cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Controversies in the management of hypothyroidism during pregnancy.

ImportanceIn the last 3 years, we have witnessed the publication of multiple but conflicting guidelines on the management of hypothyroidism during pregnancy. Hypothyroidism is one of the most common endocrinopathies in reproductive-age and pregnant women. Given the prevalence of thyroid disease, it
A DISTINCTIVE LAMINATED CYTOPLASMIC BODY IN THE LATERAL GENICULATE BODY NEURONS OF THE CAT.

A cytoplasmic body exhibiting precise order is described in this report. Such bodies were found in many lateral geniculate body neurons from four unselected and apparently healthy cats. So far they have not been seen in any other neurons, nor has any previous description of them been located. These bodies are of the same general size as the nucleoli of the lateral geniculate body neurons, and they stain as nucleoli do with basic dyes. Each body consists of precisely spaced layers of minute dense-walled tubules arrayed in parallel but curving arrays. The tubules are remarkably uniform in size with a diameter of about 250 A. Each layer of tubules is separated by an interval of 750 A occupied by material of moderate density that is neither amorphous nor of clearly defined structure. No suggestion of source or functional significance is offered in this report.
Unemployment and the detection of early stage breast tumors among African Americans and non-Hispanic whites.

Abstract PURPOSE: To test the hypothesis that high unemployment predicts reduced detection of local breast tumors among African American and non-Hispanic white women in the Detroit, Michigan and Atlanta, Georgia SEER catchment areas. METHODS: We test the hypothesis with data for the 156 months from January 1985 through December 1997. RESULTS: In situ and local breast tumors in African American and non-Hispanic white women were less likely to be detected during periods of high unemployment. CONCLUSIONS: Contracting labor markets may impede women with symptoms from getting proper medical attention or distract women from discovering symptoms they would otherwise detect. African American women appear at greatest risk of having a tumor going undetected by virtue of labor market performance.
Microentrapment of Lactobacilli in Calcium Alginate Gels

A procedure was developed to entrap culture bacteria using a two-phase (water/oil) system. It consisted of 3% sodium alginate mixed with microbial cells and suspended in an oil bath containing 0.2% Tween 80. While stirring at 200 rpm, calcium chloride (O.OSM) solution was added to break the water/oil emulsion and form calcium alginate gel. The calcium alginate beads containing microbial cells had mean diameters of 25–35 μm (range S-100 μm). The entrapped microbial cells were released completely from the drop shaped beads by gentle shaking in 0.lM phosphate solution (pH 7.5) for 10 min. About 40% more lactobacilli survived freezing of ice milk when they were entrapped in calcium alginate than when they were not entrapped.
Brain imaging studies of developmental stuttering.

Abstract This paper reviews recent brain imaging research on stuttering against a background of studies that the writer and colleagues have been conducting at the University of Texas Health Science Center in San Antonio. The paper begins by reviewing some pertinent background to recent neuroimaging investigations of developmental stuttering. It then outlines the findings from four brain imaging studies that the San Antonio group has conducted using H 2 15 O positron emission tomography (PET). Finally, some of the principal findings that are emerging across brain imaging studies of stuttering are reviewed, while also highlighting — and attempting to resolve — some apparent across-study inconsistencies among the findings. Research on stuttering using magnetoencephalogaphy (MEG) and transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) is also considered. The findings increasingly point to a failure of normal temporal lobe activation during speech that may either contribute to (or is the result of) a breakdown in the sequencing of processing among premotor regions implicated in phonologic planning. Learning outcomes: As a result of this activity, the participant will become familiar with some recent neurophysiological correlates of stuttering and what they suggest about the nature of this disorder.
Platelet factor 4 modulation of the thrombomodulin-protein C system.

Objective: To review published studies of the influence of platelet factor 4 (PF4) and other cationic proteins on the generation of activated protein C (APC) by the thrombomodulin-protein C system. Data Source: Using the PubMed citation index, literature published from 1973 to 2003 regarding cationic proteins, PF4, and the thrombomodulin-protein C system was reviewed. Data Synthesis: All other cationic proteins studied to date either impair or do not affect APC generation via the thrombomodulin-protein C system; however, the platelet α-granule protein PF4 causes a 25-fold increase in the ability of thrombomodulin polypeptides to generate APC and a ten-fold increase in the ability of cultured endothelial cell-associated thrombomodulin to generate APC. The mechanism underlying this phenomenon depends on binding of the cationic PF4 to the anionic, vitamin K-dependent γ-carboxyglutamic acid domain of protein C. The extent of PF4's stimulation of APC generation is further increased by its interaction with the anionic glycosaminoglycan moiety that is variably expressed through posttranslational, 0-linked glycosylation of thrombomodulin. In an in vivo thrombin-infusion model of thrombomodulin activation in cynomolgus monkeys, previous intravenous infusion of pharmacologic amounts of PF4 resulted in circulating APC levels and APC-dependent prolongation of activated partial thromboplastin times that were two- to three-fold greater than those observed in saline-infused control animals. Conclusions: These findings raise the possibility that PF4 plays a hitherto unsuspected physiologic role in enhancing APC generation in vivo. They also provide a rationale for considering the infusion of PF4 or PF4-related peptides or peptidomimetics as a way of beneficially stimulating endogenous APC generation from circulating protein C in pathologic human disease states such as sepsis.
Novel folding of N , N ′-naphthalenebis( o -mercaptobenzamide) in nickel(II) complexes: monomeric and trimeric species with unexpected ‘butterfly’ and ‘slant chair’ structure

