cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A joint Landsat- and MODIS-based reanalysis approach for midlatitude montane seasonal snow characterization

A new snow reanalysis method is presented that is designed to jointly assimilate Landsat- and MODIS-derived (MODSCAG) fractional snow covered area (fSCA) to characterize seasonal snow in remote regions like High Mountain Asia (HMA) where in situ data is severely lacking. The method leverages existing readily available global datasets for forcing a snow model and uses the fSCA retrievals along with the ensemble prior model estimates to derive posterior estimates using a Bayesian framework. The method addresses MODIS viewing-geometry effects on the fSCA retrievals by accounting for viewing angle dependent measurement errors and using a CDF-matching technique to improve the joint fSCA measurement consistency before assimilation. The method was verified through comparison with the Airborne Snow Observatory (ASO) snow water equivalent (SWE) estimates over the Tuolumne River watershed in California. The posterior SWE estimates were shown to be much more consistent with the independent ASO estimates across the three WYs examined. Tests over Tuolumne showed that in cases where sufficient Landsat observations are available (i.e. with multiple sensors and in areas of overlapping Landsat tiles), assimilation of only Landsat data may be optimal, which is attributable primarily to the higher spatial resolution of the raw Landsat data, but that in cases with fewer Landsat measurements (i.e. with single Landsat tiles and/or significant reduction due to clouds), the additional screened and CDF-matched MODIS-based measurements can have a positive (albeit marginal) impact. Illustrative results are presented for nine HMA test tiles to illustrate how the method can provide posterior estimates of the space-time climatology of SWE storage in areas where in situ data does not generally exist. Ongoing work is being conducted to use the method outlined herein to generate an HMA-wide reanalysis dataset that will provide an opportunity for a more thorough characterization of HMA seasonal snow storage and dynamics over the joint Landsat-MODIS era. The method is generalizable to any midlatitude montane region where seasonal snow is important.
Mutational profile of endometrial hyperplasia and risk of progression to endometrioid adenocarcinoma.

Background Endometrial hyperplasia is a precursor to endometrioid adenocarcinoma (EMC), the most common uterine cancer. The likelihood of progression to carcinoma may be evaluated by histologic subclassification of endometrial hyperplasia, although these subclasses are subjective and only modestly reproducible among pathologists. Patient care would be improved by a more objective test to predict the risk of cancer progression. Methods Next-generation sequencing was performed on archived endometrial biopsy specimens from a retrospective cohort of women with endometrial hyperplasia. Cases were considered to be either progressing if the patient subsequently developed EMC or resolving if the patient had a subsequent negative tissue sampling or no cancer during medium-term follow-up (32 patients: 15 progressing and 17 resolving). Somatic mutations in endometrial hyperplasia were assessed for enrichment in progressing cases versus resolving cases, with an emphasis on genes commonly mutated in EMC. Results Several mutations were more common in progressing hyperplasia than resolving hyperplasia, although significant overlap was observed between progressing and resolving cases. Mutations included those in PTEN, PIK3CA, and FGFR2, genes commonly mutated in EMC. Mutations in ARID1A and MYC were seen only in progressing hyperplasia, although these were uncommon; this limited diagnostic sensitivity. Progressing hyperplasia demonstrated an accumulation of mutations in oncogenic signaling pathways similarly to endometrial carcinoma. Conclusions Because of mutational differences between progressing and nonprogressing hyperplasia, mutational analysis may predict the risk of progression from endometrial hyperplasia to EMC.
Origin and evolution of the symbiosis between sea anemones (Cnidaria, Anthozoa, Actiniaria) and hermit crabs, with additional notes on anemone-gastropod associations

The anemone-crab mutualism is ubiquitous in temperate and tropical marine environments. In this symbiosis, one or more anemones live on a shell inhabited by a hermit crab and reciprocal phoretic, trophic, and defensive benefits are exchanged between the partners. Sea anemone-hermit crab symbionts belong to three families: Hormathiidae (Calliactis and Paracalliactis), Sagartiidae (Carcinactis and Verrillactis), and Actiniidae (Stylobates). Hermit crabs establish most partnerships by detaching anemones and placing them on their shell; sea anemones can also mount shells unaided, triggered by a mollusc-derived substance in the periostracum of the shell. At least partial cooperation by the anemones is necessary for successful establishment of the symbiosis. Here, we expand the evolutionary framework for hormathiid symbionts by generating a phylogeny with at least one member of each actiniarian symbiotic genus with hermit crabs using five molecular markers (16S, 12S, 18S, 28S, CO3). We not only corroborated the results from a previous study by finding two origins of hermit crab symbiosis within Hormathiidae, but also found additional origins for hermit crab symbiosis within Actiniaria. We provide for the first time evidence of a close relationship between symbionts Carcinactis dolosa and V. paguri. The ability to secrete chitin by the ectoderm of the column is inferred to be broadly convergent within Actiniaria whereas the secretion of a chitinous carcinoecium by the pedal disc is a distinct but convergent morphological adaptation of several lineages within Actiniaria. Our finding of multiple origins for both the hermit crab and gastropod symbioses suggests that the shell-mounting behavior might only have been the precursor of the hermit crab association among Calliactis spp.
The Driven Pendulum at Arbitrary Drive Angle

