cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
From Settler to Citizen: New Mexican Economic Development and the Creation of Vecino Society, 1750-1820

The unique arts-and-crafts tradition of the American Southwest illuminates this economic and social history of colonial New Mexico, casting new light on the development of New Mexico's Hispanic community and its changing relationship with Pueblo Indians. Ross Frank's analysis of Pueblo Indian pottery, Pueblo and Spanish blankets, and Spanish religious images - or santos - links economic change to social and cultural change in this region. Using these cultural artifacts to gauge shifts in power and status, Frank charts the creation of a culturally innovative and dominating Hispanic settler - or vecino - community during the final decades of the eighteenth century. Contrary to previous views of this period as an economic backwater, Frank shows that Spanish New Mexico instead experienced growth that tied the region closely to colonial economic reforms of the Spanish empire. The resulting economic boom dramatically altered the balance of power between the Spanish settlers and the Pueblo Indians, giving the vecinos the incentive and the means to exploit their Pueblo Indian neighbors. Frank shows that the vecinos used different strategies to take control of the Pueblo textile and pottery trade. The Hispanic community began to define its cultural identity through the economic and social subordination of the Pueblo Indians. Connecting economic change to powerful cultural and social changes, Frank provides a new understanding of this 'borderlands' region of northern New Spain in relatoin to the Spanish colonial history of Mexico. At the same time, "From Settler to Citizen" recovers the previously unexplored history of an important Hispanic community.
Factors influencing accuracy of axillary sentinel lymph node frozen section for breast cancer.

Abstract Background Intraoperative sentinel lymph node (SLN) frozen section (FS) guides immediate axillary lymph node dissection in breast cancer patients. Methods The Oregon Health & Science University pathology database was searched for SLN FS From October 1999 to January 1, 2009. Slides of positive cases were reviewed and metastasis sizes measured. Results Of 416 cases, 129 were positive (31%) on permanent sections and immunohistochemistry, with 79 concordant and 50 false-negative FS. Accuracy was 88%, sensitivity 61%, and specificity 100%. FS accuracy for lobular carcinoma (76%) was lower than for invasive ductal carcinoma (88%) ( P = .048). FS accuracy significantly differed by size of nodal tumor. For 49 cases of tumor ≤ 2 mm (isolated tumor cells plus micrometastases), the accuracy of FS was 18%; for 77 cases of >2-mm metastases, accuracy was 90% ( P Conclusions False-negative FS were predominantly small nodal tumor deposits not sampled at FS. Although accuracy was lower, SLN FS is still beneficial in lobular carcinoma, but not ductal carcinoma in situ.
Preoperative hemoglobin A1c and postoperative glucose control in outcomes after gastric bypass for obesity.

Abstract Background Hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) is a reliable marker for long-term glycemic control in obese diabetic patients. Roux-en-Y gastric bypass improves HbA1c levels over time. However, it is not clear whether the preoperative HbA1c level is a predictor of the outcome in these patients. Our objectives were to understand the predictive capacity of the preoperative HbA1c level in gastric bypass patients at a single university-based Bariatric Center of Excellence. Methods We performed a retrospective review of 468 charts from 2006 to 2009 of patients who had undergone Roux-en-Y gastric bypass. Using their preoperative HbA1c status, the patients were categorized and the postoperative outcomes compared. Results Of the 468 patients reviewed, 310 (66.2%) had a HbA1c of 8.0% (group 3). No difference was found among the 3 groups in baseline body mass index, race, procedure type, length of stay, hospital cost, and smoking status. Groups 2 and 3 were associated with older age, male gender, and higher baseline creatinine. Groups 2 and 3 also had a proportionally greater inpatient postoperative blood glucose level. An elevated postoperative glucose level was independently associated with wound infection ( P = .008) and acute renal failure ( P = .04). Also, group 3 experienced worse outcomes, including less weight loss at 18 months and fewer diabetic remissions. Over time, however, the vast majority in all groups achieved excellent chronic glycemic control, with HbA1c Conclusion Poor preoperative glycemic control is associated with worse glucose level control postoperatively, fewer diabetic remissions, and less weight loss. An elevated mean postoperative glucose level is independently associated with increased morbidity.
Calcium amendment may increase hydraulic efficiency and forest evapotranspiration

Green et al. (1) report 2 y of increased evapotranspiration (ET; calculated as the difference between total precipitation and total runoff) and decreased water yield following watershed-scale amendment of soil with wollastonite (CaSiO3) at the Hubbard Brook Experimental Forest in the White Mountains of New Hampshire. The watershed manipulation study was planned and executed within the context of concern over the relationship of forest health to soil cation mobilization, potential Ca depletion, and the threat to forest health and productivity.
Visual merchandising: The image of selling

The subject of visual merchandising history may conjure images of the confection and abundance of early window displays of old-style emporia. Indeed, the cover photograph of Visual Merchandising: T...
A mathematical model for post-irradiation hardening of photoactivated composite resins.

