cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Ultrasound liver tumor segmentation with nested U-Net and dynamic feature extraction

Locating tumor from ultrasound images is of high importance in medical analysis and diagnosis. There are mainly two challenges for segmenting tumors from ultrasound images. The first challenge is the low resolution and high speckle noise of ultrasound images. The second challenge is the various shapes and sizes of tumors. We propose a multi-level feature extraction neural network to automatically segment the data. Our purposed model is trained and tested with liver tumor ultrasound images from an open source dataset. Specifically, after pre-processing the dataset with median filter and data augmentation, we employ a collaborative model that utilizes nested U-net, U-Net + + as a backbone. The model is integrated with dense short skip connections within sub-networks to further improve the gradient flow and feature preservation. In addition, we modify the original atrous spacial pyramid to an adaptive pooling for better compatibility with nested U-Net. Adaptive atrous spacial pyramid pooling is designed to extract features from different levels and cover the increasing range of feature extraction with regard to the depth of the nested network. Segmentation results showed that the proposed model outperformed multiple network structures, and achieved a 0.915 3 dice coefficient, 0.843 8 intersection-over-union and 0.0019 mean square error.
Survival and Rejection of Second-Set Skin Allografts

On the basis of their observations that a host develops a sensitivity directed specifically against further donations of an allograft from the first donor, Gibson and Medawar (1943) formulated the original hypothesis of acquired immunity. If a second graft from the same donor is applied, it is destroyed in an accelerated fashion, termed the “second-set phenomenon” by Medawar (1944, 1945). Whereas the primary graft of normal skin is generally rejected within 7–8 days after application, second-set grafts seldom survive beyond 5–6 days. Additional repeat-set allografts show no further shortening of the recipient’s rejection time, but are destroyed at the same rate as the secondset grafts (Lehrfeld, Taylor, and Converse 1955; Rapaport and Converse 1958) (see the section on The White Graft Reaction).
Viscosity and density of aqueous solutions of urea and guanidine hydrochloride.

Densities and viscosities of aqueous solutions of urea and guanidine hydrochloride at 25° have been measured, and equations are presented which describe their variation with concentration. Densities and viscosities of similar solutions containing additional solutes (buffers, NaCl, β-mercaptoethanol) have been measured, and the possibility of predicting these results from information on solutions containing each solute separately is discussed.
Safety and efficacy of total dose infusion of iron dextran in iron deficiency anaemia.

Summary Aims: Intravenous iron is usually reserved for patients in whom oral administration has failed. Typically the calculated total dose is divided in to several fractions. Total dose infusion (TDI) of iron dextran is not commonly used due to the potential for serious side effects such as anaphylactic reactions. Methods: We identified 214 patients retrospectively, who were given TDI. Outcomes studied were: immediate side effects, improvement of haemoglobin and haematocrit. Results: The most frequent side effect of TDI was nausea with a rate of 2.2%. Headache, vomiting, chills and backache were seen in 1.1% of patients and about 0.5% of patients experienced fever and diarrhoea. No anaphylactic reaction was noted. Observed mean elevation of haematocrit was 5.3% and haemoglobin of 2.0 gm/dl (p < 0.0001). Conclusion: TDI of iron dextran is a safe, potentially efficacious and convenient treatment in iron deficiency anaemia, in patients unresponsive or intolerant to oral iron.
Visual Languages for Database Users

Graphs representing a description of a database can be used as the basis for various types of interfaces, with each interface suitable to a different type of database user. A forms administrator can manipulate the graph to create form templates that are used to display data from the database. Database Management System (DBMS) users can manipulate the graph directly to formulate DBMS requests. Graphs play an important role in an interface for novice DBMS users learning a traditional query language. Manipulating graphs is a powerful tool for database administrators in database design. This paper describes four interfaces that use entity relationship (E-R) graphs: Interface for forms administrators to create forms templates used to display data from the database; Interface of DBMS users to formulate requests by directly manipulating the E-R graph; Interface for novice users learning a traditional DBMS command language; Interface for database administrators to design databases.
Hepatic SirT1-Dependent Gain of Function of Stearoyl-CoA Desaturase-1 Conveys Dysmetabolic and Tumor Progression Functions

Obesity is associated with higher incidence of cancer, but the predisposing mechanisms remain poorly understood. The NAD(+)-dependent deacetylase SirT1 orchestrates metabolism, cellular survival, and growth. However, there is no unifying mechanism to explain the metabolic and tumor-related effects of SirT1. In this work, we demonstrate that genetic ablation of the endogenous inhibitor of SirT1, Deleted-in-Breast-Cancer-1 (Dbc1), unexpectedly results in obesity and insulin resistance. Dbc1 deficiency promoted SirT1-dependent gain of function of stearoyl-coenzyme A desaturase 1 (Scd1), increasing plasma and tissue levels of unsaturated fatty acids. The metabolic abnormalities in Dbc1(-/-) mice were reversed by ablation of hepatic SirT1 or by inhibition of Scd1 activity. Furthermore, loss of Dbc1 impaired activation of the master tumor suppressor p53 and treatment with an Scd1 inhibitor extended survival of tumor-prone TP53(-/-) mice by decreasing tumor-related death. Together, our findings illustrate a shared mechanism of obesity and tumor progression mediated by hepatic SirT1 and resulting in the activation of a key lipid synthetic enzyme, with potential therapeutic implications.
Linkage mapping bovine EST-based SNP

