cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Comparisons of Reflectivities from the TRMM Precipitation Radar and Ground-Based Radars

Given the decade long and highly successful Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM), it is now possible to provide quantitative comparisons between ground-based radars (GRs) with the space-borne TRMM precipitation radar (PR) with greater certainty over longer time scales in various tropical climatological regions. This study develops an automated methodology to match and compare simultaneous TRMM PR and GR reflectivities at four primary TRMM Ground Validation (GV) sites: Houston, Texas (HSTN); Melbourne, Florida (MELB); Kwajalein, Republic of the Marshall Islands (KWAJ); and Darwin, Australia (DARW). Data from each instrument are resampled into a three-dimensional Cartesian coordinate system. The horizontal displacement during the PR data resampling is corrected. Comparisons suggest that the PR suffers significant attenuation at lower levels especially in convective rain. The attenuation correction performs quite well for convective rain but appears to slightly over-correct in stratiform rain. The PR and GR observations at HSTN, MELB and KWAJ agree to about 1 dB on average with a few exceptions, while the GR at DARW requires +1 to -5 dB calibration corrections. One of the important findings of this study is that the GR calibration offset is dependent on the reflectivity magnitude. Hence, we propose that the calibration should be carried out using a regression correction, rather than simply adding an offset value to all GR reflectivities. This methodology is developed towards TRMM GV efforts to improve the accuracy of tropical rain estimates, and can also be applied to the proposed Global Precipitation Measurement and other related activities over the globe.
Inhibition of PKC β by ruboxistaurin 'RBX' does not enhance the blood pressure 'BP' response to glyceryl trinitrate 'GTN'

Background Activation of PKC β by hyperglycemia impairs endothelial- and nitric oxide (NO)-dependent vasodilation. RBX, a specific inhibitor of PKC β undergoing clinical testing for the treatment of diabetic microvascular complications, normalizes NO signaling in diabetic animals and restores vascular function. This study assessed a possible interaction between RBX and the exogenous NO donor, GTN, on BP. Methods A randomized, double masked, placebo (PL)-controlled, 2 period crossover study was performed in 21 stable angina pectoris subjects. RBX (96 mg/d; 3x the therapeutic dose) or PL was given orally to steady state. Graded GTN was then infused with dose escalation until discontinued for hypotension or when 120 mcg/min was achieved. Primary treatment comparison was the slope of the change in standing systolic BP from predose (ΔSSBP)/ ln(GTN dose) curve. Treatment difference in ΔSSBP at a GTN rate producing a 10 mmHg fall with PL treatment (GTN*) was also assessed. Results RBX did not alter the slope of ΔSSBP/ ln(GTN dose) curve (p=0.272 ANCOVA) or affect the ΔSSBP at the 8.44 mcg/min GTN* rate (mean −0.9 mmHg; 95% CI −3.3, 1.5). Conclusion Ruboxistaurin can be coadministered with organic nitrates as it does not potentiate their BP lowering effect. Clinical Pharmacology & Therapeutics (2005) 77, P15–P15; doi: 10.1016/j.clpt.2004.11.060
Protease inhibitor–associated angiolipomatosis

Treatment with protease inhibitors in some persons infected with HIV-1 is associated with a syndrome of lipodystrophy manifesting as peripheral lipoatrophy, relative central adiposity, insulin resistance, and serum lipid abnormalities. We report 3 cases of HIV-1 infected patients who experienced symptomatic angiolipomas shortly after starting antiretroviral therapy including the protease inhibitor indinavir. The mechanism behind this observation may be similar to that of previously reported protease inhibitor-associated fat redistribution, but instead involving the adipose tissue of discrete uncommon benign tumors.
A study of collision broadening in the O2 A-band with the noble gases using fourier transform spectroscopy

Abstract Fourier transform spectroscopy has been used to record the absorption line shapes for rotational transitions in the Δ v =0, b 1 Σ g + ←X 3 Σ g − band of O 2 in the presence of the noble gases. We determined angular momentum dependent collision broadening coefficients for each noble gas using the Lorentzian widths that were extracted from Voigt fits to the line shapes. The values were largest at low J ′′ and, on average, decreased by 39% for the highest J ′′ states. Ten “scaling/fitting laws” designed for the analysis of rotational energy transfer data were fit to the broadening cross-section data. Both the angular momentum based ECS-P and the energy based EPGL-0 descriptions accurately represented the data across the entire range of rotational levels probed in this study. Pressure-induced line shifting was also studied in the O 2 –Xe collision system. The pressure shifts were all negative.
Protein Trajectory Reconstruction Strategies from FRET-Derived Distance Constraints

