cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Role of Race and Economic Characteristics in the Presentation and Survival of Patients With Surgically Resected Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer.

Background: Little is understood regarding the inter-relation between economic, marital, and racial/ethnic differences in presentation and survival of surgically-resected lung cancer patients. Our investigation will assess these differences in addition to known therapeutic, patient, and histopathologic factors. Methods: A retrospective review of the SEER database was conducted through the years 2007-2012.The population was split into 9 different ethnic groups. Population differences were assessed via chi-square testing. Multivariable analysis(MVA) were used to detect overall survival(OS) differences in the total surgical population (TS, N = 35,689) in an early-stage (T1-T2 < 4cm N0) surgically-resectable population(ESR, N= 17,931). Lung cancer specific survival (LCSS) was assessed in the ESR. Results: In the TS population, as compared to Whites, Blacks and Hispanics presented with younger age, more adenocarcinomas, lower rates of marriage, lower rates of insurance, less stage I tumors, and had less nodes examined, but their type of surgical procedures and OS/LCSS were the same. MVA demonstrated that lower OS and LCSS were associated with males, single/divorced/widowed partnership, lower income(TS only), and Medicaid insurance. MVA also found that Blacks and Hispanics had a similar OS/LCSS to Whites and that all ethnic groups were associated with a similar or better outcomes. 90-day mortality and positive nodes were correlated with not having insurance and not being married, but they were not associated with ethnicity. Conclusions: In TS and ESR groups, OS was not different in the two largest ethnic groups (Black, Hispanic) as compared to Whites, but was related to single/widowed/divorced status, Medicaid insurance, and income (TS group only). Nodal positivity was associated with patients who did not have a married partner or insurance suggesting that these factors may impact disease biology. Economic and psycho-social variables may play a role in survival of early-stage lung cancer in addition to standard histopathologic and treatment variables.
Safety of Food and Beverages: Safety of Human Milk: Microbiological Aspects

Discussion of the safety of human milk begins with the essential value of human milk and the benefits of breastfeeding. Human milk is the perfect food for the human infant for the early months and years of life. Human milk when suckled directly from the breast is safe. Pumped milk is at risk of contamination, but if collected with clean hands and equipment it is safe. Concerns about contaminants in the milk are limited to the mother's environment and any drugs or medications she may have to take. Most of these are safe. Reference data is available to check specific exposures.
Update on Tinnitus

The study of a disorder such as tinnitus is fraught with difficulties. Tinnitus, like pain, is a subjective symptom. The problem is compounded because several different mechanisms must operate to cause the persistent sensation of tinnitus. Therefore, it is difficult to measure objectively any improvements in the condition. For example, it has been reported previously that sectioning the eighth cranial nerve does not abolish tinnitus in a majority of patients; therefore, central mechanisms must act to preserve the tinnitus. Finally, we know that tinnitus can occur in a host of conditions other than ototoxicity, aging, and noise exposure. Other conditions that may produce tinnitus are migraine headache with auditory aura, temporal lobe seizures, and head injuries. Therefore, it is naive to conceptualize that tinnitus is a disorder with a unitary origin and a unitary "cure".
Spectrum and Resolvent

The eigenvalues of an n × n matrix M constitute a (finite) point set in the complex plane, called the spectrum of M. If A is any linear operator in a Hilbert space ℌ, the complex plane ℂ is similarly decomposed into two parts: the spectrum of A, denoted by σ(A), and the resolvent set, denoted by ρ(A). The spectrum of A is further decomposed into the point spectrum Pσ(A), the continuous spectrum Cσ(A), and the residual spectrum Rσ(A).
Network Coding: An Introduction

Network coding promises to significantly impact the way communications networks are designed, operated, and understood. The first book to present a unified and intuitive overview of the theory, applications, challenges, and future directions of this emerging field, this is a must-have resource for those working in wireline or wireless networking. *Uses an engineering approach - explains the ideas and practical techniques *Covers mathematical underpinnings, practical algorithms, code selection, security, and network management *Discusses key topics of inter-session (non-multicast) network coding, lossy networks, lossless networks, and subgraph-selection algorithms Starting with basic concepts, models, and theory, then covering a core subset of results with full proofs, Ho and Lun provide an authoritative introduction to network coding that supplies both the background to support research and the practical considerations for designing coded networks. This is an essential resource for graduate students and researchers in electronic and computer engineering and for practitioners in the communications industry.
The primate visual system after bilateral removal of striate cortex. Survival of complex pattern vision.

This study examined the strategies used by monkeys lacking striate cortex to perform visual pattern discriminations. Complete bilateral removal of area 17 initially produced severe visual impairment with recovery of even rudimentary visual capacities (e.g., flux discrimination) dependent on gradually retraining the monkeys through a set of increasingly more complex pattern discriminations. After extended periods of postoperative testing, however, three of five monkeys lacking striate cortex were able to discriminate a number of complex visual patterns even when such local stimulus cues as amount of contour and number of elements were equal. Further testing demonstrated that these animals could distinguish a pattern's spatial organization. They were also able to transfer good performance to tasks with novel patterns.
Extending prototyping

Prototyping, a technique often employed by software developers, has been primarily used for usability studies. We discuss in this paper, through case studies, our experience in the use of prototyping during various phases of the product life cycle, including planning, testing, marketing, and field support.
HOS15 Coregulates Photoperiodic Flowering with the Evening Complex via Transcriptional Repression of GIGANTEA.

