cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Clinical utility of the combination of lapatinib and letrozole in the management of hormone receptor-positive and HER2-positive advanced breast cancer.

Breast cancers that overexpress human epidermal growth factor receptor-2 (HER2-positive [HER2+]) tend to be biologically aggressive and associated with a poor prognosis, even those that coexpress receptors for estrogen and/or progesterone (hormone receptor-positive [HR+]). Optimal therapy for patients with “double-positive” (HR+/HER2+) breast cancers is still being defined. In this subset of patients, the efficacy of targeted endocrine therapies appears to be diminished by cross-activation or “crosstalk” between estrogen receptor-mediated gene transcription and pathways activated by other growth factor receptors, including HER2. Lapatinib is a tyrosine kinase inhibitor which binds reversibly to the intracellular domains of the epidermal growth factor receptor and HER2, interfering with their ability to initiate signal transduction cascades that promote cancer cell proliferation, survival, and metastasis. In a recently published randomized, placebo-controlled Phase III study in postmenopausal HR+ metastatic breast cancer, the addition of lapatinib to the aromatase inhibitor letrozole significantly improved progression-free survival solely in women who were also HER2+. This article reviews the biology of “double-positive” breast cancers and the rationale underlying combining endocrine and HER2-targeted therapies, including the lapatinib/letrozole combination, for these tumors. Results from the Phase III trial are examined, as well as available data on other combinations of HR and HER2-targeted therapies. Ongoing trials and potential future applications of these combinations in both HR+/HER2+ and other subgroups of breast cancer patients are also discussed.
Suspension of colloidal polymeric spheres in nonsolvents

Abstract Very stable colloidal suspensions of polymethylmethacrylate in heptane have been prepared using polyisobutylene as suspending agent. The colloidal spheres have an exponential size distribution with characteristic radii ranging from 400 to larger than 1500A. Solids concentrations up to about 30% have been achieved. Fragmentary work is also reported on other systems and it is concluded that many different suspensions can be prepared.
Single event upset and total dose radiation effects on Rad-Hard SRAMs

Radiation hardened 16K and 64K CMOS SRAMs were tested at the Brookhaven SEU Test Facility. No failures of 16K SRAMs were observed at room temperature with any value of the feedback resistors. SEU cross section measured at elevated temperatures was a function of reduced feedback resistance. A difference was observed in critical LET forBr andAu ions. SEU cross section decreased at very high angles of incidence. After initial SEU testing, the 64K SRAM was degraded by proton total dose irradiation. An increase in the SEU cross section as well as imprinting of the memory pattern was observed. Test chips fabricated by the same technology were also submitted to proton radiation. Threshold voltage shift was measured for NMOS transistors with and without inversion bias. An increase in the density of interface states for both NMOS and PMOS transistors was measured by the charge-pumping technique.
The Mariner Mark II progream

The concept used in the design of the Mariner Mark II (MMII) spacecraft is consistent with the solar system exploration strategies which were developed by the Space Science Board of the National Academy of Sciences. The missions to comets, main belt asteroids, and outer planets are sufficiently similar to make possible a use of almost all of the design, hardware, and software in most engineering subsystems, without significant modification, for subsequent missions. Mariner Mark II missions are discussed, taking into account a comet rendezvous with asteroid flyby, the Saturn Flyby/Titan Probe, the Cassini or Saturn Orbiter/Titan Probe, the Main Belt Asteroid Rendezvous mission, the Uranus Flyby/Uranus Probe mission, and the Neptune Flyby/Neptune Probe mission.
Storage schemes for boundedly extendible arrays

The high costs of extendibility in array realizations can be reduced dramatically by placing a bound on how big the arrays of interest will grow. Whereas extendible array realizations require order of p · log p storage locations to store two-dimensional arrays having p or fewer positions, boundedly extendible array realizations (with a bound of p) can store these same arrays in precisely p locations. Moreover, boundedly extendible realizations can be designed to afford one additive traversal of both the rows and columns of the stored arrays, albeit at the cost of very inefficient storage utilization (order of p 3/2 locations are needed to store arrays having p or fewer positions); extendible array realizations cannot yield such bidirectional additive traversal, irrespective of the price one is willing to pay. Moreover, if one can specify that the smallest array of interest is of shape h × w, then the p 3/2 cost of storage utilization can be improved to roughly p · (p/hw)1/2 but no further.
Evanescent-coupled GaInNAsSb in-line fibre photodetectors

The authors report on in-line fibre photodetectors that can measure power transfer in an optical fibre without interruption of the optical beam, showing 80% external quantum efficiency at 1316 nm wavelength. A new type of structure is used that employs GaNAsSb barriers and GaInNAsSb quantum wells grown by molecular beam epitaxy on GaAs substrates at the centre of anti-resonant reflective optical waveguides to detect long wavelength optical signals without fibre interruption.
Genomic insights to SAR86, an abundant and uncultivated marine bacterial lineage

