cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Seasonal reproduction of female round stingrays (Urobatis halleri): steroid hormone profiles and assessing reproductive state.

This study characterizes the seasonal reproductive cycle of female round stingrays (Urobatis halleri) in an open coastal site at Seal Beach, CA and a protected estuary at the Seal Beach National Wildlife Refuge (SBNWR). Female round stingrays were sampled from August 2004 to July 2006, and assessed for reproductive parameters (GSI, maximum ova diameter, pregnancy status) and sex steroid (estradiol (E2), progesterone (P4) and testosterone (T)) concentrations. E2 and P4 increased at the time of ovulation (June and July) and remained elevated until parturition (October and November); recently partruded females were observed until November. Mature females were absent from Seal Beach in August and September, the same time period that abundance of mature females peaked in the SBNWR. This aggregation of predominantly mature females in the upper reaches of the SBNWR was seasonal, and was observed from April to September. To better understand the aggregation behavior, sex steroid hormones were assayed in SBNWR females. In July and August, E2 and P4 concentrations in females at the SBNWR were 1.5-fold and 2-fold higher, respectively, than concentrations in mature females at Seal Beach, and correlated with elevated water temperature in the estuary. Pregnancy was confirmed in aggregating females by increased levels of E2 and P4 and the presence of developing embryos. Our data suggest that coastal estuaries may play a crucial role in round stingray reproduction, perhaps by providing a thermal refuge for pregnant females during gestation.
Yaw impact of rod projectiles

The purpose of this numerical study is to investigate the penetration regimes for LID 30 tungsten-alloy rod projectiles for cases where the impact yaw angle varies from 0 to 90° and for impact velocities from 1.4 to 2.6 km/s. The target is modeled as a semi-infinite or half-space block of rolled homogeneous armor (RHA) at zero obliquity. For cases of mild interference, the penetration channel is still deep and narrow but may be skewed with respect to the original shot-line. While penetration is degraded the efficiency of the rod projectile remains relatively high. With increasing yaw angle the rod may defor.n due to transverse loading to the extent such that it contacts and produces gouges on the opposite side of the penetration channel. Additionally, lateral loading may induce angular acceleration to the extent such that the tail of the projectile rotates (in the plane of symmetry) and also contacts the opposite side of the penetration channel. In the next discernible penetration regime, the long-rod deforms under transverse load but the tail does not rotate significantly. It is seen that nearly the entire rod length experiences the lateral load with the result that the original shot-line is significantly altered. The deformed rod, again, has multiple contact or loading points (or regions) and the resultant angular acceleration appears to be insufficient to induce rotation of the projectile tail. Thus, rather than ricochet, the projectile cuts a significant slot into the target. Finally, for very large yaw angles the crater becomes indistinguishable from one produced by a side-on or 90° impact even though the impact yaw angle may be significantly less than 90°.
“What's in it for me?”: Increasing content relevance to enhance students' motivation

Frequently, students are skeptical of the significance of the material taught to them in the classroom. A question they often pose to teachers is “What's in it for me?” Making content relevant to students' personal and career goals addresses these concerns. A scale to measure content relevance in the classroom was developed, factor analyzed, and determined to be a valid and reliable unidimensional instrument. Making content relevant to students' personal and career goals was hypothesized to be a factor, in addition to immediacy, that increases students' state motivation. Relevance was found to be associated with state motivation to study. In addition, relevance accounted for a significant amount of variance in state motivation after taking verbal and nonverbal immediacy into consideration.
Tandem cycles of high-dose melphalan and autologous stem cell transplantation increases the response rate in AL amyloidosis

Clinical outcomes of patients with AL amyloidosis treated with high-dose melphalan and stem cell transplantation (HDM/SCT) are tightly linked to the achievement of a hematologic complete response (HCR). We conducted a prospective trial to determine whether a second cycle of HDM/SCT could induce HCR in patients in whom the plasma cell dyscrasia persisted following initial treatment with HDM/SCT. Sixty-two patients were enrolled. Nine patients (15%) were removed from the protocol. Of the 53 patients continuing in this study, four died within 100 days of treatment (8%), and 27 (55%) achieved an HCR at 6 months after the first cycle of HDM/SCT. Of the 22 patients who did not achieve an HCR after initial treatment, 17 received a second HDM/SCT, 1 died within 100 days of treatment (6%), while 5 (31%) achieved an HCR. Thus, the HCR rate was 67% (32/48) for surviving patients on study, 60% (32/53) for all patients who received initial cycle of HDM/SCT, and 56% (35/62) by intention-to-treat. The median survival for all patients enrolled on the trial has not yet been reached. Thus, tandem cycles of HDM/SCT can increase the proportion of patients who achieve an HCR.
Three-tiered nodal classification system for bladder cancer: a new proposal

