cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Propagation rate of growing interfaces in stirred fluids.

The overall propagation rate of growing interfaces subject to weak random stirring is investigated, based on a variant of the Kardar-Parisi-Zhang equation. Scaling analysis, supported by computations, indicates that random stirring increases the overall propagation rate in proportion to 4/3 power of the ratio of stirring rate to growth rate. The generally assumed quadratic dependence on this ratio is valid only for special cases such as periodic flow. On this basis, a modified turbulent-flame speed formula is proposed. Implications concerning interpretation of measurements are noted.
Effects of abnormal posture on capsular ligament elongations in a computational model subjected to whiplash loading

Although considerable biomechanical investigations have been conducted to understand the response of the cervical spine under whiplash (rear impact-induced postero-anterior loading to the thorax), studies delineating the effects of initial spinal curvature are limited. This study advanced the hypothesis that abnormal curvatures (straight or kyphotic) of the cervical column affect spinal kinematics during whiplash loading. Specifically, compared to the normal lordotic curvature, abnormal curvatures altered facet joint ligament elongations. The quantifications of these elongations were accomplished using a validated mathematical model of the human head-neck complex that simulated three curvatures. The model was validated using companion experiments conducted in our laboratory that provided facet joint kinematics as a function of cervical spinal level. Regional facet joint ligament elongations were investigated as a function of whiplash loading in the four local anatomic regions of each joint. Under the normal posture, greatest elongations occurred in the dorsal anatomic region at the C2-C3 level and in the lateral anatomic region from C3-C4 to C6-C7 levels. Abnormal postures increased elongation magnitudes in these regions by up to 70%. Excessive ligament elongations induce laxity to the facet joint, particularly at the local regions of the anatomy in the abnormal kyphotic posture. Increased laxity may predispose the cervical spine to accelerated degenerative changes over time and lead to instability. Results from the present study, while providing quantified level- and region-specific kinematic data, concur with clinical findings that abnormal spinal curvatures enhance the likelihood of whiplash injury and may have long-term clinical and biomechanical implications.
Is Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder in Adults a Valid Disorder?

Concerns have been raised regarding the validity of the diagnosis of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder in adults. The purpose of this report is to evaluate critically whether this diagnosis in adults meets acceptable standards for diagnostic validity. A systematic search was conducted of the psychiatric and psychological literature for empirical studies dealing with adult attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder with childhood onset. These studies were examined for evidence of descriptive, predictive, and concurrent validity. The literature shows that this disorder can be reliably diagnosed in adults and that the diagnosis confers considerable power to forecast complications and treatment response. In addition, evidence is mounting for genetic transmission, specific treatment responses, and abnormalities in brain structure and function in affected individuals. Evidence from the literature is increasingly pointing to the validity of adult attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder.
Echocardiographic Evaluation of Diastolic Function Can Be Used to Guide Clinical Care

For normal cardiac performance, the left ventricle (LV) must be able to eject an adequate stroke volume at arterial pressure (systolic function) and fill without requiring an elevated left atrial (LA) pressure (diastolic function). These systolic and diastolic functions must be adequate to meet the needs of the body both at rest and during stress. Response by Tschope and Paulus on p 809 Systolic function is conveniently (although not always accurately) measured as the ejection fraction (EF), calculated as stroke volume divided by end-diastolic volume.1 The LV EF is easily interpreted. The lower limit of normal is ≈50%. The lower the EF is, the greater the reduction in systolic function. Diastolic function has been more difficult to evaluate.2 Traditionally, invasive measures of LV diastolic pressure-volume relations and the rate of LV pressure fall during isovolumetric relaxation have been used. However, these methods are not practical for routine clinical use and do not adequately evaluate all aspects of diastolic filling.3 Comprehensive echocardiographic evaluation of the dynamics of LV filling using blood pool and tissue Doppler has now progressed so that it provides clinically important information that can be used to direct patient care. We present data that support the use of echocardiographic evaluation of diastolic function to recognize cardiac dysfunction in patients with heart failure, especially those with preserved EF; to guide the management of patients by identifying those with and without elevated left filling pressures regardless of underlying EF; and to determine prognosis in a wide variety of patient populations. Although the LV end-diastolic pressure-volume relation describes the passive properties of the LV, LV filling is not a passive or slow process.3 In fact, the peak flow rate across the mitral valve is equal to or greater than the peak flow rate across the aortic valve. …
Some Effects of Net‐Pen‐Rearing Methods on Feed Conversion by Age‐0 Arctic Grayling in an Interior Alaskan Lake

Abstract Variable results from hatchery and pond rearing of Arctic grayling (Thymallus arcticus) led to an investigation of pen rearing as an alternative for rearing age-0 Arctic grayling. Two experiments were repeated three times each to evaluate the effects of feeding frequency, rearing density, and feed particle size on feed conversion by age-0 Arctic grayling reared in floating netpens. Growth in length or weight was not affected by these factors in any of the trials, possibly because of the short (11–12-d) feeding trials, the method of feeding (to satiation), and the relatively small differences in initial fish densities. When fish were fed to satiation, the optimal interval between feedings was 3 h. The highest initial fish density used (5.6 kg/m3) consistently produced the best feed conversions (1.10–1.51 g feed/g weight gain). Optimal feed size for 60–73-mm Arctic grayling was 1.3–1.5 mm (2.1–2.5% of fork length).
A Group Case Study Assignment: Implementation of the Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative in a U.S. Community Hospital Setting

