cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
In vivo copper-mediated free radical production: an ESR spin-trapping study

Abstract Copper has been suggested to facilitate oxidative tissue injury through a free radical-mediated pathway analogous to the Fenton reaction. By applying the electron spin resonance (ESR) spin-trapping technique, evidence for hydroxyl radical formation in vivo was obtained in rats treated simultaneously with copper and ascorbic acid or paraquat. A secondary radical spin-trapping technique was used in which the hydroxyl radical formed the methyl radical upon reaction with dimethylsulfoxide. The methyl radical was then detected by ESR spectroscopy as its adduct with the spin trap phenyl-N-t-butyl- nitrone (PBN). In contrast, lipid derived radical was detected in vivo in copper-challenged, vitamin E and selenium-deficient rats. These findings support the proposal that dietary selenium and vitamin E can protect against lipid peroxidation and copper toxicity. Since copper excreted into the bile from treated animals is expected to be maintained in the Cu(I) state (by ascorbic acid or glutathione), a chelating agent that would redox-stablilize it in the Cu(I) state was used to prevent ex vivo redox chemistry. Bile samples were collected directly into solutions of bathocuproinedisulfonic acid, a Cu(I)-stabilizing agent, and 2,2′-dipyridyl, a Fe(II)-stabilizing agent. If these precautions were not taken, radical adducts generated ex vivo could be mistaken for radical adducts produced in vivo and excreted into the bile.
Rapid thermal conductivity measurement with a hot disk sensor: Part 2. Characterization of thermal greases

Thermal transport properties of several thermal greases with applications in electronic packaging have been characterized at room temperature using the hot disk technique, which is a transient plane source technique for rapid thermal conductivity and thermal diffusivity measurement. In this technique, the hot disk sensor serves as a heat source and a thermometer. During the measurement, the sensor is sandwiched between two halves of a sample, and a constant current is supplied to the sensor. The temperature increase at the sensor surface is strongly dependent on the thermal transport properties of the surrounding material. By monitoring the temperature increase as a function of time, one can determine the thermal conductivity and the thermal diffusivity of the surrounding material with high accuracy. The results on thermal greases are in good agreement with supplier data, which were obtained by another method.
Breaking the Pressure Barrier: A History of the Spacesuit Injection Patch

The spacesuit assembly has a fascinating and complicated history dating back to the early 1930s. Much has been written on this history from an assembly perspective and, to a lesser extent, a component perspective. However, little has been written or preserved specifically on smaller, lesser-known aspects of pressure suit design. One example of this is the injection patch - a small 2-in.-diameter disk on the leg of the Apollo suit that facilitated a medical injection when pressurized, and the only known implementation of such a feature on a flight suit. Whereas many people are aware this feature existed, very little is known of its origin, design, and use, and the fact that the Apollo flight suit was not the only instance in which such a feature was implemented. This paper serves to tell the story of this seeming "afterthought" of a feature, as well as the design considerations heeded during the initial development of subsequent suits.
Evaluation of the horse with acute cardiac crisis

While the horse in acute cardiac crisis is not common, there are times when prompt diagnosis and treatment of cardiac disease are necessary for a positive outcome. Many veterinarians claim to be less comfortable with cardiology than other specialties, and equine practitioners are no different. However, knowledge about the physiology, diagnosis, and immediate treatment of a few of the more common equine cardiac emergencies is an attainable task. Conditions that can lead to acute cardiac crisis in the horse include arrhythmias (associated with aortocardiac fistula, myocarditis, toxins, cardiac hypoxia and ischemia, and infectious causes), heart failure (associated with congenital malformations, acquired degenerative valve disease, infectious valvulitis, and ruptured chordae tendinae), bacterial endocarditis, and pericarditis.
Toxic effects of acrylamide in Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix Japonica)

Japanese quail (n =32), dosed orally with acrylamide monomer, showed an LD50 (95% confidence interval) of 214 mg/kg (194–236) at d 1 after dosing and of 186 mg/kg (171–202) at d 4 and 7 after dosing. Effects on righting and on posture and gait were prominent neurological signs. Wing strength and tone were less affected. Recovery was suggested in both neurological signs and body weights.
Change in movement and subdivision of Myrmica punctiventris (Hymenoptera, Formicidae) colonies in north temperate forests is related to a long-term shift in social organization

We assessed temporal and spatial patterns of nest site use in the cavity dwelling ant, Myrmica punctiventris in a well-studied temperate forest site in central New York State. We evaluated changes in nest site use by repeatedly censusing the ants inhabiting artificial nests (hollow dowels) for three consecutive growing seasons. We confirm a shift towards more polydomy in this population of M. punctiventris, first reported by DeHeer et al. (2001), but extend these findings by demonstrating that this shift has occurred gradually over several years. We are unable to determine if this polydomy is seasonal or year round. We explore various explanations for the occurrence of polydomy and suggest that long-term changes in sex allocation are indirectly driving the shift in nesting strategies.
Virologic and regimen termination surrogate end points in AIDS clinical trials.