ABSTRACT Aim: To evaluate a three-tiered prognostic stratification using one, two to five and >five positive lymph nodes (LNs) and this nodal staging system performs across different pelvic LN dissection (PLND) templates and adjuvant chemotherapy status. Methods: We evaluated 244 patients with positive LN urothelial cancer who underwent radical cystectomy and PLND between 2000 and 2011. Survival analyses utilizing the Kaplan-Meier method and log rank test were performed. Median follow-up was 55.3 months (range: 0.4–141). Multivariable Cox proportional hazards models were built to evaluate the prognostic stratification. Results: Extended PLND template was performed on 152 (62.3%) patients and standard on 92 (37.7%). The median number of LNs resected was 14 in the standard group vs 22 in the extended group (p five positive LNs lead to 5-year recurrence-free survival o...
Assessing Intimate Partner Violence: A Context Sensitive Aggression Scale

In the late 1970s and early 1980s, researchers began exploring the differences in men who physically abused their female intimate partners. Since that time, there has been an emergence of research on that topic which has led to the development of batterer typologies. These men were identified around the issues of behavioral characteristics, traits, emotional responses, and experiences. Shelter advocates, for the most part, have presented a relatively one-dimensional view of abusive men based on their experiences with battered women and their children. This author proposes a continuum of aggressive acts with the intention of creating a context that could aid in assessment and intervention when intimate partner violence (IPV) is an issue. The continuum contains acts of aggression that may occur without a context or pattern of abuse.
Using all energy in a battery

It is not easy to pull all the energy from a battery. For a battery to discharge, electrons and ions have to reach the same place in the active electrode material at the same moment. To reach the entire volume of the battery and maximize energy use, internal pathways for both electrons and ions must be low-resistance and continuous, connecting all regions of the battery electrode. Traditional batteries consist of a randomly distributed mixture of conductive phases within the active battery material. In these materials, bottlenecks and poor contacts may impede effective access to parts of the battery. On page 149 of this issue, Kirshenbaum et al. ( 1 ) explore a different approach, in which silver electronic pathways form on internal surfaces as the battery is discharged. The electronic pathways are well distributed throughout the electrode, improving battery performance.
Solving problems of disclosure risk in an academic setting: using a combination of restricted data and restricted access methods

THE HEALTH AND RETIREMENT STUDY collects a vast amount of information about a sample of the U.S. population over age 50 from biennial interviews, supplemental questionnaires, and through linkages with administrative data including Social Security earnings and benefits records and Medicare claims records. To h onor i ts p ledge to t he r espondents that their data will be kept confidential, but at the same time meet its objective of providing useful data to researchers, it has develop ed procedures for stripping sensitive information (i.e., information that could facilitate re-identification of sample members) from data sets that are publicly released, and also for providing mechanisms for qualified researchers to gain access to a variety of restricted-access data files. These mechanisms include a procedure whereby highly qualified researchersin particular, only those who have a current grant from a federal agencycan apply to obtain restricted-access data sets for a limited amount of time, with the understanding that they will make no attempt to r e-identify s amp le m embers and t hat they w ill be audited to ensure that they have adhered to the agreedupon safeguards. For those who meet some but not all of the requirements for receiving these data, the files can be analyzed in a data enclave (a controlled, secure environment in which eligible researchers can perform analyses). This paper focuses on approaches to restricting data access that may need to be considered by investigators who plan to share their data, and by their institutional officials who will need to support that effort with appropriate infrastructure and policies. It also provides guidance to investigators and institutional review boards (IRBs) who seek access to restricted data generated and archived elsewhere.
Self-Limiting Growth of Strained Faceted Islands

We consider the growth of facets associated with coherently strained semiconductor islands. Surprisingly, the island growth rate is found to rapidly self-limit, which has important consequences for island size distributions. A new explanation for the elongation of strained faceted islands is proposed as a natural consequence of facet growth kinetics. {copyright} {ital 1998} {ital The American Physical Society}
Treatment of cutaneous abscess: A double-blind clinical study

Controversy exists about the value of antibiotic therapy following incision and drainage of cutaneous abscess. We undertook a randomized double-blind study to clarify the controversy. Adult patients with cutaneous abscesses who received outpatient surgical therapy were entered into the study. Following incision and drainage, patients received cephradine or placebo for seven days using a randomized code in a double-blind fashion. At the end of seven days, patients were reevaluated. Twenty-seven patients were treated with cephradine, and 23 with placebo. Ninety-six percent of the patients in each group were improved clinically after seven days. We conclude that cephradine did not alter the outcome of cutaneous abscesses at one week after incision and drainage. The implications are twofold: patients are not exposed to the potential side effects and allergic reactions of antibiotics, and the cost of health care can be reduced by not prescribing antibiotics in these patients.
Enrollment in Early Intervention Programs Among Infants Born Late Preterm, Early Term, and Term