While evidence demonstrates that hospital practices impact breastfeeding duration and exclusivity and the Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative (BFHI) is considered the gold standard for evidence-based breastfeeding care in hospitals, there remain hospital policies and practices that interfere with breastfeeding success. The U.S. Surgeon General and others have called for an improvement in the breastfeeding content in university programs. In this group case study assignment, appropriate for both undergraduate and graduate programs, students are introduced to the BFHI, and learn best management approaches as they address the case study problems at the individual, organizational, and community levels. Students develop administrative, management, and policy development skills as they design a plan to achieve Baby Friendly designation.
The Phosphodiesterase Type 4 Inhibitor, Rolipram, Enhances Glucocorticoid Receptor Function

Previous studies have demonstrated that antidepressants can enhance glucocorticoid receptor (GR) translocation and function, possibly through activation of cAMP and downstream cAMP dependent protein kinases. Accordingly, we examined GR function in cells treated with rolipram, a phosphodiesterase (PDE) type 4 inhibitor that antagonizes cAMP breakdown. Compared with vehicle-treated cells, rolipram alone and in combination with dexamethasone significantly enhanced GR function as measured in both mouse L929 cells and rat C6 glioma cells stably transfected with reporter genes driven by upstream glucocorticoid response elements. Rolipram's facilitation of GR function was reversible by the GR antagonist, RU486, and was associated with reduced cytosloic GR binding, indicating rolipram enhancement of GR nuclear translocation. Finally, rolipram potently augmented GR enhancement by the antidepressant, desipramine. These findings broaden the potential pathways by which PDE type 4 inhibitors can influence cellular function and indicate that these agents may have special utility in disorders associated with impaired GR-mediated feedback inhibition.
Peritoneal protein losses in children with steroid-resistant nephrotic syndrome on continuous-cycler peritoneal dialysis.

Glomerular protein permeability rises in nephrotic syndrome and may result from the effect of an unidentified “circulating factor.” The effect of this “circulating factor” on the permeability of other body membranes is unknown. In this study we examine the peritoneal membrane protein permeability in patients with nephrotic syndrome on chronic-cycler peritoneal dialysis. We conducted a retrospective study of peritoneal protein losses in the dialysate effluent of 60 pediatric peritoneal dialysis patients (ages 5.1–22 years) over a 6-year period (January 1997–December 2002). Nineteen patients had steroid-resistant nephrotic syndrome (SRNS), while 41 had other non-nephrotic etiologies of renal failure. Total and normalized peritoneal protein losses are higher in SRNS than in non-nephrotic patients (12,603±5,403 mg/day vs 4,475±469 mg/day, P<0.05; 297.8±79.3 mg/kg per day vs 156.8±16.0 mg/kg per day, P<0.05; 9,614.6±3,253.4 mg/m2 per day vs 4,168.3±367.3 mg/m2 per day, P<0.05). The ratio of total protein in dialysate to plasma, a measure of peritoneal membrane protein permeability, was higher in SRNS patients (3.50±1.00% vs 0.68±0.06%, P<0.001). Serum albumin concentration was lower in SRNS patients (3.09±0.13 mg/dl vs 3.52±0.07 mg/dl, P<0.01). There were no differences between the two groups with regard to duration of peritoneal dialysis, dialysis prescription, numbers of peritonitis episodes, catheter replacements, or hospitalizations. In summary, these results demonstrate that peritoneal protein losses in patients with SRNS are twice as great as in those without nephrotic syndrome. These results are consistent with the systemic effect of a “circulating factor” in SRNS and underscore the importance of adequate protein intake in patients on peritoneal dialysis.
Effect of support and preparation on silver-based direct propylene epoxidation catalyst

The effect of catalyst support and preparation method on silver-based catalysts for the direct vapor phase epoxidation of propylene to propylene oxide (PO) was studied. The shape of the CaCO3 support is critical for optimum activity and selectivity of the catalyst. Among the CaCO3 materials investigated as supports, the scalenohedral shape gives the best performance. A simplified method of catalyst preparation (referred to as “slurry method”) was developed. With this method, it is not necessary to dissolve Ag2O into a solution as in the conventional incipient wetness method for preparing silver-based catalysts for propylene and ethylene epoxidation. The key to the slurry method is the addition of a small amount of an effective organic compound, such as ethanolamine, during the formation of the slurry.
Cellular Migration of Intestinal Epithelia in Suckling and Weaned Rats

CELLULAR proliferation in the small intestine and the rapid renewal of intestinal epithelium have been investigated before1–3. A number of techniques have been used to measure the rate of proliferation and the migration of the cells of intestinal epithelium, but only adult animals have been investigated. The morphology4,5 and enzyme6–9 pattern of the small intestine in the suckling differ from that of the adult rat, and therefore we decided to compare the rate of cellular migration at these different ages by means of incorporation of tritiated thymidine and histo-autoradiography.
Real-time visualization and targeting of online visitors