Suppression of plasma human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) RNA levels has been widely accepted as an appropriate surrogate end point for HIV disease progression, and it is currently used as the primary end point to determine efficacy in many antiretroviral trials. However, this end point does not always measure other important effects of treatment, such as inducement of multidrug resistance, which depletes future therapy options, and toxic effects. An alternative that directly factors in these treatment costs is a composite regimen termination end point, defined as a protocol-determined change in regimen due to either virologic failure or treatment-related toxic effects. Pros and cons for using purely virologic vs various composite primary end points are discussed. Conclusions include (1) a trial’s clinical objective guides the choice of primary end point, (2) a purely virologic end point is often preferable, (3) it may be important to analyze both end point types in interpreting study results, and (4) long-term clinical outcome studies are needed for identifying the most predictive surrogate end points.
Observations on the early events of cadmium necrosis of the testis

A light and electron microscopic study of the early changes which occur in cadmium necrosis of the testis of the mouse was made in an effort to identify the site of action of cadmium. Mice were given a single, intraperitoneal injection of 1% CdCl2 at a dosage of 0.1 ml/10 g body weight and then the testes were fixed for light and electron microscopy at various hourly intervals. The earliest changes which were appreciated by light microscopy consisted of an edema of the intertubular spaces, congestion of blood vessels, and an increased amount of granular precipitate in the connective tissue spaces. By electron microscopy the earlies changes were observed in the endothelium of the testicular vascular bed and consisted of a striking and rapid increase in the prevalence of pinocytotic vesticles suggesting an increased interchanges of fluid between the blood and extravascular spaces. All of these changes preceded any appreciable alteration in the cells of the seminal epithelium. The fact that the earliest alterations are observed in blood vessels suggests that the site of action of cadmium in the production of testicular necrosis is upon the endothelium of the vascular bed. A comparative series of animals (frog, pigeon, rooster, armadillo, opossum) was also investigated as to their susceptibility to the toxic effects of cadmium. the results from these species, and other species reported by previous investigators, suggest the generality that cadmium necrosis is a phenomenon common to species possessing scrotal testes and absent from those possessing abdominal testes. The opossum is an exception to this generality. These findings are discussed in relation to the blood supply of the testis.
Tunable single-walled carbon nanotube microstructure in the liquid and solid states using poly(acrylic acid)

Poly(acrylic acid) is shown to control the level of SWNT dispersion in aqueous mixtures and the state of dispersion in a solid composite. At low pH, PAA-stabilized suspensions containing 0.1 wt % SWNT have a waterlike viscosity, but this mixture thickens as the pH is raised. This behavior is reversed when pH is again lowered. Changing pH varies the SWNT microstructure between aggregated and well-exfoliated states, as evidenced by electron microscopy and electrical conductivity measurements.
Multi-dimensional Conflict Graph Based Computing for Optimal Capacity in MR-MC Wireless Networks

Optimal capacity analysis in multi-radio multi-channel wireless networks by nature incurs the formulation of a mixed integer programming, which is NP-hard in general. The current state of the art mainly resorts to heuristic algorithms to obtain an approximate solution. In this paper, we propose a novel concept of multi-dimensional conflict graph (MDCG). Based on MDCG, the capacity optimization issue can be accurately modeled as a linear programming (LP) multi-commodity flow (MCF) problem, augmented with maximal independent set (MIS) constraints. The MDCG-based solution will provide not only the maximum throughput or utility, but also the optimal configurations on routing, channel assignment, and scheduling. Moreover, the MDCG-based optimal capacity planning can exploit dynamic channel swapping, which is difficult to achieve for those existing heuristic algorithms. A particular challenge associated with the MDCG-based capacity analysis is to search exponentially many possible MISs. We theoretically show that in fact only a small set of critical MISs, termed as critical MIS set, will be scheduled in the optimal resource allocation. We then develop a polynomial computing method, based on a novel scheduling index ordering (SIO) concept, to search the critical MIS set. Extensive numerical results are presented to demonstrate the efficiency of the MDCG-based resource allocation compared to well-known heuristic algorithm presented in [1], and the efficiency of SIO-based MIS computing compared to the widely adopted random algorithm for searching MISs.
Collaborative Partnerships Among Teachers of Students Who Are Gifted and Have Learning Disabilities

Services for students who are gifted and have learning disabilities vary in type by school district. General education teachers rarely have the training to work with students who have multiple exceptionalities in the general ed- ucation classroom. Conversely, special educators typically are not trained to address the unique needs of students with gifts and talents. Because of this disparity in training, it is imperative that collaboration among general edu- cators, special educators, and teachers of students who are gifted occurs throughout the school year. This article suggests strategies and ideas to help build collaborative partnerships among all teachers who work with stu- dents who are gifted and have learning disabilities.
Helper and suppressor activities of lymphocyte subsets on antithyroglobulin production in vitro