Abstract In order to determine the role of carboxamido nitrogen and thiolato sulfur donors on the structure and properties of metal complexes, we have synthesized the designed ligand N,N′-napthalenebis(o-mercaptobenzamide) (NpPepSH4) with an N2S2 donor set. In the deprotonated form, NpPepS4− binds nickel(II) to afford the diamagnetic complex (Et4N)2[Ni(NpPepS)] (1) with square-planar geometry. The ligand frame of NpPepS4− wraps around the Ni(II) center in an unexpected butterfly fashion presumably due to steric interactions. The [Ni(NpPepS)]2− unit further coordinates to Ni(II) and Pd(II) to give trimeric thiolato-bridged complexes (Et4N)2[Ni(Ni{NpPepS})2] (2) and (Et4N)2[Pd(Ni{NpPepS})2] (3). The structure of the [Ni(CH3OH)6]2+ salt of 3 namely, [Ni(CH3OH)6][Pd(Ni{NpPepS})2] (3′) reveals a novel slant chair structure. Unlike the previously reported similar trimeric complexes, the N2NiS2PdS2NiN2 moiety in 3′ is planar with slant naphthalene rings attached on both ends.
Electrostatic charging of spacecrafts in response to electron beam injection

Electron beam injections from spacecraft now constitute a major activity in space research. Here, the charging level of a conducting surface when an electron beam is injected from it is investigated. Injections into both vacuum and an ambient plasma are considered. When a Maxwellian beam is injected into vacuum, the surface changes to a potential much greater than the average beam energy. The dependence of this excess is examined by considering beams with water-bag types of velocity distribution functions in which no electron has a velocity V(max) above a certain value. The electric field distribution in the electron sheath near the surface is determined by the pressure distribution. Thus, the surface potential is determined not only by V(max) but by all the beam parameters. The ambient plasma reduces the charging level and causes an oscillation in the surface potential. The oscillation frequency is the electron-plasma frequency associated with the ambient plasma.
Small-angle neutron scattering studies of hot-wire CVD a-Si:H

Several a-Si:H and a-Si:D films prepared by hot-wire chemical vapor deposition have been examined by small-angle neutron scattering (SANS) to search for H non-uniformity in this material. The SANS measurements were supplemented by small-angle X-ray scattering measurements. The differences in H/D detection sensitivity of these two techniques allow distinction of the scattering mechanisms. Two- or three-phase models are used to interpret the results quantitatively. Significant H non-uniformity, as well as a small fraction of microvoids, was found in the best-quality material. Samples grown with higher deposition rates or lower substrate temperatures have much larger void fractions. The size scale of the heterogeneity spans a range from 2 nm to more than 50 nm, with the largest features assigned to surface roughness.
On the magnetic field generated outside an inhomogeneous volume conductor by internal current sources

The magnetocardiogram results from the detection of magnetic fields generated outside the body by electric current sources in the heart. Let the source current dipole moment per unit volume be Ji, the conductivity g , the electric potential V , and the electric field intensity E . Then it may be shown that the magnetic field H is given by either H = (1/4\pi) \int J^{i} \times \nabla(1/r) dv + \sum_{i} \int (g' - g")(E \times dS_{i}/r) , or H = (1/4\pi) \int J^{i} \times \nabla(1/r) dv + \sum_{i} \int (g' - g")V\nabla(1/r) \times dS_{i} , where the surface integral is over all surfaces S i separating regions of different conductivity, i.e., g ' and g ", and r is the distance from the point of measurement to the element of volume or surface. The magnetic dipole moment m is given by m = \frac{1}{2} \int r_{1} \times J^{i}dv - \frac{1}{2} \sum_{i} \int (g'-g")Vr_{1} \times dS_{i} , where r 1 is a radius vector from an arbitrary origin.
Sample preparation technique for transmission electron microscopy of thin films on sapphire.

