cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Life in the Atacama: Science autonomy for improving data quality

[1] “Science autonomy” refers to exploration robotics technologies involving onboard science analysis of collected data. These techniques enable a rover to make adaptive decisions about which measurements to collect and transmit. Science autonomy can compensate for limited communications bandwidth by ensuring that planetary scientists receive those images and spectra that best meet mission goals. Here, we present the results of autonomous science experiments performed in the Atacama Desert of Chile during the Life in the Atacama (LITA) rover field campaign. We aim to provide an overview of autonomous science principles and examine their integration into the LITA operations strategy. We present experiments in four specific autonomous science domains: (1) autonomously responding to evidence of life with more detailed measurements; (2) rock detection for site profiling and selective data return; (3) tactical replanning to efficiently map the distribution of life; (4) detecting novel images and geologic unit boundaries in image sequences. In each of these domains we demonstrate improvements in the quality of returned data through autonomous analysis of imagery.
Enhancing NextGen RNAV Capabilities: Human Performance Evaluation of NRS Waypoint Nomenclatures

As part of the Next Generation Air Transportation System (NextGen) initiative, a redevelopment of the high-altitude airspace is underway to realize the benefits of area navigation (RNAV) capabilities. Three nomenclatures were evaluated as possible alternatives to the current waypoint nomenclature used in the Navigation Reference System (NRS). A part-task study was conducted to assess if speed of NRS waypoint location on an en route chart, speed of flight management system (FMS) entry, number of FMS entry errors, and NRS waypoint reroute use were different among the nomenclatures tested. Overall preference was also assessed.
Biochemical and morphological characteristics of arterial actomyosin

Abstract An active preparation of natural actomyosin was extracted from eanine arteries in solutions of low ionic strength containing ATP. In this solution, arterial actomyosin appeared by electron microscopy to dissociate into thick filaments corresponding to myosin and thin filaments corresponding to F-actin. In a high ionic strength solution without ATP, electronmicrographs of arterial actomyosin showed an “arrow-head” filamentous structure which also has been described for skeletal actomyosin (myosin B). The actomyosin preparation also had many of the biochemical characteristics reported for skeletal actomyosin including the ability to hydrolyze ATP, undergo superprecipitation (contraction), and respond to the changes in the concentration of free Ca 2+ . The concentration of ATP had a noticeable effect on the superprecipitation (contraction) and clearing (relaxation) of arterial actomyosin with relatively low concentrations promoting superprecipitation and high concentrations promoting clearing. Varying concentrations of Na + and K + also influenced the superprecipitation with the partial replacement of K + by equimolar concentrations of Na + resulting in an enhanced superprecipitation of arterial actomyosin. The present study could provide an explanation for the manner in which changes in intracellular concentrations of different cations and ATP alter the contractile function of the arteries.
Numerical Investigation of Coil Configurations That Provide Ultrahigh Packing Density of Saccular Aneurysms

BACKGROUND: The long-term outcome of endovascular coiling of cerebral aneurysms is directly related to the packing density at time of treatment. In general, the highest packing density achievable is only about 45% due to the quasi-random distribution of currently available coils within aneurysms. We investigated whether packing densities could be maximized via more ordered coil configurations. METHODS: Three different coil configurations - circular loops, planar spirals, and spherical helices - were investigated. The packing densities achievable in maximally filling the volume of an exemplar human basilar aneurysm with each coil configuration were calculated numerically. Coil packing simulations were also carried out for aneurysms idealized as spheres over diameters ranging from 2 to 30 mm. RESULTS: The packing densities with the loop, spiral, and spherical helix configurations were 82%, 60%, and 73%, respectively, for the human aneurysm model; the numbers of coils required were 693, 34, and 13, respectively. Simulations within idealized aneurysms suggest that aneurysms cannot be packed to more than 91% with coils of constant circular cross-section. The spherical helix configuration provides a constant packing density (coefficient of variation 0.4%) over the range of aneurysm diameters studied as compared to the two other configurations (coefficients of variation 9% and 8%). CONCLUSIONS: Coil configurations that allow for ordered filling of cerebral aneurysms can potentially provide packing densities that are twice those currently achieved. The spherical helix configuration seems to be the most technically feasible and stable configuration of the three coil types investigated.
Pediatric organ transplantation and the Hispanic population: Approaching families and obtaining their consent

Abstract Background While the number of children on waiting lists for organ donation continues to increase, little data exists concerning Hispanic children and organ donation. For physicians who care for Hispanic children, it is important to understand the factors that may influence organ donation in this population. Methods This retrospective chart review included 88 cases of brain death that occurred between 1990 and 1999 in 3 pediatric intensive care units. The data set included brain death determination, age, ethnicity, whether the family was approached for organ donation, and rate of consent. Results Compared with non-Hispanic/Caucasian (NH/C) families, fewer Hispanic/Caucasian (H/C) families consented to organ donation (P ≤ .03). H/C families were approached less often for organ donation than NH/C families, although the difference was not significant (P ≤ .08). Even once approached, H/C families were probably less likely to consent to organ donation (P ≤ .087). Conclusion H/C families of children with brain death show a lower organ donation consent rate than do NH/C families. However, H/C families are less likely to be approached for organ donation and this may possibly explain the reason that fewer H/C families consent to organ donation.
Ambivalence and evaluative response amplification

