cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Harmonic analysis of a Doubly Fed Induction Generator

The aim of this paper is to develop a framework for analysis of harmonics in a Doubly Fed Induction Generator (DFIG) caused by non-sinusoidal conditions in the rotor as well as unbalance in stator. Non-sinusoidal rotor voltages are decomposed into harmonic components and their corresponding sequences are identified. Then induced harmonics in rotor and stator are analyzed and computed, from which the torques produced by these interactions between stator and rotor harmonic components can be found. During unbalanced stator conditions, symmetric component theory is applied to the stator voltage to get positive-, negative and zero- sequence components of stator and rotor currents. The steady-state negative sequence equivalent circuit for a DFIG is derived based on reference frame theory. Harmonic currents in the rotor are computed based on the positive and negative sequence circuits. In both scenarios, the harmonic components of the electromagnetic torque are calculated from the interactions of the harmonic components of the stator and rotor currents. Three case studies are considered, namely, (i) non-sinusoidal rotor injection, (ii) an isolated unbalanced stator load scenario and (iii) grid-connected operation. The analysis is verified with results obtained through numerical simulations in Matlab/Simulink. The second case is verified using experiments. The simulation results and experimental results agree well with the results from analysis.
Why we see relativistic binary pulsars

Abstract The hypercritical accretion described by Chevalier in the preceding article forces a re-examination of the evolution of binary pulsars. We favor helium star binaries as progenitors, so that the first neutron star does not have to go through a hydrogen envelope. In this way it avoids going into a black hole. We argue here that, if the neutron-star helium-star binary following the first explosion is narrow, with relative axis a ~ 1 R ⊙ , then accretion from the helium star can bring the magnetic field of the neutron star down from B ≥ 10 12 G to B ~ 10 10 G. The neutron-star neutron-star binary resulting from such a narrow progenitor is likely to also be relatively narrow, although there is a tendency in the explosions of the remaining helium star for the orbit to open up by a factor of ~ (1 − e ) −1 , where e is the eccentricity of the relativistic neutron-star binary. Something like PSR 1913 + 16 or PSR 1534 + 12 results. Because the magnetic fields of the pulsars have been so reduced by accretion, their spin-down times are greatly increased, and, therefore, also the probability of seeing them.
An operational MISR pixel classifier using support vector machines

The Multi-angle Imaging SpectroRadiometer (MISR) data products now include a scene classification for each 1.1-km pixel that was developed using Support Vector Machines (SVMs), a cutting-edge machine learning technique for supervised classification. Using a combination of spectral, angular, and texture features, each pixel is classified as land, water, cloud, aerosol, or snow/ice, with the aerosol class further divided into smoke, dust, and other aerosols. The classifier was trained by MISR scientists who labeled hundreds of scenes using a custom interactive tool that showed them the results of the training in real time, making the process significantly faster. Preliminary validation shows that the accuracy of the classifier is approximately 81% globally at the 1.1-km pixel level. Applications of this classifier include global studies of cloud and aerosol distribution, as well as data mining applications such as searching for smoke plumes. This is one of the largest and most ambitious operational uses of machine learning techniques for a remote-sensing instrument, and the success of this system will hopefully lead to further use of this approach.
Jojoba oil analysis by high pressure liquid chromatography and gas chromatography/mass spectrometry

Two analytical procedures for determining com-positions of jojoba liquid wax esters are described and compared. One, the more tedious, involves separation of wax ester homologs by high pressure liquid chro-matography followed by determination of the acid and alcohol moieties from each homolog. The second allows rapid determination of wax ester composition by gas Chromatographic separation of hydrogenated jojoba wax esters according to chain length, followed immediately by ancillary mass spectrometric identifi-cation of the acid and alcohol moieties. Double bonds in the alkyl chains in jojoba liquid waxes were almost exclusively (98%) ω-9, when examined by gas chro-matography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) and ozonolysis/GC/MS.
Molecular HD and D2 in amorphous semiconductors

Deuteron magnetic resonance (DMR) spectroscopy resolves several distinct molecular HD and D2 species present in plasma-deposited deuterated a-Si and a-Ge films. Newly-discovered deuteron multiple spin echoes uniquely identify immobile HD and ortho-D2 molecules. Differentiable components of a 76 kHz doublet DMR line shape arise from para-D2 in the presence of lage static electric field gradients. Measurement of para to ortho conversion of D2 at 4.2 K provides further resolution of the microvoid D2 configurations. The microvoid HD and D2 population is inversely related to sample quality and ranges down to <0.02 at.% in high quality samples.
Central Core Domain of Retroviral Integrase Is Responsible for Target Site Selection

Integration of retroviral DNA can occur into many sites on target DNA with a wide variation in preference. One factor known to affect target site selection is integrase, the viral protein required for the integration reaction. In this study, assays that measure the distribution and frequency of retroviral DNA integration showed that purified integrases of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) and feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) had different patterns of target site usage. The integrase domain involved in target site selection was mapped by analyzing the integration pattern of chimeric proteins formed between HIV-1 and FIV integrases and of deletion variants of the two wild-type integrases. The results indicate that the domain responsible for target site selection resides in the central core region of integrase.
Snowline instability in a general circulation model: application to Carboniferous glaciation

