cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
miRNA-708 Control of CD44 + Prostate Cancer–Initiating Cells

Tumor recurrence in prostate cancer has been attributed to the presence of CD44-expressing tumor-initiating cells. In this study, we report that miR-708 is a key negative regulator of this CD44(+) subpopulation of prostate cancer cells, with important implications for diagnosis and prognosis of this disease. miR-708 was underexpressed in CD44(+) cells from prostate cancer xenografts. Reconstitution of miR-708 in prostate cancer cell lines or CD44(+) prostate cancer cells led to decreased tumorigenicity in vitro. Intratumoral delivery of synthetic miR-708 oligonucleotides triggered regression of established tumors in a murine xenograft model of human prostate cancer. Conversely, miR-708 silencing in a purified CD44(-) population of prostate cancer cells promoted tumor growth. Functional studies validated CD44 to be a direct target of miR-708 and also identified the serine/threonine kinase AKT2 as an additional target. Clinically, low miR-708 expression was associated significantly with poor survival outcome, tumor progression, and recurrence in patients with prostate cancer. Together, our findings suggest that reduced miR-708 expression leads to prostate cancer initiation, progression, and development by regulating the expression of CD44 as well as AKT2. miR-708 therefore may represent a novel therapeutic target or diagnostic and prognostic biomarker in prostate cancer.
Synoptic Monitoring of Gross Primary Productivity of Maize Using Landsat Data

There is a growing interest in monitoring the gross primary productivity (GPP) of crops due mostly to their carbon sequestration potential. Both within- and between-field variability are important components of crop GPP monitoring, particularly for the estimation of carbon budgets. In this letter, we present a new technique for daytime GPP estimation in maize based on the close and consistent relationship between GPP and crop chlorophyll content, and entirely on remotely sensed data. A recently proposed chlorophyll index (CI), which involves green and near-infrared spectral bands, was used to retrieve daytime GPP from Landsat Enhanced Thematic Mapper Plus (ETM+) data. Because of its high spatial resolution (i.e., 30 30 m/pixel), this satellite system is particularly appropriate for detecting not only between- but also within-field GPP variability during the growing season. The CI obtained using atmospherically corrected Landsat ETM+ data was found to be linearly related with daytime maize GPP: root mean squared error of less than 1.58 in a GPP range of 1.88 to 23.1 ; therefore, it constitutes an accurate surrogate measure for GPP estimation. For comparison purposes, other vegetation indices were also tested. These results open new possibilities for analyzing the spatiotemporal variation of the GPP of crops using the extensive archive of Landsat imagery acquired since the early 1980s.
Complete Surface Mapping of ICF Shells

Inertial confinement fusion shells have previously been evaluated on the basis of microscopic examination for local defects and limited surface profiling to represent their average fluctuation powe...
RGVis: region growing based techniques for volume visualization

Interactive data visualization is inherently an iterative trial-and-error process searching for an ideal set of parameters for classifying and rendering features of interest in the data. This paper presents 3-d region growing based techniques that can assist the users to locate and define features of interest in volume data more quickly and more accurately. One technique employs partial region growing to generate a 2-d transfer function that effectively reveals the full features of interest. The other technique uses the result of full region growing to systematically construct a boundary surface for the extracted features. The resulting polygonal representation of the boundary surface can facilitate comparison, measurement, and simulation. A visual assessment method is suggested by using the extracted volume and surface information. These techniques either shorten or completely eliminate the typical trial-and-error step in the process of interactive data exploration.
Evaluating the accuracy of captured snapshots by peer-to-peer crawlers

The increasing popularity of Peer-to-Peer (P2P) networks has led to growing interest in characterizing their topology and dynamics [1,2,3,4], essential for proper design and effective evaluation. A common technique is to capture topology snapshots using a crawler. However, previous studies have not verified the accuracy of their captured snapshots. We present techniques to measure the inaccuracy of topology snapshots, quantify the effects of unreachable peers and crawling speed, and explore the impact of snapshot accuracy on derived characterizations.
Establishing tallgrass prairie on grazed permanent pasture in the upper midwest

The goal of the study was to learn whether native prairie grasses and, eventually, a diverse mixture of native forbs could be incorporated in permanent pastures by means of rotational grazing by cattle. An experiment was established on a farm in northeastern Iowa on a pasture that had never been plowed but had been grazed since the 1880s. One treatment was protected from grazing to test for the presence of remnant vegetation. Andropogon gerardii , Sorghastrum nutans , Panicum virgatum , and Desmanthus illinoensis were introduced in plots first treated with glyphosate; seeds were either drilled (DR) or hand-broadcast and incorporated by controlled cattle trampling (BT). Seedling establishment and aboveground biomass were followed over 3 years. There was no evidence for remnant native plants on uplands, but seven species of native forbs and four native graminoids flowered in exclosures erected within waterways. D. illinoensis initially established up to 12 seedlings/m 2 but had disappeared from all but one plot by the third year. Variation in native grass establishment among replicate plots within treatments was very high, ranging initially from 0.2 to 9.9 plants/m 2 . In August of the second year, native grasses made up only 8% of the available forage in DR plots and 1% of BT plots. One year later, however, native grasses made up 56% of the available forage in DR plots and 37% of BT plots, and these differences were significant ( p 5 0.05). A pilot study seeded in late winter (frost seeding) suggested that seeds spread after cattle trampling produced five times more seedlings (2.5/m 2 ) than seeds spread before cattle trampling (0.5/m 2 ). Frost seeding had advantages because
BREATH PENTANE EXCRETION AS A MARKER OF DISEASE ACTIVITY IN RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS

Activated inflammatory cells are capable of stimulating lipid peroxidation. In 27 patients with rheumatoid arthritis, we measured the pulmonary excretion of pentane, a product released during lipid peroxidation. We found highly significant correlations between ppntane excretion and both joint inflammation (r = 0.88, p < 0.001) and the erythrocyte sedimentation rate (r = 0.80, p < 0.001). Patients treated with gold compounds or D-penicillamine excreted diminished amounts of pentane. The data suggest that lipid peroxidation may be related in part to the mechanism of injury in rheumatoid arthritis.
A simple approach towards recapturing consistent theories in paraconsistent settings

Abstract. I believe that, for reasons elaborated elsewhere (Beall, 2009; Priest, 2006a, 2006b), the logic LP (Asenjo, 1966; Asenjo & Tamburino, 1975; Priest, 1979) is roughly right as far as logic goes.1 But logic cannot go everywhere; we need to provide nonlogical axioms to specify our (axiomatic) theories. This is uncontroversial, but it has also been the source of discomfort forLP-based theorists, particularly with respect to true mathematical theories which we take to be consistent. My example, throughout, is arithmetic; but the more general case is also considered.
Marginals-to-Models Reducibility

We consider a number of classical and new computational problems regarding marginal distributions, and inference in models specifying a full joint distribution. We prove general and efficient reductions between a number of these problems, which demonstrate that algorithmic progress in inference automatically yields progress for "pure data" problems. Our main technique involves formulating the problems as linear programs, and proving that the dual separation oracle required by the ellipsoid method is provided by the target problem. This technique may be of independent interest in probabilistic inference.
Do Developmental Communication Disorders Exist in the Signed Modality? Perspectives From Professionals

Purpose This study focused on whether developmental communication disorders exist in American Sign Language (ASL) and how they might be characterized. ASL studies is an emerging field; educators an...
Low pH Chemical Etch Route for Smooth H-Terminated Si(100) and Study of Subsequent Chemical Stability

To form atomically flat H-passivated Si(100) surfaces, wet chemical etching of sacrificial SiO2 layer has been examined. Roughness and chemical overlayer thickness, as monitored by ellipsometry shows a minima at an optimal solution of 1:0.5:30 HF(49wt%):H2SO4 (98wt%):H2O. A mechanistic study offers no evidence for a chemical smoothing from preferential non-Si(100) facet etching. Silicon planarization can be induced by rapid thermal annealing RTA of chemical oxides. The H-terminated Si(100) surfaces are found to be moderately reactive to ambient conditions as monitored by in-situ ellipsometry and Auger analysis. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) measurements show Si(100) surfaces to have a rms ~1.0A and Rmax values of 1.6–0.9A. With measured roughness incorporate into ellipsometric model, a 5A native oxide overlayer is rapidly incorporated into the Si(100) surface.
Nocardia farcinica Sternotomy Site Infections in Patients following Open Heart Surgery

Although Nocardia farcinica surgical site infection outbreaks have been reported (though rarely), no source for these has been identified. From May 1992 through June 1993, 5 patients contracted N. farcinica sternotomy site infections following open heart surgery at hospital A. A case-control study comparing case-patients (n=5) with open heart surgery patients without subsequent sternotomy site infections (n=50) identified as risk factors diabetes (4/5 vs. 11/50, P<.02) and exposure to a particular anesthesiologist (anesthesiologist A; 4/5 vs. 9/50, P<.01). Four case-patients' isolates and a hand isolate of anesthesiologist A had an identical ribotype pattern (strain 1); the remaining case-patient's isolate and multiple isolates from anesthesiologist A's hands and home had a different ribotype pattern (strain 2). An intensified hand-washing regimen, barriers (gloves, gowns), and cleaning of anesthesiologist A's house were associated with termination of the outbreak. This is the first reported nosocomial N. farcinica outbreak to document the source and person-to-person transmission epidemiologically and molecularly.
A Role for PACE4 in the Proteolytic Activation of Anthrax Toxin Protective Antigen