Critical to almost all biological processes, proteins are truly the cell's functional building blocks. The remarkable specificity and diversity of protein function are consequences of native conformational fluctuations, or protein dynamics, in the aqueous cytoplasmic environment. While crystallographic and NMR-based methods have dramatically improved our structural interpretation of proteins, extending that knowledge to predict and describe these dynamic processes remains a major open challenge. Merging Forster Resonance Energy Transfer (FRET) data from single molecule experiments with Elastic-Network protein Models (ENM), we reconstruct dynamic adenlyate kinase (ADK) trajectories over extended time scales and throughout its catalytic process.With exceptional temporal resolution, single-molecule FRET experiments can produce inter-residue distance traces between modified residues within a single protein. Here, this distance is treated as a perturbation of the equilibrium distance from the PDB structure, reduced to an elastic network with only one alpha-carbon atom at each node. Normal Mode Analysis (NMA) reveals the natural directions of motion most responsible for the (inter-residue) distance perturbation, and these same eigen modes inform the geometry of all other (non-tagged) nodes. By reconstructing the entire protein network at each FRET time point, we have determined a maximum-likelihood estimation of the protein trajectory and can analyze the spatial dynamics of regions both proximal and distal to the tagged residues. Moreover, we suggest an automated solution for the non-trivial dye placement of fluorophore pairs that maximize information content of resultant distance traces. The combination of FRET data and ENM techniques access timescales beyond those of MD, but we show agreement between our method and atomistic ADK simulations from different starting structures in smaller temporal windows.
The Role of Indifference in Split-Ticket Voting

Previous studies of split-ticket voting have demonstrated that partisan ambivalence—countervailing affective cross-pressure that decreases preference stability—is positively related to an individual’s likelihood of casting a split ballot. While these findings are intuitive, recent methodological work regarding the measurement of ambivalence hints that indifference—i.e. the complete absence of affective political attachments—should produce a stronger positive effect on split-ticket voting than ambivalence. If partisan considerations are not central to the self-image of indifferent voters—who have little cognitive or emotional attachments from which they draw politically-relevant information—then they should be very likely to cast split ballots given that their nominal partisan attachments are only tentatively related to electoral choice. Drawing upon this distinction, I disaggregate indifferent individuals (i.e. those voters who are neither positively nor negatively oriented towards the parties) from ambivalent ones (i.e. those voters who possess mixed or conflicting affective attachments to both parties) and demonstrate that indifference has a greater positive effect on an individual’s propensity to engage in split-ticketing. I then show how the prevailing interval-level operationalization of ambivalence underestimates the true effect of indifference on split-ticketing.
Island in the street: analyzing the function of gang violence from a culture and conflict perspective

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is twofold: first, to examine the components of a gang culture in conflict with society, and second, to explore how gangs, the community, and law enforcers externalize the gang problem from the vantage point of worldview and worldmaking. Design/methodology/approach – The researcher gathered news articles from the Nexus-Lexis research database system within a one-year period (from February 2012 to February 2013). The data was randomly selected and representative of newspapers published throughout the USA. The news articles were coded based upon the aspects of culture (lens of perception, motives for human behaviors, criteria for evaluation, basis of identification, means for communication, justification for social stratification, and mode for production and consumption). A thematic analysis was also conducted to determine: the aspects of gang culture in conflicts with society; and how the gangs, the community, and the law enforcements externalize the gang conflict. Findi...
The effect of method on the measurement of K+ concentration in PHA-treated human blood lymphocytes.

Lymphocyte K/sup +/ concentration after PHA treatment was measured by physicochemical and isotopic techniques. No significant alteration in lymphocyte K/sup +/ concentration after PHA treatment was observed by either method. Lymphocyte K/sup +/ however, decreased markedly when the lymphocytes were dispersed in washing solutions after PHA treatment. This decrease in cell K/sup +/ was the result of the exchange of intracellular K/sup +/ for the cation present in the washing solution, and of lympholysis resulting from the dispersion of cells agglutinated by PHA. These studies emphasize that disaggregated, lectin-treated lymphocytes suffer severe membrane damage and their contents cannot be expressed on the basis of cell number measured prior to washing with dispersion. Lectin treatment of lymphocytes not subjected to an aggregation--disaggregation cycle produces a more physiologic relevant alteration in lymphocyte membrane permeability which results in accelerated leak of certain solutes like K/sup +/.
Process Theology and the Problem of Evil

This essay offers a brief history of process theology and a sense of its current concerns by discussing the varying responses to the problem of evil within that history. From within the wellspring of process theism, it is possible to argue cogently for both a God whose moral perfection is maintained and a God whose moral ambiguity is emphasized. It is possible as well to argue for both a God whose divine justice eventually transforms all evil and a God whose divine complexity maintains the messiness of the actual world.
Are engineered proteins getting competition from RNA

Progress in several areas of research is pushing back the supposed limitations of nucleic acid structure and function. New ligand-binding and catalytic RNAs are being created at a rapid pace. Some engineered RNAs offer potential as therapeutic agents whereas others can be used as model systems to study the principles that direct structure formation, molecular recognition and catalytic function by nucleic acids.
Parallel domestication of the Shattering1 genes in cereals