When animals are stressed by unfavorable environmental conditions, they will typically move to a more favorable location to reduce that stress. Unfortunately for plants, they are quite literally rooted to the ground and thus must manage the stress where they stand. To deal with adverse environmental
University of Massachusetts: MUC-4 test results and analysis

The UMass/MUC-4 system is based on a form of sentence analysis known as selective concept extraction. This approach to language processing is distinguished by a minimal reliance on syntactic sentence analysis, along with a minimal dictionary customized to operate in a limited domain. Last year, the UMass/MUC-3 system demonstrated the viability of selective concept extraction, but serious questions were raised about the portability and scalability of the technology, particularly with respect to the creation of domain-dependent and task-dependent dictionaries. We estimated that 9 person/months went into the creation of the dictionary used by UMass/MUC-3, and we were unable to say how much domain-dependent lexicon was still missing. We were nevertheless sure that our dictionary coverage was incomplete.
Reasons people enjoy sexist humor and accept it as inoffensive

An experiment examined factors that inform participants’ enjoyment of anti-female humor and their acceptance of the humor as inoffensive. Participants (n = 101) were exposed to sexist humor that wa...
Dual inhibition of the PI3K and MAPK pathways enhances nab-paclitaxel/gemcitabine chemotherapy response in preclinical models of pancreatic cancer.

Abstract Standard chemotherapy for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), nab-paclitaxel (NPT) plus gemcitabine (Gem), has led to an average survival of 8.5 months. Presently, no therapeutics exist that effectively target the KRAS oncogene, activated in 95% of PDACs, but alternative strategies focus on inhibition of downstream effectors of KRAS signaling. Through combined inhibition of PI3K and MAPK signaling with MK-2206 (MK) and trametinib (Tra), enhancement of NPT + Gem response was evaluated. Median animal survival was significantly improved by the NPT + Gem combination (67% increase). Addition of MK-2206 or trametinib further increased median survival: NPT + Gem + MK (86%), NPT + Gem + Tra (105%), and NPT + Gem + MK + Tra (129%). In cell line-derived xenografts, the net tumor growth (in mm3) compared to controls (878.5) was significantly reduced by NPT + Gem (191.2), NPT + Gem + MK (150.7), NPT + Gem + Tra (62.2) and NPT + Gem + MK + Tra (49.9) therapies. In patient-derived xenografts, the combination of MK-2206 and trametinib with chemotherapy had an additive response in reducing tumor growth. Effects of therapy on tumor cell proliferation and apoptosis corresponded with tumor growth inhibition. These findings suggest that the standard chemotherapy response of PDAC can be enhanced through dual targeting of PI3K and MAPK signaling, which could lead to improved PDAC therapy.
Animal Models for Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever Human Disease.

Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus (CCHFV) is an important tick-borne human pathogen endemic throughout Asia, Africa and Europe. CCHFV is also an emerging virus, with recent outbreaks in Western Europe. CCHFV can infect a large number of wild and domesticated mammalian species and some avian species, however the virus does not cause severe disease in these animals, but can produce viremia. In humans, CCHFV infection can lead to a severe, life-threating disease characterized by hemodynamic instability, hepatic injury and neurological disorders, with a worldwide lethality rate of ~20–30%. The pathogenic mechanisms of CCHF are poorly understood, largely due to the dearth of animal models. However, several important animal models have been recently described, including novel murine models and a non-human primate model. In this review, we examine the current knowledge of CCHF-mediated pathogenesis and describe how animal models are helping elucidate the molecular and cellular determinants of disease. This information should serve as a reference for those interested in CCHFV animal models and their utility for evaluation of medical countermeasures (MCMs) and in the study of pathogenesis.
66. IMPROVING PRIMARY CARE PRECEPTOR EXPERIENCE