Bacteria in the 16S rRNA clade SAR86 are among the most abundant uncultivated constituents of microbial assemblages in the surface ocean for which little genomic information is currently available. Bioinformatic techniques were used to assemble two nearly complete genomes from marine metagenomes and single-cell sequencing provided two more partial genomes. Recruitment of metagenomic data shows that these SAR86 genomes substantially increase our knowledge of non-photosynthetic bacteria in the surface ocean. Phylogenomic analyses establish SAR86 as a basal and divergent lineage of γ-proteobacteria, and the individual genomes display a temperature-dependent distribution. Modestly sized at 1.25–1.7 Mbp, the SAR86 genomes lack several pathways for amino-acid and vitamin synthesis as well as sulfate reduction, trends commonly observed in other abundant marine microbes. SAR86 appears to be an aerobic chemoheterotroph with the potential for proteorhodopsin-based ATP generation, though the apparent lack of a retinal biosynthesis pathway may require it to scavenge exogenously-derived pigments to utilize proteorhodopsin. The genomes contain an expanded capacity for the degradation of lipids and carbohydrates acquired using a wealth of tonB-dependent outer membrane receptors. Like the abundant planktonic marine bacterial clade SAR11, SAR86 exhibits metabolic streamlining, but also a distinct carbon compound specialization, possibly avoiding competition.
Successful Use of Covered Stent to Treat Superior Systemic Baffle Obstruction and Leak After Atrial Switch Procedure

Progressive dyspnea and cyanosis occurred in a 41-year-old patient status after Mustard atrial switch repair for transposition of great arteries. Cardiac catheterization and magnetic resonance imaging revealed the association of superior limb systemic venous baffle obstruction and leaks with right-to-left shunting. He underwent successful dilation of the venous channel and obstruction of baffle leaks by using a covered stent.
Artificial nest site preferences of Black-capped Chickadees

To facilitate study of the breeding biology of parids, Grubb and Bronson (1995; Condor 97: 1067- 1070) designed artificial "snags" made from polyvinyl chloride (PVC) tubes. Because the cost of artificial snags is greater than that of traditional wooden boxes, we examined alternatives to PVC snags for attracting chickadees to artificial nesting sites. From 2005 to 2007, we compared the use of PVC snags and wooden nest boxes by Black- capped Chickadees (Poecile atricapillus) in Sapsucker Woods Sanctuary in Ithaca, New York. We also quantified the use of cavities with and without wood shavings. The probability of chickadee excavation was greater (60-70% per yr) in filled snags (with wood shavings) than in filled boxes (40-50%; logistic mixed model, P = 0.01), and chickadees initiated more nests in filled snags (25-30%) than filled boxes (15%; P = 0.03). Chickadees also initiated significantly more nests (P = 0.03) in filled than unfilled boxes. Although wooden boxes filled with wood shavings were used more often by Black-capped Chickadees than unfilled wooden boxes, artificial snags filled with wood shavings were used most, were no more likely than boxes to be usurped by House Wrens (Troglodytes aedon), and were less likely than boxes to be occupied by mice. Thus, artificial snags may be the better option for investigators studying the breeding biology of chickadees. SINOPSIS. Preferencias para lugares artificiales de nidificaci´ on de Poecile atricapillus
A facilitation effect in orientation discrimination.

Abstract The minimal stimulus for orientation discrimination consists of two spots of light which define the orientation of an imaginary line. Luminance thresholds for discrimination of orientation were measured with two 5′ test spots, separated by 10′. 20′. 30′ or 40′. located approximately 2° from the fovea. Test flashes were of 2-msec duration and varied in temporal relation from simultaneity to nearly 0.5 sec asynchrony. When measurements were made by an ascending method of limits with both test flashes increasing together, luminance thresholds for orientation discrimination were close to light detection thresholds and were uninfluenced by the temporal relation. When one of the flashes was presented at a constant luminance 0.6 log units above detection threshold and the luminance of the other was the dependent variable, the luminance threshold for discrimination of orientation of the two spots varied with their temporal and spatial relations. For 30′ separation it was approximately 0.4 log units below light detection threshold when the variable luminance spot preceded the fixed luminance spot by about 140 msec for each of two observers. Results with haploscopic presentation suggest that the effect may represent facilitation at the cortex.
Towards an Understanding of Retarded Children's Linguistic Deficiencies

The purpose of this study was to provide a more accurate description of the language pertbrmance of retarded children and, by doing so, to understand better how the general mental handicap affects ...
An energy-level hypothesis for λ prophage insertion and excision

Abstract The processes whereby the genome of the temperate phage lambda is integrated into and excised from the genome of the host cell is considered here as a problem in reversible thermodynamics. In this consideration, integration and excision occur in opposite directions along the same reaction pathway. It is remarkable that the integration process is mediated by the product of one phage gene, int , while the excision process requires the products both of int and of a second phage gene, xis . These facts are incorporated into a reversible thermodynamic treatment by stating: (a) that the integrated state (the prophage) lies at lower energy than the excised state; (b) that the int product acts as a simple catalyst for the reaction pathway; and (c) that the xis product acts to provide energy to make the excision process possible. The energy by which the prophage is more stable can easily arise from nucleotide stacking interactions within the sequences which bound the prophage. This interpretation of the integration and excision processes leads to the conclusion that these exchange events must differ qualitatively from those presumed to be involved in general recombination: the integration and excision exchanges must involve no homology between the recombining genomes, and the exchanges may occur by clean breaking-and-rejoining rather than through an intermediate involving overlap between parental genomes.
Influence of Age on Lipase, Amylase, and Protease Activities in Pancreatic Tissue and Intestinal Contents of Young Turkeys

