cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Primary and secondary skin cancers affecting the lower extremity: tumorous leg ulcers.

Abstract Skin cancer can be primary or de novo, as in the commonest of cases, those due to chronic sun exposure. Alternatively, secondary malignancies less frequently can he associated directly with benign dermatoses. These secondary cancers may be internal, as in hepatoma developing in patients with porphyria cutanea tarda, or external, as in the association of epidermodysplasia verruciformis with squamous cell carcinoma of the skin. Some of these primary and secondary neoplasms may also affect or have a tendency to involve certain regions of the body such as the lower extremity. De novo skin cancers affecting the lower extremity include: Kaposi's sarcoma, malignant melanoma, lymphoma and metastases. Secondary cutaneous malignancies that affect the legs and feet are mostly within the category of chronic ulcerative and scarifying conditions such as burn scars, frostbite, osteomyelitis, radiation dermatitis, stasis, infections, trauma, aerodermatitis chronica atrophicans, epidermolysis bullosa. and lichen planus. Other dermatoses directly related to skin cancer development on the lower limb include the KID syndrome, porokeratosis, tylosis, verrucous carcinoma, and lymphedema.
Orthographic repetition blindness.

Repetition blindness (RB) is the failure to report the second occurrence of a repeated word, when words are sequentially and briefly displayed (Kanwisher, 1987). RBis also observed for non-identical words, such as home, dome. Explanations for non-identity RB assume that similarity at the level of the whole word causes the secondword to be suppressed (“similarity inhibition”). Three experiments demonstrate that RB is robust for diverse types of orthographic relatedness, including critical words that share only their first initial letter, their last two letters, first three letters, middle three letters, beginning and final letters, three alternating letters, and three non-aligned letters (as in chance hand). The theoretical construct of similarity inhibition may be able to account for these data, although one mechanism previously proposed in the literature, neighbourhood inhibition, is probably not a useful way to explain the data on RB for words sharing only one or two letters. Weintroduce an alternative ...
Fixed‐point steady‐state analysis of adaptive filters

The steady-state performance of adaptive filters can vary significantly when they are implemented in finite precision arithmetic, which makes it vital to analyse their performance in a quantized environment. Such analyses can become difficult for adaptive algorithms with non-linear update equations. This paper develops a feedback and energy-conservation approach to the steady-state analysis of quantized adaptive algorithms that bypasses some of the difficulties encountered by traditional approaches. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
On the nature of protection by propranolol against myocardial necrosis after temporary coronary occlusion in dogs.

Abstract Propranolol has been shown to reduce the extent of necrosis that develops after temporary coronary occlusion in dogs. To determine whether this protective action was related to beta adrenergic blockade or to direct effects, necrosis was quantitated in the posterior papillary muscle 2 to 4 days after 40 minute periods of coronary occlusion in anesthetized open chest dogs. Groups of dogs either were untreated or were pretreated with doses of d,l-propranolol, 0.005 to 5 mg/kg body weight, or doses of d-propranolol 2.5 or 5 mg/kg. Necrosis was greatly reduced in dogs treated with 5 mg/kg of d,l-propranolol. This protective effect was significant but quantitatively less with 0.5 and 0.05 mg/kg of d,l-propranolol. A dose of 0.005 mg/kg d,l-propranolol and d-propranolol failed to alter myocardial necrosis significantly. The dose-related reduction of necrosis with d,l-propranolol correlated with a similar dose relation for beta adrenergic blockade and suggested that a protective effect was related to beta blockade. The reduction of necrosis with 0.05 and 0.5 mg/kg of d,l-propranolol (a level at which direct “membrane stabilizing” effects are insignificant) suggested that direct effects were not essential for protection. The negative results with d-propranolol further support our conclusion that propranolol reduces myocardial ischemic injury through beta adrenergic blockade rather than through direct myocardial actions.
Signal Transduction and HIV Transcriptional Activation After Exposure to Ultraviolet Light and Other DNA-Damaging Agents

Short wavelength (254 nm) ultraviolet light (UVC) radiation was much more potent in activating transcription of human immunodeficiency virus 1 (HIV) reporter genes stably integrated into the genomes of human and monkey cells than ionizing radiation (IR) from a 137Cs source at similarly cytotoxic doses. A similar differential was also observed when c-jun transcription levels were examined. However, these transcription levels do not correlate with activation of nuclear factor (NF)-kappa B and AP-1 measured by band-shift assays, i.e. both types of radiation produce similar increases in NF-kappa B and AP-1 activity, suggesting existence of additional levels of regulation during these responses. Because of the well-established involvement of cytoplasmic signaling pathways in the cellular response to tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), UVC, and IR using other types of assays, the role of TNF-alpha in the UVC response of HIV and c-jun was investigated in our cell system. We demonstrate that UVC and TNF-alpha activate HIV gene expression in a synergistic fashion, suggesting that it is unlikely that TNF-alpha is involved in UVC activation of HIV transcription in stably transfected HeLa cells. Moreover, maximum TNF-alpha stimulation resulted in one order of magnitude lower levels of HIV expression than that observed after UVC exposure. We also observed an additive effect of UVC and TNF-alpha on c-jun steady-state mRNA levels, suggestive of a partial overlap in activation mechanism of c-jun by UVC and TNF-alpha; yet these responses are distinct to some extent. Our results indicate that the HIV, and to some extent also the c-jun, transcriptional responses to UVC are not the result of TNF-alpha stimulation and subsequent downstream cytoplasmic signaling events in HeLa cells. Additional levels of regulation that do not directly involve the NF-kappa B and AP-1 transcription factors, such as changes in chromatin structure associated with the UV repair process, may also be important for a full transcriptional response of HIV and c-jun to UVC. In addition to the new data, this report also summarizes our current views regarding UVC-induced activations of HIV gene expression in stably transfected cells.
Phosphorylation of the CARMA1 Linker Controls NF-κB Activation

