cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Disparities in breast cancer stage at diagnosis between immigrant and native-born women: A meta-analysis.

Abstract Purpose To synthesize existing observational evidence to identify disparities in stage at breast cancer diagnosis between foreign- and native-born women. We hypothesized immigrant women would be less likely than natives to be diagnosed at a localized stage. Methods Systematic searches for studies detailing stage at breast cancer diagnosis by birthplace in PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science yielded 11 relevant cohort studies from six countries. Odds ratios were pooled using random effects models. Results Foreign-born women were 12% less likely to be diagnosed with breast cancer at a localized stage than natives (OR 0.88, 95% CI 0.82–0.95). A similar disadvantage was observed in immigrants from Asia, Eastern Europe, Latin America and the Caribbean, and developing or in transition nations; immigrants from developed countries experienced the least disparity. Conclusions This meta-analysis confirmed the presence of significant differences in breast cancer stage at diagnosis as per nativity. Across diverse immigrant groups and host countries, foreign-born women were significantly less likely to be diagnosed with localized breast cancer than native women; the magnitude of the disparity varied by region and economic condition of immigrants’ birthplace.
Hydrochorous seed dispersal in riparian forests altered by urbanization

We thank Sarah Eppley, Martin Lafrenz, Joe Maser, and Angela Strecker for their comments on an earlier version of this work. We also thank Troy McKinley, Kristen Meyer, Kristen Purdy, and Neil Robinson, for assistance with fieldwork and laboratory work. We are also grateful for the helpful comments from two anonymous reviewers. This study was funded by the GK-12 Cascades to Coast Doctoral Fellowship (NSF Grant Number 0948041) and grants from the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act and US Forest Service Pacific Northwest Research Station, and the Native Plant Society of Oregon.
The relative effects of physical and verbal discipline and gender variations on adolescents’ bonds to parents: a case of urban China

This study examines the relative effects of physical and verbal discipline on Chinese adolescents’ bonds to parents and whether the relationship between parental discipline and adolescent–parent bo...
Oral cues are not enough: induction of defensive proteins in Nicotiana tabacum upon feeding by caterpillars

The study challenges the general belief that plants are highly sensitive to oral cues of herbivores and reveals the role of the damage level on the magnitude of defense induction. Many leaf-feeding caterpillars share similar feeding behaviors involving repeated removal of previously wounded leaf tissue (semicircle feeding pattern). We hypothesized that this behavior is a strategy to attenuate plant-induced defenses by removing both the oral cues and tissues that detect it. Using tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum) and the tobacco hornworm (Manduca sexta), we found that tobacco increased defensive responses during herbivory compared to mechanical wounding at moderate damage levels (30%). However, tobacco did not differentiate between mechanical wounding and herbivory when the level of leaf tissue loss was either small (4%) or severe (100%, whole leaf removal). Higher amounts of oral cues did not induce higher defenses when damage was small. Severe damage led to the highest level of systemic defense proteins compared to other levels of leaf tissue loss with or without oral cues. In conclusion, we did not find clear evidence that semicircle feeding behavior compromises plant defense induction. In addition, the level of leaf tissue loss and oral cues interact to determine the level of induced defensive responses in tobacco. Although oral cues play an important role in inducing defensive proteins, the level of induction depends more on the level of leaf tissue loss in tobacco.
Chapter 15 – Photoimmunology

Publisher Summary Photoimmunology deals primarily with the effect of the ultraviolet (UV) light on the skin's immune system. This chapter introduces the skin's immune system and discusses the effects of light. The skin and its draining lymph nodes cooperate to provide an effective immune surveillance system. The epidermis is the source of sensitizing as well as tolerizing signals. Based on immuno phenotyping with monoclonal antibodies, they appear to be of bone marrow origin and a unique member of the family of la antigen-hearing cells necessary for the initiation of T cell-dependent immune responses. The expression of tissue-specific homing receptors is accompanied by an expression of corresponding adressins on vasculo-endothelial cells. This promotes the migration of memory T cells into the dermis. After renewed stimulation by antigen-presenting cells, T cells can undergo cloned expansion. The result is the generation of effector cells and molecules that eliminate the pathogen or aggressor agent. Humans may vary in their susceptibility to the UV-induced inhibition of contact hypersensitivity. Human epidermal cells obtained after exposure to UVB radiation are capable of activating suppressor–inducer lymphocytes.
Divalent cations bind to phosphoinositides to induce ion and isomer specific propensities for nano-cluster initiation in bilayer membranes.

