cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Protein expression of the tumor suppressors p16INK4A and p53 and disease progression in recurrent respiratory papillomatosis.

Background: Recurrent respiratory papillomatosis (RRP) is a benign condition that rarely metastasizes as invasive squamous cell carcinoma. Although this disease is associated with human papillomavirus, the role of this virus in tumorigenesis is unclear. Objectives: The aim of this study is to assess the involvement of the tumor suppressors P16INK4A and p53 in RRP tumor progression. Design: Immunohistochemistry of p16INK4A and p53 was performed on biopsies of recurrent squamous papillomas and invasive lesions in nine patients. Results: Twenty biopsies were graded as papillomas (RP), three as papillomas with high-grade dysplasia/carcinoma in situ (HGD/CIS), and two as invasive squamous cell carcinoma (SCCA). Forty-five percent of RP and 60% of HGD/CIS/SCCA expressed p16INK4A. Fifty percent of RP and 100% of HGD/CIS/SCCA expressed p53. The difference in the frequency of p53-positive staining between HGD/CIS and SCCA (100% of tissues examined) and RP (50% of tissues examined) approached statistical significance. Neither p16INK4A nor p53 was predictive of invasive transformation. Conclusions: Expression of p16INK4A, which is a surrogate for the tumor suppressor retinoblastoma (Rb), did not immediately lead to invasive disease. There is no correlation between disease severity of RRP and level of p16INK4A.
The location of pain in childbirth: natural childbirth and the transformation of obstetrics

Abstract In the post-World War II period obstetrics transformed the nature of its work, partly in response to the challenge of natural childbirth. The transformation is traced by focusing on obstetrics’understanding of pain in childbirth. In reformulating its field of power obstetrics reconstituted its patient-object to take into consideration the patient's subjectivity which, as a result of the natural childbirth movement, had asserted itself, escaping from the confines in which obstetrics had tried to contain it, and reclaiming for a fleeting instant the pain which signaled a woman's active participation in birth.
Higher education and emerging technologies: Shifting trends in student usage.

Abstract This study serves as an update to a previous study by Sam Houston State University librarians about the use and preferences of Internet, communication, and educational technologies among students. Since the previous study was initiated in 2010, the iPad has made its debut and significantly altered the educational technology landscape. In this new landscape, this study investigates student usage of such technologies as instant messaging, cell phones, e-readers, social networking, RSS feeds, podcasts, and tablets. In addition, this study aims to determine which technologies students prefer the library to utilize for a variety of services, such as reference assistance or book renewals, and which technologies may not be worth the investment, such as geosocial networking. The information gained from this survey is intended to provide guidance for libraries looking to provide services utilizing the most popular technologies with the most efficient use of resources. Survey results show an increasing use and dependence on educational technologies and a desire for basic library services to be available on a variety of platforms and technologies.
On the first passage times for Markov processes with monotone convex transition kernels

In this paper we study the first passage time for a damage process to exceed a given threshold or for the maximal increment of this process to pass a certain critical value. Conditions under which this first passage time possesses the NBU, the IFRA or the IFR properties are studied. An application to pure jump shock models is also discussed.
Multiscale retinex for improved performance in multispectral image classification

Image preprocessing is useful in helping to identify `spectral response patterns' for certain types of image classification problems. The common artifacts in remotely sensed images are caused by the blurring due to the optics of the image gathering device, illumination variations, and the radiative transfer of the atmosphere. The Multi-Scale Retinex (MSR) image enhancement algorithm that provides dynamic range compression, reduced dependence on lighting conditions, and improved (perceived) spatial resolution has proven to be an effective tool in the correction of image degradations such as those in remote sensing images. In this paper, we measure the improvement in classification accuracy due to the application of the MSR algorithm. We use simulated images generated with different scene irradiance and with known ground truth data. The simulation results show that, despite the degree of image degradation due to changes in atmospheric irradiance, classification error can be substantially reduced by preprocessing the image data with the MSR. Furthermore we show that, similar to the results achieved in previous work, the classification results obtained from the MSR preprocessed images for various scene irradiance are more similar to each other than are the classification results for the original unprocessed images. This is evident in the observed visual quality of the MSR enhanced images even before classification is performed, and in the different images obtained by comparing image data under different irradiance conditions. We conclude that the application of the MSR algorithm results in improved visual quality and increased spatial variation of multispectral images that is also optimal for certain types of multispectral image classification.© (2000) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Science on the fly: Enabling science autonomy during robotic traverse