Keywords: TEM sample preparation; Sapphire; Silicon on sapphire (SOS); Heterostructures
Equilibrium charge distribution for small impact parameter O + Xe collisions

Abstract The charge distributions of oxygen ions with incoming charges 4 + –7 + scattered to 5° in a single collision with various gases have been studied. The measurements indicate that for the heavier gases an “equilibrium charge distribution” is obtained after a single small impact parameter collision.
Simulation standards: proposed standard processes for certification of modeling and simulation applications

Certification of modeling and simulation (M&S) applications is becoming more commonly practiced as M&S applications are used more and more for military training, analysis, complex system design evaluation, M&S-based acquisition, problem solving, and critical decision making. Certification is a very complex process, involves the measurement and evaluation of hundreds of qualitative and quantitative elements, mandates subject matter expert evaluation, and requires the integration of disparate measurements and evaluations. Planning, managing, and conducting such measurements and evaluations require structured standard processes and should not be performed in an ad hoc manner. The need for standard processes for unbiased, fair, cost effective, and consistent M&S certification is undeniable. This paper presents a scheme for practicing M&S accreditation and certification and proposes standard M&S certification processes.
A fast tree-based algorithm for Compressed Sensing with sparse-tree prior

In Compressed Sensing, the sparse representation property of an unknown signal in a certain basis has been used as the only prior knowledge for signal reconstruction from a limited number of measurements. Recently, more and more research has focused on model-based recovery algorithms, in which special structures of the unknown signal are exploited in addition to the sparse prior. A popular structure is the sparse-tree structure exhibited in the wavelet transform of piecewise smooth signals and in many practical models. In this paper, a reconstruction algorithm that exploits this sparse-tree prior, the Tree-based Orthogonal Matching Pursuit (TOMP) algorithm, is proposed and studied in detail. Theoretical analyses and empirical experiments show that the proposed algorithm gives reconstruction quality comparable with more sophisticated algorithms, while being much simpler. HighlightsA sparse-tree model is formulated and utilized as additional prior for signal recovery from a small number of measurements.A novel tree-based recovery algorithm, the Tree-based Orthogonal Matching Pursuit (TOMP) algorithm, is proposed to recover signals with sparse-tree priors.An implementation of the algorithm based on Gram-Schmidt process is presented in detail.The proposed method gives reconstruction quality comparable to more sophisticated algorithms at less computational cost.
Lockup, chains and the delocalization of damage

Whether damage is localized or delocalized in a composite, the composite's fracture toughness when localization occurs can be controlled to a much greater extent than hitherto exploited by properly choosing the composite's internal geometry. Delocalization and high toughness are both favoured by building in systematic defects and lock-up mechanisms. Widespread defects make available arbitrarily many sites at which energy may be absorbed by non-linear behaviour. Lock-up mechanisms cause local hardening following local damage, which drives subsequent damage to initiate elsewhere, possibly leading to damage delocalization. In brittle-brittle composites, these mechanisms may be the best hope for achieving toughness values similar to those of alloys. Illustrations are taken from recent research into woven composites with three-dimensional reinforcement and new work on model composites.
Effect of mechanical parameters for loading contact and instability in HDD

Ramp load/unload (L/UL) technology becomes core technology in mobile hard disk drive (HDD) because it enables higher areal density and stronger shock robustness. However, ramp L/UL has some instability because of the structural limit that a head should repeatedly move between a ramp and a disk. Among much instability, the slider-disk contact generated during L/UL process mainly affects the drive reliability. In particular, the slider-disk contact during the loading process has a critical effect on head-disk interface (HDI) failure due to difference of impact force by much higher height level despite of low frequency. Therefore, this paper mainly focused on the loading contact and instability. At first, we defined the loading contact, scratch and instability generated by the slider-disk contact. To do so, we verified the contact location considering the interaction of the air bearing surface (ABS) and the disk, and we analyzed the relations for the loading contact between the ABS and the slider motions. After definition for the loading contact and instability, we evaluated the effects of the head stack assembly (HSA) height, the ramp height and the disk height based on the ABS performance. The relations among the HSA, ramp, and disk height affected the main parameters related to the loading contact and instability such as the Z-height, the pitch/roll slider attitude, and the gramload. We focused on the effect of the mechanical parameters according to the loading contact and instability. Finally, we measured the height differences for passed and failed drive samples. We could find out how the height differences cause the loading contact and instability through the relation among mechanical parameters such as the height of the HSA, the ramp and the disk. Based on these results, this paper proposed that the mechanical parameters such as the height relations should also be considered in order to avoid the loading contact and instability and to improve the loading performance.
3He lung morphometry technique: Accuracy analysis and pulse sequence optimization