Identifying and targeting visitors on an e-commerce website with personalized content in real-time is extremely important to marketers. Although such targeting exists today, it is based on demographic attributes of the visitors. We show that dynamic visitor attributes extracted from their click-stream provide much better predictive capabilities of visitor intent. In this demonstration, we showcase an interactive real-time user interface for marketers to visualize and target visitor segments. Our dashboard not only provides the marketers understanding of their visitor click patterns, but also lets them target individual or group of visitors with offers and promotions.
Increasing treatment efficiency through effective intake interviews.

Male patients in an alcohol detoxification unit were measured to determine whether the method of acquiring symptoms and sex of the experimenter affected the number and severity of symptoms elicited. A male or female experimenter administered a checklist of symptoms and the Marlowe-Crowne Social Desirability Scale to 100 patients. A MANCOVA indicated there was a significant difference between method 1 (nondirective) and method 2 (leading). Subsequent univariate analyses yielded significant differences between the methods and both dependent measures, number of symptoms acquired and their severity. The leading method was more effective for acquiring symptoms, and more moderate symptoms, which were typically overlooked by the patients during the nondirective phase, were obtained.
Corticotropic responses in the adenohypophysectomized duck (Anas platyrhynchos).

Abstract When ducks which had been adenohypophysectomized for 2 days (acute) were intravenously injected with 1.0 IU of ACTH, the plasma corticosterone concentration increased linearly with time. The maximum plasma concentration (4.5 μg/100 ml plasma) occurred 40 min after injection of ACTH. Thereafter, the decline in the plasma corticosterone concentration was exponential and indicated a biological half-life for the endogenous corticosterone of 63 min. A typical semi-logarithmic dose response to ACTH was observed in the acutely adenohypophysectomized birds, and the lowest dose to elicit a response was 0.1 IU of ACTH. Fourteen days after adenohypophysectomy (chronic) the adrenal tissue was insensitive to doses of ACTH lower than 0.5 IU. Also, the response to the effective dose of ACTH was smaller in the chronically than in the acutely adenohypophysectomized birds. No significant change in the mean plasma corticosterone concentration was observed when the acutely adenohypophysectomized ducks were intravenously injected with 100 IU of either ovine or bovine prolactin.
Japan-Taiwan Relations: Unofficial in Name Only

As a result of normalization of Sino-Japanese relations in 1972, Japan cut off its diplomatic ties with the Republic of China (Taiwan). What followed was nearly two decades of diplomatic tepidity between Tokyo and Taipei. Since the 1990s, however, Japan and Taiwan have been rapidly approaching each other again. This commingling process, which has elevated their relations to an ““unofficial-in-name-only”” status, is the result of three mutually reinforcing factors: re-imagination of colonial ties, sharing of a democratic identity, and the permeating of popular culture.
Unilateral corneoscleral choristomas (corneal dermoids) in a white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus).

Multiple, nodular, pigmented masses protruding from the cornea and adjacent sclera of the left eye of a white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) were diagnosed as choristomas (dermoids). Microscopically, the masses contained well-differentiated skin, cartilage, and bone. This appears to be the first report of a corneoscleral choristoma in a cervid.
Trust, commitment and relationships in family business: Challenging conventional wisdom

Abstract Trust, commitment, and closely-knit relationships have been identified in the literature as critical to family business success and longevity. However, the distinct nature, dynamics, processes, antecedents and consequences of trust, commitment and relationships in family business remain underexplored. The articles in this special issue aim to close this apparent gap by providing a more in-depth and granular understanding of the complexities of trust, commitment and relationships in family business, often challenging established paradigms and common wisdom. This article summarizes the content featured in the special issue and presents several suggestions for future research.
Avocado fruit protoplasts: a cellular model system for ripening studies.

Mesocarp protoplasts were isolated from mature avocado fruits (Persea americana cv. Hass) at varying stages of propylene-induced ripening. Qualitative changes in the pattern of radiolabel incorporation into polypeptides were observed in cells derived from fruit at the different stages. Many of these differences correlate with those observed during radiolabeling of polypeptides from fresh tissue slices prepared from unripe and ripe fruit. Protoplasts isolated from fruit treated with propylene for one day or more were shown to synthesize cellulase (endo-s-1,4-glucanase) antigen, similar to the intact propylene-treated fruit. These results suggest that the isolated protoplasts retain at least some biochemical characteristics of the parent tissue. The cells may also be used in transient gene expression assays. Protoplasts isolated from preclimacteric and climacteric fruit were equally competent in expressing a chimeric test gene, composed of the CaMV 35S RNA promoter fused to the bacterial chloramphenicol acetyltransferase gene, which was introduced by electroporation.
Emission Spectroscopy of Hydrogen Molecules in Technical and Divertor Plasmas