Existing linkage maps of the bovine genome primarily contain anonymous microsatellite markers. These maps have proved valuable for mapping quantitative trait loci (QTL) to broad regions of the genome, but more closely spaced markers are needed to fine-map QTL, and markers associated with genes and annotated sequence are needed to identify genes and sequence variation that may explain QTL. Bovine expressed sequence tag (EST) and bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC)sequence data were used to develop 918 single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers to map genes on the bovine linkage map. DNA of sires from the MARC reference population was used to detect SNPs, and progeny and mates of heterozygous sires were genotyped. Chromosome assignments for 861 SNPs were determined by twopoint analysis, and positions for 735 SNPs were established by multipoint analyses. Linkage maps of bovine autosomes with these SNPs represent 4585 markers in 2475 positions spanning 3058 cM . Markers include 3612 microsatellites, 913 SNPs and 60 other markers. Mean separation between marker positions is 1.2 cM. New SNP markers appear in 511 positions, with mean separation of 4.7 cM. Multi-allelic markers, mostly microsatellites, had a mean (maximum) of 216 (366) informative meioses, and a mean 3-lod confidence interval of 3.6 cM Bi-allelic markers, including SNP and other marker types, had a mean (maximum) of 55 (191) informative meioses, and were placed within a mean 8.5 cM 3-lod confidence interval. Homologous human sequences were identified for 1159 markers, including 582 newly developed and mapped SNP. Addition of these EST- and BAC-based SNPs to the bovine linkage map not only increases marker density, but provides connections to gene-rich physical maps, including annotated human sequence. The map provides a resource for fine-mapping quantitative trait loci and identification of positional candidate genes, and can be integrated with other data to guide and refine assembly of bovine genome sequence. Even after the bovine genome is completely sequenced, the map will continue to be a useful tool to link observable phenotypes and animal genotypes to underlying genes and molecular mechanisms influencing economically important beef and dairy traits.
Addressing the Vaccine Hesitancy Continuum: An Audience Segmentation Analysis of American Adults Who Did Not Receive the 2009 H1N1 Vaccine

Understanding the heterogeneity of groups along the vaccine hesitancy continuum presents an opportunity to tailor and increase the impact of public engagement efforts with these groups. Audience segmentation can support these goals, as demonstrated here in the context of the 2009 H1N1 vaccine. In March 2010, we surveyed 1569 respondents, drawn from a nationally representative sample of American adults, with oversampling of racial/ethnic minorities and persons living below the United States Federal Poverty Level. Guided by the Structural Influence Model, we assessed knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors related to H1N1; communication outcomes; and social determinants. Among those who did not receive the vaccine (n = 1166), cluster analysis identified three vaccine-hesitant subgroups. Disengaged Skeptics (67%) were furthest from vaccine acceptance, with low levels of concern and engagement. The Informed Unconvinced (19%) were sophisticated consumers of media and health information who may not have been reached with information to motivate vaccination. The Open to Persuasion cluster (14%) had the highest levels of concern and motivation and may have required engagement about vaccination broadly. There were significant sociodemographic differences between groups. This analysis highlights the potential to use segmentation techniques to identify subgroups on the vaccine hesitancy continuum and tailor public engagement efforts accordingly.
E-cadherin is regulated by the transcriptional repressor SLUG during Ras-mediated transformation of intestinal epithelial cells

Background Loss of the cell membrane protein E-cadherin is a critical event during Ras-mediated transformation of intestinal epithelial cells. The purpose of our study is to determine if activation of the transcriptional repressor SLUG is an important component of the mechanism of Ras-induced loss of E-cadherin. Methods Rat intestinal epithelial (RIE) cells were engineered to express mutated human Ha-RasVal12 complementary DNA (H-Ras cells). Cell morphology was examined by light microscopy. RNA and protein expression were measured by semiquantitative polymerase chain reaction and Western blot analyses, respectively. Short interfering RNA with 2 different oligos was used to knock down the expression of SLUG. Results Oncogenic ras induces upregulation of the transcriptional repressor SLUG and subsequent downregulation of the junctional protein E-cadherin. Gene silencing of SLUG by short interfering RNA allows E-cadherin to be reexpressed. E-cadherin protein reexpression allows partial rescue of the transformed phenotype. Conclusion These data suggest a mechanism whereby Ras signaling causes an upregulation of transcriptional repressors and subsequent downregulation of E-cadherin as a malignant phenotype is propagated.
We Must, We Must, We Must Reduce Our Maternal Fall Rate: Strategies Implemented