Abstract A generalized mathematical model for the post-irradiation hardness of photoactivated resins is presented. This model describes a ratio of hardness values as a function of time after irradiation. The low error and generalized character of the model indicate similarities in the post-irradiation hardening of adequately irradiated resins. Using a ratio of hardness at the bottom surface to the final hardness of the top surface, an inadequately irradiated resin can be identified by deviation from the generalized model. Such deviations are noted throughout the hardening process and are recommended as a means of readily identifying deficient photoactivation.
The association between PFOA, PFOS and serum lipid levels in adolescents

Abstract Introduction Dyslipidemia in children is associated with accelerated atherosclerosis and earlier cardiovascular disease development. Environmental exposure to perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) have been shown to be associated with dyslipidemia in adults. However, there are few general population studies examining this association in children or adolescents. In this context, we examined the association between serum PFOA and PFOS levels and dyslipidemia in a nationally representative sample of US adolescents. Methods A cross-sectional study was performed on 815 participants ⩽18 years of age from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 1999–2008. The main outcome was dyslipidemia, defined as total cholesterol >170 mg/dL, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) >110 mg/dL, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) 150 mg/dL. Results We found that serum PFOA and PFOS were positively associated with high total cholesterol and LDL-C, independent of age, sex, race-ethnicity, body mass index, annual household income, physical activity and serum cotinine levels. Compared to subjects in quartile 1 (referent), the multivariable-adjusted odds ratio (95% confidence interval) for high total cholesterol among children in quartile 4 was 1.16 (1.05–2.12) for PFOA and 1.53 (1.11–1.64) for PFOS. PFOA and PFOS were not significantly associated with abnormal HDL-C and triglyceride levels. Discussion Our findings indicate that serum PFOA and PFOS are significantly associated with dyslipidemia in adolescents, even at the lower “background” exposure levels of the US general population.
Response of Prestressed Concrete I-Girder Bridges to Live Load

Design and evaluation of prestressed concrete I-girder bridges is in large part dependent on the transverse load distribution characteristics and the dynamic load amplification, as well as service level, live load, and tensile stresses induced in the girders. This study presents the results of field tests conducted on three prestressed concrete I-girder bridges to obtain dynamic load allowance statistics, girder distribution factors (GDF), and service level stress statistics. The field-based data are also compared to approximate and numerical model results. Bridge response was measured at each girder for the passage of test trucks and normal truck traffic. The dynamic amplification is observed to be a strong function of peak static stress and a weak function of vehicle speed and is independent of span length, number of axles, and configuration. GDFs for one- and two-lanes are less than code specified GDFs. Results from the numerical grillage models agree closely with experimentally derived results for tra...
Prenatal irradiation: a major concern for the developing brain

Irradiation of the mammalian foetus produces a broad spectrum of congenital abnormalities, growth retardations, developmental delays, and functional deficits, depending upon the dose and the specific gestational phase of irradiation. The developing brain is particularly susceptible to production of deleterious effects, with decreased brain size, behavioural alterations, and mental retardation having been documented. Supplementing the limited human data, rodent models have been extensively used to investigate the specific processes by which relatively low doses, with correspondingly minor cellular damage to the developing neocortex, can produce dramatic postnatal consequences in brain structure and function. The effects of a variety of physical (dose, linear energy transfer, dose rate, fractionation) and biological (species, strain, gestational age, time course post-irradiation) parameters have been examined in an attempt to provide much needed information on such critical aspects as dose response, threshold doses for effect, and extrapolation to human risk estimates. Various acute cellular responses (e.g. appearance of pyknotic cells and macrophages) observed in the developing neocortex 0-24 h after in utero irradiation can be associated with postnatal effects. Moreover, it is possible to correlate thinning of specific layers of the cerebral cortex with specific behavioural aberrations, allowing prediction of brain structural changes from functional alterations, and vice versa. Thus, it is possible to speculate as to the mechanisms and targets for extremely sensitive, radiation-induced cellular damage in the developing foetal brain, that will interfere with the orderly and precisely programmed development of the mammalian brain, leading finally to postnatal expression as delays in growth and development, perturbations in behaviour, and alterations in brain structure.
Hall MHD effects on the 2D Kelvin–Helmholtz/tearing instability

Abstract The Kelvin–Helmholtz (KHI)/tearing (TMI) instability is studied with a 2D incompressible Hall MHD model. In the equilibrium configuration of interest, the magnetic and ion velocity fields are parallel and identically sheared. While in resistive MHD simultaneous growth of a TMI and a KHI is precluded, Hall physics, by decoupling electrons and ions, destabilizes both modes, leading to a more complex interaction. Nonlinearly, saturation occurs with the formation of a magnetic island and an ion flow vortex in both sub- and super-Alfvenic regimes. For moderately large c/ωpi, the electron flow shows good alignment with the magnetic field, while demagnetized ions still show KH activity.
Role of histology in providing prognostic information in mycosis fungoides