Abstract The 3 He lung morphometry technique (Yablonskiy et al., JAP, 2009), based on MRI measurements of hyperpolarized gas diffusion in lung airspaces, provides unique information on the lung microstructure at the alveolar level. 3D tomographic images of standard morphological parameters (mean airspace chord length, lung parenchyma surface-to-volume ratio, and the number of alveoli per unit lung volume) can be created from a rather short (several seconds) MRI scan. These parameters are most commonly used to characterize lung morphometry but were not previously available from in vivo studies. A background of the 3 He lung morphometry technique is based on a previously proposed model of lung acinar airways, treated as cylindrical passages of external radius R covered by alveolar sleeves of depth h , and on a theory of gas diffusion in these airways. The initial works approximated the acinar airways as very long cylinders, all with the same R and h . The present work aims at analyzing effects of realistic acinar airway structures, incorporating airway branching, physiological airway lengths, a physiological ratio of airway ducts and sacs, and distributions of R and h . By means of Monte-Carlo computer simulations, we demonstrate that our technique allows rather accurate measurements of geometrical and morphological parameters of acinar airways. In particular, the accuracy of determining one of the most important physiological parameter of lung parenchyma – surface-to-volume ratio – does not exceed several percent. Second, we analyze the effect of the susceptibility induced inhomogeneous magnetic field on the parameter estimate and demonstrate that this effect is rather negligible at B 0 ⩽ 3T and becomes substantial only at higher B 0 Third, we theoretically derive an optimal choice of MR pulse sequence parameters, which should be used to acquire a series of diffusion-attenuated MR signals, allowing a substantial decrease in the acquisition time and improvement in accuracy of the results. It is demonstrated that the optimal choice represents three not equidistant b -values: b 1 = 0, b 2 ∼ 2 s/cm 2 , b 3 ∼ 8 s/cm 2 .
Characterizing the needs of a young working population: making the case for total worker health in an emerging workforce.

OBJECTIVE:: Young workers are at increased risk for occupational injuries. Many lack appropriate skills to avoid workplace hazards. In addition, existing safety programs neither address total worker health principles nor align with the relatively high technological expectations of young workers. This article aimed to identify the content and process for an on-line total worker health training for young workers. METHODS:: During the summer of 2012, an on-line survey (n = 187) assessed young workers' behavior, knowledge, and attitudes on total worker health topics and on-line training delivery methods. RESULTS:: Forty-five percent of the workers indicated this was their first job; new workers demonstrated lower safety knowledge scores than returning workers. In addition, results demonstrated that workers would benefit from health behavior interventions delivered through technology-based means. CONCLUSIONS:: Findings characterize the work-related needs for this population and demonstrate the utility of using on-line training. Language: en
Spiraling-Up: Mapping Community Transformation with Community Capitals Framework

This paper uses the Community Capitals Framework (CCF) to look at community change from a systems perspective. We find that social capital—both bonding and bridging—is the critical resource that reversed the downward spiral of loss to an upward spiral of hope—a process we call “spiraling-up.” Focusing on the example of a change process implemented in Nebraska, HomeTown Competitiveness, we delineate the assets invested, created, and expanded by the project. We also apply the CCF to understanding the flow among the capitals and the impact of this flow on community capacity to initiate and sustain a process of change, particularly in building social capital.
Intercalary flexor tendon grafts: A morphological study of intrasynovial and extrasynovial donor tendons

Intercalary intrasynovial and extrasynovial flexor tendon graft donors were placed within the synovial sheaths of the medial and lateral forepaw digits of 22 dogs and treated with early controlled passive mobilization. Specimens were studied by light and transmission electron microscopy at 10 and 21 days. Early repair in the extrasynovial tendons occurred by an ingrowth of connective tissue from the digital sheath. Adhesions obliterated the gliding surface and occupied the space between the tendon's gliding surface and surrounding tissues. There was no epitenon response noted in the extrasynovial tendon grafts. While there was considerable new collagen fibril formation within the repair site at the ultrastructural level, there was a lack of longitudinal remodeling. In contrast, the intrasynovial tendon grafts showed early healing, with minimal adhesion formation, by a proliferation and migration of cells from the epitenon. These cells showed greater cellular activity and collagen production at 10 and 21 d...
The relationship between manganese and sulfate ions in rain

Abstract The concentrations of Mn2+ and SO42− are significantly correlated in incident rain (wetfall-only) samples collected on an event basis at a forested watershed site in the eastern United States. The relationship between Mn2+ and SO42− in rain studies reported elsewhere has been ascribed to the in-cloud catalytic oxidation of SO2 by manganese. I present here two alternative explanations: one for this relationship in bulk precipitation collected on weekly or longer time intervals, and another for wetfall-only, single-event samples. The relationship in nonevent bulk precipitation samples may be the result of postdepositional changes in rain chemistry. In event, wetfall-only samples, the relationship may be partially ascribed to the similar rain-volume, dilution effect on both Mn2+ and SO42−. The kinetics of the catalytic oxidation process are such that the process may influence precipitation chemistry only under certain atmospheric conditions, I propose an additional circumstance wherein the process may enhance the dry deposition of SO2 to foliage.
Glutamate Neurotransmission in the Cerebellar Interposed Nuclei: Involvement in Classically Conditioned Eyeblinks and Neuronal Activity

The cerebellar interposed nuclei (IN) are an essential part of circuits that control classically conditioned eyeblinks in the rabbit. The function of the IN is under the control of GABAergic projec...
Envelope PDF in multipath fading channels with random number of paths and nonuniform phase distributions