Background At our institution the longitudinal outpatient experience for pediatric residents and third year medical students on their pediatric clerkship is predominantly community-based. Our programs rely on partnerships with physicians in these practices to provide required primary care experience. Demands on their time and the number of unique practice sites has led to challenges recruiting and retaining preceptors who may have limited time to familiarize themselves with educational goals and objectives. To address these issues we formed the Primary Care Initiative (PCI) to examine ways to ensure robust experiences for our preceptors. Objective The objective was to: 1) develop educational resources for preceptors, 2) offer multiple “perks” to incentivize their participation in resident/student education, and 3) track their satisfaction with their role as a preceptor through an annual survey. Methods A needs assessment was performed with a representative group of primary care preceptors. Based on feedback received, interventions targeted communication, teaching resources, evaluations, and appreciation. A 7-question annual survey was administered asking preceptors to rate their experience on a 5-point Likert scale (1=poor,5=excellent) pre-intervention (2016) and 2 consecutive years post-intervention (2017 and 2018). A Chi square test of independence examined the relationship between high satisfaction responses (items rated 4 or 5 on the Likert scale) and low satisfaction responses (items rated 1, 2, or 3). Results Response rates were: 2016 43% (28 of 65), 2017 45% (29 of 65), and 2018 37% (24 of 65). For the 7 items the percentage of respondents choosing “very good” or “excellent” increased all 3 years. The item “your feeling of appreciation for your role in resident/student education” showed significant improvement (p=0.037) (Figure 1). Communication regarding resident/student schedules remains one of the lowest rated measures. Conclusion Initiation of a PCI has demonstrated improvements in overall preceptor experience, especially in the area of feeling appreciated. An area to direct focus is communication regarding resident and student schedules.
The NYSE and the SEC

The New Deal believed the Securities and Exchange Commission was needed to regulate stock exchanges and enforce the Securities Act in order to limit the public’s risk exposure. Because of the agency’s lack of expertise regarding finance, and for political accommodation, however, it decided (or was forced) to restrict its actions to the oversight of self-regulation, with mixed effects. The financial industry, particularly William McChesney Martin, Jr., at the New York Stock Exchange sought with considerable success to limit the reforms desired by the new bureaucracy.
In-cell detection of conformational sub-states of a GPCR quaternary structure: Modulation of sub-state probability by cognate ligand binding

ABSTRACT While the notion that G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) associate into homo- and hetero-oligomers has gained more recognition in recent years, a lack of consensus remains among researchers regarding the functional relevance of GPCR oligomerization. A relatively recent technique, Forster resonance energy transfer (FRET) spectrometry, allows for the determination of the oligomeric (or quaternary) structure of proteins in living cells via analysis of efficiency distributions of energy transferred from optically excited fluorescent tags acting as donors of energy to fluorescent tags acting as acceptors of energy and residing within the same oligomer. In this study, we significantly improved the resolution of the FRET-spectrometry approach to detect small differences between the interprotomeric distances among GPCR oligomers with subtle differences in quaternary structures. We then used this approach to study the conformational substates of oligomers of sterile 2 α-factor receptor (Ste2), a class D GPCR found in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae of mating type a. Ste2 has previously been shown to form tetrameric oligomers at relatively low expression levels (between 11 and 140 molecules/μm2) in the absence of its cognate ligand, the α-factor pheromone. The significantly improved FRET spectrometry technique allowed us to detect multiple distinct quaternary conformational substates of Ste2 oligomers, and to assess how the α-factor ligand altered the proportion of such substates. The ability to determine quaternary structure substates of GPCRs provides exquisite means to elucidate functional relevance of GPCR oligomerization.
Interaction of metal layers with polycrystalline Si

Solid‐phase reactions of metal films deposited on 0.5‐μm‐thick polycrystalline layers of Si grown by chemical vapor deposition at 640 °C were investigated by MeV 4He backscattering spectrometry, glancing angle x‐ray diffraction, and SEM observations. For the metals Al, Ag, and Au, which form simple eutectics, heat treatment at temperatures below the eutectic results in erosion of the poly‐Si layer and growth of Si crystallites in the metal film. Crystallite formation is observed at T≳550 °C for Ag, T ≳400 °C for Al, and T ≳200 °C for Au films. For the metals Pd, Ni, and Cr, heat treatment results in silicide formation. The same initial silicides (Pd2Si, Ni2Si, and CrSi2), are formed at similar temperatures on single‐crystal substrates.
Dubious Assumptions, Economic Models, and Expert Testimony

Courts expect plaintiffs in complex litigation to prove damages through sophisticated economic models using techniques like regression analysis. Courts in the Daubert era also scrutinize the assumptions underlying those models and sometimes exclude expert testimony because of dubious assumptions. Through academic commentary and a survey of cases, this article describes the assumptions underlying economic models, identifies three types of assumptions courts find problematic, and clarifies the legal grounds and rationales courts use in declining to admit expert testimony based on such models.
Patterns of lung cancer in people living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV): A retrospective, single-center study in Washington, D.C.

e21154Background: Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death and the most common non-acquired immune deficiency syndrome defining malignancy in people living with HIV (PLWH). Disparities in o...
The first 30 years of the internet through the lens of an academic library: The University of Illinois at Urbana‐Champaign, 1982‐2012

Purpose – This paper aims to examine how the internet both precipitated and facilitated significant shifts for academic libraries in the kinds of services they provide, and the ways in which they provide access to content. It aims to view this evolution from the perspective of one academic library in an institution that has been at the center of internet and technology development worldwide for over 30 years, the University of Illinois at Urbana‐Champaign.Design/methodology/approach – The first 30 years of the internet in libraries are explored in decade time segments. Each of the three decades is characterized by significant and unique internet developments. Key internet‐based innovations in libraries are explored, in the areas of service, digital libraries, search and discovery. The reasons for the relative impact of these innovations are explored and discussed.Findings – The internet is both foundation and incubator for myriad new social, technical, organizational and legal constructs, including policy...
Analysis of a Vivaldi phased array antenna using the conformal finite difference time domain (CFDTD) method