Many patients who present with patch and early plaque stage mycosis fungoides follow an indolent course and survive for many years following diagnosis. A certain subset of patients, however, have rapidly progressive disease leading to accelerated demise. We examined 21 histologic sections from initial biopsies taken from patients with stable disease and 26 from patients with rapidly progressive disease in order to evaluate the role of histology in predicting the disease course. Two or three authors examined each case and scored each of 24 histologic parameters using a previously described four-point scale with no knowledge of the patients' clinical courses. Interobserver agreement was quite high. The only histologic parameter that demonstrated statistical differences between the two groups of patients was degree of acanthosis. The degree of spongiosis, number of eosinophils, amount of hyperconvolution of dermal lymphocytes and density of the dermal infiltrate approached statistical significance but did not attain this level. All of these differences were quite small. No differences were seen for the other 19 parameters. Patients with rapidly progressive disease tended to have more acanthosis, a few more hyperconvoluted dermal lymphocytes, a slightly greater number of eosinophils and perhaps a slightly more dense dermal infiltrate than patients who had stable disease. However, as all of these changes were very slight, it appears unlikely that evaluation of any single biopsy specimen for the histologic parameters we studied is helpful in predicting the prognosis for a specific patient.
Linear response theory of the driving forces for electromigration

Abstract Using linear response theory, we have obtained a response function for the force exerted on an impurity in the presence of an electric field. The response function measures the total force including both the local screening of the applied field and the dynamic polarization due to the “electron wind” (the electron-drag effect). Because of low frequency divergences, the response function cannot be evaluated by perturbation theory. We propose a non-perturbative approximation scheme whereby the force response in each order of perturbation theory is taken to be proportional to the electronic current in the next lower order. The constant of proportionality is calculated to lowest order in the density or strength of the scatterers. The summation of these terms for the force response yields expressions for the electron-drag force which, in the appropriate models, agree with the formulas of Huntington, Fiks, Bosvieux and Friedel, and Sorbello. The advantage of the force response function is that it permits calculation for cases which appear difficult to treat with the earlier theories. As an illustration, we analyze the case of surface electromigration within the linear response model.
Pulmonary Lymphoid Neoplasms: Role of Immunohistology in the Study of Cellular Immunotypes and in Differential Diagnosis

Seven cases of lymphoid neoplasms presenting in the lung were evaluated by immunohistology for T and B cell antigens and immunoglobulin light chains in frozen tissue sections. Although follow-up was short or inconclusive in some patients with lymphoma and pseudolymphoma, it was concluded that evaluation of T and B cell antigens and immunoglobulin light chains in frozen tissue is helpful in classifying lymphocytic neoplasms, especially in cases without definite cytologic evidence of malignancy. As demonstrated in two additional cases, lymphocyte/leukocyte markers in paraffin-embedded tissue are important in the differential diagnosis of lesions with cytologic features of malignancy.
Stereotactic radiosurgery for vestibular schwannomas in patients with neurofibromatosis type 2: an analysis of tumor control, complications, and hearing preservation rates.

OBJECTIVE: Vestibular schwannomas present significant management challenges in patients with neurofibromatosis Type 2 (NF2). We evaluated the results of gamma knife radiosurgery for the management of these tumors, focusing on tumor response, hearing preservation, and other factors affecting outcomes. METHODS: Stereotactic radiosurgery was performed to manage 74 schwannomas in 62 patients. Ipsilateral serviceable hearing was present in 35% of tumors before the procedure. The mean tumor volume was 5.7 cm3. The mean margin and maximum dose used were 14 and 27.5 Gy, respectively. Cox regression analyses were performed to to identify factors affecting outcomes. RESULTS: The median follow-up period was 53 months, and two patients were lost to follow-up. Actuarial local control rates at were 85, 81, and 81 % at 5, 10, and 15 years, respectively. Tumor volume was significant as a predictor of local control. Since 1992, using current radiosurgery techniques (magnetic resonance imaging scan targeting and reduced margin dose to 14 Gy or less), the actuarial serviceable hearing preservation rate is 73% at 1 year, 59% at 2 years, and 48% at 5 years after radiosurgery. Facial neuropathy occurred in 8% of tumors, trigeminal neuropathy occurred in 4%, and vestibular dysfunction occurred in 4%. Radiation dose and tumor volume were predictive of development of new deficits. No radiosurgery-associated secondary tumors or atypical or malignant changes were noted. CONCLUSION: Stereotactic radiosurgery is a safe and effective management modality for neurofibromatosis Type 2 vestibular schwannomas. Although results do not seem to be as good as for patients with sporadic unilateral tumors, gamma knife radiosurgery results seem favorable and indicate that radiosurgery should be strongly considered for primary tumor management in selected patients.
Referential Cohesion in the Narratives of Spanish-Speaking Children: A Developmental Study.