Childbearing Poster Presentation Purpose for the Program When the annual rate of mothers who fell in a level III hospital reached 26 in 2009, a multidisciplinary team convened to identify causative factors that led to the increase. The team focused on physiologic changes during pregnancy that are known to increase risk of falling. Pregnant patients have an increased risk of accidental fall, unanticipated physiologic falls, and anticipated physiologic falls. The goal of the team was to develop a program that would reduce the number of falls and implement strategies to decrease the rate of falls taken by mothers at the hospital by 50%. Proposed Change The implementation of a program to reduce falls provided an opportunity to comply with the Joint Commission patient safety goal to reduce falls. Lack of awareness that obstetric patients are at an increased risk of falls prompted the implementation of a risk assessment tool and a mobility assessment before ambulation after delivery. Implementation, Outcomes, and Evaluation Our current care delivery process was reviewed and several opportunities for improving patient care were identified by using a fishbone diagram. The implementation of a fall‐risk assessment on admission, upon transfer to the postpartum unit, and every 24 hours helped to identify those patients at an increased risk of falling. A mobility assessment and Egress test before ambulation was also implementation to identify patients at a greater risk of falling when ambulating for the first time after delivery. When the mobility assessment identified patients not ready to ambulate, alternative nursing interventions were instituted. Staff education included learning the Morse fall scale, performing the mobility assessment and Egress Test, use of gait belts, documentation of care, and injury prevention. The interventions were implemented in 2010. In 2011, the annual number of maternal falls dropped from 26 to 18. For 2012 YTD, we have had five documented falls. We have continued to monitor the rates of maternal falls and hope to accomplish a new goal of zero falls over the next 6 months. Implications for Nursing Practice The implementation of such a practice change is a slow process. Continued monitoring and re‐education help to reinforce the need for change to improve patient outcomes. Making sure that equipment needed by staff is readily available greatly improves compliance of a practice change. Engaging staff to monitor compliance provides staff an opportunity to continue making improvements in the care delivery process.
Emergency Management of Perforated Colon Cancers: How Aggressive Should We Be?

Background Emergency treatment of perforated colon cancer has traditionally been linked with dismal outcomes due to the double jeopardy of a septic insult combined with a malignant disease, leaving unclear how aggressive emergency surgical procedures should be. We aimed to define short- and long-term outcomes in the current era of critical care support and oncologic advances, to provide updated data for decision making.
Approach for the reconfiguration of multipipeline arrays

A new approach for reconfiguring multipipeline arrays from two-dimensional arrays is analysed. The proposed reconfiguration approach is fully characterised and the conditions for switching and routing are given. A polynomial time complexity algorithm is proposed for the reconfiguration of multipipeline arrays. This algorithm is based on a novel divide-and-conquer technique; this technique is based on a heuristic condition for dividing an array into multiple sub-arrays. This results in a lower internal delay. This condition also achieves lower values for average intercell and pipeline delays than previous approaches. It is proved that using the proposed algorithm, maximum multipipeline generation is possible. A switching arrangement consisting of two buses per channel is required.
Assessment Criteria for the Conceptual Design of Six-Bar Linkages

The synthesis of six-bar linkages can yield a number of design candidates for a variety of linkage structures. Assessment criteria that sort prospective candidates are needed to assist the designer in finding effective linkage designs for further study. In this paper, we present the criteria based on easily computed measures that describe the shape and size of the linkage. These criteria are used to sort designs in four case studies, where we had previously found successful linkages by exhaustive examination.Copyright © 2007 by ASME
Electric-discharge-pumped nitrogen ion laser

A preionized transverse electric‐discharge‐pumped N+2 charge‐transfer laser oscillating on the (B2Σ+u−X2Σ+g) transition of N+2 is reported. Peak power of 180 kW in a 8‐nsec FWHM laser pulse has been obtained with a 0.1% mixture of N2 in helium at a total pressure of 3 atm. The most intense laser oscillation occurs on the (0,1) vibrational transition at 427.8 nm.
Trade and wage inequality: Are they related?

The objective of this paper is to investigate the relationship between net exports and wage inequality in the U.S. The short- and long-run analyses of the U.S. trade and wage data are undertaken. Cointegration test results indicate that net exports and wage inequality are related in the long run. The main contribution of this paper lies in its focus on the short-run investigation of the relationship between net exports and wage inequality. This investigation was conducted using the vector error correction (VEC) testing framework. Contrary to the prevailing view, the VEC test results indicate that trade has no statistically significant impact on wage inequality in the U.S. Instead, the empirical evidence shows a negative causal impact of wage inequality on net exports.
DNA synthesis in rat heart cells after injury and the regeneration of myocardia.