We report all-atom molecular dynamics simulations of asymmetric bilayers containing phosphoinositides in the presence of monovalent and divalent cations. We have characterized the molecular mechani...
Review of A History of the Federal Reserve. Volume I (2003) by Allan H. Meltzer

Abstract This is a book review of “A History of the Federal Reserve. Volume I (2003) by Allan H. Meltzer.
Mortality Risks and Life Expectancy Losses from COVID-19 Infections by Age for the United States (preprint)

We look at COVID-19 mortality and expected life expectancy risks by age prior to the development of pharmaceutical treatments for the SARS-CoV-2 virus. A COVID-19 infection more than doubled the annual mortality risks for Americans over sixty. Americans aged sixty or older stand to lose 153 to 222 days of life expectancy from contracting COVID-19 without the benefits of pharmaceutical treatments or vaccines.
Virtual reference feedback tuning applied to cascade control

Virtual reference feedback tuning (VRFT) is a data-driven control method that optimises the response of a closed-loop system to reference tracking at the expense of a not optimised response to disturbance rejection. This work presents the application of VRFT to two cascade control structures usually considered in the control literature to improve the overall closed-loop performance for single-input systems. For both structures, the authors derive the optimal and practical filter formulation to cope with the case where the controller to be designed is underparameterised. Also, in the case where the internal controller is at the feedback path, they derive a new approach that uses data from a single experiment and considers a unique reference model. Simulation examples illustrate the importance of using the VRFT filter, along with the performance improvements obtained from both cascade loops in terms of reference tracking and disturbance rejection.
Nanoparticle and Biomolecule Surface Modification Synergistically Increases Neural Electrode Recording Yield and Minimizes Inflammatory Host Response.

Due to their ability to interface with neural tissues, neural electrodes are the key tool used for neurophysiological studies, electrochemical detection, brain computer interfacing, and countless neuromodulation therapies and diagnostic procedures. However, the long-term applications of neural electrodes are limited by the inflammatory host tissue response, decreasing detectable electrical signals, and insulating the device from the native environment. Surface modification methods are proposed to limit these detrimental responses but each has their own limitations. Here, a combinatorial approach is presented toward creating a stable interface between the electrode and host tissues. First, a thiolated nanoparticle (TNP) coating is utilized to increase the surface area and roughness. Next, the neural adhesion molecule L1 is immobilized to the nanoparticle modified substrate. In vitro, the combined nanotopographical and bioactive modifications (TNP+L1) elevate the bioactivity of L1, which is maintained for 28 d. In vivo, TNP+L1 modification improves the recording performance of the neural electrode arrays compared to TNP or L1 modification alone. Postmortem histology reveals greater neural cell density around the TNP+L1 coating while eliminating any inflammatory microglial encapsulation after 4 weeks. These results demonstrate that nanotopographical and bioactive modifications synergistically produce a seamless neural tissue interface for chronic neural implants.
A Proof-of-Principle Study of Split-Course Bridging Radiotherapy Prior to Commercial CD19 CAR T-Cell Therapies for Patients With Relapsed or Refractory B-Cell Lymphomas.

Purpose/Objective(s) Chimeric antigen receptor T-cell therapies (CART) have revolutionized the treatment of aggressive B-cell lymphomas. Bridging radiotherapy (BRT) may serve two roles including cytoreduction and potential immune augmentation but has not been prospectively studied. Preclinical data suggests maximal tumor sensitization occurs roughly 4 days after irradiation, but the safety of administering RT just prior to CART is unknown. Materials/Methods This is a single arm, Phase I trial designed to describe the feasibility and safety of a standardized BRT regimen prior to standard of care, commercial, anti-CD19 CART. The BRT approach will be a novel split-course program (SC-BRT) delivered in 2 phases following apheresis to exploit BRT's dual roles. Phase I will deliver 3 Gy x 9 fractions using ISRT focally to areas requiring cytoreduction/palliation prior to conditioning chemotherapy. Later, following conditioning chemotherapy, and immediately prior to CART-T cell infusion, Phase II will deliver 3 Gy x 1 comprehensively to all sites of PET avid disease. The larger field, low-dose RT is principally to condition tumor cells to CART-mediated death. Eligible patients will have an aggressive B-cell lymphoma, be planned for any commercial CART product, and not be expected to receive any form of systemic bridging therapy. The primary aim is the safety of SC-BRT at day +30 post CART and will be structured using 3+3 rules with the possibility of an expansion cohort. Secondary aims include feasibility of using ISRT principles for comprehensive BRT and several efficacy outcomes. Exploratory outcomes include tissue and blood correlatives. Tumor biopsies will be obtained pre-BRT, post BRT Phase I and day +7 after CART, enabling mechanistic investigation of immune augmentation. Results In total, we intend to enroll 23-26 patients on this protocol with 2 years of post-treatment follow-up. The protocol is currently under IRB review and we would present the detailed design and early results at the conference. Conclusion To our knowledge, this is the first prospective study of BRT administered systematically with a cellular therapy. This study may serve as the clinical foundation for a novel, expanded role for RT in the treatment of B-cell lymphomas. Furthermore, the correlative program aims to expand our understanding of the impact of both RT and RT+CART on tumor signaling and the lymphoma microenvironment.
Differential Forms and Hermitian Geometry