Forty-six Spanish-speaking children, ages 4, 6, and 8 years, were shown a short silent film and asked to tell the investigator what happened in the movie. All narratives were audiotaped and transcr...
A framework for assessing ecosystem dynamics in response to chronic resource alterations induced by global change

In contrast to pulses in resource availability following disturbance events, many of the most pressing global changes, such as elevated atmospheric carbon dioxide concentrations and nitrogen deposition, lead to chronic and often cumulative alterations in available resources. Therefore, predicting ecological responses to these chronic resource alterations will require the modification of existing disturbance-based frameworks. Here, we present a conceptual framework for assessing the nature and pace of ecological change under chronic resource alterations. The "hierarchical-response framework" (HRF) links well-documented, ecological mechanisms of change to provide a theoretical basis for testing hypotheses to explain the dynamics and differential sensitivity of ecosystems to chronic resource alterations. The HRF is based on a temporal hierarchy of mechanisms and responses beginning with individual (physiological/metabolic) responses, followed by species reordering within communities, and finally species loss and immigration. Each mechanism is hypothesized to differ in the magnitude and rate of its effects on ecosystem structure and function, with this variation depending on ecosystem attributes, such as longevity of dominant species, rates of biogeochemical cycling, levels of biodiversity, and trophic complexity. Overall, the HRF predicts nonlinear changes in ecosystem dynamics, with the expectation that interactions with natural disturbances and other global-change drivers will further alter the nature and pace of change. The HRF is explicitly comparative to better understand differential sensitivities of ecosystems, and it can be used to guide the design of coordinated, cross-site experiments to enable more robust forecasts of contemporary and future ecosystem dynamics.
Estimating pediatric entrance skin dose from digital radiography examination using DICOM metadata: A quality assurance tool

Purpose: To develop an automated methodology to estimate patient examination dose in digital radiography (DR) imaging using DICOM metadata as a quality assurance (QA) tool. Methods: Patient examination and demographical information were gathered from metadata analysis of DICOM header data. The x-ray system radiation output (i.e., air KERMA) was characterized for all filter combinations used for patient examinations. Average patient thicknesses were measured for head, chest, abdomen, knees, and hands using volumetric images from CT. Backscatter factors (BSFs) were calculated from examination kVp. Patient entrance skin air KERMA (ESAK) was calculated by (1) looking up examination technique factors taken from DICOM header metadata (i.e., kVp and mA s) to derive an air KERMA (k air) value based on an x-ray characteristic radiation output curve; (2) scaling k air with a BSF value; and (3) correcting k air for patient thickness. Finally, patient entrance skin dose (ESD) was calculated by multiplying a mass–energy attenuation coefficient ratio by ESAK. Patient ESD calculations were computed for common DR examinations at our institution: dual view chest, anteroposterior (AP) abdomen, lateral (LAT) skull, dual view knee, and bone age (left hand only) examinations. Results: ESD was calculated for a total of 3794 patients; mean age was 11 ± 8 yr (range: 2 months to 55 yr). The mean ESD range was 0.19–0.42 mGy for dual view chest, 0.28–1.2 mGy for AP abdomen, 0.18–0.65 mGy for LAT view skull, 0.15–0.63 mGy for dual view knee, and 0.10–0.12 mGy for bone age (left hand) examinations. Conclusions: A methodology combining DICOM header metadata and basic x-ray tube characterization curves was demonstrated. In a regulatory era where patient dose reporting has become increasingly in demand, this methodology will allow a knowledgeable user the means to establish an automatable dose reporting program for DR and perform patient dose related QA testing for digital x-ray imaging.
Olfactory-related changes in Alzheimer's disease: A quantitative neuropathologic study

Neuropathological studies of 10 confirmed cases of Alzheimer's disease (AD) revealed increased numbers of neurofibrillary tangles and neuritic plaques in olfactory cortex compared to other brain regions. This was most evident when AD tissues were compared to tissues from seven gender- and age-matched controls. In the AD cases, examination of other brain regions which receive olfactory projections also revealed high concentrations of neuritic plaques and neurofibrillary tangles. These data also confirm previous observations that neurofibrillary tangle formation is more prevalent than neuritic plaque formation in AD. This is the first quantitative neuropathological study that demonstrates significant damage to various components of the central olfactory apparatus in AD. Our data suggest that damage to these areas may be related to the behavioral, emotional, and cognitive abnormalities commonly observed in affected patients. The use of antemortem evaluation of the olfactory system as a diagnostic tool for AD is discussed.
Intestinal perforation in very low birth weight infants: growth and neurodevelopment at 1 year of age.

To compare growth and neurodevelopment in surviving very low birth weight (VLBW) infants with an intestinal perforation (IP) caused by necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) versus spontaneous intestinal perforation (SIP). Retrospective, observational cohort study. Infants born between January 1996 and December 1999 with birth weight <1500?g and a diagnosis of intestinal perforation were identified and data extracted from NICU, surgical and hospital databases. IP was identified in 62 of 1357 VLBW infants (5%); 39 infants (63%) had surgical NEC and 23 (37%) had SIP. Among survivors, 21/28 with surgical NEC (75%) and 13/18 with SIP (72%) returned for follow-up. At 1-year adjusted age, there were no differences in growth parameters but the Mental Developmental Index (MDI) and Psychomotor Developmental Index (PDI) were lower in survivors with NEC versus SIP (mean difference in MDI=15; 95% confidence limits=3, 28; p=0.02; mean difference in PDI=14; 95% confidence limits=0.4, 28; p=0.04). Intestinal perforation caused by NEC, as compared to SIP, is associated with worse neurodevelopmental outcome at 1 year.
Relationship Power, Sexual Decision Making, and HIV Risk Among Midlife and Older Women.