The paper gives an overview of the diagnostics of hydrogen molecules in technical plasmas (MW and RF discharges) and in divertor plasmas of fusion experiments (ASDEX Upgrade (Tokamak at the Max-Planck-Institut fur Plasmaphysik in Garching near Munich, Germany). The Fulcher transition in the visible spectral range was chosen for analysis since this is the most prominent band in the spectrum of molecular hydrogen. Examples for diagnostics of molecular densities will be given, and the problems arising in the interpretation of spectra will be discussed. In divertor plasmas the diagnostics of molecular fluxes will be introduced and the contribution of molecules to the plasma recombination will be discussed. Results for vibrational populations in the ground state and the correlation to the upper Fulcher state will be given, providing an electron temperature diagnostic. Finally, the influence of surfaces (high-grade steel and graphite) on vibrational populations and on reflection coefficients of atoms will be shown. Special attention is given on a comparison of the isotopes hydrogen and deuterium.
Frameworks for the Study of Writing in Organizational Contexts

This essay constructs frameworks for understanding how organizations may function as rhetorical contexts. Initially, traditional and modern approaches to rhetorical context are compared and conclus...
Synergistic Regulation of COX-2 Expression by Bombesin and Transforming Growth Factor-β

Overexpression of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), an inducible enzyme regulating prostaglandin release, is mechanistically linked to the development, growth, and spread of gastrointestinal (GI) cancers. GI peptide bombesin (BBS) was reported to stimulate COX-2 gene expression. Here we show that TGF-β1 dramatically enhances the BBS-induced expression of COX-2 mRNA and protein, and the release of PGE2 in the model rat intestinal epithelial cell (RIE-1) line. The synergistic increase in COX-2 levels results from a combination of enhanced COX-2 transcription and reduced mRNA degradation. BBS, but not TGF-β1, stimulated COX-2 promoter activity, and TGF-β1 enhanced COX-2 mRNA stability through a p38MAPK-dependent pathway. The synergistic regulation of COX-2 expression by TGF-β1 and BBS may contribute to the upregulation of COX-2 in GI cancers.
Ultralow Voltage Electrowetting on a Solidlike Ionic-Liquid Dielectric Layer**

Electrowetting has been widely used in devices like e-ink displays, digital microfluidics, liquid lens, and microelectricity generators, in which a 50–200 V driving voltage is used. A lower driving voltage would offer better device stability. Here, we demonstrate electrowetting effects on an ionic-liquid (IL) dielectric layer using driving voltage of just 70 mVand 5 V in alternating and direct current (AC and DC) mode, respectively. Our data suggest that the ultrahigh capacitance of the IL dielectric layer directly leads to the low-voltage electrowetting. The electrowetting can be described by the Lippmann Equation (1),
Resource requirements of dataflow programs

Parallel execution of programs requires more resources and more complex resource management than sequential execution. If concurrent tasks can be spawned dynamically, programs may require an inordinate amount of resources when the potential parallelism in the program is much greater than the amount of parallelism the machine can exploit. We describe loop bounding, a technique for dynamically controlling the amount of parallelism exposed in dataflow programs. The effectiveness of the technique in reducing token storage requirements is supported by experimental data in the form of parallelism profiles and waiting-token profiles. Comparisons are made throughout with more conventional approaches to parallel computing.
Drop Deformation and Breakup Mechanisms in Viscoelastic Model Fluid Systems and Polymer Blends

This paper reviews the dispersion mechanisms in viscoelastic systems under relatively high shear rate conditions. In particular, two non-Newtonian deformation and breakup mechanisms were revealed by flow visualization in a transparent Couette shearing setup. The first one is the dispersed droplet elongation perpendicular to the flow direction. This was observed only for viscoelastic drops and had been associated to normal force buildup in the droplet. The second deformation/breakup mechanism was observed in very high viscosity ratio polymer systems. It consists in erosion at the drop surface. Clouds of very small ribbons and sheets were developed around the drop then stretched and finally broken into very small droplets, rapidly distributed in the matrix. Cet article examine les mecanismes de dispersion dans les melanges viscoelastiques a des taux de cisaillement relativement eleves. Deux nouveaux mecanismes de deformation et de rupture de gouttes viscoelastiques ont ete reveles en utilisant un montage de visualisation transparent de type Couette. Le premier mecanisme est l'orientation de l'axe principal de la goutte perpendiculairement a la direction de l'ecoulement, phenomene qui n'a ete observe que pour des gouttes viscoelastiques. Ce phenomene a ete relie au developpement de forces normales (elasticite) a l'interieur de la goutte. Le second mecanisme de deformation/rupture a ete observe avec des systemes de polymeres fondus possedant des rapports de viscosite eleves. Il consistait en une erosion de la surface de la goutte generant ainsi un nuage de gouttelettes et de minces feuillets autour de la goutte principale. Ces derniers s'etiraient suite a l'ecoulement de la matrice et finissaient par etre brises en gouttelettes tres fines rapidement dispersees dans la matrice.
A unifying approach to blood flow theory

