEF-optimized sources can substantially reduce the sensitivity to mask error, and may differ appreciably from sources optimized for individual perturbed masks. Resist effects can be approximated by influence/diffusion kernels operating on the exposing image within the film. The area of an inscribed rectangular process band can be optimized in place of the full ED window. Source pixelation can be structured to account for finite illuminator resolution and constraints on minimum pole size. Multiple exposures can also be handled, and polarization can be selected optimally on a pixel-by-pixel basis.
Calcium compartmentation in isolated renal tubules in suspension.

Abstract Substantial increases of total cell Ca2+ have been observed in suspensions of isolated rabbit proximal tubules subjected to hypoxic injury or treated with exogenous ATP followed by apparent recovery with reoxygenation of the hypoxic tubules or continued incubation of ATP-treated tubules. Ca2+ compartmentation studies using digitonin and metabolic inhibitors were done to clarify the basis for these changes. Digitonin, 40–90 μg/mg tubule protein, rapidly permeabilized the tubule cells and did not impair mitochondrial Ca2+ sequestration. Most of the increases of tubule cell Ca2+ produced by hypoxia and ATP were accounted for by pools which could be rapidly removed by exposure of tubules to EGTA and the uncoupler carbonyl cyanide m-chlorophenyl hydrazone without concomitant use of digitonin, suggesting that the changes of Ca2+ predominantly reflect sequestration by mitochondria in severely damaged cells or mitochondria already released to the medium from them. The time course of uptake followed by spontaneous release of mitochondrial Ca2+ from tubule cells deliberately permeabilized with digitonin, then incubated for prolonged periods, indicated that the decreases of tubule cell Ca2+ during reoxygenation of hypoxic suspensions and prolonged incubation of ATP-treated tubules were likely to be attributable to loss of Ca2+ from free mitochondria and those in damaged cells rather than to extrusion by intact cells.
Drafting New York Civil-Litigation Documents: Part IX – The Answer

This article, the ninth in a multi-part series, discusses how to draft civil-litigation documents in New York. In particular, this article explains how to formulate counterclaims and cross-claims in an answer to a complaint.
The oligosaccharide chains of cobra venom factor are required for complement activation.

Abstract To examine the function of the carbohydrate chains of cobra venom factor (CVF), the molecule was enzymatically deglycosylated under non-denaturing conditions with N -glycanase (peptide- N 4 -( N -acetyl-β-glucosaminyl) asparagine amidase). The deglycosylation of CVF chains seems to proceed independently of each other, leading to partially deglycosylated intermediates. Complete deglyeosylation of CVF was found to abolish the activity of CVF. The deglycosylated molecule is unable to activate the alternative pathway of complement. Deglycosylated CVF no longer consumes the serum complement activity, it does not induce C3 activation in serum, nor does it induce complement-mediated hemolysis. These results indicate that the carbohydrate moieties of CVF are essential for its role in complement activation.
Staying within the nullcline boundary for vehicle envelope control using a sliding surface

Envelope control has been implemented successfully in aircraft for over a decade to assist pilots in stabilising their planes. With current advances in sideslip angle and friction coefficient estimation, envelope control can now be applied to the automotive industry as well. Using full state estimation of yaw rate and sideslip angle, stability controllers can assist the driver by keeping the vehicle within a safe region of the planar state space. This paper discusses the physical phenomena that must be taken into account when choosing an envelope and details a specific choice of envelope comprised of the yaw acceleration nullcline and the maximum rear slip angle limits. The vehicle is kept within the envelope using a computationally simple sliding surface control scheme. Experimental data show the success of the controller, which is implemented on a vehicle through the use of steer-by-wire.
A randomized controlled pilot study testing three types of health coaches for obesity treatment: Professional, peer, and mentor†