We discuss the equation of motion of the driven pendulum and generalize it to arbitrary driving angle. The pendulum will oscillate about a stable angle other than straight down if the drive amplitude and frequency are large enough for a given drive angle. The emphasis is on the parameters associated with a simply made demonstration apparatus.
How to Determine the Probability of Discovery in Research Fields

The goal of this paper is to determine the probability of discovery to explain the processes of discovery in different research fields over time and space. This study applies a probabilistic model of Poisson to assess the probability of discoveries in the research fields of medicine and physics. Results suggest that in 10 years the probability that at least one discovery occurs is higher in physics (11.10%) than medicine (6.53%). Nevertheless, if the patents are used to measure the inventions and discoveries, results reveal that the probability of patented inventions is higher in the research fields of medicine than physics. The latter result may be due to more opportunistic scholars and stakeholders in the research field of medicine, rather than in physics, to develop new ideas and inventions for commercial needs. Overall, then, discoveries are due to manifold factors, such as mental ability, existing status of culture, institution and research funding. This study clarifies, as far as possible, some characteristics of the emergence of discoveries and inventions for scientific and technological progress in society.
Atomic Vapor Actuators

This paper presents the reversible actuation of alkali vapor pressure using devices based on the solid electrolyte beta”-alumina. We demonstrate electrical actuation that gives a dynamic range of 20X in the alkali vapor density in 1 s, which is a IOX improvement over prior work. This is achieved through a combination of low alkali adsorption energy cell-wall coatings, finer sub-micron pitch electrodes, and elevated device operation temperature. This is an enabling component technology for compact atomic clocks and sensors.
COVID-Related Labor Arbitration Awards in the United States and Canada: A Survey and Comparative Analysis (preprint)

The COVID-19 pandemic of 2020-21 has changed working conditions for millions of Americans and Canadians quickly and dramatically. Employers responded by requiring employees to quarantine, implementing workplace COVID policies, disciplining employees who violated those policies, changing work schedules, cancelling leaves or vacations, and furloughing or laying off employees. Unions have challenged many of these actions, raising a variety of novel issues that are now being resolved through labor arbitration. This article surveys those labor arbitration awards and then comparatively analyzes the awards from Canada and the United States.
Pharmacological potentials and Nutritional values of Tropical and Sub-tropical Fruits of India: Emphasis on their anticancer bioactive components.

BACKGROUND Fruits are an important dietary component, which supply vitamins, minerals, as well as dietary fiber. In addition, they are rich sources of various biological and pharmacologically active compounds. Among these, temperate fruits are well studied for their pharmacological potentials, whereas tropical/subtropical fruits are less explored for their health impacts. In India, most of the consumed fruits are either tropical or subtropical. OBJECTIVES The present review aims to provide a health impact of major tropical and sub-tropical fruits of India, emphasizing their anticancer efficacy. In addition, the identified bioactive components from these fruits exhibiting anticancer efficacy are also discussed along with the patent literature published. METHODS The literature was collected from various repositories, including NCBI, ScienceDirect, Eurekaselect, and Web of Science; literature from predatory journals was omitted during the process. Patent literature was collected from google patents and similar patent databases. RESULTS Tropical fruits are rich sources of various nutrients and bioactive components including polyphenols, flavonoids, anthocyanin, etc. By virtue of these biomolecules, tropical fruits have been shown to interfere with various steps in carcinogenesis, metastasis, and drug resistance. Their mode of action is either by activation of apoptosis, regulation of cell cycle, inhibition of cell survival and proliferation pathways, increased lipid trafficking or inhibiting inflammatory pathways. Several molecules and combinations have been patented for their anticancer and chemoprotective properties. CONCLUSION Overall, the present concludes that Indian tropical/ subtropical fruits are nutritionally and pharmacologically active and may serve as a source of novel anticancer agents in the future.
Treating children with affect dysregulation. Discussion of Dr. Wendy Olesker's analysis of Matt.

(2012). Treating Children with Affect Dysregulation. The Psychoanalytic Study of the Child: Vol. 66, No. 1, pp. 109-121.
Playing nature's game with artificial muscles

Artificial muscles able to match or exceed the remarkable performance of natural muscles are needed for artificial and damaged hearts, artificial limbs, humanoid robots, and bird- or insect-like air vehicles that fly by flapping wings. In his Perspective, [Baughman][1] compares the performance of present high-stroke artificial muscles with that of natural muscles and proposes new strategies for improving the artificial muscles. One promising approach is to make an artificial muscle that directly converts the chemical energy in a fuel to mechanical energy. [1]: http://www.sciencemag.org/cgi/content/full/308/5718/63
The travels of mRNAs through all cells large and small