A systematizing review of the theories of steady flows in vessels is given-first for laminar flows and then more briefly for turbulent flows, which are less well understood. On turning to pulsatile flows the important pioneering theory of Von Kries (1892) is presented and then extended. The extended theory takes into account (approximately) the primary modifying factors of nonlinear terms (in a first subsection) and of vessel taper and liquid viscosity (in a second subsection) and neglects some mentioned secondary factors. The second subsection explains classical solution by a “separation of variables” and shows that by omitting the restrictive solution assumptions of earlier workers one can find both the two modes of possible solution and also the important factors of attenuation with distance due to vessel taper and with time due to the assumed Newtonian viscosity. The results of both subsections are combined, and their implications about expected reflections at junctions of changing vessel taper and/or vessel distensibility are deduced. A method for detecting reflections is also given, and brief comments are presented on effects due to catheters and on the theory of blood flow in very small vessels.
Influences of supplemental fat, differing in fatty-acid composition, on performance, lactation, and reproduction of beef cows

ABSTRACT Angus × Simmental, fall-calving cows (n = 480) were allotted to 1 of 4 supplements containing whole raw soybeans (SY), OmegaFlax (FLX), Energy Booster 100 (EB), or corn–soybean meal (CON). The SY, FLX, and EB supplements were formulated to have the same concentration of crude fat. The FLX, EB, and CON supplements were formulated to be isonitrogenous. Cows were blocked by age (2 groups) and randomly assigned to treatments before calving (36 ± 0.6 d prepartum). The cows were fed 1.81 kg of DM/d of respective supplement for 108 d. There were no differences in BW or BCS change in any contrasts. There were no differences in percentage of cows cycling before the breeding season or first-service AI conception for any of the contrasts. The SY-supplemented cows had lower (P = 0.01) overall pregnancy rate compared with FLX-supplemented cows and tended (P = 0.06) to have lower overall pregnancy rates compared with EB-supplemented cows. There was no difference in overall pregnancy for SY, FLX, and EB versus CON (P = 0.81). The SY-supplemented cows tended (P = 0.06) to have greater AI embryonic loss than did EB-supplemented cows. Fat supplementation during the pre- and postpartum period did not affect cow BW or reproductive performance compared with cows fed control supplement. Cows fed supplement containing soybeans as the fat source had poorer reproductive performance than did cows fed supplements containing OmegaFlax (flaxseed) or Energy Booster 100 (hydrolyzed animal fat) as the fat source.
A Conjugate Direction Method for Geophysical Inversion Problems

In geophysical tomography, algebraic methods are often used to linearize the nonlinear problem of determining the characteristics of an underground region given measurements of the earth's attenuation to electromagnetic or seismic waves. In this way, a set of linear equations is developed such that the unknowns are the picture elements (pixels) of the region being scanned.Classically, these linear equations have been solved using the algebraic reconstruction technique (ART) algorithm. In this paper, a new algorithm that is a member of the set of conjugate direction (CD) methods is developed and comparisons are made between this algorithm and the ART algorithm for data arising from simulated electromagnetic probing. This new method, which we call the constrained conjugate gradient (CCG) algorithm, is shown to have a much faster convergence to a final solution than the ART algorithm. In addition, for applications involving high-contrast anomalies (for example, tunnel detection) the CCG is shown to have superior performance in locating the anomalous region for almost all test cases considered.
Semantic Meaning and Pragmatic Interpretation in 5-Year-Olds: Evidence from Real-Time Spoken Language Comprehension

Recent research on children's inferencing has found that although adults typically adopt the pragmatic interpretation of some (implying not all), 5- to 9-year-olds often prefer the semantic interpretation of the quantifier (meaning possibly all). Do these failures reflect a breakdown of pragmatic competence or the metalinguistic demands of prior tasks? In 3 experiments, the authors used the visual-world eye-tracking paradigm to elicit an implicit measure of adults' and children's abilities to generate scalar implicatures. Although adults' eye-movements indicated that adults had interpreted some with the pragmatic inference, children's looks suggested that children persistently interpreted some as compatible with all (Experiment 1). Nevertheless, both adults and children were able to quickly reject competitors that were inconsistent with the semantics of some; this confirmed the sensitivity of the paradigm (Experiment 2). Finally, adults, but not children, successfully distinguished between situations that violated the scalar implicature and those that did not (Experiment 3). These data demonstrate that children interpret quantifiers on the basis of their semantic content and fail to generate scalar implicatures during online language comprehension.
Modulation of adopted nuclear receptors, pregnane X receptor (PXR) and constitutive androstane receptor (CAR), by commonly prescribed chemotherapy agents

