cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Recruitment and Dominance of Quercus rubra and Quercus alba in a previous Oak-Chestnut Forest from the 1980s to 2008

This study documents 25 y of change in the abundance of Quercus rubra (northern red oak) and Quercus alba (white oak), in a previous chestnut (Castanea castanea)-oak forest in the Southern Appalachians of the eastern U.S.A. Spatially explicit data from 1983–1984 and 2007–2008 of individually mapped trees on two plots in southwestern Virginia were used to examine how the basal area and density of all tree species changed, with specific attention to recruitment, growth, and mortality patterns of Q. rubra and Q. alba. Since the 1980s there has been an increase in the number of shade tolerant trees, primarily Acer pensylvanicum (striped maple), and a decrease in the number of shade intolerant and intermediate shade tolerant trees, including both Q. rubra and Q. alba. We found a negative correlation between A. pensylvanicum abundance and Quercus seedling abundance and a positive correlation between light availability and Quercus seedling abundance. Both Q. rubra and Q. alba have experienced self-thinning, and the previous oak-chestnut forest will likely become increasingly dominated by maples and other shade tolerant species.
Regulation of thermogenesis by the central melanocortin system

Adaptive thermogenesis represents one of the important homeostatic mechanisms by which the body maintains appropriate levels of stored energy and its core temperature. Dysregulation of adaptive thermogenesis promotes obesity. The central melanocortin system, in particular the melanocortin 4 receptor (MC4R) signaling pathway, influences the regulation of every aspect of energy balance, including thermogenesis, and plays a critical role in energy homeostasis in both rodent and man. This review will outline our current understanding of adaptive thermogenesis, focusing on the role of the central melanocortin pathway in the regulation of thermogenesis.
Doppler-derived dP/dt and −dP/dt predict survival in congestive heart failure

Abstract OBJECTIVES The purpose of this study was to evaluate the ability of novel Doppler indices of left ventricular (LV) systolic and diastolic function to predict survival in patients with congestive heart failure (CHF). BACKGROUND Congestive heart failure is associated with an increased risk of death or cardiac transplantation, yet techniques to predict survival are limited. METHODS Doppler-derived dP/dt and −dP/dt were determined prospectively from the continuous-wave Doppler spectrum of the mitral regurgitation jet (dP/dt = 32/time between 1 and 3 m/s; −dP/dt = 32/time between 3 and 1 m/s) in 56 patients with chronic CHF (age, 60 ± 15 years; LV ejection fraction, 23 ± 9%). Baseline clinical and echocardiographic variables were also obtained, and clinical follow-up was performed in all patients. RESULTS Twenty-four patients experienced a primary event of cardiac death (n = 15), United Network for Organ Sharing status I (inotrope-dependent) heart transplant (n = 3) or urgent implantation of a LV assist device (n = 6). Doppler-derived dP/dt (dichotomized to ≥ or 550 mm Hg/s; p = 0.0001) predicted event-free survival, as did Doppler-derived risk groups determined by the combination of the two (low risk, dP/dt ≥ 600; intermediate risk, dP/dt CONCLUSION New Doppler indices of dP/dt, −dP/dt and risk groups defined by the combination of dP/dt and −dP/dt predict event-free survival in patients with CHF.
ADSORPTION OF NITRILOTRIACETATE (NTA), Co AND CoNTA BY GIBBSITE