Several bacterial protein toxins require activation by eukaryotic proteases. Previous studies have shown that anthrax toxin protective antigen (PA), Pseudomonas exotoxin A (PE), and diphtheria toxin (DT) are cleaved by furin C-terminal to the sequences RKKR, RQPR, and RVRR, respectively. Because furin-deficient cells retain some sensitivity to PA and DT, it is evident that other cellular proteases can activate these toxins. Whereas furin has been shown to require arginine residues at positions -1 and -4 for substrate recognition, another protease with an activity which could substitute for furin in toxin activation, the furin-related protease PACE4, requires basic residues in the -1, -2, and -4 positions of the substrate sequence. To examine the relative roles of furin and PACE4 in toxin activation, we used furin-deficient CHO cells (FD11 cells) transfected with either the furin (FD11/furin cells) or PACE4 (FD11/PACE4 cells) gene. Mutant PA proteins containing the cleavage sequence RAAR or KR were cytotoxic toward cells expressing only PACE4. In vitro cleavage data demonstrated that PACE4 can recognize RAAR and, to a much lesser extent, KR and RR. When extracts from PACE4-transfected cells were used as a source of proteases, PACE4 had minimal activity, indicating that it had been partially inactivated or did not remain associated with the cell membranes. Cleavage of iodinated PA containing the sequence RKKR or RAAR was detected on the surface of all cell types tested, but cleavage of a dibasic sequence was detected only intracellularly and only in cells that expressed furin or PACE4. The data provide evidence that PACE4 is present at the exterior of cells, that it plays a role in the proteolytic activation of anthrax toxin PA, and that PACE4 can activate substrates at the sequence RAAR or KR.
Trends in international business thought and literature: Management innovation in the developing world and the American business school

A distinguished and widely experienced business school educator offers perceptive insights into the current limitations of North American business school study programs and the benefits that stand to be gained from tapping new management knowledge drawn from examining successful organizations in Latin America and elsewhere in the developing world. © 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
In Vivo Expression Analysis of the P97 and P102 Paralog Families of Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae

The P97 adhesin and P102 genes of Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae each have six paralogs in the genome. We tested whether these genes were expressed during infection. P102 is associated with the mycoplasma and with swine cilia. Further, most of the paralogs were transcribed in vivo in two gene transcriptional units.
Relation of mean pulmonary arterial wedge pressure and left ventricular end-diastolic pressure

Abstract The flow-directed, balloon-tipped catheter has facilitated the management of critically ill patients by providing a means of measuring right-sided cardiac pressures and output. In addition, it has been used to measure certain left-sided cardiac pressures. Hellems et al 1 reported that a catheter effectively “wedged” in a pulmonary artery (PA) yielded blood that was fully saturated with oxygen and a pressure reflective of that in the left atrium. Subsequently, other investigators substantiated this observation, noting that an oximetrically confirmed PA wedge pressure was similar to left atrial pressure. 2,3 In the absence of mitral valve disease, mean PA wedge pressure is similar to mean left ventricular (LV) diastolic pressure, but there is continuing confusion about the relation between mean PA wedge and LV end-diastolic pressures. 4 In subjects without cardiac disease, mean left atrial pressure (and likewise mean PA wedge pressure) almost always approximates LV end-diastolic pressure 5 and, therefore, can be used to assess LV filling. In contrast, these pressures may be disparate in subjects with cardiac disease. 6 This study was performed to examine the relation of mean PA wedge and LV end-diastolic pressures in patients with and without cardiac disease.
Using answer set programming and lambda calculus to characterize natural language sentences with normatives and exceptions

One way to solve the knowledge acquisition bottleneck is to have ways to translate natural language sentences and discourses to a formal knowledge representation language, especially ones that are appropriate to express domain knowledge in sciences, such as Biology. While there have been several proposals, including by Montague (1970), to give model theoretic semantics for natural language and to translate natural language sentences and discourses to classical logic, none of these approaches use knowledge representation languages that can express domain knowledge involving normative statements and exceptions. In this paper we take a first step to illustrate how one can automatically translate natural language sentences about normative statements and exceptions to representations in the knowledge representation language Answer Set Programming (ASP). To do this, we use λ-calculus representation of words and their composition as dictated by a CCG grammar.
Room temperature grown zirconia/SiO/sub 2/ dielectric stacks with 1 nm EOT

Metal-oxide films such as zirconia and hafnia are currently being investigated to replace silicon dioxide as the gate dielectric material in future CMOS devices. It is important to develop processing science to grow these dielectric films of high electrical quality. Previously, we have grown zirconia films by ultraviolet ozone oxidation (UVO) on chemical oxide with electrical thickness ranging from 1.6 - 2.0 nm. In this study, the UVO method has been used to grow both ultra-thin zirconia films and sub-nanometer thick SiO/sub 2/ films at room temperature.
Expanded information retrieval using full-text searching

The value of full text for expanding information retrieval was examined. Two full-text databases were used: Textpresso for neuroscience and ScienceDirect. Queries representing different categories were used to search different text fields (titles, abstracts, full text and, where possible, keywords). Searching the full-text field relative to the commonly used abstracts field increases retrievals by one or more orders of magnitude, depending on the categories selected. For phenomena-type categories (e.g. blood flow, thermodynamic equilibrium, etc.), retrievals are enhanced by about an order of magnitude. For infrastructure-type categories (e.g. equipment types, sponsors, suppliers, databases, etc.), retrievals are enhanced by well over an order of magnitude, and sometimes multiple orders of magnitude. Use of combination terms along with proximity specification capability is a very powerful feature for retrieving relevant records from full-text searching, and can be useful for applications like literature-related discovery.
PS1-18: Do Patients Use Online Messaging to Substitute for Office Visits and Phone Calls? Results from a Natural Experiment