In this chapter we collect the technical tools from the calculus of differential forms and from complex differential geometry which will be needed in the following chapters. Section 1 deals with differentiable manifolds; the principal goal here is a thorough understanding of Stokes’ Theorem in the language of differential forms. In §2 we discuss the additional structures which arise when the manifold under consideration is complex. The main topics here are the natural intrinsic complex structure on the (real) tangent space of a complex manifold M, the direct sum decomposition of the algebra of complex valued differential forms into forms of type (p, q), 0 ≤ p, q ≤ dimℂ M, and the Cauchy-Riemann complex with its associated ∂-cohomology groups. In §3 we discuss the elementary aspects of Riemannian geometry in ℂ n in complex form. Of major importance for our purposes are the inner product of differential forms defined by integration over regions in ℂ n , the Hodge *- operator, which allows us to freely go back and forth between the geometric inner product and the algebraic wedge product of forms, the various formulas for integration by parts, and the natural differential operators associated to the Cauchy-Riemann operator, i.e., the (formal) adjoint ϑof ∂ and the complex Laplacian \( \square = \vartheta \overline \partial + \overline \partial \vartheta . \). In this paragraph, which is more computational than the preceding ones, we consider only the case of ℂ n rather than general Hermitian manifolds; not only does this simplify matters quite a bit, but it allows us to state certain basic formulas in exact form without having to introduce the numerous error terms which occur in the general setting.
Ultra-Wideband Impulse SAR for Foliage and Ground Penetration

SRI International has designed and fielded ultra-wideband (UWB) impulse radar systems on a wide variety of platforms and for a large number of applications since the early 1970s. Early work included archaeological exploration in Egypt, rain forest terrain surveys in Indonesia, and a helicopter survey of the Alaska pipeline. These early projects typically involved downward-looking line profiles, but more recently SRI began to develop synthetic aperture radar (SAR) systems for both foliage- and ground-penetration applications. The current hardware is known as FOLPEN II (second generation FOLiage PENetration).
Macrophage Supply and Demand at the Core of the Necrotic Granuloma.

Central necrosis of granulomas is linked to progression of major diseases, including tuberculosis and atherosclerosis. In this issue of Cell Host & Microbe, Pagan et al. (2015) reveal that necrotic granulomas develop when macrophage supply is insufficient. These findings suggest augmenting macrophage availability as a therapeutic strategy in tuberculosis.
Initial results for airframe shadowing in L- and C-band air-ground channels

In order to ensure the reliability of unmanned aircraft system (UAS) control and non-payload communication (CNPC) systems, comprehensive characterization of the air-ground (AG) radio propagation channel is vital. As part of the UAS integration into the National Airspace System (NAS), NASA's Glenn Research Center has sponsored an AG channel measurement and modeling campaign in the two UAS CNPC bands (L-band centered at 968 MHz and C-band at 5060 MHz). Measurements have been made in multiple ground site environments with a customized dual-band single-input/multiple-output (SIMO) channel sounder. In this paper we report on experimental data collected in Cleveland, OH, in which airframe shadowing occurred. Airframe shadowing (or blockage, obstruction) is a channel impairment that has not been well characterized. When shadowing occurs, typically during flight maneuvers such as banking turns, the line-of-sight (LOS) signal may be blocked by the aircraft wing or fuselage. This blockage can cause significant attenuation, in some cases enough to sever the communication link. In this paper we provide a brief motivation for our study, describe the measurements, then quantitatively characterize initial airframe shadowing results in the two UAS bands. We provide statistics on shadowing depth and duration. Small scale fading behavior and spatial correlation of multiple aircraft antennas during shadowing events are also compared with those in LOS conditions.
Use of sedative, analgesic, and anesthetic drugs during labor and delivery: Bane or boon?

Abstract The use of sedative, analgesic, and anesthetic drugs during labor and delivery has come to be viewed as potentially dangerous to both the mother and the fetus. Apnea of the newborn infant secondary to use of these agents at high doses, frequently observed during the 1930's and 1940's, was proposed earlier as a major cause of brain injury at birth. In contrast to this view of these agents as excessively dangerous, recent animal experimental studies suggest they instead offer the possibility of preventing fetal asphyxia or, if fetal asphyxia is present, reducing its severity, i.e., they offer the possibility of therapeutic intervention in the circumstance of asphyxia of the fetus. These agents may act therapeutically by: (1) depressing fetal brain metabolism, thus increasing fetal tolerance to asphyxia; (2) increasing the oxygen supply to the fetus by diminishing maternal sympathetic nervous system activity, decreasing uterine blood vessel tone, and improving uterine blood flow; (3) diminishing the forces of labor, further increasing net oxygen transfer to the asphyxiated fetus; (4) moderating any large increases in maternal and fetal serum glucose concentration. A high concentration of glucose in the serum significantly and sometimes dramatically increases the pathologic response of the brain to asphyxia by augmenting the extent to which lactic acid accumulates in brain tissue during asphyxia. A high lactic acid concentration in brain tissue causes the development of brain edema and tissue necrosis. These experimental studies suggest that the role of sedative, analgesis, and anesthetic drugs used during pregnancy and labor has been greatly misunderstood and that their status within obstetrics requires careful re-examination.
Efficacy of the Rat Bioassay for the Determination of Biologically Available Vitamin B-6