OBJECTIVE: To compare the prevalence of and characteristics associated with early intervention (EI) program enrollment among infants born late preterm (34–36 weeks’ gestation), early term (37–38 weeks’ gestation), and term (39–41 weeks’ gestation). METHODS: A Massachusetts cohort of 554 974 singleton infants born during 1998 through 2005 and survived the neonatal period was followed until the third birthday of each infant. Data came from the Pregnancy to Early Life Longitudinal Data System that linked birth certificates, birth hospital discharge reports, death certificates, and EI program enrollment records. We calculated prevalence and adjusted risk ratios to compare differences and understand associations. RESULTS: The prevalence of EI program enrollment increased with each decreasing week of gestation before 41 weeks (late preterm [23.5%], early term [14.9%], and term [11.9%]. In adjusted analyses, the strongest predictors of EI enrollment (adjusted risk ratio ≥1.20) for all gestational age groups were male gender, having a congenital anomaly, and having mothers who were ≥40 years old, nonhigh school graduates, and recipients of public insurance. CONCLUSIONS: Infants born late preterm and early term have higher prevalence of EI program services enrollment than infants born at term, and may benefit from more frequent monitoring for developmental delays or disabilities.
Factors affecting the acquisition and elimination of children's donating behavior

Abstract Thirty-five 6- to 10-year-old children with initial low rates of donating to help a peer either simply received a fine for each failure to donate ( n = 7) or also were informed of the contingency between the fine and failure to donate ( n = 28). Explanation of the contingency was necessary to increase children's donation rates. Donations continued at high rates during a gradual, unannounced removal of the fine contingency, but decreased when children were informed that fines were no longer in effect, particularly for children who had failed to donate at least once during training and had actually been fined. Overall, addition of a distraction or an inequity procedure did not reduce donating below rate reductions due to the announced extinction procedure alone.
Firm characteristics and analyst following

Abstract This paper examines the major determinants of the number of analysts following a firm. A simple model of analyst following is proposed and several firm characteristics are suggested that are likely to influence the extent of a firm's analyst following by either affecting the aggregate demand for or supply of analyst services or both for the firm. Almost all of these characteristics are found to be strongly significant in affecting the extent of analyst following of firms and the empirical results generally accord well with economic intuition.
Fusion and elastic scattering cross sections for the ^(16)O+ ^(16)O reactions near the Coulomb barrier

The reactions following ^(16)O+^(16)O fusion have been measured at c.m. energies from 7.0 MeV to 12.0 MeV. Partial and total cross sections were determined from the γ-ray yields measured with a Ge(Li) detector. Elastic scattering differential cross sections from E_(c.m) = 6.9 MeV to 12.9 MeV were also studied. The new experimental results are compared with those of other experimenters. IWBC model and optical model calculations have been fitted to the data, as part of an astrophysically motivated program to study the low energy (sub-barrier) region of light heavy-ion reactions.
Illnesses Caused by Marine Toxins

Marine toxins are produced by algae or bacteria and are concentrated in contaminated seafood. Substantial increases in seafood consumption in recent years, together with globalization of the seafood trade, have increased potential exposure to these agents. Marine toxins produce neurological, gastrointestinal, and cardiovascular syndromes, some of which result in high mortality and long-term morbidity. Routine clinical diagnostic tests are not available for these toxins; diagnosis is based on clinical presentation and a history of eating seafood in the preceding 24 h. There is no antidote for any of the marine toxins, and supportive care is the mainstay of treatment. In particular, paralytic shellfish poisoning and puffer fish poisoning can cause death within hours after consuming the toxins and may require immediate intensive care. Rapid notification of public health authorities is essential, because timely investigation may identify the source of contaminated seafood and prevent additional illnesses. Extensive environmental monitoring and sometimes seasonal quarantine of a harvest are employed to reduce the risk of exposure.
Comparison of behavioral responses to noxious cold and heat in mice.

We investigated behavioral responses to noxious cold and heat stimuli in mice. Similar to the hot-plate test, mice showed licking or jumping responses on a cold-plate (0°C). The sensitivity to noxious heat (55°C) was not correlated to the sensitivity to noxious cold, indicating that nociceptive processing of cold and heat are different. Behavioral responses to noxious cold are inhibited by systemic morphine or intrathecal administration of morphine. Lesion of the medial frontal cortex, including the anterior cingulate cortex, or selective activation of two types of opioid receptors in the anterior cingulate cortex produces dose-dependent antinociceptive effects on behavioral responses to noxious cold stimuli. These results suggest that activation of opioid receptors in the anterior cingulate cortex can produce powerful antinociception.
Pathogenic variation in Melampsora medusae leaf rust of poplars.

Nineteen isolates of Melampsora medusae (Thum.), collected from natural stands of Populus deltoides (Bartr.) along the lower Mississipi River Valley, were tested for the occurrence of physiologic races by inoculation of nine poplar clones. Eight distinct races were identified based upon differential responses on these clones. However, most of the isolates also differed in their aggressiveness (latent period and uredial number per leaf disk), and a significant isolate × cultivar interaction was observed for both traits. Within a specific geographic location, more than one race was present. Isolates from the northernmost sampling location (37°N latitude) appeared more aggressive than those from southern latitudes (34–36°N latitude). Thus wild pathosystems may be composed of variable pathogen populations differing in virulence and the apparent stability usually observed in such systems may be due to the genetic diversity of the host population in interaction with many epidemiological and ecological factors.
Opportunities for data-driven cloud-based mobile optimization