PKC isoforms and CARMA1 play crucial roles in immunoreceptor-dependent NF-kappaB activation. We tested whether PKC-dependent phosphorylation of CARMA1 directly regulates this signaling cascade. B cell antigen receptor (BCR) engagement led to the progressive recruitment of CARMA1 into lipid rafts and to the association of CARMA1 with, and phosphorylation by, PKCbeta. Furthermore, PKCbeta interacted with the serine-rich CARMA1 linker, and both PKCbeta and PKCtheta phosphorylated identical serine residues (S564, S649, and S657) within this linker. Mutation of two of these sites ablated the functional activity of CARMA1. In contrast, deletion of the linker resulted in constitutive, receptor- and PKC-independent NF-kappaB activation. Together, our data support a model whereby CARMA1 phosphorylation controls NF-kappaB activation by triggering a shift from an inactive to an active CARMA1 conformer. This PKC-dependent switch regulates accessibility of the CARD and CC domains and controls assembly and full activation of the membrane-associated IkappaB kinase (IKK) signalosome.
Planned development of a 3D computer based on free-space optical interconnects

Free-space optical interconnection has the potential to provide upwards of a million data channels between planes of electronic circuits. This may result in the planar board and backplane structures of today giving away to 3-D stacks of wafers or multi-chip modules interconnected via channels running perpendicular to the processor planes, thereby eliminating much of the packaging overhead. Three-dimensional packaging is very appealing for tightly coupled fine-grained parallel computing where the need for massive numbers of interconnections is severely taxing the capabilities of the planar structures. This paper describes a coordinated effort by four research organizations to demonstrate an operational fine-grained parallel computer that achieves global connectivity through the use of free space optical interconnects.© (1994) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Behavior of the c-reactive protein during purification and electrophoretic characterization

Abstract C-reactive protein prepared chromatographically on DEAE cellulose is obtained in part as an aggregated complex with the mobility in 7 1 2 % polyacrylamide typical of 7 S γ-globulin. The aggregated protein slowly dissociates on chromatography and on electrophoresis in polyacrylamide gel to give components antigenically related to C-reactive protein with electrophoretic mobilities in polyacrylamide similar to those of pre and post albumins. This is also true for C-reactive protein prepared by the conventional method. The electrophoretic mobility of C-reactive protein in polyacrylamide depends on the preparative history and age of the sample. The relative mobilities of its subunits were independent of method of isolation, but differed in their mobility from one individual to another, suggesting the existence of multiple molecular forms of this protein. The polyacrylamide matrix in which proteins have been resolved electrophoretically can be conveniently adapted to provide immunoelectrophoretic data.
Normal state resistivity of YBa2Cu3O7−x

A systematic study has been carried out on the normal state resistivity of YBa2Cu3O7−x. Samples were cut from the same well-annealed material and were quenched from different temperatures (TQ). The resistivity is metallic whenTQ≦500 °C and becomes semiconductor-like whenTQ≧600 °C. The data on the latter was interpreted in terms of the three-dimensional localization model proposed by Mott.
Semi-conservative deoxyribonucleic acid synthesis in unirradiated and ultraviolet-irradiated xeroderma pigmentosum and normal human skin fibroblasts.

Summary Rates of semiconservative DNA synthesis have been investigated in asynchronous xeroderma pigmentosum (XP), XP variant, and normal human skin fibroblasts using the technique of cellular autoradiography. In unirradiated cells, no differences in DNA synthesis rates were detected among the three cell strains. Exposure to UV radiation caused the rate of DNA synthesis to decrease for at least three hours in all three cell strains. In the normal cell strain, recovery of the DNA synthetic rate occurred at later times following a UV fluence of 5 J/m2. At this same UV fluence, recovery was absent in classical XP cells during a 24 h post-irradiation period while it was slower than normal in XP variant cells. When the UV fluence to classical XP and XP variant cells was reduced so that survival in all three cell strains was approximately the same (25%), recovery of the DNA synthetic rate was similar in all three cell strains. These results are discussed in terms of current models of DNA replication in UV-irradiated cells and indicate: (1) that pyrimidine dimers are very effective blocks to DNA synthesis and (2) that there is no inherent defect in semiconservative DNA synthesis in either classical XP or XP variant cells which is independent of a defect in DNA repair capacity.
The mouse col11a2 gene. Some transcripts from the adjacent rxr-beta gene extend into the col11a2 gene.