Background/Aims We evaluated the effect of online messaging between patients and providers on other healthcare utilization. Messaging may increase the administrative burden on providers but may also substitute for utilization such as calls or visits. To identify the effect of messaging, we exploited a natural experiment, which occurred in 3/2011, when a large multispecialty practice in California lowered the price of messaging from $60/year to free for patients and initiated incentives for doctors ($3/thread), resulting in increased rates of patients messaging.
Relationships of Sexual Abuse, Connectedness, and Loneliness to Perceived Well‐Being in Homeless Youth

ISSUES AND PURPOSE: To describe respondents' perceptions of connectedness, loneliness, and well-being; and to explore relationships among these variables. DESIGN AND METHOD: Survey data from 96 participants, focus group interviews with 32 participants, and 10 individual interviews were analyzed. RESULTS: Sixty percent of the sample reported sexual abuse, which was significantly related to loneliness and inversely related to connectedness and perceived well-being. Subjects felt lonely and disconnected. They perceived their well-being in terms of current health status. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: High rates of sexual abuse, lack of connectedness, and loneliness may help to explain poor perceived well-being in homeless youth. Language: en
Molecular genetics of the swine major histocompatibility complex, the SLA complex.

The swine major histocompatibility complex (MHC) or swine leukocyte antigen (SLA) complex is one of the most gene-dense regions in the swine genome. It consists of three major gene clusters, the SLA class I, class III and class II regions, that span � 1.1, 0.7 and 0.5 Mb, respectively, making the swine MHC the smallest among mammalian MHC so far examined and the only one known to span the centromere. This review summarizes recent updates to the Immuno Polymorphism Database-MHC (IPD-MHC) website (http://www.ebi.ac.uk/ipd/mhc/sla/) which serves as the repository for maintaining a list of all SLA recognized genes and their allelic sequences. It reviews the expression of SLA proteins on cell subsets and their role in antigen presentation and regulating immune responses. It concludes by discussing the role of SLA genes in swine models of transplantation, xenotransplantation, cancer and allergy and in swine production traits and responses to infectious disease and vaccines.
Direct Measurement of Uranium by Prompt Fission Neutron Method of Pulsed Neutron Borehole Logging: ABSTRACT

The capability provided by neutron logging techniques for the direct measurement of uranium is extremely valuable, especially in low-grade uranium mineralization not in equilibrium. Sandia Laboratories is developing one of these techniques which is based on the detection of epithermal prompt fission neutrons that result from the irradiation of uranium by 14 MeV neutrons from a pulsed neutron generator. A 70-mm O.D. development-model logging probe has been used in a limited field evaluation of the prompt fission neutron method of logging. From this evaluation has evolved a prototype logging probe and the basis for log interpretation. Additional logs required for interpretation are a caliper log and a density log. Additional probe development is under way including a neutro generator with a neutron output greater than 109 n/s. A vendor is being developed as a commercial source for the neutron generator. A definition of the interim logging system has been released and the system eventually developed will be defined in the open literature. End_of_Article - Last_Page 686------------
Genetic Determinants for Promoter Hypermethylation in the Lungs of Smokers: A Candidate Gene-Based Study

The detection of tumor suppressor gene promoter methylation in sputum-derived exfoliated cells predicts early lung cancer. Here, we identified genetic determinants for this epigenetic process and examined their biologic effects on gene regulation. A two-stage approach involving discovery and replication was used to assess the association between promoter hypermethylation of a 12-gene panel and common variation in 40 genes involved in carcinogen metabolism, regulation of methylation, and DNA damage response in members of the Lovelace Smokers Cohort (N = 1,434). Molecular validation of three identified variants was conducted using primary bronchial epithelial cells. Association of study-wide significance (P < 8.2 × 10(-5)) was identified for rs1641511, rs3730859, and rs1883264 in TP53, LIG1, and BIK, respectively. These single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) were significantly associated with altered expression of the corresponding genes in primary bronchial epithelial cells. In addition, rs3730859 in LIG1 was also moderately associated with increased risk for lung cancer among Caucasian smokers. Together, our findings suggest that genetic variation in DNA replication and apoptosis pathways impacts the propensity for gene promoter hypermethylation in the aerodigestive tract of smokers. The incorporation of genetic biomarkers for gene promoter hypermethylation with clinical and somatic markers may improve risk assessment models for lung cancer.
Geometry and Morphology of Crustacean Burrows in Torrey Pines and Bodega Estuaries, California: ABSTRACT