The number of midlife and older women with HIV/AIDS is high and increasing, especially among women of color. This article addresses these demographic realities by reporting on findings about self-esteem, relationship power, and HIV risk from a pilot study of midlife and older women. A purposive sample (N = 110) of ethnically, economically, and educationally diverse women 40 years and older from the Greater Los Angeles Area was surveyed to determine their levels of self-esteem, general relationship power, sexual decision-making power, safer sex behaviors, and HIV knowledge. Women with higher levels of self-esteem exercised greater power in their relationships with their partner. Women with higher levels of general relationship power and self-esteem tend to exercise greater power in sexual decision making, such as having sex and choosing sexual acts. Income and sexual decision-making power were statistically significant in predicting the use of condoms. Implications and recommendations for future HIV/AIDS r...
Aerial Prey Caching by Solitary Ground-Nesting Wasps: A Test of the Predator Defense Hypothesis

Many solitary ground-nesting wasps in the families Pompilidae and Sphecidae excavate nests after capturing prey for provisions. These wasps generally cache their immobilized prey temporarily during nest excavation, frequently by suspending the prey in a plant ("aerial caching' '). Here I test the hypothesis that aerial caching by Ammophila spp. wasps (Sphecidae) functions to reduce prey theft by generalist predators, Formica spp. ants. Foraging ants removed baits placed on the ground more rapidly than baits suspended in plants; mean halflives for ground and aerial baits were 14.5 and 145. 7 min, respectively (mean values for experiments 1-3). Ant foraging activity decreased during the midday. Ant interference with nesting activities of Ammophila spp. also decreased during the midday, paralleling observed fluctUations in ant foraging activity.
Investigation of the Stress State of Noncircular Hollow Cylinders of Complex Shapes with Different Curvatures

We study the stress state of a hollow cylinder with cross section in the form of connected convex semicorrugations under certain conditions imposed on the ends and external loading of the lateral surfaces in the 3D statement. For the solution of the problem, we use the approximations of functions by discrete Fourier series. The results of calculations are presented in the form of the plots of dependences of displacements and stresses on the curvature of cross section of the cylinder.
Diagnosis and correction of iron deficiency in field crops ‐ an overview

Abstract Iron deficiency resulting in severe Fe chlorosis of field crops in Texas generally occurs on calcareous, alkaline soils. On the other hand, field crops grown on the acid soil areas seldom exhibit Fe chlorosis problems. Soil properties most commonly associated with the occurrence of Fe deficient crops are alkaline pH and substantial CaCO3 content or caliche outcrops. Severe Fe chlorosis has occurred frequently on alkaline soils in Texas on the following field crops: sorghum, oat, wheat, corn, peanut, rice, and flax. The Fe chlorosis symptoms generally appear at early growth stages in most of these crops. The chlorosis develops interveinally in the new leaves. The area between the veins becomes light green, then turns yellow as the deficiency advances. The veins usually remain green except with extremely severe deficiency where the entire leaf becomes white and translucent after which necrosis results in dead brown tissue. The severity of Fe chlorosis in these field crops ranges from slight deficie...
The infrared and raman spectra of cyclopentadienylvanadium tetracarbonyl derivatives: evaluation of the carbon-oxygen force constants

Abstract Infrared (250–4000 cm −1 ) and laser Raman spectra (75–3300 cm −1 ) were obtained on C 5 H 5 V(CO) 4 and CH 3 COC 5 H 4 V(CO) 4 . A vibrational assignment is proposed which is based upon the concept of “local symmetry”. The cyclopentadienyl ring breathing frequency was found to be associated with the strong sharp Raman line at 1117 cm −1 . Force constants calculated for the carbonyl stretching vibrations were comparable to those of similar π-bonded metal carbonyls.
Intramural Ventricular Cardiac Fibroma Successful Removal in Two Cases and Review of the Literature

Two cases in which large intramural ventricular cardiac fibromas were successfully removed from children are reported. In one the fibroma was principally septal, and in the other it lay in the free wall of the left ventricle. These are the second and third such operations reported. A review of these two cases plus 34 other reported cases of cardiac fibroma indicates that a primary mural tumor of the heart should be suspected in patients, particularly children, with unexplained cardiac failure, unexplained cardiac dysrhythmia, intracardiac calcifications, irregular shadows on roentgenograms, or unexplained newly developing cardiac symptoms and murmurs. Angiocardiography is the best way of confirming the diagnosis. In view of the potential hazard of these tumors, their surgical removal should be undertaken, and this experience indicates that even very large and extensive intramural ventricular tumors may be removed successfully.
DNA nanospheres with microfluidics: a promising platform for cancer diagnosis?