Abstract Type XI collagen is present in small amounts in cartilage, together with small amounts of type IX and type V collagens and large amounts of type II collagen. Here, primers based on the nucleotide sequences of partial human cDNAs and mouse genomic DNAs that were analyzed by other investigators were used to isolate a cDNA for the mouse of col11a2 gene. Cosmid clones for the mouse col11a2 gene were isolated, and 12.4 kb of the nucleotide sequences were defined. Analysis of the genomic sequences identified three exons in the mouse gene that were recently shown to undergo alternative splicing (Tsumaki and Kimura, J. Biol. Chem. 270, 2372–2378, 1995; Zhidkova et al., J. Biol. Chem. , 270, 94886-9493, 1995). In addition, analysis of the cosmid clones revealed tht the 5′ end of the mouse col11a2 gene was located head-to-tail with the mouse retinoic X receptor β gene, RT-PCR assays demonstrated that some transcripts from the retinoic X receptor β gene extend into the col11a2 gene. Therefore, there may be coordinate expression of the two genes.
A time-dependent depth-integrated barotropic physical model of the Bering/Chukchi Seas for use in ecosystem analysis

Abstract A time-dependent depth-integrated barotropic physical model was constructe to simulate the gross features of the circulation of the northern Bering and southern Chukchi seas during 1985. The model uses a linear form of the Navier-Stokes and continuity equations to obtain the horizontal velocities in the x and y directions. Current meters at the upstream boundary provided a time-dependent inflow. An open boundary condition was used at the downstream end ot the model to allow only outward energy flux. Additional current meters in the interior were used for validation of the model. Two types of wind stress specification and one case of no wind forcing were applied. Biochemical tracers are added to the model in the form of dissolved nutrients and phytoplankton chlorophyll to explore the implications of short-term fluctuations in the flow field.
RAPIDLY SOLIDIFIED LONG RANGE ORDERED ALLOYS.

The influence of rapid solidification processing on the microstructure of long-range-ordered alloys in the (Fe,Co, Ni)3 V system has been studied by transmission electron microscopy. The main microstructural feature of the asquenched alloys was a fine cell structure (~300 nm diameter) decorated with carbide particles. This structure was maintained after annealing treatments which develop the ordered crystal structure. Other features of the microstructures both before and after annealing are presented and discussed.
Testing Alternative Theories of Bureaucratic Corruption in Less Developed Countries

Objective. Recent studies offer myriad explanations for why bureaucratic corruption is more pervasive in certain countries than others. However, relatively little empirical work has been done comparing competing explanations of bureaucratic corruption. In this article, I test informal, formal, and cultural control explanations against one another in an effort to understand cross-national variation in bureaucratic corruption. Methods. Using cross-sectional and longitudinal data, this article tests the hypotheses with ordinary least squares (OLS), tobit, ordered probit, and fixed- and random-effects models. Results. Democracy, strong judiciaries, and parliamentary democracy in particular reduce the prevalence of bureaucratic corruption. Conclusions. This study proposes that electoral accountability and judicial efficacy produce “good” politicians, and “good” politicians monitor bureaucrats well enough to reduce bureaucratic corruption. Future research should attempt to create a direct measure of the quality of politicians variable.
High aperture efficiency symmetric reflector antennas with up to 60 degrees field of view

A microwave single-reflector scanning antenna derived from an ellipse (rather than the usual parabola) which gives a much greater field of view is presented. This reflector combines reasonable scanning in one plane with good focusing in the other, and its scanning ability is superior to the torus and other single reflectors because it has much greater aperture efficiency and is thus smaller while having the same performance. The reflector surface is derived in two steps: a fourth-order even polynomial profile curve in the scan plane is found using least squares to minimize the scanned ray errors; then even polynomial terms in x and y that minimize astigmatism for both the unscanned and maximally scanned beams are added to form the three-dimensional surface. Numerical simulations of radiation patterns for a variety of antenna diameter and field-of-view cases give excellent results. The 60 degrees scan case with 30- lambda -diameter aperture has only 0.2-dB peak gain deviation from ideal and first sidelobe levels below 14 dB down from peak gain. The 17 degrees , 500- lambda case has only 0.8-dB gain variation and -14 to -11 dB sidelobe levels for approximately +or-68 beamwidths of scan, with focal length to aperture diameter ratio equal to about one. >
The Addition of Clinical Assessment to Stratification According to Prior Cardiopulmonary Disease Further Optimizes the Interpretation of Ventilation/Perfusion Lung Scans in Pulmonary Embolism