Abstract The regenerative responses of the myocardia of post-natal rats of different age groups (1, 2, 3 and 4 weeks old) to an injury made by a clinical electricator were studied. DNA synthesis and the ultrastructural organization of the cardiac myocytes of the injured myocardia were examined for an evaluation of the potential for regeneration of the developing myocardia. The maximum labeling index of cardiac myocytes was observed in 1-week-old rats showing 8% labeled myocytes 3 days after injury as opposed to 3.2, 2.2 and 0.2% indices in 2-, 3- and 4-week-old rats respectively, 3 days after injury. In subsequent days after injury the labeling indices declined considerably in all age group hearts, and attained values less than 1% labeled myocytes 30 days after injury with the lowest labeling index in the oldest age group heart. When DNA synthesis in uninjured myocardial tissue adjacent to the injured tissue was examined, it was found to be significantly lower than it was in the injured tissue. However, both injured and adjacent uninjured tissue attained a peak in the labeling indices 3 days after injury, with the exception of 3- and 4-week-old uninjured tissue. The overall incorporation of 3 H-thymidine into the DNA of heart cells as revealed by scintillation counts showed that the rate of incorporation of the isotope in younger hearts was significantly higher than in the older hearts. Non-muscle cells contributed significantly to the rise of scintillation counts in hearts of all age groups. Ultrastructural analyses of 1- to 4-week-old hearts showed that 24 hr after injury, injured areas of myocardia were heavily crowded with macrophages that surrounded damaged myocytes. Later on, fibroblasts and other non-muscle cells predominated the injury sites along with fibrous connective tissue. Scattered regenerating cardiac myocytes were frequently observed in the injury sites of 1- and 2-week-old hearts 3 days after injury. Myocytes were rare in the corresponding regions of 3- and 4-week-old hearts. Instead abundant non-muscle cells and fibrous connective tissue were predominant. In the fourth and final week of this study, the repaired areas of myocardia in 1- and 2-week-old rats contained more myocytes than those of the 3- and 4-week-old rats, and the repaired zone of the 1-week-old heart contained more myocytes than the repaired areas of the other age groups. These findings suggest that the mammalian myocardia possess an age-dependent potential for regeneration that involves the healing of injury sites with contractile and connective tissues.
Application of high-performance liquid chromatographic separation of free sterols to the screening of yeast sterol mutants

Abstract A method for the rapid separation of free sterols by reversed-phase liquid chromatography has been developed. A trinary mobile phase of ethanol, methanol, and water pumped through an ODS (octadecylsilane)-Ultrasphere column allowed for the separation of sterols on the basis of the number and location of double bonds and alkyl groups. This method is utilized to screen yeast mutants for altered sterol patterns.
KRAS oncogene mutations suggest a common histogenetic origin for pleomorphic giant cell tumor of the pancreas, osteoclastoma of the pancreas, and pancreatic duct adenocarcinoma

Giant cell neoplasms of the pancreas are rare tumors of uncertain histogenesis. Mutation of the KRAS oncogene is common in typical pancreatic duct adenocarcinoma. We have analyzed DNA from five pancreatic tumors with giant cells for mutations in the KRAS oncogene and found alterations of the second position of codon 12 in each case (four G > A transitions and one G > C transversion). The common mutation pattern in tumors with giant cells and duct adenocarcinoma suggests a common route to malignant transformation and may indicate a shared histogenesis. We also tested 11 cases of malignant fibrous histiocytoma, a histological mimic of pleomorphic giant cell tumor, for mutations in the KRAS oncogene. The absence of KRAS mutations in each of the malignant fibrous histiocytomas (MFHs) and in other histologically similar tumors may provide assistance in the differential diagnosis of pleomorphic pancreatic tumors.
Effects of contact angle hysteresis on ice adhesion and growth on superhydrophobic surfaces under dynamic flow conditions

In this paper, the icephobic properties of superhydrophobic surfaces are investigated under dynamic flow conditions using a closed-loop low-temperature wind tunnel. Superhydrophobic surfaces were prepared by coating aluminum and steel substrate plates with nano-structured hydrophobic particles. The superhydrophobic plates, along with uncoated controls, were exposed to a wind tunnel air flow of 12 m/s and −7 °C with deviations of ±1 m/s and ±2.5 °C, respectively, containing micrometer-sized (∼50 μm in diameter) water droplets. The ice formation and accretion were observed by CCD cameras. Results show that the superhydrophobic coatings significantly delay ice formation and accretion even under the dynamic flow condition of highly energetic impingement of accelerated supercooled water droplets. It is found that there is a time scale for this phenomenon (delay in ice formation) which has a clear correlation with contact angle hysteresis and the length scale of the surface roughness of the superhydrophobic surface samples, being the highest for the plate with the lowest contact angle hysteresis and finest surface roughness. The results suggest that the key for designing icephobic surfaces under the hydrodynamic pressure of impinging droplets is to retain a non-wetting superhydrophobic state with low contact angle hysteresis, rather than to only have a high apparent contact angle (conventionally referred to as a “static” contact angle).
Improving the efficiency of the extended compact genetic algorithm

Evolutionary Algorithms are largely used search and optimization procedures that, when properly designed, can solve intractable problems in tractable polynomial time. Efficiency enhancements are used to turn them from tractable to practical. In this paper we show preliminary results of two efficiency enhancements proposed for the Extended Compact Genetic Algorithm. First, a model building enhancement was used to reduce the complexity of the process from O($n^3$) to O($n^2$), speeding up the algorithm by 1000 times on a 4096 bits problem. Then, local-search hybridization was used to reduce the population size by at least 32 times, reducing the memory and running time required by the algorithm. These results draw the first steps toward a competent and efficient Genetic Algorithm.
Light scattering by a pair of conjugate nonspherical particles