We studied the regulatory activities of T cells on specific antithyroglobulin (anti-Tg) and nonspecific immunoglobulin secretion in cultures of peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) of five patients with autoimmune thyroid diseases and high levels of serum anti-Tg. PBL were separated into a non-T population, including B-cells and monocytes, and a T-cell population by rosetting with sheep red cells. T-Cells were further separated into T helper (Th) and T suppressor (Ts) subsets by a panning technique using the monoclonal antibodies anti-Leu 3a and anti-Leu 2a, respectively. The three sets of cells, i.e. B, Th, and Ts, from patients and from normal individuals were cocultured in various combinations and stimulated with the polyclonal stimulant pokeweed mitogen. A sensitive plaque assay was used to enumerate cells producing anti-Tg and protein A-binding immunoglobulins. The PBL of both patients and normal individuals had Tg-specific suppressor cells. Ts-cells from patients in syngeneic or allogeneic combinations with B- and Th-cells at a ratio of 1:1:1 suppressed the pokeweed mitogen-induced anti-Tg response to 41 +/- 8% (+/-SE) and 50 +/- 20% of the control value, respectively, while Ts from normal individuals suppressed the response to 7 +/- 3% of the control value. The suppressive effect of the Ts-cells from patients and normal individuals on nonspecific immunoglobulin secretion was similar (reduced to 10-15% of control). Thus, there appeared to be a deficiency in Tg-specific suppressor activity in PBL of patients. On the other hand, Th-cells from patients (syngeneic or allogeneic) cocultured with patient B-cells produced a greater anti-Tg response than Th-cells from normal individuals. The helper activities of Th-cells of patients and normal individuals on nonspecific immunoglobulin secretion were similar. Thus, there appeared to be an increase in Tg-specific helper activity in PBL of patients.
Holomorphy, rescaling anomalies and exact β functions in supersymmetric gauge theories

There have long been known \exact" functions for the gauge coupling in N =1 supersymmetric gauge theories, the so-called Novikov-Shifman-Vainshtein-Zakharov (NSVZ) functions. Shifman and Vainshtein further related these functions to the exact 1-loop running of the gauge coupling in a \Wilsonian" action. All these results, however, remain somewhat mysterious. We attempt to clarify these issues by presenting new perspectives on the NSVZ function. Our interpretation of the results is somewhat dierent than the one given by Shifman and Vainshtein, having nothing to do with the distinction between \Wilsonian" and \1PI" eective actions. Throughout we work in the context of the Wilsonian Renormalization Group; namely, as the cuto of the theory is changed from M to M 0 , we seek to determine the appropriate changes in the bare couplings needed in order to keep the low energy physics xed. The entire analysis is therefore free of infrared subtleties. When the bare Lagrangian given at the cuto is manifestly holomorphic in the gauge coupling, we show that the required change in the holomorphic gauge coupling is exhausted at 1-loop to all orders of perturbation theory, and even non-perturbatively in some cases. On the other hand, when the bare Lagrangian at the cuto has canonically normalized kinetic terms, we nd that the required change in the gauge coupling is given by the NSVZ function. The higher order contributions in the NSVZ function are due to anomalous Jacobians under the rescaling of the elds done in passing from holomorphic to canonical normalization. We also give prescriptions for regularizing certain N = 1 theories with an ultraviolet cuto M preserving manifest holomorphy, starting from nite N =4a nd N =2 theories. It is then at least in principle possible to check the validity of the exact function by higher order calculations in these theories.
Investigation of Local Coordination and Electronic Structure of Dielectric Thin Films from Theoretical Energy-Loss Spectra

Quantum mechanical simulations were performed to calculate the valence electron energy-loss spectra (VEELS) for hafnium oxide, hafnium silicate, silicon oxide and silicon systems using the full potential Linearized Augmented Plane Wave (LAPW) formalism within the Density Functional Theory (DFT) framework. The needed energy-loss function (ELF) was derived from the calculation of the complex dielectric tensor within the random phase approximation (RPA). The calculated spectra were compared with experimental scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM)/EELS of atomic layer deposited (ALD) HfO2 on Si(100) to evaluate their use as a “fingerprint” method that can be used to distinguish among various polymorphs of HfO2 thin films and relate the fine structure to the electronic structure and local bonding environment. Calculated low-loss spectra are found to be in satisfactory agreement with experimental data. Also, the combination of such theoretical calculations and experimental data could be of key importance in our understanding of fundamental issues of these systems. Compared to energy-loss near edge structure (ELNES) or core energy-loss spectra, the ELF calculated for low-loss spectra is computationally less expensive and can prove useful for prompt analysis.
How Customer Participation in B2B Peer-to-Peer Problem-Solving Communities Influences the Need for Traditional Customer Service

Customer support is critical for the success of business-to-business (B2B) service firms. A key issue such firms face is how to reduce customers’ reliance on traditional support service. B2B compan...
Experiments with a synthetic polyampholyte