Robotic explorers must be capable of autonomous navigation into unknown terrain as well as autonomous science to interpret their observations to guide exploration. In this research we have created a robot able to select science features, direct instruments, collect observations, build maps, and interpret this information to plan actions. We report on field experiments in California's Amboy Crater lava field and demonstrate fundamental capabilities for adaptive exploration in geologic mapping tasks. We show feature detection and instrument visual servoing that enables automated science observation of dozens of targets. Gaussian process models are used to discover spatial and cross-sensor structure including correlations between different locations and sensing scales. The rover develops these relationships on the fly with only on-board computation, reinterpreting remote sensing data in light of the surface materials it observes. The rover learns spatial models of physical phenomena and guides its exploration into informative areas using Maximum Entropy Sampling to improve exploration efficiency. The Amboy Crater experiments show that science autonomy can play a useful role in facilitating geologic survey on kilometer scales.
Asymptotic Symbol Error Probabilities of MIMO (multiple inputs and multiple outputs) Diversity Configurations and A Novel Close Loop Code Division MIMO Diversity Scheme

This paper derives, in an unconventional way, the asymptotic symbol error rate (ASEP) for existing MIMO diversity configurations. The ASEP contains only the term of the inverse SNR raised to the system diversity order (DO). It is an explicit function of the MIMO DO, its array gain (AG) resulting from increased DO and the SNR gaps under the same DO. When both transmit (Tx) and receive (Rx) antennas exceed one, the inter-channel interference (ICI) from different Tx antennas coming into the same Rx antenna makes it very difficult to obtain the full system DO, which equals the product of the number of Tx and the number of Rx antennas. ICI is cancelled in the Alamouti and dominant eigen-mode transmission (DET) MIMO diversity schemes [1,4] by creating effective orthogonal Tx-Rx channel matrix. Walsh orthogonal codes or code division (CD) schemes are also used in the open-loop (OL) MIMO diversity configuration, e.g. in WCDMA standard [2] without any bandwidth (BW) efficiency loss or processing gain. The paper proposes to use CD for the OL MIMO to not only avoid ICI and but also trade bandwidth for AG. It also proposes a CD scheme for the closed-loop (CL) MIMO diversity with the channel knowledge (CK) at the Tx. Compared to the existing CL DET and OL CD schemes, the CL CD scheme is much simpler and has about 1dB SNR improvement for a 2×2 system. Simulation results show good agreements with the theoretical analysis.
Stress tensor of a quark moving through N=4 thermal plasma

We develop the linear equations that describe graviton perturbations of ${\mathrm{AdS}}_{5}$-Schwarzschild generated by a string trailing behind an external quark moving with constant velocity. Solving these equations allows us to evaluate the stress tensor in the boundary gauge theory. Components of the stress tensor exhibit directional structures in Fourier space at both large and small momenta. We comment on the possible relevance of our results to relativistic heavy-ion collisions.
Applications of Belov's theorem to the cocharacter sequence of p.i. algebras

. Although this can be considereda signiﬁcant generalization of Belov’s theorem, it can be proven with essentially the sameproof. There is an excellent exposition of the proof in [2]. Since the proof with all of itsdetails would be long and since we do not presume that we could improve Belov andRowen’s treatment, we merely state the result we need and sketch the changes needed inthe proof.
Bombesin acts in preoptic area to produce hypothermia in rats.

Abstract To determine a neuroanatomic location where bombesin produces hypothermia, bombesin or an inactive bombesin analog, [D-Trp 8 ]-bombesin, were microinjected in nanogram quantities into various regions of the brain of unanesthetized, unrestrained, cold-exposed rats. Bombesin, but not [D-Trp 8 ]-bombesin, produced hypothermia when injected into or near the preoptic area, whereas injections into other forebrain and midbrain areas failed to lower body temperature. These results support a possible involvement of a bombesin-like peptide in thermoregulation.
Telescience - Concepts And Contributions To The Extreme Ultraviolet Explorer Mission

It is shown how the contradictory goals of low-cost and fast data turnaround characterizing the Extreme Ultraviolet Explorer (EUVE) mission can be achieved via the early use of telescience style transparent tools and simulations. The use of transparent tools reduces the parallel development of capability while ensuring that valuable prelaunch experience is not lost in the operations phase. Efforts made to upgrade the 'EUVE electronics' simulator are described.
Subclavian aneurysm producing the subclavian steal syndrome

An atherosclerotic aneurysm of the right subclavian artery causing subclavian steal syndrome is described. Complementary information obtained from digital subtraction angiography and computed tomography helped to establish a correct preoperative diagnosis.
Variations in Condom Use by Type of Partner in 13 Sub-Saharan African Countries

Using nationally representative data from 13 sub-Saharan African countries, we reinforce and expand upon previous findings that men report using condoms more frequently than women do and that unmarried respondents report that they use condoms with casual partners more frequently than married individuals report using them with their spouses. Based on descriptive, bivariate, and multivariate analyses, we also demonstrate to a degree not previously shown in the current literature that married men from most countries report using condoms with extramarital partners about as frequently as unmarried men report using them with casual partners. Married women from most of the countries included in the study reported using condoms with extramarital partners less frequently than unmarried women reported using them with casual partners. This result is especially troubling because marriage usually ensures regular sexual intercourse, thereby providing more opportunities for a person to pass HIV infection from an extramarital partner to his or her spouse. These findings about high-risk behaviors can be used to better target future HIV-transmission-prevention efforts.
Disaggregating End Loads with Energy-Harvesting Sensors and Cloud Analytics