In a multipath fading channel the transmitted signal travels through several different paths to the receiver. In each path, amplitude and phase of the signal vary in a random manner. It is common to consider the number of paths as a large constant and to model random fluctuations of the phase by the uniform probability density function (PDF). However, these assumptions are not realistic in many cases. In this paper, a general multipath fading channel with random number of paths (with negative binomial distribution) and nonuniform phase distributions (with von Mises PDFs) is considered and it is shown that the envelope fluctuates according to a gamma PDF. It is also shown that the parameters of this gamma PDF are directly related to the physical parameters of the channel. Due to the realistic assumptions made in the derivation, the gamma PDF is a promising candidate for accurate modeling of envelope statistics in multipath fading channels.
EFFECTS OF BIRDS AND RODENTS ON SYNTHETIC TALLGRASS COMMUNITIES

We used a bird and mammal exclosure design on plowed ground to test for the effects of granivory and herbivory by small vertebrates on early stages of tallgrass prairie succession. Seed predation by birds and browsing by rodents had major and additive impacts. In high- and low-density plantings, respectively, seed-eating birds reduced plant densities by 20% and 23% and grass biomass by 24% and 34%. Meadow voles did not affect plant numbers but reduced forb biomass by 35% in high- and 57% in low-density plantings. In high- and low-density plots, respectively, birds reduced species richness by 3% and 17% without influencing diversity; selective browsing by voles on two legumes and one coneflower left species number unaffected but reduced diversity by 4% and 25% by accentuating dominance of already-prominent species. Bird effects were more pronounced in high-density plantings, while vole effects were most pronounced in low-density plantings. Results suggest that opportunistic finches and doves that seek out ...
The response of the strong to the weak: The American raid on Libya, 1986

(1991). The response of the strong to the weak: The American raid on Libya, 1986. Intelligence and National Security: Vol. 6, No. 3, pp. 608-620.
Enabling secure digital marketplace

The fast development of the Web provides new ways for effective distribution of network-based digital goods. A digital marketplace provides a platform to enable Web users to effectively acquire, share, market and distribute digital content. However, the success of the digital marketplace business models hinges on securely managing the digital rights and usage of the digital content. For example, the digital content should be only consumable by paid users. This paper describes a Web-based system that enables the secure exchange of digital content between Web users and prevents users from illegally re-sell of the digital content. Part of our solution is based on broadcast encryption technology.
Multidisciplinary modeling and design of a space system

The application of concurrent engineering approach to the design of a large flexible space structure is discussed. A full system model using bond graphs incorporating orbital and ballistic dynamics, controls, optics, and vibrational analyses is developed. Design of experiment techniques is used to analyze the entire system and determine the optimum set of design parameters. The objective of the design effort involved the simultaneous design of the control algorithm, structural characteristics, and optical geometry. The system size and mass were limited by current space shuttle capabilities. The satellite was required to track the missile plume of an ICBM with minimum line-of-site error, and transmit the position data to earth. >
Who did what and when? using word-and clause-level erps to monitor working memory usage in reading

ERPs were recorded from 24 undergraduates as they read sentences known to differ in syntactic complexity and working memory requirements, namely Object and Subject Relative sentences. Both the single-word and multiword analyses revealed significant differences due to sentence type, while multiword ERPs also showed that sentence type effects differed for Good and Poor comprehenders. At the single-word level, ERPs to both verbs in Object Relative sentences showed a left anterior negativity between 300 and 500 msec postword-onset relative to those to Subject Relative verbs. At the multiword level, a slow frontal positivity characterized Subject Relative sentences, but was absent for Object Relatives. This slow positivity appears to index ease of processing or integration. and was more robust in Good than in Poor comprehenders.
Biophysical transport model suggests climate variability determines distribution of Walleye Pollock early life stages in the eastern Bering Sea through effects on spawning

The eastern Bering Sea recently experienced an anomalously warm period followed by an anomalously cold period. These periods varied with respect to sea ice extent, water temperature, wind patterns, and ocean circulation. The distributions of Walleye Pollock early life stages also differed between periods, with larval stages found further eastward on the shelf in warm years. Statistical analyses indicated that these spatial distributions were more closely related to temperature than to other covariates, though a mechanism has not been identified. The objective of this study was to determine if variable transport could be driving the observed differences in pollock distributions. An individual-based model of pollock early life stages was developed by coupling a hydrodynamic model to a particle-tracking model with biology and behavior. Simulation experiments were performed with the model to investigate the effects of wind on transport, ice presence on time of spawning, and water temperature on location of spawning. This modeling approach benefited from the ability to individually test mechanisms to quantitatively assess the impact of each on the distribution of pollock. Neither interannual variability in advection nor advances or delays in spawning time could adequately represent the observed differences in distribution between warm and cold years. Changes to spawning areas, particularly spatial contractions of spawning areas in cold years, resulted in modeled distributions that were most similar to observations. The location of spawning pollock in reference to cross-shelf circulation patterns is important in determining the distribution of eggs and larvae, warranting further study on the relationship between spawning adults and the physical environment. The different distributions of pollock early life stages between warm and cold years may ultimately affect recruitment by influencing the spatial overlap of pollock juveniles with prey and predators.
The Challenge and Promise of Catholic Higher Education for Our Time.