A key step during crop domestication is the loss of seed shattering. Here, we show that seed shattering in sorghum is controlled by a single gene, Shattering1 (Sh1), which encodes a YABBY transcription factor. Domesticated sorghums harbor three different mutations at the Sh1 locus. Variants at regulatory sites in the promoter and intronic regions lead to a low level of expression, a 2.2-kb deletion causes a truncated transcript that lacks exons 2 and 3, and a GT-to-GG splice-site variant in the intron 4 results in removal of the exon 4. The distributions of these non-shattering haplotypes among sorghum landraces suggest three independent origins. The function of the rice ortholog (OsSh1) was subsequently validated with a shattering-resistant mutant, and two maize orthologs (ZmSh1-1 and ZmSh1-5.1+ZmSh1-5.2) were verified with a large mapping population. Our results indicate that Sh1 genes for seed shattering were under parallel selection during sorghum, rice and maize domestication.
Information mediation using metamodels: An approach using XML and common warehouse metamodel

Information mediation is an approach used to resolve heterogeneity of online information sources. This article discusses the concept of information mediation and several related research projects that use a typical mediation model. The problems and issues with existing approaches are discussed. This article then proposes the use of metamodels as an advanced architecture for information mediation, where XML is a main driving force. The new architecture is partly established on the common warehouse metamodel (CWM), a standard adopted by the Object Management Group (OMG). Illustrative examples are presented in the article to describe and discuss the new architecture.
Race, Religion, and Worship: Are Contemporary African-American Worship Practices Distinct?

Drawing upon the cultural repertoire and religious marketplace perspectives, this study examines the extent to which ecstatic, participatory worship practices are distinctive to African-American congregations and explores the role that ecstatic, participatory worship plays in contemporary African-American worship. National Congregations Study (NCS) data are used to conduct comparative analyses of African-American and white congregations' participation in two forms of ecstatic, participatory worship: verbal affirmation and spontaneous physical worship. Findings suggest that while spontaneous physical worship is distinctive to the religiocultural repertoires of African-American congregations, verbal affirmation is not. Traditional explanations about the origin of ecstatic, participatory worship, such as religious tradition, Pentecostalism, and social class, are less compelling than they were in the past. For contemporary African-American congregations, ecstatic, participatory worship is no longer associated with marginal or less-educated congregations, but with more sociopolitically and religiously progressive ones.
Adaptive pitch control for load mitigation of wind turbines

In this research, model reference adaptive control is examined for the pitch control of wind turbines that may suffer from reduced life owing to extreme loads and fatigue when operated under a high wind speed. Specifically, we aim at making a trade-off between the maximum energy captured and the load induced. The adaptive controller is designed to track the optimal generator speed and at the same time to mitigate component loads under turbulent wind field and other uncertainties. The proposed algorithm is tested on the NREL offshore 5-MW baseline wind turbine, and its performance is compared with that those of the gain scheduled proportional integral (GSPI) control and the disturbance accommodating control (DAC). The results show that the blade root flapwise load can be reduced at a slight expense of optimal power output. The generator speed regulation under adaptive controller is better than DAC.
Decomposition and nitrogen release from leaves of three hardwood species grown under elevated O3 and/or CO2

Elevated concentrations of O3 and CO2 have both been shown to affect structure, nutrient status, and deposition of secondary metabolites in leaves of forest trees. While such studies have produced robust models of the effects of such air pollutants on tree ecophysiology and growth, few have considered the potential for broader, ecosystem-level effects after these chemically and structurally altered leaves fall as leaf litter and decay. To determine the effects of elevated O3 and/or CO2 on the subsequent decomposition and nutrient release from the leaves grown in such altered atmospheres, we grew seedlings of three widespread North American forest trees, black cherry (Prunus serotina) (BC), sugar maple (Acer saccharum) (SM), and yellow-poplar (Liriodendron tulipifera) (YP) for two growing seasons in charcoal-filtered air (CF-air=approximately 25% ambient O3), ambient O3 (1X) or twice-ambient O3 (2X) in outdoor open-top chambers. We then assayed the loss of mass and N from the litter derived from those seedlings through one year litterbag incubations in the forest floor of a neighboring forest stand. Mass loss followed linear functions and was not affected by the O3 regime in which the leaves were grown. Instantaneous decay rates (i.e. k values) averaged SM:−0.707 y-1, BC:−0.613 y-1, and YP:−0.859 y-1. N loss from ambient (1X) O3-grown SM leaves was significantly greater than from CF-air leaves: N loss from BC leaves did not differ among treatments. Significantly less N was released from CF-air-grown YP leaves than from 1X or 2X O3-treated leaves. YP leaves from plants grown in pots at 2X O3 and 350 ppm supplemental CO2 in indoor pollutant fumigation chambers (CSTRs or Continuously Stirred Tank Reactors) loss 40% as much mass and 27% as much N over one year as did leaves from YP grown in CF-air or 2X O3. Thus, for leaves from plants grown in pots in controlled environment fumigation chambers, the concentrations of both O3 and CO2 can affect N release from litter incubated in the field whereas mass loss rate was affected only by CO2. Because both mass loss and N release from leaves grown at elevated CO2 were reduced significantly (at least for yellow-poplar), forests exposed to elevated CO2 may have significantly reduced N turnover rates, thereby resulting in increased N limitation of tree growth, especially in forests which are already N-limited.
Formation and structure of ceramic thin films deposited by ion beam sputtering

