cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Receipt of recommended surveillance with imaging in elderly survivors of early stage non-small cell lung cancer

Abstract Purpose Early-stage lung cancer survivorsremain at high risk for recurrence or second cancers. We measured the rates and determinants of regular surveillance imaging in early-stage non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) survivors. Methods Patients (diagnosed 2001–2011) with resected stage I and II NSCLC were identified from the Surveillance Epidemiology and End Results (SEER)-Medicare linked database. Patients were censored at recurrence/second cancer diagnosis, loss to follow-up or death. Receipt of a scan during the surveillance periods of 7–18, 19–30, 31–42 and 43–60 months from date of surgery was assessed. Results Of 10,680 survivors assessed during the 18-month surveillance period, 71% received imaging in first 18 months. Only 56% and 43% continued to receive regular imaging by 30-month and 60-month of follow-up, respectively. Survivors were less likely to receive imaging if they were older, black, unmarried, received no adjuvant therapy, had stage I disease (vs. stage II) or were diagnosed before 2006. In adjusted analysis, survivors who received recommended imaging up to 18 months from surgery experienced better survival compared to survivors who did not (HR 0.92; 95% CI 0.85–0.99). Survival benefit was also observed in survivors who underwent regular imaging up to 5 years from surgery (HR 0.68; 95% CI 0.60–0.78). Conclusions More than half the lung cancer survivors received less than the recommended long-term surveillance imaging. Long-term adherence to surveillance is associated with improved survival. Our study provides evidence to support the current clinical guidelines for surveillance for lung cancer survivors that are primarily consensus-based at present.
Binge eating-related concerns and depressive symptoms in young adulthood: Seven-year longitudinal associations and differences by race/ethnicity.

Abstract Objective To examine longitudinal associations between binge eating-related concerns (i.e., cognitions associated with binge eating, such as embarrassment over amount eaten and fear of losing control over eating) and depressive symptoms among U.S. young adults and assess whether associations differ by race/ethnicity. Methods This study used longitudinal data from Waves III (baseline; mean age = 21.77 years) and IV (follow-up; mean age = 28.76 years) of the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health (N = 12,040). Linear regression models were run to examine associations between binge eating-related concerns at baseline and depressive symptoms at follow-up, adjusting for demographic covariates, baseline body mass index, and baseline depressive symptoms. Results At baseline, 5.9% of participants reported embarrassment over amount eaten, 2.1% reported fear of losing control over eating, and 0.9% reported both binge eating-related concerns. In adjusted models, embarrassment over amount eaten (B = 0.81, p Discussion Binge eating-related concerns may contribute to depression risk among young adults, particularly among non-Hispanic whites and Asians/Pacific Islanders. Early identification of these cognitions and early intervention may help reduce depression risk in young adulthood.
[Analysis of RPS6KA3 gene mutation in a Chinese pedigree affected with Coffin-Lowry syndrome].

Objective To identify potential mutations of the CLS gene in a Chinese pedigree affected with Coffin-Lowry syndrome. Methods Whole exome sequencing was applied to detect potential mutation in the proband, and the result was verified by Sanger sequencing. Results The proband was found to carry a c. 966_967delAA (p.Arg323Thr fs*11) deletional mutation in the RPS6KA3 gene. The same mutation was also found in his mother. Conclusion The c. 966_967delAA (p.Arg323Thr fs*11) deletional mutation of the RPS6KA3 gene probably underlies the disorder in this pedigree. Key words: Coffin-Lowry syndrome; RPS6KA3 gene; Mutation
Sleep problems in advanced cancer patients and their caregivers: Who is disturbing whom?

Background The aims of the study were to understand sleep problems and their effects in advanced cancer patients and spousal and intimate partner caregivers and to examine the directionality of the link between patients’ and caregivers’ sleep problems. Methods Fifty-four advanced cancer patients and their spousal and intimate partners were administered a battery of questionnaires that included the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index and the Center for Epidemiological Studies at the patients’ cancer diagnosis and at 2, 4, and 6 months after diagnosis. Results Patients’ and caregivers’ sleep duration was significantly related. Using cross-lagged panel analyses, caregivers’ sleep quality significantly predicted patients’ sleep quality and patients’ sleep quality subsequently predicted caregivers’ sleep quality. Patients’ sleep latency significantly was found to significantly predict caregivers’ sleep latency. Conclusion Patients diagnosed with cancer and their intimate partners have poor sleep quality and sleep patterns are related.
The flow of sickle blood through glass capillaries: a point of care application