The determination of asymmetry is one of the most important events in cell differentiation and development. Cellular asymmetry in many cases is essential for normal cellular function, as in the polarity of neurons that transmit electrical and chemical signals or the polarity of morphogenetic gradients in oocytes required for patterning in the embryo. The asymmetric localization of specific proteins is a distinct feature of morphological asymmetry. An important mechanism to achieve nonuniform protein distributions is to synthesize specific proteins at or near their sites of function. Observations that RNAs can be localized to distinct regions within cells provided a direct link between gene expression and cellular asymmetry (reviewed in ref 1). The mechanisms involved in mRNA localization have been studied over the last decade and have demonstrated that many localized mRNAs contain noncoding ‘cisacting elements’ or ‘zip codes’ in the 39 UTR that confer localization of the mRNA (2). Many of these noncoding sequences have been shown to be necessary and sufficient for mRNA localization, appear to be unique in each mRNA, and are often present as multipartite elements that vary in length. Proteins that bind the cis-acting elements have been identified which may be involved in distinct aspects of the mRNA localization pathway (2–4). It has been proposed that these proteins act as trans-acting factors and are involved in mRNA transport, anchoring, localized translation, and stability. This review will highlight recent advances in understanding these mechanisms, with an emphasis on somatic cells and conserved features with oocytes.
Security and Business Risks from Early Design of Web-Based Systems

This paper presents a systematic approach for the automated assessment of security and business risks of web-based systems at the early design stage. The approach combines risk concepts in reliability engineering with heuristics using characteristics of software and hardware deployment design to estimate security and business risks of the system to be developed. It provides a mechanism that can help locate high-risk software components. We discuss limitations of the approach and give an illustration in an industrial engineering and business-to-business domain using a case study of a web-based material requirements planning system for a manufacturing enterprise.
Combined Effects of Masculine Gender‐Role Stress and Sexual Prejudice on Anger and Aggression Toward Gay Men

This study was designed to examine the extent to which masculine gender-role stress, sexual prejudice, and antigay anger collectively facilitate antigay aggression. Participants were 135 heterosexual men who completed a structured interview assessing masculine gender-role stress, sexual prejudice, anger in response to a vignette depicting a non-erotic male–male intimate relationship (i.e., partners holding hands, kissing), and past perpetration of antigay aggression. The results indicate that the association between masculine gender-role stress and antigay aggression is partially mediated by antigay anger among sexually prejudiced men. These findings contribute to theoretical understanding of antigay aggression. Implications for future research and intervention are discussed.
Human immunoglobulin G antibody response to iron-repressible and other membrane proteins of Porphyromonas (Bacteroides) gingivalis.

Abstract The human immunoglobulin G (IgG) immune response against Porphyromonas (Bacteroides) gingivalis A7A1-28 iron-repressible membrane proteins (IRMPs) and other membrane proteins was examined by immunoblot analysis. Thirty sera from patients with adult periodontitis and 30 sera from periodontally healthy subjects were included. Iron limitation of P. gingivalis was achieved by growing bacteria in brain heart infusion broth supplemented with protoporphyrin IX and 250 microM alpha, alpha'-dypyridyl, a ferrous iron chelator. Iron-sufficient growth was achieved by growing bacteria in the same medium without alpha, alpha'-dypyridyl. Human sera, in particular those from patients with periodontitis who exhibited high levels of IgG against whole cells of P. gingivalis A7A1-28 in serum in an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), commonly reacted with five membrane proteins with apparent molecular masses of 80, 67.5, 51, 40.5, and 28 kDa and four IRMPs of 46, 43, 37.5, and 22 kDa. More than 80% of the sera from patients with periodontitis and high levels of IgG against strain A7A1-28 in serum by ELISA reacted with the 46-, 43-, and 37.5-kDa IRMPs, and 40% of these subjects expressed immunoreactivity against the 22-kDa IRMP. Sera from patients with periodontitis and low levels of IgG against strain A7A1-28 in serum by ELISA and sera from periodontally healthy subjects exhibited less immunoreactivity against IRMPs and the five membrane proteins of P. gingivalis. The present study indicates that P. gingivalis IRMPs are immunogenic and that these proteins are expressed in vivo.
Lupus-related myelitis: serial MR findings.

PURPOSE To correlate the MR findings in transverse myelitis secondary to systemic lupus erythematosus with clinical findings during disease exacerbation and remission. METHODS Four patients (ages 33 to 47 years) with episodes of transverse myelitis secondary to systemic lupus erythematosus were identified. Three patients had recurrent transverse myelitis episodes (one patient with two recurrences), for a total of eight episodes. MR examinations (six after contrast administration) were performed during each transverse myelitis episode, as well as during four periods of remission (in three patients) after therapy with steroids and/or immunosuppressive agents. MR examinations were reviewed for the presence of spinal cord enlargement, intramedullary signal abnormality, and contrast enhancement. RESULTS Prolongation of T1 or T2 signal (or both) was seen in eight episodes (100%). Spinal cord enlargement was seen in six (75%) of eight transverse myelitis episodes, although it was mild during two episodes. Contrast enhancement was seen in three of six transverse myelitis episodes (dense, inhomogeneous enhancement during two episodes in one patient, and a small focus of enhancement in one patient). During periods of remission, spinal cord diameter returned to normal, and no contrast enhancement was seen, although abnormal signal was present in three examinations performed within 2 months of a transverse myelitis episode. CONCLUSION Spinal cord widening and signal abnormalities are common MR findings during episodes of transverse myelitis related to systemic lupus erythematosus, and contrast enhancement is less frequently seen. Improvement or resolution of these findings correlates with clinical improvement.
Tracheobronchial injury in the setting of an esophagectomy for cancer: postoperative discovery a bad omen.