Abstract An ion beam sputtering apparatus with multiple-ion sources was especially designed to study the film preparation with respect to their chemical structure. Ceramic thin films of TiN, AlN and carbon were prepared by ion beam sputtering of metallic targets. These films were amorphous even under electron microscopic disfraction up to a temperature as high as 1000°C. The composition of thin films which had been intended to produce aluminum nitride strongly depended on the amount of oxygen present in the vacuum. The coordination number of aluminum in aluminum nitride films changed from four to six, depending on the atmospheric chemical composition and sputtering ion sources. When the titanium target was sputtered in the nitrogen atmosphere by an argon ion beam, both TiN and Ti 2 N were deposited. The composition could be controlled by changing the partial pressure of argon and nitrogen. The carbon films produced by sputtering the graphite target was a nonconductor, which was considered to be typical of i-carbon. The X-ray spectrum of the carbon film showed a high energy component comparable to that seen in diamond. When the substrate was heated during deposition, the resistance of the deposited carbon films decreased remarkably. Random arrays of small crystallites were characteristic of the i-carbon. Heating the substrate made the crystallites grow to a certain extent.
If you can’t stand the heat, stay out of the city: Thermal reaction norms of chitinolytic fungi in an urban heat island

Elevated soil and air temperatures in urban heat islands have been exerting evolutionary pressure on organisms for decades in some cities. We measured thermal reaction norms (18–261C) for growth rate of four species of common chitinolytic fungi from an oak forest in an urban heat island and a corresponding rural area. Urban isolates of Chrysosporium pannorum and Trichoderma koningii grew faster than rural isolates at 261C, but grew slower than rural isolates at 181C. Urban isolates of Torulomyces lagena and Penicillium bilaii grew as fast or faster than rural isolates at all temperatures. These differences in thermal reaction norms between urban and rural isolates suggest that urbanization has caused both thermal specialization and counter-gradient variation in the fungal community. r 2005 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Optimizing force ratios to develop a course of action for the G3 (operations officer)

The problem of deploying units against an opposing force is of particular importance to ground commanders. Currently, Army tactical staffs do not have a method to minimize the ratio of force. Force ratio is calculated during the G3's (division or corps operations officer) estimate of the situation. We present a simple heuristic for tactically positioning units in a way which minimizes the sum of resulting force ratios. As part of the military planning process, staffs analyze different dispositions of friendly forces proposed as courses of action. Neither the staff nor the commander can determine whether a proposed course of action is one which minimizes the ratio of resulting force. This problem requires sophisticated mathematics and lots of time to find the best solution. However, often times, an approximate solution that can be obtained quickly will do. We present a simple and quick method which obtains a very good, approximate solution to the force ratio problem. The ground commander could then consider an option which incorporates the critical decision criterion of force ratio. Further, with this course of action as the force ratio standard, the commander and his staff could identify potentially critical flaws in defense planning.
Water relations in eggs of the lone star tick, Amblyomma americanum, with experimental work on the capacity for water vapor absorption.

This study shows that water stress is not countered in eggs of the lone star tick, Amblyommaamericanum (L.), using water vapor, and suggests involvement of liquid water as a developmental cue. Eggs fail to maintain an equilibrium water content in subsaturated air, hence, gain ≠ loss, with net water losses occurring at relative humidities near saturation and these eggs exhibit a three-fold drop in viability, but not incubation period, as compared to eggs held in saturated air. Amblyommaamericanum eggs are stenohydric and feature low 58% water content, slow water losses <1%/h, and an impermeable chorion wherein the Arrhenius activation energy, Ea = −66 J/K, is suppressed. Thus, enhancement of water retention, not water vapor absorption, permits eggs to resist desiccation.
Effects of high fat, protein supplemented diets on maternal behavior in rats

Female albino rats were maintained on either chow, a 25% fat, protein supplemented diet or a 45% fat, protein supplemented diet during breeding, gestation and lactation. Maternal behavior was assessed using observational techniques. Maternal bodyweight of the females on the high fat diets was not different from females on chow. Reproductive success, as indicated by pregnancy and pup survival, was reduced in the females on the 45% fat diet. However, unlike offspring of obese dams, pup growth was enhanced in most of the offspring of the dams on the high fat, protein supplemented diets. The dams on these diets showed more postural nursing, less non-postural nursing, more pup grooming and were observed more frequently with a majority of their pups. These dietary differences in maternal behavior did not appear to be necessarily due to differences in the body weight of the pups.
Reversible Conformational Change in the Plasmodium falciparum Circumsporozoite Protein Masks Its Adhesion Domains