Research was conducted to evaluate the merits of rat bioassays in studies concerning the bioavailability of vitamin B-6. A protocol was devised, which included pair-feeding and prevention of coprophagy. Plasma pyridoxal 5'-phosphate (PLP) was measured by a rapid chromatographic method as an indicator of vitamin B-6 status. Pyridoxamine and pyridoxal exhibited 70% molar activity relative to pyridoxine at suboptimal dietary levels. Selected foods (spinach, cornmeal and potato) were evaluated at three dietary levels with this protocol. Analysis of dose-response curves (dietary vitamin B-6 vs. plasma PLP) by slope-ratio methods yielded imprecise estimates of the relative vitamin B-6 bioavailability. This low precision, in addition to the potential for interference by direct absorption of B-6 vitamers synthesized by intestinal microflora, indicates the need for improved methods for measurement of biologically available vitamin B-6. It was concluded that rat bioassay methods, even as modified here, may be frequently unsuitable for use in studies of vitamin B-6 bioavailability. Results presented provide further support for the use of plasma PLP as an indicator of vitamin B-6 nutriture.
Mass, volume, center of mass, and mass moment of inertia of head and head and neck of human body

Abstract : The mass, volume, center of mass and mass moment of inertia of the head and neck and the head were determined for twenty human male cadavers. Anthropometric values and anatomic landmarks were obtained by external measurements and by use of x-ray procedures. The procedures used to determine the above measurements are described. Uniform planes for the separation of the head and neck from the torso and separation of the head from the neck were established and are described in detail. The values of the physical properties of the head and neck and the head are tabulated and compared to data reported in previous studies.
Generalized Pattern Frequency in Large Permutations

In the study of permutations, generalized patterns extend classical patterns by adding the requirement that certain adjacent integers in a pattern must be adjacent in the permutation. For any generalized pattern $\pi_0^*$ of length $k$ with $1 \leq b \leq k$ blocks, we prove that for all $\mu > 0$, there exists $0 < c =c(k, \mu) < 1$ so that whenever $n \geq n_0(k, \mu, c)$, all but $c^n n!$ many $\pi \in S_n$ admit $(1 \pm \mu) \tfrac{1}{k!}\tbinom{n}{b}$ occurrences of $\pi_0^*$. Up to the choice of $c$, this result is best possible for all $\pi_0^*$ with $k \geq 2$. We also give a lower bound on avoidance of the generalized pattern $12$-$34$, which answers a question of S. Elizalde (2006).
Boosting output distributions in finite blocklength channel coding converse bounds

Point-to-point channel coding is studied in the finite blocklength regime. Many existing converse bounds involve an optimization over a distribution on the channel output. This paper provides a method for generating good, if not optimal, output distributions. In particular, given any candidate output distribution, a “boosting” procedure is given that constructs a new distribution which improves the converse bound derived from the divergence spectrum. For discrete memoryless channels, it is shown that using the i.i.d. capacity-achieving output distribution as an initial guess in this procedure results in an output distribution that is good enough to derive the third-order coding rate for most channels. The finite blocklengths bounds are then applied to the Z channel.
Frozen red blood cells in combat casualty care: clinical and logistical considerations.

Objective To test the hypothesis that a supply of frozen red blood cells and a system for processing pyrogen-free crystalloid solution would meet the needs of an echelon 3 medical treatment facility in the U.S. military, caring for casualties during the initial phase of a military medical operation. Data sources Blood requirements for potential combat casualties were estimated from transfusion data on: (1) patients admitted to Boston City Hospital following trauma, utilizing a computerized data base, (2) patients admitted to the Naval Support Hospital-Da Nang during the Vietnam War, from 1966 to 1970, from published and unpublished material, and (3) casualties estimated by Department of Defense expert panels for specific conflicts. The procedure for processing frozen red blood cells was evaluated at the Naval Blood Research Laboratory. Estimates of wounded in action were provided by the Department of Defense. Data synthesis Computer modeling using standard spreadsheet software on a personal computer. Conclusions Under military conditions, a frozen red blood cell bank and a system for processing pyrogen-free resuscitative fluid could be used to prepare 96 units of red cells and 960 1 of crystalloid solution per day. This would be adequate to treat approximately 180 casualties, the number projected for a 5-day battle with heavy casualties (6 wounded in action/1,000 soldiers/day). It was concluded that a frozen blood bank system and system for processing pyrogen-free resuscitative fluid could successfully meet the needs of an echelon 3 medical facility in the initial phase of a military medical operation.
Leghemoglobin I. CHANGES IN CONFORMATION AND CHEMICAL REACTIVITY LINKED TO REACTION WITH ACETIC ACID