For over twenty years it has been known that energy balance models (EBMs) with snow-albedo feedback are characterized by unstable behavior in some areas of parameter space. This behavior leads to rapid changes in snow area due to small changes in forcing, and has been termed the small ice cap instability (SICI). It has never been clarified whether this behaviour reflects a real feature of the climate system or a limitation in EBMs. In this study we demonstrate that evidence for similar unstable behavior can also be found in an atmospheric general circulation model (GCM), using a realistic set of boundary conditions for the Carboniferous (300 Ma), one of the most extensive periods of glaciation in Earth history. When solar luminosity is sequentially lowered to near values appropriate for the Carboniferous, there is a discontinuous increase in summer snow area. The instability occurs in approximately the same area of parameter space as one previously found in an EBM. Analysis of selected fields indicates that the circulation is primarily affected in the area of snow increase; far-field effects are minimal. There is good agreement between model-generated summer snowcover and one reconstruction of Carboniferous ice cover. Although more work is required on this topic, our results provide increased support for the possibility that the snowline instability represents a real feature of the climate system, and that it may help explain some cases of glacial inception and abrupt transitions in Earth history.
Information and involvement preferences of women in their 40s before their first screening mammogram.

Background Informed decision making regarding screening mammography is recommended for women in their 40s; however, what information women want and how much involvement in decision making they prefer are not known. Methods Surveys were mailed to women aged 40 to 44 scheduled for their first screening mammogram. Women were members of a large New England health maintenance organization and received medical care at a multispecialty practice in the greater Boston area. Outcome measures included information needs and decisional control preferences. Results Ninety-six women responded. Of 93 identifying their ethnicity, 62 (67%) were white, 18 (19%) were black, 10 (11%) were Asian, 2 (2%) were Hispanic, and 1 (1%) was other. Most (91% [85/93]) wanted their primary care provider to be the source of information regarding screening mammography. Information needs included the next steps to take if the mammogram result was abnormal (89%), how the woman would be contacted (75%), and how quickly (71%). Women also wanted to know about the harms of false-positive (84%) and false-negative (82%) results, benefits of screening in prolonging life (73%), and risk of getting breast cancer (69%). Most women preferred to make the screening decision after considering their medical provider’s opinion (38%) or together with their medical provider (46%); fewer than 10% preferred that the decision be made by the woman or her provider alone. Conclusions Women cited specific information needs before initiating screening mammography, including screening logistics and potential harms and benefits of screening. They also wanted to participate in the decision-making process. Effective methods should be developed for communicating desired information before screening.
Behavioral control by stimuli associated with acquisition of morphine self-administration

Seven rats were allowed to acquire self-administration behavior which was then extinguished. Two stimuli previously associated with self-administration, a buzzer and presence of drug in the organism, were tested for their effects upon conditioned drug-taking behavior. In tests of each stimulus separately, there was a gradual decline of behavioral control. However, when tested in combination they maintained behavior even if the conditioned reinforcing property of the buzzer had previously been extinguished. The significance of the results to behavioral control as it relates to the applied problem of eliminating conditioned drug-taking behavior was discussed.
Variational derivation and extensions of distributed approximating functionals

Extensions of the "Distributed Approximating Functional” (DAF) approach to approximating functions and their derivatives are given. The method, although inherently approximate, can be made arbitrarily accurate, numerically stable, and computationally efficient by appropriate choice of parameters. It also provides approximate representations of quantum operators which are analytic and which can be accurate. Differences between the DAFs and more standard basis set approaches are discussed in order to clarify the properties of the DAFs. Some illustrative examples are given.
Using pentafluorophenyl as a Lewis acid to stabilize a cis secondary amide conformation.

N-(Pyrimidin-2-yl)pentafluorobenzamide adopts a cis amide bond in the solid state with a pyrimidyl nitrogen pointing toward the center of the perfluorophenyl ring. In solution, the compound is a mixture of cis and trans rotamers. The conformational equilibrium is strongly solvent dependent, and the cis rotamer is entropically favored. It is proposed that the entropic driving force is decreased solvation of the two aryl groups when in the cis conformation.
The Effacement of Post-9/11 Orphanhood: Re-reading the Harry Potter Series as a Melancholic Rhetoric

Contrary to critics and scholars interested in the series’ therapeutic value, Harry Potter encourages post-9/11 subjects to neither heal nor mourn. Instead of taking up the potential pain and transformation in realizing and coming to terms with the deaths of his parents, Harry’s reattachment to the institution precludes his abilities to mourn constructively and his orphanhood effectively gets effaced over the course of the series. This article suggests that the therapeutic value ascribed to Harry Potter indicates a hope that it will serve as a pedagogical device to produce loyal, patriotic citizen-subjects that will hold on to rather than mourn loss.
Beliefs about coalition formation in multiple resource three‐person situations

