cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Vehicle trajectory-based road type and congestion recognition using wavelet analysis

In many intelligent transportation system applications, understanding vehicle activity patterns of probe vehicles is becoming increasingly important for determining congestion levels on different roadways. Vehicle activity patterns can be characterized at a microscale level as vehicle velocity trajectories. Many ITS applications now use probe vehicles that are constantly monitoring and recording these velocity data as a component of traffic monitoring and management. Rather than transmitting probe vehicle velocity data to a centralized management center for processing (requiring high bandwidth), it is proposed to perform real-time on-board analysis of velocity trajectories to estimate roadway type and congestion level. These estimates can then be used for a variety of purposes including traffic information systems, intelligent real-time vehicle control systems, and energy consumption/emissions estimation. A method is presented to estimate roadway type and congestion level using a wavelet analysis technique combined with principal components analysis. This technique is applied to 128-second snippets of real-time vehicle velocity trajectories. The complexity of this combined wavelet/PCA approach is o(l3), where l Lt N. Training and recognition has taken place on a small data set of approximately 300 trajectories collected in the Held. Results thus far indicate an approximate 90 % correct estimation rate
Linking perception and action in a control architecture for human-robot domains

Human-robot interaction is a growing research domain; there are many approaches to robot design, depending on the particular aspects of interaction being focused on. In this paper we present an action-based framework that provides a natural means for robots to interact with humans and to learn from them. Perception and action are the essential means for a robot's interaction with the environment; for successful robot performance it is thus important to exploit this relation between a robot and its environment. Our approach links perception and actions in a unique architecture for representing a robot's skills (behaviors). We use this architecture to endow the robots with the ability to convey their intentions by acting upon their environment and also to learn to perform complex tasks from observing and experiencing a demonstration by a human teacher. We demonstrate these concepts with a Pioneer 2DX mobile robot, learning various tasks from a human and, when needed, interacting with a human to get help by conveying its intentions through actions.
Microfilament-dependent movement of the beta3 integrin subunit within focal contacts of endothelial cells.

SPECIFIC AIMSThe goal of our study was to characterize the mobility of focal contacts and their constituents in endothelial cells since these matrix adhesion sites play a crucial role in angiogenesis during development, tissue remodeling, and cancer. We focused our analyses on β3 subunit-containing integrin heterodimers, since these are major matrix receptors expressed by endothelial cells, and tested an hypothesis that integrins are mobile within the confines of each focal contact in endothelial cells.PRINCIPAL FINDINGS1. Green fluorescent protein-tagged β3 integrin and actinin-1 preferentially incorporate into focal contact-like structures in endothelial cellsGreen fluorescent protein-tagged β3 integrin (GFP-β3) and actinin-1 (GFP-actinin-1) incorporate into focal contacts of human endothelial cells. These tagged focal contacts show migration at the rate of 0.1 μm/min, primarily toward the nuclear region of the cell. On occasion, focal contact movement was observed toward or along the cell surface.2. In...
Dynamic allocation of packet reservation multiple access carriers

The author studies the performance of a high capacity metropolitan microcellular radio network using computer simulation. Packet reservation multiple access carriers are dynamically assigned or released depending on current teletraffic loading conditions. Significant performance improvements are obtained using a 2-stage costing strategy which attempts to balance call blocking probabilities against packet dropping rate, thereby leading to more efficient utilisation of channel resources. The author achieves 40 to 50% improvements over a fixed allocation scheme in terms of the blocking probability performance, by soft assigning carriers to the microcells and performing a 2-stage dynamic carrier allocation procedure based on a simple costing algorithm which attempts to pack co-carrier cells as closely as possible. >
Deposition of nanoparticles onto polysaccharide-coated surfaces: implications for nanoparticle–biofilm interactions

While environmental biofilms have recently been implicated as a potential major sink for nanoparticles (NPs), the mechanisms of interactions remain largely unknown. Polysaccharides are a common component of biofilm extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) and an initial point of contact for NPs in early NP–biofilm interactions. In this study, the significance of polysaccharide coatings on the deposition of hematite and silica NPs was examined by quartz crystal microgravimetry (QCM) and in-depth characterization of surface properties. NP deposition was shown to be largely governed by electrostatic forces. However, bulk surface zeta potential values of the tested polysaccharide-coated surfaces were not sufficient in describing the varying extent of NP deposition. Surface charge density and distribution both appeared to contribute to different NP deposition behaviors. These results suggest that nanometer to micrometer spatial characterization of biofilm surface properties, including chemical composition and charge, is necessary to improve our understanding of NP–biofilm interactions.
Integrity and Identity: Moral Identity Differences and Preferred Interpersonal Reactions:

Moral identity affects interpersonal relationships by guiding how people perceive and respond to feedback, evaluate others and select task partners and friends. Self–described principled participan...
Visual search and attention to faces during early infancy.