Abstract Ferric leghemoglobin α forms a spectrally demonstrable complex with acetic acid. In the presence of acetic acid the rate of reduction of ferric leghemoglobin α by dithionite is reduced markedly. Over three orders of magnitude of rate, the rate of reduction of ferric leghemoglobin α by dithionite is proportional to the fraction of uncombined leghemoglobin. The simplest interpretation of this finding is that the complex of leghemoglobin α with acetic acid is reduced by dithionite either not at all or very much more slowly than free leghemoglobin. Binding of acetic acid to leghemoglobin α is identically linked to binding of fluoride. Fluoride is known to ligate to the heme iron atom of leghemoglobin, and a simple explanation of the data is that acetic acid and fluoride compete for binding to the heme iron atom. However an alternative possibility, also compatible with the present data, is that acetic acid binds to leghemoglobin elsewhere than at the heme to bring about a linked allosteric change in the configuration of the heme. That configurational change may involve ligation of a carboxyl side chain of the protein to the heme iron atom.
A topological characterization of the stable and minimal model classes of propositional logic programs

In terms of the arithmetic hierarchy, the complexity of the set of minimal models and of the set of stable models of a propositional general logic program has previously been described. However, not every set of interpretations of this level of complexity is obtained as such a set. In this paper we identify the sets of interpretations which are minimal or stable model classes by their properties in an appropriate topology on the space of interpretations. Closely connected with the topological characterization, in parallel with results previously known for stable model classes we obtain for minimal model classes both a normal-form representation as the set of minimal models of a prerequisite-free program and a logical description in terms of formulas. Our approach centers on the relation which we establish between stable and minimal model classes. We include examples of calculations which can be performed by these methods. Let P be a propositional general logic program over a finite or countably infinite set U of atoms. Recall that an interpretation for P is a subset of U. By a model of P we mean an interpretation S c_ U which is closed under Te; by a minimal model of P we mean a model S of P such that no proper subset S' ~ S is a model of P; and by a stable model of P we mean a set S _C U such that S = least fixpoint of T~Ls(t,), where GLs(P) is the Gelfond-Lifschit z transform of program P with respect to S defined in [3]. Let Mod(P), Min(P), and Stab(P) denote, respectively, the set of models, minimal models, and stable models of P. For a given program P, we see that these classes are related by
What can we learn from performance assessment? The system and practice in an academic library

Purpose – The purpose of this study is to promote a better understanding of performance assessment (PA) as a managerial means via analyses and discussion of the system and practice in an academic library.Design/methodology/approach – One existing PA system of a university library is presented. Descriptive analyses of two specific system‐inherent problems, respectively: weighting scheme of the evaluated criteria and disqualification of the immediate supervisor as rater, are conducted. The purpose of PA is addressed with reference to PA and pay linkage. Circular supervision as an effective element to ultimately eliminate individual errors in an administration is discussed.Findings – The PA system and practice of CL are flawed. First, the weighting scheme of the evaluated categories is so allocated that the least measurable category has the overriding power. Second, the most qualified evaluator (the direct supervisor) is deprived of the numeric rating vote. Third, the end ratings from the PA lead to unfair m...
Cost-effectiveness of standard vs intensive antibiotic regimens for transrectal ultrasonography (TRUS)-guided prostate biopsy prophylaxis.

Study Type – Diagnostic (cost effectiveness analysis) Level of Evidence 3a What's known on the subject? and What does the study add? Multiple studies have shown an increase in the hospital admission rates due to infectious complications after transrectal ultrasonography (TRUS)-guided prostate biopsy (TRUSBx), mostly related to a rise in the prevalence of fluoroquinolone-resistant organisms. As a result, multiple series have advocated the use of more intensive prophylactic antibiotic regimens to augment the effect of the widely used fluoroquinolone prophylaxis for TRUSBx. The present study compares the cost-effectiveness fluoroquinolone prophylaxis to more intensive prophylactic antibiotic regimens, which is an important consideration for any antibiotic regimen used on a wide-scale for TRUSBx prophylaxis. OBJECTIVE • To compare the cost-effectiveness of fluoroquinolones vs intensive antibiotic regimens for transrectal ultrasonography (TRUS)-guided prostate biopsy (TRUSBx) prophylaxis. PATIENTS AND METHODS • Risk of hospital admission for infectious complications after TRUSBx was determined from published data. • The average cost of hospital admission due to post-biopsy infection was determined from patients admitted to our University hospital ≤1 week of TRUSBx. • A decision tree analysis was created to compare cost-effectiveness of standard vs intensive antibiotic prophylactic regimens based on varying risk of infection, cost, and effectiveness of the intensive antibiotic regimen. RESULTS • Baseline assumption included cost of TRUSBx ($559), admission rate (1%), average cost of admission ($5900) and cost of standard and intensive antibiotic regimens of $1 and $33, respectively. • Assuming a 50% risk reduction in admission rates with intensive antibiotics, the standard regimen was slightly less costly with average cost of $619 vs $622, but was associated with twice as many infections. • Sensitivity analyses found that a 1.1% risk of admission for quinolone-resistant infections or a 54% risk reduction attributed to the more intensive antibiotic regimen will result in cost-equivalence for the two regimens. • Three-way sensitivity analyses showed that small increases in probability of admission using the standard antibiotics or greater risk reduction using the intensive regimen result in the intensive prophylactic regimen becoming substantially more cost-effectiveness even at higher costs. CONCLUSION • As the risk of admission for infectious complications due to TRUSBx increases, use of an intensive prophylactic antibiotic regimen becomes significantly more cost-effective than current standard antibiotic prophylaxis.
Satellite remote sensing of wetlands