Applying the first-order perturbation theory, we have derived a theorem which states that, under specific conditions, the sum of the scattering matrices of two nonspherical particles can be replaced by the scattering matrix of a sphere. Consequently, a polydispersion of such nonspherical particles can be replaced by a polydispersion of spheres, without changing scattering characteristics of the polydispersion. This implies the nonuniqueness of the inverse-scattering problem. To verify the validity of the theorem, the differential scattering cross sections of several nonspherical rotationally symmetric particles have been calculated using the extended boundary condition method. The results show that the theorem is satisfied with accuracy expected from the first-order perturbation theory.
A computational approach to stability of polytopic families of quasi‐polynomials with single delay

This paper addresses stability of families of linear, time-invariant systems with single time delay. The families are generated by system parameters uncertain within known intervals, and appearing linearly (affinely) in the systems' characteristic functions, which are quasi-polynomials. First, easily implementable conditions for delay-independent stability for such families are given. Later, for families that fail to be stable independently of delay, a computationally tractable method is presented to compute all possible time-delay intervals for which the families are stable. The method is based on the edge theorem and provides the complete stability picture of a given family. Numerical examples illustrate the application of the method. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Ribofuranosyl triazolone: a natural product herbicide with activity on adenylosuccinate synthetase following phosphorylation.

2,4-Dihydro-4-(β-d-ribofuranosyl)-1,2,4(3H)-triazol-3-one (2) was identified as the principal phytotoxic component of a fermentation broth derived from an Actinomadura. The compound is a new natural product, but known by synthesis. Broad-spectrum herbicidal activity was demonstrated in greenhouse tests. Metabolite reversal studies suggested the target site was adenylosuccinate synthetase, which was confirmed by direct measurement of the activity of the 5‘-phosphorylated derivative on the isolated enzyme.
Do antennule and aesthetasc structure in the crayfish Orconectes virilis correlate with flow habitat

The local flow environment affects the shape of waterborne chemical signals through a variety of physical mechanisms and at several scales. Since crayfish rely on these chemical signals to extract information about predators, prey, and mates, one might expect the chemical sensors (aesthetascs) on crayfish antennules to be physically tuned to the presentation of chemical cues by the flow environment. This hypothesis was tested by comparing length, diameter, and spacing of antennules and aesthetascs among geographically distinct populations of Orconectes virilis. Crayfish were collected from the Chagrin river, Hebron hatchery, and Burt lake. In addition, antennules were sampled from 43 museum populations representing 12 lake, 10 creek, and 21 river populations from multiple states and river drainages. Mean velocities from the collection sites were either measured directly or calculated from United States Geological Survey (USGS) historical data. Structural parameters were measured using Scion Image software on Scanning electron microscope micrographs, and analyses of variance were performed using StatView. Structural parameters of aesthetascs were found to vary with flow environment. Aesthetascs from lake populations were inserted at a larger angle, extended out farther from the supporting antennule relative to the width of the antennule, and were more widely spaced than aesthetascs from creek, hatchery, and river populations.
Changes in Medicare reimbursement and patient-nephrologist visits, quality of care, and health-related quality of life.

Background: Medicare's reimbursement system was changed in January 2004 to encourage more frequent visits between dialysis patients and nephrologists. We sought to determine the impact of this policy change on patient-nephrologist visits, quality of care, and health-related quality of life. Methods: We examined visits and outcomes for 2,043 patients at 12 hemodialysis facilities in northeast Ohio for 12 months before and 7 months after the reimbursement change. For comparison of outcomes, we used linear, logistic, or negative binomial regression models (for continuous, binary, and rate outcomes, respectively) to assess the significance of changes across the 2 periods. Results: For patients seen before and after the reimbursement change for at least 6 months, the number of visits per patient-month increased from 1.52 before to 3.14 after ( P P Conclusion: Despite a marked increase in visits between patients and nephrologists, there was no clinically important impact on parameters related to quality of care or health-related quality of life. Additional work is needed to determine effective payment strategies to improve dialysis patient outcomes.
Scanning electron microscopic and morphometric analysis of the guinea pig uterine luminal surface: Cyclic and ovarian steroid‐induced modifications

A morphometric and scanning electron microscopic analysis of endometrial, luminal topographical changes of cyclic and ovariectomized, ovarian steroid-treated guinea pigs was undertaken to determine the effects of cyclic endocrine influences on the uterine surface features recognized to be involved in the process of interstitial blastocyst implantation. Estrogenic stimulation of the uterine epithelial layer induced microvillus growth and closed the endometrial gland openings on the luminal surface. Progestins antagonized these parameters, as indicated by short, sparse microvillus formation over a flat luminal uterine surface on which gland openings were both numerous and prominent. The combined effects of estrogen and progesterone therapies induced luminal epithelial changes resembling those characterizing the cyclic uterine surface at the time of blastocyst implantation. These data indicate that the cyclic alterations in the uterine luminal surface are directly regulated by ovarian steroid hormones, and that these changes in surface structure are synchronized and directly involved in the preparation for blastocyst-uterine interaction during the nidatory process in this species.
Rhizoid Differentiation in Fern Spores: Experimental Manipulation