In this paper, we present our vision for cloud-based mobile computing using user profile information. Such information enables a series of data-driven optimizations: filtering, aggregation, and speculation, that go beyond the well-researched benefit of mobile outsourcing. These optimizations can improve performance, reliability, and energy usage. A novel aspect of our approach is to exploit the unique ability of the cloud to collect and analyze large amounts of user profile data, cache shared data, and even enable sharing of computations, across different mobile users. We present results for two exemplar mobile-cloud applications, driven by workload traces derived from Twitter feeds and Wikipedia document editing, to illustrate these opportunities.
Platform switching reduces peri-implant bone loss

A critical summary of Atieh MA, Ibrahim HM, Atieh AH. Platform switching for marginal bone preservation around dental implants: a systematic review and meta-analysis. J Periodontol 2010;81(10):1350–1366.
Amino acid sequence of the cytoplasmic segment of the h-2Kd (H2.31) murine major histocompatibility antigen.

The primary structure of the carboxy-terminal portion of the H-2Kd murine major histocompatibility antigen has been determined using radiosequencing methodology. The two peptides encompassing the entire cytoplasmic portion of the H-2Kd molecule were isolated from cyanogen bromide digests of the detergent solubilized molecule. These two peptides are not present in CNBr digests of papain-solubilized H-2Kd. Alignment of the two CNBr peptides was deduced from tryptic overlap peptides derived from the whole molecule. Alignment with the corresponding region of the H-2Kb antigen shows 90% homology and supports the assignment of this segment of H-2Kd as the C-terminal. The sequence obtained in this study is (Met)-Arg-Arg-Asn-Thr-Gly-Gly-Lys-Gly-Val-Asn-Tyr-Ala-Leu-Ala-Pro-Gly-Ser-Gln-Thr-Ser-Asp- Leu-Ser-Leu-Pro-Asp-Pro-Lys-Val-Met-Val-His-Asp-Pro-His-Ser-Leu-Ala. These data allow extensive comparisons with the protein sequences deduced from the 3' ends of H-2d haplotype cDNA and genomic clones as well as with the homologous regions of H-2Kb and H-2Db.
Coveralls for grass fire fighting

Defines the purpose of this research as to design a coverall for fire fighting, with special emphasis on sizing and fit to maximize wearer comfort and mobility, as well as incorporate design features which would improve the functionality of the garment. Uses a structured functional apparel design approach to develop garment specifications and an interaction matrix. Using a literature review, user input, and market survey, details the development of a prototype fire fighting coverall. Evaluates the prototype coverall using objective measurements of range of motion for ten selected body movements and subjectively by having wearers fill out a wearer acceptability scale to determine their perceptions of fit and comfort in both their current and prototype coveralls. Results show that for all measurements, the prototype coveralls were preferable to the current coveralls worn, indicating the potential for further development of this design.
Increased p53 Protein Does Not Correlate to p53 Gene Mutations in Microdissected Human Testicular Germ Cell Tumors

AbstractPurpose: To determine if primary testicular germ cell tumors that overexpress p53 tumor suppressor gene protein have p53 gene mutations.Materials and Methods: We examined 30 primary testicular tissues from 26 patients representing two groups. Group one consisted of eleven cases (6 nonseminomatous germ cell tumors and 5 seminomas) in which tissue samples for DNA analysis were microdissected from paraffin block regions with elevated immunohistochemical staining for p53 protein. Group two consisted of 19 testis tumor tissues which had been fresh frozen and were chosen to correspond to archival tissue specimens exhibiting elevated levels of p53 protein. The DNA was extracted from these tissues and subjected to exon specific amplification by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and cold single-strand conformation polymorphism (Cold SSCP) analysis.Results: In these cases with elevated p53 protein, no p53 gene exon 5-8 mutations were detected except 1 seminoma with a codon 140 silent mutation (no protein alte...
Spectroscopic challenges for high accuracy retrievals of atmospheric CO2 and the Orbiting Carbon Observatory (OCO) experiment

Abstract The space-based Orbiting Carbon Observatory (OCO) mission will achieve global measurements needed to distinguish spatial and temporal gradients in the CO2 column. Scheduled by NASA to launch in 2008, the instrument will obtain averaged dry air mole fraction ( X CO 2 ) with a precision of 1 part per million (0.3%) in order to quantify the variation of CO2 sources and sinks and to improve future climate forecasts. Retrievals of X CO 2 from ground-based measurements require even higher precisions to validate the satellite data and link them accurately and without bias to the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) standard for atmospheric CO2 observations. These retrievals will require CO2 spectroscopic parameters with unprecedented accuracy. Here we present the experimental and data analysis methods implemented in laboratory studies in order to achieve this challenging goal. To cite this article: C.E. Miller et al., C. R. Physique 6 (2005).
A new algorithm for detection of heart and respiration rate with UWB signals

Proposed is a detection algorithm for physiological monitoring with Ultra Wide Band (UWB) radar. This new algorithm is based on detection of movement energy in a specified band of frequency using wavelet and filter banks. One of the advantages of this algorithm is its ability to detect heart and respiration rates of a subject in an environment containing other motion. The heart movement is detected with the accuracy of 95% and respiration with the 100%. This algorithm has a repeatability of 93% which is a significant characteristic of the method.
Highly brominated antimicrobial metabolites from a marine Pseudoalteromonas sp.