Newborn babies look preferentially at faces and face-like displays, yet over the course of their first year much changes about both the way infants process visual stimuli and how they allocate their attention to the social world. Despite this initial preference for faces in restricted contexts, the amount that infants look at faces increases considerably during the first year. Is this development related to changes in attentional orienting abilities? We explored this possibility by showing 3-, 6-, and 9-month-olds engaging animated and live-action videos of social stimuli and also measuring their visual search performance with both moving and static search displays. Replicating previous findings, looking at faces increased with age; in addition, the amount of looking at faces was strongly related to the youngest infants’ performance in visual search. These results suggest that infants’ attentional abilities may be an important factor in facilitating their social attention early in development.
Adaptive test elimination for analog/RF circuits

In this paper, we propose an adaptive test strategy that tailors the test sequence with respect to the properties of each individual instance of a circuit. Reducing the test set by analyzing the dropout patterns during characterization and eliminating the unnecessary tests has always been the approach for high volume production in the analog domain. However, once determined, the test set remains typically fixed for all devices. We propose to exploit the statistical diversity of the manufactured devices and adaptively eliminate tests that are determined to be unnecessary based on information obtained on the circuit under test. We compare our results with other similar specification-based test reduction techniques for an LNA circuit and observe 90% test quality improvement for the same test time or 24% test time reduction for the same test quality.
Raising Teenagers in Hostile Environments How Race, Class, and Gender Matter for Mothers’ Protective Carework

In contemporary discourse, children are imagined with “surplus risk,” and parents often feel pressure to protect their children from danger. Drawing on interviews with 40 Latina, White, and Black mothers of teenagers, the authors examine the factors that shape these mothers’ concerns for their teens’ safety, how they articulate these concerns, and the strategies they employ to try to keep teens safe: individual responsibility, monitoring, and organized activities. Drawing on insights from Black feminism and critical race theory, the authors demonstrate how the intersections of race, class, and gender shape mothers’ perceptions of the dangers their children face and their efforts to help their children navigate these “hostile environments.” Findings reveal intersecting axes of inequality in mothers’ protective carework as well as how inequalities are resisted, but may also be reproduced, through mothers’ understandings and strategies. The benefits and challenges of an intersectional analysis are discussed ...
Optimizing cardiology capacity to reduce emergency department boarding: a systems engineering approach.

Background Patient safety and emergency department (ED) functionality are compromised when inefficient coordination between hospital departments impedes ED patients' access to inpatient cardiac care. The objective of this study was to determine how bed demand from competing cardiology admission sources affects ED patients' access to inpatient cardiac care. Methods A stochastic discrete event simulation of hospital patient flow predicted ED patient boarding time, defined as the time interval between cardiology admission request to inpatient bed placement, as the primary outcome measure. The simulation was built and tested from 1 year of patient flow data and was used to examine prospective strategies to reduce cardiology patient boarding time. Results Boarding time for the 1,591 ED patients who were admitted to the cardiac telemetry unit averaged 5.3 hours (median 3.1, interquartile range 1.5-6.9). Demographic and clinical patient characteristics were not significant predictors of boarding time. Measurements of bed demand from competing admission sources significantly predicted boarding time, with catheterization laboratory demand levels being the most influential. Hospital policy required that a telemetry bed be held for each electively scheduled catheterization patient, yet the analysis revealed that 70.4% (95% CI 51.2-92.5) of these patients did not transfer to a telemetry bed and were discharged home each day. Results of simulation-based analyses showed that moving one afternoon scheduled elective catheterization case to before noon resulted in a 20-minute reduction in average boarding time compared to a 9-minute reduction achieved by increasing capacity by one additional telemetry bed. Conclusions Scheduling and bed management practices based on measured patient transfer patterns can reduce inpatient bed blocking, optimize hospital capacity, and improve ED patient access.
Technical Determinants of Success in Catheter-directed Thrombolysis for Peripheral Arterial Occlusions

Local intraarterial thrombolytic therapy restores blood flow to the ischemic limb by dissolving the occlusive thrombus and identifies culprit lesions for treatment by means of surgical and/or percutaneous procedures. The techniques used for administration of the thrombolytic agent, the drug used, and the criteria for termination of the therapy are all factors that can influence both technical success and speed of lysis. This article discusses these factors and their influence on thrombolytic success.
Changes in Understandings of Three Teachers' Beliefs and Practice Across Time: Moving From Teacher Preparation to In-Service Teaching

Beliefs often guide a teacher's decision-making, thinking, and practice in the classroom (Vartuli, 2005). There is limited longitudinal research on how early childhood preservice teachers develop new knowledge about their beliefs as they transition into in-service teaching positions (Joram & Gabriele, 1998). Across 4 years that encompassed a series of three studies, this article chronicles three teachers' understandings of how their beliefs and practices were interrelated and informed by one another. Preservice teachers were interviewed and completed written reflections as they moved from under the umbrella of an undergraduate early childhood teacher preparation program into classrooms as in-service teachers. Findings reveal (a) how the preservice teachers' beliefs were initially unstable and nascent during Study One, (b) how a transactional nature between beliefs and practice began to emerge during Study Two, and (c) how, during Study Three, this relational exchange contributed to an increase in delibera...
A family history and direct interview study of the familial aggregation of substance abuse: the adolescent substance abuse study