The mortality rate from cancer in the USA reached more than 570,000 in 2012, or equal to more than 1500 Americans each day [1]. More than 90% of cancer deaths result from metastasis [2], hence methods for early-stage cancer detection are vital for the reduction of mortality and they will have a significant medical and social impact. However, according to the Early Detection Research Network of the National Cancer Institute, ‘there are no validated molecular biomarker tests for the early detection of any cancer’ [3], even though a handful of biomarkers have been approved by the US FDA. It is known that, during metastasis, some cancer cells escape from the primary tumor through exfoliation, entering the bloodstream and becoming circulating tumor cells (CTCs) in the peripheral blood stream [2,4]. Some of these CTCs acquire the capability to colonize secondary sites, spreading tumors to distant organs [2,4]. Therefore, CTCs have the potential to serve as important biomarkers for early diagnosis of cancer metastasis [2,4]. An additional benefit is that CTC enumeration is less invasive than biopsy, while providing a quantifiable method for cancer diagnosis and prognosis. However, CTCs are extremely rare; the number of CTCs is in the order of one to 100 cells in 1 ml of blood [4]. For comparison, other cells in 1 ml of blood include approximately 5 × 10 erythrocytes, 7.8 × 10 leukocytes and approximately 3.5 × 10 platelets [5]. Therefore, detection of CTCs in peripheral blood is a needlein-a-haystack challenge. Currently, CellSearch (Veridex LLC, NJ, USA) is the only FDAapproved method, and it relies on antibodycoated magnetic particles for isolation of CTCs from blood [4]. One of its key drawbacks is low capture efficiency. Microfluidics could play an important role in enhancing the capture efficiency of CTCs.
Contested Accommodation on the Meso Level Discursive Adaptation Within Catholic Charities’ Immigration and Refugee Services

Religious nonprofits operate within a complex organizational environment, responding to the demands of multiple and competing constituencies. Typologies gauging the degree of religiosity of a particular organization must, therefore, be preceded by an examination of discursive adaptations made by organizational actors responding to conflicting priorities. Such a need prompted this ethnographic exploration of one agency’s (the Los Angeles Catholic Charities’ Immigration and Refugee Services) attempt to preserve the integrity of the religious act while remaining true to legal standards and a pluralistic context of service. Interviews and participant observation suggest that discourses of service are ambiguous, contested, and variable along organizational levels. Findings demonstrate how competing authorities compel organizations to develop an adaptive discourse satisfying both religious and secular demands, exemplary of contested accommodation on the meso level. This draws attention to the need for a new lan...
Attributing the causes of group performance: effects of performance quality, task improtance, and future testing.

Abstract : An egocentric perception model of attribution suggests that three major factors affect self-serving perceptual biases which occur after task performance: performance quality, the importance of the task, and the possibility of continuing to work on similar future tasks. To assess the effects of these variables on attributions, 126 subjects worked in four-person, same-sex groups on a social sensitivity task. The 2 by 2 by 2 by 2 factorial design included: (a) group success or failure, (b) high versus low task importance, (c) expectations of future testing versus no future testing, and (d) sex of subjects. Although the manipulation checks indicated that the task importance and future testing manipulations were quite successful, only group performance consistently affected attributions. As compared to subjects in groups that failed, successful subjects attributed greater responsibility for the performance to self, average group member, and group as a whole, and attributed the cause of the performance more to personal ability and less to internal constraints, situational distractions, and task difficulty. The results support an information processing model of egocentrism rather than a self-serving motivational model, and extend previous findings of attributed causality that were obtained in individual testing situations to group testing situations. (Author)
Genetic Diversity among Enterococcus faecalis

Enterococcus faecalis, a ubiquitous member of mammalian gastrointestinal flora, is a leading cause of nosocomial infections and a growing public health concern. The enterococci responsible for these infections are often resistant to multiple antibiotics and have become notorious for their ability to acquire and disseminate antibiotic resistances. In the current study, we examined genetic relationships among 106 strains of E. faecalis isolated over the past 100 years, including strains identified for their diversity and used historically for serotyping, strains that have been adapted for laboratory use, and isolates from previously described E. faecalis infection outbreaks. This collection also includes isolates first characterized as having novel plasmids, virulence traits, antibiotic resistances, and pathogenicity island (PAI) components. We evaluated variation in factors contributing to pathogenicity, including toxin production, antibiotic resistance, polymorphism in the capsule (cps) operon, pathogenicity island (PAI) gene content, and other accessory factors. This information was correlated with multi-locus sequence typing (MLST) data, which was used to define genetic lineages. Our findings show that virulence and antibiotic resistance traits can be found within many diverse lineages of E. faecalis. However, lineages have emerged that have caused infection outbreaks globally, in which several new antibiotic resistances have entered the species, and in which virulence traits have converged. Comparing genomic hybridization profiles, using a microarray, of strains identified by MLST as spanning the diversity of the species, allowed us to identify the core E. faecalis genome as consisting of an estimated 2057 unique genes.
The aquaporin water channels.