Catholic colleges and universities face significant challenges in the present context of American higher education. Yet, there are opportunities to be found in the midst of this crisis when one carefully examines the intersections between the Catholic mission and objectives of an institution and current culture and academia. A return to the Neoscholastic framework of the twentieth century will not provide the sort of philosophical and theological grounding needed for the twenty-first century. However, the Catholic tradition does offer teaching and an intellectual tradition that can orient the curriculum and inform the dialogue of Catholic colleges and universities and, in this way, give these institutions coherence and distinctiveness. Unlike their secular counterparts, Catholic institutions can appeal to a clear and distinct rationale for the purposes of education and inquiry. Being situated in the Catholic intellectual life, these colleges and universities can enjoy substantive orientation in their academic endeavors while fostering serious inquiry and vigorous debate.
The REDUCE metagram: a comprehensive prediction tool for determining the utility of dutasteride chemoprevention in men at risk for prostate cancer

Introduction: 5-alpha reductase inhibitors can reduce the risk of prostate cancer but can be associated with significant side effects. A library of nomograms which predict the risk of clinical endpoints relevant to dutasteride treatment may help determine if chemoprevention is suited to the individual patient. Methods: Data from the REDUCE trial was used to identify predictive factors for nine endpoints relevant to dutasteride treatment. Using the treatment and placebo groups from the biopsy cohort, Cox proportional hazards and competing risks regression models were used to build 18 nomograms, whose predictive ability was measured by concordance index and calibration plots. Results: A total of 18 nomograms assessing the risks of cancer, high-grade cancer, high grade prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia (HGPIN), atypical small acinar proliferation (ASAP), erectile dysfunction (ED), acute urinary retention (AUR), gynecomastia, urinary tract infection (UTI) and BPH-related surgery either on or off dutasteride were created. The nomograms for cancer, high grade cancer, ED, AUR, and BPH-related surgery demonstrated good discrimination and calibration while those for gynecomastia, UTI, HGPIN, and ASAP predicted no better than random chance. Conclusions: To aid patients in determining whether the benefits of dutasteride use outweigh the risks, we have developed a comprehensive metagram that can generate individualized risks of 9 outcomes relevant to men considering chemoprevention. Better models based on more predictive markers are needed for some of the endpoints but the current metagram demonstrates potential as a tool for patient counseling and decision making that is accessible, intuitive, and clinically relevant.
Color signal coding: Color vision and color television

In this article the similarities in color coding between color vision and color television are discussed. The similarities go beyond the trichromacy shared by both systems. Color television transforms the initial color information before broadcasting in a manner similar to the opponent-color transformation in the retina. The coded broadcast is decoded in the television receiver.
Community Development in Chicago: From Harold Washington to Richard M. Daley

This article examines the transformation of community development in Chicago in the last three decades from a predominately grass roots movement for social change to a much smaller and fragmented one led by professionalized groups. It focuses on Harold Washington’s and Richard M. Daley’s mayoral regimes and the ways they helped to shape the context and implementation of community development. The major theme in the article is that this movement lost most of its capacity to be innovative and to contribute to progressivism (most evident under the Washington administration) when it lost its basic connections to grass roots leadership under the subsequent Daley administration. As a consequence, problems like poverty, homelessness, poor schooling, and greater racial and class divisions have resulted. The discussion and analysis is based on interviews of people involved with both regimes and a review of changes in policies and practices between the Washington and current Daley (Daley II) period. The article con...
Acute Clearance of Human Metapneumovirus Occurs Independently of Natural Killer Cells

ABSTRACT Human metapneumovirus (HMPV) is a major cause of respiratory disease. The role of NK cells in protection against HMPV is unclear. We show that while HMPV-infected C57BL/6 mice had higher numbers of functional lung NK cells than mock-treated mice, comparing NK cell-depleted and control mice did not reveal differences in lung viral titers, histopathology, cytokine levels, or T cell numbers or function. These data indicate that NK cells are not required for host control of HMPV.
A rapid calcium precipitation method of recovering large amounts of highly pure hepatocyte rough endoplasmic reticulum.