We show that the characteristic time for sickled blood to traverse 100 µm-diameter glass capillaries can be used as the foundation for a useful point-of-care diagnosis for sickle cell disease. 3.2 cm long capillaries were inserted into a 5 µL drop of blood, and 1/4 µL was spontaneously drawn into the tube. The rate at which the blood traversed the capillary was significantly changed by deoxygenation only for sickle genotypes, a consequence of the increased viscosity of cells containing sickle fibers. Under these conditions, we find deoxygenation causes the time for sickle blood to traverse the capillary to increase to about 3 times its original value, in contrast to normal blood, where the times are equivalent regardless of state of oxygenation. This corresponds to readily-observed time differences of around 10 s for capillary traversal. Such changes are present for blood from homozygous sickle cell patients, as well as heterozygous patients with hemoglobin AS, SC, and Sβ+ thalassemia. Moreover, we demonstrate that this test is sensitive to sickling therapies that increase the production of fetal Hb. This viscosity-based measurement thus offers the prospect of an assay that is 10 times faster than any current test of which we are aware, at costs that rival the least expensive of any current assays.
New Values in Contemporary Coverage of Racial Issues

The final chapter considers what these changes might mean for the future of news coverage about racial issues. It posits that the post-Ferguson shifts in Traditional journalism are not attributable to that news event, nor are they a credit to newsroom diversity (which has declined). It’s more likely that they are the result of several phenomena working together, particularly the peak use of smartphones by a younger, more racially diverse, and politically aware audience—and the growth of journalism that pays attention to that audience. Traditional journalism about race has begun to look more like Journalism 3.0. This could indicate the future of journalism about race is likely to be more complex, more critical—particularly of structures and institutions, and more representative of diverse perspectives.
Supporting Young Children’s Spatial Understanding: Examining Toddlers’ Experiences with Contents and Containers

One critical objective of high-quality education is to provide citizens literate in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) to ensure economic success (as reported by Newcombe (Harnessing spatial thinking to support STEM learning (OECD Education Working Papers, No. 161), OECD Publishing, Paris, 2017). Many studies have found a correlation between STEM skills and spatial ability. A meta-analysis of studies (as reported by Hawes et al. (in Davis (ed), Spatial reasoning in the early years: Principles, assertions, and speculations, Routledge, New York, 2015) reported that interventions to teach spatial skills resulted in significant improvement, approximately doubling the number of people with spatial skills associated with being an engineer. Most educational programs lack a focus on spatial skills, especially in early years when children are developing their spatial sense of the world and building a foundation for later, more complex, spatial skills. Little research exists showing what young children do when allowed to explore materials with little or no adult direction. This qualitative study was designed to address that gap and provide evidence of spatial skills in young children, specifically toddlers (12–36 months old). A variety of common household materials were set out during free play time, and educators provided minimal guidance while children played. Trained videographers recorded for 10 h (twice a week for 1 h over a 5-week period). Video was open coded for spatial actions children displayed with the materials. The initial codes were then reviewed for common themes and compared to those found in previous studies. Results show that toddlers demonstrated a wide range of spatial skills without educator direction and stayed engaged for long periods of time. Based on these results, implications are presented for educators to support spatial development.
Long-term Outcome of Gastric Per-Oral Endoscopic Pyloromyotomy in Treatment of Gastroparesis.

Background & Aims Gastric per oral endoscopic pyloromyotomy (GPOEM) is a promising treatment for gastroparesis. There are few data on the long-term outcomes of this procedure. We investigated long-term outcomes of GPOEM treatment of patients with refractory gastroparesis. Methods We conducted a retrospective case-series study of all patients who underwent GPOEM for refractory gastroparesis at a single center (n = 97), from June 2015 through March 2019; 90 patients had more than 3 months follow-up data and were included in our final analysis. We collected data on gastroparesis cardinal symptom index (GCSI) scores (measurements of postprandial fullness or early satiety, nausea and vomiting, and bloating) and SF-36 questionnaire scores (measures quality of life). The primary outcome was clinical response to GPOEM, defined as a decrease of at least 1 point in the average total GCSI score with more than a 25% decrease in at least 2 subscales of cardinal symptoms. Recurrence was defined as a return to baseline GCSI or GCSI scores of 3 or more for at least 2 months after an initial complete response. The secondary outcome was the factors that predict GPOEM failure (no response or gastroparesis recurrence within 6 months). Results At initial follow-up (3 to 6 months after GPOEM), 73 patients (81.1%) had a clinical response and significant increases in SF-36 questionnaire scores (indicating increased quality of life) whereas 17 patients (18.9%) had no response. Six months after GPOEM, 7.1% had recurrence. At 12 months, 8.3% of patients remaining in the study had recurrence. At 24 months, 4.8% of patients remaining in the study had a recurrence. At 36 months, 14.3% of patients remaining in the study had recurrence. For patients who experienced an initial clinical response, the rate of loss of that response per year was 12.9%. In the univariate and multivariate regression analysis, a longer duration of gastroparesis reduced the odds of response to GPOEM (odds ratio [OR], 0.092; 95% CI, 1.04–1.3; P = .001). On multivariate logistic regression, patients with high BMIs had increased odds of GPOEM failure (OR, 1.097; 95% CI, 1.022–1.176; P = .010) and patients receiving psychiatric medications had a higher risk of GPOEM failure (OR, 1.33; 95% CI, 0.110–1.008; P = .052). Conclusions In retrospective analysis of 90 patients who underwent GPOEM for refractory gastroparesis, 81.1% had a clinical response at initial follow-up of their procedure. 1 year after GPOEM, 69.1% of all patients had a clinical response and 85.2% of initial responders maintained a clinical response. Patients maintained a clinical response and improved quality of life for as long as 3 years after the procedure. High BMI and long duration gastroparesis were associated with failure of GPOEM.
Co-administration of macropinocytosis inhibitory nanoparticles (MiNP) for enhanced nanoparticle circulation time and target tissue accumulation following subcutaneous injection