A pattern multiplication technique for analyzing large finite phased array antennas, which employs the active element distribution computed from the CFDTD, is presented in this paper. Numerically rigorous simulations of the Vivaldi array antenna demonstrate the validity of the proposed technique, even for a relatively small 7x7 array. The accuracy of the technique can be further enhanced by combining the active element pattern of the center element with those of a few representative edge elements, and this topic will be the subject of future investigation.
Environmental Regulation and the Pattern of Outward FDI: An Empirical Assessment of the Pollution Haven Hypothesis

This paper studies how environmental regulation plays a role in shaping the pattern of outward foreign direct investment, and thereby assesses the pollution haven hypothesis. Empirical evidence for the pollution haven hypothesis has been inconsistent in the literature, possibly due to data aggregation across industries, clean technology innovation in advanced countries, factor endowment effects, unobserved heterogeneity, or endogeneity of environmental policies. To circumvent these problems, we exploit highly disaggregated industry-level panel data from South Korea along with an identification and estimation strategy that has been rarely used in prior studies. After dealing with such issues, we find strong evidence that polluting industries tend to invest more in countries with laxer environmental regulations. As a complementary evidence, we also find that environmentally lax countries tend to specialize in polluting industries when the same strategy is applied to South Korean import data covering the same sample countries, industries, and time periods. Theoretically, our findings are in line with a chain proposition of comparative advantage, also called the Quasi-Heckscher-Ohlin prediction.
Reclaiming Federal Spectrum: Proposals and Recommendations

With the popularity of smartphones, tablets, Wi-Fi, and other wireless devices that require as an input transmissions over radio spectrum, the rising demand for bandwidth is rapidly using up the available supply of spectrum. Spectrum demand increases significantly every year with no end in sight, yet the “greenfields” of available and unallocated spectrum are gone. Redeployed spectrum must come from incumbent users. Today, the largest holder of spectrum appropriate for mobile broadband is the federal government, which uses spectrum for a variety of military and nonmilitary uses. Federal users generally use spectrum only lightly and the inefficiencies have triggered bipartisan calls for selling the spectrum used by federal agencies to the private sector, particularly to mobile broadband carriers. To date, reclaiming federal spectrum is a painfully slow process and billions of dollars of social welfare are lost with every year of delay. This Article examines proposals for reclaiming spectrum and puts forth some best practices to ensure more efficient use of spectrum. Policymakers should consider creating a commission with authority to require the sale of spectrum so that agency-controlled spectrum is quickly and easily redeployed to its highest-valued uses. In the long run, Congress should also require agencies to pay for the spectrum they possess, just as agencies pay market prices for other inputs.
Sex Linkage in Man.

Page 423, line 5, for "II 6" read "IV 6." Page 423, line 12, for "IV 13, IV 15" read "IV 14, IV 16." Page 427, line 6, for "II (6)" read "II (4)." Page 428, line 1, for "son" read "daughter." Page 428, line 11, for "add myopia" read "and myopia
Effects of geographic-geomagnetic pole offset on ionospheric outflow: Can the ionosphere wag the magnetospheric tail?

The generalized polar wind model was used to simulate the polar ionosphere during the September/October 2002 storm. The solar terminator moved across the polar caps in a diurnal oscillation during this equinox period. The main conclusions of this study are the following: (1) the terminator oscillation generates a diurnal oscillation in the total hemispheric fluxes of the polar wind from the ionosphere into the magnetosphere; (2) the diurnal oscillation of outflow in the Northern Hemisphere is 12 h out of phase with the Southern Hemisphere; (3) the H+ outflow flux is near its limiting value, so the oscillation is larger than the nonperiodic contributions (e.g., geomagnetic activity); and (4) the O+ flux is less than its limiting value, hence the diurnal oscillation is comparable to the non-periodic effects. The simulation suggests that the hemispherical asymmetry and periodicity of the total ion outflow could “wag the magnetospheric tail” and perhaps contribute to substorm triggering.
DESIGNING ECONOMIC INSTRUMENTS FOR THE ENVIRONMENT IN A DECENTRALIZED FISCAL SYSTEM: DESIGNING ECONOMIC INSTRUMENTS FOR THE ENVIRONMENT