Each subject evaluated an interviewee on the basis of information in a transcript. The interviewee was portrayed either favorably or unfavorably; he was labeled as “handicapped” or “Chicano,” or he was not labeled. Half the subjects were exposed to a pretreatment designed to induce ambivalent affect toward the physically handicapped. These subjects subsequently evaluated the favorably portrayed handicapped interviewee more positively, and the unfavorably portrayed handicapped interviewee more negatively, than did control subjects. Moreover, this effect generalized to Chicano and nonstigmatized stimulus persons. Independent of this finding, subjects’ evaluations of the handicapped were more favorable than evaluations of the other stimulus persons.
Predicting prolonged intensive care unit length-of-stay following coronary artery bypass surgery

Introduction: Intensive Care Unit (ICU) length-of-stay (LOS) following coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) is influenced by patient condition and operating room events. Prolonged ICU LOS is associated with increased morbidity and costs. We developed a model to predict prolonged ICU LOS (>120 hours) based on the patient's condition at ICU admission. Methods: 2787 patients underwent primary or re-operative CABG between 1/1/93 and 3/31/94, either isolated or combined with other cardiac surgery. Characteristics of the 266 patients with ICU LOS >120 hours were compared to those with shorter ICU LOS. Factors significant at p 120 hours. Multiple logistic regression identifies 11 independent predictors, including use of intra-aortic balloon pump, emergency...
Inhibition of Th1 Differentiation by IL-6 Is Mediated by SOCS1

Interleukin 6 (IL-6) is a cytokine produced by immune and nonimmune cells and exhibits functional pleiotropy and redundancy. IL-6 plays an important role in the differentiation of several cell types. Here, we describe a novel function of IL-6: the negative regulation of CD4+ Th1 cell differentiation. While IL-6-directed CD4+ Th2 differentiation is mediated by IL-4, inhibition of Th1 differentiation by IL-6 is independent of IL-4. IL-6 upregulates suppressor of cytokine signaling 1 (SOCS1) expression in activated CD4+ T cells, thereby interfering with signal transducer and activator of transcription 1 (STAT1) phosphorylation induced by interferon gamma (IFNgamma). Inhibition of IFNgamma receptor-mediated signals by IL-6 prevents autoregulation of IFNgamma gene expression by IFNgamma during CD4+ T cell activation, thereby preventing Th1 differentiation. Thus, IL-6 promotes CD4+ Th2 differentiation and inhibits Th1 differentiation by two independent molecular mechanisms.
Factors Associated with Bullying Behavior in Middle School Students

In this study, bullying was examined as a continuum of mild-to-extreme behaviors, and the potential correlates of bullying others were delineated. To improve identification and targeting of those youth at risk for bullying, demographic, behavioral, and psychosocial correlates were tested on a continuous measure of bullying behavior rated according to the number and frequency of behaviors. Among 558 middle school students surveyed in 1995, only 20% reported no bullying behavior. In multiple regression analysis, misconduct, anger, beliefs supportive of violence, confidence in using nonviolent strategies, and intentions to use nonviolent strategies were associated with levels of bullying behavior. Although boys reported more bullying behavior than did girls, gender was not a significant predictor in the multiple regression analysis. These study results were inconsistent with the perspective that early adolescents were either bullies or nonbullies and indicated the need for a comprehensive approach to prevent...
Influence of lysophospholipid hydrolysis by the catalytic domain of neuropathy target esterase on the fluidity of bilayer lipid membranes

article Neuropathy target esterase (NTE) is an integral membrane protein localized in the endoplasmic reticulum in neurons. Irreversible inhibition of NTE by certain organophosphorus compounds produces a paralysis known as organophosphorus compound-induced delayed neuropathy. In vitro, NTE has phospholipase/lysopho- spholipase activity that hydrolyses exogenously added single-chain lysophospholipids in preference to dual- chain phospholipids, and NTE mutations have been associated with motor neuron disease. NTE's physiological role is not well understood, although recent studies suggest that it may control the cytotoxic accumulation of lysophospholipids in membranes. We used the NTE catalytic domain (NEST) to hydrolyze palmitoyl-2-hydroxy-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (p-lysoPC) to palmitic acid in bilayer membranes comprising 1,2-dioleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (DOPC) and the fluorophore 1-oleoyl-2-(12-((7- nitro-2-1,3-benzoxadiazol-4-yl)amino)dodecanoyl)-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (NBD-PC). Translational diffusion coefficients (DL) in supported bilayer membranes were measured by fluorescence recovery after pattern photobleaching (FRAPP). The average DL for DOPC/p-lysoPC membranes without NEST was 2.44 µm 2 s -1
Collision matrix elements near a pseudocrossing of potential energy curves.