Obtaining a detailed breakdown of household energy consumption would allow occupants to better understand their energy usage patterns and identify opportunities for energy savings. Current solutions are too course-grained, too difficult to deploy, not networked, or offer poor coverage of hard to meter items, such as ceiling lights. To address these problems, we demonstrate a wirelessly networked, energy-harvesting power metering system that draws zero standby power and is power proportional to the load it is metering. The system is comprised of three different meters: one for plugged-in loads, one for panel-level circuits, and one for hard-to-sense loads, such as ceiling lights. Each meter harvests energy proportionally to the load it is measuring and powers a sensor node intermittently. Together, these sensors create multiple data streams which are aggregated by a receiver. When combined with a calibrated meter that measures total household power, our system can iteratively determine the contributions of each load to the total power usage, allowing users to gain a broad yet detailed view of their energy consumption and costs.
Human liver glutathione S-transferases: complete primary sequence of an Ha subunit cDNA

Summary Multiple human liver GSH S-transferases (GST) with overlapping substrate specificities may be essential to their multiple roles in xenobiotics metabolism, drug biotransformation, and protection against peroxidative damage. Human liver GSTs are composed of at least two classes of subunits, H a (M r =26,000) and H b (M r =27,500). Immunological cross-reactivity and nucleic acid hybridization studies revealed a close relationship between the human H a subunit and rat Y a , Y c subunits and their cDNAs. We have determined the nucleotide sequence of the H a subunit 1 cDNA, pGTH1. The alignments of its coding sequence with the rat Y a and Y c cDNAs indicate that they are ∼80% identical base-for-base without any deletion or insertion. Regions of sequence homology (>50%) have also been found between pGTH1 and a corn GST cDNA and rat GST cDNAs of the Y b and Y p subunits. Among the 62 highly conserved amino acid residues of the rat GST supergene family, 56 of them are preserved in the H a subunit 1 coding sequences. Comparison of amino-acid replacement mutations in these coding sequences revealed that the percentage divergence between the rat Y a and Y c genes is more than that between the H a and Y a or H a and Y c genes.
Grid adaptation using chimera composite overlapping meshes

The objective of this paper is to perform grid adaptation using composite over-lapping meshes in regions of large gradient to capture the salient features accurately during computation. The Chimera grid scheme, a multiple overset mesh technique, is used in combination with a Navier-Stokes solver. The numerical solution is first converged to a steady state based on an initial coarse mesh. Solution-adaptive enhancement is then performed by using a secondary fine grid system which oversets on top of the base grid in the high-gradient region, but without requiring the mesh boundaries to join in any special way. Communications through boundary interfaces between those separated grids are carried out using tri-linear interpolation. Applications to the Euler equations for shock reflections and to a shock wave/boundary layer interaction problem are tested. With the present method, the salient features are well resolved.
A ChemiluminesClent Precolumn Labelling Reagent for High-Performance Liquid Chromatography of Amino Acids

Abstract A chemiluminescent tag for precolumn derivatization of amino acids has been developed. The tag, 4-isocyanatophthalhydrazide, couples with 17 amino acids tested, including proline and hydroxyproline, in less than ten minutes. Twelve derivatized amino acids have been separated and detected with an average detection limit of 10 femptomoles per 20 μL injection.
DSP based receiver implementation for OFDM acoustic modems

Abstract Significant progress has been made recently on the use of multicarrier modulation in the form of orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) for high data rate underwater acoustic communications. In this paper, we present implementation results of OFDM acoustic modems under different settings with either one or two parallel data streams transmitted, whose data rate is 3.2 KB/s or 6.4 KB/s, respectively, with QPSK modulation, rate-1/2 channel coding, and signal bandwidth of 6 kHz. To achieve real time operation, the processing time for each OFDM block shall be (much) less than the block duration of 210 ms. We first implement the receiver algorithms on a floating point TMS320C6713 DSP development board, running at 225 MHz. With convolutional coding, the per-block processing time is about 38 ms and 77 ms for single-input single-output (SISO) and multi-input multi-output (MIMO) settings, respectively, where there are two transmitters and two receivers in the latter case. With nonbinary low-density parity-check (LDPC) coding, which gains about 2 dB in error performance relative to convolutional coding, the per-block processing time increases to 50 ms and 101 ms for SISO and MIMO settings, respectively. We have also implemented the receiver algorithms using a fixed-point TMS320C6416 DSP development board, where the DSP core runs at 1 GHz. The per-block processing time reduces by two thirds with negligible performance degradation.
Alluvial Fans Formed by Channelized Fluvial and Sheet Flow. I: Theory

