cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Impact of an In Situ Component on Outcome After In-Breast Tumor Recurrence in Patients Treated with Breast-Conserving Therapy

Among all in-breast tumor recurrences (IBTR) following breast-conserving therapy (BCT), some comprise metachronous new primaries (NPs) while others are true recurrences (TRs). Establishing this distinction remains a challenge. We studied 3932 women who underwent BCT for stage I–III breast cancer from 1998 to 2008. Of these, 115 (2.9%) had an IBTR. Excluding patients with inoperable/unresectable recurrences or simultaneous distant metastases, 81 patients with isolated IBTR comprised the study population. An IBTR was categorized as an NP rather than a TR if it included an in situ component. The log-rank test and Kaplan–Meier method were used to evaluate disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS), and univariate and multivariate analyses were performed using Cox proportional hazards regression models. At a median of 64.5 months from IBTR diagnosis, 28 of 81 patients had DFS events. Five-year DFS was 43.1% in the TR group (p = 0.0001) versus 80.3% in the NP group, while 5-year OS was 59.7% in the TR group versus 91.7% among those with NPs (p = 0.0011). On univariate analysis, increasing tumor size, high grade, positive margins, lymphovascular invasion, node involvement, lack of axillary surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and IBTR type (TR vs. NP) were significantly associated with worse DFS. Controlling for tumor size and margin status, TRs remained significantly associated with lower DFS (hazard ratio 3.717, 95% confidence interval 1.607–8.595, p = 0.002). The presence of an in situ component is associated with prognosis among patients with IBTR following BCT and may be useful in differentiating TRs and NPs.
Educating youth swine exhibitors on influenza A virus transmission at agricultural fairs.

Summary Influenza A virus (IAV) is a major zoonotic pathogen that threatens global public health. Novel strains of influenza A viruses pose a significant risk to public health due to their pandemic potential, and transmission of influenza A viruses from animals to humans is an important mechanism in the generation and introduction of IAVs that threaten human health. The purpose of this descriptive correlational study was to develop real-life training scenarios to better inform swine exhibitors of the risks they may encounter when influenza A viruses are present in swine. Educational activities were implemented in five Ohio counties where exhibition swine had historically been shedding influenza A viruses during the county fair. A total of 146 youth swine exhibitors participated in the educational programme, and an increase in the knowledge base of these youth was documented. It is expected that educating youth exhibitors about exposure to influenza A virus infections in the swine they are exhibiting will result in altered behaviours and animal husbandry practices that will improve both human and animal health.
Building Ion-Conduction Highways in Polymeric Electrolytes by Manipulating Protein Configuration.

Solid polymer electrolytes play a critical role in the development of safe, flexible, and all-solid-state energy storage devices. However, the low ion conductivity has been the primary challenge impeding them from practical applications. Here, we propose a new biotechnology to fabricate novel protein–ceramic hybrid nanofillers for simultaneously boosting the ionic conductivity, mechanical properties, and even adhesion properties of solid polymer electrolytes. This hybrid nanofiller is fabricated by coating ion-conductive soy proteins onto TiO2 nanoparticles via a controlled denaturation process in appropriate solvents and conditions. It is found that the chain configuration and protein/TiO2 interactions in the hybrid nanofiller play critical roles in improving not only the mechanical properties but also the ion conductivity, electrochemical stability, and adhesion properties. Particularly, the ion conductivity is improved by one magnitude from 5 × 10–6 to 6 × 10–5 S/cm at room temperature. To understand t...
NON–RADIAL SOLUTIONS OF A SEMILINEAR ELLIPTIC EQUATION

Abstract In this paper we consider the eigenvalue problem of semilinear elliptic equation in Rn(n⩾3) −δu + a(x)u = λf(x, u), u ∈H1〈Rn〉.
Synthesis of SAPO-34@ZSM-5 and SAPO-34@Silicalite-1 Core–Shell Zeolite Composites for Ethanol Dehydration

Herein, we report the synthesis of zeolite composites with core–shell structure via a secondary growth technique and evaluation of their catalytic performance in ethanol dehydration. In particular, SAPO-34 particles were functionalized by TPA+, followed by dispersion in ZMS-5 or silicalite-1 to form SAPO-34@ZSM-5 and SAPO-34@silicalite-1 core–shell materials showed a hierarchical porous structure consisting of both micropores and mesopores. The active sites in the developed composites were found to have a mild acidity. Compared to conventional zeolite catalysts in ethanol dehydration reaction, the silicalite-1 composites. The novel core–shell materials showed a hierarchical porous structure consisting of both micropores and mesopores. The active sites in the developed composites were found to have a mild acidity. Compared to conventional zeolite catalysts in ethanol dehydration reaction, the core–shell SAPO-34@ZSM-5 improved the selectivity toward light olefins. In addition, our catalyst test results reve...
A Future with Quantum Machine Learning

Could combining quantum computing and machine learning with Moore’s law produce a true “rebooted computer”? This article posits that a three-technology hybrid-computing approach might yield sufficiently improved answers to a broad class of problems such that energy efficiency will no longer be the dominant concern.
Affectionate Interactions of Cats with Children Having Autism Spectrum Disorder.