The behavior of the matrix element of the collision operator, d/dR, between adiabatic states with variations in R, the internuclear separation, is studied qualitatively for diatomic molecules. These matrix elements often have a maximum or a zero near the pseudocrossing of the two adiabatic potential energy curves. Effects of these extremes of behavior on cross sections are considered and limits on the validity of approximations which use R‐independent orbitals are developed. Finally, the effect of a second pseudocrossing on these matrix elements is analyzed.
Fiber optic stress wave sensor for detection of internal flaws in concrete structures

Internal cracks are frequently initiated in the form of delaminations at the interface between the reinforcement and the concrete in bridges. The most probable cause for the generation of internal cracks and delaminations is the pressure generated by the accumulation of corrosion byproducts at the interface between the reinforcement and the concrete. Failure to detect these defects at the early stages of development results in time consuming and costly repair and replacement operations. This article describes development of a fiber optic ultrasonic sensor for distributed detection of flaws and defects in concrete bridge elements. Distributed sensing provides the opportunity for the optical fiber sensor to detect anomalies throughout the entire structure. An ultrasonic transmitter source or an impact device is used for point-by-point generation of stress waves within the bridge deck. An optical fiber is adhered to the surface of the structure, for sensing of the echoed ultrasonic signals. The optical fiber...
ON DISSOLVED CARBON DIOXIDE IN PENICILLIN FERMENTATIONS

The behavior of dissolved carbon dioxide in penicillin fermentations was studied. It is demonstrated that the partial pressure of carbon dioxide in the offgas and of that dissolved in the fermentation medium were not in equilibrium. Excessive dissolution of carbon dioxide occurs during the course of the fermentation and can be attributed to the slower rate of CO2 desorption from the fermentation medium compared to the rate of CO2, absorption from the cell respiration.
TH-C-12A-04: Dosimetric Evaluation of a Modulated Arc Technique for Total Body Irradiation

Purpose: A simplified Total Body Irradiation (TBI) was developed to work with minimal requirements in a compact linac room without custom motorized TBI couch. Results were compared to our existing fixed-gantry double 4 MV linac TBI system with prone patient and simultaneous AP/PA irradiation. Methods: Modulated arc irradiates patient positioned in prone/supine positions along the craniocaudal axis. A simplified inverse planning method developed to optimize dose rate as a function of gantry angle for various patient sizes without the need of graphical 3D treatment planning system. This method can be easily adapted and used with minimal resources. Fixed maximum field size (40×40 cm2) is used to decrease radiation delivery time. Dose rate as a function of gantry angle is optimized to result in uniform dose inside rectangular phantoms of various sizes and a custom VMAT DICOM plans were generated using a DICOM editor tool. Monte Carlo simulations, film and ionization chamber dosimetry for various setups were used to derive and test an extended SSD beam model based on PDD/OAR profiles for Varian 6EX/ TX. Measurements were obtained using solid water phantoms. Dose rate modulation function was determined for various size patients (100cm − 200cm). Depending on the size of the patient arc range varied from 100° to 120°. Results: A PDD/OAR based beam model for modulated arc TBI therapy was developed. Lateral dose profiles produced were similar to profiles of our existing TBI facility. Calculated delivery time and full arc depended on the size of the patient (∼8min/ 100° − 10min/ 120°, 100 cGy). Dose heterogeneity varied by about ±5% − ±10% depending on the patient size and distance to the surface (buildup region). Conclusion: TBI using simplified modulated arc along craniocaudal axis of different size patients positioned on the floor can be achieved without graphical / inverse 3D planning.
Sources of nitrogen in three watersheds of northern Florida, USA: Mainly atmospheric deposition

Abstract Atmospheric deposition is estimated to be the principal source of N in water that flows to the Apalachicola River from the Chattahoochee and Flint Rivers (ACF) as well as in two nearby small rivers, Ochlockonee (Och) and Sopchoppy (Sop), that drain watersheds with different land use characteristics. By mass balance and descriptive statistics of hundreds of rainfall and river water samples from monitoring programs since the 1960s, the average nitrate and ammonium deposition flux from the atmosphere is sufficient to account for N that flows toward Apalachicola Bay, an estuary in which N may be a limiting nutrient. Urban and agricultural sources of N in the three watersheds ACF, Och and Sop appear to be relatively smaller. The work was based on long-term data bases from the National Atmospheric Deposition Program (NADP) rain chemistry monitoring network and the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) water monitoring program. Average atmospheric N depositions to the three river watersheds are nearly the same as river fluxes of N in all forms monitored. Nitrogen is not likely to be a limiting nutrient in the three watersheds, since river water N:P exceeds the Redfield ratio. An estimate of largest possible input of urban sewage is several times lower than the atmospheric flux of N to the ACF watershed. And N from N-fertilizer, comparable to the atmospheric deposition flux of N, is likely to be smaller if mostly retained in crops or farmland before it reaches the estuary. Annual nitrogen export from the Apalachicola River to the estuary, 1.22 × 109 moles N yr−1, consists of organic nitrogen 60%, nitrate 34% and NH4+ 6%. Atmospheric nitrate and sulfate depositions are highly correlated, both being principally from fossil fuel combustion. Hydrologie conditions, which exhibit variations on seasonal and longer time scales, play an important role in the transport of nutrients and other species in the rivers.
Extracellular Acidosis Stimulates NHE2 Expression through Activation of Transcription Factor Egr-1 in the Intestinal Epithelial Cells