Resin casts were used to document the geometry and morphology of crustacean burrows from two California estuaries. Burrows studies include those of two ghost shrimps (Callianassa californiensis and C. longimana), a fiddler crab (Uca crenulata), and two grapsoid crabs (Pachygrapsus crassipes and Hemigrapsus oregonensis). Further documentation is under way with the use of direct observations and radiographs of ghost shrimp burrowing through layered sediment in aquaria. The Callianassa burrows are in muddy to clean sand found in the lower parts of tidal creeks and on sand flats. Their burrows have a main shaft up to 1 m long with constant diameter (up to 2 cm) except for narrowing produced by excurrent activity either at the surface or between burrow systems, and except for enlarged turn-around nodes commonly present at branches or direction changes. Up to 5 openings were observed per system; they are connected by twos and threes in horizontal to inclined Y's with the junction of the Y up to 15 cm below the surface. The geometry of the main shaft is dependent on species, intertidal position, sediment size, and layering. The burrows have a smooth internal and external morphology. The grapsoid burrows are on and above the banks of tidal creeks in slightly silty clay to slightly muddy sand. They vary from complex shapes, with several layers and entrances in a box-type framework, to a simple U-shape depending on topography, tidal level, and the number of organisms and species per system. Commonly two H. oregonensis, one P. crassipes, and one or more U. crenulata are found using parts of the same burrow system. The numerous entrances allow only lateral passage but internal enlargements permit turning around and passage of individuals. In cross section the burrows are lenticular, and the morphology of the walls is very knobby. Burrow entrances of Uca crenulata are at, or near, higher high water and extend either into a grapsoid system or a simple J-shape (up to 20 m), both of which may have a Y-shaped entrance. The entrance and extremity chamber are about twice the diameter of the knobby, cylindrical shaft which normally has a diameter less than 1 cm. End_of_Article - Last_Page 794------------
Phase II study of 90Y Ibritumomab tiuxetan (Zevalin) in patients with previously untreated marginal zone lymphoma

AbstractThe best upfront therapy for patients with non-gastric extranodal marginal zone lymphomas (MZLs) is not defined. We assessed the safety and efficacy of radioimmunotherapy with 90yttrium (90Y) ibritumomab tiuxetan as upfront therapy in MZL (NCT00453102). A total of 16 patients were enrolled, 81% with advanced-stage disease and 44% with bulky disease. The overall response rate (ORR) at 12 weeks post-therapy was 87.5% (90% confidence interval [CI]: 65.6–97.7%), including a complete response in eight (50%), complete response unconfirmed in one (6%) and partial response in five (31%) patients. With a median follow-up of 65.6 months (range 4.0–96.5), the median progression-free survival (PFS) was 47.6 months (range 4.0–93.3) and median overall survival (OS) was not reached. The 5-year PFS was 40% (90% CI: 19.9–59.5%) and 5-year OS was 71.8% (90% CI: 46.8–86.5%). Overall, 90Y ibritumomab tiuxetan was well tolerated and led to long-term responses and PFS rates.
Technical Reference on Hydrogen Compatibility of Materials

This report may be updated and revised periodically in response to the needs of the technical community; up-to-date versions can be requested from the editors at the address given below or downloaded at http://www.ca.sandia.gov/matlsTechRef/ . The content of this report will also be incorporated into a Sandia National Laboratory report (SAND2008-1163); the most recent version can be obtained from the link above. The success of this reference depends upon feedback from the technical community; please forward your comments, suggestions, criticisms and relevant public-domain data to the authors C. San Marchi (cwsanma@sandia.gov) and/or B.P. Somerday (bpsomer@sandia.gov) at: Sandia National Laboratories Technical Reference on Hydrogen Compatibility of Materials MS-9404 7011 East Ave Livermore CA 94550.
Scalar mesons and nonleptonic decays

The role of scalar mesons in nonleptonic kaon decay is analyzed. Two kinds of scalar mesons are considered, S-wave q/sup 2/q-bar/sup 2/ and P-wave qq-bar composites. In particular, the epsilon(700) q/sup 2/q-bar/sup 2/ composite cannot explain kaon decay.
Revascularisation plus supervised exercise is superior to supervised exercise alone for the treatment of intermittent claudication

Commentary on: Fakhry F, Spronk S, van der Laan L, et al. Endovascular revascularization and supervised exercise for peripheral artery disease and intermittent claudication: a randomized clinical trial. JAMA 2015;314:1936–44.[OpenUrl][1][CrossRef][2][PubMed][3] Intermittent claudication (IC) is the most frequent symptomatic manifestation of peripheral artery disease and is estimated to affect 20–40 million people worldwide.1 Previous underpowered comparative effectiveness studies of treatment modalities arrived at mixed conclusions about the combined effect of supervised exercise and revascularisation.2 ,3 This study was a multicentre (10 sites), parallel-design randomised controlled trial of supervised exercise plus endovascular revascularisation versus supervised exercise alone for IC.4 Patients with IC and one or more stenotic lesions at the aortoiliac and/or femoropopliteal level amenable to endovascular therapy were eligible. Supervised … [1]: {openurl}?query=rft.jtitle%253DJAMA%26rft.volume%253D314%26rft.spage%253D1936%26rft_id%253Dinfo%253Adoi%252F10.1001%252Fjama.2015.14851%26rft_id%253Dinfo%253Apmid%252F26547465%26rft.genre%253Darticle%26rft_val_fmt%253Dinfo%253Aofi%252Ffmt%253Akev%253Amtx%253Ajournal%26ctx_ver%253DZ39.88-2004%26url_ver%253DZ39.88-2004%26url_ctx_fmt%253Dinfo%253Aofi%252Ffmt%253Akev%253Amtx%253Actx [2]: /lookup/external-ref?access_num=10.1001/jama.2015.14851&link_type=DOI [3]: /lookup/external-ref?access_num=26547465&link_type=MED&atom=%2Febmed%2F21%2F3%2F91.atom
Study of Raman amplification in nanostructured materials