Mental and physical benefits of dogs have been reported for adults and children with special needs, but less is known about benefits of cats for children. A cat that can be held by a child could provide important therapeutic companionship for children with severe or less severe autism spectrum disorder (ASD) who otherwise may lack prosocial behaviors. Because relatively little is known about the behavior of cats around children, we conducted this study. Phase 1 gathered web-survey data from families having an adult cat and a child with ASD (n = 64). In Phase 2, there were direct telephone interviews of parents having a child with severe ASD (n = 16) or less severe ASD (n = 11), or typical development (n = 17). From the Phase 1 web survey of families with ASD children (full range of severities), affectionate interactions of the cats with children were common. Most parents with ASD children volunteered positive comments regarding the cat, such as calming the child, being a soothing protector or a guardian. In the interviews in Phase 2, for all three groups, most parents characterized cats as at least moderately affectionate toward the child. However, cats living with severe ASD children were reported to exhibit less affection than those living with typically developing children or children with less severe ASD. A minority of cats in each group showed some aggression to the specified child; this was not elevated with ASD children. Responses suggested that the cats adopted as kittens were more affectionate and less aggressive to all categories of children than those adopted as adults. Overall, participants reported that ASD children's behaviors indicated that they valued the relationship with the cat, similar to typically developing children, pointing to the importance and potential usefulness of selecting affectionate and compatible cats for ASD children.
Modernization and rural imagery at the Paris Salon: an interdisciplinary approach to the economic history of art

This article proposes a novel interdisciplinary approach to the economic history of art. Engaging with research questions defined by the existing art‐historical literature, it draws on econometric approaches to understand better and measure how social and economic change affected artistic output—particularly output of rural imagery—in nineteenth‐century France. To facilitate this quantitative approach, the article introduces a novel data source that provides information about more than 140,000 works of art displayed in Paris during the nineteenth century. Analysis of this dataset demonstrates that artists’ ability to have regular access to the countryside, largely because of artists’ colonies and inexpensive train travel from Paris, had the greatest demonstrable effect on the output of landscape and rural genre painting in France during the nineteenth century.
Non-Cell Autonomous Effects of the Senescence-Associated Secretory Phenotype in Cancer Therapy.

In addition to promoting various forms of cell death, most conventional antitumor therapies also promote senescence. There is now extensive evidence that therapy-induced senescence (TIS) might be transient, raising the concern that TIS could represent an undesirable outcome of therapy by providing a mechanism for tumor dormancy and eventual disease recurrence. The senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP) is a hallmark of TIS and may contribute to aberrant effects of cancer therapy. Here, we propose that the SASP may also serve as a major driver of escape from senescence and the re-emergence of proliferating tumor cells, wherein factors secreted from the senescent cells contribute to the restoration of tumor growth in a non-cell autonomous fashion. Accordingly, anti-SASP therapies might serve to mitigate the deleterious outcomes of TIS. In addition to providing an overview of the putative actions of the SASP, we discuss recent efforts to identify and eliminate senescent tumor cells.
The role of SPECT and PET in the management of cerebellar disorders

1043 Learning Objectives 1. Discuss the role of imaging in the management of cerebellar disorders. 2. Describe the role of SPECT and PET in the management of cerebellar disorders. There are a number of medical conditions associated with cerebellar damage, including strokes, TIA, hemorrhages, tumors, alcoholism, trauma, and chronic degenerative conditions such as olivopontocerebellar atrophy. Cerebellar disorder is usually suspected in patients presenting with ataxia and confirmed by specific findings on neurological examination. Final diagnosis is often made from head MRI or CT. A majority of vascular cerebellar abnormalities are better evaluated by CT or MRI imaging. Although SPECT and PET brain perfusion studies play no significant role in the stroke diagnosis, they may be used to identify high-risk patients by evaluating the adequacy of cerebrovascular reserve, and providing prognostic information to aid in decision making for further management. FDG PET after radiation therapy can be used to differentiate between brain tumor recurrence and radiation-related tumor necrosis. Additionally, there is a group of cerebellar disorders which do not display clear morphological abnormalities on the structural CT or MRI images, or on functional MRI (fMRI). In those cases, functional imaging with SPECT or PET may provide valuable information and aid in diagnosis and management of cerebellar disorders. For example, hypoglycemia induced cerebellar dysfunction does not cause any changes on MRI or CT but can be clearly visualized on FDG PET. Cases are presented that illustrate the use of SPECT and PET in the management of cerebellar disorders
Potential Role of Dietary Isoflavones in the Prevention of Cancer

The death rate from cancer in the United States is unacceptably high. However, examination of time-related changes in death rates from individual cancers reveals that deaths from some cancers (e.g., stomach cancer) have fallen dramatically over the past 50 years, whereas others (principally lung cancer) have risen sharply.1 Since lung cancer is strongly associated with cigarette smoking, new public health policies with regard to smoking should lead to a reduction in the rate of this cancer.
Common clinical markers predict end-stage renal disease in children with obstructive uropathy