Adsorption of Co2+ nitrilotriacetic acid (NTA) and equal-molar Co2+ and NTA by a low surface area (LSA) commercial gibbsite (3.5 m2 g−1) was investigated in batch as a function of pH (4.5 to 10.5), adsorbate (0.5 to 10 µM) and adsorbent (0.5 to 75 g L−1) concentrations and ionic strength (0.01 to 1 M NaClO4). The adsorption of Co2+ (Co-only) and the acid form of NTA (NTA-only) by gibbsite in 0.01 M NaClO4 exhibit cation-like and anion-like adsorption edges, respectively. For the equal-molar CoNTA chelate, Co and NTA adsorption edges were similar but not identical to the Co-only and NTA-only edges. Differences suggest the existence of a ternary CoNTA surface complex with the Co in the intact chelate coordinated to surface hydroxyls. NTA-only adsorption was insensitive to ionic strength variation, indicating weak electrostatic contributions to surface coordination reactions. This is consistent with the formation of inner-sphere surface NTA complexes and ligand exchange reactions in which monodentate, bidentate and binuclear NTA surface complexes form. Cobalt adsorption increases (edge shifts to lower pH by 1 pH unit) on LSA gibbsite as ionic strength increases from 0.01 to 1 M NaClO4. For the same ionic strength change, a similar shift in the Co-only edge was observed for another commercial gibbsite (16.8 m2 g−1); however, no change was observed for δ-Al2O3. Ionic strength shifts in Co2+ adsorption by gibbsite were described as an outer-sphere CoOH+ surface complex using the triple-layer model. Results suggest that, at waste disposal sites where 60Co and NTA have been co-disposed, NTA will not promote ligand-like adsorption of Co for acid conditions, but will reduce cation-like adsorption for basic conditions. Thus, where gibbsite is the dominant mineral sorbent, NTA will not alter 60Co mobility in acidic pore waters and groundwaters; however, NTA could enhance 60Co mobility where alkaline conditions prevail, unless microbial degradation of the NTA occurs.
Conceptual Understandings of Redress and Reparation

In reparation politics, the needs of the group—such as denunciation by the state of its earlier actions, reparations for health and financial losses, and official apologies—can only fully be met through state actions. When the state is the offender, the victim needs the state to take responsibility for wrongs committed. The failure of the state to take responsibility further victimizes the collective and often results in the group maintaining a contentious relationship with the victimizing populace, in addition to continuing psychological and/or mental harm to victimized group members. By committing to redress and reparation, some measure of justice can be achieved, such as reconstruction of a better society, repairing damaged relations, reintegration of offenders or survivors into a legal or moral framework, and political reconciliation between the state and the victimized group.
Beliefs and norms associated with smoking tobacco using a waterpipe among college students.

This web-based, cross-sectional survey guided by the Theory of Reasoned Action (TRA), examined behavioral beliefs and normative beliefs associated with smoking tobacco using a waterpipe in a sample of 223 undergraduate college students. Beliefs and norms associated with waterpipe smoking intention were captured using the investigator-developed TRA Waterpipe Questionnaire. Significant behavioral beliefs that contributed to the prediction of smoking intentions included smoking tobacco with a waterpipe “will taste pleasant” and “will allow me to have a good time with my friends.” Significant norms that emerged were perceived approval of waterpipe smoking from friends and significant others. Current smoking status, both waterpipe and cigarette, also contributed to the prediction of smoking intention. The variables of the TRA represent prime targets for intervention and provide useful information that can be used to tailor waterpipe prevention messages.
The Family International: A Case Study in the Management of Change in New Religious Movements

This paper focuses on The Family International – a group that since its inception in the late 1960s (when it was known as The Children of God) has provoked intense public controversy and considerable social science attention as a result. Sociologists of religion have found it to be a particularly useful case study for contributing detailed insights as to how new religious movements (NRMs) may survive (and more rarely, flourish). NRM survival and possible success are viewed as occurring through certain adaptive changes and developments by the group in response to social environments that are often hostile to the groups’ existence. We summarize portions of our own research to show how The Family International has coped with a number of problems common to most NRMs, but often in quite unique ways that expand sociological understanding of how religious adaptation processes may occur and what forms they may assume. A particular focus of our research has been on The Family's unique expansion of both personal and corporate prophecy to facilitate its functioning.
Regulation of the epithelial sodium channel (ENaC) by membrane trafficking

The epithelial Na(+) channel (ENaC) is a major regulator of salt and water reabsorption in a number of epithelial tissues. Abnormalities in ENaC function have been directly linked to several human disease states including Liddle syndrome, psuedohypoaldosteronism, and cystic fibrosis and may be implicated in salt-sensitive hypertension. ENaC activity in epithelial cells is regulated both by open probability and channel number. This review focuses on the regulation of ENaC in the cells of the kidney cortical collecting duct by trafficking and recycling. The trafficking of ENaC is discussed in the broader context of epithelial cell vesicle trafficking. Well-characterized pathways and protein interactions elucidated using epithelial model cells are discussed, and the known overlap with ENaC regulation is highlighted. In following the life of ENaC in CCD epithelial cells the apical delivery, internalization, recycling, and destruction of the channel will be discussed. While a number of pathways presented still need to be linked to ENaC regulation and many details of the regulation of ENaC trafficking remain to be elucidated, knowledge of these mechanisms may provide further insights into ENaC activity in normal and disease states.
Teaching design methodology and "industrial strength" EDA tools in a first-term freshman digital logic course