The synthesis of the polyampholyte of regular structure first devised by Marvel and DeTommaso has been improved. Viscometric studies have given some evidence of contractile properties. Low molecular weight of the polyampholyte has prevented the formation of strong fibers.
A robust timing synchronization design in OFDM systems-part I: low-mobility cases

In this paper we consider the design of a robust timing synchronization algorithm for pilot-aided OFDM systems in high-mobility fading environments. We first analyze the impact of both mobility and timing errors on the performance of a pilot-aided OFDM system for frequency selective fading channels, by deriving an expression for channel estimation error variance. The analysis will show that, even for high levels of mobility, a pilot-aided channel estimator is considerably sensitive to timing errors, due to the impact of rotations in different bases. We then show how this sensitivity can be utilized to design a robust timing synchronization algorithm for mobile OFDM systems, without relying on synchronization training information. Theoretical results are then confirmed by simulating the performance of an OFDM system in high delay and Doppler spread fading environments. Finally, we show how the proposed mathematical framework and algorithm can be used to address timing synchronization in the presence of a frequency offset as well. The analysis of this paper is the extension of the derivations of Part I [8], the accompanying paper on the design of a robust timing synchronizer for low-mobility OFDM systems.
Hypoxemic reperfusion exacerbates the neurological injury sustained during neonatal deep hypothermic circulatory arrest: a model of cyanotic surgical repair.

Objective: Deep hypothermic circulatory arrest (DHCA) is frequently used in infants undergoing the Norwood procedure. These infants are necessarily hypoxemic after separation from CPB. Considerable energy has been spent characterizing the physiological and histological consequences of DHCA, but these have largely focused on a normoxemic period of reperfusion. Furthermore, evidence has accumulated to suggest that the cerebral vascular autoregulatory mechanisms are dysfunctional following DHCA. In particular, the vasodilatation that elevates cerebralbloodflow(CBF)inresponseto hypoxemia isabsent.Thisstudythereforeaimedtoinvestigatewhetherpost-CPBhypoxemiaexacerbates brain injury resulting from DHCA. Methods: Twelve neonatal piglets were subjected to 2 h DHCA and then separated from CPB. They were then randomized to either: Group 1, normoxic ventilation (n = 5); or Group 2, hypoxemia (n = 7), in which the arterial PaO2 was reduced to 40— 50 mmHgforthedurationofreperfusion.Followinga20 hperiodofwarmreperfusion,theanimalswereperfusionfixedandthebrainanalyzedfor histological evidence of injury. Nine additional animals were studied in one of three control groups. Results: All animals survived the protocol. Post-operative parameters — including mean arterial pressure, acid—base status, inotrope requirements and arterial PaCO2 — were similar. None of the control animals had any evidence of ischemia. Group 1 animals had moderate injury (total score 7.4 1.6). In Group 2, three animals sustainedirretrievable braininjuryevidencedbygrossedemaandearlyliquefactivenecrosis.Theremainingfourhadsevereischemichistological changes (score 14.5 1.6, p < 0.03). Conclusions: Hypoxemic reperfusion after prolonged DHCA results in increased neuronal loss. The use of DHCA for staged palliation may confer disproportionately greater cerebral risk than other patient groups. Alternatively, methods to augment oxygen delivery — such as by ECMO — may be of particular benefit in the early re-perfusion window. # 2007 European Association for Cardio-Thoracic Surgery. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
The effect of alpha‐adrenergic innervation on caudate blood flow

A thermal diffusion probe, with cannulas for intracerebral microinfusion of drugs and an electrode to monitor electroencephalographic (EEG) activity, was used to examine the local effect of vasoactive amines in a 4 to 5 mm sphere of caudate nucleus in cats. The results demonstrated that it is possible to alter local cerebral blood flow (CBF) without causing any change in systemic blood pressure or heart rate, or in CBF and the EEG in the opposite caudate. One-microliter intracerebral injections, containing varying amounts of phenylephrine, increased local CBF in proportion to dose. The effect was blocked by intracerebral infusion of phentolamine. However, local alpha-adrenergic blockade did not inhibit vascular responses to blood pressure elevation or to metabolic influences on local blood flow.
Evaluation of myocardial defect detection between parallel-hole and fan-beam SPECT using the Hotelling trace

The objective of this study was to implement the Hotelling trace (HT) to evaluate the potential increase in defect detection in myocardial SPECT using high-resolution fan-beam (HRF) versus parallel-hole (HRP) collimation and compare results to a previously reported human observer study (G.K. Gregoriou et al., ibid., vol. 42, p. 1267-75, 1995). Projection data from the 3D MCAT torso phantom were simulated including the effects of attenuation, collimator-detector response blurring and scatter. Poisson noise fluctuations were then simulated. The HRP and HRF collimators had the same spatial resolution at 20 cm. The total counts in the projection data sets were proportional to the detection efficiencies of the collimators and on the order of that found in clinical Tc-99m studies. In six left-ventricular defect locations, the HT found for HRF was superior to that for HRP collimation. For HRF collimation, the HT was calculated for reconstructed images using 64/spl times/64, 128/spl times/128 and 192/spl times/192 grid sizes. The results demonstrate substantial improvement in myocardial defect detection when the grid size was increased from 64/spl times/64 to 128/spl times/128 and slight improvement from 128/spl times/128 to 192/spl times/192. Also, the performance of the Hotelling observer in terms of the HT at the different grid sizes correlates at better than 0.95 to that found in human observers in a previously reported observer experiment and ROC study.
Effects of monsoon precipitation variability on the physiological response of two dominant C4 grasses across a semiarid ecotone