ABSTRACT The extended rod-like Plasmodium falciparum circumsporozoite protein (CSP) is comprised of three primary domains: a charged N terminus that binds heparan sulfate proteoglycans, a central NANP repeat domain, and a C terminus containing a thrombospondin-like type I repeat (TSR) domain. Only the last two domains are incorporated in RTS,S, the leading malaria vaccine in phase 3 trials that, to date, protects about 50% of vaccinated children against clinical disease. A seroepidemiological study indicated that the N-terminal domain might improve the efficacy of a new CSP vaccine. Using a panel of CSP-specific monoclonal antibodies, well-characterized recombinant CSPs, label-free quantitative proteomics, and in vitro inhibition of sporozoite invasion, we show that native CSP is N-terminally processed in the mosquito host and undergoes a reversible conformational change to mask some epitopes in the N- and C-terminal domains until the sporozoite interacts with the liver hepatocyte. Our findings show the importance of understanding processing and the biophysical change in conformation, possibly due to a mechanical or molecular signal, and may aid in the development of a new CSP vaccine.
Two Ka-band quasi-optical amplifier arrays

Repeatability of performance, thermal properties, and effects of biasing are studied on two Ka-band quasi-optical slot-antenna amplifier arrays, fabricated with commercial monolithic microwave integrated circuits (MMIC's) on aluminum-nitride substrates. The unit cells are arranged in a 6/spl times/6 triangular lattice to suppress sidelobes. The amplifier arrays have small-signal gains relative to a free-space through of 2.1 dB at 31.02 GHz and 6.5 dB at 31.40 GHz. The average small-signal gain contributed by the MMIC's is 10 dB. In saturation, the arrays deliver 89 W effective isotropic radiated power (EIRP) or 0.3 W output power at 30.40 GHz and 145 W EIRP or 0.5 W output power at 31.15 GHz.
The Naked Science: Psychoanalysis in Spain, 1914–1948

The effort to implant secular science in Spain was stymied throughout the nineteenth century by a ruling conservative elite which held that “science without religion is blind” and viewed the practice of science divorced from an explicitly Catholic, Thomist philosophical framework as being the equivalent of civil subversion. Medical doctors, in particular, were held to be subversive; in the aftermath of the conservative overthrow of the liberal government in 1824 all professors of the Madrid Medical College were either imprisoned or removed from their chairs. The liberal revolution of 1868, which briefly overthrew the Bourbons and their conservative supporters and installed the short-lived First Republic, was universally regarded by Spanish scientists as having opened the door to new ideas. Chief among these was Darwinism, anathema to Catholic conservatives because of its challenge to Biblical dogma. There had been virtually no discussion of this heretical idea before the revolution, and it was freely discussed in its wake.
Liquid Crystal Devices for Light Limiting Applications

In this paper, we introduce a novel liquid crystal structure, the Inverse Twisted Smectic Structure (ITSS), which has several advantages over the previously reported twisted smectic structure. Both these structures are capable of high-speed, gray scale modulation and phase modulation capability. Additionally, the easy fabrication of the ITSS makes it more attractive for practical applications. We discuss the use of this structure and the fabrication devices using the ITSS. Possible applications, such as the birefringence wavelength filter (BWF), and the digital wavelength filter (DWF) are also discussed and demonstrated experimentally.
Results of the California Healthy Homes Indoor Air Quality Study of 2011-2013: Impact of natural gas appliances on air pollutant concentrations

This study was conducted to assess the current impact of natural gas appliances on air quality in California homes. Data were collected via telephone interviews and measurements inside and outside of 352 homes. Passive samplers measured time-resolved CO and time-integrated NOX, NO2, formaldehyde, and acetaldehyde over ~6d periods in November 2011 - April 2012 and October 2012 - March 2013. The fraction of indoor NOX and NO2 attributable to indoor sources was estimated. NOX, NO2 and highest 1-h CO were higher in homes that cooked with gas and increased with amount of gas cooking. NOX and NO2 were higher in homes with cooktop pilot burners, relative to gas cooking without pilots. Homes with a pilot burner on a floor or wall furnace had higher kitchen and bedroom NOX and NO2 compared to homes without a furnace pilot. When scaled to account for varying home size and mixing volume, indoor-attributed bedroom and kitchen NOX and kitchen NO2 were not higher in homes with wall or floor furnace pilot burners, though bedroom NO2 was higher. In homes that cooked 4 h or more with gas, self-reported use of kitchen exhaust was associated with lower NOX, NO2 and highest 1-h CO. Gas appliancesmore » were not associated with higher concentrations of formaldehyde or acetaldehyde.« less
Genomic and transcriptional events associated with poor clinical responses to conventional therapies