Background A tracheobronchial injury is an uncommon complication of an esophagectomy. Differences in outcomes may exist for patients with injuries detected intraoperatively and postoperatively. Methods A retrospective review was performed for patients who underwent an esophagectomy for cancer at Jackson Memorial Hospital/University of Miami from January 2000 to June 2012. Results An injury to the tracheobronchial tree occurred in 7 of 425 patients (1.6%). The majority of the operations were performed via a transhiatal approach (87.8%). Patients with airway injuries were older (median 73 vs. 63), more likely to have squamous cell carcinoma (85.7% vs. 17.9%), and with proximal tumors (85.7% vs. 14.1%). When given, the type of neoadjuvant treatment consisted of chemoradiotherapy in all patients who suffered an injury, whereas it was only administered to 21.3% of patients without an injury. There were no deaths among three patients in whom the injury was identified intraoperatively. Mortality occurred in three of four patients (75.0%) with an injury detected postoperatively. Conclusions Patients with proximal tumors and radiation administration as a component of neoadjuvant treatment are more likely to suffer a tracheobronchial injury. An aggressive reoperative approach is warranted in patients with injuries that are discovered postoperatively. J. Surg. Oncol. 2014 109:804–807. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Identification of the amino acid-AZT-phosphoramidase by affinity T7 phage display selection

A CEM cell cDNA T7 phage display library was prepared and used to screen for activating enzymes of phosphoramidate prodrugs of AZT monophosphate. Although, inefficient compared to ribonucleotide based phosphoramidates, hHint 1 was identified as the likely intracellular pronucleotide activating enzyme.
How Nature Morphs Peptide Scaffolds into Antibiotics

The conventional notion that peptides are poor candidates for orally available drugs because of protease-sensitive peptide bonds, intrinsic hydrophilicity, and ionic charges contrasts with the diversity of antibiotic natural products with peptide-based frameworks that are synthesized and utilized by Nature. Several of these antibiotics, including penicillin and vancomycin, are employed to treat bacterial infections in humans and have been best-selling therapeutics for decades. Others might provide new platforms for the design of novel therapeutics to combat emerging antibiotic-resistant bacterial pathogens.
Interfacial area of bubbly flow in a relatively large diameter pipe

This paper presents the local measurement results of interfacial parameters in a vertical air–water upward two-phase bubbly flow. The measured parameters are local time-averaged void fraction, interfacial area concentration, bubble Sauter mean diameter, and interfacial velocity. The measurements are performed in a 101.6-mm inner diameter pipe by four-sensor conductivity probes. These data are further used to evaluate the one-dimensional, steady state, one-group interfacial area transport equation (IATE), which can serve as one of the constitutive relations for the two-fluid model. The agreement between the predictions from the transport equation and the experimental measurements is reasonably good. The resulting deviation is carefully examined. As a conclusion, the two-group IATE is recommended for general gas–liquid two-phase flow in various flow regimes.
Structural Relationships of San Andreas Fault System, Cholame Valley and Castle Mountain Range, California

The structural features of the Castle Mountain Range spur of the Diablo Range and of the adjacent Cholame Valley segment of the San Andreas fault zone in the Southern Coast Ranges provide evidence of long-continued strike-slip movement within the fault zone and along nearby sub-parallel faults, and of close genetic relationships between the fault and the structures of the range. Four adjoining subparallel structural domains with common northwesterly trend can be recognized on the basis of geomorphology and style of deformation: (1) the San Andreas rift belt of fault scarps and related primary features along straight active fault traces and slightly bent dormant fault traces; (2) the San Andreas fault zone of intricately sliced bedrock including exotic fault slivers and strongly flexed fault surfaces with varying dips; (3) a domain of superimposed folds and faults of different ages showing evidence of strike-slip offset roughly proportional to their ages; and (4) a domain of open folds beside the Great Valley. The cores of major anticlines in the range expose a tectonic megabreccia of Franciscan rock that is structurally overlain along a folded thrust by an orderly Late Mesozoic sequence at least 10,000 feet thick. Resting unconformably on the pre-Tertiary rocks is a varied marine Tertiary succession more than 5000 feet thick. The youngest strata are early and late orogenic Pliocene-Pleistocene continental deposits about 2500 feet thick. Several unconformities that merge eastward into conformable successions record recurrent Cenozoic deformation whose intensity was greatest near the San Andreas fault. The folds and faults mapped at the surface are attributed to raft tectonics whereby a passive surficial plate is deformed as it rides coupled to a moving undermass. The hypothetical deep movement plan suggested is a pattern of velocity gradient flow longitudinal to the San Andreas fault with the gradient greatest near the fault and with coordinated transverse constriction at depth.
The European debt crisis and the US economy