The adolescent substance abuse (ASA) study collected information concerning drug use and psychopathology on male adolescent probands in treatment for substance abuse and also on matched control adolescents, as well as all available family members of both groups. Information was obtained through direct interview and the family history method of assessment. Both methods revealed greater alcohol and drug use, conduct disorder (CD) and antisocial personality disorder (ASP) in the relatives of treatment probands as compared with control relatives. These results suggest familial transmission, not only for alcohol abuse, but also for non-alcohol substance abuse. Familial transmission for CD and ASP is also evident for both male and female relatives, although the prevalence of these disorders is significantly greater in males than females.
Stochastic Simulation of Wood Load-Sharing Systems

A generalized procedure was developed to predict the effect of material variability on the variability of system performance when the material properties of the system component members are correlated. This procedure utilized Monte Carlo simulations to predict the load-carrying capacity (strength behavior) of parallel-member wood load-sharing systems from a linear-elastic mathematical model also developed in this study. The simulated strength behavior obtained using this procedure was compared to the strength behavior of actual wood load-sharing systems tested to failure. This simulation technique was shown to be an extremely good predictor of system variability. Although this procedure was developed for specific application to the prediction of wood-joist floor behavior, it can easily be applied to any area of structures research in which the members exhibit correlated properties.
Mitomycin C reduces abundance of replication forks but not rates of fork progression in primary and transformed human cells

DNA crosslinks can block replication in vitro and slow down S phase progression in vivo. We characterized the effect of mitomycin C crosslinker on S phase globally and on individual replication forks in wild type and FANCD2-deficient human cells. FANCD2 is critical to crosslink repair, and is also implicated in facilitating DNA replication. We used DNA fiber analysis to demonstrate persistent reduction in abundance but not progression rate of replication forks during an S phase of MMC-treated cells. FANCD2 deficiency did not eliminate this phenotype. Immunoprecipitation of EdUlabeled DNA indicated that replication was not suppressed in the domains that were undergoing response to MMC as marked by the presence of γH2AX, and in fact γH2AX was overrepresented on DNA that had replicated immediately after MMC in wild type through less so in FANCD2-depleted cells. FANCD2-depleted cells also produced fewer tracks of uninterrupted replication of up to 240Kb long, regardless of MMC treatment. Overall, the data suggest that crosslinks may not pose a block to S phase as a whole, but instead profoundly change its progress by reducing density of replication forks and causing at least a fraction of forks to operate within a DNA damage responsealtered chromatin.
Ec(h)opoetics in Mallarmé’s Translations of ‘The Raven’

Though Mallarme’s 1860 and 1875 translations of ‘The Raven’ have often been dismissed as simple prose summaries of the poem, this article argues that the second translation, with its renunciation of the ideal of aesthetic resemblance to the original, provides a distinct reading of Poe’s poem in which syntactic ambiguities are foregrounded at the expense of correspondences between sounds and meaning. In its attempt to inscribe echoes of the original work into the translating language, Mallarme’s second translation elaborates the poetic aspects of ‘The Raven’ that most radically question the Cartesian divide between man and animal, human response and animal reaction.
South Texas Law Review at 50: Looking Back and Looking Ahead

To mark South Texas Law Review's 50th anniversary, this essay celebrates the law review's past and looks ahead to how the law review, and law reviews generally, might survive and flourish in the emergent online world.
Piezoresistance in p-Type Mg 2 Sn

Measurements of piezoresistance in $p$-type magnesium stannide with a hole concentration of \ensuremath{\sim}1.0\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}${10}^{16}$ ${\mathrm{cm}}^{\ensuremath{-}3}$ have been made in the temperature range 80-300\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}K. The valence-band structure appears to be similar to that of germanium. Data in the intrinsic region, where the conduction is electron-dominated, confirm the presence of a many-valley-type conduction-band structure with minima along the $〈100〉$ axes.
Abundance of Parasitoids of Archips argyrospila (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) in Louisiana