Minimum resource theory and several different solution concepts of game theory as applied to three-person constant sum coalition situations differ in suggested outcomes. Minimum resource theory predicts the two weaker parties will form a coalition because of a payoff split according to its definition of power. Students were asked to judge coalition probability for multiple resource situations. Results showed that judges thought the stronger coalition was as likely or more likely to occur than the weaker coalition. This result indicated the possible importance of the person in the middle of a power structure and the differences between perception of and acting in a coalition. It also raises several questions concerning the interpretation of game theory solutions and minimum resource theory in the provision of testable hypotheses.
Enhancing Information for Investors

Many publicly held companies provide financial information to investors in a variety of forms and formats. But not all companies provide the same level of information, or devote the same amount of resources to tailor information to users' needs. How can they provide a more user-focused view of the company's financial condition? © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Controlling the Extent of Diradical Character by Utilizing Neighboring Group Interactions

The extent of diradical character of a recently reported “localized singlet diradical that is indefinitely stable at room temperature” (R4P2B2R‘2) is assessed by electronic structure calculation of orbital occupation numbers compared to other well-studied diradicaloid systems. Our study shows that it has significantly less diradical character (and much more bonding character) than other typical organic diradicals. How this molecule, R4P2B2R‘2, attains this stability (bonding character) despite the long (2.60 A) B−B distance is satisfactorily explained using a simplified model compound, H4P2B2H2, and frontier orbital mixing ideas. Increasing bond length usually makes a molecule more diradicaloid. For example, as the H−H bond stretches in a homolytic single-bond breaking process, H2 becomes more and more diradical-like, eventually becoming a pure diradical at complete separation. A counter-example is presented in this paper in which the molecule with a longer B−B “bond” distance (2.60 A), H4P2B2H2, represen...
Quantitative computed tomography scanning for measurement of bone and bone marrow fat content. A comparison of single- and dual-energy techniques using a solid synthetic phantom.

Quantitative CT (QCT) has become a popular method for estimating bone mineral content. In addition, QCT can be used to estimate the fat content of trabecular bone. Although the latter has received little attention, it may prove to be clinically significant. Using a set of custom-built, tissue-mimick
Synthesis and molecular structures of a pair of tris(imidazolyl)phosphine cobalt–perchlorate complexes, {[PimPri2]Co(OClO3)}[ClO4] and {[PimPri2]Co(OH2)(HOMe)(OClO3)}[ClO4]

The cobalt–perchlorate complexes, {[PimPri2]Co(OClO3)}(ClO4) and {[PimPri2]Co(OH2)(HOMe)(OClO3)}(ClO4), have been synthesized via the reaction of tris[2-(1,4-diisopropylimidazolyl)]phosphine [PimPri2] with Co(ClO4)2·6H2O; the isolation of these species, as opposed to a hydroxide derivative {[PimPri2]CoOH}+, demonstrates the important role that steric interactions play in generating synthetic analogues for metal-substituted carbonic anhydrases.
Central regulation of the cough reflex: Therapeutic implications

In many species including humans, antagonists of NMDA-type glutamate receptors such as dextromethorphan, when used at sufficient doses, have been found to be relatively safe and effective antitussives. Similarly, now in five different species (guinea pigs, rabbits, cats, dogs and pigs), neurokinin receptor antagonists have also proven to be safe and effective antitussive agents. Both of these classes of drugs act centrally to prevent cough. A brief review of what is known about the central encoding of cough is presented, as are the advantages of centrally acting antitussives. Also discussed are new insights into cough and NMDA receptor signaling that may lead to the development of more effective antitussive agents with limited side effects and broad application in treating cough associated with a variety of aetiologies.
Myelination by transplanted fetal and neonatal oligodendrocytes in a dysmyelinating mutant

Demyelination is a major feature of CNS injury and disease, including multiple sclerosis. To examine the potential for myelination by transplanted oligodendrocytes, initially described by Gumpel et al., we have transplanted neonatal cortex of mice with normal myelin into a dysmyelinating mutant, the shiverer mouse. We have found that oligodendrocyte precursors mature and synthesize myelin following transplantation. Immunostaining with antibodies to myelin basic protein (MBP), neurofilament protein and glial fibrillary acidic protein, demonstrates myelination both within the graft and extending out into the host, axonal sprouting from the graft which parallels the MBP-reactivity, and minimal astrocytic proliferation in response to the transplant.
Targeting of protein ubiquitination by BTB-Cullin 3-Roc1 ubiquitin ligases.