We sought a rapid and non-ultracentrifugal method of recovering large amounts of highly pure rough endoplas- mic reticulum (RER) membranes from livers. By substan- tially modifying a 20-year-old calcium precipitation tech- nique, we obtained a RER fraction from rat liver and established its high degree of purity by quantitating classic membrane markers for different subcellular organelles. This RER fraction is highly enriched in four known proteins (or enzyme activities) required for lipoprotein assembly: apolipoprotein B, microsomal triglyceride transfer protein, acyl CoA:diacylglycerol acyltransferase, and acyl CoA:cho- lesterol acyltransferase, when compared to two classical RER markers, RNA and glucose-6-phosphatase. From one 10-12 g rat liver, we recover ten to twelve RER pellets of 1.5-1.6 cm in diameter containing , 110-125 mg of total protein, about half of which is sodium carbonate-releasable. By electron microscopy, these large RER pellets from rat liv- ers are homogeneously comprised largely of non-vesicu- lated short strips of ribosome-rich membranes. This novel technique for isolating RER membranes from liver may provide a useful tool for future studies on the assembly of apolipoprotein B-containing lipoproteins as well as for research focused on mechanisms of secretory and mem- brane protein translation, translocation, and folding. — Hamilton, R. L., A. Moorehouse, S. R. Lear, J. S. Wong, and S. K. Erickson. A rapid calcium precipitation method of re- covering large amounts of highly pure hepatocyte rough en- doplasmic reticulum. J. Lipid Res. 1999. 40: 1140-1147.
Abstract 903: Evaluation of predictive biomarkers and resistance mechanisms of PI3K pathway inhibition in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma

Head and neck Squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is a lethal, disabling and disfiguring cancer with no biomarker-directed therapeutic options. We are in a desperate need for novel targeted therapies. PI3K/AKT/mTOR is one of the most often altered pathways in HNSCC. This pathway is important for cancer cell signaling and several pharmacological inhibitors are already in clinical trials for other cancer types. Our lab previously found that HNSCC cell lines with PIK3CA mutations were more sensitive to pathway inhibitors compared to other PI3K pathway alterations such as PIK3CA amplification or PTEN loss and that activation of ERK is one mechanism responsible for PI3K inhibitor resistance. In this report we extended our study to further investigate the predictive biomarkers, biological effects of PI3K inhibition, the potential pathways of resistance and the use of rational drug combination in a diverse panel of HNSCC cell lines. We tested 64 HNSCC cell lines with the PI3K inhibitor GDC0941 and correlated drug sensitivity with basal PI3K pathway activation, PI3K copy number or PIK3CA mutation. We confirmed that cell lines with PIK3CA mutations were more sensitive to GDC0941 (P= 6.35X 10 -13 ) and those with amplification were not. We tested another four PI3K pathway inhibitors, including one PI3K inhibitor GSK1059615, one dual PI3K/mTOR inhibitor GDC0980, one AKT inhibitor GDC690693 and one mTOR inhibitor AZD8055 in a panel of 18 cell lines and found that the trend of drug sensitivity was similar (P Citation Format: Tuhina Mazumdar, Lauren A. Byers, Patrick Ng, Gordon B. Mills, Shaohua Peng, Lixia Diao, Youhong Fan, Katherine Stemke-Hale, John V. Heymach, Jeffrey N. Myers, Bonnie S. Glisson, Faye M. Johnson. Evaluation of predictive biomarkers and resistance mechanisms of PI3K pathway inhibition in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 105th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2014 Apr 5-9; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2014;74(19 Suppl):Abstract nr 903. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2014-903
Effects of complex tonal stimuli on latency and amplitude of a late auditory evoked potential

An optimum stimulus for evoking late auditory potentials is not well established. A typical stimulus for clinical purposes is either a brief speech signal or a brief single-frequency tone. Based on previous research, it is reasonable to assume that a complex stimulus may enhance waveform morphology relative to a single-frequency stimulus. The current project investigated the effects on P1 latency and P1/N1 amplitude of a two-frequency complex stimulus with the second frequency having either a dissonant or harmonic relationship to a single-frequency reference stimulus. An 80 ms 1000 Hz tone with 10 ms rise/fall times served as the reference stimulus. The two-frequency complex stimuli consisted of the reference (1000 Hz) frequency mixed with a second frequency of equal duration and amplitude at 1100, 1250, 1500, 2000, or 4000 Hz, resulting in three dissonant and two harmonic stimuli. One dissonant stimulus (1000 + 1100 Hz) was designed to fall within the critical band of the reference stimulus. Stimuli were presented in a counterbalanced order to 20 normal hearing adult subjects. Two replicate runs were obtained for each stimulus condition. Results showed that the complex stimuli had no significant effect on P1 latency relative to the reference stimulus, but produced a significant increase in P1/N1 amplitude for the harmonic stimuli.
Application of Radiological Equipment in Primary Medical Units

Operation of radiological equipment affects not only the quality of clinical diagnosis treatment,but also the health of the radiographer and subjects.The operation and safety protection of the aged radiological equipment in primary medical units has to be paid particular attention to.Based on the survey,some advices are put forward from the aspects of equipment management,personnel training and protection supervision.
Molecular Mechanisms of Hematin Crystallization from Organic Solvent