The European debt crisis has been a growing concern for many countries since 2010. European leaders and institutions have formulated unprecedented packages of emergency funding to deteriorate the rising financial market tensions that stemmed from the fiscal solvency of Greece and other Eurozone nations. As a result, many economists are uncertain about the future of the Eurozone and the contagion effect it could have on many developed and developing economies. Being strongly correlated with Europe, the USA is one of the vulnerable economies that could be affected by the overbearing financial problems. Having just left an economic recession, the US economy must be aware of the issues and concerns overseas and understand that a strengthening crisis could ultimately have an adverse effect on the economy, ultimately pushing the US back into an economic recession.
Effects of once-a-day feeding of milk replacer on body weight gain of dairy calves.

Abstract Fifty-one Holstein and Ayrshire calves were used to determine the effects of once-a-day feeding of milk replacer on gain in dairy calves. All calves received colostrum twice daily for the first three days of their life. At three days of age, calves were assigned to once-a-day or twice-a-day feeding of milk replacer, mixed one part replacer to four parts water for once-a-day calves and one part replacer to nine parts water for twice-a-day calves. Ayrshire calves were fed milk replacer at the rate of 364 g dry milk replacer per day from 4 to 14 days of age and 454 g per day from 15 days to weaning; Holstein calves were fed at the rate of 454 g per day from 4 to 14 days and 544 g per day thereafter. Female calves were weaned at 42 days of age and male calves at 84 days of age. Water, concentrate mixture, and hay were offered free choice at all times. No significant difference was detected in growth rate or health problems between the two feeding regimes.
Impact of a decision aid on surrogate decision-makers' perceptions of feeding options for patients with dementia.

Abstract Objectives In advanced dementia, feeding problems are nearly universal, and families face difficult decisions about feeding options. Initial interviews for a randomized trial were used to describe surrogates’ perceptions of feeding options, and to determine whether a decision aid on feeding options in advanced dementia would improve knowledge, reduce expectation of benefit from tube feeding, and reduce conflict over treatment choices for persons with advanced dementia. Design Semistructured interview with prestudy and poststudy design for surrogates in the intervention group. Setting Twenty-four skilled nursing facilities across North Carolina participating in a cluster randomized trial. Participants Two hundred and fifty-five surrogate decision makers for nursing home residents with advanced dementia and feeding problems, in control (n = 129) and intervention (n = 126) groups. Intervention For intervention surrogates only, an audiovisual-print decision aid provided information on dementia, feeding problems in dementia, advantages and disadvantages of feeding tubes or assisted oral feeding options, and the role of surrogates in making these decisions. Measurements The interview included open-ended items asking surrogates to report advantages and disadvantages of tube feeding and assisted oral feeding. Knowledge of feeding options was measured with 19 true/false items and items measuring expectation of benefit from tube feeding. Surrogates reported which of these two feeding options they preferred for the person with dementia, and how confident they were in this choice; their level of conflict about the choice was measured using the decisional conflict scale. Results Before the decision aid, surrogates described advantages and disadvantages of assisted oral feeding and tube feeding in practical, ethical, and medical terms. After review of the decision aid, intervention surrogates had improved knowledge scores (15.5 vs 16.8; P Conclusions A structured decision aid can be used to improve decision making about feeding options in dementia care.
Follicular Variant of Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma: Accuracy of FNA Diagnosis and Implications for Patient Management

Follicular variant of papillary thyroid carcinoma (FVPTC) creates a continuous diagnostic dilemma among pathologists because of the paucity of nuclear changes of papillary carcinoma and overlapping features with benign and other neoplastic follicular lesions. Current guidelines for the management of thyroid nodules recommend surgery for confirmed PTC, suspicious for PTC, and follicular neoplasm cases, while further immediate diagnostic studies or treatment are not routinely required if the nodule is benign on cytology. This study is designed to determine the accuracy of cytology in the diagnosis of FVPTC, based on the Bethesda classification system, and determine the implications for patient management based on the current recommendation. Based on a retrospective review of cytologic diagnoses between January 2008 and December 2011, thyroid fine needle aspiration (FNA) cytology specimens with subsequent surgical intervention and a final diagnosis of FVPTC were selected. The cytologic diagnoses were compared with the final diagnoses, and the percentage of cases contributing to the final diagnosis of FVPTC was calculated for each diagnostic category. Triage efficiency and diagnostic accuracy were calculated. One hundred and fifty-two cases with histologic confirmation of FVPTC were identified (representing 128 patients-101 female, 27 male). All patients had undergone either lobectomy with completion thyroidectomy or total thyroidectomy. The cytologic diagnosis of "positive for malignancy" accounted for only 27 % of the final histologic diagnosis of FVPTC, while suspicious for carcinoma, follicular neoplasm, follicular lesion of undetermined significance, and benign accounted for 11, 23, 23, and 16 % of the final diagnosis of FVPTC, respectively. Only 18 % of the 55 cases tested were positive for BRAF mutation. The subtle nuclear features of FVPTC pose challenges for an accurate diagnosis. Therefore, a better approach is to triage these cases for surgical intervention and/or further evaluation of the particular nodule. Our triage efficacy for FVPTC was 84 %; however, the diagnostic accuracy of PTC was 38 %. A negative diagnosis on FNA has diagnostic and management implications for up to 16 % of cases because they may have no further immediate diagnostic studies or treatment. BRAF mutation analysis provides minimal effect on diagnostic accuracy.
Bloch-Theory-Based Analysis of Damped Phononic Materials