In this paper, nanostructured materials based both on silica and silicon, are studied in order to obtain new materials with both large Raman gain coefficients and spectral bandwidth. In particular, silica-niobia based glasses have been characterized by linear Raman spectroscopy, while amorphous silicon nanoparticles and in silicon micro- and nano-crystals have been characterized by Stimulated Raman Scattering spectroscopy. Finally, results are discussed.
Evidence-Based Policy Making Balancing Rigor With Real-World Health Care for Veterans and Military Personnel

The US health care system is undergoing unprecedented policy transformations that will impact veterans and returning service members. Rigorous program evaluations will be crucial as policy makers make tough decisions regarding the value of new policies. Also, more partnerships between scientists and policy makers will be required to implement these designs in light of trade-offs between scientific rigor and political realities.
Analysis and Treatment for Generator TV Terminal Third Harmonic

The third harmonic voltage of generator terminal TV is measured during the electric commissioning of first gas turbine of Zhangjiagang Huaxing Power Plant.The reason for third harmonic voltage producing by recording wave is analyzed and treated.Simulating the neutral winding grounded and non-grounded with MATLAB could verify that the third harmonic voltage of TV second winding is reduced if the third harmonic of excitation current can flow out.So the non-linear resistance is connected on the triangular winding,at the same time it is suggested that the generator terminal TV of Huaxing Power Plant should be configured triangular windings.
A survey of residual analysis and a new test of residual trend

A survey of residual analysis in behavior-analytic research reveals that existing methods are problematic in one way or another. A new test for residual trends is proposed that avoids the problematic features of the existing methods. It entails fitting cubic polynomials to sets of residuals and comparing their effect sizes to those that would be expected if the sets of residuals were random. To this end, sampling distributions of effect sizes for fits of a cubic polynomial to random data were obtained by generating sets of random standardized residuals of various sizes, n. A cubic polynomial was then fitted to each set of residuals and its effect size was calculated. This yielded a sampling distribution of effect sizes for each n. To test for a residual trend in experimental data, the median effect size of cubic-polynomial fits to sets of experimental residuals can be compared to the median of the corresponding sampling distribution of effect sizes for random residuals using a sign test. An example from the literature, which entailed comparing mathematical and computational models of continuous choice, is used to illustrate the utility of the test.
WWII GI Bill and its Effect on Low Education Levels: Did the World War II GI Bill have an Effect on High School Completion, Poverty, and Employment?

Did the World War II (WWII) GI Bill increase the probability of completing high school and further affect the probability of poverty and employment for the cohorts for whom it benefited? This paper studies whether the GI Bill, one of the largest public financial aid policies for education, affected low education levels in addition to its documented effects on college education, and whether it increased economic well-being for its beneficiaries. I use the 1970 Census and the variation in WWII military participation rate across birth cohorts and states of birth for men. I find that the WWII GI Bill significantly increased the probability of completing high school by 13 percentage points and reduced the probability of being below the poverty line by 4 percentage points for black and white men. It also increased the probability of being employed by 3 percentage points and the number of weeks worked by two weeks.
Contributions of Disease Severity, Psychosocial Factors, and Cognition to Behavioral Functioning in US Youth Perinatally Exposed to HIV

Among perinatally HIV-infected (PHIV) and perinatally HIV-exposed, uninfected (PHEU) youth, we evaluated the contributions of home environment, psychosocial, and demographic factors and, among PHIV only, HIV disease severity and antiretroviral treatment (ART), to cognitive functioning (CF) and behavioral functioning (BF). A structural equation modeling (SEM) approach was utilized. Exploratory factor analysis was used to reduce predictor variables to major latent factors. SEMs were developed to measure associations between the latent factors and CF and BF outcomes. Participants included 231 PHIV and 151 PHEU youth (mean age = 10.9 years) enrolled in the PHACS adolescent master protocol. Youth and caregivers completed assessments of CF, BF, psychosocial factors and HIV health. Medical data were also collected. Clusters of predictors were identified, establishing four parsimonious SEMs: child-assessed and caregiver-assessed BF in PHIV and PHEU youth. Among both groups, higher caregiver-child stress predicted worse BF. Caregiver resources and two disease severity variables, late presenter and better past HIV health, were significant predictors of CF in PHIV youth. Higher youth CF was associated with better caregiver-reported BF in both groups. Caregiver resources predicted caregiver-reported BF in PHEU youth, which was mediated via youth CF. Among PHIV youth, better past HIV health and caregiver resources mediated the effects of CF on caregiver-assessed BF. Using SEMs, we found a deleterious impact of caregiver and child stress on BF in both groups and of HIV disease factors on the CF of PHIV youth, reinforcing the importance of early comprehensive intervention to reduce risks for impairment.
Gradient perception of children's productions of /s/ and /θ/: A comparative study of rating methods.