Day-old male turkeys were fed either a reference diet with 12% sucrose or experimental diets with 12% tallow or 12% animal-vegetable blend (A-V fat) replacing sucrose until 56 days of age. Poults were sampled at 1 day of age and every 2 to 7 days thereafter for determination of enzyme activities of pancreas and contents of the proximal one-fourth of the small intestine. In pancreatic tissue, trypsin, protease, and lipase activities increased with age after a lag period of about 14 days. Amylase activity increased rapidly during the first 14 days. In intestinal contents, trypsin, protease, and amylase increased from Day 1 until Day 21. Development of intestinal lipase activity seemed to depend on dietary fat level. Low activities were observed with low fat diets throughout the study. With high fat diets, a lag period of about 3 wk was followed by a five-fold increase in lipase activity.
Predictors of ventriculoperitoneal shunt among babies with intraventricular hemorrhage.

We aimed to identify medical care practices that influence the need for ventriculoperitoneal shunt among infants who develop intraventricular hemorrhage. We reviewed the medical records of 82 babies with ultrasonographically documented intraventricular hemorrhage. We compared the 10 babies who required a ventriculoperitoneal shunt to the 72 controls who had intraventricular hemorrhage, but did not require a ventriculoperitoneal shunt or die, prior to discharge. We considered maternal, perinatal, and neonatal risk factors as potential predictive variables. Maternal preeclampsia, prenatal steroids, and cesarean delivery were associated with a reduced risk of shunt. Patients who did require a shunt were more likely than their nonshunted peers to be treated with dopamine, to receive greater volumes of total intravenous fluid, largely as albumin and red blood cells, and to have a higher incidence of acidosis, patent ductus arteriosus and systolic hypertension. Previously identified antecedents and correlates o...
The role of N-hydroxyamphetamine in the metabolic deamination of amphetamine.

Abstract The formation of 1-phenyl-2-propanol from amphetamine and N-hydroxyamphetamine was measured to examine the role of N-hydroxyamphetamine in the deamination of amphetamine. The alcohol was measured because phenylacetone is rapidly and completely reduced in the incubation mixture. In separate incubations, alcohol formation was more rapid from amphetamine than from N-hydroxyamphetamine. When deuterium labelled amphetamine was incubated in the presence of N-hydroxyamphetamine, the 2H/1H ratio for alcohol decreased while that for hydroxylamine increased with time. These experiments indicate that although the alcohol or ketone can form from N-hydroxyamphetamine, it is not an obligatory intermediate from amphetamine.
Using a novel blending method over multiple network connections for secure communication

In the field of computer security, covert communication is usually seen as adversarial, but from another perspective, it can be seen as a way to communicate securely by hiding data from a malicious third party, e.g., an inside attacker. In this light, instead of making data unreadable using encryption, it may be possible to hide from an adversary a secure network infrastructure (consisting of several node endpoints) in network traffic. In this paper we describe a novel blending technique that is capable of using as carriers the payload fields of multiple connections including audio, video, and voice over IP (VoIP) streams. The technique executes in three main phases. First the state of the network is analyzed. Next, insertion points are selected based on the protocols, data rates, and randomness characteristics of the network data. Finally, covert data are inserted into packets that are injected into the network. By analyzing the same network traffic the covert receiver identifies the insertion points and extracts the covert messages. In this paper, we evaluate the blending covert method with user datagram protocol (UDP) connections during two network loads. Our results show that our technique works with limited data loss. We also provide an analysis of the trade offs between throughput and detectability.
Oppositional Identities: The Military Peace Movement’s Challenge to Pro-Iraq War Frames

In the United States, rhetoric in support of the Iraq War often focuses on discourses of patriotism and supporting the troops. These discourses hold enormous sway over the American public because of the discursive legacies of the Vietnam War and the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. In response, members of the peace movement who are veterans, soldiers, and military families stress their military identities during activism. These individuals have organized as an important branch of the U.S. antiwar movement that challenges the pro-war framing of patriotism and troop support by strategically deploying “oppositional identities.” The oppositional identity strategy involves highlighting the activism of individuals who many would assume would be part of the movement's opposition. In an effort to assert credibility and support their frames, activists assert this novel and seemingly contradictory identity through organizational affiliation, rhetoric, clothing, mannerisms, and symbols.
Energy systems and electric power engineering: Making of future generation of engineers