Obstructive uropathy (OU) is a common cause of end-stage renal disease (ESRD) in children. Children who escape the newborn period with mild-to-moderate chronic kidney disease (CKD) continue to be at increased risk. The predictive ability of clinically available markers throughout childhood is poorly defined. Patients with OU were identified in the Chronic Kidney Disease in Children Study. The primary outcome of interest was renal replacement therapy (RRT) (cases). Controls were age matched and defined as patients within the OU cohort who did not require RRT during study follow-up. In total, 27 cases and 41 age-matched controls were identified. Median age at baseline and age at outcome measurement were 10 vs. 16 years, respectively. First available glomerular filtration rate (GFR) (36.9 vs. 53.5 mL/min per 1.73 m2), urine protein/creatinine (Cr) (0.40 vs. 0.22 mg/mg) and microalbumin/Cr (0.58 vs. 0.03 mg/mg), and serum CO2 (20 vs. 22 mmol/L) and hemoglobin (12.4 vs. 13.2 g/dL) differed significantly between cases and controls, respectively. GFR declined 3.07 mL/min per 1.73 m2/year faster in cases compared to that in controls (p < 0.0001). Urine protein/Cr and microalbumin/Cr increased by 0.16 and 0.11 per year more in cases compared to those in controls, respectively (p ≤ 0.001 for both). Serum phosphate increased by 0.11 mg/dL and serum albumin and hemoglobin decreased by 0.04 (g/dL) and 0.14 (g/dL) per year more for cases compared to those for controls, respectively (p < 0.05 for all). Age-specific baseline and longitudinal measures of readily available clinical measures predict progression to ESRD in children with mild-to-moderate CKD from OU.
System Level Electromagnetic Compatibility Remedy Using Absorbing Frequency Selective Surfaces

To mitigate unwanted electromagnetic emissions from a digital system enclosed in a metal box with ventilation slots at 8 GHz, a customized absorber is developed using the Frequency Selective Surface (FSS) design concept. The low profile FSS is composed of 2D arrays of square patches of a resistive material incorporated in two consecutive layers of a PCB stack-up. The designed FSS covers the inner top wall of the enclosure box. Analytical derivations and full-wave simulations demonstrate that the surface input impedance of FSS at 8 GHz is matched to the intrinsic impedance of the plane waves emitted from the digital system thus providing more than 6 dB reduction in radiated emissions when FSS is present. The FSS structure is fabricated and a test set-up is created to measure the emissions from a prototyped system board with an array of intentional radiators operating at 8 GHz. Lab measurement results also confirm more than 5 dB reduction in radiated emissions at 8 GHz for the worst case emission scenario.
On the advantages of a geometrical viewpoint in the derivation of Lagrange’s equations for a rigid continuum

By way of background, it may be remarked that for a body consisting of finitely many particles, several different derivations of Lagrange’s equations can be found in the dynamics literature.1 These include: derivations proceeding from Newton’s second law by an unenlightening manipulation of partial derivatives; those employing the principle of virtual work; and those appealing to variational principles.
Trends in Use of Institutional Repositories for Faculty Scholarship in ABA-approved Law Schools

Using a population of ABA-approved law schools, this study attempts to quantify their institutional repositories and the types of items collected. I conducted a content analysis of repositories con...
Examination of Recreational and Spiritual Peyote Use Among American Indian Youth

Objective:Some American Indians legally use hallucinogenic substances as part of religious and spiritual ceremonies. Research to date has either failed to differentiate spiritual versus recreationa...
Probabilistic modeling and fragility assessment of limestone wall tie connections subjected to wind loads

Abstract Public safety has been the main objective of conventional design codes and standards, which provide a good threshold for the performance of structures. However, public safety is not the only objective that can drive the design decisions of building owners and their architectural/engineering design professionals. Minimization of total economic losses in a particular scenario event or over a period of time can also be a major objective for the design and retrofit decisions of building owners. Such economic losses accrue from various cost components that can be caused by damage to structural and/or nonstructural components of buildings, so the uncertainties associated with these damages should be understood. This paper analyzes a set of experimental data for the capacity of limestone wall tie connections in tension to develop probabilistic models. Dependency of tie connection behavior on four testing pre-conditions is also examined. The probabilistic models are then used to illustrate development of fragility curves for the tie connections, by implementing them in limestone veneer facades that are characteristic of those on mid-rise buildings located in the wind environment of Chicago, Illinois.
Five-Year Cost-Effectiveness Modeling of Primary Care-Based, Nonmydriatic Automated Retinal Image Analysis Screening Among Low-Income Patients with Diabetes

Background:Artificial intelligence-based technology systems offer an alternative solution for diabetic retinopathy (DR) screening compared with standard, in-office dilated eye examinations. We perf...
Optimizing the performance of sustainable nail gel compositions using a mixture experimental design methodology