The concentrations and functions of many cellular proteins are regulated by the ubiquitin pathway. Cullin family proteins bind with the RING-finger protein Roc1 to recruit the ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme (E2) to the ubiquitin ligase complex (E3). Cul1 and Cul7, but not other cullins, bind to an adaptor protein, Skp1. Cul1 associates with one of many F-box proteins through Skp1 to assemble various SCF–Roc1 E3 ligases that each selectively ubiquitinate one or more specific substrates. Here, we show that Cul3, but not other cullins, binds directly to multiple BTB domains through a conserved amino-terminal domain. In vitro, Cul3 promoted ubiquitination of Caenorhabditis elegans MEI-1, a katanin-like protein whose degradation requires the function of both Cul3 and BTB protein MEL-26. We suggest that in vivo there exists a potentially large number of BCR3 (BTB–Cul3–Roc1) E3 ubiquitin ligases.
Evaluation of the Protective Potency of New Tuberculosis Vaccines

Animal models used to evaluate the relative protective potency of a panel of tuberculosis vaccines have yielded dissimilar data. Moreover, it is not known which animal model predicts the protective potency of vaccines for humans. Accordingly, animal models should be developed on the basis of an understanding of the key events in the pathogenesis of tuberculosis in humans. Vaccines such as bacille Calmette-Guerin (BCG) appear to protect against tuberculosis by inhibiting the bacillemic phase of primary infection with virulent tubercle bacilli; therefore, such vaccines can be expected to provide protection against tuberculosis developing via the endogenous reactivation pathway but not against disease developing via the exogenous reinfection pathway. To protect against disease developing by the latter pathway, it would appear that new vaccines produced by recombinant DNA technology or through use of monoclonal antibody would have to inhibit the implantation of bacilli at the portal of entry in the lungs. Experience with BCG vaccine indicates that factors other than the inherent potency of the vaccine play a decisive role in the outcome of vaccine trials in humans. These same factors will probably influence field trials of any new generation of tuberculosis vaccines.
Table Dancing in an Opium Den: Marx’s Conjuration of Criticism out of “Criticism of Religion” in 1844

AbstractThis article re-examines criticism-of-religion in Marx’s “A Contribution to the Critique of Hegel’s Philosophy of Right. Introduction” and its role in his development of historical materialist criticism in the wake of Derrida’s attempted revaluation of the identification of religion with ideology in Marx’s later writings. It first focuses upon Marx’s appropriation and use of Feuerbach’s criticism of religion in “Contribution” and the Economic and Philosophical Manuscripts. Then it situates “Contribution” ’s famous apothegm, religion “is the opium of the people,” in relation to Marx’s subsequent writings on the “Celestial Empire” China and in the context of opium’s multiple contemporary significations. Marx’s understandings of religion and its critique are thus seen to well exceed the assumed limitation of the latter’s purview to ideology criticism and the conventional characterizations of the former as false consciousness, ineffectual protest, and/or depoliticizing consolation. Marx’s criticism-of-religion is shown to exemplify what he calls “irreligious criticism.”
SU-E-J-274: Image Distortion Quantification and Image Registration QA in GammaKnife Radiosurgery Using A Modus GRID3D Phantom

Purpose: To quantify image distortion in MRI and CT images used in GammaKnife radiosurgery planning with a Modus GRID3D phantom. Methods: Image distortion in GammaKnife radiosurgery can affect treatment efficacy by inaccurately depicting tumors and organs at risk in the brain. It is therefore important that a quantified QA check on image distortion be performed periodically. A commercial 3-dimensional grid phantom and its associated software, GRID3D (Modus Medical Devices Inc.), was used in determining image distortion on the MRI machines and the CT-simulator that are used clinically for GammaKnife treatment planning. The GammaKnife head frame and frame box were placed on the phantom and imaged on each MRI and CT machine according to GammaKnife imaging protocols used clinically at our institution. The obtained images were imported into the GRID3D Image Distortion Analysis System where the distortion of each image set was calculated. The calculation works by quantifying the 3D spatial deviation between the reconstructed image sets and the program's reference phantom. For registration QA, the CT and MR image sets were registered with each other. The regular analysis of grids alignment allows us to evaluate the quality of image registration from MRI to CT (commonly used in the Gamma Knife preplan scheme) and vice versa. Results: Distortion analysis using the GRID3D phantom numerically represented image distortion in the x, y, and z direction for each MRI machine and CT simulator used clinically for GammaKnife treatments. The spatial deviation between images in each direction is generally less than or equal to 1 mm when the imager is functioning properly. Image registration QA using the GRID3D phantom proves to be very efficient. Conclusion: The quantified image distortion check is important and should be incorporated into routine QA practice. It is especially important to perform this check immediately after a major machine upgrade.
Digestion of protein in Hydra as studied using radioautography and fractionation by differential solubilities.