Na+/H+ exchangers (NHEs) play important roles in regulating internal pH (pHi), cell volume and neutral Na+ absorption in the human intestine. Earlier studies have shown that low extracellular pH (pHe) and metabolic acidosis increases the expression and function of NHE1-3 genes. However, transcriptional mechanisms involved remained unknown. Therefore, we investigated the molecular mechanisms underlying acid-induced NHE2 expression in C2BBe1 and SK-CO15 intestinal epithelial cells. Assessing total RNA and protein by RT-PCR and Western blot analysis, respectively, displayed significant increases in the NHE2 mRNA and protein levels in cells exposed to acidic media (pH 6.5 and 6.7) compared to normal medium. Acid treatment was also associated with a significant enhancement in NHE2 transport activity. Quantification of the heterogeneous nuclear RNA indicated that the rate of NHE2 transcription was increased in response to acid. Furthermore, acid caused a significant increase in NHE2 promoter activity confirming transcriptional upregulation. Through functional and mutational studies the acid-response element was mapped to a 15-nucleotide GC-rich sequence at bp −337 to −323 upstream from the transcription start site. We previously identified this element as an overlapping Egr-1/Sp1/Egr-1 motif that was essential for the NHE2 upregulation by mitogen-induced transcription factor Egr-1. Cells exposed to acid exhibited a temporal increase in Egr-1 mRNA and protein expression. These events were followed by Egr-1 nuclear accumulation, as detected by immunofluorescence microscopy, and potentiated its in vitro and in vivo interaction with the NHE2 promoter. Disruption of ESE motif and knockdown of Egr-1 expression by targeted small interfering RNA abrogated the acid-induced NHE2 transcriptional activity. These data indicate that the acid-dependent NHE2 stimulation is implemented by transcriptional upregulation of NHE2 via acid-induced Egr-1 in the intestinal epithelial cells.
Max Weber on Democracy: Can the People Have Political Power in Modern States?

Max Weber was notoriously skeptical about the applicability of ancient conceptions of democracy to political life in modern states. In his later work in particular he increasingly emphasized the unfeasibility of anything but ‘plebiscitary leadership democracy’ under contemporary political conditions. His claims about the indispensability of leadership and the ineradicable role of parties in modern political life played an essential role in the development of Robert Michels’ views about political parties. 1 They provided the foundation for Joseph Schumpeter’s “elitist” theory of democracy. 2 And they had at least some influence on Carl Schmitt’s more vociferously anti-democratic views. 3 But Weber also (unlike Schmitt), had a powerful interest in establishing the extent to which human freedom, or autonomy, could be preserved in modern societies. As we shall see, freedom, for Weber, meant the capacity for meaningful action. And he was specifically concerned about the diminishing potential of human beings to realize this kind of freedom in political life. 4 Given this concern, we might expect his work to contain elements from which a more genuinely participatory conception of democracy might be built. 5 In this paper I shall agree with those who want to attribute to Weber an implicit ideal of freedom. But I shall argue that this ideal will not help those who wish to retrieve the ‘democratic Weber.’ In fact, I shall claim, insofar as this ideal informs his understanding of democratic ideals, it is part of the problem. I shall first outline the basis of Weber’s skepticism about democracy. This will involve analyzing his account of political power and the constraints on who can have it in modern states. According to this account, the democratic ideal of popular political power cannot be realized under modern conditions. Given the increasing attachment to the idea, since the French Revolution, that only democratic forms of government are legitimate, there seems to be a potential instability in modern politics. I hope to explain through this analysis why it is that plebiscitary leadership democracy suggests itself to him as a natural compromise between democratic ideals and political necessities. But I shall also claim that Weber could have avoided the problem in another way. His account of the appeal of democratic ideals is informed by his ideal of freedom. It is extracted from his account of the methodical-rational personality fostered by Protestantism. It is a secularized religious conception of freedom and it is rooted in an extremely pessimistic account of secularization. If Weber had excised this element from his work he would have had available to him, on his own terms, a less
An introduction to neural networks based on the feed forward, backpropagation error correction network with weight space limiting based on a priori knowledge

Neural networks are introduced to instrumentation professionals. The structure of neural networks is described with particular attention paid to the backpropagation network. Both graphic and analytical descriptions are used. Examples of backpropagation networks applied to one- and two-dimensional resolution enhancement are used to exhibit characteristics of there networks. In the two-dimensional case, image recovery and enhancement of Hubble-space-telescope-like images are employed as examples. Several approaches to the effective limitation of the network weight space are reported. The conceptual basis of weight space limitation is introduced. The connection of weight space limitation to incorporation of a priori knowledge of the systems to which the networks are applied is discussed with examples. >
Design guidelines for reducing electromagnetic field effects from 60 Hz electrical power systems