A signficant barrier to the application of nanoparticles for precision medicine is the mononuclear phagocyte system (MPS), a diverse population of phagocytic cells primarily located within the liver, spleen and lymph nodes. The majority of nanoparticles are indiscriminantly cleared by the MPS via macropinocytosis before reaching their intended targets, resulting in side effects and decreased efficacy. This work demonstrates that the biodistribution and desired tissue accumulation of targeted nanoparticles can be significantly enhanced by co-injection with polymeric micelles containing the actin depolymerizing agent latrunculin A. These macropinocytosis inhibitory nanoparticles (MiNP) were found to selectively inhibit non-specific uptake of a second "effector" nanoparticle in vitro without impeding receptor-mediated endocytosis. In tumor bearing mice, co-injection with MiNP in a single multi-nanoparticle formulation significantly increased the accumulation of folate-receptor targeted nanoparticles within tumors. Furthermore, subcutaneous co-administration with MiNP allowed effector nanoparticles to achieve serum levels that rivaled a standard intravenous injection. This effect was only observed if the effector nanoparticles were injected within 24 h following MiNP administration, indicating a temporary avoidance of MPS cells. Co-injection with MiNP therefore allows reversible evasion of the MPS for targeted nanoparticles and presents a previously unexplored method of modulating and improving nanoparticle biodstribution following subcutaneous administration. O_FIG O_LINKSMALLFIG WIDTH=200 HEIGHT=194 SRC="FIGDIR/small/267054v1_ufig1.gif" ALT="Figure 1"> View larger version (54K): org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@e2e675org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@883af7org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@1d74912org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@fe6bd9_HPS_FORMAT_FIGEXP M_FIG C_FIG TOC Text: Polymeric macropinocytosis inhibiting nanoparticles reduce non-specific uptake of an "effector" nanoparticle by cells of the mononuclear phagocyte system. This macropinocytosis specific inhibition allows for greater accumulation and uptake of targeted nanoparticles in tissues of interest thereby increasing their efficacy and reducing side effects.
Training Spiking Neural Networks Using Combined Learning Approaches

Spiking neural networks (SNNs), the class of neural networks used in neuromorphic computing, are difficult to train using traditional back-propagation techniques. Spike timingdependent plasticity (STDP) is a biologically inspired learning mechanism that can be used to train SNNs. Evolutionary algorithms have also been demonstrated as a method for training SNNs. In this work, we explore the relationship between these two training methodologies. We evaluate STDP and evolutionary optimization as standalone methods for training networks, and also evaluate a combined approach where STDP weight updates are applied within an evolutionary algorithm. We also apply Bayesian hyperparameter optimization as a meta learner for each of the algorithms. We find that STDP by itself is not an ideal learning rule for randomly connected networks, while the inclusion of STDP within an evolutionary algorithm leads to similar performance, with a few interesting differences. This study suggests future work in understanding the relationship between network topology and learning rules.
Modeling swelling behavior of hydrogels in aqueous organic solvents

Abstract Hydrogel, a three-dimensional elastic structure of cross-linked polymer chains, swells or deswells when immersed in aqueous organic solutions. The swelling of hydrogels depends on temperature, solvent composition, and hydrogel structure as the thermodynamic driving forces for hydrogel swelling are due to solvent – hydrogel interactions and expansion of elastic network. In this work, polymer Nonrandom Two-Liquid activity coefficient model is used to account for the solvent – hydrogel interactions and a semi-empirical expression for rubber elasticity is used to describe the expansion of elastic network. The model successfully correlates data for both swelling and equilibrium phase compositions for n-isopropyl acrylamide hydrogels in water – ethanol, water – acetone, water – n-butanol, and water – methyl isobutyl ketone mixed solvents.
Can patients with advanced malignancy and poor performance status benefit from nivolumab plus ipilimumab as a palliative treatment

12028Background: Performance status (e.g. Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group [ECOG] score) is a predictive tool used to determine whether a patient may benefit from cytotoxic chemotherapy. The toxi...
Constitutive model of structural alteration and swelling behavior for Old Alluvium