Preparing the future generation of electric power and energy systems engineers in the current academic environment in USA is a challenging task. In order to maintain the interest levels with the undergraduate students and to promote advanced level power engineering education, career opportunities in electric power and to meet the future industry needs and expectations, the curriculum and course contents must be very carefully designed and delivered. This paper discusses at length such a program for both at the undergraduate and the graduate level successfully implemented at Colorado School of Mines, Colorado.
Wafer plane inspection for advanced reticle defects

Readiness of new mask defect inspection technology is one of the key enablers for insertion & transition of the next generation technology from development into production. High volume production in mask shops and wafer fabs demands a reticle inspection system with superior sensitivity complemented by a low false defect rate to ensure fast turnaround of reticle repair and defect disposition (W. Chou et al 2007). Wafer Plane Inspection (WPI) is a novel approach to mask defect inspection, complementing the high resolution inspection capabilities of the TeraScanHR defect inspection system. WPI is accomplished by using the high resolution mask images to construct a physical mask model (D. Pettibone et al 1999). This mask model is then used to create the mask image in the wafer aerial plane. A threshold model is applied to enhance the inspectability of printing defects. WPI can eliminate the mask restrictions imposed on OPC solutions by inspection tool limitations in the past. Historically, minimum image restrictions were required to avoid nuisance inspection stops and/or subsequent loss of sensitivity to defects. WPI has the potential to eliminate these limitations by moving the mask defect inspections to the wafer plane. This paper outlines Wafer Plane Inspection technology, and explores the application of this technology to advanced reticle inspection. A total of twelve representative critical layers were inspected using WPI die-to-die mode. The results from scanning these advanced reticles have shown that applying WPI with a pixel size of 90nm (WPI P90) captures all the defects of interest (DOI) with low false defect detection rates. In validating CD predictions, the delta CDs from WPI are compared against Aerial Imaging Measurement System (AIMS), where a good correlation is established between WPI and AIMS TM .
Current status of new equipment for meteorological measurements in support of electro-optical testing

Over the past several years, the author has reported to SPIE on several new instruments designed to provide important atmospheric measurements for electro-optical field testing. These include the millimeter wave transmissometer, the small portable infrared and visible transmissometer (SPOT), and the HOLODAR optical scintillometer. These instruments have reached either full operational status or have successfully completed the prototype phase. These instruments are described and examples of their data are presented. For the millimeter wave transmissometer, data showing performance in both rain and snow are presented with precipitation rate and drop size distribution and with comparisons to FASCODE calculations. For the SPOT, data from the visible and infrared regions are shown with comparisons with our older Barnes system and MODTRAN. The HOLODAR scintillometer data are compared to the NOAA/Lockheed scintillometer. Finally, the new trailers which house these instruments and their data processing systems along with the more standard meteorological data system are described. The resulting completely self contained mobile capability is available to support testing at any location.© (1995) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Solvolysis of chenodeoxycholic acid sulfates.

Abstract Chemical solvolysls of chenodeoxycholic acid sulfates was studied using 4 published methods. Quantitative recovery of chenodeoxycholic acid from the 3-sulfate was obtained with each method. However, only 2 methods yielded chenodeoxycholic acid after solvolysis of the 7-sulfate. In each instance a compound resembling lithocholic acid by GLC but identifiable as a derivative of chenodeoxycholic acid by mass spectrometry was obtained and represents a product formed during solvolysis. Failure to obtain adequate solvolysis of chenodeoxycholic acid 7-sulfate can lead to false identification of monohydroxy bile acids and apparent absence of the 7-sulfate and disulfate esters.
Curriculum trends revisited

(1994). Curriculum trends revisited. Peabody Journal of Education: Vol. 69, Our Evolving Curriculum, Part II, pp. 4-20.
The HPV-16 E5 protein represses expression of stress pathway genes XBP-1 and COX-2 in genital keratinocytes

The HPV-16 E5 protein resides in membranes of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and modulates cell growth and viral replication. In order to help define its biological activities, we analyzed E5-induced changes in human keratinocyte gene expression. Our studies identified the downregulation of spliced XBP-1 transcripts, a key player in the ER stress response, as a biochemical marker of E5 expression. IRE1α, the endoribonuclease responsible for XBP-1 RNA splicing, was also downregulated. Furthermore, cDNA microarray analysis revealed the repression of COX-2, another member of the ER stress pathway. In contrast, these genes were not altered either by the low-risk HPV-6b E5, or a C-terminal HPV-16 E5 mutant, in which the histidine and alanine residues (conserved in high-risk HPVs) were replaced with tyrosine and isoleucine (conserved in low-risk HPVs). HPV-16 E5 was also able to lower COX-2 mRNA levels in cells co-expressing E6/E7, suggesting that it might exert similar activity during viral replication. Interestingly, the E6/E7 genes were independently able to lower COX-2 transcripts compared to vector cells, indicating that multiple pathways of COX-2 repression exist. COX-2 downregulation by E5 could be overcome by thapsigargin or tunicamycin treatments, which initiate ER stress via calcium fluxes and abnormal protein glycosylation respectively, making it unlikely that E5 specifically tempers these pathways. Overall, our data indicate that E5 represses the cellular ER stress response and suggest a potential role for E5 during productive HPV infection.
A physiologically based toxicokinetic model of inhalation exposure to xylenes in Caucasian men.