Alluvial fans and fan-deltas are of three basic types: those built up primarily by the action of constantly avulsing river and stream channels, those constructed by sheet flows, and those resulting from the successive deposition of debris flows. The present analysis is directed toward the first two types. A mechanistic formulation of flow and sediment transport through river channels is combined with a simple quantification of the overall effect of frequent avulsion to derive relations describing the temporal and spatial evolution of mean (i.e., averaged over many avulsions) bed slope and elevation in an axially symmetric fan. An example of a fan formed predominantly by the deposition of sand is compared to a similar one formed predominantly by the deposition of gravel. In each example the case of channelized flow is compared to the case of sheet flow. The model is applied to the tailings basin of a mine in the companion paper.
Top quark effects on WW scattering

Abstract We calculate the one-loop corrections to longitudinal vector boson scattering at high energies due to a heavy top quark or a heavy fourth generation of fermions. We then consider the low-energy behaviour of these corrections and discuss their effect on efforts to distinguish between various schemes of electroweak symmetry breaking.
Cost convergence in the US airline industry: An analysis of unit costs 1995-2006

Abstract Recent changes in the strategies of US airlines have led to a convergence of unit costs between the network legacy carriers and low-cost carriers. We develop a methodology for breaking down operating cost data reported by the airlines and argue that certain cost categories must be excluded to make a valid comparison between the carrier groups. We find significant evidence of convergence in unit costs excluding fuel and transport-related expenses, and labor unit costs in particular. While network legacy carriers have improved cost efficiency through dramatic labor cost reductions and longer stage length flying, low-cost carriers labor unit costs continue to increase as these former new entrant airlines mature.
Arteriographic Ablation of Cervical Parathyroid Adenomas

In some cases of primary hyperparathyroidism, in particular where neck exploration has been unsuccessful, an alternative to surgical therapy may be desirable. We studied the acute and chronic metabolic effects of attempted angiographic destruction by angiographic contrast infusion of solitary parathyroid adenomas in 18 patients with symptomatic disease. Fourteen patients had failed prior surgery; 4 patients had not undergone prior surgery but were extremely high surgical risks. Cervical adenomas were present in 17 of 18 subjects; mediastinal adenoma in 1 of 18. Sixteen patients underwent selective parathyroid venous catheterization, which facilitated subsequent arteriographic localization. Selective arteriographic localization and attempted angiographic ablation were performed in all subjects with standard contrast, renografin-60. Laboratory studies, including serum calcium and PTH, were frequently performed before and after attempted angiographic parathyroid ablation. In all patients serum calcium fell t...
Random homogenization and convergence to integrals with respect to the Rosenblatt process

Abstract This paper concerns the random fluctuation theory of a one dimensional elliptic equation with highly oscillatory random coefficient. Theoretical studies show that the rescaled random corrector converges in distribution to a stochastic integral with respect to Brownian motion when the random coefficient has short-range correlation. When the random coefficient has long-range correlation, it was shown for a large class of random processes that the random corrector converged to a stochastic integral with respect to fractional Brownian motion. In this paper, we construct a class of random coefficients for which the random corrector converges to a non-Gaussian limit. More precisely, for this class of random coefficients with long-range correlation, the properly rescaled corrector converges in distribution to a stochastic integral with respect to a Rosenblatt process.
The impact of microphysical parameters, ice nucleation mode, and habit growth on the ice/liquid partitioning in mixed-phase Arctic clouds

[1] The fundamental physical processes that maintain supercooled liquid in observed Arctic mixed-phase clouds are poorly constrained. To isolate the factors that control ice/liquid partitioning during the ascent of an air parcel, we apply an adiabatic parcel model that includes ice nucleation by deposition and immersion freezing and ice habit evolution. Simulations are performed for two different temperature regimes that resemble those observed during the Mixed-Phase Arctic Cloud Experiment (−13°C < T < −9°C) and the Surface Heat Budget of the Arctic Ocean (−22°C < T < −17°C). Effects on ice and liquid water evolution in an updraft are explored as a function of ice nucleus (IN) concentration and nucleation mode, updraft velocity, properties of cloud condensation nuclei, and assumption about ice particle shape (habit). For most conditions, ice and liquid coexist and increase simultaneously, and only at high IN concentrations or low updraft velocities do ice particles grow at the expense of droplets. The impact of the ice nucleation mode on ice/liquid distribution depends on the temperature and supersaturation regime. The assumption of spherical ice particles instead of nonspherical habits leads to an underestimate of ice growth. It is concluded that updraft velocity, IN concentrations, and particle shape can impact ice/liquid distribution to similar extents.
Fine-needle aspiration biopsy diagnosis of costal juxtacortical chondrosarcoma presenting as an abdominal mass.