The topic of my talk, the aquaporins, is something that we have been studying in our lab for the last 15 years. It is not something that I anticipated when starting my career. In fact, I am a hematologist, but in science, sometimes what we find is not what we are looking for. A typical middle-aged man, I weigh 75 kg, of which 50 are water. This is something that we all share. Water is the major component of all our cells in all of our tissues. This is also shared with all other life forms, other vertebrates, invertebrates, microorganisms, and plants. Water can be described as the “solvent of life”—without water, there is no life. Multicellular life comes with potential problems. One of these problems is the movement of fluids across biological barriers, and the principal barrier for most of our tissues is the plasma membrane. The aquaporins, which I will describe, are an answer to how water crosses biological membranes, but specific questions still need be defined. I am very pleased to be speaking to the American Thoracic Society because I believe that many of the questions related to fluid movements in lung are still unsettled.
On a more realistic lock contention model and its analysis

Most performance modeling studies of lock contention in transaction processing systems are deficient in that they postulate a homogeneous database access model. The non-homogeneous database access model described in this paper allows multiple transaction classes with different access patterns to the database regions. The performance of the system from the viewpoint of lock contention is analyzed in the context of the standard two-phase locking concurrency control method with the general waiting policy. The approximate analysis is based on mean values of parameters and derives expressions for the probability of lock conflict (usually leading to transaction blocking) and the mean blocking time. The latter requires estimating the distribution of the effective wait-depth encountered by blocked transactions and the mean waiting time associated with different blocking levels. The accuracy of the analysis is validated against simulation results and also shown to be more accurate than analytic solutions considering only two levels of transaction blocking. Previously proposed metrics for load control have limited applicability for the model under consideration. >
The use of Doppler tolerant reference signals in time synchronization applications

This paper describes a technique for achieving discrete time synchronization in systems which, in addition to additive Gaussian noise and phase offsets, regularly experience the effects of Doppler frequency shifts. The approach, based on a maximum likelihood (ML) timing estimator, utilizes certain properties of special reference waveforms to provide a simplified, but robust, estimator implementation for receivers using the reference to recover timing. The reference signal properties are characterized and subsequently used in an implementation of an ML timing estimator. Analysis and simulation results indicate that in the presence of additive noise, phase, and Doppler errors, using special (Doppler tolerant) waveforms in ML estimator structures can provide significant performance improvements avoiding the complexity of phase and frequency compensation mechanisms. >
System-level applications of model-based diagnostic reasoning

Progress in developing adequate diagnostic capabilities for future computing and communications systems has been hampered by the lack of an adequate technological basis. Over the past decade, researchers within the artificial intelligence community have developed model-based diagnostic reasoning techniques. These techniques have the potential to provide comprehensive diagnostic coverage and to automate the design analysis process. MITRE is developing a prototype of the Generic Model-based Diagnostic System (GMODS) that is able to use VHDL models of circuit structure and behavior to diagnose single and multiple points of failure within digital sequential circuits. We provide an overview of GMODS and discuss the remaining research issues that need to be addressed before model-based reasoning systems such as GMODS will be of general utility to the R&M community. We also explore three potential system-level application areas-design analysis, depot-level diagnostics, and embedded diagnostics. We conclude that design analysis and depot-level diagnostics represent the most promising applications during the next few years. >
Volumetric quantification of fluid flow reveals fish's use of hydrodynamic stealth to capture evasive prey

In aquatic ecosystems, predation on zooplankton by fish provides a major pathway for the transfer of energy to higher trophic levels. Copepods are an abundant zooplankton group that sense hydromechanical disturbances produced by approaching predators and respond with rapid escapes. Despite this capability, fish capture copepods with high success. Previous studies have focused on the predatory strike to elucidate details of this interaction. However, these raptorial strikes and resulting suction are only effective at short range. Thus, small fish must closely approach highly sensitive prey without triggering an escape in order for a strike to be successful. We use a new method, high-speed, infrared, tomographic particle image velocimetry, to investigate three-dimensional fluid patterns around predator and prey during approaches. Our results show that at least one planktivorous fish (Danio rerio) can control the bow wave in front of the head during the approach and consumption of prey (copepod). This alters hydrodynamic profiles at the location of the copepod such that it is below the threshold required to elicit an escape response. We find this behaviour to be mediated by the generation of suction within the buccopharyngeal cavity, where the velocity into the mouth roughly matches the forward speed of the fish. These results provide insight into how animals modulate aspects of fluid motion around their bodies to overcome escape responses and enhance prey capture.
The Un-Lecture: a computer-assisted curriculum delivery approach for the effective teaching of mechanical design