Despite their popularity, empirical support for health coaches is limited. Objective: This study examined the feasibility and preliminary efficacy of three types of coaching models for obesity treatment. Design and Methods: Participants (N = 44) were randomized to 6 months of reduced intensity group behavioral weight loss (rBWL) plus one of three types of health coaches: (i) Professional (rBWL interventionist), (ii) Peer (group members randomly paired and coached one another), or (iii) Mentor (successful weight loser). Groups met weekly for the first 6 weeks, biweekly for the next 6 weeks, and monthly thereafter, for a total of 12 meetings. During weeks that group did not meet, participants emailed their weight loss information to their coach and received feedback. Coaches were trained on appropriate coaching strategies and feedback delivery. Results: Retention was 95%. Participants emailed their progress to their coach 10.8 ± 1.9 of the 12 weeks that there were no group meetings. Coaches responded with feedback 94% of the time. Percent weight losses at 6 months were 9.6 ± 8.1, 9.1 ± 5.0, and 5.7 ± 5.6 for the Professional, Peer, and Mentor conditions, respectively. More participants in the Professional and Peer conditions lost 10% of their initial body weight (Professional: 56% Peer: 50% and Mentor: 17%), with a statistically significant difference between the Professional and Mentor conditions (P = 0.03). Conclusion: These preliminary data suggest that combining a rBWL program with health coaching may hold significant promise as a cost-effective obesity treatment paradigm. Larger trials are needed to conclusively determine whether adding coaches improves weight loss outcomes in reduced intensity treatments and to examine which type of coach is most effective.
International standards for intellectual property protection and R & D incentives

Abstract We examine the effect of alternative standards for intellectual property protection. Uniform protection, based on the GATT principle of non-discrimination, provides domestic and foreign firms with the same level of protection. Discriminatory protection, based on Section 337 of the U.S. trade laws provides different levels of protection depending upon where the firm is located. We show that discriminatory protection may not increase (and may decrease) domestic R & D. The effect of asymmetric patent protection depends on whether the rivals have pre-existing products, on the costs of R & D, and on the value of the potential innovation.
4-Terminal reflection and transmission in an Aharonov–Bohm ring

Abstract Measurements of electron transmission and reflection from a 4-terminal Aharonov–Bohm ring fabricated from a 2-dimensional electron gas have been made. A voltage applied to a side-gate shifts the phase of the transmission oscillations (period h/e), while the phase of the reflection oscillations (period h/2e) is essentially independent of the gate voltage. This device is the electron analog of an optical fiber loop mirror.
Sports and Conflict in Urban Planning: The Indian National Games in Bangalore

The National Games, designed to develop Olympic talent and promote national unity, also allow the channeling of resources for the development of a sports infrastructure in Indian cities. This study...
Commentary---On the Interpretation of Temporal Inflation Parameters in Stochastic Models of Judgment and Choice

The implications of Salisbury and Feinberg's (2010) paper [Salisbury, L. C., F. M. Feinberg. 2010. Alleviating the constant stochastic variance assumption in decision research: Theory, measurement, and experimental test. Marketing Sci.29(1) 1--17] for the process of model development and testing in the field of intertemporal choice analysis is explored. Although supporting the overall thrust of Salisbury and Feinberg's critique of previous empirical work in the area, we also see their paper as illustrating the dangers of drawing strong inferences about the behavioral interpretation of statistical model parameters without seeking convergent empirical evidence. In particular, we are skeptical about the extent to which the reported effects of temporal distance on the estimated scale parameter, σc, are uniquely, or even primarily, due to unobserved error inflation that reflects consumer's uncertainty about future utility. This interpretation is brought into question by several lines of reasoning. Conceptually, we note that “uncertainty” is different from “error” and that, for choice data, the error inflation model is mathematically identical to a model in which the scale parameter is a deterministic function of the temporal discount rate. Empirically, a reanalysis of data from previously published experiments does not consistently support temporal error inflation, temporal convergence of choice shares, or the scale parameter as an explanation of variety seeking in choice sequences. In our opinion, the cumulative results of research on intertemporal choice require models in which the attributes of choice alternatives are differentially discounted over time. Despite these findings, we advocate that choice researchers should indeed follow Salisbury and Feinberg's advice to not assume that error variances will be unaffected by experimental manipulations, and such effects should be explicitly modeled. We also agree that uncovering effects on error variance is just the first step, and the ultimate goal should be to rigorously explain the reasons for such effects.
Computational studies of polynucleotide flexibility

Details of polynucleotide flexibility may be probed through a combination of semiempirical potential energy calculations and statistical mechanical analyses. The pseudorotational motions of the furanose and the long-range correlated rotations of the chain backbone are described briefly here.
Outcomes of prolonged mechanical ventilation.