The adopted nuclear receptors (NRs), CAR and PXR are key regulators of genes involved in drug disposition and may contribute to variable drug response and toxicity. Currently, little is known regarding the contribution of the NRs to chemotherapy-associated drug interactions or toxicities. We utilized a cell-based reporter assay to identify potential novel interactions between PXR or CAR and commonly prescribed chemotherapy drugs. In single agent studies, CAR-dependent activation of the CYP3A4 promoter was enhanced by vinblastine (EC50=28.6 nM) and CPT-11 (EC50=16.9 μM). Conversely, camptothecin (CPT) appeared to inhibit CAR activation (IC50=0.34 μM). CPT and cisplatin did not exert any effects as single agents; however both agents appeared to attenuate rifampin-mediated PXR activation in a dose-dependent manner, suggesting those agents may be antagonists of PXR. Interestingly, rifampin-mediated PXR activation was further enhanced by the co-incubation with etoposide or CPT-11. In primary human hepatocytes, rifampin-mediated CYP3A induction was similarly attenuated by the co-incubation with CPT and cisplatin, suggesting that NR-based reporter assays may be a useful tool for predicting conditions in vivo. Overall, our studies demonstrate that NRs interact with a number of commonly prescribed chemotherapy agents and that certain combination regimens may modulate NRs in an unexpected manner and contribute to the observed variability in efficacy and toxicity. Clinical Pharmacology & Therapeutics (2004) 75, P51–P51; doi: 10.1016/j.clpt.2003.11.194
PREOPERATIVE CHEMORADIATION FOR RECTAL CANCER USING CAPECITABINE AND CELECOXIB CORRELATED WITH POSTTREATMENT ASSESSMENT OF THYMIDYLATE SYNTHASE AND THYMIDINE PHOSPHORYLASE EXPRESSION

Purpose: Thymidylate synthase (TS) and thymidine phosphorylase (TP) expression have been shown to be predictors of response to therapy. The toxicity, efficacy, surgical morbidity, and immunohistochemical TS and TP expression were assessed in surgical resection specimens after preoperative chemoradiation. Methods and Materials: Twenty patients with clinical stage I to III rectal adenocarcinoma received preoperative chemoradiation and underwent surgical resection 6 weeks later. Results: Posttreatment tumor stages were T1 to T2 and N0 in 30% of patients; T3 to T4 and N0 in 30% of patients; and T1 to T3 and N1 to N2 in 15% of patients. Pathologic complete response (pCR) was evident in 25% and tumor regression occurred in a total of 80% of patients. Anal sphincter-sparing surgery was performed in 80% of cases. Acute and perioperative complications were minimal, with no grade 3/4 toxicity or treatment breaks. Pelvic control was obtained in 90% of patients. With a median follow-up of 65.5 months (range, 8-80 months), the 6-year actuarial survival rate was 75%. Local failure was significantly associated with nonresponse to therapy and with high TS and low TP expression (p = 0.008 and p = 0.04, respectively). Conclusions: The combination of capecitabine, celecoxib, and x-radiation therapy yields excellentmore » response: a 25% pathologic pCR, no acute grade 3/4 toxicity, and minimal surgical morbidity. Nonresponders expressed significantly increased TS levels and decreased TP levels in posttreatment resection specimens compared to responders.« less
Does PET with CT Have Clinical Utility in the Management of Patients with Intraductal Papillary Mucinous Neoplasm

Background Intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms (IPMNs) are well-established pancreatic precancerous lesions. Indications for resection are outlined in the 2012 International Consensus Guidelines (ICG). Because of the low specificity of the ICG, many patients will undergo potentially unnecessary surgery for nonmalignant IPMNs. Several retrospective studies have reported that positron emission tomography (PET) with CT (PET/CT) is highly sensitive and specific in detecting malignant IPMNs. We hypothesized that PET/CT complements the ICG in identification of malignant IPMNs. Study Design From 2009 to 2013, patients with a suspected clinical or cytopathologic diagnosis of IPMN were prospectively enrolled in a clinical trial at a single center. Results of preoperative PET/CT on determination of IPMN malignancy (ie, high-grade dysplastic and invasive) was compared with surgical pathology. PET/CT uptake was considered increased if the standardized uptake value was ≥3. Results Of the 67 patients enrolled, 50 patients met all inclusion criteria. Increased PET/CT uptake was associated with significantly more malignant and invasive IPMNs (80% vs 13%; p Conclusions The addition of PET/CT to preoperative workup improves the performance of the ICG for predicting malignant risk in patients with IPMN.
Multiple Backhaul Mobile Access Router: Design and Experimentation

The multiple backhaul mobile access router aims to provide high capacity and high performance Internet access for emerging mobile wireless applications. In this paper we describe the framework and implementation of a modular mobile access router system. A set of backhaul interface monitoring APIs are provided to support flexible handover policies. We present the experimental results to validate the performance of our mobile access router and illustrate tradeoffs when designing handover policies.
A state-space model for serial manufacturing systems

A state-space model for serial manufacturing systems is presented. The model considers a single-input-single-output system configuration. Buffer dynamics and jumping characteristics are modelled explicitly which allow easy tracking of work-in-process. Blocking and starving phenomena are modelled via general expression of machining rate equations. Simulation results show that the model can predict blocking and starving due to full and empty buffer respectively. The model can be used to study the sensitivity of system performance, e.g. throughput, job completion time, to buffer size and machining rates. It can also serve as a set of basic equations for optimizing the system performance, e.g. determining the minimum work-in-process.
Urban land-use regulations and housing markets in developing countries: Evidence from Indonesia on the importance of enforcement