The fruittree leafroller, Archips argyrospila (Walker), was first observed feeding on baldcypress, Taxodium distichum (L. ) Richard, in 1983 in southern Louisiana. Since then, a prolonged epidemic has persisted in semi- and permanently flooded forested wetlands encompassing 100,000 ha. Species and abundance of parasitoids associated with fruittree leafroller on baldcypress were determined at 2 sites in Louisiana during 1994 and 1995, Six species of primary parasitoids were reared from the larvae and pupae of fruittree leafroller, Mortality by all parasitoid species for the combined larval and pupal stages in the 2 seasons was 22.8 and 13.6% at Bayou Pigeon and Norco, respectively, Itoplectis conquisitor (Say) (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae) was the most abundant parasitoid and Brachymeria ovata (Say) (Hymenoptera: Chalcidae) ranked second. The rate of parasitism by 1. conquisitor for both years averaged 13.8% at Bayou Pigeon and 8.4% at Norco. The eulophid Dimmockia incongrua (Ashmead) (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae) a hyperparasitoid of I. conquisitor. No parasitoids were reared from or found in dissections of egg masses collected in the 2-yr study. Thus, it appears that the absence of egg parasitism and the low levels of larval parasites are responsible in part for allowing populations of the fruittree leafroller to continue at epidemic levels in wetlands in Louisiana.
Media Memes and Prosumerist Ethics Notes Toward a Theoretical Examination of Memetic Audience Behavior

This article argues that media memes have arisen as a unique media phenomenon in the context of our globally networked condition, which manifests in the physical world as hugely disproportional effects. Thus, memes invoke unique ethical implications, perpetuating issues such as hipster racism and slactivism. The author works forward from Godwin’s statement that we have an “obligation to improve our informational environment” (Godwin, 1994). Deconstructing several examples of memetic disproportional effect, the article argues that Godwin’s “counter-meme” solution alone is not enough to correct damage done by harmful memes. Examining memes through several traditional communication theory lenses, the author concludes by suggesting several principles that could ethically improve online behavior and address the unique ways memes perpetuate social ills.
Medical follow-up of Persian Gulf War Veterans with severe medically unexplained fatigue: A preliminary study

An important question for researchers interested in long-term consequences of military service is the health outcome of symptomatic Persian Gulf War Veterans. From an original group of 76 Gulf War Veterans who received the diagnosis of severe fatiguing illness, we attempted to get 58 veterans to return to our center for a second evaluation. Thirteen returned. Two had recovered by the time of revisit, but the rest remained ill; however, only one was so ill as to be unable to work. The data suggest that the medical consequences of serving in the Persian Gulf are not transient. The difficulty in getting veterans to return to our center suggests potential problems in the proposed nation-wide longitudinal health outcome study of Persian Gulf War Veterans.
Short-Range Structure and Dynamics of Metal Films

The surface energies, correlations, and collective excitations of metal films and interfaces are calculated using an optimized variational theory that self-consistently accounts for both short-range and long-range correlations. Application of the recent Shore-Rose [Phys. Rev. Lett. 66, 2619 (1991)] modification of the jellium model for metal surfaces yields excellent agreement between calculated and experimental surface energies of simple metals.
Radiological NESHAP Annual Report CY 2015 Sandia National Laboratories New Mexico

This report provides a summary of the radionuclide releases from the United States (U.S.) Department of Energy (DOE) National Nuclear Security Administration facilities at Sandia National Laboratories, New Mexico (SNL/NM) during Calendar Year (CY) 2015, including the data, calculations, and supporting documentation for demonstrating compliance with 40 Code of Federal Regulation (CFR) 61.
Type of Resection (Whipple vs. Distal) Does Not Affect the National Failure to Provide Post-resection Adjuvant Chemotherapy in Localized Pancreatic Cancer.

Adjuvant chemotherapy improves survival after curative intent resection for localized pancreatic adenocarcinoma (PDAC). Given the differences in perioperative morbidity, we hypothesized that patients undergoing distal partial pancreatectomy (DPP) would receive adjuvant therapy more often those undergoing pancreatoduodenectomy (PD). The National Cancer Data Base (2004–2012) identified patients with localized PDAC undergoing DPP and PD, excluding neoadjuvant cases, and factors associated with receipt of adjuvant therapy were identified. Overall survival (OS) was analyzed using multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression. Overall, 13,501 patients were included (DPP, n = 1933; PD, n = 11,568). Prognostic characteristics were similar, except DPP patients had fewer N1 lesions, less often positive margins, more minimally invasive resections, and shorter hospital stay. The proportion of patients not receiving adjuvant chemotherapy was equivalent (DPP 33.7%, PD 32.0%; p = 0.148). The type of procedure was not independently associated with adjuvant chemotherapy (hazard ratio 0.96, 95% confidence interval 0.90–1.02; p = 0.150), and patients receiving adjuvant chemotherapy had improved unadjusted and adjusted OS compared with surgery alone. The type of resection did not predict adjusted mortality (p = 0.870). Receipt of adjuvant chemotherapy did not vary by type of resection but improved survival independent of procedure performed. Factors other than type of resection appear to be driving the nationwide rates of post-resection adjuvant chemotherapy in localized PDAC.
Interstitial Inorganic Phosphate as a Tumor Microenvironment Marker for Tumor Progression