Purpose of reviewPatients requiring prolonged mechanical ventilation consume a disproportionate amount of healthcare resources and clinician time. Measurement and knowledge of their outcomes will guide efforts to improve their care.Recent findingsThe number of patients requiring prolonged mechanical
Distinguishing Förster resonance energy transfer and solvent-mediated charge-transfer relaxation dynamics in a zinc(II) indicator: a femtosecond time-resolved transient absorption spectroscopic study

A bifluorophoric molecule (1) capable of intramolecular Forster Resonance Energy Transfer (FRET) is reported. The emission intensity of the FRET acceptor in 1 depends on the molar absorptivity of the donor, which is a function of zinc(II) complexation. The FRET dynamics of [Zn(1)](ClO4)2 is characterized by femtosecond time-resolved transient absorption spectroscopy. The solvent-mediated relaxation of the charge-transfer (CT) state of the isolated donor and the FRET process of the donor–acceptor conjugate are on similar time scales (40–50 ps in CH3CN), but distinguishable by the opposite solvent polarity dependency. As the solvent polarity increases, the efficiency of Columbic-based FRET is reduced, whereas CT relaxation is accelerated. In addition to revealing a method to distinguish CT and FRET dynamics, this work provides a photophysical foundation for developing indicators based on the FRET strategy.
Stereocontrolled formation of ketomethylene isosteres through tandem chain extension reactions.

A zinc-mediated chain extension reaction is the key step in the preparation of γ-keto amides derived from amino acids. The use of tandem reaction sequences, in which the intermediate zinc enolate is trapped with electrophilic reagents, results in the incorporation of α-substituents, which mimic the side chains found in natural amino acid systems. Use of the chiral amino acid l-proline as a stereo-directing element provides a diastereoselective route to various ketomethylene isosteres.
A rare trigger for macrophage activation syndrome

Macrophage activation syndrome (MAS) is a disorder characterized by increased activation of mononuclear cells leading to phagocytosis of blood cell precursors in the bone marrow. We describe a case of MAS triggered by disseminated histoplasmosis occurring in a patient with Still’s disease on long-term treatment with adalimumab.
Buckling of an elastoplastic column subjected to axial load and a transverse temperature gradient

Summary An approximate solution is obtained for the buckling of an elastoplastic column that is clamped at both ends and is subjected to axial load and a transverse temperature gradient. The temperature gradients considered are so severe that compressive yielding takes place over part of the column cross section prior to buckling. The buckling load is obtained by an energy method in which functions are chosen to represent the deflexed shape. It is shown that partial yielding of the column due to the temperature gradient can have an appreciable effect on lowering the buckling strength.
Triggered activity as a mechanism for inherited ventricular arrhythmias in German shepherd dogs

Abstract Objectives. This study sought to determine whether early after-depolarization-induced triggered activity is responsible for the initiation of ventricular arrythmias in dogs with an inherited predisposition to sudden death. Background. We have identified a colony of German shephered dogs that display inherited ventricular ectopic activity and sudden cardiac death. The arrhythmias in these animals are pause dependent but are not associated with a prolonged QT interval, suggesting that they might be initiated by early afterdepolarization-induced triggered activity in Purkinje fibers. Methods. Cardiac Purkinje fibers obtained from dogs that either did or did not exhibit ventricular tachyarrhythmias at the time of study were superfused in vitro with normal. Tyrode solution (extracellular potassium ion concentration 4 mmol/liter) and were studied using standard microelectrode techniques. Results. Early afterdepolarizations and triggered activity occurred spontaneously in Purkinje fibers obtained from affected dogs (n = 7) but not in fibers obtained from unaffected dogs (n = 13). Exit conduction block of triggered responses occurred to varying degrees within the Purkinje fiber but not at the Purkinje-muscle junction. Overdrive pacing suppressed triggered activity. The reemergence of triggered activity after cessation of pacing was both time and rate dependent. Triggered activity in fibers obtained from affected dogs was potentiated by phenylephrine and epinephrine and was suppressed by isoproterenol. Triggered activity was not induced by phenylephrine or epinephrine in fibers obtained from unaffected dogs. Conclusions. These results support the hypothesis that early afterdepolarization-induced triggered activity in Purkinje fibers is responsible for the initiation of ventricular arrhythmias in this canine model of inherited sudden death.
Maintaining consistency in a database with changing types

In this work, we address the problem of maintaining consistency between a set of persistent objects and a set of type definitions that can change. We cast this work in the context of an object-oriented database system. The solution involves the use of a version control mechanism and a set of error handlers associated with the versions of a type. We describe the structure of this error handling mechanism and demonstrate how it can be used to address this problem.
Lipidomics profiling by high-resolution LC-MS and high-energy collisional dissociation fragmentation: focus on characterization of mitochondrial cardiolipins and monolysocardiolipins.

