cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Quasi-Fixed Points and Periodic Orbits in the Zebiak Cane ENSO Model with Applications in Kalman Filtering. Part II. Periodic Orbits

In Part II of this study on the application of the interactive Kalman filter to higher-dimensional systems, a modification suited to periodically forced systems is introduced. As in Part I, the object of study here is the ENSO model of Zebiak and Cane, but here the technique of quasi-fixed points is applied to certain Poincare maps of that system that are related to the forcing period of I year. As a result, it is possible to search the model systematically for possible periodic orbits, no matter whether they are stable or unstable. An unstable 4-year cycle is found in the model, and it is argued that this cycle can be traced back to a 4-year limit cycle, which is known to exist under weak atmosphere-ocean coupling. All other quasi-fixed points are related to orbits that do not appear to be periodic. The findings are applied to the modified version of the interactive Kalman filter, which deals with cycles as regimes. Comparing these results with the findings in Part I, it is found that the filter performances improve using, in the following order, the extended filter, the interactive filter with cycles, a seasonal average filter, and the original interactive Kalman filter from Part I.
Remote Sensing Education and Workforce Considerations

Abstract This paper investigates aspects of remote sensing education and training in the United States. Based on the results of recent surveys, there is a significant demand for persons trained in remote sensing in private (commercial) companies, public (local, county, state, and federal) agencies, and in academic institutions of higher learning. The situation will become critical as the demand for geospatial products approaches $6 billion by 2010. Unfortunately, the existing multi-disciplinary remote sensing educational infrastructure may not be able to keep pace with the demand. Remote sensing is taught in a myriad of academic departments (e.g., geography, civil engineering, forestry, range science) that generally do not communicate well with one another. Significant changes in our educational approaches may need to take place especially with regard to the development of a standardized remote sensing core curriculum, possibly implementing certification and/or licensing/registration procedures, and impro...
Abstract B105: Addressing colorectal cancer disparities in rural Appalachia

Colorectal cancer, a disease that is both preventable and detectable in early stages, is currently the third leading cause of cancer death in the U.S. In Kentucky, this disease is the second leading cause of cancer death. The elevated rates of colorectal cancer are a concern because they have increased in recent decades and because of low rates of use of available screening modalities. Low screening rates are particularly concerning for rural populations because of limited access to colonoscopy as well as diagnostic and treatment facilities for colorectal cancer. This concern is particularly acute in Appalachia, a region with a long history of pronounced cancer health disparities. This NCI-funded study is designed to increase colorectal cancer screening by providing outreach and education to primary care physicians practicing in rural, medically underserved areas in Appalachian Kentucky. The intervention is delivered using academic detailing in partnership with Area Health Education Centers (AHEC). General practice, family medicine, and general internal medicine practices in Appalachian Kentucky were identified and invited to participate. A practice representative, usually the lead health care provider, completed a survey describing the practice characteristics and the colorectal cancer screening testing that they provided and/or recommended. Medical record reviews of a sample of 60 asymptomatic patients age 50 and older were conducted to establish baseline screening rates. Practices were then randomized to early or delayed intervention groups. The intervention was delivered at the practices. After an introductory visit, the academic detailer made up to four subsequent visits to the practices to present information on screening efficacy, patient counseling, reimbursement, and practice management. Evaluation data were collected through medical record reviews at 6 and 18 months after the final intervention visit. Medical record reviews collected data on screening recommended and/or provided (fecal occult blood testing (FOBT) in the past year, flexible sigmoidoscopy in the past 5 years, and colonoscopy in the past 10 years). A total of 66 practices we enrolled. Baseline data from 3906 patient records indicated that health care providers had recommended screening by FOBT in the past year for 18.5% of the eligible patients seen during the period covered by the medical record review. The review also showed that 10.5% of records included documentation of results of FOBT. For flexible sigmoidoscopy in the past 5 years 0.4% had a recommendation and 0.3% results. For colonoscopy in the past 10 years, rates of recommendation and results documentation were 43.7% and 29.7%, respectively. Data from medical record review conducted 6 months after the intervention revealed small changes in FOBT, and a substantial increase in documentation of results from colonoscopy, (p Citation Information: Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2010;19(10 Suppl):B105.
Oncogenes: present status

Oncogenes are genes associated with causation of cancer. They were originally associated with the ability of retroviruses to cause tumors in animals. These viral oncogenes (V-onc) have their cellular counterparts (C-onc) called Proto oncogenes. Function of Proto oncogenes is to maintain cellular growth and development. Activation of these proto-oncogenes can occur due to mutation which leads to uncontrolled cell growth. The Proto oncogenes can be grouped into different categories based on their protein products, i.e. protein kinases, growth factors, growth factor receptors, and DNA binding proteins. There are also genes that normally suppress malignant transformation and these are called anti oncogenes. Loss of their suppressor activity leads to unimpeded growth. Oncogene abnormalities are seen in pediatirc leukemias, lymphomas, and various solid tumors. Anti oncogenes are associated with retinoblastoma (Rb gene), Wilms' tumor, rhadbomyosarcoma and neuroblastoma, etc. Identification of these abnormalities have diagnostic, prognostic and therapeutic implications. The utility of oncogenes in classification of human cancer and monitoring cancer therapy is quite clear, but the future of these for therapeutic interventions remains uncertain. Role of c-abl oncogene in chronic myeloid leukemia (CML), bcl-2, in lymphomas, N-myc in neuroblastomas and retinobiastoma (Rb) gene in retionblastomas is well understood and used in designing proper therapeutic approaches. Since oncogenes also control normal cellular function, their use for therapy may be limited by the amount of damage to normal cells. Their maximum therapeutic benefit may be realized only when used in combination with other modalities.
Combining Motivational Interviewing and Cognitive-Behavioral Skills Training for the Treatment of Crystal Methamphetamine Abuse/Dependence