A brief review of the subject of the biological effects of 50/60 Hz fields is presented. Included is a discussion of extremely-low-frequency (ELF) fields to which the public is exposed, and ELF fields that are encountered in a petrochemical refinery. The proposed limits to which humans should be subjected and methods of reducing exposure are presented. Specific methods which may be employed to avoid the higher-strength ELF fields are detailed, and recommendations of the International Radiation Protection Association are included. >
Does Prior Antibiotic Treatment Hamper the Diagnosis of Acute Bacterial Meningitis?: An Analysis of a Series of 135 Childhood Cases

During the five-year period from January 1964 through De cember 1969, 135 children between one month and 15 years of age with bacterial meningitis were treated. Sixty (44%) had received some type of antibacterial drug before the diagnosis was made. Spinal fluid cultures and smears were positive more often in the "untreated" group, but there were no numerical differences between the groups in blood cultures or in causative organisms identified. Prior therapy did not produce significant differences in CSF properties, or have an adverse effect on the response to treatment, duration of hospitalization, or ultimate outcome.
Volumetric image registration by template matching

A template-matching approach to registration of volumetric images is described. The process automatically selects about a dozen highly detailed and unique templates (cubic or spherical subvolumes) from the target volume and locates the templates in the reference volume. The centroids of the 'best' four correspondences are then used to determine the transformation matrix that resamples the target volume to overlay the reference volume. Different similarity measures used in template matching are discussed and preliminary results are presented. The proposed registration method produces a median error of 2.8 mm when registering Venderbilt image data sets, with average registration time of 2.5 minutes on a 400 MHz PC.
In Vivo Multiphoton Microscopy for Investigating Biomechanical Properties of Human Skin

The biomechanical properties of living cells depend on their molecular building blocks, and are important for maintaining structure and function in cells, the extracellular matrix, and tissues. These biomechanical properties and forces also shape and modify the cellular and extracellular structures under stress. While many studies have investigated the biomechanics of single cells or small populations of cells in culture, or the properties of organs and tissues, few studies have investigated the biomechanics of complex cell populations in vivo. With the use of advanced multiphoton microscopy to visualize in vivo cell populations in human skin, the biomechanical properties are investigated in a depth-dependent manner in the stratum corneum and epidermis using quasi-static mechanical deformations. A 2D elastic registration algorithm was used to analyze the images before and after deformation to determine displacements in different skin layers. In this feasibility study, the images and results from one human subject demonstrate the potential of the technique for revealing differences in elastic properties between the stratum corneum and the rest of the epidermis. This interrogational imaging methodology has the potential to enable a wide range of investigations for understanding how the biomechanical properties of in vivo cell populations influence function in health and disease.
Functional Organization of the GluR1 Glutamate Receptor Promoter

The GluR1 glutamate receptor subunit is expressed in most brain areas and plays a major role in excitatory synaptic transmission. We cloned and sequenced 5 kilobase pairs of the rat GluR1 promoter and identified multiple transcriptional start sites between −295 and −202 (relative to the first ATG). Similar to other glutamate receptor subunit promoters, the GluR1 promoter lacks TATA and CAAT elements in that region but binds Sp1 proteins at two sites. Promoter activity of GluR1 fragments cloned into pGL3 was assessed by immunocytochemistry and by measuring luciferase activity after transfection into primary cultures of rat cortical neurons and glia. GluR1 promoter activity was stronger in neurons, with neuronal specificity appearing to reside mainly within the neuronal expression-enhancing regions, −1395 to −743 and −253 to −48. The latter region contains 4 sites that bound recombinant cAMP-response element-binding proteins and a glial silencing region between −253 and −202. In both neurons and glia, promoter activity was increased by a 64-base pair GA repeat upstream of the initiation sites and reduced by a 57-base pair region that contained an N box. In contrast to the GluR2 promoter the regulatory regions are mainly located outside of the GluR1 initiation region.
Cancer therapy associated bone loss: implications for hip fractures in mid-life women with breast cancer.