A liquid chromatography−mass spectrometry (LC−MS) method was used for separation of lipid classes as well as both qualitative and semiquantitative detection of individual lipids in biological samples. Data were acquired using high-resolution full-scan MS and high-energy collisional dissociation (HCD) all ion fragmentation. The method was evaluated for efficient separation and detection in both positive and negative ionization mode using standards spanning six lipid classes. Platform linearity and robustness, related to the mitochondrial lipid cardiolipin (CL), were assessed using extracted ion chromatograms with mass tolerance windows of 5 ppm or less from full scan exact mass measurements. The platform CL limit of detection was determined to be 5 pmol (0.9 μM) on the column, with mass accuracy <1.5 ppm, retention time coefficients of variation (CV) < 0.5%, and area CV < 13%. This mass accuracy was critical to the identification of unknown CL species in mitochondria samples, through the elimination of fal...
Transmission electron microscope study of ion beam induced interfacial reactions in molybdenum thin films on silicon

Transmission electron microscopy has been applied to study molybdenum thin films on silicon. Polycrystalline molybdenum films, 500 A in thickness and 500–1500 A in grain size, were chemical vapor deposited on (001) oriented, n-type silicon substrate heated to 650–700°C in hydrogen ambient. The samples were then implanted with 150 keV Ar+ to fluences 3×1015-1×1016/cm3 with the dose rate about 6×1012/cm2·s. Hexagonal MoSi2, tetragonal MoSi2 and hexagonal Mo5Si3 were found to form mainly along grain boundaries. Silicide formation along grain boundaries was also found for in-situ annealing of the thin foil at 700°C for 2 h in the electron microscope. The observations provide direct evidence of the important role of grain boundary diffusion in the formation of silicides.
Perception of Inclined Plane While Walking without Vision

164 blind Ss and 30 blindfolded, sighted controls walked and reported their perceptions of a pathway whose surface contained grades of 1, 2, 4, and 6° of incline and decline from the horizontal. It was found that the perception of incline and decline were independent perceptual attributes and that Ss were more sensitive to decline than to incline. The blind were more sensitive to decline than sighted controls. Various other inter-group differences between various portions of the blind population were found.
Ted Irving (1927–2014)

Edward “Ted” Irving, noted for his research on paleomagnetism, passed away on 25 February 2014 in Saanichton, British Columbia, Canada. He was 86.
Avian epidermal differentiation: role of lipids in permeability barrier formation

Though avian skin is known to possess a highly lipogenic epidermis, little is known about its permeability barrier function. We correlated epidermal barrier function, fine structure and lipid biochemistry in the pigeon, Columbia livia, and compared these features with terrestrial mammalian systems. Whereas barrier function, as assessed by transepidermal water loss was not as efficient as in mammals, both groups shared certain morphological features including substantial compartmentalization of lipids in stratum corneum intercellular domains. Avian intercellular lipids derive from extrusion of intracellular non-membrane-bound droplets from lowermost corneocytes, rather than by secretion of lamellar discs from multigranular bodies, as previously reported in some avians, and in mammals. Instead, both the internal lamellae and the limiting membranes of multigranular bodies appear to degenerate, leading to the formation of non-membrane-bound droplets. The lipid content of avian epidermis and stratum corneum demonstrates important similarities to terrestrial mammals, i.e. abundant sphingolipids, a paucity of phospholipids, and abundant neutral lipids, but also certain striking differences, i.e. persistence of glycosphingolipids and triglycerides into the stratum corneum. Thus, avian stratum corneum forms a two-compartment system of lipid-depleted cells embedded in non-polar-lipid enriched intercellular domains, analogous to mammals. But, in contrast to mammals, the highly attenuated corneocytes of avians, which results from a paucity of keratin filaments, produce a 'straws-and-mortar' tissue, rather than the 'bricks-and-mortar' tissue of mammals.
Digestibility and Feeding Value of Corn Silage Fed with Boot Stage Wheat Silage and Alfalfa Silage

Abstract Thirty milking Jersey cows were in each of two 12-wk continuous feeding trials to compare a) corn silage with 19% crude protein concentrate, b) alternate feedings of corn silage and wheat silage with 19% concentrate, and c) alternate feedings of corn silage and alfalfa silage with 15% concentrate. Digestibility of corn silage, wheat silage, and corn silage fed alternately with either wheat or alfalfa silages was measured with bred heifers. Wheat silage was harvested in the boot stage, alfalfa silage in the bud to early bloom stage, and corn silage in the dent stage. Daily intake of forage dry matter and production of fat corrected milk were higher on the corn-alfalfa ration than on the corn-wheat ration. Intake and production were intermediate on corn silage fed alone and not different from those on corn silage fed in alternate feedings with either alfalfa or wheat. Apparent digestibilities of dry matter and acid detergent fiber were higher for corn silage than for wheat silage; however, digestibilities of dry matter, crude protein, and fiber of the corn-wheat and corn-alfalfa rations were not different from those of corn silage fed alone.
Transurethral ultrasonic ureterolithotripsy using a solid-wire probe.