SUMMARY Methamphetamine addiction in men having sex with men (MSM) represents a particular challenge to the clinician. It requires attention both to the fundamental skills the client needs to acquire in order to attain abstinence, and to the client's level of motivation to change his behavior. What follows is a brief review of the state of the art of Motivational Interviewing (MI) and Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) for addictions in general, and for crystal meth specifically. Much of the material presented here is not specific to treatment of crystal meth addiction in gay men; however, there are some aspects of treatment that are specific to treating crystal problems in MSM that are highlighted through out this paper. This paper goes on to present the rationale and basic strategies encompassed by both motivation enhancement and skills-based treatment approaches.
Endothelin-1 induces p66Shc activation through EGF receptor transactivation: Role of β1Pix/Gαi3 interaction

Endothelin-1 (ET-1) is a vasoconstrictor peptide known to be a potent mitogen for glomerular mesangial cells. We have shown that ET-1 stimulates the adaptor protein p66Shc through Rac/Cdc42 guanine nucleotide exchange factor beta(1)Pix. In this study, we demonstrate that ET-1-induced serine phosphorylation of p66Shc is mediated through Galpha(i3). Pertussis toxin treatment of cells induced a significant decrease in the interaction between beta(1)Pix and ET(A)-R, and an increase in the binding of Galpha(i3) and G(beta1) to beta(1)Pix. Activation of heterotrimeric G proteins by AlF(4)(-) resulted in an increase of Galpha(i3) binding to beta(1)Pix, which was significantly disrupted in cells expressing beta(1)Pix dimerization deficient mutant, beta(1)PixDelta (602-611). In cells expressing beta(1)PixDelta (602-611), ET-1-induced p66Shc activation was also significantly decreased. Specific inhibition of EGF receptor by AG1478 blocked ET-1-induced p66Shc activation and the binding of p66Shc and Galpha(i3) to beta(1)Pix. Inhibition of Erk1/2 blocked p66Shc activation induced by ET-1. Altogether, our results indicate that ET-1 activates p66Shc through EGF receptor transactivation, leading to the activation of Galpha(i3), beta(1)Pix and Erk1/2.
Hydrothermal synthesis of a novel uranium oxalate/glycolate via in-situ ligand formation.

A novel templated uranium oxalate/glycolate, (UO2)4(O)2(C2O4)(H2C2O3)2·2[(C8H20)N] (a = 7.9230(8) A, b = 13.3793(13) A, c = 17.4141(18) A, β = 96.006(2)°, monoclinic, P21/n, Z = 2), has been synthesized under hydrothermal conditions via in-situ ligand synthesis. The oxalate and glycolate anions have been formed through the oxidation of 1,4-diazabicyclo[2.2.2]octane, which proceeds through intermediates such as piperazine and ethylene glycol. Reported herein is the synthesis of this compound, crystal structure, and mechanistic information regarding the oxidation pathway.
Repositioning a landmark: The Hutchins commission and freedom of the press

The ideal of “accountability,” a major normative concept in media ethics for the past forty years, was articulated during the mid‐1940s by the Commission on Freedom of the Press, a distinguished group of intellectuals and scholars who met intermittently during World War II to consider the problem of freedom of expression in modern society. Drawing on a variety of archival materials for evidence of the commission's thinking, this essay argues that the concept of accountability was originally intended as a guide to policy making and that, to appreciate the continuing relevance of the commission's work as a landmark in media studies, it is essential to understand the policy orientation that underlay most of its ideas and recommendations.
Replacement of the Distal Radioulnar Joint

The function of the distal radioulnar joint (DRUJ) is to allow lifting of the forearm in all positions. Loss of the DRUJ leads to painful impingement of the radius on top of the stump of the ulna, limiting the activities of the patient. Restoration of the function of the forearm in these cases is achieved by a total replacement of the DRUJ. Cases illustrating the technique and long-term results are presented.
A TERMINAL BEHAVIOUR LOCATOR SYSTEM

(1966). A TERMINAL BEHAVIOUR LOCATOR SYSTEM. Programmed Learning: Vol. 3, No. 1, pp. 40-47.
Interactive roles of CD73 and tissue nonspecific alkaline phosphatase in the renal vascular metabolism of 5′-AMP