Abstract This study presents the development of two major classes of oligomers extensively used in nail gel formulations – urethane acrylates and polyester acrylates – using sustainable routes. To this end, a series of non-isocyanate acrylic functional polyurethane oligomers (NIPU-ACs) were synthesized by the reaction of cyclic carbonates with a stoichiometric excess of amine, followed by reacting the amine-end groups with methacrylic anhydride (MAAH) to introduce the acrylate functionalities. Moreover, a series of different bio-renewable based polyester oligomers (BR-PS) were synthesized from ring-opening esterification of epoxidized soybean oil (ESO) with various mono/di acids such as rosin, benzoic acid, and itaconic acid. Next, the mixture experimental design methodology was used to formulate two categories of sustainable nail gels based on NIPU-ACs and BR-PS oligomers. The formulations were then evaluated for a set of screening tests, and Design-Expert® software was used to determine the most suitable correlation between the variable parameters and responses. In each category, the optimized formulation was selected based on the desired performance criteria and evaluated for complementary tests. Finally, three-layer nail gels systems were also developed and tested for durability and removability. The nail gel systems developed in this study not only have eco-friendly composition but meet critical requirements such as fast-curing (1−2 min), easy removability (in 5 min), high gloss (> 85 T 60°), and high durability (> 10,000 wet scrub cycles, acetone double rubs > 100, and abrasion resistance of
The isoperimetric inequality and Q-curvature

Abstract A well-known question in differential geometry is to control the constant in isoperimetric inequality by intrinsic curvature conditions. In dimension 2, the constant can be controlled by the integral of the positive part of the Gaussian curvature. In this paper, we showed that on simply connected conformally flat manifolds of higher dimensions, the role of the Gaussian curvature can be replaced by the Branson's Q-curvature. We achieve this by exploring the relationship between A p weights and integrals of the Q-curvature.
Targeted loss of E-cadherin is sufficient to induce dedifferentiation, loss of intercellular junctions, and increased invasive potential of colorectal cancer cells

Proc Amer Assoc Cancer Res, Volume 47, 2006 2486 Abstract Background. Alterations in the organization of cellular architecture, intercellular adhesion, and adhesion-mediated signaling through loss of junctional proteins are believed to play a critical role in the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition of cells and acquisition of invasive phenotype during cellular transformation. The purpose of our study is to determine the effects of targeted E-cadherin knockdown on the morphology and invasive potential of human colorectal cancer cell lines. Methods. SW480 and CaCo2 human colorectal carcinoma cell lines were transfected with siRNA to human E-cadherin. RNA and protein expression were measured using RT-PCR and Western blot analyses, respectively. Cell morphology was examined using light microscopy. Protein expression patterns were examined using immunofluoresence. Cellular motility and invasive potential were studied through wound healing assays and invasion assays. Results. RT-PCR and western blot analyses demonstrated knockdown of E-cadherin transcript and protein levels, respectively, in both cell lines. After siRNA knockdown of E-cadherin, SW480 cell lines demonstrated a morphologic epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition and both cell lines demonstrated a loss of membranous localization and intercellular adhesions. Both cell lines demonstrated increased motility and invasive potential after the knockdown of E-cadherin. Conclusion. The above data support a role of E-cadherin in suppressing transformation and invasion through cellular adhesion, maintenance of epithelial differentiation, and possibly adhesion-mediated signaling. This system provides a model to study the effects of E-cadherin knockdown on downstream adhesion-mediated signaling.
Experimental Evaluation of Declining Buyout Price Models for Online Auctions

There is disagreement in the auction literature on the question of whether dynamic Buy-It-Now (BIN) prices can increase the efficiency of online auctions. We report results from an experimental study with economically motivated subjects that compares the standard online auction format currently used on eBay with a new auction format (Online Linear Dutch Auction - OLDA) that allows for dynamic BIN prices. We find no statistically significant differences between these two auction formats. We then compare our results with these of another study investigating OOBCA (Online One-time BIN-price Change Auction - another auction format that allows for dynamic BIN prices), which finds that OOBCA outperforms the standard online auction format. OLDA is more dynamic in nature than OOBCA yet OOBCA outperforms a generalized static online auction design in the laboratory while the OLDA does not. We discuss theoretical and practical implications of our findings.
Metabolism of n-Butane and 2-Butanone by Mycobacterium vaccae

n-Butane was metabolized in Mycobacterium vaccae (JOB5) via terminal oxidation. This organism metabolized 2-butanone through propionate (or propionyl coenzyme A). Subterminal oxidation in M. vaccae was apparently limited to propane.
A comparison of three parallel /spl Delta//spl Sigma/ A/D converters

One way to increase the conversion bandwidth of the Delta-Sigma (/spl Delta//spl Sigma/) A/D converter is to use parallelism. The three main types of parallel /spl Delta//spl Sigma/ A/D converter which are practical for implementation are the time-interleaved, the parallel /spl Delta//spl Sigma/ (/spl Pi//spl Delta//spl Sigma/), and the frequency band decomposition A/D converters. In this paper, it is shown that the operation of all three approaches can be explained using the same underlying theory. This common structure is then used to explore the design tradeoffs among these architectures.
Terpenes—IV : The stereochemistry and optical rotary dispersion curves of some cyclic ketones related to (−)-umbellulone