The purpose of this investigation was to test the hypothesis that prior clinical assessment among patients stratified according to the presence or absence of prior cardiopulmonary disease enhances the accuracy of the predictive value of pulmonary embolism (PE) in the various categories. Diagnostic evaluation was made on the cumulative spectrum of mismatched defects, rather than a probability based on a preassigned number of mismatched segmental equivalent defects or mismatched vascular defects. Families of curves were derived that allowed an accurate assessment of the predictive value for each category of patients. The families of curves were comparable, irrespective of whether ventilation/perfusion scans were assessed on the basis of mismatched segmental equivalent defects or mismatched vascular defects, although the latter eliminated the necessity of estimating whether segmental defects were large or moderate in size. Clinical assessment was shown to prominently affect the predictive value of PE. Prior clinical assessment among patients stratified according to prior cardiopulmonary disease enhanced the accuracy of the predictive value of PE in the various groups of patients.
Dissociating Neural Mechanisms of Temporal Sequencing and Processing Phonemes

Abstract Using fMRI, we sought to determine whether the posterior, superior portion of Broca's area performs operations on phoneme segments specifically or implements processes general to sequencing discrete units. Twelve healthy volunteers performed two sequence manipulation tasks and one matching task, using strings of syllables and hummed notes. The posterior portion of Broca's area responded specifically to the sequence manipulation tasks, independent of whether the stimuli were composed of phonemes or hummed notes. In contrast, the left supramarginal gyrus was somewhat more specific to sequencing phoneme segments. These results suggest a functional dissociation of the canonical left hemisphere language regions encompassing the "phonological loop," with the left posterior inferior frontal gyrus responding not to the sound structure of language but rather to sequential operations that may underlie the ability to form words out of dissociable elements.
A clustering approach to wireless network intrusion detection

Intrusion detection in wireless networks has become an indispensable component of any useful wireless network security systems, and has recently gained attention in both research and industry communities due to widespread use of wireless local area networks (WLANs). This paper focuses on detecting intrusions or anomalous behaviors in WLANs with data clustering techniques. We first explore the security vulnerabilities of 802.11 or Wi-Fi networks and summarize the network traffic metrics that are important to model the security of wireless networks. Based on the metrics studied we propose a clustering-based intrusion detection approach and evaluate it on a real-world large wireless network traffic dataset. The evaluation results demonstrate the effectiveness of our proposed intrusion detection approach for wireless networks
Optimization of microresonator parameters for a quartz-enhanced photoacoustic spectroscopy sensor

A Quartz-Enhanced Photoacoustic Spectroscopy based gas sensor was optimized to improve its compact spectrophone design and performance. The impact of a 2-tube microresonator geometry on the detected signal and signal to noise ratio (SNR) was investigated. Experimental studies demonstrate that the l=4.4mm long tubes (ID=0.5mm) result in a significantly enhanced SNR.
Duloxetine in diabetic neuropathy

Duloxetine is a balanced serotonin noradrenaline re-uptake inhibitor that has recently become the first agent to receive regulatory approval for the treatment of painful diabetic neuropathy in the US. This compound has no other significant receptor or channel activities other than the serotonin and noradrenaline re-uptake inhibition mechanisms and works to diminish or control the symptoms of diabetic neuropathy. Duloxetine has no known neuroprotective or other effects that prevent the development of neuropathy in patients with diabetes. Its effectiveness in diabetic neuropathy confirms the proposed role of serotonin and noradrenaline as key mediators of the descending pain inhibition pathways of the brain stem and spinal cord. Clinical studies have demonstrated the high degree of safety and efficacy for the compound with no adverse effects on glycaemic control due to the action of duloxetine being identified.
Laser deceleration and velocity bunching of a neutral sodium beam

We have studied in detail the Zeeman-tuned slowing of a beam of sodium atoms. We present experimental data that examine details of the slowing by studying the atomic beam both as it slows and after the slowing process has been completed. A Monte Carlo computer simulation reproduces many of the details of our experimental data. We also discuss an analytic model based on the idea that the slowing proceeds adiabatically—that is, such that slowing atoms are always nearly resonant with the laser. This model allows us to give simple physical interpretations to many of the features of our data.
Dependability analysis of a commercial high-speed network

The paper presents an injection-based approach to analyze dependability of high-speed networks using the Myrinet as an example testbed. Instead of injecting faults related to network protocols, the authors injected faults into the host interface component, which performs the actual send and receive operations. The fault model used was a temporary single bit flip in an instruction executing on the host interface's custom processor, corresponding to a transient fault in the processor itself. Results show that more than 25% of the injected faults resulted in interface failures. Furthermore, they observed fault propagation from an interface to its host computer or to another interface to which it sent a message. These findings suggest that two important issues for high-speed networking in critical applications are protecting the host computer from errant or malicious interface components and implementing thorough message acceptance test mechanisms to prevent errant messages from propagating faults between interfaces.
Antenatal ultrasound findings in cystic adenomatoid malformation