Abstract Widespread exposure to the volatile aromatic hydrocarbons, ortho -, meta -, and para -xylene occurs in many industries including the manufacture of plastics, pharmaceuticals, and synthetic fibers. This paper describes the development of a physiologically based toxicokinetic model using biomonitoring data to quantify the kinetics of ortho -, meta -, and para -xylenes. Serial blood concentrations of deuterium-labeled xylene isomers were obtained over 4 days after 37 controlled, 2 h inhalation exposures to different concentrations of the isomers. Peak toxicant concentrations in blood occurred in all subjects at the termination of exposure. Systemic clearance averaged 116 L/h ± 34 L/h, 117 L/h ± 23 L/h, and 129 L/h ± 33 L/h for ortho -, para -, and meta -xylene, respectively. The half-life of each toxicant in the terminal phase (>90 h post-exposure) was fit by the model, yielding values of 30.3 ± 10.2 h for para -xylene, 33.0 ± 11.7 h for meta -xylene and 38.5 ± 18.2 h for ortho -xylene. Significant isomeric differences were found ( p
Estrogen-induced generation of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species, gene damage, and estrogen-dependent cancers.

In addition to the direct effect of estrogen on mitochondria and the redox cycling of catechol estrogen, estrogen-induced proinflammatory cytokines, such as interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β) and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), also generate reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (RO/NS). Different cellular signaling pathways may operate in response to varying levels of estrogen-induced RO/NS, leading to genotoxic damage, cell apoptosis, or cell growth. At high levels of RO/NS, cells receiving genotoxic insults, if not repaired, may engage the apoptotic pathways. There is increasing evidence supporting that estrogen-induced alterations in the genome of cells is produced by oxidative attack. Furthermore, ROS generated by estrogen exposure and/or active metabolites of estrogen in combination with receptor-mediated proliferation of genetically damaged cells may be involved in tumor development. This view is supported by the findings of DNA modifications produced in vitro or in vivo by natural and synthetic estrog...
A market index futures contract and portfolio selection

Abstract This paper shows that if security returns are generated according to the market model and there is a futures market in the market index, then optimal portfolios can be selected in three steps: 1) select the optimal combination of firm unique characteristics; 2) select the optimal investment in the market; and 3) select the optimal investment in the risk-free asset. The futures market contract separates the choice of firm and market exposure and thus both simplifies the mathematics involved and increases the mean/variance efficiency of the optimal portfolio.
Effect of hydroxyurea on differentiation of mitotically inactive olfactory receptor cells in the frog

Abstract Hydroxyurea is a widely used mitotic suppressant, but its action on nondividing cells remains largely unknown. This is a study of the effect of the drug on the development of newly generated, mitotically inactive olfactory receptor cells in adult frogs. To obtain olfactory epithelia consisting of newly generated cells, the original olfactory epithelia in a group of animals were ablated by irrigation of their nasal cavities with a solution of zinc sulfate in distilled water. The new epithelial cells were then allowed to generate over a period of 10 days. The hydroxyurea treatment was carried out by delivering a 50 m m concentration of the drug in Ringer's solution into the frogs' nasal cavities at a flow rate of 0.40 ml/day continuously for 24 days. Such treatment was capable of suppressing mitotic activity in olfactory epithelia. Morphological and electrophysiological observations of olfactory receptor cells, which were developing during hydroxyurea treatment, did not reveal any notable differences in comparison with olfactory receptor cells in control epithelia treated only with Ringer's solution. Thus the prolonged treatment of olfactory epithelia with hydroxyurea employed in this study, while suppressing mitotic activity in these tissues, did not significantly affect the differentiation of young postmitotic receptor cells.
Studies of suspected neurotransmitters in the vestibuloocular pathways.

Summary Isolated fresh cat trochlear and oculomotor nuclei, which contain the axon terminals of inhibitory neurons whose cell bodies are in the superior vestibular nucleus (SVN), actively synthesize and store [ 3 H]GABA, [ 14 C]acetylcholine, [ 3 H]dopamine and [ 3 H]tyramine from labeled precursors of these compounds. Twelve to 14 days following lesions of the ipsilateral superior vestibular nucleus or its efferent pathway to the oculomotor and trochlear nuclei, at a time when there is extensive degeneration of superior vestibular nucleus axon terminals in these nuclei, the synthesis and storage of GABA in the ipsilateral trochlear nucleus is markedly reduced compared to that in the contralateral trochlear nucleus; the synthesis of acetylcholine, dopamine and tyramine is not measurably affected. The oculomotor nuclei, which unlike the trochlear nuclei receive a heavy bilateral projection from the SVN, show no asymmetric decrease after SVN lesions in their ability to synthesize any of the compounds tested. The data support the identity of GABA as an inhibitory transmitter in the superior vestibular nucleus-trochlear nucleus pathway.
L∞ variational problems and weak KAM theory