Germination in spores of the fern Onoclea sensibilis is initiated by an asymmetric division that partitions the spore into two cells of unequal size. The unequal daughter cells differentiate immediately into distinct types. When spores are germinated on the surface of solutions of methanol, the initial division is symmetrical, and the daughter cells from this equal division develop into the same type of cell. The differentiation of a rhizoid from the smaller cell in untreated spores is suppressed by methanol treatment.
Persistent performance and interaction effects in sequential cross-border mergers and acquisitions

Abstract This study examines the short-term wealth impact of cross-border mergers and acquisitions (MA that is, the acquiring firms that gained positive (negative) abnormal returns in previous cross-border acquisitions are more likely to experience positive (negative) abnormal returns in subsequent cross-border acquisitions. The persistency of the stock performance is stronger in situations when the elapsed time between the sequential acquisitions is shorter. We find that the persistent stock performance is affected by investor sentiment as well as the choice of cash payments in the sequential cross-border M&As. We do not find that the acquiring firm's operating performance affects the persistency of the stock performance.
Cholesterol content and functionality of plasma and granules fractionated from egg yolk

In low-salt aqueous solution, nonspray-dried (NS) and spray-dried (SD) egg yolk were fractionated into granule and plasma fractions using centrifugation. The following determinations were made on each fraction: total cholesterol, lipid, protein, emulsifying activity (EA) and stability, foam capacity and stability, and protein solubility index. Fractionation of NS to granules resulted in -30% reduction (p≤0.01) in cholesterol, a 46% reduction in lipid, and a twofold increase in protein. In decreasing order (p≤0.01), EA of NS products in distilled water was: plasma>NS>granules. Emulsion and foam stability values exhibited by granules of NS suggest they could be used as a stabilizer of dispersion system
Latest Advances in Chemotherapeutic, Targeted, and Immune Approaches in the Treatment of Metastatic Melanoma

Abstract Melanoma is the most dangerous form of skin cancer owing to its metastatic potential and is an important public health concern. The melanoma incidence has been increasing worldwide. Although potentially curable when diagnosed early, metastatic melanoma carries a poor prognosis. Until recently, systemic therapy for metastatic melanoma was ineffective, but the recent successes in the development of new therapies for metastatic melanoma, such as mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway inhibitors, anti–cytotoxic T-lymphocyte–associated antigen-4 (CTLA-4), and programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1)/programmed cell death ligand 1 (PD-L1) pathway blocking antibodies, as well as combination strategies of cytotoxic chemotherapy and inhibitors of angiogenesis, have all yielded promising results, changing the continually evolving landscape of therapeutic options for patients with this disease. The aim of this review was to summarize the evolution of and recent advances in the treatment of metastatic melanoma. Therefore, we conducted a comprehensive PubMed search between January 1, 1960, and February 1, 2014, using the search term melanoma or metastatic melanoma combined with terms such as chemotherapy, immunotherapy, CTLA-4, PD-1, PD-L1, adoptive T cell, targeted therapy, MAPK, molecular biology, and survival .
Attribution of Responsibility as a Basis for Sanctioning Behaviour

The discrepancy between attribution of responsibility (AR) and assignment of sanctions (AS) was examined in two experiments. In the first experiment, four occupational groups (lawyers, policemen, military personnel, and ministers) were sampled. Mean differences between AR and AS (AR minus AS) were: lawyers, 0.54; policemen, 0.78; military personnel, 0.93; and ministers, 1.04 (P < 0.10). In no case was AS greater than AR. For all groups, sanctioning was influenced relatively more by the intensity of the outcome than was AR. Greater AR-AS discrepancies occurred with lower- than with higher-outcome intensities. A second study comparing AR and AS in a sample of college students supported these findings. These results were interpreted as showing that AR provides the basis for AS, but the extent to which the actor will be sanctioned is also influenced by other factors.
SAR Evaluation of Pregnant Woman Models in 64 MHz MRI Birdcage Coil

This study presents numerical SAR evaluation in pregnant woman models exposed to magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) radio frequency (RF) coil at 64 MHz. Nine pregnant woman models, representing different stage of pregnancy, are used for this study. SAR values in and around fetuses at different pregnancy stages are calculated. The investigations show an SAR increase beginning at the fifth month of pregnancy and local fetus SAR values above the IEC limit of 10 W/kg for the first level controlled mode. Based on our results we recommend not to perform MRI procedures for pregnant women in the first level controlled mode. These results can be used towards developing safety standards for pregnant woman undergoing an MRI.
Abundance of atomic carbon (C I) in dense interstellar clouds

The abundance of interstellar neutral atomic carbon is investigated by means of its ground state fine-structure line emission at 492 GHz using the 91.5 cm telescope of NASAs Kuiper Airborne Observatory. Atomic carbon is found to be very abundant in dense interstellar molecular clouds with column densities of about 10 to the 19th per sq cm. Because the observations have considerably greater column densities than current theories of carbon chemistry, it is suggested that the physical conditions of these clouds are not as simple as assumed in the models. Various situations are discussed which would lead to large C I abundances, including the possibility that the chemical lifetimes of the clouds are relatively short.
Do depressed patients on adjunctive atypical antipsychotics demonstrate a better quality of life compared to those on antidepressants only? A comparative cross-sectional study of a nationally representative sample of the US population.