Abstract 1. 1. The mechanism by which Hydra degrade ingested labeled protein was investigated, utilizing primarily the techniques of fractionation by differential solubilities and of radioautography. 2. 2. The animals incorporated 80 per cent of the ingested labeled tissue within six hours. 3. 3. No significant increase in amino acids or peptides occurred in the gut during the six hours following ingestion. 4. 4. As the radioactivity of the protein within the gastrovascular cavity decreased, the radioactivity of the protein fraction of the Hydra cells increased. 5. 5. At four hours after ingestion, the radioactivity of the large peptide fraction of the Hydra cells increased, while a similar decrease was observed in the protein fraction of the Hydra. 6. 6. A significant portion of the radioactivity from the ingested tissue was transferred from the highly radioactive endoderm to the ectoderm 24 hours following ingestion. 7. 7. Little of the radioactivity from the ingested food was incorporated into the tentacles regenerating in Hydra decapitated six hours following feeding. However, Hydra decapitated 48 hours after the labeled food was ingested, had a significant amount of label in the regenerated tentacles. 8. 8. Measurements of a hydroxyproline-rich protein of the nematocysts indicated that synthesis of these proteins occurred for as long as two days following food ingestion. 9. 9. The cellular areas active in taking up the food particles were determined by radioautography. 10. 10. The animals lost 25 per cent of their 35S-label during the five days following feeding. 11. 11. The following topics are elaborated in the Discussion: mechanism of digestion in Hydra; comparative aspects of intracellular and extracellular digestion; the storage function of intracellular digestion; alcohol-soluble proteins; possible mechanisms of egestion; and possible applications of the techniques developed in this study.
Probabilistic unification-based integration of syntactic and semantic preferences for nominal compounds

In this paper, we describe a probabilistic framework for unification-based grammars that facilitates integrating syntactic and semantic constraints and preferences. We share many of the concerns found in recent work on massively-parallel language interpretation models, although the proposal reflects our belief in the value of a higher-level account that is not stated in terms of distributed computation. We also feel that inadequate learning theories severely limit existing massively-parallel language interpretation models. A learning theory is not only interesting in its own right, but must underlie any quantitative account of language interpretation, because the complexity of interaction between constraints and preferences makes ad hoc trial-and-error strategies for picking numbers infeasible, particularly for semantics in realistically-sized domains.
An Experimental Test of Two Theories of Spaced Practice Effects

Summary.-Inhibition and consolidation theories of psychomotor reminiscence were examined under spaced pracrice conditions in which the intercrial intervals were constant, gradually increasing, or gradually decreasing. Data for 80 subjects conformed more closely to predictions derived from inhibition theory than to those derived from consolidation theory. Investigators of psychomotor learning and performance have known for nearly a hundred years that some mixture of practice and rest generally produces a higher level of task proficiency than that resulting from practice alone. The gain attributable to rest, commonly known as reminiscence, ranks today among the most conspicuous and dependable phenomena in the psychomotor domain. Despite its visibility and generality, however, reminiscence has proven stubbornly resistant to interpretation in any generally acceptable way. As Eysendc and Frith (1977) and Irion (1969) have recounted in scholarly detail, the history of the problem is replete with often ingenious conceptualizations; but few of these have retained any appreciable degree of viabiliry, and none has survived experimental scrutiny unscathed.
U.S. Travelers' Healthy-Living Attitudes' Impacts on Their Travel Information Environment

ABSTRACT This research study examined the impacts of U.S. travelers' healthy-living attitudes on their travel information search strategies. A survey of 520 U.S. travelers revealed differences, based on their healthy-living attitudes, in the importance which individuals attached to travel-related information as they plan their leisure vacations. Individuals who have positive attitudes toward exercise and nutrition tend to be active travel information seekers by valuing more various sources of travel information.
Localization of 3', 5'-cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase activity in isolated thyroid cells and intact thyroid tissue.

Cytochemical localization of 3′,5′-cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase (cPDEase) has been investigated by light and electron microscopy in dissociated bovine thyroid cells and in intact bovine thyroid tissue. By light microscopy in isolated thyroid cells reaction product deposition associated with cPDEase activity was localized at the level of the plasma membrane. In intact cryostat cut thyroid tissue, the activity was primarily observed in the cytoplasm and to a lesser extent at the level of the plasma membrane. By electron microscopy, cPDEase activity in isolated cells was found on the plasma membrane and was also encountered on the inner surface of membrane bound vacuoles, presumably pinocytic in origin. In intact tissue, cPDEase activity appeared mostly localized on the apical and lateral plasma membranes and was also present on the outer surface of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). Even though cPDEase and 5′-AMPase did share the same plasma membrane localization, the inhibitory response to theophylline and stimulation with Imidazole permitted the dissociation of their respective activities. 5′-AMPase failed to respond to either theophylline or Imidazole suggesting absence of cross reactivity between 5′-AMP and cyclic AMP. Thyrotropin (TSH) had no effect on cPDEase activity. We conclude that: (1) regardless of the nature of the material used, the cytomembranes of thyroid cells possess cPDEase activity; and that (2) the variability in distribution as well as in staining intensity recorded by light and electron microscopy between isolated thyroid cells and cryostat cut thyroid tissue is probably inherent to the methodology used.
Array-Based Comparative Genomic Hybridization from Formalin-Fixed, Paraffin-Embedded Breast Tumors