When external effects are important, markets will be inefficient, and economists have considered several broad classes of economic instruments to correct these inefficiencies. However, the standard economic analysis has tended to neglect important distinctions and interactions between the geographic scope of pollutants, the enforcement authority of various levels of government, and the fiscal responsibilities of the levels of government. For example, externalities generated in a particular local area may be confined to the local area or may spill over to other jurisdictions. Also, local governments may be well informed about how best to regulate or enforce pollution control within their jurisdiction, but they may not consider the effects of their actions on other jurisdictions. Finally, the existence of locally-generated waste emissions affects the appropriate assignment of both expenditure and tax responsibilities among levels of government. The standard analysis therefore focuses mainly upon an aggregate (or national) perspective, it typically ignores the possibility that the externality may be created and addressed by local governments, and it does not consider the implications of decentralization for the design of economic instruments targeted at environmental problems. This paper examines the implications of decentralization for the design of corrective policies; that is, how does one design economic instruments in a decentralized fiscal system in which externalities exist at the local level and in which subnational governments have the power to provide local public services, as well as to choose tax instruments that can both finance these expenditures and correct the market failures of externalities?
Visualization of Sensory Neurons and Their Projections in an Upper Motor Neuron Reporter Line

Visualization of peripheral nervous system axons and cell bodies is important to understand their development, target recognition, and integration into complex circuitries. Numerous studies have used protein gene product (PGP) 9.5 [a.k.a. ubiquitin carboxy-terminal hydrolase L1 (UCHL1)] expression as a marker to label sensory neurons and their axons. Enhanced green fluorescent protein (eGFP) expression, under the control of UCHL1 promoter, is stable and long lasting in the UCHL1-eGFP reporter line. In addition to the genetic labeling of corticospinal motor neurons in the motor cortex and degeneration-resistant spinal motor neurons in the spinal cord, here we report that neurons of the peripheral nervous system are also fluorescently labeled in the UCHL1-eGFP reporter line. eGFP expression is turned on at embryonic ages and lasts through adulthood, allowing detailed studies of cell bodies, axons and target innervation patterns of all sensory neurons in vivo. In addition, visualization of both the sensory and the motor neurons in the same animal offers many advantages. In this report, we used UCHL1-eGFP reporter line in two different disease paradigms: diabetes and motor neuron disease. eGFP expression in sensory axons helped determine changes in epidermal nerve fiber density in a high-fat diet induced diabetes model. Our findings corroborate previous studies, and suggest that more than five months is required for significant skin denervation. Crossing UCHL1-eGFP with hSOD1G93A mice generated hSOD1G93A-UeGFP reporter line of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, and revealed sensory nervous system defects, especially towards disease end-stage. Our studies not only emphasize the complexity of the disease in ALS, but also reveal that UCHL1-eGFP reporter line would be a valuable tool to visualize and study various aspects of sensory nervous system development and degeneration in the context of numerous diseases.
Animated robots and robotic animation

Summary form only given. We are interested in physical robots that move in the physical world and in simulated creatures that move in the virtual world. We have built a series of physical robots that include one-legged hoppers, biped runners, a quadruped, and two kangaroo-like robots. These robots use simple control systems to run with several gaits, go fast, traverse simple paths, jump obstacles, climb a simplified stairway, and perform rudimentary gymnastic maneuvers. Although no one robot performs all these task, they all use a common set of principles for their control. We think that active balance, springy legs, and dynamic control are the features responsible for whatever "lifelike" behavior these machines have. Recently we have begun to use ideas about robot control to control animated creatures. The idea is to give these creatures knowledge and control of their body motion so the animator can act more like a director, working at a relatively high level. If the creature knows how to move in response to task-level instructions, then the director can concentrate on creating the overall action and story.
Structural Determinants of Ca2+ Exchange and Affinity in the C Terminal of Cardiac Troponin C†

The C terminal of cardiac troponin C (TnC) has two Ca2+−Mg2+ sites which exhibit ∼20-fold higher Ca2+ affinity than the two C-terminal Ca2+ specific sites in calmodulin (CaM). Substitution of the third EF-hand of TnC for the corresponding EF-hand of CaM produced a mutant (CaM[3TnC]) with a 10-fold higher C-terminal Ca2+ and Mg2+ affinity. Substitution of loop 3 of TnC for loop 3 of CaM produced a mutant (CaM[loop3TnC]) with a 10-fold faster Ca2+ on rate and a 5-fold faster Ca2+ off rate than CaM. A mutant CaM (CaM[loop3X,Z]) which contained the identical coordinating amino acids and X and Z acid pairs of TnC loop 3 had a 3-fold higher C-terminal Ca2+ affinity without the increased Ca2+ exchange rates exhibited by CaM[loop3TnC]. Thus, loop factors other than the acid pairs must be responsible for the rapid Ca2+ exchange rates of CaM[loop3TnC]. Helix 6 and helix 5 in the third EF-hand of TnC support the rapid Ca2+ on rate of TnC's loop 3 and produce an ∼4-fold reduction in its Ca2+ off rate, explaining the ...
Transesophageal echocardiography to diagnose and demonstrate resolution of an acute massive pulmonary embolus.