Advances on several fronts have led to increases in survival duration and to reduced mortality in patients with breast cancer. These include improved procedures for earlier detection, optimization of combined surgical and radiotherapy, and use of optimized selective estrogen receptor modifiers (SERMS) and new chemotherapeutic strategies including gene-targeted therapies. In addition, molecular stratification strategies have been developed that stratify patients according to outcome. Stratification based on measurement of expression 'signatures' have been particularly effective and seem likely to improve treatment strategies. Patients at increased risk of progressive disease can be offered standard of care chemotherapy. However, some of these patients do not respond well to these treatments and current stratification strategies provide little information to guide treatment of these patients. This study of tumors from patients treated according to standard of care identifies genomic and coordinated transcriptional aberrations – especially amplification at 11q, and 20q in tumors with the luminal A expression phenotype, and at 17q in tumors associated with the ERBB2 expression phenotype – that are strongly associated with poor response to such treatment. Our study identifies genes in these regions of amplification that can be assessed to identify patients that will respond poorly to the current standard of care and that are targets for therapies that will be effective against these poorly responding tumors. Interesting, this study also shows that patients with basal-like tumors do not have substantially shorter survival durations than patients with luminal-like tumors, suggesting that basal-like tumors respond well to the adjuvant adriamycin and cyclophosphamide therapies employed during their treatment.
Secular trends in weight status and weight-related attitudes and behaviors in adolescents from 1999 to 2010

Abstract Objective To examine secular trends from 1999 to 2010 in weight status and weight-related attitudes and behaviors among adolescents. Methods A repeated cross-sectional design was used. Participants were from Minneapolis/St. Paul middle schools and high schools and included 3072 adolescents in 1999 (mean age14.6 ± 1.8) and 2793 adolescents in 2010 (mean age14.4 ± 2.0). Trends in weight-related variables were examined using inverse probability weighting to control for changes in socio-demographics over time. Results The prevalence of obesity among boys increased by 7.8% from 1999 to 2010, with large ethnic/racial disparities. In black boys the prevalence of obesity increased from 14.4% to 21.5% and among Hispanic boys, obesity prevalence increased from 19.7% to 33.6%. Trends were more positive among girls: weight status did not significantly increase, perceptions of overweight status were more accurate, the use of healthy weight control behaviors remained high, dieting decreased by 6.7%, unhealthy weight control behaviors decreased by 8.2% and extreme weight control behaviors decreased by 4.5%. Conclusions Trends indicate a need to intensify efforts to prevent obesity and other weight-related problems, particularly for boys from ethnic/racial minorities. The decreases in unhealthy weight control behaviors among girls are encouraging.
Hardware Efficient Fast DCT Based on Novel Cyclic Convolution Structures

Cyclic convolution is a widely used operation in signal processing. In very large-scale integration (VLSI) design, it is usually implemented with systolic array and distributed arithmetic; however, these implementation designs may not be fast enough or use too much hardware cost when the convolution length is large. This paper presents a new fast cyclic convolution algorithm, which is hardware efficient and suitable for high-speed VLSI implementation, especially when the convolution length is large. For example, when the proposed fast cyclic convolution algorithm is applied to the implementation of prime length discrete cosine transform (DCT), the proposed high-throughput implementation of 1297-length DCT design saves 1216 (94%) multiplications, 282 (22%) additions, and 4792 (74%) delay elements compared with those of recently proposed systolic array based algorithms. Furthermore, the proposed algorithm can run at a speed that is 1.5 times that of previous designs and requires less I/O cost as long as the wordlength L is less than 20 bits
Device Footprint Scaling for Ultra Thin Body Fully Depleted SOI

We propose selective scaling of device footprint for 65 nm and beyond CMOS technologies. The benefits of selective scaling of device footprint are illustrated using an ultra-thin body (UTB) fully-depleted SOI (FD-SOI) transistor as an example. We study the effect of footprint scaling on device, circuit, and system level performance. A complete 2D device structure is modeled for the numerical analysis. The results predict that an optimal footprint design can provide 30% smaller chip layout area, 20% faster speed and 10% less dynamic power on overall chip performance benchmarked with a 53-bit pipelined multiplier
A Maltose Transporter from Apple is Expressed in Source and Sink Tissues and Complements the Arabidopsis Maltose Export-Defective Mutant

Prior to the cytosolic synthesis of transport sugars during transitory starch utilization, intermediate products of starch breakdown, such as maltose, must be exported from chloroplasts. Recent work in Arabidopsis indicates that a novel transporter mediates maltose transfer across the chloroplast inner envelope membrane. We cloned a gene from an apple cDNA library that is highly homologous with the Arabidopsis maltose transporter, MEX1. Expression levels of MdMEX determined by real-time PCR were low in the tips of growing shoots, higher in expanding leaves and maximal in mature leaves. Expression was also detected in fruits and roots, indicating a role for MdMEX in starch mobilization in sink tissues. The cDNA from apple was subcloned into an expression cassette between the cauliflower mosaic virus 35S promoter and the sGFP (green fluorescent protein) coding sequence. Plants of the Arabidopsis maltose excess1-1 mutant, which is homozygous for a defective MEX1 allele, were transformed with the 35S:MdMEX:GFP construct. Fluorescence of GFP was localized to chloroplasts, indicating that Arabidopsis recognized the predicted 55 amino acid chloroplast transit peptide in the apple protein. The phenotypes of several independently transformed lines were analyzed. The complemented plants were relieved of the severe stunting and chlorosis characteristic of mex1-1 plants. Furthermore, starch levels and concentrations of soluble sugars, leaf chlorophyll content and maximum quantum efficiency of PSII were restored to wild-type levels. MdMEX (Malus domestica maltose transporter) is the second member of the unique maltose transporter gene family.
Confidence inteefals foe teamsitiom probabilities in too-state markov chains