In the first part of this paper, we extend several results in Crandall, Evans, and Gariepy [11] and Crandall and Evans [10] to absolute minimizers of more general L∞ functionals. In the second part, we present some interesting connections between L∞ variational problems and weak KAM theory. As an application, we will advance the main result in Fathi and Siconolfi [17], i.e, the existence of a C1 subsolution of the Hamilton-Jacobi equation. Moreover, we will propose a possible approximation of the projected Aubrey set by a variational approach that was first used by Evans in [14]. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Practical Guide to Understanding Clinical Research Compliance

Noncompliance with federal regulations, as monitored through institutional review boards for the ethical conduct of clinical research, can occur, even to seasoned investigators. The cause of this noncompliance can be that an investigator is overloaded, does not know the regulations, or does not take the time to pay attention to the details. Sometimes it happens just because of inevitable human error that can befall us all at any time. The authors begin by citing the inherent differences between clinical practice and clinical research. This is followed by an illustration of common noncompliance errors, with examples, followed by general and specific concepts and methods to minimize noncompliance events. The objective of this article is to condense the myriad details involved in conducting clinical research into a set of manageable recommendations that can be recalled easily before and during the research. The material supporting these recommendations comes from years of institutional review board work at s...
Prognostic significance of the extent of cervical involvement by endometrial cancer.

Abstract The prognostic significance of the extent of cervical involvement by endometrial cancer is impossible to determine from the literature because previous reports have included fractional dilatation and curettage for staging, preoperative radiotherapy, and surgical stage III and IV disease. Therefore, we reviewed and restaged according to the new FIGO system all patients with endometrial cancer from January 1981 to December 1989. Of 180 patients undergoing hysterectomy for endometrial cancer, 20 had surgical stage II disease. No patient received preoperative radiotherapy. None of 12 patients (0%) with stage IIA disease developed recurrence, while 5 of 8 (63%) with stage IIB disease recurred ( P
Assessing Causality in Organizational Studies: The Path-Analytic Approach

The article discusses path analysis and relationships between variables in a causal model of organizational theory. Path analysis requires a clear model of relationships and longitudinal research to determine if there are one-way asymetrical relationships or jointly dependent variables—otherwise intervention and change cannot be accurately evaluated. Eight profiles are related to the recursiveness, linearity, and additivity of variables' relationships. The structural-contingency model of organization and individual or group within the organization profile—which have been used in research to explain organizational climate and job satisfaction—are mentioned, as well as three criteria for establishing the validity of a path-analytic approach.
“Green is or”: Husserl and the poets

L'A. defend la these selon laquelle la theorie de la signification et l'idee d'une grammaire pure logique developpees par Husserl nous renseignent sur la nature de l'expression poetique. Revelant les limites de la grammaire, la poesie montre que la distinction entre le sens et le non sens ne peut se faire sans reference a la theorie de l'acte intentionnel de la signification
Preoperative laparoscopy in diagnosis of acute abdominal pain.

Abstract During 1973, 56 patients on one of three general surgical services at the Peter Bent Brigham Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, who were judged to require hospital admission for acute abdominal pain were divided into two groups. This division was determined by whether or not the physician responsible thought a definite diagnosis could be established on clinical grounds. 27 patients were thought to have a definite diagnosis and underwent laparotomy without preoperative laparoscopy; at laparotomy, 6 of these patients (22%) had no operable lesion. An additional 29 patients had severe abdominal pain and required observation in hospital. An exact diagnosis could not be clinically established in these patients, and many would in the past have required exploratory laparotomy. These 29 patients underwent laparoscopy resulting in all but 1 (4%) having the presence or absence of intra-abdominal disease requiring operative intervention definitely established. At laparoscopy, diagnosis was made in 18 patients who did not require laparotomy while 11 had disease requiring laparotomy after laparoscopy. No complications resulted from laparoscopy. The difference in the median lengths of stay and hospital charges resulted in a saving of one and a half days in hospital and $87 when laparoscopy rather than exploratory laparotomy determined that acute abdominal pain was caused by a condition not requiring surgical intervention.
Quantitative Evaluation of Computer Regenerated Images and Their Use in Storage-Restricted Environments

For a given set of images (or pattern samples), a probabilistic grammar may be developed to describe and recognize these images. This grammar, once obtained, may serve as an abstract representation for the images in question. Conversely, images may be regenerated from their grammatical representations. Images regenerated in this manner, however, may contain samples that are not found in the set of original images from which the grammatical representation was developed. A method for evaluating the quality of regenerated images with respect to the set of original images is discussed. Let I be the set of original images and O be the set of images regenerated from the abstract representation of I. Set O consists of two mutually exclusive subsets, A and B. A is the set of images found in I, and B is the set of images not found in I. It is shown that the clustering behavior of set B determines the quality of the regenerated images in the mean-square sense. By defining a scatter matrix for B, several factors that influence the image quality with respect to I are derived. Experimental results on the abstract representation and regeneration of a subset of the Munson data are demonstrated. An interesting application of this regeneration model to pattern recognition in storage-restricted environments is also presented.
Self-assembly of octadecyltrichlorosilane monolayers on silicon-based substrates by chemical vapor deposition