CD73 metabolizes extracellular 5′-AMP to adenosine; yet recent experiments in brain tissue suggest that CD73 is not required for the metabolism of 5′-AMP to adenosine because of tissue nonspecific ...
Pro-interleukin-1β production by a subpopulation of human T cells, but not NK cells, in response to interleukin-2

Previous studies have shown that IL-2-stimulated peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) produce IL-1 beta and TNF alpha and that monocytes are the primary source of these IL-2-inducible cytokines. In this report, we provide evidence that monocytes are not the only source. We examined cytokine production by IL-2-treated, nonmonocytic PBMC and found that a population of nonadherent low-density cells (NLDC) produced both IL-1 beta and TNF alpha in response to IL-2. IL-1 beta was synthesized by IL-2-treated NLDC as the 35-kDa intracellular precursor (pro-IL-1 beta), but was neither secreted nor processed to the mature 17-kDa form of the molecule. To determine which cells within the NLDC population generated pro-IL-1 beta and TNF alpha in response to IL-2, we positively selected NK cells and T cells, the two major components of NLDC, using specific monoclonal antibodies. Although IL-2-treated CD16+ NK cells produced TNF alpha and transcribed IL-1 beta mRNA, they did not synthesize the IL-1 beta protein. Conversely, LPS-treated CD16+ and IL-2-treated CD4+ and CD5+ NLDC produced elevated levels of both TNF alpha and IL-1 beta. Our findings illustrate the complex nature of IL-1 beta production by IL-2-stimulated PBMC and suggest that the factors controlling IL-1 beta gene transcription and translation, as well as secretion and processing, vary widely as a function of cell type and stimulus.
Effect of Feeding High-Grain Restricted-Roughage Rations with and without Bicarbonates on the Fat Content of Milk Produced and Proportions of Volatile Fatty Acids in the Rumen

Summary Two separate trials involving a total of 28 lactating dairy cows were conducted to study the effect of supplemental bicarbonates on rumen volatile fatty acids, milk production, and fat content of the milk when high-grain, low-roughage rations were fed. The bicarbonates (equal parts by weight of sodium and potassium) were incorporated into the grain mixture at two levels, 1.5 and 3.0%. All cows received grain free choice plus 5lb of alfalfa hay per day. Cows receiving the bicarbonate in the grain mixture at a level of 3.0% did not decrease in fat test of the milk, whereas the percentage of fat in the milk of the control cows decreased from 3.51 to 1.74%. Bicarbonate feeding resulted in an increase in the acetate:propionate ratio (control—1.31; treated—2.68). At the lower level of bicarbonate feeding (1.5% of grain mixture) results showed trends similar to those for the higher level of bicarbonate feeding; however, the milk fat test for the treated cows was still below normal values.
The effect of magnesium at motoneurons of the isolated spinal cord of the frog

Abstract The action of Mg on membrane excitability and on synaptic transmission at motoneurons of the isolated spinal cord of the frog has been studied. Impulse propagation along presynaptic fibers and antidromically elicited spikes at motoneurons were unaffected by [Mg] in the concentration range of 0–11 mM. This range of [Mg] also had no effect on motoneuron input impedance; however, intracellular current intensities required for spike generation were increased with increasing [Mg]. Iontophoretic application of Mg near intracellular recording sites reversibly depressed elicited PSPs. With 5–11 m M [Mg] and 1 m M [Ca], synaptic transmission was attenuated, but was blocked if the [Ca] was lowered to 0.1 m M [Ca]. In 4 cells, iontophoretic application of Mg caused a reversible increase in PSP amplitudes which was associated with membrane hyperpolarization. We interpret this effect to be due to suppression of tonic excitatory synaptic input. High concentrations of Mg had no effect on the frequency of spontaneously occurring synaptic potentials recorded in the presence of tetrodotoxin.
Diagnosis and treatment of focal nodular hyperplasia

Focal nodular hyperplasia is an uncommon, benign lesion of the liver of minimal clinical significance. Its importance lies in differentiating it from clinically significant lesions such as liver cell adenoma and hepatocellular carcinoma. The purpose of this review is to provide a background on the pathogenesis of focal nodular hyperplasia, discuss current imaging modalities which provide the most specificity in diagnosis, and provide an update on the accepted management of these lesions. While debate still exists, most current authors believe that focal nodular hyperplasia represents a local response of the liver to injury. The source of that injury seems to be vascular malformations. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) provides the most specificity in diagnosis, although the characteristics are still being described. Classically, the lesions will be isointense on T2-weighted images with rapid homogenous contrast enhancement and delayed enhancing central stellate scar. Surgical resection is limited to symptomatic lesions or lesions with atypical imaging characteristics suggesting the possibility of a malignant diagnosis. Percutaneous biopsy can be helpful in those lesions where there is an overall high suspicion of focal nodular hyperplasia, but some of the clinical aspects or imaging characteristics are atypical for the diagnosis. The use of embolization as first line therapy for symptomatic lesions deserves further investigation.
The rank and size of graphs