A 54-yr-old man presented with acute respiratory failure and hemodynamic collapse. Acute massive pulmonary embolus was confirmed with visualization of the thrombus by transesophageal echocardiography. Successful resolution after thrombolysis was confirmed by a repeat study. Transesophageal echocardiography can be used for both diagnosis and assessment of therapy in select cases of acute massive pulmonary embolism. (Chest 1992; 102:297–99)
The Portevin-Le Châtelier Effect: A Description Based on Time Delay

A mathematical description of the Portevin-Le Châtelier (PLC) effect is presented in the form of delay differential equations. Inclusion of a delay time in the dislocation evolution equations has been found to be helpful in explaining a number of experimentally observed results. The results of the simulation reproduce some basic features of the PLC effect such as the strain-rate window within which the effect occurs, increase in stress drop and period of stress oscillation with change in strain rate, and the occurrence of chaotic stress oscillations under certain conditions.
Model Uncertainties in a Sharp Leading-Edge Hypersonic Boundary Layer

The effects of uncertainties in the gas-surface interaction and intermolecular interaction models on the hypersonic boundary layer development are investigated using the nonintrusive generalized polynomial chaos method. In particular, uncertainties in the surface shear stress, normal stress, heat flux, flowfield temperature and density resulting from uncertain viscosity exponent, surface temperature and accommodation coefficient are considered. The polynomial chaos expansion approach is used to reconstruct the probability density function, calculate mean, standard deviation and skewness of the dependent variables from the DSMC calculations. The uncertainty analysis shows that surface fluxes and flowfields in the hypersonic boundary layer are more sensitive to the accommodation coefficient than surface temperature or viscosity exponent uncertainty.
Digitization of Carrier-Excited Transducers using a Programmed Attenuator

A precision analog-to-digital converter has been developed for use in measuring parameters which appear as carrier output voltages from transducers. The analog-to-digital conversion is accomplished by means of a successive-approximation technique in which the unknown output of a transducer is matched to that of a precision relay-operated attenuator. A common a.c. carrier supply source is used for both the transducer and the attenuator so that any change in the excitation voltage does not affect the measurement accuracy. This also eliminates the necessity for a standard voltage source for the attenuator. The time required for digitization in the system described is 30 milliseconds, precision is one part in 3,000, and the sensitivity of the comparator device is such that a 5-microvolt change in the unknown voltage representing the parameter being measured is easily detected.
The Growth Dynamics Of Solid 4He

The interfacial properties of the solid-liquid interface of 4 He have been studied at temperatures below 0.5 K using crystallization waves. From the dispersion and damping of the crystallization waves, one can determine the interfacial stiffness, ᾶ, and the interfacial growth resistance, (Km) −1 , respectively. Our measured values for ᾶ are consistently smaller than previously published values. At the lowest temperatures, the measured (Km) −1 increases as T 4 which is consistent with the prediction that the growth velocity is limited by the scattering of ballistic phonons by the moving interface. We also observe that above 0.25 K the phonon damping is dramatically reduced.
NFκB: a promising target for natural products in cancer chemoprevention.

The transcription factor nuclear factor kappa B (NFkappaB) is found in nearly all animal cell types. It is involved in cellular responses to stimuli such as stress, cytokines, free radicals, ultraviolet irradiation, oxidized LDL and microbial antigens, and has been shown to regulate the expression of a number of genes including bcl-2, bcl-xl, cIAP, suvivin, TRAF, COX-2, MMP-9, iNOS and cell cycle-regulatory components. Many carcinogens, inflammatory agents and tumor promoters have been shown to activate NFkappaB, and resulting tumors demonstrate misregulated NFkappaB. Incorrect regulation of NFkappaB has been linked to inflammatory and autoimmune diseases, septic shock, viral infection and improper immune development. Aberrant regulation of NFkappaB is involved in cancer development and progression as well as in drug resistance. Inhibitors of NFkappaB mediate effects potentially leading to antitumor responses or greater sensitivity to the action of antitumor agents. Tools have been developed for the rapid assessment of NFkappaB activity, so in concert with a better understanding of NFkappaB activation mechanisms, many agents capable of suppressing NFkappaB activation have been identified. The present article focuses on the functions of NFkappaB, its role in human cancer and the therapeutic potential and benefit of targeting NFkappaB by natural products in cancer chemoprevention.
Selection through Female Fitness Helps to Explain the Maintenance of Male Flowers

Andromonoecy, the production of both male and hermaphrodite flowers in the same individual, is a widespread phenomenon that occurs in approximately 4,000 species distributed in 33 families. Hypotheses for the evolution of andromonoecy suggest that the production of intermediate proportions of staminate flowers may be favored by selection acting through female components of fitness. Here we used the andromonoecious herb Solanum carolinense to determine the pattern of selection on the production of staminate flowers. A multivariate analysis of selection indicates that selection through female fitness favors the production of staminate flowers in at least one population. We conclude that this counterintuitive benefit of staminate flowers on female fitness highlights the importance of considering female components of fitness in the evolution of andromonoecy, a reproductive system usually interpreted as a "male" strategy.
Gender in Magazine Advertising: Skin Sells Best:

This study involves an analysis of 2007 fashion advertisements published in Gentlemen's Quarterly (GQ) and Vogue between 1964, at the beginning of the sexual revolution, and 1994, to see if there were changes in the use of sexual attire and nudity. The analysis indicates that this use increased in GQ, as well as Vogue, suggesting that the sexual objectification of both men's and women's bodies increased over the forty-year period.
Synthesis of some ethynyltrifluoromethylfurans and their polymerization