Abstract A multicenter study evaluates a new technique for transurethral ultrasonic ureterolithotripsy utilizing a solid-wire probe. The transverse vibrations of the probe cause greater stone disintegration. A small ureteroscope is used and a basket is not required. There was a 96.6 per cent success rate in 118 cases. This technique has significantly improved ultrasonic lithotripsy. It has proved to be useful for upper ureteral stones not amenable to extracorporeal shock-wave lithotripsy and lower ureteral stones including “steinstrasse”.
Manipulations of catecholamine systems block the conditioned taste aversion induced by self-administered drugs.

Abstract The possible involvement of catecholamines (CA) in the mediation of conditioned taste aversion (CTA) was examined. The effects of alpha-methyl-para-tyrosine (AMPT, a tyrosine hydroxylase inhibitor. FLA-57 (a dopamine-beta-hydroxylase inhibitor), and pimozide (a dopaminergic receptor blocker) on the CTAs produced by ethanol, morphine, lithium chloride (LiCl), and Δ 9 -tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ 9 -THC) were investigated. It was found that both AMPT and pimozide blocked the acquisition of the CTAs normally produced by morphine and ethanol. while FLA-57 had inconsistent effects on these CTAs. None of these catecholamine manipulations had any effect on the CTAs produced by LiCl or Δ 9 -THC. These results suggest that CA and particularly dopamine are critically involved in mediating the aversive properties of self-administered drugs. Since the same catecholamine manipulations which have previously been shown to block the positive reinforcing properties of self-administered drugs also blocked their aversive properties in this study, it was concluded that these seemingly “paradoxical” effects (positive reinforcement and aversion) produced by self-administered drugs might be due to the same neuropharmacological action. It was further suggested that the aversive properties of self-administered drugs might be a function of the novelty of their positive reinforcing properties.
Volume-Based Care among Young Women Diagnosed with Uterine Cancer

Purpose. To characterize volume-based care of uterine cancer among women aged ≤50 years. Methods. The Maryland Health Service Cost Review Commission database was accessed for uterine cancer surgical cases from 1994 to 2005. Cross-tabulations and logistic regression models were used to evaluate for significant associations among volume-based care and other variables comparing women ≤50 years with those aged >50 years. Results. Women ≤50 years comprised 13.6% of the cases. Women ≤50 years were less likely to be managed by high-volume surgeons (31.6% versus 35.1%, P = 0.02). For women ≤50 years, there was a trend toward management at low-volume hospitals (52.0% versus 54.0%, P = 0.22). No deaths were reported among the group of women ≤50 years treated by high-volume providers or at high-volume centers. Women ≤50 years managed by high-volume surgeons had longer length of stay (P < 0.001) and higher adjusted cost of hospital-related care (P < 0.00). Women ≤50 years managed at high-volume centers had higher adjusted cost of hospital-related care (P = 0.01). Conclusion. Primary surgical care of young women with uterine cancer is often performed by low-volume providers.
Corn Yield, Nitrogen Use, and Corn Rootworm Infestation of Rotations in the Northern Corn Belt

Crop rotation may improve production efficiency and reduce fertilizer N requirements for corn (Zea mays L.). Objectives were to determine effect of rotation and N on corn yield, efficiency of water use (WUE) and N use (NUE), and corn rootworm (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) beetle populations (CR). Rotations (started in 1990) were continuous corn (CC), corn-soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] (CS), and a 4-yr rotation of corn-soybean-spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) companion-seeded with alfalfa (Medicago saliva L.)-alfalfa hay (CSWA). Nitrogen treatments for corn were corn fertilized for a grain yield of 8.5 Mg ha -1 (highN), 5.3 Mg ha -1 (midN), and no N fertilizer (noN). Average yield (1992-2003) was greatest (p = 0.003) under CS and highN (7.0 Mg ha -1 ). Yield differences (p = 0.001) among rotations increased with decreased fertilizer N. Average (1992-2003) yield with noN fertilizer was 5.8 Mg ha -1 under CSWA, 4.5 Mg ha -1 under CS, and 2.8 Mg ha -1 under CC. Nitrogen use efficiency differed (p = 0.096) only under midN with CSWA = CS > CC. Soil water (upper 1.8 m) for corn measured on 1 June (average of N treatments) was 55, 54, and 45 cm for CC, CS, and CSWA, respectively. For CSWA under highN, available water limited yield in 3 of 6 yr. At highN, CR adult populations were greater under CS compared with CC and greater at higher N fertilizer levels within CC. Rotations have potential to improve production efficiency; however, there is potential for reduced corn yield after alfalfa due to less available soil water.
Chirped-pulse amplification with flashlamp-pumped Ti:sapphire amplifiers