Standard urban economic theory suggests that stringent urban land-use regulation leads to higher housing prices due to both direct impacts on costs and a reduction in the price elasticity of supply. Indonesia has one of the most restrictive land registration and construction permitting systems in Asia, yet housing is affordable, rates of household formation are high, and housing supply is relatively elastic. This paper explores the relationship between land use regulations and housing markets in Indonesia through various analyses; an overview of 90 cities, a direct assessment of the relationship in 15 cities, and detailed case studies of two medium-sized cities. Regulations do impact the production of housing in Indonesia, but they do not affect housing markets in the predicted way because of their flexible enforcement and a widespread and dynamic informal housing-production system. The main impact of the strict land-use regulations in Indonesia is thus argued to be under investment in physical infrastructure related to housing; a substantial detriment to urban development and economic growth. The case of Indonesia demonstrates the importance of regulatory enforcement and local context in the analysis of land use regulations.
Acute colchicine and vinblastine toxicity in 6-sulfanilamidoindazole-pretreated rats.

Abstract 6-Sulfanilamidoindazole (6-SAI) is an orally administered antibacterial sulfonamide which induces periarthritis in the ankles and hind paws of older rats. It is weakly or nonarthritogenic in young rats. It enhances endotoxin lethality in aged rats and produces a “synergistic toxicity” when administered in combination with some drugs. Toxicity studies in rats 10 to 12 months and 1 to 1 1 2 months of age demonstrated that aging was associated with enhanced colchicine lethality in control animals. Five oral administrations of 6-SAI (250 mg/kg) to groups of older rats induced inflammation in the ankles and hind paws of approximately 75% of the animals and were associated with a greater than threefold reduction in the LD50 dosage fo colchicine and greater than sixfold reduction in the LD50 dosage of vinblastine. Fibrin thrombi could be demonstrated in the renal glomerular capillaries of some aged 6-SAI pretreated (but not control) rats dying following colchicine injection. Phenylbutazone treatments suppressed the arthritis but did not inhibit colchicine lethality in 6-SAI-treated rats. Five doses of 6-SAI did not enhance colchicine lethality in young rats. Failure of 6-SAI to reduce the LD50 dosage of colchicine in young rats could not be explained by poor drug absorption.
Equitability, mutual information, and the maximal information coefficient

How should one quantify the strength of association between two random variables without bias for relationships of a specific form? Despite its conceptual simplicity, this notion of statistical "equitability" has yet to receive a definitive mathematical formalization. Here we argue that equitability is properly formalized by a self-consistency condition closely related to Data Processing Inequality. Mutual information, a fundamental quantity in information theory, is shown to satisfy this equitability criterion. These findings are at odds with the recent work of Reshef et al. [Reshef DN, et al. (2011) Science 334(6062):1518-1524], which proposed an alternative definition of equitability and introduced a new statistic, the "maximal information coefficient" (MIC), said to satisfy equitability in contradistinction to mutual information. These conclusions, however, were supported only with limited simulation evidence, not with mathematical arguments. Upon revisiting these claims, we prove that the mathematical definition of equitability proposed by Reshef et al. cannot be satisfied by any (nontrivial) dependence measure. We also identify artifacts in the reported simulation evidence. When these artifacts are removed, estimates of mutual information are found to be more equitable than estimates of MIC. Mutual information is also observed to have consistently higher statistical power than MIC. We conclude that estimating mutual information provides a natural (and often practical) way to equitably quantify statistical associations in large datasets.
Sampling Strategies for Estimation of Parameters Related to Ground Water Quality

Multiple theoretical sampling designs are studied to determine whether sampling designs can be identified that will provide for characterization of ground water quality in rural regions of developing nations. Sampling design in this work includes assessing sampling frequency, analytical methods, length of sampling period, and requirements of sampling personnel. The results answer a set of questions regarding whether using innovative sampling designs can allow hydrogeologists to take advantage of a range of characterization technologies, sampling strategies, and available personnel to develop high-value, water-quality data sets. Monte Carlo studies are used to assess different sampling strategies in the estimation of three parameters related to a hypothetical chemical observed in a ground water well: mean concentration (MeanC), maximum concentration (MaxC), and total mass load (TML). Five different scenarios are simulated. These scenarios are then subsampled using multiple simulated sampling instruments, time periods (ranging from 1 to 10 years), and sampling frequencies (ranging from weekly to semiannually to parameter dependent). Results are analyzed via the statistics of the resulting estimates, including mean square error, bias, bias squared, and precision. Results suggest that developing a sampling strategy based on what may be considered lower quality instruments can represent a powerful field research approach for estimating select parameters when applied at high frequency. This result suggests the potential utility of using a combination of lower quality instrument and local populations to obtain high frequency data sets in regions where regular monitoring by technicians is not practical.
A numerical simulation of estimating snow wetness with ASAR