Noninvasive in vivo assessment of chemical tumor microenvironment (TME) parameters such as oxygen (pO2), extracellular acidosis (pHe), and concentration of interstitial inorganic phosphate (Pi) may provide unique insights into biological processes in solid tumors. In this work, we employ a recently developed multifunctional trityl paramagnetic probe and electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) technique for in vivo concurrent assessment of these TME parameters in various mouse models of cancer. While the data support the existence of hypoxic and acidic regions in TME, the most dramatic differences, about 2-fold higher concentrations in tumors vs. normal tissues, were observed for interstitial Pi - the only parameter that also allowed for discrimination between non-metastatic and highly metastatic tumors. Correlation analysis between [Pi], pO2, pHe and tumor volumes reveal an association of high [Pi] with changes in tumor metabolism and supports different mechanisms of protons and Pi accumulation in TME. Our data identifies interstitial inorganic phosphate as a new TME marker for tumor progression. Pi association with tumor metabolism, buffer-mediated proton transport, and a requirement of high phosphorus content for the rapid growth in the "growth rate hypothesis" may underline its potential role in tumorigenesis and tumor progression.
Patient Reflections on Decision Making for Laryngeal Cancer Treatment

Objective To describe the reflections of patients treated for laryngeal cancer with regard to treatment-related decision making. Study Design Cross-sectional survey-based pilot study. Setting Single-institution tertiary care cancer center. Subjects/Methods Adults with laryngeal carcinoma were eligible to participate (N = 57; 46% treated surgically, 54% nonsurgically). Validated surveys measuring decisional conflict and regret explored patients' reflections on their preferences and priorities regarding treatment-related decision making for laryngeal cancer and how patient-reported functional outcomes, professional referral patterns, and desired provider input influenced these reflections. Results When considering the level of involvement of surgeons, radiation oncologists, and medical oncologists in their care, patients were more likely to believe that the specialist whom they saw first was the most important factor in deciding how to treat their cancer (Fisher's exact, ~χ2 = 16.2, df = 6, P = .02). Patients who were treated for laryngeal cancer who reported worse voice-related quality of life recalled more decisional conflict ( P = .01) and experienced more decisional regret ( P < .001). Of the patients for whom speech was a top priority prior to treatment, better voice-related quality of life overall scores were correlated with less decision regret about treatment decisions ( P < .02). Of the patients for whom eating and drinking were top priorities prior to treatment, better MD Anderson Dysphagia Inventory global scores were correlated with less decision regret about treatment decisions ( P < .002). Conclusion Patient priorities and attitudes, coupled with functional outcomes and professional referral patterns, influence how patients reflect on their choices regarding management of laryngeal cancer. Better understanding of these variables may assist in ensuring that patients' voices are integrated into individualized laryngeal cancer treatment planning.
A Comprehensive Study of Chromosome 13 Abnormalities (Δ 13) in Multiple Myeloma Using High-Throughput, Array-Based Methods.

Abstract Chromosome 13 abnormalities (Δ13), monosomy or deletion, are seen in greater than 50% in patients with Multiple Myeloma (MM) and are associated with poor survival and reduced response to therapy. Δ13 is suggestive of a tumor suppressor model. In this study, we use a comprehensive, high-throughput approach involving array-based technologies to identify genes on chromosome 13 that are important in the pathogenesis and/or progression of MM. Array-based Comparative Genomic Hybridization (aCGH) is being conducted to identify a minimum region of 13q loss in a series of MM cell lines and patient samples. DNA is isolated, labeled and hybridized with a differentially labeled normal DNA reference to determine gene/genomic copy number changes. Arrays are analyzed to search for the minimum region of loss based upon single copy loss for a series of nearby mapping transcripts in each cell line. Data will be cross-referenced to determine the true minimum region of 13q loss in MM. Also, to discover genes harboring potential inactivating mutations, we are using inhibition of nonsense-mediated RNA decay (NMD) coupled with cDNA microarray. This modification of the Gene Identification by NMD Inhibition (GINI) method, first introduced by Noensie and Dietz (2001), is used to identify genes on chromosome 13 that may be inactivated due to premature truncating codons (PTCs). This method is based upon a cell's natural ability to survey for and degrade RNA species that contain PTCs by activation of the nonsense mediated RNA decay (NMD) pathway. Treating cells with the drug Emetine can inhibit NMD and increase the expression of genes likely harboring truncating mutations. Preliminary data have revealed several candidate genes, with increased ratios after Emetine treatment, which map to chromosome 13. Upon defining a minimum region of loss based upon aCGH data, we will prioritize genes from our NMD study for mutational analysis. It our hope to also perform an array-based CpG island screen to simultaneously analyze all CpG islands on chromosome 13 to detect genes possibly inactivated by hypermethylation. This comprehensive, organized approach incorporating high-throughput techniques for the detection of genomic loss, mutation, and methylation is the first of its kind to our knowledge and may maximize the potential for the identification of a 13q tumor suppressor in MM.
Facebook’s “Free Basics” and Implications for Development:IT Identity and Social Capital