This paper develops approximations for the distributions of the maximum likelihood estimators of the transition probabilities in a finite state, irreducible, aperiodic Markov chain* These distributions are then used to compute confidence intervals for the transition probabilities, and to make sample size projections. The techniques used are presented by first considering the two-state Markov chain, and then the many state Markov chain is discussed.
Extreme weather change and the dynamics of oviposition behavior in the pipevine swallowtail, Battus philenor

Prospects of global increases in extreme weather change provide incentive to examine how such change influences animal behavior, for example, behavior associated with resource use. In this study, we examined how oviposition behavior in a southern Arizona population of pipevine swallowtails (Battus philenor L.) responded to changes in their Aristolochia host resource and vegetative background caused by the North American monsoon system. Summer monsoon rains resulted in a flush of non-host vegetation and a more than doubling in rate of landings by host-searching females on non-host vegetation. Rates of discovery of the host species A. watsoni Woot. Standl. decreased by 50% after monsoon rains. Rains did not alter host density appreciably, but resulted in significant increases in host plant size and new growth, two indicators of host suitability for B. philenor larvae. After the rains, mean clutch size on individual host plants increased by a factor of 2.5; the mean proportion of host plants encountered on which a female laid eggs also increased significantly. Females were discriminating about the host plants on which they laid eggs after alightment; plants accepted for oviposition were larger, bore more new growth, and bore fewer larvae than rejected plants. Contrary to predictions from foraging theory, degree of discrimination did not change seasonally. Finally, the rate at which eggs were laid increased seasonally, suggesting that oviposition rates were limited more before monsoon rains by the relatively low quality of hosts than they were after the rains by the relatively low rate at which hosts were found. This latter result suggests that, while butterflies possess behavioral flexibility to respond to extreme weather change, such flexibility may have limits. In particular, expected increases in the severity and frequency of droughts may result in reduced oviposition rates, reductions that could have adverse demographic consequences.
Mental Health of African Americans and Caribbean Blacks in the United States: Results From the National Epidemiological Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions

Objectives. Previous epidemiological studies have found lower mood, anxiety, and substance use disorder prevalence in Black Americans, in general, compared with White Americans. We estimated the prevalence and persistence of psychiatric disorders in African Americans, Caribbean Blacks, and non-Hispanic Whites.Methods. We drew data from wave 1 (2001–2002) of the National Epidemiological Survey of Alcohol and Related Conditions, a nationally representative sample of US adults, which included 7529 African Americans, 469 Caribbean Blacks, and 24 502 non-Hispanic Whites.Results. Blacks had equal or lower prevalence than Whites of lifetime (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 0.6 for African Americans; 0.3 for Caribbean Blacks) and 12-month (AOR = 0.7 for African Americans; 0.4 for Caribbean Blacks) Axis I psychiatric disorders, but higher prevalence of several personality disorders. Among Blacks, Caribbean Blacks had higher prevalence of 12-month psychotic disorders and lower lifetime prevalence of major depressive di...
Evolutionary history of two endemic Appalachian conifers revealed using microsatellite markers

Fraser fir (Abies fraseri (Pursh) Poir.) and intermediate fir (Abies balsamea (L.) Mill. var. phanerolepis Fern.) exist in small populations in the Appalachian high- lands of the southeastern United States. We used ten nuclear microsatellite markers to quantify genetic variation within Fraser fir and intermediate fir, and to examine their evolutionary relationships with the widespread balsam fir (Abies balsamea (L.) Mill.). We found little genetic dif- ferentiation among these taxa, suggesting that Fraser fir might best be classified as a variety of balsam fir. The results further appear to reject the hypothesis that inter- mediate fir was of hybrid origin between two compara- tively distantly related species. Low levels of genetic diversity suggest that intermediate fir and Fraser fir have undergone at least some genetic degradation since post- Pleistocene isolation. The results may prove important for
High-quality oxide/nitride/oxide gate insulator for GaN MIS structures

We report on a SiO/sub 2//Si/sub 3/N/sub 4//SiO/sub 2/ (ONO) gate insulator stack deposited on GaN by jet vapor deposition (JVD) technique. Capacitors fabricated using the JVD-ONO on GaN are characterized from room temperature to 450/spl deg/C using capacitance-voltage (C-V), current-voltage (I-V), AC conductance, and constant-current stress measurements. We find excellent operating characteristics over the measured range, most notably: (1) very low leakage current, (2) extremely high hard-breakdown strength, (3) low interface-trap density, and (4) low net dielectric-charge density. Moreover these performance figures remain well within acceptable limits even for operating temperatures as high as 150/spl deg/C. In addition, we measure both the capture cross-section of the interface traps and the surface-potential fluctuation at the GaN/ONO interface. All results suggest that JVD-ONO is an excellent choice for a gate dielectric in GaN-based MISFETs.
Relation between Reaction Time and Movement Time in College Wrestlers

Interrelationships among reaction time, movement time, and win-loss percentage were studied for 16 college wrestlers who executed a standard wrestling double-leg attack .62 m in length. There was a...
Inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor presenting with tracheal obstruction in a pregnant woman.

Inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor (IMT), also known as inflammatory pseudotumor, is a benign lesion predominantly found in the lung and abdomen. Sporadic cases have been reported in the trunk, genitourinary tract, and extremities as well as in the head and neck. Of critical importance is this entity's correct histopathologic diagnosis that differentiate it from malignant neoplasms such as spindle cell carcinoma and fibrosarcoma, benign tumors such as neurofibroma, and other pseudoneoplastic lesions such as nodular fasciitis. Correct diagnosis is followed by wide local excision to prevent recurrence; however, treatment must be tailored to the location of tumor and the condition of the patient. We present a unique case of IMT of the trachea presenting with acute upper airway obstruction in a pregnant woman. Diagnostic considerations as well as the anesthetic and surgical approach are discussed.
Anxiety and Stereotyped Beliefs About Statistics

Measures of anxiety toward statistics and belief in selected negative stereotypes about statistics were administered to a sample of graduate students in nursing and education at the beginning and end of a semester course in statistics. Factor analysis showed three dimensions of negative perceptions about statistics, corresponding to age and sex role stereotypes, and belief that quantitative skills must be innate and cannot be learned later on. Mean anxiety scores decreased significantly from beginning to end of term, and there was, in addition, a significant shift toward greater disagreement with the belief that statistical skills cannot be learned. Implications for curriculum evaluation in the health and social service professions were explored.
The evolution of BioBike: Community adaptation of a biocomputing platform

Abstract Programming languages are, at the same time, instruments and communicative artifacts that evolve rapidly through use. In this paper I describe an online computing platform called BioBike. BioBike is a trading zone where biologists and programmers collaborate in the development of an extended vocabulary and functionality for computational genomics. In the course of this work they develop interactional expertise with one another’s domains. The extended BioBike vocabulary operates on two planes: as a working programming language, and as a pidgin in the conversation between the biologists and engineers. The flexibility that permits this community to dynamically extend BioBike’s working vocabulary—to form new pidgins—makes BioBike unique among computational tools, which usually are not themselves adapted through the collaborations that they facilitate. Thus BioBike is itself a crucial feature—which it is tempting to refer to as a participant—in the developing interaction.
Food Insecurity and Livelihood Systems in Northwest Haiti

This paper examines rural livelihood systems in Haiti from both a political and ecological perspective. While political developments in Haiti have taken center stage in most analyses, the environmental impacts of population growth, highly varied livelihood strategies, and migration opportunities appear to have played a major role in the current tragic situation. Illegal migration not only seems to alleviate short term poverty but also appears to benefit households long term as revenues from migration improve households' land holding situation. Nevertheless, the steadily declining ecological situation may already be exceeding the creative livelihood strategies of Haitian producers. Key words: Haiti, political economy, political ecology, livelihood strategies, households, livestock, agriculture, migration.
Willingness to favor aggressive care and live with disability following severe traumatic brain injury: a survey of healthy young adults in Hawai'i.

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a major public health problem that significantly impacts young adults. Since severe TBI patients lack decision-making capacity, the providers and patient surrogates are often faced with the challenging task of deciding whether to continue with aggressive life-prolonging care or to transition to comfort-focused care with an expected outcome of natural death. The assumption is often made that aggressive care is appropriate for young patients who suffer severe TBI despite the high likelihood of a poor outcome. However, the young community’s attitude towards goals of care after severe TBI has not been studied. A questionnaire-based survey study on young healthy adults was conducted to assess their attitude towards aggressive care after a hypothetical case of severe TBI. Logistic regression analysis was performed to determine the factors associated with the decision to favor aggressive care. Among a total of 120 community-dwelling young adults (mean age: 19±1 years) who were surveyed, 79 (66%) were willing to live with severe motor disability, 78 (65%) were willing to live with expressive aphasia, and 53 (44%) were willing to live with receptive aphasia. Despite being presented with a high likelihood of long-term moderately severe-to-severe disability, 65 of the 115 respondents (57%) favored aggressive care. A willingness to live with receptive aphasia was the only independent factor that predicted aggressive care (OR 2.50, 95% CI: 1.15 to 5.46). Even among the young adults, preference of care was divided between aggressive and conservative approaches when presented with a hypothetical case of severe TBI.
Microbial Energizers: Fuel Cells that Keep on Going

Has this happened to you? You have a layover between flights, would like to use your computer and cell phone, but both sets of batteries are drained and the nearby electrical outlets are being used. What if you could instead recharge your electronic devices with a little sugar from the nearby coffee stand? With help from electricity-producing microorganisms, known as electricigens, some day you might have new options for ignoring the current “grid” by generating electricity in an alternative, environmentally friendly manner.