In this paper, we combine Bloch theory with familiar techniques of structural dynamics to study the effects of energy dissipation (i.e., damping) in an acoustic metamaterial. The formulation we present has the novel feature of incorporating a temporal component to wave attenuation in addition to the standard spatial component. The frequency band structure reflects the metamaterial response to the damping intensity. In the context of a lumped parameter nested mass model, increasing the magnitude of damping is shown to cause the band structure to descend the frequency range and reveal an intriguing phenomenon: branch overtaking. This effect occurs as dissipation causes the optical branch to descend below the acoustical branch. The resulting decrease in the width of the band gap would impact vibration minimization and isolation. We also examine the effective properties of the metamaterial, specifically, the effective mass and effective stiffness, and the conditions for these quantities to become negative. Finally, the aforementioned material results are shown to be related to their finite counterpart. For ease of exposition, we consider a special form of Rayleigh damping in which the damping is proportional to the stiffness. The intrinsic presence of dissipation in acoustic metamaterials and the limited scientific literature addressing damped wave propagation in periodic media in general motivates our present study.© 2011 ASME
Engineering channels: Atomic biology

Ion channels are protein valves that control an enormous range of biological function. Atomic-scale properties of channel proteins control macroscopic flows across otherwise insulating membranes of cells and subcellular compartments, and so the study of channels is a study in atomic biology. Ion channels are intrinsically multiscale devices that allow the amino acid side chains of a protein to control nerve signaling and coordinate muscle contraction—including the contraction that allows the heart to pump blood—and a host of other biological activities. A Google search for “ion channels” or “channelopathy” (1) shows the enormous importance of channels in biology and medicine.
Lessons from the past and challenges for the new millennium

Abstract Results on vertex detectors at various stages of operation and in different radiation environments were presented at VERTEX’99. We continue gaining experience from the long-term operation of vertex detectors and precision trackers at LEP, CDF, SLD, H1 and NOMAD. Preliminary results from the new vertex detectors coming on line at the B factories were presented. Intense R&D is taking place for the large scale and high radiation environment of the future experiments at the LHC. New detectors at the Tevatron, HERA-b and for heavy ion experiments should provide the first test of severe radiation conditions and high multiplicity events before the LHC will turn on.
The Management of Diabetes Mellitus in Older Individuals

Nearly 50% of individuals with type II diabetes mellitus are over the age of 65 years. There are numerous reasons to maintain blood glucose levels below 11.1 nmol/L (200 mg/dl) in older persons, and there are a number of changes often seen with advancing age that persons, and there are a number of changes often seen with advancing age that may interfere with the management of diabetes mellitus, e.g. hypodipsia, anorexia, visual disturbance, altered renal and hepatic function, depression, impaired basoreceptor response and multiple medications. Hyperglycaemia appears to produce cognitive impairment which may lead to poor compliance. It is often difficult to manipulate diet in older people, and in fact dietary changes can lead to severe protein energy malnutrition. High maximum voluntary oxygen intake has been correlated with increased glucose disposal, but there is little evidence that physical exercise can improve diabetic control in the elderly. Oral sulphonylurea hypoglycaemic agents are extremely useful in the treatment of diabetes in these patients, but it should be remembered that they are more liable to develop hypoglycaemia than are younger diabetics. The role of metformin in the management of older diabetic patients is poorly studied. Many older persons can cope well with insulin therapy, but those with visual disturbances often make errors when drawing up insulin and require special attention. Combination therapy of insulin with oral hypoglycaemic agents is not recommended in this group of patients, and serum fructosamine is preferred to glycated haemoglobin to monitor control. Successful management of elderly diabetic patients thus requires an interdisciplinary team approach.
Sodium hydrogen exchanger as a mediator of hydrostatic edema-induced intestinal contractile dysfunction.