We show that the number of points with pairwise different sets of neighbors in a graph is O(2r/2), where r is the rank of the adjacency matrix. We also give an example that achieves this bound. © 1996 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Autoimmune hemolytic anemia and ovarian dermoid cysts: Case report and review of the literature

A case of autoimmune hemolytic anemia (AIHA) associated with an ovarian dermoid cyst is presented. Early recognition and specific therapy for this entity is stressed for optimal results since conventional forms of therapy of AIHA are ineffectual. Unusual features of the case are discussed. The literature is reviewed and possible mechanisms of the hemolytic process are discussed.
A Differential Geometric Approach to Multiple View Geometry in Spaces of Constant Curvature

Based upon an axiomatic formulation of vision system in a general Riemannian manifold, this paper provides a unified framework for the study of multiple view geometry in three dimensional spaces of constant curvature, including Euclidean space, spherical space, and hyperbolic space. It is shown that multiple view geometry for Euclidean space can be interpreted as a limit case when (sectional) curvature of a non-Euclidean space approaches to zero. In particular, we show that epipolar constraint in the general case is exactly the same as that known for the Euclidean space but should be interpreted more generally when being applied to triangulation in non-Euclidean spaces. A special triangulation method is hence introduced using trigonometry laws from Absolute Geometry. Based on a common rank condition, we give a complete study of constraints among multiple images as well as relationships among all these constraints. This idealized geometric framework may potentially extend extant multiple view geometry to the study of astronomical imaging where the effect of space curvature is no longer negligible, e.g., the so-called “gravitational lensing” phenomenon, which is currently active study in astronomical physics and cosmology.
Surgical treatment of atrial fibrillation using cryothermy in patients undergoing mitral valve surgery

Surgical treatment of atrial fibrillation (AF) using a variety of energy sources and a mixture of lesion sets has become an important adjunct in patients undergoing cardiac surgery. We retrospectively analyzed prospectively collected data of 141 patients with a history of AF (mean duration of AF 35+/-39 months; intermittent AF: n=72; 51%; permanent AF: 69 (49%)) who underwent a left-sided Cryomaze procedure in conjunction with mitral valve (MV) surgery between January 2003 and September 2006. Freedom from AF was 77% at discharge and 87% at a mean follow-up of 305+/-195 days with a decreasing rate of AF during the first 3-9 months from 13% to 9% and an increase beyond the first year (29% at 2 years). Predictors of failed Cryomaze in multivariate analysis were left atrial size >50 mm (OR=5.7), AF at surgery (OR=5.0) and cardiac reoperation (OR=3.4), whereas preoperative beta-blocker treatment was a predictor of success (OR=0.2). Our data suggest that a left-sided Cryomaze procedure effectively restores sinus rhythm in patients with AF undergoing MV surgery. The success rate should not be evaluated immediately postoperatively because there is a steady increase in the rate of patients with freedom from AF in the first year. It appears, however, that there is a higher rate of recurrence during later follow-up.
Correlation of music charts and search engine rankings

We investigate the question whether expert rankings of real-world entities correlate with search engine (SE) rankings of corresponding web resources. We compare Billboards "Hot 100 Airplay" music charts with SE rankings of associated web resources. Out of nine comparisons we found two strong, two moderate, two weak and one negative correlation. The remaining two comparisons were inconclusive.
Development of striatal dopaminergic function. III: Pre- and postnatal development of striatal and cortical mRNAs for the neurotrophin receptors trkBTK+ and trkC and their regulation by synaptic dopamine

Known neurotrophins in the nigrostriatal system include brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and neurotrophin-3 (NT-3) which exert biological effects after high affinity binding to their respective tyrosine kinase receptors, trkB and trkC. We measured striatal trkBTK+ and trkC mRNAs in rat brain sections with in situ hybridization histochemistry. Both trkBTK+ and trkC transcripts were present in the striatal anlage at embryonic day (E) 14 or 16. Striatal trkBTK+ mRNA levels increased to a peak in the late prenatal period and gradually declined in the postnatal period. In contrast, striatal trkC mRNA levels peaked on E16, then declined to fairly constant levels. Striatal trkBTK+ gene expression increased from the medial to lateral quadrants throughout development, whereas trkC mRNA increased from the lateral to medial quadrants prenatally but increased from the dorsal to ventral quadrants on postnatal days (P) 1 and 3. The distinct spatiotemporal developmental profiles of trkBTK+ and trkC mRNA suggest that their respective ligands BDNF and NT-4/5, and NT-3, may have specialized functions in striatal neuronal development. Because neurotransmitters may regulate neurotrophin function in developing neural systems, we treated rats of various ages with the indirect dopamine agonist cocaine and measured the effects of cocaine treatment on transcription of the trk genes. Acute 1 h cocaine treatment increased trkBTK+ and trkC mRNA levels in the P5 striatum but not in the E15, E20, or adult striatum. The trkBTK+ effect was blocked by pretreatment with the D1 receptor antagonist, SCH23390, and was not affected by pretreatment with the D2 receptor antagonist, eticlopride. In contrast, trkC regulation may be mediated by independent stimulation of D1 and D2 receptors. We hypothesize that the endogenous nigrostriatal neurotransmitter dopamine can modulate striatal neurotrophin responsiveness and thereby influence striatal neuronal development during a defined developmental period.
Gender Schemas: A Cognitive Explanation of Discrimination of Women in Technology