Abstract Some trifluoromethyl group substituted ethynylfurans were prepared according to the method of Okuhara. However, dichlorofluorovinylation of lithiated 2,3-bis(trifluoromethyl)- furan did not undergo so smoothly because of the electron- withdrawing trifluoromethyl groups and the initially substituted dichlorofluorovinyl group. Thermal, γ-ray induced, or oxidation polymerizations were investigated, and 1,4-diethynyl- 2,3-bis(trifluoromethyl)furan thermally polymerized to give an insoluble polymer in a violent exothermal reaction.
Small scale mining in Ghana - Techniques and environmental considerations

Abstract Since 1989 when small scale mining in Ghana was legalised, a lot of interest has been generated in the sector because of it's socio-economic benefits However, owing to lack of the necessary training and inadequate financial base on the part of small scale operators, most operations are poorly managed environmentally. The paper describes the state-of-the-art in Ghana, makes a critical review of the various operations highlighting activities which are potentially hazardous and also constitute environmentally unacceptable practices. Suggestions considered more environmentally friendly have been proposed to improve the situation.
Biochemical and immunochemical characterization of two simian virus 40 (SV40)-specific glycoproteins in nuclear and surface membranes of SV40-transformed cells.

Abstract Plasma membranes of several simian virus 40-transformed cells contain virus-specific proteins with molecular masses of ∼ 100,000D and ∼ 60,000D and isoelectric points of ∼ 4.7 and ∼ 4.5, respectively. Triton X-100 extracts of purified nuclei from simian virus 40-transformed hamster lymphocytes contain the same proteins but in different proportions, the high molecular mass component being enriched six-fold in terms of the lower molecular mass one. Both proteins can be labeled metabolically with [ 14 C]glucosamine and their isoelectric points altered by neuraminidase treatment, showing that they are sialoglycoproteins.
Meïr Goldschmidt as a Writer of English

Although Meimlr Goldschmidt was around forty years old when he began the serious study of English, he soon mastered the language so thoroughly that he could consider settling in England and pursuing a career in English letters. His published English writings have traditionally been either ignored or belittled, and his manuscript notes for an English novel, preserved in the Royal Library, have been scoffed at. A close examination of his published correspondence of the period traces his progressive mastery of the English language, and a careful study of his publications in English journals, as well as his notes for the novel, demonstrates that this aspect of his literary activity deserves to be taken seriously. Argument over whether Goldschmidt could or would have become a great novelist in English, if he had not returned to Denmark, is pointless. His English writings, published and unpublished, must be taken into account, however, in determining Goldschmidt's place in the history of literature.
Utility of nonselective abdominal aortography in demonstrating ovarian artery collaterals in patients undergoing uterine artery embolization for fibroids.

PURPOSE To review the incidence of ovarian collateral supply to uterine fibroids as demonstrated by nonselective abdominal aortography before uterine artery embolization (UAE) and to evaluate the effect of such visualization on interventional management. MATERIALS AND METHODS The aortograms of 51 consecutive patients (mean age, 42.4 y; range, 30–53 y) undergoing UAE for symptomatic uterine fibroids were reviewed retrospectively for the visualization of ovarian arteries extending into the pelvis. If ovarian arteries were visualized, their size relative to the ipsilateral external iliac artery was measured. Arteries believed large enough to represent a significant blood supply to the uterine fibroids were further evaluated after UAE to determine whether flow persisted. RESULTS In 13 of 51 patients (25%), a total of 18 ovarian arteries were identified. They were bilateral in five patients and unilateral in eight. Their sizes relative to the ipsilateral external iliac artery ranged from 8% to 57% (mean, 26%). Eight ovarian arteries with a relative size ≥25% were further evaluated. Five of the eight (62.5%) were not visible after UAE. Of the three persistent ovarian collateral arteries, two were successfully embolized. The patient with the untreated collateral artery experienced persistent menorrhagia. CONCLUSIONS Preembolization aortography with the catheter tip at level of the renal arteries demonstrated ovarian collateral arteries in 25% of patients with uterine fibroids. However, their detection influenced treatment in only 6% of the reported cases.
The effect of medial versus lateral meniscectomy on the stability of the anterior cruciate ligament-deficient knee.