Here, we employ n-octanol to elucidate the fundamental processes of hematin crystallization from an organic solvent, identify the operational mechanisms of growth, and determine the respective control parameters. The values of the enthalpy, entropy, and free energy of the crystal–solution equilibrium suggest that octanol may structure around the hematin solute molecules and along the crystal interface. Time-resolved in situ atomic force microscopy demonstrates that hematin crystal growth strictly follows classical layer growth mechanisms. Steps propagate by the attachment of solute molecules, described by a first-order chemical rate law. The molecules reach the steps via adsorption on the crystal surface, followed by surface diffusion, and the kinetic barriers of this pathway offer additional crystallization control strategies. Solute incorporation into steps from the adjacent lower and upper terraces is strongly asymmetric, with the lower terrace contributing the major solute amount. These findings provi...
The Department Chair: A Conundrum of Educational Leadership versus Educational Management

Leadership and management are concepts regularly used in organizational change and reform literature. This is particularly evident in educational settings and oftentimes understood as interchangeable. The school administrator is considered a leadership position, as is department chair in an institution of higher education. Yet, most are engaged daily in management tasks with little to no time spent on leadership (Bush, 2008). In higher education, the complex role of department chair necessitates a multi-task oriented individual (Hecht, Higgerson, Gmelch, & Tucker, 1999) who can both serve and coordinate multiple constituencies and ultimately balance the role of chair with the continuing roles of teacher and scholar. Although they are pulled in many directions there may be no more important leadership position in the institution for those interested in affecting the future of young people as well as their colleagues. In this chapter we discuss the commonalities and differences between leadership and management across the PreK-16 continuum; present the general roles and responsibilities of school-based administrators and university-level department chairs, and; compare leadership readiness and transition processes of school-based and university-level department chairs. Implications for theory and practice are presented.
The status of fiber optics

This paper gives a general review of the historical development and current status of the fiber optic industry. It encompasses such technical topics as erbium doped fiber amplifiers (EDFA), semiconductor lasers, dense wavelength division multiplexed (DWDM) systems, fiber networks, LiNbO based modulators, and dispersion compensation. In addition, it discussed the economic infrastructure of the fiber optics industry and the role played by basic materials and device development.
Comparative locomotor costs of domestic dogs reveal energetic economy of wolf-like breeds

ABSTRACT The broad diversity in morphology and geographic distribution of the 35 free-ranging members of the family Canidae is only rivaled by that of the domesticated dog, Canis lupus familiaris. Considered to be among nature9s most elite endurance athletes, both domestic and wild canids provide a unique opportunity to examine the variability in mammalian aerobic exercise performance and energy expenditure. To determine the potential effects of domestication and selective breeding on locomotor gait and economy in canids, we measured the kinematics and mass-specific metabolism of three large (>20 kg) dog breed groups (northern breeds, retrievers and hounds) of varying morphological and genomic relatedness to their shared progenitor, the gray wolf. By measuring all individuals moving in preferred steady-state gaits along a level transect and on a treadmill, we found distinct biomechanical, kinematic and energetic patterns for each breed group. While all groups exhibited reduced total cost of transport (COT) at faster speeds, the total COT and net COT during trotting and galloping were significantly lower for northern breed dogs (3.0 and 2.1 J kg −1 m −1 , respectively) relative to hound (4.2 and 3.4 J kg −1 m −1 , respectively) and retriever dogs (3.8 and 3.0 J kg −1 m −1 , respectively) of comparable mass. Similarly, northern breeds expended less energy per stride (3.5 J kg −1 stride −1 ) than hounds or retrievers (5.0 and 4.0 J kg −1 stride −1 , respectively). These results suggest that, in addition to their close genetic and morphological ties to gray wolves, northern breed dogs have retained highly cursorial kinematic and physiological traits that promote economical movement across the landscape.
The biomarker landscape in mycosis fungoides and Sézary syndrome

The practice of pre-emptive individualized medicine is predicated on the discovery, development and application of biomarkers in specific clinical settings. Mycosis fungoides and Sezary syndrome are the two most common type of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma, yet diagnosis, prognosis and disease monitoring remain a challenge. In this review, we discuss the current state of biomarker discovery in mycosis fungoides and Sezary syndrome, highlighting the most promising molecules in different compartments. Further, we emphasize the need for continued multicentre efforts to validate available and new biomarkers and to develop prospective combinatorial panels of already discovered molecules.
Seasonality and the logistic map

Abstract Nonlinear difference equations, such as the logistic map, have been used to study chaos and also to model population dynamics. Here we propose a model that extends the “lose + lose = win” behavior found in Parrondo’s Paradox, where switching between chaotic parameters in the logistic map yields periodic behavior (“chaos + chaos = order”). The model uses twelve parameters each reflecting the conditions of one of the twelve months. In this paper we study the effects of smooth-transitioning parameters and the robust system that emerges.