Facebook’s Free Basics has been controversial among researchers in the fields of information and communication technologies for development (ICTD) and community informatics (CI). What is the nature of Free Basics’ potential contribution to individual and community development? We explore this question by analyzing different uses of Facebook—one of the forefront services provided through Free Basics—and their relation to information technology (IT) identity and social capital. We find that, while issues and concerns surrounding Free Basics exist—e.g. restrictions on participants’ choices in accessing and using information, possible privacy risks, and potential societal costs—there is room for positive aspects in broader use of Facebook, despite its potential pitfalls. We suggest ways to analyze both the contradictions and contributions of Free Basics to individual and community development, and examine implications for ICTD and sustainable development in general.
Metabolic Plasticity Regulates Head and Neck Squamous Cell Cancer Growth-State Specific Oxidative Stress Response

Surgical resection followed by post-operative radiation is used as a standard treatment approach for locally advanced head and neck squamous cell cancer (HNSCC) patients. Unfortunately, even with aggressive approaches roughly 40% of patients with locoregionally advanced disease will ultimately succumb. 18F- Fluorothymidine Positron Emission Tomography (FLT PET) is a non-invasive imaging method that can be used in vivo to assess tumor proliferative status. Results showed that FLT PET successfully images HNSCC subjects with high lesion-to-background contrast. Surprisingly, our results also showed that HNSCC subjects with low FLT uptake (indicative of low proliferative index; LPI) in the primary tumor at base line have significantly poorer outcome compared to subjects with high tumor FLT uptake (indicative of high proliferative index; HPI). This intriguing clinical observation suggests that HNSCC growth-state significantly impacts therapy outcome. Consistent with this hypothesis, results from in vitro HNSCC cell culture studies showed that LPI-HNSCC cultures ( 20% S-phase cells). Radioresistance of LPI-HNSCC cultures is associated with a higher basal manganese superoxide dismutase activity, increases in radiation induced forkhead box M1 expression, suppression of late accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), and absence of a radiation induced shift in cellular metabolism towards mitochondrial respiration. Interestingly, treatment with palmitate (substrate for the TCA cycle) increased oxygen consumption rate and ROS levels resulting in radiation sensitization of LPI-HNSCC cultures. These results support the hypothesis that metabolic plasticity regulates HNSCC growth-state specific radiation sensitivity.
SiRNA targeting hepatoma-derived growth factor (HDGF) inhibits growth of non-small cell lung cancer in xenograft models.

5135 We recently found that down-regulation of HDGF inhibits anchorage-independent growth and in vitro invasion in non-small cell lung cancer cells A549, H226, H358 and H1944. To determine the role of HDGF in in vivo tumor growth, we performed two types animal experiments using subcutaneous nude mouse models. First, A549 cells either transfected with siRNA-HDGF, scramble siRNA, or lipofectamine alone were inoculated subcutaneously into nude mice (5 mice each group). Tumor sizes were measured every 2 days. After 3 weeks, mice were sacrificed due to the large tumor burden in the control mice. We observed a significantly slower tumor growth in mice inoculated with siRNA-HDGF treated cells compared with mice inoculated with cells treated with scramble siRNA or lipofectamine alone (P = 0.03, P = 0.018, respectively). We then investigated whether siRNA-HDGF has a therapeutic potential for treating lung cancer. We inoculated A549 cells subcutaneously into nude mice and allowed tumors to form at about 100 mm3 in volume. Mice were randomized (5 mice each group) and were treated with either siRNA-HDGF (conjugated with polyethylenimine, PEI), scramble siRNA (with PEI), or PEI alone once every 3 days intra-peritonea (IP) for 5 times. A significant inhibition of tumor growth was observed between the siRNA-HDGF group and the PEI alone group (P = 0.033). No difference was found between the scramble siRNA group and the PEI alone group (P = 0.875). The animals treated with siRNAs did not show any sign of toxicity during the experimentation. Our data suggest that HDGF is important in lung cancer progression and may be a novel therapeutic target. (Supported by Department of Defense grants DAMD17-01-1-01689-1 and W81XWH-04-1-0142)
The ruler’s game of musical chairs: Shuffling during the reign of Ethiopia’s last emperor

Abstract Dictators frequently shuffle their officials to break up potentially threatening cliques within their regimes. Yet, how they go about rearranging their officials is not well understood. Using network analysis and focusing on the last emperor of Ethiopia, this paper offers a systematic analysis of shuffling by tracing the movements of subordinates over the course of thirty four years. The results show that while officials where frequently shuffled, their movements were confined within clusters of different branches. Such circumscribed movements, I argue, represent the mechanism by which dictators reconcile the tradeoff between suppressing potential rivals and encouraging expertise for the proper functioning of the state apparatus.
Activation of TRPV1 in nucleus tractus solitarius reduces brown adipose tissue thermogenesis, arterial pressure, and heart rate.