Abstract We describe a constitutive model for the compression and swelling behavior of Old Alluvium, a material with a complex microstructure characterized by Fe-oxides cementation and silt-sized aggregates of swelling clay minerals. Compression loading of this material breaks down the aggregate structure, altering the mineralogy, particle fracture properties, and physicochemical properties. We use cation exchange capacity as a measurable proxy to represent the microstructural evolution that can be linked to changes in compressibility with consolidation stress. At load reversal, the value of cation exchange capacity affects the microscale swelling pressures associated with osmotic repulsion between platelets of expansive nontronite. The micro- and macro-scale stiffnesses are linked through a parameter that relates the disjoining pressure to the macroscopic swelling pressure, and an interaction function. By relating macroscopic strains to microscale osmotic repulsion between expansive clay platelets, the proposed model builds directly on the physicochemical characteristics of the material and achieves a more consistent physical basis for describing the unloading response than prior formulations. We illustrate how the model can provide a framework for interpreting how engineering properties vary vertically with the state of weathering in the Old Alluvium soil profile. This approach should find broader application for other piedmont, transported, residual soils.
Passively Mode Locked 265 nm VECSEL Utilizing All-Intracavity Harmonic Generation

We present the results of an ultrafast 265 nm passively mode locked VECSEL utilizing two stage intracavity second harmonic generation. This novel design enhances the UV lasing output power without active stabilization electronics.
Workup

In pure limit-order markets, the use of large orders is discouraged by potential front-runners. This problem can be mitigated by using expandable orders or iceberg orders, or by splitting a large order into smaller ones. An expandable order gives a trader an option to sequentially expand the size of his trade while holding the price fixed. An iceberg order enables a trader to commit to a maximal trade size at some price, without fully revealing that size to other traders. This paper provides a theoretical model of expandable orders and the accompanying quantity negotiation, called (also by practitioners) the “workup”. The workup is ubiquitous in the U.S. and Canadian bond markets and in over-the-counter markets. The model suggests that even when iceberg orders are available, traders will still use the workup if splitting an order is prohibitively costly, front-running is a threat, and the exchange lacks trust.
Thoracoscopic Resection of Thoracic Inlet Neuroblastic Tumors in Young Children.

Background: Thoracic inlet (TI) tumors are rare, and can be particularly challenging to resect due to proximity to mediastinal vessels and nerves. Traditional resection is typically performed throu...
Analysis and Filtering

In this chapter we present, primarily, the analysis of the Gibbs phenomenon in the Fourier series approximation of (periodic) functions with jump discontinuities. The parallel analysis of the Gibbs phenomenon in the truncated Fourier integral representation was, for all practical purposes, covered in Section 1.3. Still, we start with a brief summary of the latter section for the sake of completeness as we draw on the parallels with its analysis. This is followed by discussion and illustration in Section 2.3 of the two basic methods of eliminating or reducing the Gibbs phenomenon; namely, the Fejer averaging and the Lanczos’ local averaging methods. A review of the foundations of these methods were laid in Sections 1.4 and 1.5, respectively. In Sections 2.4 and 2.5, we cover recent transform methods and some optimization-type methods of filtering the Gibbs phenomenon. Section 2.6 covers a rather different aspect, which is the possibility of using the Gibbs phenomenon to an advantage, such as in edge detection for locating shock waves, or in scanning the muscles of the heart. In Section 2.7 we present a close to complete but brief historical account of the Gibbs-Wilbraham phenomenon in the Fourier analysis, and some orthogonal expansions of functions with jump discontinuities.
Last Laughs: Gallows Humor and Medical Education

This paper argues that "backstage" gallows humor among clinical mentors not only affects medical students' perceptions of what it means to be a doctor but is also symptomatic and indicative of a much larger problem in medicine-namely, the failure to attend fully to the complexity and profundity of the lived experiences of illness, suffering, and death. Reorienting the discourse surrounding gallows humor away from whether or in what context it is acceptable and toward the reasons why doctors feel the need to use such humor in the first place addresses this issue in a more illuminating way.
Detecting Push to Talk radios using two tone intermodulation distortion

Detecting a Radio Frequency device such as a Push-to-Talk (PTT) radio has several military and civilian applications. Detecting PTT radios can be used in search and rescue applications and in providing early detection and warning of existing PTT radios that were previously unknown. This study analyzes the ability of using two tone intermodulation distortion as a way of detecting PTT radios, along with determining ways of improving or increasing this response. Two probing frequencies from a standoff transmitter arrive at the PTT radio and mix in the non-linear components of its radio receiver. As a result, a portion of this mixed response is reflected back. Our results have shown that this response can then be detected, in a semi-noisy environment, to determine the presence of this PTT radio receiver. We have seen that as the magnitude of the probing power increases the PTT radio can be detected from greater distances. However, we have also found that a limiting factor in our experiments is that as the probing power increases the passive intermodulation distortion of the testing system increases as well, therefore making it more difficult to distinguish the nonlinear response of the PTT radio from the non-linear response of the measuring equipment. Future work inlcudes using a coded probing signal which would allow for digital signal processing techniques to be used.
An unsuccessful search for white dwarf companions to nearby main sequence stars

Many of the nearest white dwarf stars (e.g., Sirius B and Procyon B) are in such binaries and would have remained undiscovered if they were even a little bit further away. White dwarfs which are sufficiently hot (T(eff) > 10,000 K) would, if present in binary systems with a relatively cool (F, G, K, or M) main-sequence secondary, be visible in IUE images as a hot companion to the main sequence star. We systematically examined 318 IUE images of 280 different G, K, and M stars which had been observed for other purposes.No previously undiscovered white dwarf stars were found.
Menstrual distress and acceptance of sexual role.