Perhaps contrary to popular opinion, this paper shows that it is actually quite easy and potentially very beneficial to introduce first-term freshman Electrical and Computer Engineering students to digital design methodology and state-of-the-art digital electronic design automation (EDA) tools. One major observed benefit is that this early exposure creates a high level of enthusiasm which helps students maintain their motivation while working through calculus, physics, circuits, general education, and other foundation classes. Another benefit is that later classes are greatly improved because students can build on the solid skill base developed in this first class. Also of importance, this early work with multiple-solution design problems and EDA tools often helps students decide if engineering is the right career choice for them.
Host Range of Laricobius osakensis (Coleoptera: Derodontidae), A New Biological Control Agent of Hemlock Woolly Adelgid (Hemiptera: Adelgidae)

Hemlock woolly adelgid, Adelges tsugae Annand (Hemiptera: Adelgidae), is an invasive pest of eastern hemlock (Tsuga canadensis (L.) Carriere) and Carolina hemlock (T. caroliniana Englem.) in eastern United States. Host-range tests for Laricobius osakensis Montgomery and Shiyake (Coleoptera: Derodontidae), imported from Japan, were conducted under quarantine in Blacksburg, VA, to determine the suitability of this predator as a biological control agent of A. tsugae. Host-range testing for L. osakensis, involved no-choice and paired choice feeding, oviposition, and development tests with A. tsugae, three other adelgids, and three nonadelgid species. L. osakensis fed and laid more eggs on A. tsugae over all the other host species. The difference was greater in paired-choice tests. L. osakensis completed development only on A. tsugae. The overall results of the host range study indicate that L. osakensis is a specific predator of A. tsugae, supporting its potential as a biological control agent, and is not a threat to nontarget species populations.
Farm Size and Economic Efficiency: The Case of California

The relationship between farm size and production costs is examined using current data. The analysis indicates that relatively modest sized farms can achieve a major portion of the possible cost savings associated with size. The sources of efficiency are examined, and it is shown that factors other than labor-saving technology may be important contributors to economic efficiency. The implications of this analysis are developed for the current debate over acreage restrictions in reclamation policy. Strict enforcement of the 160-acre limit could cause a modest overall efficiency loss, but this would be borne by landowners rather than consumers.
MRI of spontaneous fluctuations after acute cerebral ischemia in nonhuman primates.

Purpose To study the spontaneous low-frequency blood oxygenation level-dependent (BOLD) functional MRI (fMRI) signal fluctuations during hyperacute focal cerebral ischemia. Materials and Methods A stroke model in nonhuman primates (macaques) was used in this study. Spontaneous fluctuations were recorded using a series of gradient-recalled echo (GRE) echo-planar imaging (EPI) images. Fast Fourier transformation (FFT) was performed on the serial EPI data to calculate the frequency and magnitude of the spontaneous fluctuations. Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) and perfusion-weighted imaging (PWI) were preformed to detect the ischemic lesion. Results The frequency of these fluctuations decreased in the periinfarct tissue in the ipsilateral hemisphere, while their magnitude increased. This area of abnormal signal fluctuations often extended beyond the hyperacute diffusion/perfusion abnormality. Conclusion This study suggests that measurement of the spontaneous fMRI signal fluctuations provides different information than is available from diffusion/perfusion or T2-weighted MRI. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2007;26:1112–1116. © 2007 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Endogenous RGS Proteins and Gα Subtypes Differentially Control Muscarinic and Adenosine-Mediated Chronotropic Effects