The sympathetic nerve activity (SNA) to brown adipose tissue (BAT) regulates BAT thermogenesis to defend body temperature in cold environments or to produce fever during immune responses. The vagus...
A interculturalidade como estratégiade aproximação entre pesquisadores brasileiros e hispano-americanos na perspectiva da descolonização

This text addresses the interculturality theme in the decoloniality perspective in Latin America. The subject is inserted in the contemporary tendency of investigations and reflections on an “other thought”, with pretension and distinct approach from what is defended by Eurocentric modernity. The objective is to better understand the causes of the difficulty of Brazil’s effective insertion in Latin America and to point out possible paths for the rapprochement of nations. Methodologically, this text results from an exploratory bibliographical study, with reflections based on the theoretical contributions of thinkers from the Modernity/Coloniality Group and alike. It is known that Brazil turns − politically, economically and culturally − to the North Atlantic, with its back to Hispanic America. Interculturality − intercultural education, in particular − is thought to be a possible driver for integration and may be the way to bring Brazilian and Hispanic- American researchers closer together in the decolonization perspective.
SCR turn-off transient

When a reverse bias is applied to the SCR anode in order to turn off the device, it is possible to distinguish four separate phases of the ensuing transient: two storage times and two fall times. The device recovers first at the n-emitter junction because there are only very few electrons injected from the wide n base into the narrow p base. The opposite is true for the n base, since the p base injects heavily into it and replenishes holes as fast as they are collected by the reverse-biased anode. The n-emitter junction breaks down as soon as the junction recovers its depletion region if the applied external potential is high enough. The first storage time and fall time are comparatively short. The second storage time is required to remove the excess charge from the long n base where the holes are continuously replenished by injection by the p base. Finally, all the charge disappears almost at the end of the second fall time.
Theory of Optical Dephasing in Condensed Phases

In the last decade, the field of nonlinear laser spectroscopy has yielded a vast amount of new information regarding molecular processes that lead into the destruction of the ensemble coherence. Recently, attention has been given to those processes that take place in large molecules [1,2]. The theory of optical dephasing for molecules undergoing radiationless relaxations, probed by coherent optical spectroscopy, will be presented here in detail. We will not discuss the experimentation used in our laboratory and in others, however. The reader is referred to reference [3] and to the paper of JONES-ZEWAIL-DIESTLER in this book [4].
Regional anaesthesia in the patient with pre-existing neurological dysfunction

Patients with pre-existing neurological disease present a unique challenge to the anaesthesiologist. The cause of postoperative neurological deficits is difficult to evaluate, because neural injury may occur as a result of surgical trauma, tourniquet pressure, prolonged labour, or improper patient positioning or anaesthetic technique. Progressive neurological diseases such as multiple sclerosis may coincidentally worsen perioperatively, independently of the anaesthetic method. The most conservative legal approach is to avoid regional anaesthesia in these patients. However, high-risk patients, including those with significant cardiopulmonary disease, may benefit medically from regional anaesthesia and analgesia. The decision to proceed with regional anaesthesia in these patients should be made on a case-by-case basis. Meticulous regional anaesthetic technique should be observed to minimise further neurological injury.
Asymptotic Properties of Penalized M Estimators with Time Series Observations

The method of penalization is a general smoothing principle to solve infinite-dimensional estimation problems. In this chapter, we study asymptotic properties of penalized M estimators with weakly dependent data. We first establish the convergence rate for any penalized M estimators of unknown functions with stationary beta mixing observations. While the existing theories on the convergence rates with i.i.d. data require that the random criteria have exponential thin tails, we allow for unbounded random criteria with finite polynomial moments. When specializing to regression and density estimation of time series models, our rates coincide with Stone (The Annals of Statistics, 10: 1040–1053, 1982) optimal rates for i.i.d. data. We then derive root-n asymptotic normality for any plug-in penalized M estimators of regular functionals, and provide consistent estimates of their long-run variances.
Family financial strain and family relationship perceptions: predictors of adolescent depressed mood

ix CHAPTER L INTRODUCTION 1 CHAPTER 2. REVIEW OF LITERATURE 7 Conceptualizing Adolescent Depression 8 Conceptualizing Paternal and Maternal Depression 10 Family Financial Strain, Spousal Depression and Marital Happiness 11 Direct Effects of Family Financial Strain on Nurturant Parenting 14 Family Financial Strain, Parental Depression, Parenting and Adolescent Adjustment 15 Family Financial Strain, Marital Happiness, Parenting and Adolescent Depression 18 Direct Effects of Nurturant Parenting on Adolescent Depression 20 Parent-Adolescent Dyads 22 Summary 24 Limitations of Previous Studies 25 Seven Hypothesized Models 30 CHAPTERS. METHODS 41
Personalized molecular modeling for pinpointing associations of protein dysfunction and variants associated with hereditary cancer syndromes.