A case of congenital cystic adenomatoid malformation of the lung is presented with prenatal ultrasound findings. The present case appears to be the third instance reported in which the diagnosis was made antenatally by ultrasound, and the first which resulted in a live birth, although the patient succumbed to pulmonary hypoplasia.
Adolescent Employment and Psychosocial Outcomes A Comparison of Two Employment Contexts

This study was designed to test the theory that adolescents working in a family owned business versus working in a private enterprise would report differences on variables commonly associated with ...
Le numérique et les mutations dans la structuration du champ éditorial de l’ouvrage en sciences humaines et sociales

Les innovations de procedes introduites par le numerique modifient toutes les fonctions du systeme de communication scientifique, tant pour les resultats de la recherche des sciences naturelles que des sciences humaines et sociales (SHS). Celle de la diffusion a un impact particulierement important en ce qu’elle concerne l’economie et la structuration sociale des champs editoriaux. Le recours a la notion de « champ » de Pierre Bourdieu permet de representer le systeme de communication scientifique selon les espaces definis par les positions, les pratiques et les relations entre les acteurs, selon les genres editoriaux. Cet article analyse la structuration et les relations entre les acteurs du champ editorial de l’ouvrage scientifique. Il s’en degage une objectivation des modalites de transition de l’univers de l’imprime vers un environnement hybride ou exclusivement numerique. Cette mutation de la fonction de mediation, plus ou moins bien reussie et achevee selon les acteurs, pose des enjeux considerables a toute la communaute des chercheurs et aux institutions du systeme de communication scientifique.
Activation of the small G-protein Rac by human rhinovirus attenuates the TLR3/IFN-α axis while promoting CCL2 release in human monocyte-lineage cells

Although rhinoviral infections, a major cause of asthma exacerbations, occur predominantly in upper airway bronchial epithelial cells, monocytic-lineage cells are implicated in establishing the inflammatory microenvironment observed during the disease. Human rhinovirus (HRV) is unique in that nearly genetically identical viruses bind either the ICAM-1 or low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDL-R). Within minutes of binding, HRV is capable of eliciting a signaling response in both epithelial cells and monocyte-derived macrophages. It is unclear whether this signaling response is important to the subsequent release of inflammatory mediators, particularly in cells not capable of supporting viral replication. We show here that the small molecular mass G-protein Rac is activated following exposure of macrophages to HRV serotypes known to be ICAM-1- and LDL-R-tropic. We demonstrate that inhibiting Rac resulted in the upregulation of TLR3 in macrophages exposed to major- and minor-group HRV, and resulted in increased release of IFN-α. Furthermore, inhibiting Rac in HRV-exposed macrophages attenuated activation of the stress kinase p38 and release of the pro-inflammatory cytokine CCL2, but inhibiting Rac did not affect release of the pro-inflammatory cytokine CCL5. These findings suggest that Rac is an important regulator in establishing the inflammatory microenvironment that is initiated in the human airway upon exposure to rhinovirus.
Reduction in the moisture absorption of cured MY720/DDS epoxy resins

L'absorption d'eau par un epoxyde peut etre fortement reduite par reaction des divers groupes fonctionnels avec des reactifs de blocage appropries
Efficient phase and intensity modulation in substrate removed GaAs/AlGaAs nanowires

Substrate- removed GaAs/AlGaAs nanowire phase modulators with 0.51 V pi phase shift efficiency were fabricated. Quasi push-pull driven Mach-Zehnder intensity modulators made out of these phase modulators have record low 0.3 V drive voltage for 7 mm long electrode.
Combinatorial roles for BMPs and endothelin 1 in patterning the dorsal-ventral axis of the craniofacial skeleton

Bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) play crucial roles in craniofacial development but little is known about their interactions with other signals, such as Endothelin 1 (Edn1) and Jagged/Notch, which pattern the dorsal-ventral (DV) axis of the pharyngeal arches. Here, we use transgenic zebrafish to monitor and perturb BMP signaling during arch formation. With a BMP-responsive transgene, Tg(Bre:GFP), we show active BMP signaling in neural crest (NC)-derived skeletal precursors of the ventral arches, and in surrounding epithelia. Loss-of-function studies using a heat shock-inducible, dominant-negative BMP receptor 1a [Tg(hs70I:dnBmpr1a-GFP)] to bypass early roles show that BMP signaling is required for ventral arch development just after NC migration, the same stages at which we detect Tg(Bre:GFP). Inhibition of BMP signaling at these stages reduces expression of the ventral signal Edn1, as well as ventral-specific genes such as hand2 and dlx6a in the arches, and expands expression of the dorsal signal jag1b. This results in a loss or reduction of ventral and intermediate skeletal elements and a mis-shapen dorsal arch skeleton. Conversely, ectopic BMP causes dorsal expansion of ventral-specific gene expression and corresponding reductions/transformations of dorsal cartilages. Soon after NC migration, BMP is required to induce Edn1 and overexpression of either signal partially rescues ventral skeletal defects in embryos deficient for the other. However, once arch primordia are established the effects of BMPs become restricted to more ventral and anterior (palate) domains, which do not depend on Edn1. This suggests that BMPs act upstream and in parallel to Edn1 to promote ventral fates in the arches during early DV patterning, but later acquire distinct roles that further subdivide the identities of NC cells to pattern the craniofacial skeleton.
Optically sampled analog-to-digital converters