To conserve and manage wetland resources, it is important to inventoryand monitor wetlands and their adjacent uplands. Satellite remote sensing hasseveral advantages for monitoring wetland resources, especially for largegeographic areas. This review summarizes the literature on satellite remotesensing of wetlands, including what classification techniques were mostsuccessful in identifying wetlands and separating them from other land covertypes. All types of wetlands have been studied with satellite remote sensing.Landsat MSS, Landsat TM, and SPOT are the major satellite systems that have beenused to study wetlands; other systems are NOAA AVHRR, IRS-1B LISS-II and radarsystems, including JERS-1, ERS-1 and RADARSAT. Early work with satellite imageryused visual interpretation for classification. The most commonly used computerclassification method to map wetlands is unsupervised classification orclustering. Maximum likelihood is the most common supervised classificationmethod. Wetland classification is difficult because of spectral confusion withother landcover classes and among different types of wetlands. However,multi-temporal data usually improves the classification of wetlands, as doesancillary data such as soil data, elevation or topography data. Classifiedsatellite imagery and maps derived from aerial photography have been comparedwith the conclusion that they offer different but complimentary information.Change detection studies have taken advantage of the repeat coverage andarchival data available with satellite remote sensing. Detailed wetland maps canbe updated using satellite imagery. Given the spatial resolution of satelliteremote sensing systems, fuzzy classification, subpixel classification, spectralmixture analysis, and mixtures estimation may provide more detailed informationon wetlands. A layered, hybrid or rule-based approach may give better resultsthan more traditional methods. The combination of radar and optical data providethe most promise for improving wetland classification.
Linear Cutting Concept Improves Health and Safety for Miners

Research results by the Bureau of Mines are presented for a major area or effort addressing a long term solution to problems associated with health and safety aspects of rotary drum mining machines. Proof-of-concept testing for the Bureau's constant depth linear cutting concept is described. The concept uses a triangular drum, mounted on an eccentric arm, cutting to a free face at low rpm. Preliminary comparative test results, for synthetic coal, between the linear cutting concept and a standard rotary reduces entrained respirable dust by more than 95 pct, reduces -1/4-in-mesh product by more than 50 pct and, reduces horsepower by approximately 70 pct. These results are used to calculate the power requirements for a new, all diesel mining system to improve both miner health and safety, as well as productivity, while reducing costs.
Angular Distribution of Fission Fragments from 22-Mev Proton-Induced Fission of U 238 , U 235 , U 233 , Th 232 , and Th 230

Angular distributions of several fission fragments from 22-Mev proton-induced fission of ${\mathrm{U}}^{238}$, ${\mathrm{U}}^{235}$, ${\mathrm{U}}^{233}$, ${\mathrm{Th}}^{232}$, and ${\mathrm{Th}}^{230}$ were measured. The data are fitted to $N(\ensuremath{\theta})=a+b{cos}^{2}\ensuremath{\theta}$ where $b$ ranges from $0.08a$ to $0.28a$. The coefficients for possible "$cos\ensuremath{\theta}$" terms (i.e., terms asymmetric about 90 deg) are no larger than $0.01a$. In every case, asymmetric fission gives more anisotropic angular distributions than symmetric fission. The anisotropy in symmetric fission is about the same for all target elements; in asymmetric fission, the thorium isotopes have larger anisotropies than the uranium isotopes. Among the latter, the anisotropies are quite similar for ${\mathrm{U}}^{238}$ and ${\mathrm{U}}^{235}$, but somewhat smaller for ${\mathrm{U}}^{233}$. Explanations for various aspects of the phenomena are proposed.
Higher baseline serum uric acid is associated with poorer cognition but not rates of cognitive decline in women

Serum uric acid is a powerful antioxidant that may have neuroprotective properties. While some studies have found that greater serum uric acid is associated with better cognition in older adults, it is also associated with numerous vascular risk factors that increase risk for dementia. Women may also be particularly vulnerable to the vascular effects of elevated uric acid. We previously found that mildly elevated serum uric acid is a biomarker of cognitive dysfunction in older adults, and that this likely is mediated by cerebral ischemic burden. Here we examine both cross-sectional and longitudinal associations between serum uric acid and declines in cognition and functioning in 423 cognitively healthy community-dwelling older women in the Women's Health and Aging Study (WHAS II). We hypothesized that higher serum uric acid would be associated with poorer concurrent functioning and greater declines over 9 years. In linear regression analyses, higher baseline serum uric acid was associated with poorer working memory, with a trend toward slower manual speed and dexterity before and after adjusting for baseline serum uric acid, demographic and health/cardiovascular variables. However, there were no associations for global cognitive functioning, learning/memory, sequencing, verbal fluency, or visuoconstruction. Mixed effects models also revealed no association with subsequent cognitive declines. Future research should examine changes in serum uric acid at earlier periods in the lifespan and their relationships with later cognitive declines.
New design of multiple-active-region electrically pumped VCSELs and edge-emitting lasers