Purpose: Aromatase inhibitors (AIs) have been recently associated with hip fractures. We present a case series of breast cancer survivors and a systematic review of bone health care in breast cancer. Experimental Design: We completed clinical assessments and bone density testing (BMD) of hip fractures from January 2005 to December 2008. Prefracture and 12-month functional status was obtained. Systematic review included case reports and review of MEDLINE, PubMed, EMBASE, and Food and Drug Administration Adverse Event Reporting System (FDA AERS) from January 1998 to December 2008 (search terms: breast cancer, bone loss, osteopenia, osteoporosis, malignancy, cancer treatment, menopause, adriamycin, cytoxan, tamoxifen, and AIs). Results: Median age was 53.5 years; five women had osteopenia, one osteoporosis. Five cases were ER (+), and received surgery, XRT chemotherapy, and anastrozole. Functional decline was noted at 12 months, with difficulty in performing heavy housekeeping, climbing stairs, and shopping. The FDA AERS database included 228 cases of fractures associated with breast cancer therapy; 77/228 (29.4%) were hip or femur fractures. Among mid-life women under the age of 64 years there were 78 fractures; 15/228 (19%) were hip and femur fractures. AIs were the most common drug class associated with fractures ( n = 149, 65%). Conclusions: Cancer treatment induced bone loss results in hip fractures among mid-life women with breast cancer. Hip fractures occur at younger ages and higher BMD than expected for patients in this age group without breast cancer. Hip fractures result in considerable functional decline. Greater awareness of this adverse drug effect is needed. Clin Cancer Res; 17(3); 560–8. ©2011 AACR .
Epitope mapping and reactivity of autoantibodies to the E2 component of 2-oxoglutarate dehydrogenase complex in primary biliary cirrhosis using recombinant 2-oxoglutarate dehydrogenase complex

Five different target mitochondrial autoantigens recognized by sera from patients with primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) have been identified as subunits of the following 2-oxo acid dehydrogenase complexes: the pyruvate dehydrogenase complex (PDC), the branched chain 2-oxo acid dehydrogenase complex (BCOADC), and the 2-oxoglutarate dehydrogenase complex (OGDC). Unlike the E2 subunits of PDC (PDC-E2) and BCOADC (BCOADC-E2), the E2 subunits of OGDC (OGDC-E2) reactivity of PBC sera and the reactive epitope of OGDC-D2 have not hitherto been studied in detail. In this report, we took advantage of a recombinant fusion protein for OGDC-E2 to address these issues. Eighty of 268 (29.9%) PBC patient sera but none of the 45 controls reacted with recombinant OGDC-E2. The recombinant OGDC-E2 was judged to express the immunodominant epitope, because when sera from patients with PBC were preabsorbed with the recombinant fusion protein, such sera were depleted of reactivity against 48 kD OGDC-E2 when probed on beef heart mitochondria (BHM) but retained reactivity toward PDC-E2 and/or BCOADC-E2. Furthermore, affinity-purified PBC sera against recombinant OGDC-E2 reacted only with native OGDC-E2 and not with any other enzyme components of the 2-oxo acid dehydrogenase complex. Antimitochondrial autoantibodies (AMA) against OGDC-E2 included immunoglobulin (Ig)G2, IgG3 and IgM and the relative titers were as follows: IgG2 > IgG3 > IgM. Finally, using overlapping recombinant polypeptides, it was determined that a minimum of 81 amino acids (residues 67-147) corresponding to the lipoyl domain of OGDC-E2 are necessary for reactivity, suggesting that a conformational autoepitope is recognized by AMA. These data suggest that each of the 2-oxo acid dehydrogenase enzymes has distinct antigenicity despite their similarities in structure and function. The availability of recombinant OGDC-E2 autoantigen will allow the design of additional studies to further our understanding of the role of mitochondrial autoantigens in the pathogenesis of PBC.
Vaccines against hantaviruses

Rodent-borne hantaviruses are etiologic agents for hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome and hantavirus cardiopulmonary syndrome in the Old World and New World, respectively. These often severe diseases are relatively uncommon in most parts of the world and are sufficiently genetically variable that widely cross-protective vaccines will probably need to be polyvalent. The current status of hantavirus vaccines shall be reviewed and both conventional and speculative new vaccine technologies that may evolve within the field shall be considered.
Detection of Magnetic Oxide Filled Cracks in Steel

The magnetic leakage field produced by a discontinuity draws and holds the ferromagnetic particles used in magnetic particle inspection (MPI). The particles held by the leakage field then provide the visible evidence to the location of the discontinuity. A change in the leakage field could, potentially, change the detectability of the crack. [1] Typically, the study of magnetic leakage fields has been limited to those emanating from air-filled discontinuities. However, for this investigation, the leakage fields from surface cracks filled with a magnetic iron oxide scale were observed. The goal was to determine if cracks filled with common magnetic oxides could essentially “bridge the magnetic gap” and, therefore, be masked during MPI.
Recognizing pain and distress in laboratory animals.

We have long recognized the impact that pain, stress, and distress can have on the welfare of laboratory animals, or for that matter, any animal. Pain and stress can cause distress, and the biologic effects can compromise experimental results (Moberg 1999). For these reasons, we are continually striving to control and ameliorate the effects of pain and stress on laboratory animals. Neither pain nor stress—a part of an animal's life, as they are ours— can ever be totally eliminated. Pain normally serves as a protective function to warn of impending danger and is therefore adaptive. Animals have evolved appropriate biologic strategies to assist them in coping with stress. Thus, pain and stress are not inherently bad for an animal, unless these biologic strategies fail to protect the animal from stress or the biologic cost of coping takes too great a toll on the animal. Then the animal experiences distress and its welfare is threatened. The question is, when does an animal cross over from nonthreatening stress to distress?
A numerical study of stochastic larval settlement in the California Current system