Abstract This study relates symptoms of menstrual distress to the acceptance of sexual role. One hundred women were administered the Moos Menstrual Distress Questionnaire and a measure of how accepting each subject was of being a woman, having and nursing babies, menstruation as a normal routine, the dominant social roles of men, and sexuality. The Moos Sub-Scales of pain, concentration, autonomic reaction, and control correlated significantly and negatively with role acceptance, as did dysmenorrhea; premenstrual tension did not. The notion that acceptance of role is correlated with many symptoms of menstrual distress is supported, but the origin of these symptoms does not appear to be necessarily psychological.
Things Fall Apart: The Illegitimacy of Property Rights in the Context of Past Property Theft

Past property theft is a volatile political issue that has threatened to destabilize many nascent democracies. How does a state avoid present-day property-related disobedience when past property theft causes a significant number of people to believe that the current property distribution is illegitimate? To explore this question, I first define legitimacy and past property theft relying on empirical understandings of the concepts. Second, I establish the relationship between a highly unequal property distribution that the general population views as illegitimate, and property-related disobedience. Third, I describe the three ways a state can achieve stability when faced with an illegitimate property distribution: by using its coercive powers, by attempting to change people's beliefs about the legitimacy of the property distribution, or by enacting a Legitimacy Enhancing Compensation Program (LECP), which strengthens the average citizen's belief that she ought to comply with the law. Fourth, I develop the legitimacy deficit model, which is a rational choice model that suggests when a state should enact a LECP to avoid property-related disobedience, which can devolve into broader instability. To best promote long-term stability, I argue that states should, at the very least, enact a LECP as the cost of illegitimacy begins to outweigh the cost of compensation. Lastly, since many of the model's relevant costs are subjective, I suggest a process states should use to determine and weigh the costs. In sum, the Article is intended to spark a debate about how compensation for past property theft can keep things from falling apart.
Seminal vesicle involvement at salvage radical prostatectomy

Objective To describe the incidence and clinical outcomes of seminal vesicle invasion (SVI) at salvage radical prostatectomy (SRP) and to describe the accuracy of SV biopsy. As SRP is used after biochemical recurrence (BCR) of prostate cancer after radiotherapy (RT) to gain local oncological control. The SVs receive lower doses of radiation from external-beam RT (EBRT) to avoid rectal exposure and are not targeted with brachytherapy (BT) with low-risk prostate cancer. Patients and Methods SRP was performed on 206 men with BCR after RT at a tertiary care institution between 1998 and 2011. Post-RT biopsy and SRP specimens were reviewed by a genitourinary pathologist. Results SVI was detected in 65 (32%) of 206 patients. No difference was found between EBRT alone (65% vs 63%) and BT (29% vs 31%) with or without EBRT in patients with SVI. Men with SVI had higher rates of cT3 disease (20% vs 8%) and Gleason score ≥ 8 at SRP (52% vs 21%). BCR-free survival at 5 years was 18% and 56% in patients with and without SVI (hazard ratio 2.85, 95% confidence interval 1.87–4.36, P < 0.001), yet the rate of local recurrence was low (11%). Prostate cancer was identified in nine of 18 patients who underwent SV biopsy and was the only location of prostate cancer in two patients. Conclusions SVI is a prognostic indicator for BCR after SRP, but local recurrence in patients with SVI after SRP remains low. We recommend SV biopsy to improve staging and cancer detection in men with BCR after radiotherapy.
The piriform, perirhinal, and entorhinal cortex in seizure generation

Understanding neural network behavior is essential to shed light on epileptogenesis and seizure propagation. The interconnectivity and plasticity of mammalian limbic and neocortical brain regions provide the substrate for the hypersynchrony and hyperexcitability associated with seizure activity. Recurrent unprovoked seizures are the hallmark of epilepsy, and limbic epilepsy is the most common type of medically-intractable focal epilepsy in adolescents and adults that necessitates surgical evaluation. In this review, we describe the role and relationships among the piriform (PIRC), perirhinal (PRC), and entorhinal cortex (ERC) in seizure-generation and epilepsy. The inherent function, anatomy, and histological composition of these cortical regions are discussed. In addition, the neurotransmitters, intrinsic and extrinsic connections, and the interaction of these regions are described. Furthermore, we provide evidence based on clinical research and animal models that suggest that these cortical regions may act as key seizure-trigger zones and, even, epileptogenesis.
Low Molecular Weight Deoxyribonucleic Acid Polymerase from Calf Thymus Chromatin I. PREPARATION OF HOMOGENEOUS ENZYME