This paper describes efforts to develop a curriculum delivery approach for the classroom that overcomes limitations inherent in the standard blackboard lecture and that more fully integrates the teaching of engineering science with the teaching of concrete engineering practice. Simple, HTML-based modules are under development that incorporate text, still images, and video clips to more closely couple concepts in mechanical engineering design with practical examples of their implementation. Two-dimensional dynamic simulation software will be used to help students visualize and analyze the motion of mechanisms, and mathematical software will be used to go beyond what can easily be presented on the blackboard. Results from preliminary work have been encouraging and suggest that incorporation of practical examples using computer-assisted multimedia will help students build connections between theory and practice.
Effective computation of the integral closure of a morphism

Abstract Let B=k[y 1 ,…,y m ]/ p be an affine domain and let A be a finitely generated k-subalgebra of B. We provide direct methods to determine the integral closure of A in B. The tools are derived from Grobner basis computations but the approaches mimic certain proofs of some classical results (e.g. Zariski's ‘Main Theorem’).
Role of GABA and Glutamate Circuitry in Hypothalamo‐Pituitary‐Adrenocortical Stress Integration

GABA and glutamate play a major role in central integration of hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenocortical (HPA) stress responses. Recent work in our group has focused on mechanisms whereby GABAergic and glutamatergic circuits interact with parvocellular paraventricular nucleus (PVN) neurons controlling the HPA axis. GABAergic neurons in the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis, preoptic area, and hypothalamus can directly inhibit PVN outflow and thereby reduce ACTH secretion. In contrast, glutamate activates the HPA axis, presumably by way of hypothalamic and brainstem projections to the PVN. These inhibitory and excitatory PVN-projecting neurons are controlled by descending information from limbic forebrain structures, including glutamatergic neurons of the ventral subiculum, prefrontal cortex, and GABAergic cells from the amygdala and perhaps septum. Lesion studies indicate that the ventral subiculum and prefrontal cortex are involved in inhibition of HPA axis responses to psychogenic stimuli, whereas the amygdala is positioned to enhance hormone secretion by way of GABA-GABA disinhibitory connections. Thus, it seems the psychogenic responses to stress are gated by discrete sets of GABAergic neurons in the basal forebrain and hypothalamus. As such, these neurons are positioned to summate limbic inputs into net inhibitory tone on the PVN and may thus play a major role in HPA dysfunction seen in affective disease states and aging.
Comparison of Experimental Measurements of Current Distribution in a Flat Conductor With Simulated Results From the Partial Inductance Method

The current distribution in a stripline is calculated by using a partial inductance formulation to produce a circuit model that is evaluated with the SPICE program. The program also simulates the signals produced in a recently invented magnetic current probe. Measurements using the current probe have been made over a wide range of frequencies and compared to the calculations. Agreement is achieved within the measurement accuracy. This technique can be used directly to find current distributions with pulse excitations.
Needle aspirate PTH in diagnosis of primary hyperparathyroidism due to intrathyroidal parathyroid cyst

Summary Parathyroid cysts are rare (0.8–3.41% of all parathyroid lesions) and usually arise secondary to cystic degeneration of parathyroid adenomas. Intrathyroidal parathyroid cysts are extremely rare with only three cases reported till date. We present a 24-year-old female with clinical and biochemical features of primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT; Ca 2C : 12.1 mg/dl; intact parathyroid hormone (iPTH): 1283 pg/ml) and poor radiotracer uptake with minimal residual uptake in the left thyroid lobe at 2 and 4 h on Tc 99m sestamibi imaging. Neck ultrasonography (USG) revealed 0.6!1 cm parathyroid posterior left lobe of thyroid along with 22!18 mm simple thyroid cyst. USG-guided fine-needle aspiration (FNA) and needle tip iPTH estimation (FNA-iPTH) from parathyroid lesion was inconclusive (114 pg/ml), necessitating FNA of thyroid cyst, which revealed high iPTH (3480 pg/ml) from the aspirate. The patient underwent a left hemithyroidectomy. A O50% drop in serum iPTH 20 min after left hemithyroidectomy (29.4 pg/ml) along with histopathology suggestive of intrathyroidal cystic parathyroid adenoma (cystic lesion lined by chief cell variant parathyroid cells without any nuclear atypia, capsular or vascular invasion surrounded by normal thyroid follicles) confirmed that the parathyroid cyst was responsible for PHPT. This report highlights the importance of FNA-iPTH in localizing and differentiating a functional parathyroid lesion from nonfunctional tissue in PHPT.
Natural control of HIV-1 replication and long-term nonprogression: overlapping but distinct phenotypes.

Received 18 August 2009; accepted 19 August 2009; electronically published 23 October 2009. Potential conflicts of interest: none reported. Financial support: National Institutes of Health (grants K23 AI65244 and R21AI078774); Doris Duke Charitable Foundation (Clinical Scientist Development Award). Reprints or correspondence: Dr Peter W. Hunt, Positive Health Program, San Francisco General Hospital, Bldg 80, Ward 84, 995 Potrero Ave, San Francisco, CA 94110 (phunt@php.ucsf .edu).