A novel injection multi-active-region cascade laser with high output power, low threshold, small beam divergence, and high inter-modal discrimination is described. The cascade laser is formed by a periodic structure of stacked double- heterostructure diodes electrically connected by low- resistance tunnel junctions. The laser cavity is designed to match the nodes of the optical mode with the tunnel junctions and the antinodes-with the gain layers. We have considered both the cascade vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser (cascade VCSEL) and the cascade edge-emitting laser. In the multi-layer VCSEL with the multi-active-region cavity, the combined effect of increased net gain and distributed feedback allows an increased output from the Fabry-Perot resonator with mirrors of reduced reflectivity. The edge-emitting cascade laser represents a phase-locked laser array with a strong overall inter-element optical coupling. Maximum packing density of the active regions can be achieved in the common confinement cascade laser with weak optical confinement within a single array element. High inter-modal discrimination in the periodic laser structure with concentrated gain and absorption allows us to design a laser that operates in the in-phase mode with the tunnel junctions and gain layers placed in every second node and antinode of the mode, respectively.
Comparative effects of cut and treated seed tubers vs untreated whole seed tubers on seed decay, Rhizoctonia stem canker, growth, and yield of Russet Burbank potatoes

Whole seed tubers have been reported to have performance advantages over seed tubers that have been cut, even if the cut tuber pieces are treated with a fungicide dust. For this study, whole seed tubers were compared to cut seedpieces and to cut seedpieces treated with four different commercial fungicide dusts for five consecutive seasons. A new field generation 3 Russet Burbank seed lot was used for each of the five years of this study. Both whole tubers and cut seedpieces were inoculated withFusarium spp., and the seedpieces were then treated with a fungicide dust. Inoculated and uninoculated untreated controls were also included. Emergence,Fusarium seed decay,Rhizoctonia stem canker, stem numbers, and vigor, as well as yield and grade data were obtained.Rhizoctonia stem canker in stems grown from whole seed tubers was significantly higher than in stems from seedpieces receiving fungicide treatment in several of the study years. Predicting whole seed tuber performance is difficult because performance varies more from year to year than performance of cut and treated seedpieces. Yield performance of whole seed tubers was not significantly better than cut and fungicide-treated seedpieces in any experimental year, and yield of large (over 280 g) tubers was significantly less than that recorded for two of the treatments when data from all five years were combined. This study demonstrated that untreated whole seed did not outperform cut and treated seedpieces for vigor, stem numbers, disease ratings, or yield in small plot comparisons for five consecutive seasons.
Kinematic analysis of diseased and adjacent segments in degenerative lumbar spondylolisthesis.

Abstract Background context Degenerative spondylolisthesis is a common pathologic condition that leads to lumbar instability and significant clinical symptoms. The effect of this pathology on adjacent lumbar motion segments, however, has not yet been studied. Purpose To characterize the motion characteristics of lumbar degenerative spondylolisthesis at both the diseased and adjacent levels in patients with low-grade, single-level lumbar degenerative spondylolisthesis using kinetic magnetic resonance imaging (kMRI). Study design Retrospective study of patient kMRIs. Patient sample One-hundred twelve patient MRIs with low-grade, single-level lumbar spondylolisthesis were included. Outcome measures Angular and translational motion. Methods This study compared 112 patients diagnosed with low-grade (Grade 1 or 2), single-level lumbar degenerative spondylolisthesis at L3–L4, L4–L5, or L5–S1 with 296 control patients without spondylolisthesis. Angular and translational motion were measured using patient kMRIs. The level of slip was graded according to the Meyerding classification system, and disc degeneration was classified according to the Pfirrmann system. Instability was defined as translational motion greater than 4 mm. Results Lumbar hypomobility was often present regardless of the level of degenerative spondylolisthesis. A slip at L3–L4 resulted in the largest decrease in lumbar range of motion. Instability at the diseased level was most common at L3–L4 (36%), followed by L5–S1 (31%) and L4–L5 (30%). Instability at the adjacent segments was most frequent at L4–L5 (49%), followed by L5–S1 (34%) and L3–L4 (23%). Patients with stable spondylolisthesis generally had decreased angular motion at all lumbar levels. Translational motion at the diseased level was consistently increased. Disc degeneration was significantly greater at the level of slip for the L3–L4 and L4–L5 spondylolisthesis groups and equal to the control group in the L5–S1 group. There was no significant difference in disc degeneration at adjacent segments in L3–L4 and L4–L5 degenerative spondylolisthesis patients, but there was a significant decrease with an L5–S1 slip. Conclusions There were a similar percentage of patients in each degenerative spondylolisthesis group with lumbar instability. Angular motion decreased at the diseased level with L3–L4 and L5–S1 spondylolisthesis, but increased with L4–L5 spondylolisthesis. Translational motion, however, increased at the diseased level in all three groups. There was compensatory hypermobility at adjacent levels in patients with unstable spondylolisthesis at L3–L4 and L4–L5, but not at L5–S1.
Indirect percutaneous cannula construction.