Optically sampled analog-to-digital converters (ADCs) combine optical sampling with electronic quantization to enhance the performance of electronic ADCs. In this paper, we review the prior and current work in this field, and then describe our efforts to develop and extend the bandwidth of a linearized sampling technique referred to as phase-encoded optical sampling. The technique uses a dual-output electrooptic sampling transducer to achieve both high linearity and 60-dB suppression of laser amplitude noise. The bandwidth of the technique is extended by optically distributing the post-sampling pulses to an array of time-interleaved electronic quantizers. We report on the performance of a 505-MS/s (megasample per second) optically sampled ADC that includes high-extinction LiNbO/sub 3/ 1-to-8 optical time-division demultiplexers. Initial characterization of the 505-MS/s system reveals a maximum signal-to-noise ratio of 51 dB (8.2 bits) and a spur-free dynamic range of 61 dB. The performance of the present system is limited by electronic quantizer noise, photodiode saturation, and preliminary calibration procedures. None of these fundamentally limit this sampling approach, which should enable multigigahertz converters with 12-b resolution. A signal-to-noise analysis of the phase-encoded sampling technique shows good agreement with measured data from the 505-MS/s system.
Multichannel Signal Processing Based on Logic Averaging

The multichannel signal processor described provides an excellent capability for the detection of any kind of signal, on-line, with a SNR of 0.1 dB at a wide frequency range. This very efficient and inexpensive approach to improving the SNR by the processor wiUl reduce the need for other signal processing techniques. The processor's reaction on an input signal and noise has been analyzed by a mathematical model. This effect is IMustrated by an in vivo noninvasive detection on a beat-by-beat basis of electrical activity of the His?Purkinje system of the heart, and the detection of a pulse-like signal from a generator.
Congenital heart defects and maternal biomarkers of oxidative stress

Background: Women who have had pregnancies that were affected by nonsyndromic congenital heart defects have alterations in the homocysteine-methionine pathway that may indicate increased exposure to oxidative stress or reduced antioxidant defense or both. Objective: Our goal was to establish a maternal metabolic risk profile for nonsyndromic congenital heart defects that would enhance current preventive strategies. Design: Using a case-control design, we measured biomarkers of the transsulfuration pathway in a population-based sample of women whose pregnancies were affected by congenital heart defects (331 cases) and in a control group of women (125 controls). Plasma concentrations of reduced and oxidized glutathione, vitamin B-6, homocysteine, cysteine, cysteinylglycine (CysGly), and glutamylcysteine (GluCys) were compared between cases and controls after adjustment for lifestyle and sociodemographic variables. Results: After covariate adjustment, cases had significantly lower mean plasma concentrations of reduced glutathione (P < 0.0001), GluCys (P < 0.0001), and vitamin B-6 (P = 0.0023) and significantly higher mean concentrations of homocysteine (P < 0.0001) and oxidized glutathione (P < 0.0001) than did controls. Conclusions: Biomarkers of oxidative stress involved in the transsulfuration pathway were significantly higher in women with pregnancies affected by congenital heart defects than in women without such a history. Further analysis of relevant biomarkers of oxidative stress and genetic and environmental factors is required to define the basis for the observed alterations. Identifying the nature and extent of alterations in biomarkers of oxidative stress may suggest primary intervention strategies and provide clues to a greater understanding of the pathogenesis of congenital heart defects.
Techniques for the analysis of cysteine sulfhydryls and oxidative protein folding.

Abstract Significance: Modification of cysteine thiols dramatically affects protein function and stability. Hence, the abilities to quantify specific protein sulfhydryl groups within complex biological samples and map disulfide bond structures are crucial to gaining greater insights into how proteins operate in human health and disease. Recent Advances: Many different molecular probes are now commercially available to label and track cysteine residues at great sensitivity. Coupled with mass spectrometry, stable isotope-labeled sulfhydryl-specific reagents can provide previously unprecedented molecular insights into the dynamics of cysteine modification. Likewise, the combined application of modern mass spectrometers with improved sample preparation techniques and novel data mining algorithms is beginning to routinize the analysis of complex protein disulfide structures. Critical Issues: Proper application of these modern tools and techniques, however, still requires fundamental understanding of sulfhydryl...
Abstract A26: Caseload for patient navigation: What is keeping navigators busy?