Extracts of a marine Pseudoalteromonas sp. (CMMED 290) isolated from the surface of a nudibranch collected in Kaneohe Bay, Oahu, displayed significant antimicrobial activity against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. Bioassay-guided fractionation of the lipophilic extract led to the isolation and structure elucidation of two new highly brominated compounds, 2,3,5,7-tetrabromobenzofuro[3,2-b]pyrrole (1) and 4,4′,6-tribromo-2,2′-biphenol (2). In addition, we have identified the known compounds pentabromopseudilin and bromophene. We describe the isolation and structure elucidation of the compounds 1 and 2 together with their antimicrobial activities against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus.
Stenotrophomonas maltophilia infection and colonization in the intensive care units of two community hospitals: A study of 143 patients.

Abstract Study Objective: To study the epidemiology of Stenotrophomonas maltophilia infections in the intensive care units (ICUs) of community general hospitals. Design: Retrospective chart review of 143 patients with cultures positive for S. maltophilia over a 2-year period. Setting: Intensive care units of 2 community general hospitals. Results: Patients with S. maltophilia infection or colonization were elderly (mean age 62.4 years), intubated for a mean of 11.8 days, and had a mean Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II (APACHE II) score of 16.6. A tracheostomy was present in 22.4%, and underlying chronic respiratory disease and malignancy were found in 25.9% and 15.4%, respectively. Only 2 patients (1.4%) were neutropenic. Most isolates (89.5%) were from the respiratory tract and were part of a polymicrobial culture in 52.5% of patients. Only a slightly higher APACHE II score (mean = 18.0, SD 7.8 vs mean = 15.6, SD 6.2, P = 0.052) differentiated patients with infection from those with colonization. All but 2 patients were exposed to antibiotics before their positive culture. Crude mortality rate was 41.3% overall and was significantly higher in those with an APACHE II score of 15 or more (48.8% vs 30.5%, P = 0.028). Conclusion: S. maltophilia is emerging as an important cause of nosocomial infection, especially pneumonia, in ICUs of community general hospitals. Patients tend to be elderly, intubated for a mean of about 12 days, have high APACHE II scores, and frequently have a tracheostomy or underlying chronic respiratory disease. In contrast to earlier reports, neutropenia and underlying malignancy are uncommon in our ICU population. We found prior antibiotic exposure was almost universal and similar to previous reports, but use of imipenem was much less common in our community hospital patients. Patients with a high APACHE II score should be considered infected rather than colonized, but differentiation of infection from colonization remains problematic. Isolation of S. maltophilia from a patient carries a crude mortality rate of 41.3%, and patients with an APACHE II score of 15 or more have a significantly higher mortality rate than those with lesser scores, approaching 50%. Trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (TMP-SMX) remains the drug of choice for infections caused by S. maltophilia . (Heart Lung ® 1999;28:134-41)
Tensile bond strengths of dual-cured cements between a glass-ceramic and enamel

Abstract Statement of the problem. Dual-cured cements have been used with castable ceramic restorations, but the tensile bond strengths of these materials have not been thoroughly researched. Purpose of the study. This study compared the tensile bond strengths between Dicor castable ceramics and enamel of four dual-cure cements: Twinlook, Optec Dual-Cure Luting Cement, Clearfil CR Inlay, and Dual Cement. Material and methods. Truncated cones made of Dicor castable ceramics were cemented to enamel of freshly extracted anterior teeth with these four cements. Before testing, all specimens were immersed in water at 37° C for 24 hours, and thermocycled 1000 times in 5° C and 55° C water, with a dwell time of 30 seconds each. Tensile force was used to separate each specimen with the Instron universal testing machine. Results. Clearfil CR Inlay cement exhibited the highest mean tensile bond strength (18.4 MPa), followed by Dual (18.3 MPa), Twinlook (15.2 MPa), and Optec Dual-Cure luting (14.9 MPa) cements. One-way analysis of variance did not reveal any significant differences ( p = 0.05) among groups. A majority of the fracture was adhesive at the ceramic and cement interface. Conclusion. All four dual-cured cements formed strong bonds between enamel and Dicor cement, ranging from 14.90 MPa to 18.35 MPa, and there was no statistically significant difference. (J Prosthet Dent 1998;79:503-7.)
Reconnecting with the Mystics: Kathryn Kuhlman and the Reshaping of Early Pentecostalism

Kathryn Kuhlman helped to shape a generation of Pentecostal/Charismatic theology and praxis by reintroducing a depth of spirituality which harkened back to the teachings of the mystics. She introduced the concept of spiritual silence to a generation of Sawdust Trail Pentecostals known for their exuberant and lively worship services, and she popularized the experience of being ‘slain in the Spirit.’ But her most notable innovation resulted from discarding healing lines and cards together with a healing theology based upon the faith of the adherents. Instead, she invited pilgrims into a transcendent experience of the manifest presence of the Holy Spirit, which rested upon a foundation of love.
Comparison of quantum dot technology with conventional immunohistochemistry in examining aldehyde dehydrogenase 1A1 as a potential biomarker for lymph node metastasis of head and neck cancer.