Cardiac automaticity is controlled by G protein-coupled receptors, such as adrenergic, muscarinic, and adenosine receptors. The strength and duration of G protein signaling is attenuated by regulator of G protein signaling (RGS) proteins acting as GTPase-activating proteins for Galpha subunits; however, little is known about the role of endogenous RGS proteins in cardiac function. We created point mutations in Galpha subunits that disrupt Galpha-RGS binding and introduced them into embryonic stem (ES) cells by homologous recombination. Spontaneously contacting cardiocytes derived from the ES cells were used to evaluate the role of endogenous RGS proteins in chronotropic regulation. The RGS-insensitive GalphaoG184S homozygous knock-in (GalphaoGS/GS) cells demonstrated enhanced adenosine A1 and muscarinic M2 receptor-mediated bradycardic responses. In contrast, Galphai2GS/GS cells showed enhanced responses to M2 but not A1 receptors. Similarly M2 but not A1 bradycardic responses were dramatically enhanced in Galphai2GS/GS mice. Blocking G protein-coupled inward rectifying K+ (GIRK) channels largely abolished the mutation-induced enhancement of the M2 receptor-mediated response but had a minimal effect on A1 responses. The Galphas-dependent stimulation of beating rate by the beta2 adrenergic receptor agonist procaterol was significantly attenuated in GalphaoGS/GS and nearly abolished in Galphai2GS/GS cells because of enhanced signaling via a pertussis toxin sensitive mechanism. Thus, endogenous RGS proteins potently reduce the actions of Galpha(i/o)-linked receptors on cardiac automaticity. Furthermore, M2 and A1 receptors differentially use Galphai2 and Galphao and associated downstream effectors. Thus, alterations in RGS function may play a role in pathophysiological processes and RGS proteins could represent novel cardiovascular therapeutic targets.
2-(4-Methoxyphenyl)-2-Cyclohexen-1-One: Preparation of 2-Iodo-2-Cyclohexen-1-One and Suzuki Coupling With 4-Methoxyphenylboronic Acid

2-(4-Methoxyphenyl)-2-cyclohexen-1-one: preparation of 2-iodo-2-cyclohexen-1-one and suzuki coupling with 4-methoxyphenylboronic acid intermediate: 2-iodo-2-cyclohexen-1-one product: 2-(4-methoxyphenyl)-2-cyclohexen-1-one Keywords: coupling; halogenation, iodination; metal-catalyzed reactions, palladium
Reliability estimation from zero-failure LiNbO/sub 3/ modulator bias drift data

Since x-cut LiNbO/sub 3/ (LN) optical modulators exhibit bias drift that rolls over around a voltage limit of most systems, their laboratory aging tests sometimes yield zero-failures and do not generate sufficient estimates of device reliability. In this regard, a modified calculation method is proposed and applied to data of OC192 x-cut LN modulators. The calculation presumes a time-independent probability that modulators are expected to have a voltage peak higher than the failure criterion. The obtained small failure rate is considered to be consistent with a rolling-over type drift behavior of these modulators.
Lasker Lauds Leptin

This year, the Albert Lasker Basic Medical Research Award will be shared by Douglas Coleman and Jeffrey Friedman for their discovery of leptin, a hormone that regulates appetite and body weight. By uncovering a critical physiologic system, their discovery markedly accelerated our capacity to apply molecular and genetic techniques to understand obesity.
Service learning for social change? Lessons from a liberal arts college

This paper explores efforts by Denison University to shift its service-learning efforts from service based on a charity model toward service based on collaboration and community-based social change. The author describes the institution's process of adaptation and a series of service-learning courses that draw upon participatory action research, asset-based community development, and what Denison service-learning faculty call “place-based” service learning. Based on ethnographic data and reports from students' reflective journals from courses that have attempted to develop a partnership with a nearby community, the author outlines some of the challenges for faculty and institutions that are considering crossing-over from service learning based on charity to service learning for social justice.
Validation of MODIS FLH Algorithm using Satellite Imagery

Chlorophyll Fluorescence Line Height [FLH] is analyzed based on the spatial similarity between MODIS [Chl] and FLH maps. FLH and [Chl] data of areas with high degree of spatial similarity were extracted from the whole scene and compared with the simple theoretical model of the expected variations of fluorescence magnitude with variations in chlorophyll concentration, absorption of non-algal particles, photosynthetically available radiation as well as solar zenith and viewing angles. Extracted data show good agreement with the model. Based on the model and satellite FLH data, fluorescence quantum yield is estimated.
Tiered-latency DRAM: A low latency and low cost DRAM architecture