Patient navigation is an innovative type of care management designed to reduce cancer disparities. As many sites adopt this model of care, a frequent query is how to assess appropriate caseload for these new positions. While data on the effectiveness of patient navigation interventions appears promising, there is a lack of methods to assess appropriate caseload for optimal effect of navigator intervention. Boston University and its affiliated Community Health Centers (CHCs) is one of nine sites participating in the NCI CRCHD National Cancer Institute Patient Navigation Research Program (PNRP), which aims to evaluate whether navigation improves cancer outcomes. The purpose of this study is to develop and describe the caseload across six CHCs participating in the Boston PNRP. Navigators target female patients with abnormal breast or cervical cancer screening. Review of the literature identified several concepts to consider in assessing caseload. We examined the following four factors at each navigation site: (1) absolute number of cases navigated, (2) total patient days in navigation, (3) total time spent navigating, and (4) total documented patient-navigator encounters. Eligible participants were women over 18 with an abnormal mammogram or Pap test at the participating CHCs from 7/1/2007 through 6/31/2008. Patients were navigated until their screening abnormality was resolved with a definitive diagnosis (cancer or noncancer) or until the end of cancer treatment. Across the six CHCs, the median number of patients navigated was 145 (range: 19-216). The median number of encounters per patient at each of the CHCs was 5 (range: 3-11). The median time spent navigating per patient was 135 minutes (range: 77-240). The median number of days in navigation per patient was 56 (range: 73-142). The number of active patients a navigator was tracking, on average, ranged from 7 to 53 patients per day (median: 38). We conclude that measuring caseload is more complex than counting heads. The four descriptions of caseload provide different representations of navigator workload that vary among the six CHCs. Patient characteristics (age, race/ethnicity, language, insurance) were not associated with these measures of caseload. Due to the different constructs assessed in each measure, a single caseload score may not adequately reflect navigator workload. Next research steps will involve assessing the predictive ability of these constructs on outcomes to help determine an appropriate navigator caseload. Citation Information: Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2010;19(10 Suppl):A26.
Anions, the Reporters of Structure in Ionic Liquids

In this work we compare the role that different anions play in the structure function S(q) for a set of liquids with the same cation. It is well established that because of their amphiphilic nature and their often larger size, cations play a fundamental role in the structural landscape of ionic liquids. On the other hand, it is often atoms in the anions that display the largest X-ray form factors and therefore play a very significant role as reporters of structure in small- and wide-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS/WAXS)-type experiments. For a set of liquids with similar topological landscape, how does S(q) change when the anionic scattering is deemphasized? Also, how do we computationally recover the typical length scale of important and perhaps universal ionic liquid structural features such as charge alternation when these are experimentally inaccessible from S(q) because of interference cancellations? We answer these questions by studying three different tetrapentylammonium-based liquids with the I(-), PF6(-) and N(CN)2(-) anions.
Invited Review: Nutrition and management of cows: Supplementation and feed additives1,2

ABSTRACT Reproductive efficiency is the primary factor affecting profitability of a cow-calf enterprise. Our objective was to review how nutrition affects reproduction in beef females and subsequent calf performance. Body condition is an indicator of nutritional status, and when used in conjunction with BW change, it can be a useful method to assess reproduction. Body energy reserve at calving is the most important factor influencing pregnancy rate in beef females. Energy and protein are the nutrients required in the greatest amounts and are the first priority in nutritional programs to optimize reproduction. Beef females underfed or in poor body condition lack ovarian activity as a result of suppression of pulsatile release of luteinizing hormone under the control of gonadotropin-releasing hormone. Factors affecting postpartum interval to estrus and pregnancy rate include breed type, suckling status, age, dystocia, energy and protein supplementation before and after calving, and BCS before and after calving. Management strategies that influence when a beef female calves during the calving season affect future productivity of both dam and offspring. Feeding an ionophore results in earlier puberty in beef heifers. The effect of feeding fat pre- or postpartum on reproductive performance in beef females has been researched, but results are inconclusive. Prenatal nutrition appears to have potential effects on subsequent performance of female and male offspring. There is no single feed ingredient that can be fed to enhance reproduction in beef cows when a diet is deficient in any nutrient or when beef females are in poor BCS.
Evaluation of variable advisory speed limits in congested work zones

ABSTRACTThe effectiveness of variable “advisory” speed limit (VASL) systems in congested urban work zones was investigated. Except for one publication, all previous studies focused on regulatory speed limit systems. This study used a comprehensive set of performance measures to investigate VASL effectiveness. Four congested work zones with lanes reduced from four to three lanes on Interstate 270 in St. Louis, Missouri, were selected for empirical and simulation analysis. The empirical analysis showed that VASL were effective in slowing down drivers gradually as they approached the work zone, thus reducing any sudden speed changes. Simulation analysis showed that operationally, the use of VASL resulted in: a 39% to 53% decrease in average queue length, a 7% to 11% reduction in throughput, a 4% to 8% increase in travel time. The use of VASL achieved a decrease in the standard deviation of speeds at the taper and 1-mile upstream of the work zone. The maximum speed differences also decreased up to 10 mph with...
Effect of Perioperative Chemoimmunotherapy with Cyclophosphamide and Autologous Tumor Vaccine in Murine MBT-2 Bladder Cancer