Increasingly, organosilane self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) are used to modify the surfaces of silicon-based sensors and atomic force microscope (AFM) probes. Organosilane SAMs are preferred due to their fast and easy preparation, stability, and applicability to a wide range of substrates. The traditional dip coating method from solution often yields ill-defined particulate aggregates on the two-dimensional SAM. The presence of such three-dimensional aggregates seriously reduces the performance of miniaturized biosensor devices and AFM probes. It is difficult to control the amount of water in solution-based deposition. This paper describes a chemical vapor deposition (CVD) method to deposit octadecyltrichlorosilane (OTS) monolayers on silicon wafers and AFM probes under vacuum condition. OTS coated surfaces with static water contact angle ranging from 20° to 107° can be obtained by controlling the deposition conditions. The silicon substrates and AFM probes after CVD are characterized by AFM, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and contact angle goniometry. The OTS monolayer is in a uniform low-density state below 65%. Above 65%, densely packed crystalline-like domains start to form. It takes 24 h to reach the adsorption saturation. The time span in the CVD deposition is much longer than the solution case and thus allowing precise variation of the substrate hydrophobicity for biosensor applications.
An analysis of seed development in Pisum sativum XIX. Effect of mutant alleles at the r and rb loci on starch grain size and on the content and composition of starch in developing pea seeds

The effects of mutant alleles at the r and rb loci on starch grain size and the levels of starch and amylose in developing pea (Pisum sativum L.) seeds have been examined. Four lines, near-isogenic except for genes at these loci, have been used to show that both mutations reduce levels of starch throughout embryo development and reduce levels still further when combined in the 'double mutant'. The reduction in starch content was due, at least in part, to a reduction in starch granule size. Although the proportion of starch in mature embryos was similar in the rrRbRb and RRrbrb lines, the starch content differed between these two lines during development, as a percentage of embryo dry weight. This difference was due to a reduction in the absolute growth of the embryo caused by the rb mutation. Lines homozygous for the mutant r allele with either wild-type (RbRb) or mutant (rbrb) alleles at the rb locus contained increased proportions of amylose in their starch throughout development, due to a reduced production of amylopectin. The presence of the rb mutation, however, also reduced the amount of amylose in relation to the reduction in total starch levels. Mutant alleles at both loci also reduced starch levels in the testa during development, the reduction due to rb being more extreme. Reciprocal crosses showed a maternal effect of the rb mutation on final seed size and on the absolute amount of starch in the embryo.
Influences of Infant-Directed Speech on Early Word Recognition

When addressing infants, many adults adopt a particular type of speech, known as infant-directed speech (IDS). IDS is characterized by exaggerated intonation, as well as reduced speech rate, shorter utterance duration, and grammatical simplification. It is commonly asserted that IDS serves in part to facilitate language learning. Although intuitively appealing, direct empirical tests of this claim are surprisingly scarce. Additionally, studies that have examined associations between IDS and language learning have measured learning within a single laboratory session rather than the type of long-term storage of information necessary for word learning. In this study, 7- and 8-month-old infants' long-term memory for words was assessed when words were spoken in IDS and adult-directed speech (ADS). Word recognition over the long term was successful for words introduced in IDS, but not for those introduced in ADS, regardless of the register in which recognition stimuli were produced. Findings are discussed in the context of the influence of particular input styles on emergent word knowledge in prelexical infants.
Race modifies the association between adiposity and inflammation in patients with chronic kidney disease: Findings from the chronic renal insufficiency cohort study

Objective The race-specific association of inflammation with adiposity and muscle mass in subjects with chronic kidney disease (CKD) was examined. Methods Plasma concentration of interleukin (IL)−1β, IL-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1RA), IL-6, IL-10, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, TGF-β, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), fibrinogen, and serum albumin was measured in 3,939 Chronic Renal Insufficiency Cohort study participants. Bioelectric impedance analysis was used to determine body fat mass (BFM) and fat-free mass (FFM). Results Plasma levels of hs-CRP, fibrinogen, IL-1RA, IL-6, and TNF-α increased and serum albumin decreased across the quartiles of body mass index. In multivariable analysis, BFM and FFM were positively associated with hs-CRP, fibrinogen, IL-1β, IL-1RA, and IL-6. One standard deviation (SD) increase in BFM and FFM was associated with 0.36 (95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.33, 0.39) and 0.26 (95% CI = 0.22, 0.30) SD increase in log-transformed hs-CRP, respectively (P < 0.001). Race stratified analysis showed that the association between biomarkers and BFM and FFM differed by race, with Caucasians, demonstrating a stronger association with markers of inflammation than African Americans. Conclusions BFA and FFM are positively associated with markers of inflammation in patients with CKD. Race stratified analysis showed that Caucasians have a stronger association with markers of inflammation compared to African Americans.
Late Quaternary palaeoenvironments in Prydz Bay, East Antarctica: interpretations from marine diatoms