Despite the need for qualified personnel in the field of information technology (IT), women are under represented. Recruiting has been difficult and those women entering the profession often leave. Gender schema theory adds to the explanation of behaviors and attitudes in the workplace that may adversely impact women in technology. We surveyed members of Systers, an online forum for women in technology, to examine gender schemas of IT women to see if there is a significant difference between them and the general public. Our findings suggest that there is a significant difference in the gender-schemas of women in technology and the gender-schemas of the general population. A subsequent sample of male IT students and men in the general public also indicated a significant difference in gender schemas of these two groups. Implications of these differences and future research in this area are discussed.
Application of marker-assisted selection and genome-wide association scanning to the development of winter food barley germplasm resources

Barley (Hordeum vulgare) is an important component of heart-healthy whole grain diets because it contains β-glucan. All current US barley varieties with high β-glucan are spring habit and have waxy starch. Winter varieties have agronomic advantages but require low-temperature tolerance (LTT). Vernalization sensitivity (VS) is associated with higher levels of LTT. To rapidly develop fall-sown varieties with LTT and higher grain β-glucan, we therefore used marker-assisted selection (MAS) at the WX and VRN-H2 loci. The MAS-derived lines, together with unrelated non-waxy germplasm developed via phenotypic selection (PS), were used for a genome-wide association scan (GWAS). The panel was phenotyped for grain β-glucan, LTT and VS. It was genotyped with 3072 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and allele-specific primers. Marker-assisted selection fixed target alleles at both loci but only one of the target phenotypes (higher β-glucan percentage) was achieved. Variation for VS and LTT is attributable to (i) incomplete information about VRN-H1 at the outset of the project and (ii) unexpected allelic variation at VRN-H3 with a large effect on VS and LTT.
Detection of microscopic melanoma metastases in sentinel lymph nodes.

BACKGROUND Sentinel lymph node biopsy following radioisotope labeling is a recently developed, minimally invasive surgical staging procedure used in the management of primary cutaneous malignant melanoma. If histologic analysis reveals melanoma metastasis in the sentinel lymph node, completion lymphadenectomy is performed and adjuvant therapy considered. The routine pathologic assessment of the sentinel lymph node consists of bisecting the lymph node along its long axis and histologic examination of one hematoxylin and eosin–stained section of each cut surface. METHODS In this study, the authors reexamined 235 sentinel lymph nodes reported as negative for melanoma metastasis following routine histologic examination, from 94 patients with American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) Stage I and II cutaneous melanoma. RESULTS Deeper sections into the lymph node and immunohistochemical stains with antibodies to S-100, HMB-45, NK1C3, and MART-1 led to the identification of microscopic metastases in 11 sentinel lymph nodes from 11 patients and capsular nevi in 9 sentinel lymph nodes from 8 patients. CONCLUSIONS Deeper serial sections and immunohistochemical stains detected microscopic metastases in approximately 12% of cases that would be reported as negative for metastasis by routine pathologic analysis. These techniques also allowed for the identification of capsular melanocytic nevi in the sentinel lymph nodes of 9% of patients. [See editorial on pages 551–2, this issue.] Cancer 1999;86:617–27. © 1999 American Cancer Society.
The powered parachute as an archaeological aerial reconnaissance vehicle

The need for a cost-effective method of aerial archaeology that could combine the ability to acquire large-scale, low-altitude photographs of archaeological sites with the capacity for surveying large geographical areas led to an evaluation of the powered parachute (PPC), a type of ultralight aircraft, as an archaeological aerial reconnaissance vehicle. The suitable performance of the aircraft during flight was the first consideration, and an assessment of drift, in-flight stability and altitude stability of the PPC proved satisfactory. Next, characteristics required of an aerial camera platform, such as slow speed, low vibration, the ability to capture images at low altitudes, portability, low cost, safety and others were considered. The PPC easily fulfilled each of the requirements. Limitations on the use of the PPC include obscuring vegetation, inclement weather and government regulations. Despite the limitations, the PPC serves as an invaluable addition to the choice of options available for aerial archaeologists. The PPC has experienced success in acquiring digital still images, digital video and thermal images at sites in Louisiana, Mississippi and North Dakota, and these promising results have led to an increased interest in this approach from archaeologists, land managers and others working in the USA and in Europe. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Role of the breast cancer surgeon in the personalized era

SUMMARY Significant advances in our understanding of the biology of breast cancer have afforded opportunities to tailor breast cancer treatment, screening and prevention. The surgeon is a vital member of the multidisciplinary team, and is often the first physician to recommend treatment. A comprehensive knowledge of biology, the range of treatment outcomes associated with the various treatment modalities and surgical and oncoplastic techniques is essential for today’s surgeon. Given that there is a range of treatments that are possible, the surgeon must also be skilled in shared decision-making and serve as a guide to the patient in assisting them in selecting treatments that are most appropriate for their specific situation. In addition, the surgeon should be an advocate for clinical trials and registries that serve to further enable us to optimize treatment according to biology, patient preference and clinical performance.
Damping in low‐aspect‐ratio, reinforced concrete shear walls