Abstract A number of optically active cyclic ketones derived from (−)-umbellulone were prepared, and their UV absorption and NMR spectra and ORD curves measured. The sign of the Cotton effect associated with the n - π * transition of the CO group for each ketone is related to its configuration and preferred conformation.
Planar polarity in the Drosophila wing

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses planar polarity in the Drosophila wing. The function of the frizzled ( fz ) pathway results in the consistent polarization of all cells in a body region. This pathway is sometimes called non-canonical Wnt pathway but in Drosophila planar polarity there is no evidence for Wnt involvement. So the term fz pathway is used in the chapter. The wing is the largest appendage in Drosophila and at least the wing blade is a quite simple structure. The adult cuticular wing is essentially a cast of the pupal wing, which consists of a one-cell-thick folded epithelial sheet. Most wing cells differentiate to produce a single distally pointing cuticular hair. This gives the appendage as a whole a planar tissue polarity. This is also true for other appendages and most of the trunk. The distal direction of the hair is a consequence of the hair being formed at the distal-most part of the cell and growing out away from the cell. Thus, each individual cell on the wing is also polarized in the plane of the epithelium. This is referred to as planar cell polarity in the chapter.
Enzymatic Synthesis of Ceramide-Glucose and Ceramide-Lactose by Glycosyltransferases from Embryonic Chicken Brain

Two glycosyltransferases were detected in a particulate preparation from 13-day-old embryonic chicken brain. The first enzyme transferred glucose from UDP-glucose to ceramide to give ceramide-glucose, while the second transferred galactose from UDP-galactose to ceramide-glucose to give a product partially characterized as ceramide-lactose. These enzymatic steps, in addition to those previously described in embryonic chicken brain, delineate a pathway for the synthesis of disialoganglioside from ceramide.
Core–Mantle Interactions

Interactions between the core and the mantle arise when heat, mass, momentum, or charge is transferred across the core–mantle boundary (CMB). Each of these interactions has consequences for the dynamics and evolution of the Earth's interior. Thermal interactions are a result of changes in the magnitude or spatial pattern of heat flow across the CMB. These interactions evolve slowly on the timescale of convective overturn in the mantle (nominally 10 7 –10 8 years). The style of convection in the core and the regeneration of the magnetic field can be dramatically altered by plausible changes in CMB heat flow. Electromagnetic and mechanical interactions occur on shorter timescales and may be responsible for observed fluctuations in the Earth's rotation rate over periods ranging from several decades to several days. More uncertain are chemical interactions, which result from the transfer of mass across the CMB. Differences in the oxidation state of the core and the mantle make chemical reactions between these two regions likely, yet the evidence for mass exchange remains controversial. We review recent advances in our understanding of core–mantle interactions. We also explore the role of core–mantle interactions in making internal processes detectable at the Earth's surface.
Three dimensional finite element calculations of an experimental quartz rotation sensor

A 3-D, finite-element (FE) study of an AT-cut quartz stripline resonator for use as a rotation sensor is presented. Modeling of all three dimensions is required to understand the coupling between the thickness-shear motion and thickness-length-type flexure and to consider geometric variations in the length direction. Experimental and predicted vibrational frequencies agree with less than 1% error. The relative strengths of electromechanical coupling also show good agreement with experiment. Thickness-shear motions in both transverse directions are well modeled. Because of the thin geometry, many high-order flexure modes must also be considered. the resulting 3-D spectrum is considerably richer in modes than the corresponding 2-D results. The model mesh is quite fine, requiring more than 65000 degrees of freedom. The high-order modes (the shear modes of interest are greater than the 100th mode in the spectrum) are carefully classified using a straightforward procedure that gives the effective piezoelectric coupling to specific electrode geometries. The FE method allows quick analysis of the influence of variations in geometric parameters. >
Vitamin D deficiency and acute vaso‐occlusive complications in children with sickle cell disease