The capacity and cost-per-bit of DRAM have historically scaled to satisfy the needs of increasingly large and complex computer systems. However, DRAM latency has remained almost constant, making memory latency the performance bottleneck in today's systems. We observe that the high access latency is not intrinsic to DRAM, but a trade-off made to decrease cost-per-bit. To mitigate the high area overhead of DRAM sensing structures, commodity DRAMs connect many DRAM cells to each sense-amplifier through a wire called a bitline. These bitlines have a high parasitic capacitance due to their long length, and this bitline capacitance is the dominant source of DRAM latency. Specialized low-latency DRAMs use shorter bitlines with fewer cells, but have a higher cost-per-bit due to greater sense-amplifier area overhead. In this work, we introduce Tiered-Latency DRAM (TL-DRAM), which achieves both low latency and low cost-per-bit. In TL-DRAM, each long bitline is split into two shorter segments by an isolation transistor, allowing one segment to be accessed with the latency of a short-bitline DRAM without incurring high cost-per-bit. We propose mechanisms that use the low-latency segment as a hardware-managed or software-managed cache. Evaluations show that our proposed mechanisms improve both performance and energy-efficiency for both single-core and multi-programmed workloads.
INTERACTIONS OF THE COMPLEMENT SYSTEM WITH ENDOTOXIC LIPOPOLYSACCHARIDE: CONSUMPTION OF EACH OF THE SIX TERMINAL COMPLEMENT COMPONENTS

Large amounts of each C'3, C'5, C'6, C'7, C'8, and C'9 were consumed when guinea pig serum was incubated with endotoxic lipopolysaccharide, zymosan, or preformed immune complexes. Since these C' components subserve several of the biological activities which follow the injection of endotoxins into experimental animals, these experiments support the hypothesis that certain biological effects induced by endotoxins may be mediated via the C' system, and may account for some of the known similarity in the reactivities evoked by endotoxins and immune complexes in vivo.
A Designed Protein with Packing between Left-Handed and Right-Handed Helices†

A common motif in protein structures is the assembly of alpha-helices. Natural alpha-helical assemblies, such as helical bundles and coiled coils, consist of multiple right-handed alpha-helices. Here we design a protein complex containing both left-handed and right-handed helices, with peptides of D- and L-amino acids, respectively. The two peptides, D-Acid and L-Base, feature hydrophobic heptad repeats and are designed to pack against each other in a "knobs-into-holes" manner. In solution, the peptides form a stable, helical heterotetramer with tight packing in the most solvent-protected core. This motif may be useful for designing protease-resistant, helical D-peptide ligands against biological protein targets.
Hysteroscopic Resection of a Symptomatic Uterine Leiomyoma in an Adolescent

Abstract Background Uterine leiomyomas or fibroids are rare in the adolescent population. Hysteroscopic resection is an ideal approach for adolescents with symptomatic intracavitary myomas. Case A 17-year-old female had a history of menometrorrhagia and symptomatic anemia, and had been hospitalized twice for acute management of heavy bleeding. On pelvic ultrasound and subsequent MRI, a 2 × 3 cm mass was visualized and appeared to distort the uterine cavity. Due to recurrent heavy bleeding, operative hysteroscopy was performed, and a 3-cm intracavitary mass was identified and resected; pathology evaluation confirmed a leiomyoma. Summary and Conclusion Surgical intervention for abnormal bleeding due to a submucosal myoma was more successful than medical treatment. In adolescents, hysteroscopic resection of a symptomatic submucosal myoma is a reasonable minimally invasive management option.
SOCIAL MOVEMENTS: Changing Paradigms and Forms of Politics

▪ Abstract Theories of collective action have undergone a number of paradigm shifts, from “mass behavior” to “resource mobilization,” “political process,” and “new social movements.” Debates have centered on the applicability of these frameworks in diverse settings, on the periodization of collective action, on the divisive or unifying impact of identity politics, and on the appropriateness of political engagement by researchers. Transnational activist networks are developing new protest repertoires that challenge anthropologists and other scholars to rethink conventional approaches to social movements.
Real-time aggregate monitoring with differential privacy

Sharing real-time aggregate statistics of private data has given much benefit to the public to perform data mining for understanding important phenomena, such as Influenza outbreaks and traffic congestion. However, releasing time-series data with standard differential privacy mechanism has limited utility due to high correlation between data values. We propose FAST, an adaptive system to release real-time aggregate statistics under differential privacy with improved utility. To minimize overall privacy cost, FAST adaptively samples long time-series according to detected data dynamics. To improve the accuracy of data release per time stamp, filtering is used to predict data values at non-sampling points and to estimate true values from noisy observations at sampling points. Our experiments with three real data sets confirm that FAST improves the accuracy of time-series release and has excellent performance even under very small privacy cost.
Behavior of GFRP bridge deck panels infilled with polyurethane foam under various environmental exposure