Identification of prognostic and predictive genomic markers requires long-term clinical follow-up of patients. Extraction of high-quality DNA from archived formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded material is essential for such studies. Of particular importance is a robust reproducible method of whole genome amplification for small tissue samples. This is especially true for high-resolution analytical approaches because different genomic regions and sequences may amplify differentially. We have tested a number of protocols for DNA amplification for array-based comparative genomic hybridization (CGH), in which relative copy number of the entire genome is measured at 1 to 2 mb resolution. Both random-primed amplification and degenerate oligonucleotide-primed amplification approaches were tested using varying amounts of fresh and paraffin-extracted normal and breast tumor input DNAs. We found that random-primed amplification was clearly superior to degenerate oligonucleotide-primed amplification for array-based CGH. The best quality and reproducibility strongly depended on accurate determination of the amount of input DNA using a quantitative polymerase chain reaction-based method. Reproducible and high-quality results were attained using 50 ng of input DNA, and some samples yielded quality results with as little as 5 ng input DNA. We conclude that random-primed amplification of DNA isolated from paraffin sections is a robust and reproducible approach for array-based CGH analysis of archival tumor samples.
Complement component C1q and its receptor are involved in the interaction of human sperm with zona-free hamster eggs.

C1q is a component of the classical complement pathway that can react with the Fc-fragment of immunoglobulins and with other proteins, such as fibronectin, laminin, and a specific C1q receptor present on several cell types. Given its role in many adhesion systems, mainly related to phagocytosis, we tested the effects of C1q on the interaction between human spermatozoa and zona-free hamster eggs. The presence of C1q in the medium used for gamete coincubation resulted in promotion of sperm-oolemma adhesion and an inhibition of penetration. The number of adherent sperm per egg at 5 μg/ml concentration was 90 ± 35 vs. 29 ± 7 for the control (P < 0.001). At 1 μg/ml, the lower concentration at which C1q had an effect, the number of penetrating sperm/egg was 0.6 vs. 1.7 for the control without C1q (P < 0.01), and the percent of penetrated eggs was 28% vs. 85%. At 50 μg/ml, the percent of penetrated eggs was 7%, with a penetration index of 0.07. The addition of C1q to the medium resulted in sperm agglutination, which varied between sperm donors. The presence of C1q receptors, as detected by anti-C1qR monoclonal antibodies (Mabs), was demonstrated both on zona-free hamster eggs by immunobead rosetting and on human spermatozoa by immunobead binding and indirect immunofluorescence. Mabs directed against different epitopes of C1qR had different effects on gamete interaction, with a partial inhibition of penetration mediated by some of them. The binding of C1q to antibody-free human spermatozoa was also demonstrated both by means of indirect immunofluorescence and utilizing 125I-C1q. Cur results suggest that C1q and its receptor could be involved in fertilization and provide additional support for the hypothesis that sperm incorporation by the oocyte utilized a family of cell membrane receptors or binding sites similar to those involved in phagocytosis.
State-Sponsored Public Reporting Of Hospital Quality: Results Are Hard To Find And Lack Uniformity

The prevalence of state public reporting initiatives that focus on hospital quality is not known. We systematically reviewed state-sponsored public reporting programs that focused on clinical aspects of hospital quality and performance for adults, by surveying the fifty US states and the District of Columbia. We found that although identifying information about programs was frequently a challenge, twenty-five states had programs that reported about hospital quality. Information varied considerably from state to state, by health condition and by process and outcome measures reported. We examine the implications of these findings for future state initiatives.
Phospho-Akt Overexpression in Non–Small Cell Lung Cancer Confers Significant Stage-Independent Survival Disadvantage

Purpose: Akt is a signal transduction protein that plays a central role in inhibiting apoptosis in a variety of cell types including human cancer cells. In cell lines derived from human non–small cell lung cancers (NSCLCs), Akt has been shown to confer chemoresistance by inhibition of apoptosis in response to different chemotherapeutic agents including platinum-based agents, which are often the first-line therapy for NSCLCs. Only 20% to 30% of patients with NSCLC treated with chemotherapy have clinical evidence of response. The purpose of this study is to determine whether or not overexpression of activated Akt [i.e., phosphorylated Akt (pAkt)] is correlated with survival. Experimental Design: We studied tumors from 61 patients with NSCLC in three tissue microarrays. All patients were followed for a period of 10 years or until death. The arrays were studied immunohistochemically with antibodies against pAkt, p53, and Ki-67. Results: There was a statistically significant difference in survival between the 14 patients with strong pAkt staining and the 47 patients with weak to absent pAkt staining both by log-rank (P = 0.0416) and Breslow analysis (P = 0.0446). Difference in survival time with respect to pAkt status was also statistically significant even after accounting for stage at diagnosis (P = 0.004). Neither p53 nor Ki-67 was a statistically significant prognostic factor. Conclusions: Overexpression of pAkt is an independent prognostic factor. Additional studies of human NSCLCs are warranted to drive the development of targeted tumor-specific antineoplastic therapies.
Role of Cyclic AMP in Cerebrospinal Fluid Production