Abstract A low molecular weight DNA polymerase has been purified from extracts of calf thymus chromatin. The enzyme preparation is shown to be homogeneous by equilibrium centrifugation and acrylamide gel electrophoresis. The purified enzyme is insensitive to extreme pH levels ranging from pH 4.5 to 10.5, is stable in 5 m urea at pH 4.5, and is insensitive to 20% acetone or ethanol. The mass of the enzyme is 45,520 daltons by equilibrium centrifugation assuming a v of 0.74 cc g-1. The enzyme appears to consist of one polypeptide chain with molecular weight measured to be 44,000 on gel electrophoresis in the presence of sodium dodecyl sulfate.
Business Improvement Districts and the Shape of American Cities

Economic Development Business improvement districts (BIDs) really are not trying to do anything new, Mitchell states in Business Improvement Districts and the Shape of American Cities. They're tryi...
Circuit impact and skew-corner analysis of stochastic process variation in global interconnect

This paper details the impact of the stochastic interconnect process variation on the circuit performance of global interconnects in deep-submicron logic chips. Signal delay, rise time, and crosstalk variations of global interconnect circuits were first calculated by Monte Carlo simulations using a finite-difference field solver and a SPICE circuit simulator. These circuit performance matrices were subsequently expressed as a response surface function (RSF) of line width, line thickness, and dielectric thickness. The circuit impact was then gauged by a product of sensitivity obtained from the RSF and standard deviation derived from the manufacturing line. Furthermore, the RSF and the joint probability function (JPF) were combined to efficiently generate statistics-based 3-/spl sigma/ process corners. These process corners significantly improved circuit performance bounds in chip design, as compared to the overly pessimistic, conventional worst-case skew-corners.
Gone, But Not Forgotten: Memories of journalistic deviance as metajournalistic discourse

Much has been written about how the journalistic community relies on the collective memory of past accomplishments to bolster its cultural authority. Similarly, researchers have analyzed how journalists react to accusations of professional deviancy within their ranks to mitigate the damage to their overall standing. This study fills a gap where these two areas of research intersect by analyzing how journalists reinvigorate memories of past misconduct through engaging new occurrences. By examining metajournalistic discourse surrounding offenders, this study examines how incidents of deviance become embedded as particular symbols in the collective understanding of journalism. The analysis tracks the memory of six prominent cases of journalistic misconduct in the United States to demonstrate how the journalistic community turns to past episodes of professional deviancy to make sense of itself in the face of emerging tensions. These findings suggest the need to broaden an understanding of collective memory to...
Diagonal translation operators for transient wave fields

The scientific community has expressed a renewed interest in the analysis of short-pulse radiation and transient scattering phenomena. This paper presents diagonal translation operators for transient wave fields which permit the fast evaluation of fields produced by transient surface bound sources. These operators act as the time domain counterparts of the frequency domain diagonal translation operators, which are the essence of the fast multipole method (FMM). In a similar vein, the proposed diagonal translation operators for transient wave fields form the basis of plane wave time domain (PWTD) algorithms which augment classical marching-on-in-time schemes for efficiently solving time domain integral equations that arise in the analysis of transient surface scattering phenomena.
Follow-up data: Their use in evidence-based decision-making

Experience with certain perinatal interventions, such as supplemental oxygen and dexamethasone, leads to the conclusion that follow-up data are needed to be well informed about the safety of certain perinatal interventions. Experience with indomethacin suggests that follow-up data also are regarded by some clinicians as a necessary aspect of evidence about effectiveness. Ideally, clinical trials of perinatal interventions might involve collection of data about neonatal predictors of outcome (such as a neuroimaging study and a standardized neurologic assessment); several developmental and neurologic assessments before school entry; a comprehensive evaluation of the child's cognitive function, behavioral competencies, and academic performance at 7 to 8 years of age; serial detailed assessments of the family psychosocial functioning; and an inventory of resources available for the child. Many clinical trials have not included follow-up after the neonatal period, and in such cases information about the effect of the intervention on participants' HRQL is incomplete. The approach taken in several recent trials, in which the outcome of interest is neurodevelopmental outcome at 18 months, attempts to strike a balance between a theoretical ideal (a comprehensive, longitudinal follow-up through school age) and a follow-up regimen that is not prohibitively expensive. Such trials include follow-up during the first 1 to 3 years of life, when major disabilities can be identified reliably, thereby providing moderately informative data about participants' eventual quality of life, related to the presence or absence of major disability. If, however, there is reason to suspect that the intervention has effects on the developing brain, follow-up after school entry may provide additional evidence pertinent to the risks and benefits of the intervention.
Farmers’ stated preference analysis towards resources use under alternative policy scenarios