In hydrological investigations, modeling and forecasting of snow melt runoff requires timely information about snow properties and their spatial variability. The liquid water content in snow pack is an important parameter. A fully polarimetric C-band synthetic aperture radar (SAR) has the capability to estimate the free liquid water content-snow wetness-in the top layer of a snow pack quantitatively as demonstrated in Shi and Dozier 1995). The objective of this study is to develop an algorithm under the configuration of ASAR's C-band dual-copolarization measurements, e.g., HH and VV polarization. We have established a model-simulated C-band data-base by using multi-scattering model. The data-base covers the most possible wet snow physical properties and surface roughness conditions. Using this data-base, an inversion algorithm has been developed for using C-band dual-copolarization measurements. The newly developed algorithm mainly involved two steps: 1) decomposition of the surface and volume scattering signals, and 2) then using each scattering component to estimate snow wetness.
An eigenvalue condition for sampled weak controllability of bilinear systems

Abstract Weak controllability of bilinear systems is preserved under sampling provided that the sampling period satisfies a condition related to the eigenvalues of the autonomous dynamics matrix. This condition generalizes the classical Kalman-Ho-Narendra criterion which is well known in the linear case.
Engineering Education Today: Capturing the Afterlife of Sisyphus in Five Snapshots

Engineering education encompasses students, faculty, the workforce, and the profession of engineering. This paper provides five snapshots that seek to explore the current state of engineering education from different perspectives of scale: the student, the program, policy, society, and technology. The multifaceted view provided by these snapshots indicates that engineering education is a complex, adaptive system that operates on different spatial and temporal scales. These snapshots are intended both to inform and to raise questions for engineering education researchers, practitioners, administrators, and policy makers. Four interlinking themes are found to thread through each of the five perspectives-the philosophical basis for engineering, the role of experience, resources, and change. The paper concludes with exploration of these themes in the context of engineering education today.
Epidemiologic aspects of poliomyelitis eradication.

Mass immunization with oral poliovirus vaccine was begun in the United States in 1963, and the last outbreak of natural poliomyelitis occurred in 1972. In the subsequent 10 years, there has been only one outbreak, in 1979, due to the introduction of wild polio-virus to an underimmunized Amish population. Paradoxically, eradication occurred even though 5%-10% of the population zero to 14 years of age were unimmunized and susceptible. It is suggested that this eradication was due to two factors. First, the marked seasonality of poliovirus infections, imposed on a reduced number of susceptibles , led to wintertime fade-outs of wild poliovirus over sizable areas. Second, although reintroductions into virus-free areas did occur, they did not equal the frequency of fade-outs. This led, in turn, to an annual stepwise reduction in the number of infected states over a 10-year period, culminating in eradication. Measles makes an instructive comparison because it has more stubbornly resisted eradication. Although regional fade-outs of measles have occurred regularly during the seasonal low, measles is more frequently reintroduced because of its greater transmissibility. It is suggested that this difference in reintroduction was a critical determinant of the difference between the eradicability of measles and poliomyelitis.
ATTEMPTING TO IMPROVE THE ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE OF STRUGGLING COLLEGE STUDENTS BY BOLSTERING THEIR SELF-ESTEEM: AN INTERVENTION THAT BACKFIRED

Abstract Theory and prior research suggest that (a) a positive sense of self–worth and (b) perceived control over one's outcomes facilitate constructive responses to negative outcomes. We therefore predicted that encouraging students to maintain their sense of self–worth and/or construe their academic outcomes as controllable would promote achievement. In a field experiment, low–performing students in a psychology class were randomly assigned to receive, each week, review questions, review questions plus self–esteem bolstering, or review questions plus exhortations to assume responsibility and control. Contrary to predictions, the D and F students got worse as a result of self–esteem bolstering and students in the other conditions did not change. These findings raise ethical and practical questions about the widespread practice of bolstering self–esteem in the hope of improving academic performance.
Theories of Programming Languages: Algol-like Languages

In this chapter, we introduce a class of languages that combine imperative and functional features in a very different way than the Iswim-like languages of Chapter 13. Algol-like languages are based on normal-order evaluation, and they distinguish two kinds of types, called data types and phrase types. In contrast to Iswim-like languages, they can be implemented by allocating storage on a stack, without any form of garbage collection; thus they are more efficient but more limited in the variety of programs that can be expressed reasonably. They are theoretically cleaner — in particular, β-reduction preserves meaning. Nevertheless, they still exhibit the complications of aliasing that characterized Iswim-like languages. The original Algol-like language, Algol 60, was (along with Lisp) the earliest language to combine a powerful procedure mechanism with imperative features. By intentionally concentrating on the desired behavior of the language rather than its implementation, the designers of Algol 60 raised problems of implementation and definition that were a fruitful challenge over the following decade. In particular, the language inspired the definitional ideas of Strachey and Landin that, paradoxically, led to Iswim-like languages. Since then, a few Algol-like languages, such as Algol W and especially Simula 67, have attracted communities of users. At present, however, the acceptance of Iswim-like languages is far wider. Nevertheless, there has been a spate of theoretical interest in the last decade that suggests the Algol framework may inspire new languages which, if they can overcome the limitations of the stack discipline without compromising linguistic cleanliness, will find significant acceptance.