Background Vitamin D is increasingly recognized for its roles in non-skeletal disorders. Patients with sickle cell disease (SCD) have a high prevalence of vitamin D deficiency but data are limited with respect to possible associations between low vitamin D and acute vaso-occlusive complications. We examined whether vitamin D deficiency is associated with acute pain and acute chest syndrome (ACS) in children with SCD. Procedure A cross-sectional study was conducted in 95 children with SCD who had serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25-OHD) measured during comprehensive care examinations. History of acute pain and ACS within two years of obtaining 25-OHD was collected. Associations between 25-OHD levels and acute vaso-occlusive events were analyzed by logistic regression. Odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals were calculated for the risk of pain and ACS associated with vitamin D deficiency (25-OHD <20 ng/ml). Results Subjects were 3–20 years old (median 10.6); 48 males, 47 females; 46 African, 49 Hispanic; 72 SS, 20 SC, 1 S/β0Thalassemia, and 2 S/β+Thalassemia. Median 25-OHD was 16 ng/ml. Fifty-six (59%) were vitamin D-deficient. Thirty-one (33%) and 29 (31%) had at least one episode of pain and ACS, respectively. Serum 25-OHD was significantly associated with pain (P = 0.0121) but not with ACS (P = 0.628). Of those with pain, 73% (23/31) were vitamin D-deficient while 26% (8/31) had 25-OHD ≥20 ng/ml (P = 0.04, OR = 2.7, 95%CI = 1.05–6.94). Conclusions Our findings emphasize the high prevalence of vitamin D deficiency and its potential association with acute pain in SCD. Correcting low vitamin D may offer a simple, low-cost intervention to help reduce acute vaso-occlusive complications. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2015;62:643–647. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Converging forest community composition along an edaphic gradient threatens landscape-level diversity.

Aim Plant communities across the temperate zone are changing in response to successional processes and human-induced disturbances. Here, we assess how upland forest under- and overstorey community composition has changed along an edaphic gradient. Location Northern Wisconsin, USA. Methods Forest sites initially sampled in the 1950s were resampled for overstorey composition and diversity, basal area, and understorey composition and diversity. We used clustering methods to identify groups of stands based on overstorey composition, and we used similarity indices, ordination and diversity indices to evaluate changes in species abundance and overall community structure. Results Sites clustered into four overstorey groups along the edaphic gradient: ‘hemlock’ sites dominated by hemlock in 1950, ‘mesic’ sites dominated by northern hardwoods, ‘dry’ sites with a significant pine inclusion in the canopy and diverse ‘dry-mesic’ sites in the middle. Collectively, forests gained maple, ash and cherry while losing pines, birches and red oaks. The hemlock forest sites gained hardwoods, while the dry-mesic sites shifted towards a more mesic hardwood composition. Only the driest sites have remained relatively stable in species composition. Main conclusions These trends reflect both ‘mesification’ and homogenization among northern forests. Highly diverse mid-gradient and mesic hemlock-dominated stands are transitioning to maple dominance. Fire suppression may be favouring invasions of more mesic plants into historically drier sites, while high deer abundance likely limits hemlock regeneration. If current trends continue, maples will dominate the majority of northern forests, with significant losses of local native species richness and substantial shifts in understorey composition.
Qualitative assessment of cDNA microarray gene expression data using detrended fluctuation analysis

Abstract A number of microarray studies assume gene expression data to be independent of one another. In this report, we provide evidence of correlation in cDNA microarray gene expression data using classical power spectral analysis and the sophisticated detrended fluctuation analysis (DFA). Such correlations are shown to be an outcome of gene's position on the arrays and immune to pre-processing procedures such as normalization. The results presented encourage DFA as a tool for qualitative assessment of microarray gene expression data prior to inferring differential gene expression.
Effect of mitochondrial viability and metabolism on technetium-99m-sestamibi myocardial retention

This study investigated the mechanism of myocardial retention of technetium-99m-sestamibi.99mTc-sestamibi was injected intravenously into guinea pigs, and the myocardium was homogenized and fractionated by differential centrifugation. More than 90% of myocardial99mTc-sestamibi was localized within the mitochondrial fraction. Calcium was found to release99mTc-sestamibi from the mitochondrial fraction, with an IC50 of 2.54±0.98 mM. This effect was potentiated by NaCl, and inhibited by the mitochondrial calcium channel blocker ruthenium red. In vitro uptake of99mTc-sestamibi was found to increase from 10.5% ± 3.0% to 61.2% ± 0.2% with the addition of 10 mM succinate, indicating that respiration is involved. Since irreversible ischemia results in cellular and mitochondrial calcium “overload” and loss of mitochondrial metabolic function,99mTc-sestamibi should not be retained in necrotic or irreversibly ischemic myocardium, and could potentially act as a sensitive indicator of myocardial cell viability.
Mechanical and biochemical properties of human cervical tissue

The mechanical integrity of cervical tissue is crucial for maintaining a healthy gestation. Altered tissue biochemistry can cause drastic changes in the mechanical properties of the cervix and contribute to premature cervical dilation and delivery. We present an investigation of the mechanical and biochemical properties of cervical samples from human hysterectomy specimens. Three clinical cases were investigated: nonpregnant hysterectomy patients with previous vaginal deliveries; nonpregnant hysterectomy patients with no previous vaginal deliveries; and pregnant hysterectomy patients at time of cesarean section. Tissue samples were tested in confined compression, unconfined compression and tension. Cervical tissue samples for the three clinical cases were also subjected to biochemical analysis. Biochemical assays measured cervical tissue hydration, collagen content, collagen extractability and sulfated glycosaminoglycan (GAG) content. Results from the mechanical tests indicate that cervical stroma has a nonlinear, time-dependent stress response with varying degrees of conditioning and hysteresis depending on its obstetric background. It was found that the nonpregnant tissue was significantly stiffer than the pregnant tissue in both tension and compression. Further, collagen extractability, sulfated GAG content and hydration were substantially higher in the pregnant tissue. This study is the first important step towards the attainment of an improved understanding of the complex interplay between the molecular structure of cervical tissue and its macroscopic mechanical properties.
Knock‐on particle preheat in ion beam fusion targets