ABSTRACTPast studies have shown incontrovertible evidence for the existence of covert contrasts in children’s speech, i.e. differences between target productions that are nonetheless transcribed with the same phonetic symbol. Moreover, there is evidence that these are relevant to forming prognoses and tracking progress in children with speech sound disorder. A challenge remains to determine the most efficient and reliable methods for assessing covert contrasts. This study investigates how readily listeners can identify covert contrasts in children’s speech when using a continuous rating scale in the form of a visual analogue scale (VAS) to denote children’s productions. Individual listeners’ VAS responses were found to correlate statistically significantly with a variety of continuous measures of children’s production accuracy, including judgements of binary accuracy pooled over a large set of listeners. These findings reinforce the growing body of evidence that VAS judgements are potentially useful clini...
Transspinal direct current stimulation modulates migration and proliferation of adult newly born spinal cells in mice

Our results indicate that transspinal direct current stimulation (tsDCS) affects the migratory pattern and proliferation of adult newly born spinal cells, a cell population which has been implicate...
Synthesis and Characterization of the Isocyanide Ligated Centered Zirconium Halide Cluster [(Zr6Be)Cl12(CNXyl)6]

The first isocyanide ligated hexanuclear zirconium halide cluster is reported. The unoxidized [(Zr6Be)Cl12(CNXyl)6] (CNXyl = 2,6-dimethylphenyl isocyanide) was obtained from the solid state precursor K3Zr6Cl15Be by dissolution in CH3CN in the presence of CNXyl. The CNXyl ligands occupy all the axial positions on the cluster. The compound was recrystallized from CH2Cl2 and Et2O. [(Zr6Be)Cl12(CNXyl)6].2CH2Cl2 crystallizes in the space group $${\text{P}}\overline {\text{1}} $$ (#2) with a = 12.092(5) A, b=12.728(5) A, c = 14.102(8) A, α = 104.98(4)°, β =107.11°, γ = 100.94°, V = 1919(2) A3, Z = l, R = 11.3% and R W = 27.0%. For the bound isocyanide ligands, v CN increases to 2140 cm−1.
Comments on: Continuous approximation models in freight distribution management

Any time a group of authors of this caliber gets together, the result is sure to be a great read, and this article is no exception. This paper is a survey of the continuous approximation paradigm for logistics systems analysis, which is a reductionist philosophy that seeks to isolate the factors that influence a geospatial optimization problem most significantly. The defining feature of continuous approximation models is that “detailed data are replaced by concise summaries, and numerical methods are replaced by analytic models” (Daganzo 2005); this means that rather than finding an algorithm to solve a particular problem instance efficiently, one seeks a simple, algebraic expression that approximates the true cost of that problem under suitable probabilistic or geometric conditions (e.g. a limiting condition under uniformly distributed demand in a convex planar region).
Reconfigurable origami sonic barriers with tunable bandgaps for traffic noise mitigation

An origami sonic barrier composed of cylindrical inclusions attached onto an origami sheet is proposed. The idea allows for tunable sound blocking properties for application in attenuating complex traffic noise spectra. Folding of the underlying origami sheet transforms the periodicity of the inclusions between different Bravais lattices, viz. between a square and a hexagonal lattice, and such significant lattice re-configuration leads to drastic tuning of dispersion characteristics. The wave tuning capabilities are corroborated via performing theoretical and numerical investigations using a plane wave expansion method and an acoustic simulation package of COMSOL, while experiments are performed on a one-seventh scaled-down model of origami sonic barrier to demonstrate the lattice re-configuration between different Bravais lattices and the associated bandgap adaptability. Good sound blocking performance in the frequency range of traffic noise spectra combined with less efforts, required for actuating one-...
Capsaicinoids: Analogue Composition of Commercial Products

SUMMARY Four commercial samples of oleoresin capsicum ranging in Scoville heat units from 500,000 to 1.2 million were extracted and separated gas chromatographically into five capsaicinods (capsaicin, homocapsaicin, nordihydrocapsaicin, dihydrocapsaicin, homodihydrocapsaicin). Relative capsaicin content ranged from 1.14 to 56.92%. Next to capsaicin, homodihydrocapsaicin was the most abundant capsaicinoid (18.34-98.83%). No clear trend was apparent relating capsaicin proportion to Scoville heat units.
Insulin resistance is associated with smaller brain volumes in a preliminary study of depressed and obese children.

Objective During childhood, the brain can consume up to 65% of total calories, and a steady supply of the brain's main fuel glucose needs to be maintained. Although the brain itself is not dependent on insulin for the uptake of glucose, insulin plays an important role in energy homeostasis. Thus, the risk for insulin resistance during brain development may negatively impact the whole brain volume. Methods We investigated the link between the insulin resistance and the whole brain volume as measured by structural Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in 46 unmedicated depressed and overweight youths between the ages of 9 and 17 years. Results Smaller whole brain volumes were associated with insulin resistance independent of age, sex, depression severity, body mass index, socioeconomic status, Tanner Stage, and Intelligence quotient (IQ) (r = 0.395, P = .014) Conclusions There may be a significant cost for developing insulin resistance on the developing brain. Disentangling the precise relationship between the insulin resistance and the developing brain is critical.
Weight bias internalization and health: a systematic review