Abstract Key to the predictive understanding of many nearshore marine ecosystems is the transport of larvae by ocean circulation processes. Many species release thousands to billions of larvae to develop in pelagic waters, but only a few lucky ones successfully settle to suitable habitat and recruit to adult life stages. Methodologies for predicting the larval dispersal are still primitive, and simple diffusive analyses are still used for many important applications. In this study, we investigate mechanisms of larval dispersal using idealized simulations of time-evolving coastal circulations in the California Current system with Lagrangian particles as models for planktonic larvae. Connectivity matrices, which describe the source-to-destination relationships for larval dispersal for a given larval development time course, are used to diagnose the time–space dynamics of larval settlement. The resulting connectivity matrices are shown to be a function of several important time scales, such as the planktonic larval duration, the frequency and duration of larval release events and inherent time scales for the coastal circulations. Many important fishery management applications require knowledge of fish stocks on a year-to-year or generation-to-generation basis. For these short time scales (typically less than 1 year), larval dispersal is generally far from a simple diffusive process and the consideration of the stochastic and episodic nature of larval dispersal is required. This work provides new insights into the spatial–temporal dynamics of nearshore fish stocks.
Verbal ability, self-control, and close relationships with parents protect children against misleading suggestions

Suggestibility to misleading questions about events that occurred in a laboratory playroom visit 9 months earlier was assessed in 70 5-year-old children (54% boys). Six measures of children's suggestibility were coded from videotaped and transcribed interviews: agreement with false suggestions that the research assistant had undressed them, hit them, hurt them, touched them on the bottom, and done bad things, and a overall rating of suggestibility. These measures of suggestibility were related to characteristics of the child and family that had been collected over the course of a longitudinal study beginning when the children were 1 month of age. Children who had more advanced verbal abilities, adaptive inhibitory control, and close and secure relationships with supportive and psychological healthy parents were better able to resist the interviewer's suggestive questions and persuasive attempts. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Mathematical modeling of atomizing scrubbers

A mathematical model for predicting particle collection efficiency in an atomizing scrubber has been developed. The model solves the diffusion equations for both droplets and particles by using particle in cell technique. The effect of scrubber size and water distribution from various points of injection have been studied on collection efficiency. The results of the mathematical prediction agrees very well with the data reported in the literature for a wide variety of operating conditions and configurations.
Effective treatment of depression improves post-myocardial infarction survival.

AIM: To examine the contribution of treatment resistant depression (TRD) to mortality in depressed post-myocardial infarction (MI) patients independent of biological and social predictors. METHODS: This secondary analysis study utilizes the Enhancing Recovery in Coronary Heart Disease (ENRICHD) clinical trial data. From 1834 depressed patients in the ENRICHD study, there were 770 depressed post-MI patients who were treated for depression. In this study, TRD is defined as having a less than 50% reduction in Hamilton Depression (HAM-D) score from baseline and a HAM-D score of greater than 10 in 6 mo after depression treatment began. Cox regression analysis was used to examine the independent contributions of TRD to mortality after controlling for the biological and social predictors. RESULTS: TRD occurred in 13.4% (n = 103) of the 770 patients treated for depression. Patients with TRD were significantly younger in age (P = 0.04) (mean = 57.0 years, SD = 11.7) than those without TRD (mean = 59.2 years, SD = 12.0). There was a significantly higher percentage of females with TRD (57.3%) compared to females without TRD (47.4%) [χ2 (1) = 4.65, P = 0.031]. There were significantly more current smokers with TRD (44.7%) than without TRD (33.0%) [χ2 (1) = 7.34, P = 0.007]. There were no significant differences in diabetes (P = 0.120), history of heart failure (P = 0.258), prior MI (P = 0.524), and prior stroke (P = 0.180) between patients with TRD and those without TRD. Mortality was 13% (n = 13) in patients with TRD and 7% (n = 49) in patients without TRD, with a mean follow-up of 29 mo (18 mo minimum and maximum of 4.5 years). TRD was a significant independent predictor of mortality (HR = 1.995; 95%CI: 1.011-3.938, P = 0.046) after controlling for age (HR = 1.036; 95%CI: 1.011-1.061, P = 0.004), diabetes (HR = 2.912; 95%CI: 1.638-5.180, P < 0.001), heart failure (HR = 2.736; 95%CI: 1.551-4.827, P = 0.001), and smoking (HR = 0.502; 95%CI: 0.228-1.105, P = 0.087). CONCLUSION: The analysis of TRD in the ENRICHD study shows that the effective treatment of depression reduced mortality in depressed post-MI patients. It is important to monitor the effectiveness of depression treatment and change treatments if necessary to reduce depression and improve cardiac outcomes in depressed post-MI patients.
Measures of fiscal risk in oil-exporting countries