Background: The pivot shift is a dynamic test of knee stability that involves a pathologic, multiplanar motion path elicited by a combination of axial load and valgus force during a knee flexion from an extended position.Purpose: To assess the stabilizing effect of the medial and lateral meniscus on anterior cruciate ligament-deficient (ACL-D) knees during the pivot shift examination.Study Design: Controlled laboratory study.Methods: A Lachman and a mechanized pivot shift test were performed on 16 fresh-frozen cadaveric hip-to-toe lower extremity specimens. The knee was tested intact, ACL-D, and after sectioning the medial meniscus (ACL/MM-D; n = 8), lateral meniscus (ACL/LM-D; n = 8), and both (ACL/LM/MM-D; n = 16). A navigation system recorded the resultant anterior tibial translations (ATTs). For statistical analysis an analysis of variance was used; significance was set at P < .05.Results: The ATT significantly increased in the ACL-D knee after lateral meniscectomy (ACL/LM-D; P < .05) during the pivot...
Ser, a fortran program for the seriation of biostratigraphic data

Abstract A FORTRAN program which involves simple iterative, averaging, and sorting operations is effective for seriation of biostratigraphic data. The data matrix includes the presence/absence of m taxa and n samples which are grouped in p stratigraphic sections. The basic procedure is to arrange the taxa and samples into a range chart by concentrating the presences along the diagonal of the matrix in order to minimize the range zones of the taxa. The method can calculate two types of seriation. If information on stratigraphic position of the samples is ignored, unconstrained seriation results and the samples are free to group in any order. This method usually results in sequences of taxa and samples that are allied closely to those derived from multivariate techniques such as cluster analysis. If the data on stratigraphic superposition of the samples are used, the result is constrained seriation in which the samples remain in stratigraphic order in the final matrix. Range charts derived from this type of seriation are most useful for stratigraphic correlation.
Disruption of Paneth and goblet cell homeostasis and increased endoplasmic reticulum stress in Agr2−/− mice

Anterior Gradient 2 (AGR2) is a protein disulfide isomerase that plays important roles in diverse processes in multiple cell lineages as a developmental regulator, survival factor and susceptibility gene for inflammatory bowel disease. Here, we show using germline and inducible Agr2-/- mice that Agr2 plays important roles in intestinal homeostasis. Agr2-/- intestine has decreased goblet cell Mucin 2, dramatic expansion of the Paneth cell compartment, abnormal Paneth cell localization, elevated endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, severe terminal ileitis and colitis. Cell culture experiments show that Agr2 expression is induced by ER stress, and that siRNA knockdown of Agr2 increases ER stress response. These studies implicate Agr2 in intestinal homeostasis and ER stress and suggest a role in the etiology of inflammatory bowel disease.
Spatiotemporal Control of Wave Instabilities in Cardiac Tissue

Electrical waves circulating around an obstacle in cardiac tissue are subject to a generic oscillatory instability. In a one-dimensional ring geometry this instability can produce both quasiperiodic and spatiotemporally chaotic oscillations while in a two-dimensional sheet of cardiac tissue it can lead to spiral wave breakup. We present a control scheme to prevent this instability in these two geometries which is based on applying a feedback current at a discrete set of control points during the repolarizing phase of the action potential. The feasibility of this scheme is demonstrated via simulations of a two-variable model of excitable media with restitution and of the Beeler-Reuter model of ventricular action potential.
Electronic properties of diamond for high-power device applications

The generation and transport of impact-ionized electrons in diamond are investigated using secondary electron emission spectroscopy. By studying secondary electron emission from diamond surfaces having a negative electron affinity (NEA), the total transmitted intensity and the full energy spectrum of the internal electrons are revealed in the measurements. Electron yield and energy distribution measurements from C(100) and CVD diamond samples are analyzed as a function of incident beam energy and information is obtained on both the internal gain and electron energy distribution following impact ionization as well as the effects of the transport process on the internal electron distribution. High internal gain and efficient electron transport are inferred from an analysis of the very high yields measured from both samples. In fact, by fitting calculated yield curves to the measured yield data, we deduce a lower limit on the electron escape depth of ∼5 μm and ∼1.3 μm in the C(100) and CVD diamond samples, respectively. Energy spectra measured from the diamond samples contain an intense, low-energy peak whose energy position and width are independent of incident beam energy. Based on an analysis of the energy distribution data, a model of the impact-ionization process in diamond is presented.
A simplified LAN protocol for practicing file transfer, resource locating, and elementary distributed problem solving

Local area networks exist for transferring files and messages and sharing resources, but do not address the areas of resource locating and elementary distributed problem solving. In order to better understand both the basics of blocked asynchronous protocols and distributed problem solving, an experimental protocol has been created which allows a collection of microcomputers not only to transfer files in an error free environment but to also conduct resource locating and elementary distributed problem solving. The students may then apply hands on experience to the understanding of current blocked asynchronous protocols and eventually leading into the newly created IEEE 802 standards.
Detection of IL-6 and RANTES in Endotracheal Aspirates of Preterm Infants Colonized with Ureaplasma urealyticum and Mycoplasma hominis 1449

The presence of inflammatory mediators in the respiratory tract of young children has been associated with significant pulmonary pathology due to various bacterial and viral pathogens. Development of chronic lung disease in preterm infants has been associated with the recovery of Ureaplasma urealyticum (Uu) from the respiratory tract of these infants, suggesting that similar mechanisms may be involved in the pathogenesis of chronic lung disease due to Uu. It has been proposed that Uu can induce an inflammatory response, which ultimately results in lung injury in susceptible preterm infants. However, the pathogenic mechanisms involved in this process remain to be elucidated.