For the southwestern United States, climate models project an increase in extreme precipitation events and prolonged dry periods. While most studies emphasize plant functional type response to precipitation variability, it is also important to understand the physiological characteristics of dominant plant species that define plant community composition and, in part, regulate ecosystem response to climate change. We utilized rainout shelters to alter the magnitude and frequency of rainfall and measured the physiological response of the dominant C4 grasses, Bouteloua eriopoda and Bouteloua gracilis. We hypothesized that: (1) the more drought-adapted B. eriopoda would exhibit faster recovery and higher rates of leaf-level photosynthesis (A(net)) than B. gracilis, (2) A(net) would be greater under the higher average soil water content in plots receiving 30-mm rainfall events, (3) co-dominance of B. eriopoda and B. gracilis in the ecotone would lead to intra-specific differences from the performance of each species at the site where it was dominant. Throughout the study, soil moisture explained 40-70% of the variation in A(net). Consequently, differences in rainfall treatments were not evident from intra-specific physiological function without sufficient divergence in soil moisture. Under low frequency, larger rainfall events B. gracilis exhibited improved water status and longer periods of C gain than B. eriopoda. Results from this study indicate that less frequent and larger rainfall events could provide a competitive advantage to B. gracilis and influence species composition across this arid-semiarid grassland ecotone.
A Multivariate Generalizability Analysis of Data from a Performance Assessment of Physicians' Clinical Skills

Although multivariate generalizability theory was developed more than 30 years ago, little published research utilizing this framework exists and most of what does exist examines tests built from tables of specifications. In this context, it is assumed that the universe scores from levels of the fixed multivariate facet will be correlated, but the error terms will be uncorrelated because subscores result from mutually exclusive sets of test items. This paper reports on an application in which multiple subscores are derived from each task completed by the examinee. In this context, both universe scores and errors may be correlated across levels of the fixed multivariate facet. The data described come from the United States Medical Licensing Examination® Step 2 Clinical Skills Examination. In this test, each examinee interacts with a series of standardized patients and each interaction results in four component scores. The paper focuses on the application of multivariate generalizability theory in this context and on the practical interpretation of the resulting estimated variance and covariance components.
Gorham's massive osteolysis: The role of radiation therapy and a review of the literature

Abstract Purpose : This paper reviews the natural history and management of patients with Gorham's disease and presents four cases treated at The Massachusetts General Hospital since 1965. Gorham's disease is characterized by localized endothelial proliferation which results in destruction and resorption of bone. The etiology is undefined. There is no evidence of a malignant, neuropathic, or infectious component. This disease is progressive in most patients, but in occasional instances the process has been noted to be self-limited. The principal treatment modalities are surgery and radiation therapy. Methods and Material : Since 1965, four patients with Gorham's Disease have been treated at the Massachusetts General Hospital. Three received definitive radiation therapy in doses ranging from 31.5 to 45 Gy. The fourth patient underwent surgery primarily. Results : Three patients are currently alive and fully functional with no evidence of disease at last follow-up. The fourth patient died of progressive disease despite treatment with both radiation therapy and surgery. Conclusion : The prognosis for patients with Gorham's disease is generally good unless vital structures are involved. Due to the rarity of this entity, there is no standard therapy. Definitive radiation therapy in moderate doses (40–45 Gy in 2 Gy fractions) appears to result in a good outcome and few long-term complications.
MS-BID

Summary: MS-BID (MS Biomarker Discovery Platform) is an integrative computational pipeline for biomarker discovery using LC-MS-based comparative proteomic analysis. This platform consists of several computational tools for: (i) detecting peptides in the collected patterns; (ii) matching detected peptides across a number of LC-MS datasets and (iii) selecting discriminatory peptides between classes of samples. Availability: MS-BID source codes, binaries and documentations are freely available under LGPL from http://tools.proteomecenter.org/msBID.php. Contact: dhhwang@postech.ac.kr
Evidence-based strategies improve assessment of pediatric bipolar disorder by community practitioners.