Ti:Sapphire (Ti:Al2O3) amplifier stages are typically pumped with Q-switched Nd:YAG lasers doubled to 532 nm because of good spectral overlap, short temporal width, high repetition rate (i.e., 10 Hz to > 5 kHz), and the problems associated with flashlamp pumping a material with a relatively short upper state lifetime. Limitations to this pumping method arise due to the 1 to 1.5 joule/pulse ceiling found in most commercial high rep rate Nd:YAG lasers. The availability of high quality, large aperture Ti:Sapphire rods has made the flashlamp-pumping scheme an attractive option. The front end of our laser relies on chirped pulse amplification (CPA) in laser pumped Ti:Sapphire to generate 55 mJ, 90 fsec pulses at a 10 Hz rate. We report the use of a flashlamp pumped Ti:Sapphire head to further amplify the output of our system, producing 90 fsec, 250 mJ pulses at 5 Hz. The excellent output spatial profile yields a near diffraction-limited 5 micrometers spot size and peak irradiance in excess of 5 X 1018 W/cm2.© (1994) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Biological and hydrodynamic design considerations for vertically oriented oyster grow out structures

Abstract Populations of the eastern oyster Crassostrea virginica have declined steadily over the last century, leading to both poor water quality and to the collapse of the oyster fishery in the Chesapeake Bay. In response, laboratory-reared spat and juvenile oysters have been raised in specialized facilities and then placed on restored bars. The relative efficacy of this technique versus other methods for growing juvenile oysters remains unknown. In this study, work was performed to determine biological response and hydrodynamic design techniques to specify vertically oriented oyster farming structures. The study was conducted considering sites in the upper Chesapeake Bay. To assess biological response, oyster growth rates in trays deployed at 0.5 m increments were measured over a nine-month period at a representative location with a depth of 3.5 m. The growth of the oysters was compared with those placed in trays on a nearby restored bar (depth of 2 m). Although oyster loss was substantial in trays deployed at depths of 0.5 and 1.0 m, changes in oyster height over the course of the experiment (0.06 mm d−1) did not differ significantly among depth treatments or between the vertical trays and those on the restored bar. This indicates that the deployment of vertical arrays of trays with a minimal depth of 1.0 m may efficiently utilize the water column to grow out juvenile C. virginica. To develop hydrodynamic design techniques, a series of full scale tests was conducted with a stack of trays with oyster shells at the U.S. Naval Academy, Hydromechanics Laboratory. The stack of trays was subjected to steady tow velocities and oscillatory flows to examine drag and inertia force characteristics as a function of both Reynolds and Keulegan–Carpenter numbers. With force coefficient results, a loading scheme was developed for a prototype oyster grow out structure by applying Stoke's second order wave theory and the Morison equation. Environmental conditions representative of the Severn River (Annapolis, MD, USA) were used in the analysis and consisted of waves with a height of 1 m and a period of 5 s with a current of 0.5 m s−1. The results of the hydrodynamic forcing calculations yielded a horizontal design load of 1100 N, which was then used to specify components of the grow out structure.
Analysis of void removal in liquid composite molding using microflow models

Void removal in liquid composite molding was studied. Two void removal mechanisms were observed during flow visualization. Owing to the complicated geometry in the fiber reinforcement, micron-sized flow channels were fabricated in order to carry out quantitative analysis. The mobility of voids in both straight and constricted channels was investigated. It was found that the mobility of the bubble is related to both the bubble size and the wetting between the fluid and the solid surface (i.e. contact angle). A snap-off effect of the gas bubble was observed when the bubble passed through the constricted channel. The snap-off time was found to be a function of constriction geometry and the capillary number.
Observation of soliton-like waves in adsorbed films of superfluid 4He