AbstractThe in vitro cytotoxic activity of splenocytes from C3H/He mice implanted subcutaneously with 106 syngeneic MBT-2 tumor cells on day 0 was significantly enhanced after cyclophosphamide (100mg./kg., intraperitoneally) given 2 days before tumor resection on day 17, with or without active specific immunization with BCG plus autologous irradiated tumor cells (vaccine) 1 week after tumor resection. Furthermore, a significantly lower tumor incidence was seen in mice challenged with 105, but not 106, tumor cells per mouse 24 hours after tumor resection on day 17 and treated with cyclophosphamide on day 15 and postoperatively with vaccine than was found in nontreated tumor resected mice. Phenotypic analysis of cells from spleen showed that cyclophosphamide pretreatment and postoperative vaccine, either singly or in combination, induced a significant increase of both CD44+ memory T cells and CDllb+ myeloid/macrophage cells. Thus, in addition to a specific antitumor immune response, a nonspecific cytolytic ...
Laparoscopic Treatment of Mixed Malignant Ovarian Germ Cell Tumor in a 16-Year-Old Female Adolescent

Abstract Background Malignant ovarian germ cell tumors are rare entities, although they account for a large proportion of ovarian masses in young women. These tumors have traditionally been removed via laparotomy, because of their large size and solid nature. The use of laparoscopy for treatment of adnexal masses in adolescents has been heavily debated and poorly studied to date. Case A 16-year-old female patient presented with abdominal pain and an 11-cm adnexal mass on ultrasound. An emergent laparoscopic salpingo-oophorectomy was performed without complication. Pathology revealed a mixed malignant ovarian germ cell tumor. Summary and Conclusion Laparoscopic fertility-sparing surgery offers many benefits over laparotomy, and should be considered in cases of young women with large adnexal masses, even if potential for malignancy exists.
Overages, Mortgage Pricing and Race

Overages, or yield spreads, are common in the pricing of mortgages. However, few customers realize that such yield spreads exist. Given that overages often constitute a significant portion of the income of the mortgage loan officer, one would assume that the loan officer seeks to maximize the yield spreads. Our analysis finds that overages are seldom maximized and in most instances are not included in the price of the mortgage. We find that the bargaining abilities of the loan officers and the borrowers are important in determining the amount of overages paid by borrowers. In particular, we note that there are differences in the incidence of overages and the amount of overages by the race of the applicants. Thus, such behavior would lend itself to scrutiny by the regulatory authorities. The data set is unique and is proprietary data from a national mortgage lending institution located in a major U.S. city with a high population of Hispanics and African-Americans. We find that bargaining power of market participants is an important determinant of overages. We find that the yield spreads of Hispanic applicants who purchase homes are larger than those of whites. We also find that there are no differences by race for black applicants when compared to white applicants. We also find significant racial differences in overages for Hispanics and blacks for houses that are refinanced.
Staging laparoscopic pelvic lymph node dissection: comparison of results with open pelvic lymphadenectomy.

AbstractA total of 24 men scheduled for radical prostatectomy was alternately designated to undergo either a modified open (12 men) or laparoscopic (12 men) lymphadenectomy. Both groups were similar in regard to age and clinical stage. Tumor grade and serum prostate specific antigen level for each group are reported. Nodal metastases were found in 1 patient in the open and 3 in the endoscopic group. The average total number of lymph nodes retrieved by open dissection was 11 ± 5.7, which was not statistically different from the average number of 10.7 ± 5.7 obtained laparoscopically. No statistically significant variance in the number of nodes harvested in regard to site of dissection was observed. In the 9 men who underwent radical prostatectomy after laparoscopic dissection no additional lymphatic tissue was obtained from the surgical margins. No morbidity related to either procedure occurred. The data suggest that laparoscopic pelvic lymphadenectomy offers a reliable and minimally invasive alternative to...
Religious and Spiritual Experiences: Make it start, make it stop! Religious and spiritual experiences in the future

INTRODUCTION From the earliest traces of human history to the present there have been technologies of religious and spiritual experience. This chapter is about the form these technologies are likely to take in the near and longer-range future, assuming continuous growth in scientific and cultural understanding rather than civilizational collapse and reversion to less technologized forms of life. Whether we welcome it or fear it, the era in which we can induce, prevent, and effectively control many kinds of religious behaviors, beliefs, and experiences is fast approaching. This presents us with an ethical quandary of enormous proportions. What does this level of control say about the authenticity of religious behaviors, beliefs, and experiences? In relation to some forms of religiously relevant experience, this era is already upon us. We are able to measure such experiences, describe them, distinguish them, and evaluate their social functions, behavioral consequences, and health effects. We are also more and more able to start them, stop them, alter them, and even exert control over the way people interpret them. For example, religious experts have long known that bright lights, emotional passion, and repetitive motions make people vulnerable to suggestion, which is often a key component of religious conversion (as well as health changes; see McClenon 2001, 2006). In addition, certain entheogens reliably produce experiences that seem suffused with profound existential significance for those who ingest them.