The misdiagnosis of pediatric bipolar disorder (PBD) has become a major public health concern. Would available evidence-based assessment (EBA) strategies help improve diagnostic accuracy, and are clinicians willing to consider these strategies in practice? The purpose of the present study was to document the extent to which using an EBA decision tool--a probability nomogram--improves the interpretation of family history and test data by clinicians and to examine the acceptability of the nomogram technique to clinicians. Over 600 clinicians across the US and Canada attending continuing education seminars were trained to use the nomogram. Participants estimated the probability that a youth in a clinical vignette had bipolar disorder, first using clinical judgment and then using the nomogram. Brief training of clinicians (less than 30 minutes) in using the nomogram for assessing PBD improved diagnostic accuracy, consistency, and agreement. The majority of clinicians endorsed using the nomogram in practice. EBA decision aids, such as the nomogram, may lead to a significant decrease in overdiagnosis and help clinicians detect true cases of PBD.
Expression of spermidine/spermine N1‐acetyl transferase (SSAT) in human prostate tissues is related to prostate cancer progression and metastasis

INTRODUCTION Prostate cancer (PCa) in many patients remains indolent for the rest of their lives, but in some patients, it progresses to lethal metastatic disease. Gleason score is the current clinical method for PCa prognosis. It cannot reliably identify aggressive PCa, when GS is ≤ 7. It is shown that oxidative stress plays a key role in PCa progression. We have shown that in cultured human PCa cells, an activation of spermidine/spermine N1-acetyl transferase (SSAT; EC 2.3.1.57) enzyme initiates a polyamine oxidation pathway and generates copious amounts of reactive oxygen species in polyamine-rich PCa cells. METHOD We used RNA in situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry methods to detect SSAT mRNA and protein expression in two tissue microarrays (TMA) created from patient's prostate tissues. We analyzed 423 patient's prostate tissues in the two TMAs. RESULTS Our data show that there is a significant increase in both SSAT mRNA and the enzyme protein in the PCa cells as compared to their benign counterpart. This increase is even more pronounced in metastatic PCa tissues as compared to the PCa localized in the prostate. In the prostatectomy tissues from early-stage patients, the SSAT protein level is also high in the tissues obtained from the patients who ultimately progress to advanced metastatic disease. DISCUSSION Based on these results combined with published data from our and other laboratories, we propose an activation of an autocrine feed-forward loop of PCa cell proliferation in the absence of androgen as a possible mechanism of castrate-resistant prostate cancer growth. Prostate 75: 1150–1159, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Forelimb myology of loons (Gaviiformes), with comments on the relationship of loons and tubenoses (Procellariiformes)

Descriptions and illustrations of the forelimb musculature of loons (Cam) and diving petrels (Pelecauoides) were made to determine whether variation in this morphological system reflects a proposed relationship between gaviiforms (loons) and procellariiforms ('tubenoses'). Several previously undescribed muscles were found, as well as several of questionable homology. The data obtained were pooled with information from the litrrature and analysed cladistically. A sister-group relationship between loons and tubenoses is not supported. Wing muscles of birds have not been extensively studied, and much descriptive and comparative work is needed before this system can contribute significantly toward the understanding of phylogenetic relationships among birds.
The Antecedents and Consequences of Top Management Fraud

Fraud by top management is a topic that has stirred public interest, concern, and controversy. In this article, the authors analyze fraud by senior executives in terms of its nature, scope, antecedents, and consequences. They draw on the fields of psychology, sociology, economics, and criminology to identify societal-, industry, and firm-level antecedents of management fraud and the individual differences that enhance or neutralize the likelihood and degree of such fraud. The authors also review the consequences of management fraud on various stakeholder groups such as shareholders, debtholders, managers, local communities, and society.
A Space-Time Multiscale Method for Molecular Dynamics Simulations of Biomolecules

A novel multiscale approach for molecular-dynamics simulations is developed. The goal of this method is to reduce the time cost of molecular-dynamics simulations without loss of accuracy in the quantities of interest. The proposed approach consists of the waveform relaxation scheme aimed at capturing the high-frequency motions and a coarse-scale solution in space and time aimed at resolving smooth features (in both space and time domains) of the system. The use of proper orthogonal decomposition (POD) modes at the coarse-grained level has been found to accelerate convergence of the waveform relaxation scheme. The accuracy and efficiency of this method are reported by applying it to a model problem of chain of fi-D-glucopyranose monomers.
Retrieval Analysis of Failed Constrained Acetabular Liners

Despite the large loads placed upon constrained acetabular liners, little is known of their mechanical performance. We analyzed retrieved liners to determine wear and other damage modes and assess associations between types and severity of damage and clinical, radiographic, and implant variables. Outer rim impingement frequency and severity were higher than that for the inner rim. The 20 degrees elevation was most frequently affected by impingement. Inner rim impingement was more frequent with small heads. Outer bearing surface wear scores were higher than inner bearing scores. Liners removed for infection or stem failure had similar damage compared with other groups, demonstrating the complex relationship of impingement and wear with clinical performance. No association was found between liner damage and clinical and radiographic variables.
Benthic Diatom Species List and Environmental Conditions in the Little River Basin, Western Kentucky, USA