The majority of chondroid tumors arising in the cortex of bone are benign in nature. Juxtacortical chondrosarcoma is a relatively uncommon variant of chondrosarcoma, which by definition, is a malignant cartilaginous tumor that occurs on the surface of bone and measures at least 5 cm. Although the diagnostic value of fine-needle aspiration biopsy is well established, its role in the diagnosis of soft tissue/bone tumors is still not uniformly accepted. Herein, we describe an interesting and controversial case of costal juxtacortical chondrosarcoma presenting as a large intraabdominal mass in a 52-year old female patient, which was diagnosed by fine-needle aspiration biopsy. Diagn. Cytopathol. 2010;38:837–840. © 2010 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
The dispersion of silver nanoparticles with physical dispersal procedures

Abstract Dispersion degree strongly influences the rheological properties of nanosized particles containing suspension and, as a consequence, the quality of the deposited film. Furthermore, their applications will be rigorously restricted if the bad dispersion cannot be solved effectively. In this investigation, two physical dispersal processes, mechanical mixing with a three-roller mill and sonication, are used to disperse the nanosized silver particles in ethylene glycol and their effectiveness in dispersion are compared. The particle size distributions after dispersion with various procedures are observed by field emission scanning electron microscope (FE-SEM) and measured by image analysis technique. The measurement results show that mixing with a three-roll mill is an effective tool to break the agglomerates of silver nanoparticles in solvent, resulting in a better dispersion. The dispersion degree effect on the rheological properties and thixotropic characteristics of these suspensions are also elucidated. In addition, the film deposited from suspension with Ag nanoparticles mixed by three-roller mill has the lowest resistivity of approximately 3.64 × 102 μΩ cm.
The science of macromolecular crystallization.

Thanks to Bob Cudney, Hampton Research, Laguna Hills, CA, USA for kindly providing Figure 11Figure 11. The research described here was supported by grants and contracts from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration.
Lessons learned and advice from Vietnam war nurses: a qualitative study.

Aim. The aim of this paper is to describe guidance for nurses today from the lessons learned by nurses who served in the Vietnam War. Background. There is little research focusing on nurses’ experiences in the Vietnam War. Lessons learned and subsequent advice from nurses who served in Vietnam may be helpful to those serving in current and future wars. Methods. A Husserlian phenomenological approach was taken, using interviews with a purposive sample of Registered Nurses who were female, and had served in the United States of America armed forces in Vietnam during the war. Findings. Seven theme clusters described the lesson learned and guidance offered by the Vietnam War nurses: advice about journaling, training, caring for yourself, use of support systems, talking about your experiences, understanding the mission, and lack of preparation for war. Conclusions. Much can be learned from the lessons learned and advice given by Vietnam War nurses. These lessons stress that nurses need to take a pro-active role in preparing themselves for deployment to a war zone, and that institutional training for war needs to be intensive and realistic. The environmental, cultural, technological, clinical and psychosocial demands of war nursing need to be comprehensively addressed before nurses deploy to a war.
A Smell That Causes Seizure

In mammals, odorants are detected by a large family of receptors that are each expressed in just a small subset of olfactory sensory neurons (OSNs). Here we describe a strain of transgenic mice engineered to express an octanal receptor in almost all OSNs. Remarkably, octanal triggered a striking and involuntary phenotype in these animals, with passive exposure regularly inducing seizures. Octanal exposure invariably resulted in widespread activation of OSNs but interestingly seizures only occurred in 30–40% of trials. We hypothesized that this reflects the need for the olfactory system to filter strong but slowly-changing backgrounds from salient signals. Therefore we used an olfactometer to control octanal delivery and demonstrated suppression of responses whenever this odorant is delivered slowly. By contrast, rapid exposure of the mice to octanal induced seizure in every trial. Our results expose new details of olfactory processing and provide a robust and non-invasive platform for studying epilepsy.
A general equilibrium model with external scale economies in production

Abstract A general-equilibrium model of an urban economy is described. The standard residential land use model is extended to include a well-defined production/employment sector. External scale economies occur in the production of the city's export good. The model is designed for the numerical computation of equilibria and optima.
Comparison of Least-Cost and Least-Pollution Equipment Fleet Configurations Using Computer Simulation

AbstractConstruction vehicles and equipment, like all other fuel-powered vehicles, contribute to air pollutant emissions, such as nitrogen oxides (NOX) and particulate matter (PM). The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has established standards for pollutant emissions for different tiers of equipment to attain a “least-pollution” equipment spread or fleet. Although using higher-tier vehicles and equipment can reduce pollutant emissions under otherwise identical conditions, policies and contractor operations can also significantly affect the total pollutant emitted for a given amount of work, such as cubic yards of earth moved or tons of surface course placed. Previous studies demonstrated the direct relationship between pollutant emissions and operational productivity and the quantitative effects of that relationship using real-world emissions data. This paper describes the results of a study conducted using computer-based simulation techniques to compare costs and pollutant emissions for a typical ear...
Assessing the US watershed management movement: national trends and an illinois case study

Local watershed planning is an increasingly important component of environmental management. This article provides an overview of local watershed management efforts occurring across the US and then focuses on one case study from southern Illinois. First, analysis of 1145 local watershed groups shows that government agencies, farmers, and rural residents are key stakeholders in local groups that primarily deal with regional environmental stressors in the form of soil erosion, nutrients, and agrichemicals. Second, the role of watershed partnerships in mediating the complex interactions among stakeholders and local water resources are investigated through a case study of one watershed group. The Cache River is located in the far-southern tip of Illinois and a watershed planning process was initiated there in the 1990s. An in-depth assessment of this watershed planning process was accomplished through participant interviews, stakeholder focus groups, and a regional telephone survey. This case study illuminate...
Occurrence of Selected Pesticides and Their Metabolites in Near-Surface Aquifers of the Midwestern United States