This report summarizes the information obtained from static and dynamic tests of scale-model Seismic Category 1 structures (exclusive of containment) on the damping of low-aspect-ratio, reinforced concrete shear walls. The report reviews experimental assessments of damping in low-aspect-ratio shear walls that have been reported in the literature and presents a summary of the types of structures and structural elements tested. It discusses the testing methods and the methods used to determine equivalent viscous damping ratios (both directly and indirectly), a numerical study that examines the accuracy of various methods for estimating damping from measured acceleration input and response data, and tabulates the damping results. The report concludes by graphically showing the changes in the damping of the shear walls as a function of the peak nominal base shear stress experienced by the structure during simulated seismic events. Also included are comparisons of the damping results obtained in this program with those obtained by other investigators.
Ground-state correlations of one-dimensional quantum many-body systems.

We study the correlations in a family of ground-state wave functions for one-dimensional quantum many-body systems. For a particular ordering of the M particles, these wave functions are given as the absolute value of the free-fermion ground-state wave function, raised to an arbitrary power \ensuremath{\lambda}. For other permutations of the particles, we use the particle statistics\char22{}boson or fermion\char22{}to construct the wave function. This prescription works equally well on the continuum line of length L or on the discrete lattice of size N. The theory of random matrices singles out the ``special'' values of \ensuremath{\lambda}=1/2, 1, and 2, and provides techniques for calculating all correlations. Results obtained in this work include analytic expressions for the lattice momentum distributions, accurate numerical results for all momentum distributions and their critical exponents, and explicit results for the lattice pair-correlation functions. We emphasize that this is only for the stated special values of \ensuremath{\lambda}. Finally, these wave functions are evaluated as candidates for variational wave functions.
Multifunctional Crosslinkable Iridium Complexes as Hole Transporting/Electron Blocking and Emitting Materials for Solution-Processed Multilayer Organic Light-Emitting Diodes

Here, a new series ofcrosslinkable heteroleptic iridium (III) complexes for use in solution processed phosphorescent organic light emitting diodes (OLEDs) is reported. These iridium compounds have the general formula of (PPZ-VB) 2 Ir(C^N), where PPZ-VB is phenylpyrazole (PPZ) vinyl benzyl (VB) ether; and the C^N ligands represent a family of four different cyclometallating ligands including 1-phenylpyrazolyl (PPZ) (1), 2-(4,6-difluorophenyl)pyridyl (DFPPY) (2), 2-(p-tolyl)pyridyl (TPY) (3), and 2-phenylquinolyl (PQ) (4). With the incorporation of two crosslinkable VB ether groups, these compounds can be fully crosslinked after heating at 180°C for 30min. The crosslinked films exhibit excellent solvent resistance and film smoothness which enables fabrication of high-performance multilayer OLEDs by sequential solution processing of multiple layers. Furthermore, the photophysical properties of these compounds can be easily controlled by simply changing the cyclometallating C^N ligand in order to tune the triplet energy within the range of 3.0-2.2 eV. This diversity makes these materials not only suitable for use in hole transporting and electron blocking but also as emissive layers of several colors. Therefore, these compounds are applied as effective materials for all-solution processed OLEDs with (PPZ-VB) 2 IrPPZ (1) acting as hole transporting and electron blocking layer and host material, as well as three other compounds, (PAZ-VB) 2 IrDFPPY (2), (PPZ-VB) 2 IrTPY(3), and (PPZ-VB) 2 IrPQ(4), used as crosslinkable phosphorescent emitters.
Evaluation of the biodegradation of Alaska North Slope oil in microcosms using the biodegradation model BIOB

We present the details of a numerical model, BIOB that is capable of simulating the biodegradation of oil entrapped in the sediment. The model uses Monod kinetics to simulate the growth of bacteria in the presence of nutrients and the subsequent consumption of hydrocarbons. The model was used to simulate experimental results of Exxon Valdez oil biodegradation in laboratory columns (Venosa et al. (2010)). In that study, samples were collected from three different islands: Eleanor Island (EL107), Knight Island (KN114A), and Smith Island (SM006B), and placed in laboratory microcosms for a duration of 168 days to investigate oil bioremediation through natural attenuation and nutrient amendment. The kinetic parameters of the BIOB model were estimated by fitting to the experimental data using a parameter estimation tool based on Genetic Algorithms (GA). The parameter values of EL107 and KN114A were similar whereas those of SM006B were different from the two other sites; in particular biomass growth at SM006B was four times slower than at the other two islands. Grain size analysis from each site revealed that the specific surface area per unit mass of sediment was considerably lower at SM006B, which suggest that the surface area of sediments is a key control parameter for microbial growth in sediments. Comparison of the BIOB results with exponential decay curves fitted to the data indicated that BIOB provided better fit for KN114A and SM006B in nutrient amended treatments, and for EL107 and KN114A in natural attenuation. In particular, BIOB was able to capture the initial slow biodegradation due to the lag phase in microbial growth. Sensitivity analyses revealed that oil biodegradation at all three locations were sensitive to nutrient concentration whereas SM006B was sensitive to initial biomass concentration due to its slow growth rate. Analyses were also performed to compare the half-lives of individual compounds with the decay rate of the overall PAH.
Pyridine borane as a reducing agent for proteins.