ABSTRACT Two hundred eighty-two taxa of diatoms (Bacillariophyta) were identified from composited benthic samples collected at 16 sites on the Little River in western Kentucky in 2000 and 2003. The Little River basin is heavily impacted by non-point source pollution consisting of high nutrient inputs and siltation from agricultural and urban runoff. Pennate diatoms dominated the flora comprising >96% of the total taxa throughout the basin. Commonly occurring pennate species included Achnanthidium minutissimum, Amphora perpusilla, Cocconeis placentula var. euglypta, Gomphonema parvulum, Navicula cryptocephala, N. cryptotenella, N. menisculus, N. minima, N. seminulum, N. tripunctata, Nitzschia amphibia, N. dissipata, N. frustulum, N. palea, Planothidium lanceolata, and Sellophora seminulum. Most common centric species were Cyclotella meneghiniana and Melosira varians. The number of taxa found in the Little River was similar to other eastern North American streams and typical of streams impacted by agricultu...
Microbiological and physico-chemical analysis of fermented protein-fortified cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) flour

Lactobacillus plantarum strain 6710 was used as the starter for wet fufu using protein (zeolin, sporazein, sporazein plus pro-vitamin A) and pro-vitamin A-fortified and wild-type cassava flours that were fermented with or without the addition of starter culture. Lactic acid bacteria count of the non-inoculated and inoculated wild type flours increased 4 and 1 log units in 24 h, respectively. The added strain rapidly increased titratable acidity when using wild-type cassava from 0.24 to 0.96% lactic acid at 24 h and 1.18% at 96 h. Titratable acidity also increased with sporazein, sporazein plus pro-vitamin A, and pro-vitamin A samples. A similar aroma profile was found in all samples suggesting that protein fortification does not have a detrimental effect on the aroma of fufu. This study showed that use of L. plantarum is feasible for production of wet fufu from protein-fortified cassava making the increased consumption of a nutritious product possible.
A Dynamical Systems Approach to Musical Tonality

Music is a form of communication that relies on highly structured temporal sequences comparable in complexity to language. Music is found among all human cultures, and musical languages vary across cultures with learning. Tonality – a set of stability and attraction relationships perceived among musical frequencies – is a universal feature of music, found in virtually every musical culture. In this chapter, a new theory of central auditory processing and development is proposed, and its implications for tonal cognition and perception are explored. A simple model is put forward, based on knowledge of auditory organization and general neurodynamic principles. The model is simplified as compared to the organization and dynamics of the real auditory system, nevertheless it makes realistic predictions about neurodynamics. The analysis predicts the existence of natural resonances, the potential for tonal language learning, the perceptual categorization of intervals, and most importantly, relative stability and attraction relationships among musical tones. This approach suggests that high-level music cognition and perception may arise from the interaction of acoustic signals with the dynamics of the auditory system. Musical universals are predicted by intrinsic neurodynamics that provide a direct link to neurophysiology, and Hebbian synaptic modification could explain how different tonal languages are established.
Photonic Crystals and Their Potential Applications

A new class of composite materials has emerged which provides a means to control and manipulate light. These materials, known as photonic crystals, are periodic arrays of dielectric scatterers in homogeneous dielectric matrices. They affect the properties of photons in much the same way a semiconductor affects the properties of an electron. Consequently, photons can have band structures, localized defect states, surface states, etc. The ability to mold and guide light will lead to many applications in the control of spontaneous emission and in the fabrication of novel optoelectronic devices.
Learning Convex Piecewise Linear Machine for Data-Driven Optimal Control

In a data-driven Optimal Control (OP) scheme, one or more involved components, such as objective function, system dynamics, or operation constraints, are described with statistical models and learned from data. In this work, we focus on the machine learning of operation constraints which is rarely addressed in previous research. Although a rich collection of supervised learning methods exist in literature, most of them are not suitable for modeling operation constraints, because their decision rules usually induce undesirable non-linear couplings in system variables. In order to surpass simple linear models while at the same time maintaining compatibility with downstream control applications, we propose to describe system operation requirement by convex piecewise linear machine (CPLM), which does not incur any difficulties in optimization and is directly pluggable. The generalization performance of the proposed classifier is analyzed through bounding its VC-dimension, and a large margin cost sensitive learning objective is formulated with Bayes consistent hinge loss. We solve the training problem by online stochastic gradient descent and propose a mixed integer based initialization method. A case study on Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) systems control with comfort requirement is conducted and the results show that CPLM is not only a promising candidate for cost sensitive learning in general, but also enables much better description and exploitation of the system operation region for optimal control purpose.
European corn borer sex pheromone : Structure-activity relationships.