The elastic scattering of beam ions is shown to cause a potentially damaging flux of penetrating secondary knock‐on particles. These secondary particles will be more penetrating than the primary ions if the atomic mass of the primary is larger than the secondary. A calculation, using the specific example of helium ions incident on an absorbing material containing hydrogen, reveals that the knock‐on protons have a range greater than five times the range of the primary helium ions, and can cause a preheat problem. Thus, this effect is shown to be an important design consideration.
Continuous Multidimensional Systems and the Impulse Response Scandal

We consider a family of multidimensional input–output maps representing linear shift-invariant systems that take a set of continuous-space signals into itself, and show that the family contains maps whose impulse response is the zero function, but which take certain inputs into nonzero outputs.
Radio-labeling of the PstI restriction fragments and improvement in the sequencing procedure.

Abstract A new and simple method has been developed for efficient labeling of the protruding 3 ' ends of DNA fragments generated by class-II restriction enzymes. This new method utilizes a synthetic oligodeoxynucleotide 5'-GTGCA-3', which is complementary to the protruding 3' end of the fragment and hybridizes with it in such a manner that the end of the restriction fragment will now have a protruding, one-nucleotide (nt)-long 5' end. This then serves as a template to incorporate just one nt at the 3' end of the restriction fragment. This procedure is easy to use, highly efficient (labeling at 80% of the theoretical incorporation) and generates labeled fragments that are suitable for sequencing. We have also improved the nt sequencing procedure of Bencini et al. [Biotechniques 2 (1984) 4–5] by replacing ‘A > C’ reaction with ‘G’ and ‘C’ specific reactions and employing butanol precipitation of DNA.
On the proximity effect in a superconductive slab bordered by metal

The first Ginzburg-Landau equation for the order parameter ψ in the absence of magnetic fields is solved analytically for a superconducting slab of thickness 2d bordered by semi-infinite regions of normal metal at each face. The real-valued normalized wave function f=ψ/ψ∞ depends only on the transversal spatial coordinate x, normalized with respect to the coherence length ξ of the superconductor, provided the de Gennes boundary condition df/dx=f/b is used. The closed-form solution expresses x as an elliptic integral of f, depending on the normalized parameters d and b. It is predicted theoretically that, for b<∞ and d≤dc=arctan(1/b), the proximity effect is so strong that the superconductivity is completely suppressed. In fact, in this case, the first Ginzburg-Landau equation possesses only the trivial solution f≡0.
Dietary Patterns and Self-Reported Associations of Diet with Symptoms of Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Background There are insufficient data to make firm dietary recommendations for patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Yet patients frequently report that specific food items influence their symptoms. In this study, we describe patients’ perceptions about the benefits and harms of selected foods and patients’ dietary patterns.
Strengthening Research in Departments of Obstetrics and Gynecology

1. The success rate for members of departments of obstetrics and gynecology who apply to the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development is as good or better than for all applicants to that institute. The number of applications per faculty member, however, has declined by 54% for MD faculty and 48% for PhD faculty in the period 1993-1995 compared with 1984-1986.2. The society for the Advancement of Women's Health Research should be approached with a view to establishing national fellowships to support undergraduate and medical students during a research experience in laboratories in departments of obstetrics and gynecology.3. A committee made up of members of the Society for Gynecologic Investigation Council and the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology should be constituted to restructure residency training in our specialty. Training should consist of 2-3 years of core obstetrics and gynecology, followed by clinical subspecialty training 2-3 years. Individuals who with an academic care...
Shear-Wave Velocity Characteristics of Geologic Units in California

Abstract Site conditions can be classified by the average shear‐wave velocity to 30 meters (Vs30) and used for estimating site effects in seismic hazard calculations. Large scale seismic hazard maps, which include site effects, may be produced, providing Vs30 can be well correlated with geologic units. Vs30 values for several geologic units can be easily classified into soil profile types of the UBC (ICBO 1997). Most geologic units have wide variations in Vs30 and some extensive geologic units, such as older alluvium, the Franciscan Complex or the Puente Formation cannot be easily classified.
The temperature dependence of the nuclear magnetic resonance of Co59

Abstract The temperature dependence of the nuclear magnetic resonance spectrum of pure cobalt from 25°C to 600°C has been re-examined with the aid of more sensitive apparatus. The resonances from the hexagonal phase disappear at 490°C on heating and re-appear at 440°C on cooling. The principal resonance lines of the face-centered-cubic and hexagonal phases start to split into two lines each at about 235°C and 260°C, respectively; the fractional splitting increases with temperature, and is approximately the same for the two phases. The absolute intensities of the split resonances decrease in an externally applied magnetic field, but the relative intensities are independent of the external field.
Efficient Utilization Of Aperture And Detector By Optimal Coding