The recent relatively high levels of global oil prices have led to a significant improvement in the public finances of several oil-exporting countries. However, despite the increase in fiscal buffers, medium-term risks remain high. Fiscal vulnerabilities have increased as a consequence of the substantial spending packages that have been implemented in recent years. This has raised break-even prices – that is, the price levels that ensure that fiscal accounts are in balance at a given level of spending – in these countries. This study analyses such risks and develops measures of fiscal risk stemming from oil price fluctuations. An empirical application to oil-exporting countries from the Middle East and North Africa region is included. Additionally, it is worth noting that countries with large net assets and proven oil reserves are much less vulnerable to fiscal risk than is indicated by standard measures based on break-even prices.
IDMA: improving the defense against malicious attack for mobile ad hoc networks based on ARIP protocol

Malicious nodes are mounting increasingly sophisticated attacking operations on the Mobile Ad Hoc Networks (MANETs). This is mainly because the IP-based MANETs are vulnerable to attacks by various malicious nodes. However, the defense against malicious attack can be improved when a new layer of network architecture can be developed to separate true IP address from disclosing to the malicious nodes. In this paper, we propose a new algorithm to improve the defense against malicious attack (IDMA) that is based on a recently developed Assignment Router Identify Protocol (ARIP) for the clustering-based MANET management. In the ARIP protocol, we design the ARIP architecture based on the new Identity instead of the vulnerable IP addresses to provide the required security that is embedded seamlessly into the overall network architecture. We make full use of ARIP's special property to monitor gateway forward packets by Reply Request Route Packets (RREP) without additional intrusion detection layer. We name this new algorithm IDMA because of its inherent capability to improve the defense against malicious attacks. Through IDMA, a watching algorithm can be established so as to counterattack the malicious node in the routing path when it unusually drops up packets. We provide analysis examples for IDMA for the defense against a malicious node that disrupts the route discovery by impersonating the destination, or by responding with state of corrupted routing information, or by disseminating forged control traffic. The IDMA algorithm is able to counterattack the malicious node in the cases when the node lunch DoS attack by broadcast a large number of route requests, or make Target traffic congestion by delivering huge mount of data; or spoof the IP addresses and send forge packets with a fake ID to the same Target causing traffic congestion at that destination. We have implemented IDMA algorism using the GloMoSim simulator and have demonstrated its performance under a variety of operational conditions.
Formation of heterogeneous polymer films via simultaneous or sequential depositions of soluble and insoluble monomers onto ionic liquids.

In this paper, we studied the formation of heterogeneous polymer films on ionic liquid (IL) substrates via the simultaneous or sequential depositions of monomers that are either soluble or insoluble in the liquid. We found that the insoluble monomer 1H,1H,2H,2H-perfluorodecyl acrylate (PFDA) only polymerizes at the IL surface, while the soluble monomer ethylene glycol diacrylate (EGDA) can polymerize at both the IL surface and within the bulk liquid. The polymer chains that form within the bulk liquid entrap IL as they integrate into the polymer film formed at the IL surface, resulting in heterogeneous films that contain IL on the bottom side. Varying the order in which the soluble and insoluble monomers were introduced into the system led to different film structures. When the insoluble monomer was introduced first, a film formed at the surface and the soluble monomer then diffused through this film and polymerized within the bulk, leading to a sandwich structure. When the soluble monomer was introduced ...
U.S. Department of Energy NESHAP Annual Report for CY 2014 Sandia National Laboratories Tonopah Test Range

This National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP) Annual Report has been prepared in a format to comply with the reporting requirements of 40 CFR 61.94 and the April 5, 1995 Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between the Department of Energy (DOE) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). According to the EPA approved NESHAP Monitoring Plan for the Tonopah Test Range (TTR), 40 CFR 61, subpart H, and the MOA, no additional monitoring or measurements are required at TTR in order to demonstrate compliance with the NESHAP regulation.
Glyptapanteles flavicoxis (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) Dispersal in Relation to Parasitism of Gypsy Moth (Lepidoptera: Lymantriidae)

Glyptapanteles flsavicoris Marsh is a recently imported but unestablished parasitoid of the gypsy moth, Lymantria dispar (L.). Its dispersal and parasitization was field-tested along distance gradients at high (5,307 egg masses/hal and low (750 masses/hal host density sites. Host larvae were collected in each 14.3-ha site after the last of eight parasitoid releases. Parasitism of 13.8% was recorded in 7.4 ha at the low density site, and 1.4% parasitism was recorded in 2.6 ha at the high density site. Parasitism was aggregated around the release point for each site. Each female parasitized an estimated 68 and 9 gypsy moth larvae at the low and high density sites, respectively. Parasitism in branch sleeve cages on beech and oak was higher at low host densities. In laboratory tests, the effects of female density (1, 2, 3) and exposure time (12, 24, 48 h) were tested at constant host density. G. flavicoris parasitization significantly increased with female density. Results suggest that future G. flavicoxis release points should be separated by at least 150 m and that most parasitism will occur near the point of release within 12 h. G. flavicoxis may be most successful against low-density gypsy moth populations such as pre-outbreak infestations rather than against epidemic populations.