Background Resuscitation-induced intestinal edema is associated with early and profound mechanical changes in intestinal tissue. We hypothesize that the sodium hydrogen exchanger (NHE), a mechanoresponsive ion channel, is a mediator of edema-induced intestinal contractile dysfunction. Methods An animal model of hydrostatic intestinal edema was used for all experiments. NHE isoforms 1-3 mRNA and protein were evaluated. Subsequently, the effects of NHE inhibition (with 5-(N-ethyl-N-isopropyl) amiloride [EIPA]) on wet-to-dry ratios, signal transduction and activator of transcription (STAT)-3, intestinal smooth muscle myosin light chain (MLC) phosphorylation, intestinal contractile activity, and intestinal transit were measured. Results NHE1-3 mRNA and protein levels were increased significantly in the small intestinal mucosa with the induction of intestinal edema. The administration of EIPA, an NHE inhibitor, attenuated validated markers of intestinal contractile dysfunction induced by edema as measured by decreased STAT-3 activation, increased MLC phosphorylation, improved intestinal contractile activity, and enhanced intestinal transit. Conclusion The mechanoresponsive ion channel NHE may mediate edema-induced intestinal contractile dysfunction, possibly via a STAT-3 related mechanism.
Outcome of asthma in children and adolescents at a specialty-based care program

Background Asthma remains a major cause of morbidity for children despite national guidelines. Objective To evaluate outcome from a structured specialty-based care program. Methods Comparison of previous and subsequent years for children ranging from infancy to adolescence who entered a specialty clinic program at a university hospital serving a widely dispersed patient population. One hundred fifty-seven patients previously receiving primary care for their respiratory symptoms were seen during the study period; 23 were lost to followup, 15 were excluded because of other serious concurrent medical problems, and 119 were available for outcome analysis. Evaluation included historical data base from a structured interview, evaluation of pulmonary physiology, and allergy skin testing. Treatment decisions were evidence-based. Patient and/or family education was targeted at decision-making. Toll-free telephone access to the specialty service was provided around the clock. Frequency of unscheduled medical care, hospitalizations, sleep disturbance, activity interference, attainment of defined criteria for control, and medication use were quantified. Results Seven hundred thirty-five acute care visits were reduced to 47, and 99 hospitalizations were decreased to 10 ( P P P Conclusions Morbidity from asthma is largely prevented with often less, but better selected, medication than had been occurring in previous primary care. These data have implications for revised guidelines directed at primary care physicians.
The prevalence of urinary incontinence in American Indian women from a South Dakota tribe.

Introduction and hypothesis The purpose of this pilot study was to evaluate the prevalence and associated risk factors for urinary incontinence in a Northern Plains tribe of American Indian women.
In-Service training: Outside looking in

This paper describes and explores prominent issues pertaining to in-service training of law enforcement personnel. The overall situation in in-service training is examined, with special coverage being given to state mandates, availability and expense, the nature of programs, and the potential role of non law enforcement personnel in providing in-service training. Some possible solutions to current problems are discussed and general conclusions are offered.
Simulated phantom images for optimizing wavelet-based image processing algorithms in mammography

Image processing techniques using wavelet signal analysis have shown some promise in mammography. It is desirable, however, to optimize these algorithms before subjecting them to clinical evaluation. In this study, computer simulated images were used to study the significance of all the parameters available in a multiscale wavelet image processing algorithm designed to enhance mammograms. Computer simulated images had a gaussian-shaped signal in half of the regions of interest and included added random noise. Signal intensity and noise levels were varied to determine the detection threshold contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR). An index of the ratio of output to input contrast to noise ratios was used to optimize a wavelet based image processing algorithm. Computed CNRs were generally found to correlate well with signal detection by human observers in both the original and processed images. Use of simulated phantom images enabled the parameters associated with multiscale wavelet based processing techniques to be optimized.
A survey of deployment information of delay-based TCP congestion avoidance algorithm for transmitting multimedia data

Multimedia traffic comprises a significant part of the total Internet traffic. Due to the real-time nature of the multimedia traffic, low queuing delay is critical to many multimedia applications. This requirement makes delay-based TCP congestion avoidance algorithms (or delay-based TCP algorithms for short) a good choice to transmit multimedia data, since they can help keep a low queuing delay in the Internet. However, the Internet traffic is controlled by heterogeneous TCP algorithms and many of them are non-delay-based. Thus, the effort made by the delay-based TCP algorithms to reduce the queuing delay is often offset by the non-delay-based TCP algorithms. Indeed, unless a significant part of the total Internet traffic is controlled by the delay-based TCP algorithms, we probably won't see a big improvement in terms of the queuing delay. This observation motivates us to develop a method to differentiate between the delay-based and the non-delay-based TCP algorithms and use it to investigate the deployment information of the delay-based TCP algorithms on the web servers in the Internet. Our purpose is to gain a preliminary understanding about the amount of the Internet traffic controlled by the delay-based TCP algorithms, and hence the impact of the delay-based TCP algorithms on the Internet queuing delay. Such information is valuable for those people who plan to use the delay-based TCP algorithms to transmit their multimedia data.
AUF1 binding affinity to A+U-rich elements correlates with rapid mRNA degradation.