Fossil diatom-bearing marine sediment cores recovered from Prydz Channel, Prydz Bay, record episodes of glacial advance and retreat in the bay. Diatom frustules are abundant, well preserved, and the species composition is diverse in two biogenic sediment units composed of siliceous diatom ooze (SMO-1 and SMO-2). Between SMO-1 and SMO-2 a terrigenous unit (T) is present, composed of muddy diamicton and sandy silty clay, which contains poorly preserved rare diatoms. The SMO units are interpreted to represent an open marine setting with seasonal sea ice cover; the T unit is interpreted to represent glacial ice expansion from the Amery Ice Shelf over the site. Based on an age model developed previously for other cores from Prydz Channel with analogous stratigraphies, we interpret our record to be late Quaternary through Holocene in age. The T unit records the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM) in Prydz Bay; the SMO-1 and SMO-2 units record interstadial episodes that are post- and pre-LGM respectively. Extinct diatom taxa in the T and SMO-2 units indicate reworked sediment sourced from two different-aged deposits. Our results provide both a new interpretation of late Quaternary deposition in Prydz Channel and support for previous studies in this region.
Altered calcium dynamics do not account for attenuation of endothelium-derived hyperpolarizing factor-mediated dilations in the female middle cerebral artery.

Background and Purpose— The contribution of endothelium-derived hyperpolarizing factor (EDHF) to ATP-mediated dilations is significantly attenuated in the rat middle cerebral artery of intact and estrogen-treated ovariectomized (OVX) females compared with males and vehicle-treated OVX females. Since an increase in endothelial calcium appears to be a critical prerequisite in the EDHF response, we tested the hypothesis that endothelial cell intracellular calcium ([Ca2+]i) fails to reach sufficient levels to elicit robust EDHF-mediated dilations in females and that this effect is mediated by estrogen. Methods— Vascular diameter and [Ca2+]i were measured concomitantly in perfused middle cerebral artery segments with the use of videomicroscopy and fura 2 fluorescence, respectively. Results— In the presence of NG-nitro-l-arginine methyl ester and indomethacin, the dilation to 10−5 mol/L ATP was significantly reduced (P<0.05) in intact females (42±8%; n=6) and estrogen-treated OVX females (25±6%; n=9) compared w...
Contributions of VEGF to age-dependent transmural gradients in contractile protein expression in ovine carotid arteries

The present study explores the hypothesis that arterial smooth muscle cells are organized into layers with similar phenotypic characteristics that vary with the relative position between the lumen ...
A new approach to interactive tutorial software for engineering education

The experimental tutorial software described in this paper is designed specifically for engineering education at the university level, and it is significantly different in purpose and structure from other educational software. Its goal is to help students understand, visualize, and connect basic concepts. It is not a design tool or a wealth of hyperlinked text or an infinite source of drill problems. It is intended to be a dynamic and flexible resource for instructors as well as students and to be used by groups as well as individuals. It takes advantage of currently available high-resolution graphics capability to go beyond what can reasonably be expected of textbooks or computer systems with small low-resolution displays. Since the software is written as an X Windows Motif application, it achieves a wide degree of platform independence for workstations and PCs. In addition, the tutorial set can be distributed without license fees or additional software acquisition costs for the user.
PATRONS OF SHAMANIC POWER: La Venta's supernatural entities in light of Mixe beliefs

This article takes two new approaches to the “enigmas” of La Venta. First, it examines the form of the site in relation to the region from which the La Ventans procured their stone: primarily, the Isthmus of Tehuantepec. La Venta's north–south axis pointed to the nearest high mountain south of the site. The bar-and-four-dots design on the Mosaic Pavements corresponded to the duality of the female earth and its four-directional maize plants crossed by the east–west path of the male sun. The Massive Offerings, previously interpreted as effigies of seas, are noted to be on the north of the ceremonial court and to correspond to the ocean a few kilometers north of the site. Second, this paper augments the current understanding of the ideological or spiritual motivations for the design and construction of La Venta's Massive Offerings and Mosaic Pavements by looking through the lens of contemporary Mixe ritual practice and shamanic cosmology. The Mixe are probably the linguistic descendants of the Gulf Coast Olmecs. Using these two lines of analysis, the paper advances several related proposals. It argues that the La Ventans planned Complexes A and C (the designations for the ceremonial court containing the Massive Offerings and other deposits and for the big mound) to replicate the topography of the region important to La Venta as a source of materials and food and, by extension, of knowledge. It specifically correlates the Massive Offerings, Mosaic Pavements, and almond-eyed supernaturals on stelae at the foot of Mound C to the principal “supernatural reality configurations” of the contemporary Mixe. Furthermore, it contextualizes the problem of shamanism by arguing that these supernaturals were not “gods” but sources of shamanic power and that the many buried offerings at La Venta are best seen as similar to aspects of Mixe ritual, which they call “work of the earth.” Finally, the paper reconsiders the existence of “gods” among the Olmecs, concluding that a more appropriate way to express their notions of the sacred is that they conceived supernaturals as meta-cosmological or meta-meteorological forces.