A robust literature has documented the negative health effects of being the target of weight bias. Weight bias internalization (WBI) occurs when individuals apply negative weight stereotypes to themselves and self-derogate because of their body weight. Compared with experiences of weight bias, less is known about the relationship between WBI and mental and physical health, although more literature on this topic has emerged in recent years. The current systematic review identified 74 studies assessing the relationship between WBI and health and interventions designed to reduce WBI and improve health. Over half of identified studies were published from 2016 to 2017. Results showed strong, negative relationships between WBI and mental health outcomes. Fewer studies have examined the relationship between WBI and physical health, and results were less consistent. Key directions for future research are highlighted, including the need for prospective and experimental studies with greater sample diversity.
Design On-The-Fly for Critically Evaluating Evidence: Informal Poster-Making for Health and Nutrition Students

ABSTRACTAnnually, the University of New Hampshire (UNH) Dietetics Internship Program enrolls recent graduates with undergraduate degrees in Nutrition and Dietetics for a 10-month program required t...
Delay discounting in the pigeon: In search of a magnitude effect

The magnitude effect, where larger outcomes are discounted proportionally less than smaller outcomes, is a well-established phenomenon in delay discounting by human participants. To this point in the literature magnitude effects have not been reliably evidenced in nonhuman animals. , however, used a concurrent-chains arrangement with pigeon and found evidence for a magnitude effect. Grace et al. suggested that in many delay discounting experimental arrangements with nonhuman animals (e.g., adjusting amount, adjusting delay) the organism is not given the opportunity to directly compare outcomes of different sizes. They suggest that because of the lack of direct comparison it is difficult for the organism to determine the relative size of each outcome, which in turn mutes the effect of the amount differences between outcomes. As a test of this "comparison hypothesis," the present experiment was conducted to assess whether the magnitude effect would be evidenced in pigeon when using an adjusting amount procedure where outcomes of different amounts were presented proximally. In the present arrangement, pigeons were presented two choice panels in an operant chamber where each panel was associated with an independent adjusting amount delay discounting task, but with differing outcome amounts (i.e., a 32-food pellet panel and an 8-food pellet panel). In this arrangement the choice panels alternated in their availability within a session from trial block to trial block. The present findings indicate no reliable effect of amount, even when the outcomes were proximal and thus readily comparable. This result suggests that the lack of magnitude effect is not driven by the organism's ability to compare the difference in amount between choice alternatives.
Evolving Trends for Selected Treatments of T1a Renal Cell Carcinoma

Abstract Objectives To evaluate contemporary trends in the management of SRMs and how patient age has impacted practice patterns Methods Using the NCDB PUF from 2002-2015, we identified patients with T1a renal masses. The initial treatment was categorized as radical nephrectomy (RN), partial nephrectomy (PN), ablation, or surveillance. A multinominal logistic regression model was used to identify significant factors impacting treatment. Results We identified 75,691 patients for analysis. RN, PN, and ablation accounted for 28%, 52% and 12%, respectively, while 8% were managed with AS. In the past decade the likelihood of undergoing PN, ablation, or surveillance compared to RN has consistently increased, independent of age, sex, race, comorbidity, tumor size, or institution. As age increased, patients were independently less likely to undergo PN and more likely to be managed with ablation or AS. Compared to patients under 40 years of age, patients between 70-79 were far less likely to undergo PN (RR 0.58, p Conclusions Trends in SRM management continue to evolve, with PN supplanting RN over the past decade as the predominant surgical treatment. Age significantly impacts treatment selection, particularly in older cohorts whom are much more likely to undergo ablation or AS. While the use of minimally invasive therapies has increased over the past decade, AS lags behind despite quality data supporting its use. When controlling for multiple clinical factors, PN, ablation and surveillance have consistently increased in utilization compared to RN.
Spontaneous Resolution of Asymptomatic Pediatric Suprasellar Arachnoid Cysts: Report of 2 Cases and Review of the Literature.

Introduction Sellar/suprasellar arachnoid cysts are infrequent nonneoplastic cystic lesions that account for approximately 1% of all arachnoid cysts. While various surgical treatment options have been proposed for symptomatic lesions, treatment guidelines regarding the management of asymptomatic sellar/suprasellar arachnoid cysts remain to be elucidated. This case series aims to provide a better insight into the management and outcomes of such lesions. Case presentation We discuss 2 pediatric patients diagnosed with sellar/suprasellar arachnoid cysts who remained asymptomatic and demonstrated spontaneous gradual resolution of their arachnoid cysts on subsequent imaging studies. Conclusion Review of the literature identified only a handful of previously reported cases of spontaneously disappearing suprasellar arachnoid cysts. There might be a role for conservative management of sellar/suprasellar arachnoid cysts in certain patients who remain asymptomatic.
What Makes Decision Tasks Difficult

Abstract : Multi-method investigations of information gathering behavior for decision making in the submarine environment are reported. The two-pronged focus of these studies was classification of task difficulty and investigations of the effects of different difficulty classes on information gathering and decision making. Experimental methods included interviews, questionnaires, computer-assisted process tracing, verbal protocols, and interactive simulations. Results both help assess the strengths and weaknesses of each method and provide support for an information clustering hypothesis. These results suggest a new approach for the design of complex decision support interfaces.