The occurrence and distribution of selected pesticides and their metabolites were investigated through the collection of 837 water-quality samples from 303 wells across the Midwest. Results of this study showed that five of the six most frequently detected compounds were pesticide metabolites. Thus, it was common for a metabolite to be found more frequently in groundwater than its parent compound. The metabolite alachlor ethanesulfonic acid (alachlor-ESA; 2-[(2,6-diethylphenyl)(methoxymethyl)amino]-2-oxoethanesulfonic acid) was detected almost 10 times as frequently and at much higher concentrations than its parent compound alachlor (2-chloro-2‘,6‘-diethyl-N-(methoxymethyl)acetamide). The median detectable atrazine (2-chloro-4-ethylamino-6- isopropylamino-s-triazine) concentration was almost half that of atrazine residue (atrazine plus the two atrazine metabolites analyzed). Cyanazine amide [2-chloro-4-(1-carbamoyl-1-methylethylamino)-6-ethylamino-s-triazine] was detected almost twice as frequently as cya...
Time to coronary angiography in patients with non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndrome: how fast should patients go to the catheterization laboratory?

PURPOSE OF REVIEW This review describes available data on the optimal timing of an early invasive strategy in patients with high-risk non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndromes, along with challenges with type of studies. We also discuss the implication of timing in the overall management of the non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndrome patients. RECENT FINDINGS The issue of timing of the coronary angiography has been addressed mainly with observational analyses. The only, small, randomized clinical trial, the Intracoronary Stenting With Antithrombotic Regimen Cooling-Off, indicated a superiority of an expedited approach compared with a much deferred angiography. A recent observational analysis adopting special statistical methodologies confirmed the finding of the Intracoronary Stenting With Antithrombotic Regimen Cooling-Off trial in patients undergoing an early invasive strategy in the first 48 h of presentation. SUMMARY Current evidence is not sufficient to recommend the use of a routine expedite invasive strategy but suggests that it may be a viable approach.
Conversion of apical plasma membrane sphingomyelin to ceramide attenuates the intoxication of host cells by cholera toxin

Summary Cholera toxin (CT) enters host cells by binding to ganglioside GM1 in the apical plasma membrane (PM). GM1 carries CT retrograde from the PM to the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), where a portion of the toxin, the A1-chain, retro-translocates to the cytosol, causing disease. Trafficking in this pathway appears to depend on the association of CT–GM1 complexes with sphingomyelin (SM)- and cholesterol-rich membrane microdomains termed lipid rafts. Here, we find that in polarized intestinal epithelia, the conversion of apical membrane SM to ceramide by bacterial sphingomyelinase attenuates CT toxicity, consistent with the lipid raft hypothesis. The effect is reversible, specific to toxin entry via the apical membrane, and recapitulated by the addition of exogenous long-chain ceramides. Conversion of apical membrane SM to ceramide inhibits the efficiency of toxin endocytosis, but retrograde trafficking from the apical PM to the Golgi and ER is not affected. This result suggests that the cause for toxin resistance occurs at steps required for retro-translocation of the CT A1-chain to the cytosol.
Investigation of the mechanism of the cell wall DD-carboxypeptidase reaction of penicillin-binding protein 5 of Escherichia coli by quantum mechanics/molecular mechanics calculations.

Penicillin-binding protein 5 (PBP 5) of Escherichia coli hydrolyzes the terminal d-Ala-d-Ala peptide bond of the stem peptides of the cell wall peptidoglycan. The mechanism of PBP 5 catalysis of amide bond hydrolysis is initial acylation of an active site serine by the peptide substrate, followed by hydrolytic deacylation of this acyl-enzyme intermediate to complete the turnover. The microscopic events of both the acylation and deacylation half-reactions have not been studied. This absence is addressed here by the use of explicit-solvent molecular dynamics simulations and ONIOM quantum mechanics/molecular mechanics (QM/MM) calculations. The potential-energy surface for the acylation reaction, based on MP2/6-31+G(d) calculations, reveals that Lys47 acts as the general base for proton abstraction from Ser44 in the serine acylation step. A discrete potential-energy minimum for the tetrahedral species is not found. The absence of such a minimum implies a conformational change in the transition state, concomit...
Hurley on Justice and Responsibility

In Justice, Luck, and Knowledge, Susan Hurley defends a reason-responsive account of responsibility, argues that appeals to responsibility cannot provide a justification or non-trivial specification of brute luck egalitarian theories of justice, and sketches her own cognitive-bias-neutralizing theory of justice. Throughout, Hurley is concerned with normative (as opposed to causal) responsibility, where this is understood as that which licenses (moral or prudential) praise, blame, and other reactive attitudes and which implies at least partial (substantive) moral accountability in principle for choices and their results. I shall focus on her arguments about the role of responsibility in brute luck egalitarian theories of justice.
Proton precipitation during magnetic storms in August through November 1998