Abstract Background The adjunctive use of some atypical antipsychotics (AAPs) has been popular for patients with treatment-resistant depression. However, little is known about the impact of these agents on patients' Health-related quality of life (HRQoL). Objectives The objective of this study is to examine the impact of the adjunctive AAPs use on HRQoL among users of antidepressants with self-reported depression. Methods Patients with depression (ICD-9-CM: 296, 300, and 311), and to have used the given AAPs and/or antidepressants for at least a year, were identified in the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey of 2008–2011. The patients were classified into users of adjunctive AAPs (i.e., antidepressants plus AAPs) and users of antidepressants only. Adjusted multivariate linear regression analyses were conducted to examine the association between the utilization of AAPs and HRQoL measure. c Results A total of 3638 participants who met the inclusion criteria were identified (306 on AAPs vs. 3332 on antidepressants only). The study subjects were ≥18 years, predominately White (91.9%) and female (71%). The AAPs utilization was not associated with higher scores in the Physical Component Summary (PCS-12) of the Short Form Health Survey (SF-12v2) ( β = 1.542, 95% CI = −0.0142 to 3.0977, P = 0.0521). Rather, it was negatively associated with the Mental Component Summary (MCS-12) scores of the SF-12v2 ( β = −1.5537, 95% CI = −3.0247 to −0.0827, P = 0.0385). Conclusions The utilization of AAPs was not associated with higher scores of HRQoL. The findings of this study should underscore the need to consider other treatment options as add-on therapy for depression before resorting to AAPs.
GHRS Observations of the White Dwarf in U Geminorum

We have observed the dwarf nova U Geminorum while it was in quiescence in the wavelength range 1162-1448 A using the GHRS on Hubble Space Telescope. The time-resolved (λ/δλ=2000) spectra are dominated by the white dwarf in the system. By analyzing the Doppler shifts of the photospheric metal absorption lines that punctuate the spectrum, we have accurately determined the orbital velocity amplitude of the white dwarf to be 107.1±2.1 km s-1. For an inclination of 67° and a K2velocity of 294.7 km s-1, this implies a mass of 1.12 and 0.41 M☉ for the white dwarf and secondary, respectively. A comparison between the integrated spectrum and synthesized spectral models indicates a temperature of ~30,000 K, consistent with earlier determinations, and an abundance pattern that is distinctly nonsolar and indicative of CNO processing. Specifically, the abundance of C appears to be of order 0.1 solar, while N is ~4 times solar.
An in-depth analysis of vasodilation in the management of hypertension: focus on adrenergic blockade.

Abstract:Sustained activation of the sympathetic nervous system leads not only to elevated blood pressure but also to vascular remodeling, microvascular complications, and target organ damage. Although β-blocking agents, which act directly on the adrenergic receptors of the sympathetic nervous syste
Lack of attenuation of valproic acid-induced embryotoxicity by compounds involved in one-carbon transfer reactions.

Abstract Previous reports have indicated that valproic acid (VPA) is a developmental toxicant in vitro as well as in vivo , producing primarily neural tube defects. The mechanism for the drug's embryotoxic effects is unknown; however, work from our laboratory over the last few years has indicated that addition of various folate derivatives did not significantly decrease the incidence of VPA-induced neural tube defects. It is possible that some compound involved in one-carbon transfer reactions other than folate could protect against VPA embryotoxicity. We have examined the ability of l - or d -serine, sodium formate and l -methionine to decrease VPA-induced embryotoxicity. CD strain rat embryos were cultured for 48 hr beginning on day 9 of gestation. Each compound was examined for embryotoxicity, and a non-embryotoxic concentration was added to the culture medium 3 hr before the addition of 150 μg VPA/ml. Neither l -serine (300 μg/ml), d -serine (300 μg/ml), sodium formate (600 μg/ml) or l -methionine (1.12 mg/ml) were able to decrease VPA-induced developmental toxicity in vitro . The morphological scores of the embryos were not increased, nor was the frequency of embryos with open neural tubes decreased by treatment with any of these compounds. These data suggest that the mechanism for VPA-induced embryotoxicity does not involve compounds involved in one-carbon transfer reactions.
FT-IR measurements of cold C3H8 cross sections at 7–15 μm for Titan atmosphere