Pyridine borane has been reported as a superior reagent over a wide pH range, 5-9, for the reductive methylation of amino groups of proteins with formaldehyde [J. C. Cabacungan , A. I. Ahmed , and R. E. Feeney (1982) Anal. Biochem. 124, 272-278]. It has also been reported to reduce tryptophan to dihydrotryptophan and to inactivate lysozyme in trifluoroacetic acid [M. Kurata , Y. Kikugawa , T. Kuwae , I. Koyama , and T. Takagi (1980) Chem. Pharm . Bull 28, 2274-2275]. In the present study the specificity of pyridine borane for the two different modifications under different reaction conditions has been demonstrated, and extended to the application to the synthesis of protein containing reductively attached carbohydrates. In the acid reduction, pyridine borane selectively reduced all six tryptophans in lysozyme to dihydrotryptophan while all other amino acids remained intact. On similar treatment no cleavage of the carbohydrate moiety from chicken ovomucoid, and no losses of activity of ovomucoid or ribonuclease, two proteins devoid of tryptophan, were observed. Nearly complete methylation of the lysines of lysozyme, chicken ovomucoid, and ribonuclease was achieved with formaldehyde at pH 7.0 after 2 h at room temperature, with the retention of full activity of the protein without any destruction of tryptophan. The same chemistry was applied to covalently attach glucose and lactose to bovine serum albumin. Parameters, including pH, temperature, and methanol, that affect the reactions were investigated. Incremental additions of pyridine borane during the course of the reactions increased the rate of modification. The covalent attachment of sugar to the epsilon-amino group of lysine was demonstrated by the synthesis of N-alpha- acetylglucitollysine and comparison with acid hydrolysates of the bovine serum albumin-sugar derivatives.
Cancer models in Caenorhabditis elegans

Although now dogma, the idea that nonvertebrate organisms such as yeast, worms, and flies could inform, and in some cases even revolutionize, our understanding of oncogenesis in humans was not immediately obvious. Aided by the conservative nature of evolution and the persistence of a cohort of devoted researchers, the role of model organisms as a key tool in solving the cancer problem has, however, become widely accepted. In this review, we focus on the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans and its diverse and sometimes surprising contributions to our understanding of the tumorigenic process. Specifically, we discuss findings in the worm that address a well-defined set of processes known to be deregulated in cancer cells including cell cycle progression, growth factor signaling, terminal differentiation, apoptosis, the maintenance of genome stability, and developmental mechanisms relevant to invasion and metastasis.
Outflow of Arctic Ocean Sea Ice into the Greenland and Barents Seas: 1979-2007

Abstract Twenty-nine years of Arctic sea ice outflow into the Greenland and Barents Seas are summarized. Outflow is computed at three passages: Fram Strait, between Svalbard and Franz Josef Land (S–FJL), and between Franz Josef Land and Severnaya Zemlya (FJL–SZ). Ice drift at the flux gates has been reprocessed using a consistent and updated time series of passive microwave brightness temperature and ice concentration (IC) fields. Over the record, the mean annual area outflow at the Fram Strait is 706(113) × 103 km2; it was highest in 1994/95 (1002 × 103 km2) when the North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) index was near its 29-yr peak. The strength of the “Transpolar Drift Stream” (TDS) was high during the late 1980s through the mid-1990s. There is no statistically significant trend in the Fram Strait area flux. Even though there is a positive trend in the gradient of cross-strait sea level pressure, the outflow has not increased because of a negative trend in IC. Seasonally, the area outflow during recent sum...
Wideband Phased Array Antennas

Slotted spiral antennas with a ground plane are designed to cover the frequency range 0.5-18 GHz. Various antennas incorporating Archemidan slotted spirals with a ground plane and dielectric thickness less than 100 um were designed, processed and tested at different frequency ranges using conventional PCBs as well as vertically interconnected and monolithically (MMIC) processed versions. One of the major problems associated with incorporating these radiating elements that cover such a wide frequency range is the physical spacing of the antennas in phased array placements and the resulting beam steering by the application of the phase shifts to the corresponding antennas. Major side lobes appear because of the fixed physical separation of the antennas and these become more problematic when beam steering is applied through phase shifters. Properties of the Archimedean slotted spiral antennas with ground plane and with very thin dielectric layers will be presented and the problems and possible solutions associated with using these widebandwidth elements in a phase array will be presented.
Obesity-related nephropathy in children