Abstract The authors have described one alternative to a percutaneous catheter design applicable to either the thorax or abdomen. Although the catheter must exit from the abdominal wall, the proximal end can be directed into the thorax via the peritoneal cavity. This indirect method for long-term cannula placement utilizing an isolated ileal segment has been designed for use either as a peritoneal dialysis or as an umbilical power transmission cord to power implanted artificial hearts or assist devices. The surgical procedure was technically simple and straightforward when using the canine as a model. The alternative animal model was the goat, which proved to be a poor selection for a variety of reasons. A possible method for cannula stabilization has been included in a diagram but has not yet been reduced to practice (Fig. 7).
CSF levels of diazepam-binding inhibitor correlate with REM latency in schizophrenia, a pilot study

CSF diazepam-binding inhibitor-like immunoreactivity (DBI-LI) and polysomnography were studied in 28 drug-free male schizophrenic (DSM-III-R) patients. They underwent a three-night polysomnography evaluation and a lumbar puncture. CSF DBI-LI correlated positively with REM latency, the REM latency/2d nonREM period ratio and stage-4% sleep, and negatively with stage-1% sleep. CSF DBI-LI did not correlate significantly with duration of sleep or sleep latency. CSF DBI-LI during haloperidol treatment did not correlate significantly with sleep EEG measures. The results of this first study of the relationship between endogenous DBI and sleep in humans suggest that physiological effects of DBI other than interactions with the BZD/GABAA receptor complex may explain its positive effects on sleep. However, the absence of similar sleep data in normal subjects precludes us from establishing a specific relationship between DBI and sleep in schizophrenia.
Follow the Sun Workflow in Global Software Development

Follow the sun (FTS) has interesting appeal-hand off work at the end of every day from one site to the next, many time zones away, in order to speed up product development. Although the potential effect on "time to market" can be profound, at least conceptually, FTS has enjoyed few documented industry successes because it is acknowledged to be extremely difficult to implement. In order to address this "FTS challenge," we provide here a conceptual foundation and formal definition of FTS. We then analyze the conditions under which FTS can be successful in reducing duration in software development. We show that handoff efficiency is paramount to successful FTS practices and that duration can be reduced only when lower within-site coordination and improved personal productivity outweigh the corresponding increase in crosssite coordination. We also develop 12 research propositions based on fundamental issues surrounding FTS, such as calendar efficiency, development method, product architecture and handoff efficiency, within-site coordination, cross-site coordination, and personal productivity. We combine the conceptual analysis with a description of our FTS exploratory comparative field studies and draw out their key findings and learning. The main implication of this paper is that understanding calendar efficiency, handoff efficiency, within-site coordination, and cross-site coordination is necessary to evaluation-if FTS is to be successful in reducing software development duration.
Selective neuroanatomical plasticity and division of labour in the honeybee

The mushroom bodies in the protocerebrum are believed to be the structures of the insect brain most closely associated with higher-order sensory integration and learning. Drosophila melanogaster mutants with olfactory learning deficits have anatomically abnormal mushroom bodies or altered patterns of gene expression in mushroom body neurons. In addition, anatomical reorganization of the mushroom bodies occurs in adult flies, and possibly in adult honeybees; disturbance of electrical activity in this region disrupts memory formation in honeybees. Little is known, however, about the relationship of naturally occurring anatomical changes in the mushroom bodies to naturally occurring behavioural plasticity. We now report that age-based division of labour in adult worker honeybees (Apis mellifera) is associated with substantial changes in certain brain regions, notably the mushroom bodies. Moreover, these striking changes in brain structure are dependent, not on the age of the bee, but on its foraging experience, thus demonstrating a robust anatomical plasticity associated with complex behaviour in an adult insect.
MORPHISMS OF SIMPLE TRACIALLY AF ALGEBRAS

Let A, B be separable simple unital tracially AF C*-algebras. Assuming that A is exact and satisfies the Universal Coefficient Theorem (UCT) in KK-theory, we prove the existence, and uniqueness modulo approximately inner automorphisms, of nuclear *-homomorphisms from A to B with prescribed K-theory data. This implies the AF-embeddability of separable exact residually finite-dimensional C*-algebras satisfying the UCT and reproves Huaxin Lin's theorem on the classification of nuclear tracially AF C*-algebras.