Abstract We present absorption cross sections of propane (C3H8) at temperatures from 145 K to 297 K in the 690–1550 cm−1 region. Pure and N2-broadened spectra were measured at pressures from 3 Torr to 742 Torr using a Bruker IFS125 FT-IR spectrometer at JPL. The gas absorption cell, developed at Connecticut College, was cooled by a closed-cycle helium refrigerator. The cross sections were measured and compiled for individual spectra recorded at various experimental conditions covering the planetary atmosphere and Titan. In addition to the cross sections, a propane pseudoline list with a frequency grid of 0.005 cm−1, was fitted to the 34 laboratory spectra. Line intensities and lower state energies were retrieved for each line, assuming a constant width. Validation tests showed that the pseudoline list reproduces discrete absorption features and continuum, the latter contributed by numerous weak and hot band features, in most of the observed spectra within 3%. Based on the pseudoline list, the total intensity in the 690–1550 cm−1 region was determined to be 52.93 (±3%) × 10−19 cm−1/(molecule cm−2) at 296 K; this value is within 3% of the average from four earlier studies. Finally, the merit of the pseudoline approach is addressed for heavy polyatomic molecules in support of spectroscopic observation of atmospheres of Titan and other planets. The cold cross sections will be submitted to the HITRAN database (hitran.harvard.edu), and the list of C3H8 pseudolines will be available from a MK-IV website of JPL ( http://mark4sun.jpl.nasa.gov/data/spec/Pseudo ).
Silver-Gold Nanocomposite Substrates for Metal-Enhanced Fluorescence: Ensemble and Single-Molecule Spectroscopic Studies.

In recent years, there has been a growing interest in the studies involving the interactions of fluorophores with plasmonic nanostructures or nanoparticles. These interactions lead to several favorable effects such as increase in the fluorescence intensities, increased photostabilities, and reduced excited-state lifetimes that can be exploited to improve the capabilities of present fluorescence methodologies. In this regard, we report the use of newly developed silver–gold nanocomposite (Ag–Au–NC) structures as substrates for metal-enhanced fluorescence (MEF). The Ag–Au–NC substrates have been prepared by a one-step galvanic replacement reaction from thin silver films coated on glass slides. This approach is simple and suitable for the fabrication of MEF substrates with large area. We have observed about 15-fold enhancement in the fluorescence intensity of ATTO655 from ensemble fluorescence measurements using these substrates. The fluorescence enhancement on the Ag–Au–NC substrates is also accompanied by a reduction in the fluorescence lifetime of ATTO655, which is consistent with the fluorophore–plasmon coupling mechanism. Single-molecule fluorescence measurements have been performed to gain more insight into the metal–fluorophore interactions and to unravel the heterogeneity in the interaction of individual fluorophores with the fabricated substrates. The single-molecule studies are in good agreement with the ensemble measurements and show maximum enhancements of ~50-fold for molecules located in proximity to the “hotspots” on the substrates. In essence, the Ag–Au–NC substrates have a very good potential for various MEF applications.
Rotationally symmetric planar ultra-wideband array design techniques

Rotational symmetry has often been observed in the design of ultra-wideband planar array layouts which use certain aperiodic tiling techniques and their variants. The use of rotational symmetry in these designs, however, has mainly been considered incidental and not of primary concern. Here, rotational symmetry is specifically exploited for not only placement of the array elements, but for fast calculation of their associated array factors. Two design techniques are presented that employ rotational symmetry in this fashion. One technique uses an advanced optimization strategy for element arrangement, while the other uses densely-packed semi-periodic sections to enable high-directivity and easy manufacturing.
Dual coordinate ascent methods for non-strictly convex minimization

We consider a dual method for solving non-strictly convex programs possessing a certain separable structure. This method may be viewed as a dual version of a block coordinate ascent method studied by Auslender [1, Section 6]. We show that the decomposition methods of Han [6, 7] and the method of multipliers may be viewed as special cases of this method. We also prove a convergence result for this method which can be applied to sharpen the available convergence results for Han's methods.
Hypercholesterolemia in Diabetes and Glucose Intolerance in the U.S. Population

The prevalence of hypercholesterolemia, according to the guidelines of the National Cholesterol Education Program, has been determined in a national survey of diabetes and glucose intolerance. Rates of elevated total cholesterol in people with diabetes in the United States are only slightly greater than in those without diabetes after adjusting for age and sex. Nevertheless, high or borderline high total cholesterol is common in diabetes and is present in 70% of adults with diagnosed diabetes and 77% with undiagnosed diabetes in the U.S. population. Of these individuals, 95% have evidence of coronary heart disease or two or more risk factors for heart disease and should therefore have their low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol measured. Based on our national data, LDL cholesterol levels warranting dietary treatment for hypercholesterolemia would be expected in 85% of these people. Although elevated LDL cholesterol is uncommon in people with diabetes who have total cholesterol of less than 200 mg/dl, other risk factors for coronary heart disease are very frequent (100% of men, 73% of women), and low total and LDL cholesterol may mask low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol. Therefore, investigation of blood lipid levels and coronary heart disease risk factors should be routine in all patients with diabetes, and treatment strategies should include management of lipid disorders and the multiple other risk factors for coronary heart disease that are highly prevalent in these patients.
Bisensory memory in normal and reading disability children

Normal and reading disability children were tested for memory of item and order information in a sequential memory task with auditory and visual stimuli. There were three auditory visual digit pairs on each trial, with a 1-sec delay between successive pairs. Either one auditory-visual pair (pair condition) or two digits from one modality (modality condition) were tested. More errors were made in the pair than in the modality condition on a measure of item information but not on a measure of order information. Reading disability children made more errors than normal children, but there were no Reading Group by Condition interactions. These results suggest that: (a) the reading groups differed on general information-processing capabilities, but (b) both reading groups have the same degree of difficulty with organization of temporal-modality information.