Concurrent with the global obesity epidemic, there is an increasing number of people of all ages developing chronic kidney disease associated with obesity. In adults, the definition of obesity is a BMI greater than 30 kg/m2. Whereas, in children, a BMI greater than the 85th percentile for age is considered overweight and greater than the 95th percentile is classified as obese. Clinical and pathologic characteristics of a distinct nephropathy have emerged independent of that of diabetic or hypertensive glomerulosclerosis. These include a silent presentation in an obese individual with heavy proteinuria, normal serum albumin and the absence of edema. Renal pathologic findings are notable for mesangial matrix expansion, glomerular hypertrophy and reduced density of podocytes with detachment of foot processes from the glomerular basement membrane. These findings are frequently associated with the development of secondary focal segmental glomerulosclerosis. Obesity alone does not appear to be the sole mediator...
A Hybrid Real-Time Scheduling Approach for Large-Scale Multicore Platforms

We propose a hybrid approach for scheduling real-time tasks on large-scale multicore platforms with hierarchical shared caches. In this approach, a multicore platform is partitioned into clusters. Tasks are statically assigned to these clusters, and scheduled within each cluster using the preemptive global EDF scheduling algorithm. We show that this hybrid of partitioning and global scheduling performs better on large-scale platforms than either approach alone. We also determine the appropriate cluster size to achieve the best performance possible, given the characteristics of the task set to be supported.
Life cycle assessment as a communication tool in customer-supplier relationships

As companies consider incorporating Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) approaches into their strategic business planning, it is important that they recognize the role this tool can play in improving their competitive position. One area in which LCA is contributing to business success is as a communication tool within the customer-supplier relationship. Unlike traditional product information, such as performance and cost, a consensus communication tool does not yet exist to communicate environmental attributes. An abridged LCA is one methodology gaining acceptance within industry as a technique for supporting environmental claims. This paper describes a format for using LCA within the customer-supplier relationship.
Cell Plasticity and Heterogeneity in Cancer

BACKGROUND: Heterogeneity within a given cancer arises from diverse cell types recruited to the tumor and from genetic and/or epigenetic differences amongst the cancer cells themselves. These factors conspire to create a disease with various phenotypes. There are 2 established models of cancer development and progression to metastatic disease. These are the clonal evolution and cancer stem cell models. CONTENT: The clonal evolution theory suggests that successive mutations accumulating in a given cell generate clonal outgrowths that thrive in response to microenvironmental selection pressures, dictating the phenotype of the tumor. The alternative cancer stem cell (CSC) model suggests that cancer cells with similar genetic backgrounds can be hierarchically organized according to their tumorigenic potential. Accordingly, CSCs reside at the apex of the hierarchy and are thought to possess the majority of a cancer's tumor-initiating and metastatic ability. A defining feature of this model is its apparent unidirectional nature, whereby CSCs undergo symmetric division to replenish the CSC pool and irreversible asymmetric division to generate daughter cells (non-CSCs) with low tumorigenic potential. However, evolving evidence supports a new model of tumorigenicity, in which considerable plasticity exists between the non-CSC and CSC compartments, such that non-CSCs can reacquire a CSC phenotype. These findings suggest that some tumors may adhere to a plastic CSC model, in which bidirectional conversions are common and essential components of tumorigenicity. SUMMARY: Accumulating evidence surrounding the plasticity of cancer cells, in particular, suggests that aggressive CSCs can be created de novo within a tumor. Given the current focus on therapeutic targeting of CSCs, we discuss the implications of non-CSC-to-CSC conversions on the development of future therapies.
Tariff and quota equivalence in the presence of asymmetric information

Abstract This paper investigates the equivalence of optimal import tariffs and quotas in a Cournot duopoly model when firms have more information about demand than the domestic government. I consider a screening model in which the government offers the domestic firm different contracts from which to choose. I show that the availability and cost of obtaining correct information from the firm depends upon the choice of trade policy instrument. Asymmetric information thus destroys the equivalence of tariffs and quotas, which prevails under complete information, and has a profound impact on how government, firms, and consumers rank different trade policy instruments.
Distributed fault tolerant topology control in wireless ad-hoc sensor networks

Topology control is an important problem in wireless ad-hoc sensor networks. The aim of the topology control is to maintain desired properties of the network topology to improve the performance of networking algorithms (e.g. routing). In this paper, we present a distributed algorithm for assigning minimum possible power to all the nodes in the wireless sensor networks, such that the network is K-connected. Extensive simulation has been performed to prove the optimality of the algorithm.
Overcoming polar-format issues in multichannel SAR Autofocus

Multichannel autofocus (MCA) for synthetic aperture radar (SAR) assumes one-dimensional defocusing and that the perfectly focused image has low return at the image edge, where the scene is attenuated by the antenna pattern. When the assumptions are satisfied, MCA yields better or even perfect solutions compared to other autofocus methods. However, the performance is very sensitive to the violation of the one-dimensional defocusing assumption; thus it should not be used with polar formatting. Fortunately, the problem can be solved if we reverse the order of two steps in the image formation process and apply MCA to a warped version of the image, which is obtained by inverse Fourier transforming the polar-grid data without interpolation. The warped versions of the image satisfy a low-return assumption in practice, but the region of low-return must be carefully specified for best performance.