Abstract While there has been considerable theoretical attention given to nonlinear (soliton) effects for adsorbed films of superfluid 4He, there have been no systematic experimental studies. In this paper we report measurements of wave propagation in such films with drive levels varying over five orders of magnitude. In addition to the critical saturation of a third sound wave, we observe another wave whose velocity of propagation changes with drive amplitude (linearly over a limited range).This dependence agrees with theoretical predictions for soliton behavior.
Toddlers’ cognition of adding and subtracting objects in action and in perception

Abstract A first experiment tested infants’ perceptual discrimination between correct and incorrect adding and subtracting objects with a standardized violation-of-expectation procedure. Eleven-, 16- and 21-month-olds did not look longer at incorrect (one object) than at correct (two objects) results of adding one object to another, nor at incorrect (two objects) than at correct (one object) results of subtracting one object from two. A second experiment tested 21-month-olds’ sensorimotor production of addition and subtraction results using a search-for-objects procedure. They already searched correctly for two objects when one object is added to another and for one object when one is subtracted from two objects. These findings support the constructivist hypothesis that infants’ active sensorimotor production may develop before their reactive perceptual discrimination of adding and subtracting objects.
The significance and etiology of intestinal metaplasia of the esophagogastric junction

Abstract Biopsies from the vicinity of the esophagogastric junction occasionally show foci of intestinal metaplasia. Whether these biopsies represent Barrett's esophagus in all cases is controversial and of clinical importance because patients with Barrett's esophagus are at significantly increased risk for developing esophageal adenocarcinoma. Recent evidence suggests that intestinal metaplasia of the gastric cardia is also quite common. Although prospective data are relatively sparse, it has been suggested that the risk of progressing to dysplasia and adenocarcinoma is significantly lower for intestinal metaplasia of the gastric cardia when compared with esophageal intestinal metaplasia (Barrett's esophagus). Immunohistochemical stains for cytokeratins 7 and 20 may be useful in more precisely localizing the site of intestinal metaplasia in biopsy specimens taken from the vicinity of the esophagogastric junction. Correlation of all clinical, endoscopic, histologic, and immunohistochemical data may be used by the gastroenterologist to determine the likely source of the intestinal metaplasia and whether the patient should be followed by endoscopic surveillance. Ann Diagn Pathol 6: 67-73, 2002.
Complement Depletion Renders C57BL/6 Mice Sensitive to the Bacillus anthracis Sterne Strain

Concerns regarding safety and control of virulent Bacillus anthracis have created substantial hurdles to the study of anthrax. The Sterne strain is considered relatively safe to study, but this acapsular strain has a defect in normal mice and is often studied in A/J mice. A/J mice are highly susceptible to the Sterne strain, due to a defect in the Hc locus, which encodes complement factor 5 (C5). Here we show that normally resistant C57BL/6 mice become highly susceptible to the Sterne strain upon complement depletion with cobra venom factor. This generalizable approach should allow the virulence of anthrax to be studied under relatively safe conditions and using a wide variety of mouse strains.
Artificial organelle: ATP synthesis from cellular mimetic polymersomes.

A complex cellular process was reconstructed using a multiprotein polymersome system. ATP has been produced by coupled reactions between bacteriorhodopsin, a light-driven transmembrane proton pump, and F0F1-ATP synthase motor protein, reconstituted in polymersomes. This indicates that ATP synthase maintained its ATP synthesis and therefore its motor activity in the artificial membranes. This hybrid proteopolymersome will have wide application in a number of fields ranging from the in vitro investigation of cellular metabolism to the synthesis of functional “smart” materials.
Dynamics of Plume Propagation and Splitting during Pulsed-Laser Ablation

An innovative new approach has been developed for modeling the expansion of laser-generated plumes into low-pressure gases where initially the mean free path may be long enough for interpenetration of the plume and background. The model is based on a combination of multiple elastic scattering and hydrodynamic formulations. Although relatively simple in structure, it gives excellent fits to new experimental data for Si in He and Ar, and provides for the first time a detailed, coherent explanation of the observed splitting of the plume into a fast and slow component.
Differential Involvement of IκB Kinases α and β in Cytokine- and Insulin-Induced Mammalian Target of Rapamycin Activation Determined by Akt

The mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) is a mediator of cell growth, survival, and energy metabolism at least partly through its ability to regulate mRNA translation. mTOR is activated downstream of growth factors such as insulin, cytokines such as TNF, and Akt-dependent signaling associated with oncoprotein expression. mTOR is negatively controlled by the tuberous sclerosis complex 1/2 (TSC1/2), and activation of Akt induces phosphorylation of TSC2, which blocks the repressive TSC1/2 activity. Previously, we showed that activation of mTOR in PTEN-deficient cancer cells involves IkappaB kinase (IKK) alpha, a catalytic subunit of the IKK complex that controls NF-kappaB activation. Recently, a distinct IKK subunit, IKKbeta, was shown to phosphorylate TSC1 to promote mTOR activation in an Akt-independent manner in certain cells stimulated with TNF and in some cancer cells. In this study, we have explored the involvement of both IKKalpha and IKKbeta in insulin- and TNF-induced mTOR activation. Insulin activation of mTOR requires Akt in a manner that involves IKKalpha, preferentially to IKKbeta, and TSC2 phosphorylation. TNF, in most cells examined, activates Akt to use IKKalpha to control mTOR activation. In MCF7 cells, TNF does not activate Akt and requires IKKbeta to activate mTOR. The results show that Akt-dependent signaling, induced by cytokines or insulin, alters the IKK subunit-dependent control of mTOR.
Prediction in Branching Time Logic

When we make a prediction we select, among the conceivable future descriptions of the world, those that appear to us to be most plausible. We capture this by means of two binary relations, ≺c and ≺p: if t1 and t2 are points in time, we interpret t1 ≺ct2 as sayingthat t2 is in the conceivable future of t1, while t1 ≺pt2 is interpreted to mean that t2 isin the predicted future of t1. Within a branching-time framework we propose the following notion of “consistency of prediction”. Suppose that at t1 some future moment t2 is predicted to occur, then (a) every moment t on the unique path from t1 to t2 should also be predicted at t1 and (b) the prediction of t2 should continue to hold at every such t. A sound and complete axiomatization is provided.
Editorial Policies and Practices Among Leading Journals in Four Scientific Fields

The editorial policies and practices of leading journals in four scientific fields are compared to determine differences related to stages of paradigm development. Hypotheses are developed and tested on the use of particularism, the ease of reaching editorial decisions, the length of articles, extent of copy-editing, and time lags in the publication process. Data were obtained via a mail survey of the editors of the top ten journals in physics, chemistry, sociology, and political science, as nominated by university scientists. Results are generally supportive of the hypotheses. Data on available space, financial support, and rejection rates are also discussed as reinforcing tendencies toward particularism and increasing its costs.
A hybrid particle-finite element method for hypervelocity impact simulation

Abstract Coupled particle-finite element methods have been suggested as an approach to modeling particular impact problems not well suited to simulation with conventional Eulerian, Lagrangian, or particle codes. An alternative hybrid particle-finite element technique has been developed, in which particles are used to model contact-impact and volumetric deformation while finite elements are employed to represent interparticle tension forces and elastic-plastic deviatoric deformation. The method has been implemented in a three dimensional code and applied to simulate representative hypervelocity impact problems.
Effects of Endogenous Parathyroid Hormone on Calcium, Magnesium and Phosphate Metabolism in Rats. II. Alterations in Dietary Phosphate

The effects of varying dietery phosphate on absorption and excretion of calcium, magnesium and phosphate by intact and parathyroidectomized rats were determined. Since altering the dietary ratio of Ca/PO4 affects the serum levels of calcium which in turnregulates parathyroid function, the effects of endogenous parathyroid secretion on the metabolism of these elements were also examined. Lowering the dietary Ca/PO4 from 2.10 to 0.042 increased significantly the dry weights of the parathyroid glands. Regardless of thedietary level of phosphate or state of parathyroid activity, no significant differences in net intestinal absorption or renal excretion of calcium or phosphate were found between intact and parathyroidectomized rats, but magnesium absorption by parathyroidectomized rats tended to behigher at all levels of dietary phosphate. Only at the lowest dietary Ca/PO4 ratio, i.e., when the greatest endogenous parathyroid activity occurred, were there any differences in renal excretion between intact and p...
Hybrid retrieval from the unified web

The goal of Semantic Web initiative is to make the semantics of Web content accessible to machines. The Semantic Web has been evolving into a web of data separate from the existing HTML web. Our work focuses on establishing and exploiting connections between the two webs, especially hyperlink connections from the HTML web pages to the Semantic Web nodes, so as to enhance both data and document retrieval. We propose the Unified Web model to integrate the two webs, and a hybrid query language to retrieve data and documents from the Unified Web. Specifically, the query language amalgamates graph-based reasoning over RDF with keyword-based search.