[1] High angular resolution measurements of 155 keV protons were made from the Polar satellite during five magnetic storms in the last half of 1998. Proton precipitation was detected during all the storms studied, and in most cases protons were scattered deep into the loss cone. In one case of strong pitch angle scattering, the fluxes were isotropic for equatorial pitch angles less than 25°. During the main phases of the storms precipitation was strongest at L > 5 on the night side of the Earth, possibly due to field-line curvature scattering of the newly injected ions. During the main and early recovery phases intense precipitation was found in the early afternoon at L > 4 where ring current models predict electromagnetic ion cyclotron waves will be generated by ring current ions. In one storm the nightside precipitation exhibited a maximum near L = 5, and this maximum moved outward during the recovery phase. In most storms the precipitation became less intense as Dst recovered.
Impact of tissue expansion on flap prefabrication: An experimental study in rabbits

This study was designed to determine whether tissue expansion after vascular pedicle implantation would increase the survival area of prefabricated skin flaps. In 20 New Zealand white rabbits, the vascular pedicle consisting of the central artery and vein of the left ear was implanted into the neck. At the time of pedicle implantation a subcutaneous pocket was created measuring 5 x 14 cm beneath the implantation site. Tissue expanders of three different sizes and volumes were implanted in the rabbits of three treatment groups. No tissue expander was implanted in the animals of the control group. All flaps were transposed after 3 weeks to the contralateral ear, and flap survival was assessed 1 week later. The increased area of the flap survival was statistically significant in all three treatment groups compared to the nonexpanded flaps (P = 0.003, P = 0.004, P < 0.0001, respectively). In addition there was a statistically significant larger area of survival using a 100-cc expander measuring 5 x 14 cm (the same size as the elevated flap) compared to 40-cc (3 x 5 cm) or to 60-cc (4 x 8 cm) expanders (P < 0.001, P = 0.004, respectively). The one-way analysis of variance and the t-test were used to show statistical differences. We conclude that the time necessary for neovascularisation of the skin flap could be used to expand the tissue, not only increasing the amount of available tissue, but also enhancing the vascularity.
Amino acid sequence of in vivo phosphorylation sites in the main intrinsic protein (MIP) of lens membranes

The main intrinsic membrane protein of the lens fiber cell, MIP, has been previously shown to be phosphorylated in preparations of lens fragments. Phosphorylation occurred on serine residues near the cytoplasmic C-terminus of the molecule. Since MIP is thought to function as a channel protein in lens plasma membranes, possibly as a cell-to-cell channel protein, phosphorylation could regulate the assembly or gating of these channels. We sought to identify the specific serines which are phosphorylated in order to help identify the kinases involved in regulating MIP function. To this end we purified a peptide fragment from native membranes that had not been subjected to any exogenous kinases or kinase activators. Any phosphorylation detected in these fragments must be due to cellular phosphorylation and thus is termed in vivo phosphorylation. Purified membranes were also phosphorylated with cAMP-dependent protein kinase to determine the mobility of phosphorylated and unphosphorylated MIP-derived peptides on different HPLC columns and to determine possible cAMP-dependent protein kinase phosphorylation sites. Lens membranes, which contain 50-60% of the protein as MIP, were digested with lysylendopeptidase C. Peptides were released from the C-terminal region of MIP and a major product of 21-22 kDa remained membrane-associated. Separation of the lysylendopeptidase-C-released peptides on C8 reversed-phase HPLC demonstrated that one of these fragments, corresponding to residues 239-259 in MIP, was partially phosphorylated. The phosphorylated and nonphosphorylated forms of this peptide were separated on QAE HPLC. In vivo phosphorylation sites were found at residues 243 and 245 through phosphoserine modification via ethanethiol and sequence analysis. Phosphorylation was never detected on serine 240. The phosphorylation level of serine 243 could be increased by incubation of membranes with cAMP-dependent protein kinase under standard assay conditions. Other kinases that phosphorylate serines found near acidic amino acids must be responsible for the in vivo phosphorylation demonstrated at serine 245.
Nutritional Adequacy in Patients Receiving Mechanical Ventilation Who Are Fed Enterally