BACKGROUND Although the process of reclassification of a variant of uncertain significance can be complex, they are commonly detected through molecular testing. It often takes years before enough clinical data are acquired, and it can be costly and time-consuming to perform functional analysis of a single variant. It is important that other tools are developed to aid in clarifying how a specific genetic variant impacts a protein's function, and ultimately the health of the patient. METHODS Two more newly characterized, suspected pathogenic variants in NBN and PTEN were analyzed through personalized protein modeling. Comparisons between the wild-type and altered protein were studied using simulations, genomic exome analysis, and clinic study. RESULTS Modeling of the new NBN and PTEN protein structures suggested loss of essential domains important for normal enzymatic function for these personalized genomic examples which matched the clinical findings. CONCLUSION The defects detected through modeling were consistent with the expected clinical effect. Personalized protein modeling is another tool for determination of correct variant classification, which can become further useful through construction of deposition archive.
Anaerobic digestion and biogas beneficial use at municipal wastewater treatment facilities in Colorado: A case study examining barriers to widespread implementation

Abstract In 2004 the state of Colorado became the first state in the U.S. to implement a renewable energy standard. Electrical utilities have met the state's energy goals using a combination of wind, hydroelectric, and solar power, while giving relatively little consideration to biogas generated from domestic wastewater treatment (i.e., biomass accounts for 7570 m3d-1 indicates that energy generated from the anaerobic digestion of wastewater sludge and combined heat and power technologies is limited in Colorado. At the time of this study, only 39% of examined facilities used anaerobic digestion and only 4 of 24 anaerobic digestion facilities actively employed combined heat and power. Barriers to widespread implementation of anaerobic digestion and combined heat and power were primarily associated with costs, e.g., infrastructure or equipment capital costs; however, other barriers were identified, including: effectiveness of available grant and loan programs, state-level regulations, electric utility rate structures, the influence of local decision-making authorities, and a reluctance by wastewater treatment facilities to change sludge digestion practices. To overcome these barriers, recommendations for the state of Colorado include: initiate a comprehensive program focused on promoting current incentives, review the efficacy of available incentive programs and make long-term modifications, enact regulatory updates, increase education and outreach, and establish a program to promote co-digestion of wastewater sludge with other organic waste streams. This state-level case study explores a large number of facilities at a granular level, the results of which may be relevant to other states or regions and can provide insight into barriers elsewhere.
Pharmacovigilance of Alternative Medications in the Cancer Setting

With the increase in utilization of alternative medications to manage cancer treatment-related side effects, pharmacovigilance of alternative drug therapies, specifically herbal supplements, has become of increasing importance in the oncologic setting. This chapter focuses on the pharmacovigilance of herbal supplements in the setting of cancer drug therapy and explores national and international drug policies that have been employed to mitigate adverse herbal supplement events (AHEs). This chapter examines common drug-herbal supplement interactions, discusses the mechanisms behind these interactions, and investigates several common pharmacovigilance reporting methods clinicians can use to report adverse events. This chapter will also describe policies and strategies that can be employed to monitor use of these alternative drug therapies, and examines global harmonization efforts to reduce AHEs in the cancer setting. The safety of herbal medicines has emerged as an international public health priority, and we explore how oncology providers may directly apply the knowledge garnered herein to help guide their clinical management of oncology patients utilizing alternative medications.
Use of microfluidics to sort stallion sperm for intracytoplasmic sperm injection

We determined if microfluidic sorting (MF) of frozen-thawed stallion sperm improves sperm population characteristics and results in embryo development after intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). The efficiency and efficacy of MF sperm separation was evaluated by comparing pre- and post-separation sperm population variables. Procedural comparisons were performed after sorting with MF, single-layer colloidal centrifugation (SLC) or swim-up (SU), and cleavage and embryo development were evaluated after ICSI using MF-sorted sperm. In Experiment 1, when compared to the original sperm sample, MF sorting resulted in a sperm subpopulation with greater motility, morphology, viability, and membrane as well as DNA integrity. After sorting by MF, SLC and SU in Experiment 2, motility, viability, and membrane integrity were similar for sperm sorted using MF and SLC; however, morphology and DNA integrity were greater in sperm sorted using MF when compared with SLC. Swim-up was the least effective sorting method. In Experiment 3, sperm were processed using MF and SLC prior to ICSI. Motility, morphology and DNA integrity were similar for sperm subpopulations sorted using either method; but viability was greater for sperm sorted using MF than SLC. Sorting did not improve sperm membrane integrity. Sorting with MF prior to ICSI resulted in similar cleavage and blastocyst development rates as SLC. We concluded that MF separation of stallion sperm resulted in a subpopulation with improved sperm population parameters, comparable or better than SLC and SU. Embryos were produced after ICSI using MF sperm sorting.
Invasive uncertainties: environmental change and the politics of limited science

Political actors often want to know as much as possible about the social effects of new and unforeseen environmental changes. The natural scientists who study environmental change, however, cannot ...