The biological activity of analogs of the pheromone components of the European corn borer,Ostrinia nubilalis, (Z)- and (E)-11-tetradecen1-ol acetate, in which modifications were made in the terminal alkyl portion were studied in the three pheromonal types of the insect. European corn borer males respond to pheromonal stimuli at three levels of behavioral activity, i.e., short-range sexual stimulation, activation in the flight tunnel, and response in the field. Structural requirements for elicitation of response at these levels were found to be increasingly restrictive, respectively. Flighttunnel activity was induced only by compounds that had a total chain length of 13 or 14 carbons and in which branching at carbon 13 was limited to one methyl group or a cyclopropyl group. Three new analogs were active in the flight tunnel, viz., (E and (Z)-13-methyl-11-tetradecen-1-ol acetate and (Z)-12-cyclopropyl-11-dodecen-1-ol acetate. The cyclopropyl analog was the most active analog against theZZ type of the European corn borer. TheE isomer, however, was pheromonally inactive in theEE type and was shown to be a pheromone antagonist. This dissimilarity is most likely due to differences in structure of the receptors in the European corn borer strains. Analogs that were biologically active against the European corn borer were tested against the redbanded leafroller,Argyrotaenia velutinana, which also uses (Z)- and (E)-11-tetradecen-1-ol acetate as part of its pheromone. Results showed that the redbanded leafroller pheromone acceptor system is different from that of the European com borer; marginal behavioral response was elicited by only one of the new analogs. Thus, although both species use 11-tetradecen-1-ol acetate isomers as their pheromone, the mechanisms by which they are perceived are different.
Controlled assembly of Cu nanoparticles on pyridinic-N rich graphene for electrochemical reduction of CO2 to ethylene

Abstract Monodisperse Cu nanoparticles (NPs) assembled on a pyridinic-N rich graphene (p-NG) support show a Cu NP mass- and size-dependent catalysis for the selective electrochemical reduction of CO2 to ethylene (C2H4). For the 7 nm Cu NPs assembled on the p-NG with the p-NG/Cu mass ratio of 1:1, the C2H4 formation Faradaic efficiency and hydrocarbon selectivity reach 19% and 79% respectively at −0.9 V (vs reversible hydrogen electrode). The p-NG itself can catalyze the CO2 reduction to formate, but in the composite p-NG-Cu structure, the pyridinic-N functions as a CO2 and proton absorber, facilitating hydrogenation and carbon–carbon coupling reactions on Cu for the formation of C2H4. The work demonstrates a new strategy to improve Cu NP catalytic activity and selectivity for the electrochemical reduction of CO2 for sustainable chemistry and energy applications.
0103 Racial and Gender Differences in the Risk of Ischaemic Heart Disease and the Healthy Worker Survivor Effect among Autoworkers

Objectives To examine gender and racial disparities in heart disease mortality related to metalworking fluid exposures and in the healthy worker survivor effect. Method We examined ischaemic heart disease (IHD) mortality from 1941 to 1995 in a cohort of autoworkers with quantitative exposure to cumulative respirable particulate matter from water-based metalworking fluids. Cox models were used to estimate the exposure-response to soluble and synthetic fluids separately in white men, black men, and white women. In separate analyses, we used g-estimation to adjust for the healthy worker survivor effect. Results The risk of IHD was increased among black men (295 deaths) exposed to synthetic fluid with a hazard ratio (HR) of 3.47 (95% CI: 1.52, 7.92) in the highest cumulative exposure category. White women (119 deaths) had increased risk of IHD with increased soluble fluid (HR: 2.44 (0.93, 6.38)) in the second to highest category. However, Cox models show no increased risk in white men (2246 deaths). In contrast, g-estimation results indicate that if white men had been always unexposed to soluble and synthetic fluid, then on average for each case, 2.99 and 2.77 years of life would have been saved, respectively. Conclusions We found increased risk of IHD for black men and white women exposed to metalworking fluids using Cox regression. After adjusting for the healthy worker survivor effect, increased risk was observed for white men. The ability to leave work for health related reasons may be an option more available to white male workers.
Sexual Activity and Longevity of the Southern Green Stink Bug, Nezara viridula

Male Nezara viridula (L.) (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) are the aggressive individuals in the mating process. Females attain sexual maturity earlier than males. Males are polygamous and females are polyandrous. Unmated adult males and females lived 6 and 2 times longer, respectively, than mated stink bugs. The average life span for virgin females was 60 days compared with 30 days for mated females. In starvation tests in the laboratory and field, females lived longer than the males.
Evolving chemoradiation treatment strategies for locally advanced non-small-cell lung cancer.

Survival for patients with stage III nonSMQ-8211-SMQsmall-cell lung cancer has gradually improved in recent years, with median survival times increasing from less than 10 months to more than 18 months. These increases are thought to result primarily from advances in chemoradiation. This article reviews major advances in the development of chemoradiation for patients with locally advanced nonSMQ-8211-SMQsmall-cell lung cancer. Results from cooperative group trials suggest that concurrent chemoradiation is superior to sequential therapy and may replace sequential therapy as the new standard of care in patients with good performance status. Technological advances such as 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (PET) staging can be used to improve patient selection and predict survival. Locoregional control may be improved by altering radiation fractionation or delivery (eg, hyperfractionation, highdose involved-volume radiotherapy, 3D conformal radiotherapy). Novel agents and regimens in combination with radiation are being investigated to further improve therapeutic outcomes.