This study explored whether expression of aldehyde dehydrogenase 1 (ALDH1A1) in the primary tumor correlated with lymph node metastasis (LNM) of squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (HNSCC). We used both quantum dot (QD)-based immunohistofluorescence (IHF) and conventional immunohistochemistry (IHC) to quantify ALDH1A1 expression in primary tumor samples taken from 96 HNSCC patients, 50 with disease in the lymph nodes and 46 without. The correlation between the quantified level of ALDH1A1 expression and LNM in HNSCC patients was evaluated with univariate and multivariate analysis. The prognostic value of ALDH1A1 was examined by Kaplan-Meier analysis and Wald test. ALDH1A1 was highly correlated with LNM in HNSCC patients (p < 0.0001 by QD-based IHF and 0.039 by IHC). The two methods (QD-based IHF and conventional IHC) for quantification of ALDH1A1 were found to be comparable (R = 0.75, p < 0.0001), but QD-IHF was more sensitive and objective than IHC. The HNSCC patients with low ALDH1A1 expression had a higher 5-year survival rate than those with high ALDH1A1 level (p = 0.025). Our study suggests that ALDH1A1 is a potential biomarker for predicting LNM in HNSCC patients, though it is not an independent prognostic factor for survival of HNSCC patients. Furthermore, QD-IHF has advantages over IHC in quantification of ALDH1A1 expression in HNSCC tissues.
STUDIES ON VIGOR. XII. THYROID ADMINISTRATION IN SENILITY

That the thyroid gland shares in the bodily deterioration of old age is generally believed and the belief is supported by the frequent finding of sclerosis and atrophy in the thyroids of elderly people. That uncompensated thyroid deficiency may play a causal role in the senile picture is suggested by several facts. The symptoms of thyroid deficiency and the manifestations of old age have in common such features as lack of general vigor, dry and scanty hair, dry skin of lowered vitality, dislike of cold weather and decreased mental initiative. In cases of pathologically early senility (progeria) morphological evidence of thyroid deficiency has been reported. Claims, too, have been made that in man amelioration of the common manifestations of old age has been secured by the administration of thyroid substance. So far as the signs of old age are concerned, the evidence is ambiguous. They might be due in greater or less degree to thyroid changes or merely to deterioration in the body cells themselves. The deg...
Undergraduate Astronautics Initiatives at San Jose State University

A balance betwen topics in aeronautics and astronautics was sought as an Aerospace Engineering Department was established at San Jose State University in 1987. This goal has resulted in a uniquely-composed curriculum and laboratory development initiatives. Discussed in this article are the essential elements of the astronautics curriculum: the senior-level Spacecraft Design course, an unusual aerospace sensor laboratory, as well as astronautics hardware experiment stations under development. Also discussed is the departments working relationship with local industry in terms of student employment; guest lecturers and consultants; and grants and equipment donations.
Radiation Sensitivity of DNA-metal Complexes: A Pulse Radiolysis Study

SummaryThe effect of silver(I) and mercury(II) complexing upon the rate of reaction of both the hydrated electron and the OH radical with DNA has been investigated using the technique of pulse radiolysis. The results presented do not support the hypothesis that the mechanism of radiation sensitivity by these metals is mediated through increased rate of free radical attack upon DNA. Also, there is evidence presented that neither metal, when complexed with DNA, reacts at a significant rate with the free radical species e−aq and OH. The technique of pulse radiolysis was also used to study the complexation of both silver(I) and mercury(II) with DNA (calf-thymus, 40 per cent GC). Scatchard plots, derived from the experimental data, gave association constants of 1·85 × 105 dm3 mol−1 and 9·9 × 104 dm3 mol−1 and n values (number of complexing sites per nucleotide) of 0·71 and 0·31 for silver(I) and mercury(II) respectively.
Circulating Fetal DNA: Its Origin and Diagnostic Potential—A Review

Abstract Objective In contrast to the traditional teaching that the placenta forms an impermeable barrier, multiple studies show that both intact fetal cells and cell-free nucleic acids circulate freely in maternal blood. Complications of pregnancy, such as pre-eclampsia, or fetal cytogenetic abnormalities, such as trisomy 21, increase transfusion of both intact fetal cells and cell-free fetal nucleic acids into the maternal circulation. The objective of our research is to show that abnormal feto-maternal trafficking of nucleic acids is associated with fetal and placental pathology, and that these observations may lead to novel non-invasive diagnostic and screening tests. Methods Real-time quantitative PCR amplification of DYS1 is used to measure the levels of male fetal DNA in case-control sets of serum or plasma taken from pregnant women. In our laboratory, we use DYS1, a Y-chromosome specific gene, as a uniquely fetal DNA marker for the development of gestation-specific normal values and theoretical models. Results Women carrying fetuses with trisomies 21 or 13 (but not 18) have increased levels of fetal DNA in their fresh or archived serum and/or plasma samples. Women destined to develop pre-eclampsia have a characteristic bi-phasic elevation of cell-free fetal DNA that precedes clinical symptoms. Data obtained from a variety of clinical scenarios suggest that the placenta is the predominant source of the circulating fetal nucleic acids, although apoptotic haematopoietic cells may contribute to the pool as well. Conclusions Fetal cell-free DNA is elevated in a number of conditions associated with placental pathology. Widespread clinical implementation of fetal DNA as a screening tool awaits discovery of a reliable gender-independent marker, which may be DNA polymorphisms, epigenetic markers, or mRNA. Fetal cell-free nucleic acids have potential for non-invasive monitoring of placental pathology.
“You Still Takin' Notes?” Fieldwork and Problems of Informed Consent