Abstract This paper considers farmer's stated responses to CAP scenarios, identifies the extent to which these plans would be influenced by the introduction of CAP abolishment from 2014 and considers the implications in terms of likely changes (i.e. increases or decreases in the deployment of chemicals and water resources on the farm). The analysis uses data from a large sample survey of household farmers across 11 case studies in 9 EU countries. Intended responses of farmers to the CAP scenarios are analysed by means of logistic regressions. The results indicate that CAP abolishment would not stimulate strong agricultural changes in resource use, rather it appears to be reinforcing many existing trends, namely towards decreasing chemical use and steadying water use. However, CAP abolishment would impact unevenly on the farm community and different farming situations are associated with different types of reaction. In addition, significant regional differences have been found according to the model regression. Indeed, in the case of New Member States, farmers show a greater preference to decrease chemicals and water use if the current CAP support was abolished. On the basis of the results presented in this paper some policy implications emerge.
LCMV Beamforming for a Novel Wireless Local Positioning System: Nonstationarity and Cyclostationarity Analysis

This paper investigates the implementation of a novel wireless local positioning system (WLPS). WLPS main components are: (a) a dynamic base station (DBS) and (b) a transponder, both mounted on mobiles. The DBS periodically transmits ID request signals. As soon as the transponder detects the ID request signal, it sends its ID (a signal with a limited duration) back to the DBS. Hence, the DBS receives noncontinuous signals periodically transmitted by the transponder. The noncontinuous nature of the WLPS leads to nonstationary received signals at the DBS receiver, while the periodic signal structure leads to the fact that the DBS received signal is also cyclostationary. This work discusses the implementation of linear constrained minimum variance (LCMV) beamforming at the DBS receiver. We demonstrate that the nonstationarity of the received signal causes the sample covariance to be an inaccurate estimate of the true signal covariance. The errors in this covariance estimate limit the applicability of LCMV beamforming. A modified covariance matrix estimator, which exploits the cyclostationarity property of WLPS system is introduced to solve the nonstationarity problem. The cyclostationarity property is discussed in detail theoretically and via simulations. It is shown that the modified covariance matrix estimator significantly improves the DBS performance. The proposed technique can be applied to periodic-sense signaling structures such as the WLPS, RFID, and reactive sensor networks.
Physicalnet: a middleware for programming concurrent, across administrative domain sensor and actuator networks

Physicalnet is a fully implemented middleware for wireless networks of sensors and actuators (WNSAs). Based on a lightweight service oriented architecture (SOA), Physicalnet allows the users to create administrative domains, in which owners of the nodes can share and protect their resources so that multiple applications can simultaneously use the same sensors and actuators with conflict resolution mechanisms. By using a general programming abstraction, named "bundle", Physicalnet allows programming across networks and administrative domains, and has a good support for node mobility. Other features of Physicalnet include using the Java language, supporting heterogeneous devices, and providing a chain of user tools.
HEMODYNAMIC ALTERATIONS IN PRIMARY MYOCARDIAL DISEASE.

T H E TERM PRIMARY MYOCARDIAL DISEASE refers to those disorders of diverse and obscure etiology involving the myocardium. Infectious, collagen-vascular, hereditary, metabolic, and nutritional factors may be considered to be of possible etiologic importance. This definition' specifically excludes conventional etiologic factors such as congenital malformations, rheumatic fever, hypertension, syphilis, arteriosclerosis and bronehopulmonary disease. Numerous reports have appeared in the literature describing the clinical features, hemodynamie alterations and pathologic findings ir/ patients with various types of primary myocardial disease. Because of the diversity of these disorders, it has been impossible to establish a uniform clinical picture or generally applicable criteria for accurate diagnosis. The purpose of this paper is to review some of the pertinent hemodynamic abnormalities in various forms of primary myocardial disease and to categorize these hemodynamic data in'to 4 general groups for the purpose of description and clincal correlation. For convenience of presentation, the data reviewed have been arranged according to the following classification originally proposed by Mattingly: 1
WEATHER AND SEEING ON MAUNA KEA

Weather conditions at the summit of Mauna Kea, Hawaii are analyzed based on local meteorological measurements and routine radiosonde records. Statistics are established for weather conditions prevailing during observations. Correlation between local and radiosonde data is good, indicating that the site is essentially in the free atmosphere. Seeing data recorded in the observatory logbooks is then analyzed and compared to modeled seeing derived from free-atmosphere bulk meteorological data. The correlation here is very poor. Nor does there seem to be any strong relationship between observed seeing and local weather conditions. Finally, even seeing at the various telescope facilities does not correlate well. All of this strongly suggests that most of the observed seeing is created within the domes or their immediate surroundings.
Preparation of silica porous-layer open-tubular columns using fused silica capillaries

We report a simple method for the preparation of silica PLOT columns using fused silica capillaries. In this method, silica particles were suspended in a methylene chloride/pentane solution containing polymethylhydrosiloxane and passed through the capillary tubing. This caused the silica particles to be dynamically coated on the inner wall of the fused silica capillary. The column was dried and heated, which facilitated the simultaneous deactivation and bonding of a uniform mono-layer of porous silica on the inner wall of the capillary tubing. These columns were used to separate light hydrocarbons, chlorinated hydrocarbons, and aromatic compounds.
Effects of Extrusion Variables and Chemicals on the Properties of Starch‐Based Binders and Processing Conditions