The cyclic nucleotide 3′,5′-adenosine monophosphate (cyclic AMP) was first described by Sutherland58 and his co-workers and since that time has been exhaustively studied in a large number of mammalian as well as nonmammalian tissues.29,51 That cyclic AMP acts as a second messenger in mediating the actions of numerous hormones has been conclusively demonstrated. Cyclic AMP mediates such diverse functions as thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) stimulation of the thyroid gland, the renal response to parathyroid hormone, the effects of epinephrine, glucagon, and TSH on lipolysis, and the release of insulin by the pancreas.29 A significant body of literature has developed showing that cyclic AMP plays a major role in the movement of solute and water across cellular membranes. Vasopressin (ADH) initiates antidiuresis in the kidney by stimulating adenylate cyclase activity.14,32,42 Other hormones control fluid and electrolyte movement through cyclic AMP mediation in the gut,23 the toad bladder,47 the inner ear,19 the pancreas,8 and the salivary glands.15
Strategic sustainability and operational efficiency dilemma of data centres

The core discussion is based on three large service companies that were analysed from a case study-perspective in terms of green energy options for its data centres, especially maintenance efforts to increase efficiency of their data centres while maintaining required levels of reliability and cooling. The components of operational effectiveness and strategy broke down into many parts. Following strategic initiatives and balancing the operational effectiveness of the firms studied, it was suggested that these trends should generate vastly different sources of competitive advantage like networking economies of scale, new opportunities for the purely physical business to a more green-based IT to eliminate distribution channels that only provide information, changes in brand identity, and reduced operating costs.
A closer look at overuse injuries in the pediatric athlete.

OBJECTIVE To examine male-female differences in pediatric overuse sports injuries. STUDY DESIGN Cross-sectional epidemiological study. SETTING Tertiary level sports medicine division in a large academic pediatric medical center. PARTICIPANTS Five percent probability sample of patients 5 to 17 years seen from January 1, 2000 to December 31, 2009. About 3813 charts reviewed. Final study cohort included 1614 patients. INTERVENTION Nonlinear decomposition analysis of male-female differences in overuse injuries. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Age, body mass index, history of previous injury, and activity type (contact/collision, team vs individual, "high overuse"). RESULTS Females sustained approximately half of the total injuries. Fifty-two percent of the injuries were overuse, 61% to the lower extremity. A high proportion of tennis players, swimmers, dancers, track athletes, runners, gymnasts, and cheerleaders were seen for overuse injuries. Females sustained more overuse injuries versus males (63% and 40%, respectively). Males playing team sports have a 5.3 times higher likelihood of being seen for an overuse injury compared with males not playing team sports (P < 0.01). High-overuse sport participation increased overuse injury odds by a factor of 10 for males versus 3.6 for females (P ≤ 0.01 for males and females). Forty-six percent of the male-female difference in overuse injuries could be attributed to sport/activity characteristics-contact/collision, team, and high overuse. CONCLUSIONS A large proportion of the sex discrepancy in overuse injuries in this cohort was attributed to compositional differences in sports played. Future research is needed to investigate the independent effect of sex on risk for pediatric sports injuries. CLINICAL RELEVANCE This study provides a unique analysis of male-female differences in pediatric sports injuries and is the first study to estimate the impact of the different characteristics (ie, collision, team, high overuse) of sports children play on overuse injuries sustained by young athletes. The findings will help guide future prevention efforts.
Experiences of Self-Monitoring: Successes and Struggles During Treatment for Weight Loss

We interviewed 15 individuals who completed a behavioral weight loss treatment study with the aim of exploring participants' reflections on their feelings, attitudes, and behaviors while using a paper diary to self-monitor their diet. Constant comparative and matrix analysis procedures were used to analyze interview data; the qualitative results were then interfaced with descriptive numerical data on individuals' adherence to self-monitoring and weight loss. Three categories of self-monitoring experience were identified: (a) well-disciplined-those who had high adherence to self-monitoring, high weight loss, and a "can do" positive approach, (b) missing the connection-those who had moderate adherence, moderate- to low weight loss, and an "it's an assignment" approach, without integrating self-monitoring into everyday life, and (c) diminished support-those who had poor adherence, poor weight control, and were adversely affected by coexisting negative factors. Given the variations in how individuals integrated the process of self-monitoring, we need to consider individualizing self-monitoring strategies to improve adherence.
Should We Be Trying So Hard to Be Postmodern? A Response to Drees, Haught, and Yeager

This paper explores the thesis that both modernism and postmodernism, as contemporary cultural phenomena, have been unable to come to terms with the issue of human rationality in any positive way. As a result of this, nearly all of the stereotyped ways of relating theology and science through models of conflict, independence, consonance, harmony, integration, or dialogue are likely to be revealed as too simplistic generalizations about the relationship between these two dominant forces in our culture. What is proposed is a postfoundationalist model where theology and science can rediscover the resources of rationality shared by these two reasoning strategies. Postfoundationalism in theology and science wants to point creatively beyond the confines of the local community, group, or culture toward a plausible form of interdisciplinary conversation. In taking seriously the role of local context and interpreted experience, postfoundationalism in theology and science should enable us to reach beyond the walls of our own communities in cross-contextual, cross-cultural and cross-disciplinary conversation.
Adipose VEGF Links the White-to-Brown Fat Switch With Environmental, Genetic, and Pharmacological Stimuli in Male Mice