Rapid degradation of many labile mRNAs is regulated in part by an A+U-rich element (ARE) in their 3′-untranslated regions. Extensive mutational analyses of various AREs have identified important components of the ARE, such as the nonamer motif UUAUUUAUU, two copies of which serve as a potent mRNA destabilizer. To investigate the roles of trans-acting factors in ARE-directed mRNA degradation, we previously purified and molecularly cloned the RNA-binding protein AUF1 and demonstrated that both cellular and recombinant AUF1 bind specifically to AREs as shown by UV cross-linking assays in vitro. In the present work, we have examined the in vitro RNA-binding properties of AUF1 using gel mobility shift assays with purified recombinant His6-AUF1 fusion protein. We find that ARE binding affinities of AUF1 correlate with the potency of an ARE to direct degradation of a heterologous mRNA. These results support a role for AUF1 in ARE-directed mRNA decay that is based upon its affinity for different AREs.
Alveolar Breath Sampling and Analysis to Assess Exposures to Methyl Tertiary Butyl Ether (MTBE) During Motor Vehicle Refueling

Abstract Methyl tertiary butyl ether (MTBE) is added to gasoline (15% by volume) in many areas of the U.S. to help control carbon monoxide emissions from motor vehicles. In this study we present a sampling and analytical methodology that can be used to assess consumers' exposures to MTBE that may result from routine vehicle refueling operations. The method is based on the collection of alveolar breath samples using evacuated one-liter stainless steel canisters and analysis using a gas chromatograph-mass spectrometer equipped with a patented "valveless" cryogenic preconcentrator. To demonstrate the utility of this approach, a series of breath samples was collected from two individuals (the person pumping the fuel and a nearby observer) immediately before and for 64 min after a vehicle was refueled with premium grade gasoline. Results demonstrate low levels of MTBE in both subjects' breaths before refueling, and levels that increased by a factor of 35 to 100 after the exposure. Breath elimination models fit...
A Smooth Solvation Potential Based on the Conductor-Like Screening Model

The development of a smooth solvation potential from which analytic derivatives can be derived is important for molecular applications that require geometry optimization and conformational sampling...
The effect of cyclosporine on early graft function in human renal transplantation

The effect of cyclosporine and steroids on early renal allograft function and eventual graft outcome was analyzed in 100 recipients; 33 recipients of living related donor (LRD) and 67 recipients of cadaveric donor (CAD) allografts were studied. A concurrent population of 47 CAD recipients treated with azathioprine and steroids was used for comparison. Recipients received oral cyclosporine (14 mg/kg) 48 hours (LRD) or 6-12 hours (CAD) pretransplant. No cases of acute tubular necrosis (ATN) were observed in the LRD recipients. The incidence of posttransplant ATN was similar in the cyclosporine-treated (41%) and in the azathioprine-treated (45%) CAD recipients (P = ns). Cyclosporine-treated CAD kidneys preserved less than 24 hr experienced a lower rate of ATN (P less than .01) using simple cold storage (31%), as compared with hypothermic pulsatile perfusion (57%). One-month creatinine nadirs were higher in cyclosporine-treated than in azathioprine-treated recipients, using median values for each group. One-year actuarial patient survival for cyclosporine-treated LRD recipients was 97%; CAD recipients, 94%, and azathioprine-treated CAD recipients, 91%. Graft survival rates in the same groups were 91%, 76%, and 55%, respectively. The major causes of graft loss in cyclosporine-treated patients were nonimmunologic. It is concluded that cyclosporine and prednisone are a safe, efficacious combination for LRD and CAD renal transplantation. The possibility of nephrotoxicity leading to impaired graft function in the early posttransplant period should not preclude the administration of cyclosporine prior to alloantigen presentation.
Evidence That Macrophages in Atherosclerotic Lesions Contain Angiotensin II

Background—We have reported that human mononuclear leukocytes contain large amounts of angiotensin II (Ang II). The goal of the present study was to test the hypothesis that Ang II is present in monocyte/macrophages in atherosclerotic lesions. Methods and Results—Segments of thoracic aorta and left circumflex coronary artery were obtained from 3 groups of cynomolgus monkeys: normal, atherosclerotic, and regression. Samples of human coronary arterial atherosclerotic lesions were obtained from directional atherectomy. Sections were stained for Ang II with 3 different polyclonal rabbit anti–human Ang II antisera. In aorta and coronary arteries from normal monkeys, there was no or minimal anti–Ang II staining in endothelial cells. All sections from atherosclerotic monkeys displayed discrete, localized regions of staining for Ang II in intima-media. Macrophages were present throughout the atherosclerotic intima-media, and anti–Ang II staining appeared to colocalize with macrophages. All human coronary atherect...
Approximation for Option Prices under Uncertain Volatility

In this paper, we study the asymptotic behavior of the worst case scenario option prices as the volatility interval in an uncertain volatility model (UVM) degenerates to a single point and then provide an approximation procedure for the worst case scenario prices in a UVM with a small volatility interval. Numerical experiments show that this approximation procedure performs well even when the size of the volatility band is not so small.