Performance for several apertures is presented for a number of Rayleigh discrimination tasks with signal and background exactly specified. Performance is defined as the squared signal-to-noise ratio of an ideal observer determined from statistical decision theory. The conclusions of Wagner, Brown, and Metz (1981) are shown to hold for different source-pair orientations and some other well-known (but non-ideal) figures of merit. When the background is assumed to be a known constant, and the source width and separation are also known, the performance of a simple open aperture increases as the aperture is enlarged. For a known source width a complex aperture can be designed which will give performance superior to a large open aperture for these simple discrimination tasks. For any of these apertures to be clinically relevant, performance comparisons over a wider range of clinically realistic tasks, including signal and object variability, must be considered.
A Low-Cost High-Gain Amplifier with Exceptional Noise Performance

A simply constructed and inexpensive amplifier that exhibits unusually low noise is described. The amplifier is particularly useful in applications which call for large amplifications of very low- level signals. When variable gain and filtering stages are added, the amplifier provides flexibility, convenience, and performance comparable to the finest commercial units.
Experimental and numerical investigation of freely propagating flames stabilized on a Hencken Burner

Abstract Detailed flame measurements are necessary for the development of accurate chemical kinetics models. This study characterizes quasi one-dimensional, laminar, nearly adiabatic, and freely propagating flames stabilized over a Hencken flat flame burner. Major reactant and product species in lean premixed methane/oxygen/argon and ethylene/oxygen/argon flames were measured through extractive sampling and absorption spectroscopy to obtain spatially-resolved species profiles of oxygen, methane, ethylene, carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide. Experimental results were compared to numerical simulations of one-dimensional, freely propagating, adiabatic flames. Experimental and numerical results for flame speeds and species concentrations were largely in agreement within calculated uncertainty, indicating that data produced using a Hencken burner at sub-atmospheric pressure can be readily compared to numerical simulations without the need for flame or burner temperatures, which are prone to uncertainty. The influence of the extractive probe on flame structure was also investigated, and results suggest that the structure is less influenced by probe intrusion when the flame is highly stretched.
Problems in Assessing Prevalence and Membership Characteristics of Self-Help Group Participants

Relying on secondary analysis of three surveys, this study examines the prevalence of self-help group (SHG) use. Two of the surveys are based on large household probability samples (Epidemiological...
Well‐being and motherhood: Effects of preschool age children on the satisfactions and life experiences of working women and housewives

This paper examines the effects of preschool children on the quality of life of housewives and working women. Two sets of multiple regression models are employed to (a) analyze the differential levels of satisfaction of housewives and working women with and without preschool children and (b) investigate the effect of the number of preschoolers on the well‐being of mothers. The findings show that married women with preschool children report significantly less life satisfaction than married women without preschool children and that motherhood is equally stressful for both housewives and working women who have preschoolers. Also, an increasing number of preschool children seem to decrease the satisfaction of mothers.
Four new DNA markers are assigned to the WAGR region of 11p13: Isolation and regional assignment of 112 chromosome 11 anonymous DNA segments

Abstract One hundred eighty-three human single copy clones were isolated from the Livermore Laboratory chromosome 11 library (ID code LL11NSO1) and 112 of them were mapped to chromosome 11. Using a panel of somatic cell hybrids segregating chromosome 11 translocations and short arm deletions, 54 of the clones were assigned to one of nine segments on the short arm of chromosome 11; the remainder were assigned to the long arm. Nine of these clones map to 11p13, and four of the nine [57( D11S89 ), 530( D11S90 ), 706( D11S93 ), and 1104( D11S95 )] are confined to the same segment within p13 that contains catalase ( CAT ), the β subunit of follicle stimulating hormone ( FSHB ), and the Wilms' tumor-aniridia ( WAGR ) gene complex.
Creating Better Citizens? Effects of a Model Citizens' Assembly on Student Political Attitudes and Behavior.

Perceiving political engagement to be dangerously low among American citizens, many political science professors in recent years have attempted to promote engagement and “healthier” political attitudes. The effectiveness of these efforts appears variable and generally quite modest. Following the model of Canadian citizens' assemblies, we taught a course called Citizens' Assembly on Critical Thinking about the United States (CACTUS) in spring 2008 in which students considered the question: “Is it time to change the way we elect the President of the United States?” Because the course employs a form of deliberative democracy CACTUS might be anticipated to encourage engagement. We use a pre-post survey design to measure attitudes of both CACTUS (treatment group) and other (comparison groups) students to examine this. We find that both CACTUS and students enrolled in other political science courses experienced modest growth in their political engagement. More notably, CACTUS students became more extreme in the...
An analysis of rivet die design in electromagnetic riveting

Etude numerique et experimentale de la qualite des rivets en alliage d'aluminium 7050-T73 formes par un procede de rivetage electromagnetique extremement rapide. Influence de la conception de la matrice sur la presence des deformations provoquant la formation de fissures dans les tetes de rivets