• BACKGROUND Inadequate nutritional intake in critically ill patients can lead to complications resulting in increased mortality and healthcare costs. Several factors limit adequate nutritional intake in intensive care unit patients given enteral feedings. • OBJECTIVE To examine the adequacy of enteral nutritional intake and the factors that affect its delivery in patients receiving mechanical ventilation. • METHODS A prospective, descriptive design was used to study 60 patients receiving enteral feedings at target or goal rate. Energy requirements were determined for the entire sample by using the HarrisBenedict equation; energy requirements for a subset of 25 patients were also determined by using indirect calorimetry. Energy received via enteral feeding and reason and duration of interruptions in feedings were recorded for 3 consecutive days. • RESULTS Mean estimated energy requirements (8996 kJ, SD 1326 kJ) and mean energy intake received (5899 kJ, SD 3058 kJ) differed significantly (95% CI 3297-3787; P < .001). A total of 41 patients (68.3%) received less than 90% of their required energy intake, 18 (30.0%) received within ±10%, and 1 (1.7%) received more than 110%. Episodes of diarrhea, emesis, large residual volumes, feeding tube replacements, and interruptions for procedures accounted for 70% of the variance in energy received (P < .001). Procedural interruptions alone accounted for 45% of the total variance. Estimated energy requirements determined via indirect calorimetry and mean energy received did not differ. • CONCLUSIONS Most critically ill patients receiving mechanical ventilation who are fed enterally do not receive their energy requirements, primarily because of frequent interruptions in enteral feedings. (American Journal of Critical Care. 2005;14:222-231)
On Symbolic Solution of the Matrix Algebraic and Differential Riccati Equations

In the specification of compliant motion for robots one meets the use of the vector DOT and CROSS products between the system state and a given, or measured vector, as part of the required performance index, e.g. fox f?x = 0 and f×x = 0. This performance index form allows one to obtain a symbolic solution to the algebraic Riccati equation arising from an LQ formulation of the optimal control problem involved in a special but common case. Of special interest is the fact that the symbolic solutions obtained are very simple and can be evaluated in real time. Also, the simple analytic form of the solution shows clearly the behavior of the resulting control system and gives insight into the control of more complex control systems which are not of this very special form.
Crop Supply Response under Risk: Impacts of Emerging Issues on Southeastern U.S. Agriculture

In this paper we consider factors that affect both crop prices and yields in order to examine supply responses of major crops in the Southeast. Due to the variable nature of crop production in the Southeast, previous studies that ignore price and yield risk may fail to capture one of the salient features of the region's agriculture. Our results indicate supply elasticity values for corn, cotton, and soybeans of approximately 0.670, 0.506, and 0.195, respectively. Compared with the results of studies in other regions, corn and cotton acres respond more to price changes and soybean acres respond less to price changes.
THE RISE AND DECLINE OF THE TUTANKHAMUN-CLASS CHARIOT

The Tutankhamun-class chariot, the earliest high-performance machine, existed in its refined form for about five centuries. Eight complete vehicles have survived and support the argument that they surpass all monumental structures of the pharaohs in engineering sophistication. There is no evidence of chariot racing from that era, but these chariots have many technical features that imply a pedigree based on racing. Several elements hint of thoughtful invention, advanced physical modelling and experimentation, with results that sometimes drastically and favourably differ from our concepts of vehicle design. It is difficult for us to envision a substantially better chariot made with the ancient materials of construction even if we were to apply our most advanced formulas and methods. There are two major areas of chariot analysis from an engineering standpoint, and both are accessible to non-specialists. The complex suspension system of springs and shock absorbers has advantages in structural dynamics, ride quality and safety. An example of the latter is a dual-purpose anti-roll device. The chariots' wheels have aircraft-like damage tolerance, and have fundamentally more perfect spokes and joints for carrying multi-axial loads than the wooden spokes of any classic car. This paper covers the essential technical features and historical perspectives of these chariots for archaeologists. I was obliged to do a job which the ancestors had not had done . . . I became great beyond words.
Predicting how individuals approach enrichment: regulatory focus in cotton-top tamarins (Sanguinus oedipus).

Evidence is mounting that personality is associated with health and well‐being in humans and other animals. In a step towards increasing our understanding of this link, we applied regulatory focus theory, a motivational perspective from social psychology, to the behaviorof zoo‐housedcotton top tamarins.We testedwhether regulatory focus “personality,”thatis stable differences in whether an individual is motivated by gains versus safety, would 1) produce individual differences in behavior and 2) predict how individuals interact with enrichment. First, we characterized individuals with respect to several key behaviors: eating in the open, hiding, and time spent near the front of the exhibit. The monkeys were consistent in their behavioral tendencies across the 6‐month study, allowing regulatory focus classification. One monkey showed evidence of being a promotion‐individual, that is, more motivated by gains than safety. One monkey showed evidence of being a prevention‐individual, that is, more motivated by safety than gains. The other monkeys were stable in their behavior and showedevidenceofbeingintermediate‐individuals,thatis,theyfavoredneithergainsnorsafety.Usingthesecharacterizations, we predicted distinct patterns of individual‐object interactions with enrichment. For example, we predicted that a promotion‐ individual(favoringgainsoversafety)wouldapproachpotentialgainsfasterthanaprevention‐individual (favoringsafetyover gains). Counter‐intuitively, however, we also predicted that a promotion‐individual would approach non‐gains slower than a prevention‐individualconcernedwithsafety.Wefoundsupportforourpredictions,whichsuggeststhatregulatoryfocustheory could be a useful tool for understanding how and why individuals interact with environmental enrichment. Zoo Biol. 32:427– 435, 2013. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals Inc.