ABSTRACT The effects of extrusion variables (moisture, screw speed, and temperature) and chemicals (urea and sodium bicarbonate) on the properties of starch-based binders (water absorption, bulk density, binder yield, expansion ratio, solubility, pH) and processing conditions (die temperature and pressure, feed rate, and specific mechanical energy) were studied using a central composite design. All quadratic regression models, except the models for bulk density and pH, were significant at the P ≤ 0.06 level. These models can predict the binder properties and processing conditions when extrusion variables and the chemical concentrations are known. Optimum combinations of the chemical concentrations (g/100 g of starch) and extrusion variables to achieve high water absorption in the binders were 15–20 g of urea /100 g of starch, 0–4 g of sodium bicarbonate/100 g of starch, 35–40 g of moisture/100 g of starch, 100–120 rpm screw speed, and 185–215°C barrel temperature. The molecular degradation of the starch o...
The conductimetric behaviour in nonaqueous solvents of organometallic chlorides from group IVB

Abstract Conductance measurements have been made for solutions of organometallic chlorides and related compounds of the elements of Group IVB in pyridine, acetonitrile, nitrobenzene, pyridinenitrobenzene mixtures, nitrobenzene-aluminium trichloride mixtures, and in liquid sulphur dioxide. It has been found that in general these solutes do not produce organometallic cations in solution, and especially that no resonance-stabilized cations are derived from triphenylchlorosilane or tris p-dimethylaminophenylchlorosilane in systems of Lewis acids. Furthermore, triphenylchlorosilane does not yield pyridinium ions with a triphenylsilyl substituent. Some evidence was found for ionization of organotin compounds, but it appears that ill-defined and special solvation conditions are necessary for this to occur.
Matrix endor linewidths of trapped silver atoms and aromatic nitroxide radicals in polycrystalline and glassy matrices at 77°K: correlation with matrix polarity

Abstract Matrix ENDOR linewidths are shown to serve as effective probes of weak interactions between radicals and their molecular environment in solid disordered matrices. The linewidths of aromatic nitroxides and silver atoms are analyzed in terms of an effective radius of the unpaired electron distribution which increases monotonically with increasing matrix polarity.
The molecular structure of the crystalline complex ethyladenine: Methyl-bromouracil

9-Ethyladenine and 1-methyl-5-bromouracil crystallize together in a 1:1 complex. The molecular structure of this complex was solved by analysis of 3-dimensional X-ray diffraction data. The two molecules form a nearly planar hydrogen-bonded pair, connected by two hydrogen bonds, N-H…N from the uracil N3 to the adenine imidazole N7 and N-H…O from the adenine amino group nitrogen N6 to the uracil O2. The hydrogen-bonded pairs are connected to pairs in neighboring unit cells through additional hydrogen bonds. The crystal structure has an unusual disordering feature. Approximately 6% of the uracil derivatives have an alternative hydrogen bonding to the adenine residue involving the carbonyl oxygen O4 instead of O2. The effect of the bromine atom on the hydrogen-bonding interaction as well as its possible mode of action in mutagenesis are discussed.
Theories for ecological restoration in changing environment: Toward ‘futuristic’ restoration

Ecological restoration is one of the fastest growing fields in applied ecology providing new ideas and opportunities for biological conservation and natural resource management. Despite countless attempts in the past, large portions of restoration projects have been considered unsuccessful mainly due to: unrealistic goals; inadequate restoration plans based on an ad-hoc approach; lack of explicit and quantified evaluation criteria for restoration success; lack of ecological understanding; social, economic, and political constraints; or combinations of these factors. Existing ecological theories, particularly succession theories, may provide a conceptual framework for a restoration trajectory. However, projecting a ‘desirable’ trajectory and outcome is often challenged by the unpredictability of ecological communities in the changing environment. Particularly, the sustainability of reconstructed ‘historic’ ecosystems appears to be an unlikely goal in the ever-changing and unpredictable future environment. This paper calls for a shift in the restoration paradigm from ‘historic’ to ‘futuristic.’ A ‘futuristic’ restoration is: (i) to set realistic and dynamic (instead of static) goals for future, instead of past, environment; (ii) to assume multiple trajectories acknowledging the unpredictable nature of ecological communities and ecosystems; (iii) to take an ecosystem or landscape approach, instead of ad-hoc gardening, for both function and structure; (iv) to evaluate the restoration progress with explicit criteria, based on quantitative inference; and (v) to maintain long-term monitoring of restoration outcomes. A theoretical framework for ‘futuristic’ restoration, in terms of goals, trajectories, evaluation criteria, and monitoring, along with a historical perspective is presented in this paper.