Living in an enriched environment (EE) decreases adiposity, increases energy expenditure, causes resistance to diet induced obesity, and induces brown-like (beige) cells in white fat via activating a hypothalamic-adipocyte axis. Here we report that EE stimulated vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression in a fat depot-specific manner prior to the emergence of beige cells. The VEGF up-regulation was independent of hypoxia but required intact sympathetic tone to the adipose tissue. Targeted adipose overexpression of VEGF reproduced the browning effect of EE. Adipose-specific VEGF knockout or pharmacological VEGF blockade with antibodies abolished the induction of beige cell by EE. Hypothalamic brain-derived neurotrophic factor stimulated by EE regulated the adipose VEGF expression, and VEGF signaling was essential to the hypothalamic brain-derived neurotrophic factor-induced white adipose tissue browning. Furthermore, VEGF signaling was essential to the beige cells induction by exercise, a β3-adrenergic agonist, and a peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ ligand, suggesting a common downstream pathway integrating diverse upstream mechanisms. Exploiting this pathway may offer potential therapeutic interventions to obesity and metabolic diseases.
COHERENT AND TUNABLE TERAHERTZ OSCILLATORS, GENERATORS, AND AMPLIFIERS

We have considered feasibilities of using optical parametric oscillation and amplification, and difference-frequency generation for efficiently generating and amplifying terahertz waves in several second-order nonlinear optical materials. They include GaAs, GaP, GaSe, CdSe, LiNbO3 and LiTaO3. The advantage of using birefringence in CdSe and GaSe is tunability of the output terahertz frequency. Furthermore, both CdSe and GaSe can be used to achieve the backward parametric oscillation without any cavity. On the other hand, in periodically-poled LiNbO3 and LiTaO3, one can take advantage of large diagonal elements of second-order nonlinear susceptibility tensor. In the diffusion-bonded-stacked GaAs and GaP plates, quasi-phase matching can be achieved by alternatively rotating the plates. It is also feasible to achieve phase matching in a single GaAs or GaP plate due to the presence of the absorption tail of polariton modes. In this case, tuning can be achieved by changing the pump wavelength. The advantages of using coherent parametric processes are possibilities of efficiently generating and amplifying temporally-coherent and narrow-linewidth tunable terahertz waves at room temperature. However, all other schemes do not possess these advantages. Compared with a noncollinear configuration, by using the parallel wave propagation configurations, the conversion efficiency can be higher because of longer effective interaction length among all the waves.
Evidence of a threshold wind speed in tower-mounted scatterometer data

The normalized radar backscatter (/spl sigma//sup o/) in scatterometer measurements over water is theorized to go to zero below a threshold wind speed due to insufficient friction between the wind and water to create capillary waves from which the radar signal scatters. Evidence of the threshold wind speed and a hysteresis effect have been observed in airship and wave tank data. There is additional evidence for a threshold wind speed in tower-mounted scatterometer data in an uncontrolled marine environment. In situ wind measurements and corresponding /spl sigma//sup o/ values obtained from YSCAT, an ultra-wideband scatterometer deployed on the Canada Centre for Inland Waters research tower at Lake Ontario, are used to detect and estimate the threshold wind speed. There is evidence for a detectable threshold in approximately half of the observations. The observed threshold wind speeds correspond well to theoretical threshold wind speeds.
The allopurinol hypersensitivity syndrome. Unnecessary morbidity and mortality

Patients receiving allopurinol are at risk of developing the allopurinol hypersensitivity syndrome, an immunologic reaction to the drug, characterized by multiple abnormalities such as fever, rash, decreased renal function, hepatocellular injury, leukocytosis, and eosinophilia. The records of 8 patients with the allopurinol hypersensitivity syndrome evaluated at the Downstate Medical Center hospitals and an additional 72 patients described in the literature were reviewed. All were seriously ill. Three of the 8 patients at the Downstate Medical Center hospitals died as a result of allopurinol hypersensitivity; 19 of the 72 previously described patients also died from consequences of taking the drug. Only 1 of our 8 patients with allopurinol hypersensitivity was given allopurinol for an appropriate reason. Eight of the 59 previously described patients on whom there was adequate information had legitimate indications for allopurinol therapy. Severe, often fatal iatrogenic disease occurred unnecessarily in the others.
Comparative effectiveness research in follicular lymphoma: current and future perspectives and challenges

Follicular lymphoma (FL) is the most common indolent non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma in northern America. FL is an incurable disease with relapsing–remitting courses requiring serial intermittent treatments. Duration of remission will often become progressively shorter and most patients will die from refractory disease or transformation to aggressive lymphoma. Given the incurable nature of FL, current goals of treatment are focused on improving symptoms and survival by a variety of available treatment options, while considering potential adverse events. Although randomized controlled trials are universally perceived as the gold standard of clinical research, randomized controlled trials are not always practical and have several limitations. Therapeutic and diagnostic options of FLs are expanding faster than randomized controlled trials can test them, so employing comparative effectiveness research on other research designs are needed to efficiently improve global FL care. Implementing comparative effectiveness res...