BARRIE THORNE Michigan State University It has long been acknowledged that the openings of field research-gaining access, entree and rapport, and developing a workable relationship with those one wants to study-involve serious ethical questions. Such questions enter into recurring debate over the ethics of disguised research (e.g., Davis, 1960; Roth, 1962; Erikson, 1967; Humphreys, 1970; von Hoffman et al. 1970) and over initial promises of confidentiality and eventual decisions about what to publish (e.g., Fichter and Kolb, 1953; Becker, 1971; Colvard, 1967; Rainwater and Pittman, 1967). Old debates have assumed new, more urgent form, and the question of who should make ethical determinations has become a heated topic in response to new federal regulations governing social research.' Implemented by granting agencies and university review boards as a condition for funding or sponsoring research, HEW regulations for "Protection of Human Subjects" have begun to affect research practices and the terms of ethical discussions. According to the guidelines, review boards are initially to examine proposed research projects to decide if human subjects are at risk:
Metaplastic Breast Carcinoma Presenting as Cutaneous Spindle Cell Carcinoma

Squamous cell carcinoma is one of the most common primary cutaneous carcinomas, but on rare occasion, metastatic squamous cell carcinoma from a distant site or solid organ can present as a cutaneous lesion. Most metastases to the skin present as dermal nodules or involve the dermal lymphatics, but when they are intimately associated with the epidermis, distinguishing the lesion as primary or metastatic may be extremely difficult and usually requires a clinical history or high index of suspicion. A 71-year-old woman presented with a history of breast carcinoma, status post radiation therapy and subsequent mastectomy. She developed multiple eruptive nodules over her mastectomy site, flank and back two years later. Histologically the lesions appeared to be arising from the surface epidermis and consisted of atypical, predominantly spindle cells, some of which streamed off of the basal layer of the epidermis. Following review of the mastectomy specimen material and performing additional immunohistochemical studies, it became clear that the origin of the carcinomas was metastatic from an underlying metaplastic breast carcinoma.
How Braess' paradox solves Newcomb's problem: not!

Abstract In an engaging and ingenious paper, Irvine (1993) purports to show how the resolution of Braess’ paradox can be applied to Newcomb's problem. To accomplish this end, Irvine forges three links. First, he couples Braess’ paradox to the Cohen‐Kelly queuing paradox. Second, he couples the Cohen‐Kelly queuing paradox to the Prisoner's Dilemma (PD). Third, in accord with received literature, he couples the PD to Newcomb's problem itself. Claiming that the linked models are “structurally identical”, he argues that Braess solves Newcomb's problem. This paper shows that Irvine's linkage depends on structural similarities—rather than identities—between and among the models. The elucidation of functional disanalogies illuminates structural dissimilarities which sever that linkage. I claim that the Cohen‐Kelly queuing paradox cloaks a fine structure that decouples it from both Braess’ paradox and the PD (Marinoff, 1996a). I further assert that the putative reduction of the PD to a Newcomb problem (e.g. Brams...
Boosted readout for CMOS APS pixels

In order to reduce power consumption and improve low-voltage operation capability of standard three transistor (3T) CMOS active pixel sensor (APS), new pixel readout is proposed utilizing supply boosting technique (SBT). Pixel supply voltage as well as reset and select signals for APS pixel are boosted to achieve wider and extended linear operating range in a standard CMOS process with high-Vt transistors. Reset and supply boosting was used for extending dynamic range of the pixel source follower (PSF) amplifier, while the select signal boosting was utilized for linearizing transfer characteristics of the PSF. Extension of PSF dynamic range using reset, select, and supply boosting (RSSB) resulted in operation of 3T APS pixel at 1.2V supply with 150mV dynamic range even though the threshold of the NMOS device was 0.8V. Proposed method does not degrade the device reliability margins and use single supply input.
Sooner city: Reflections on a curriculum reform project

This chapter describes an engineering curriculum reform effort that threads a common four-year design theme across multiple courses within the curriculum.
What can we learn about social network sites by studying Facebook? A call and recommendations for research on social network sites:

The substantial growth in research examining social network sites (SNSs) during recent years makes this an opportune time to reflect on the state of SNS scholarship. In this review, we consider what—in the form of specific brands—has been studied. A content-analysis of SNS research published in six interdisciplinary journals between 1997 and 2013 is first reported to better understand the degree to which studies published in these journals have examined various SNS brands (e.g. Facebook, MySpace, Cyworld, Hyves). The results show that more than two-thirds of SNS studies were explicitly limited to a single brand and that Facebook was the brand examined in approximately 80% of these studies. Five implications of this trend are then discussed as potentially limiting what can be learned in aggregate from such a body of SNS scholarship. The review concludes with recommendations for future research on SNSs.
Large Scale Structure of the Universe

Galaxies are not uniformly distributed in space. On large scales the Universe displays coherent structure, with galaxies residing in groups and clusters on scales of �1-3 h −1 Mpc, which lie at the intersections of long filaments of galaxies that are >10 h −1 Mpc in length. Vast regions of relatively empty space, known as voids, contain very few galaxies and span the volume in between these structures. This observed large scale structure depends both on cosmological parameters and on the formation and evolution of galaxies. Using the two-point correlation function, one can trace the dependence of large scale structure on galaxy properties such as luminosity, color, stellar mass, and track its evolution with redshift. Comparison of the observed galaxy clustering signatures with dark matter simulations allows one to model and understand the clustering of galaxies and their formation and evolution within their parent dark matter halos. Clustering measurements can determine the parent dark matter halo mass of a given galaxy population, connect observed galaxy populations at different epochs, and constrain cosmological parameters and galaxy evolution models. This chapter describes the methods used to measure the two-point correlation function in both redshift and real space, presents the current results of how the clustering amplitude depends on various galaxy properties, and discusses quantitative measurements of the structures of voids and filaments. The interpretation of these results with current theoretical models is also presented. Index terms: clustering, angular clustering, two-point correlation function, higher-order correlation function, void, void probability function, filament, galaxy evolution, redshift space distortions, dark matter halo, halo model, bias, dark matter, halo occupation
Design and control of a thermal stabilizing system for a MEMS optomechanical uncooled infrared imaging camera

In this paper, the design and control of a thermal stabilizing system for an optomechanical uncooled infrared (IR) imaging camera is presented, which uses an array of MEMS bimaterial cantilever beams to sense an IR image source. A one-dimensional lumped parameter model of the thermal stabilization system was derived and experimentally validated. A model-based discrete time linear quadratic gaussian regulator (LQGR) control scheme, with a stochastic ambient noise model, was implemented. The control system incorporates a reference model, which generates desired reference temperature trajectory, and integral action to respectively diminish overshoots and achieve zero steady state error in closed loop. Simulation results show that the designed LQGR is able to enhance ambient temperature low frequency disturbance attenuation by more than 50 dB. The control system is able to regulate the focal-plane array (FPA) temperature with a standard deviation of about 100mK, in spite of the fact that the temperature measurement noise has a standard deviation of 1 mK. Noise analysis results for the present stage of the optomechanical IR imaging system are summarized. The noise equivalent temperature difference (NETD) of the current stage of the IR camera system can achieve about 200 mK. # 2003 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.
User's Delay Perception and Tolerance in Human-Computer Interaction

This paper focuses on user's delay perception and tolerance in a simulated computer supported cooperative work (a special case of HCI) environment, as well as the non-technological factors affectin...
4O-Gbit/s transport system: its WDM upgrade

The state of the art of transmission technologies for 40 Gbit/s/channel transport system is described. 40 Gbit/s system prototype and N/spl times/40 Gbit/s WDM transmission performance of a new modulation format are presented.
Data-parallel programming on a network of heterogeneous workstations

The authors describe a compiler and run-time system that allows data-parallel programs to execute on a network of heterogeneous UNIX workstations. The programming language supported is Dataparallel C, a SIMD language with virtual processors and a global name space. This parallel programming environment allows the user to take advantage of the power of multiple workstations without adding any message-passing calls to the source program. Because the performance of individual workstations in a multi-user environment may change during the execution of a Dataparallel C program, the run-time system automatically performs dynamic load balancing. The authors present experimental results that demonstrate the usefulness of dynamic load balancing in a multi-user environment. >
GaInP/GaAs heterostructure bipolar transistors with high gain and high breakdown voltages

GaInP/GaAs/GaInP double heterostructure bipolar transistors, emitter area of 50/spl times/50 (/spl mu/m)/sup 2/, with a DC gain of 445 and breakdown voltage (V/sub CBO/) of more than 17 V have been fabricated. The Gummel plots give an ideality factor of 1.01 for the collector current and 1.1 for the base current, and the devices show gain down to collector currents of 10/sup -9/A. A higher gain, more than 800, was recorded for a smaller device, 20/spl times/50 (/spl mu/m)/sup 2/ emitter, but the breakdown voltages were lower. >
Does International Financial Contagion Really Exist

This article surveys the various definitions and taxonomies of international financial contagion in the academic literature and popular press and relates it to the existing evidence on comovements in international asset prices, on the growth and volatility of international capital flows and on the relationship between flows and asset prices. The central argument of the article is that the empirical evidence is not as obviously consistent with the existence of market contagion as many researchers, press, or market regulators believe. Policy implications of this alternative viewpoint are presented.