Abstract This paper investigates the performance of polyurethane foam-infill bridge deck panels (PU sandwich panels) after being exposed to various environmental conditions. These panels were constructed with woven E-glass fiber/polyurethane facesheets that were separated by a trapezoidal-shaped, low-density polyurethane foam. Corrugated web layers were introduced into the core to enhance the panel's structural characteristics. The PU panels were manufactured through a one-step vacuum assisted resin transfer molding (VARTM) process. An experimental program was designed to simulate their in situ environments. The environmental conditions used included different conditioning regimens to examine the behavior of both GFRP laminates and PU sandwich panels. The GFRP laminates, which were made from the same materials as the PU sandwich panels, were exposed to ultraviolet radiation, a deicing solution at both room temperature and elevated temperature, and thermal cycling. The PU sandwich panels were exposed to thermal cycling (a series of freeze–thaw, mid–high temperatures, and mid–high relative humidity cycles). The thermal cycling exposure was conducted in a computer-controlled environmental chamber to duplicate seasonal effects in Midwestern states. Following the exposure regimens, tensile strength tests and four-point loading tests were performed on the GFRP laminates and the PU sandwich panels, respectively. The evaluation was based on visual inspection, strength, stiffness, and failure modes, as compared to those that were not conditioned (the control). The results of this study revealed that degradation did exist due to the effects of thermal cycling and the deicing solution. The ultraviolet radiation, however, did not cause any degradation. These results were within the recommended environmental durability design factors of the FHWA guidelines.
Potential for spread of Abutilon theophrasti in California

Abstract Abutilon theophrasti is one of the worst agricultural weeds in North America, yet it has not reached that status in California in the 80 yr since it was first reported. The research reported here examined the distribution and modeled climatic requirements of A. theophrasti to determine whether it is likely to spread more widely in the state. Herbaria records and weed literature were surveyed to determine the historical occurrences of A. theophrasti in the state; current distribution was assessed through surveys sent to University of California personnel in each county. Combined results showed 42 counties out of 58 with A. theophrasti present historically or currently. A plot of the cumulative number of counties containing A. theophrasti by decade fit a logistic equation. The maximum rate of spread of this species occurred in 1962 and it is likely that its final distribution by county in California is leveling off and not likely to increase further. The climate-matching/mapping software CLIMEX® wa...
Late Acute Graft-versus-Host Disease after Allogeneic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation

Abstract There are little data regarding the incidence, clinical manifestations, risk factors, and outcomes of late acute graft-versus-host disease (aGVHD). We evaluated patients with late aGVHD after allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) between 2007 and 2012 and compared their outcomes to patients with early-onset aGVHD. Of the 511 allogeneic HCT recipients, 75 developed late aGVHD (cumulative incidence: 14.7% (95% confidence interval [CI], 11.6% to 17.8%) versus 248 with early-onset aGVHD (cumulative incidence: 49% [95% CI, 45% to 53%]). Among those with late aGVHD, 52% had persistent, 39% had recurrent, and 9% had de novo late aGVHD. Advanced (grades III and IV) early-onset aGVHD was associated with a higher risk of developing late aGVHD (hazard ratio [HR], 1.9; 95% CI, 1.2 to 3.1; P = .01). Forty-eight percent (95% CI, 36% to 60%) of late aGVHD versus only 31% (95% CI, 26% to 37%) of early-onset aGVHD progressed to chronic GVHD by 2 years. Higher proportion of persistent (53%) as compared to recurrent (39%) and de novo (46%) late aGVHD progressed to cGVHD at 2 years. The overall survival was 59% (95% CI, 49% to 72%) in late aGVHD and 50% (95% CI, 44% to 57%) in early-onset aGVHD. Persistent late aGVHD had worse overall survival and nonrelapse mortality (45% and 39%, respectively) than recurrent (74% and 18%, respectively) and de novo (83% and 0%, respectively) late aGVHD. Compared with HLA-identical sibling HCT, unrelated donor transplantations were associated with a higher risk of mortality in patients developing late aGVHD (HR, 6.1; 95% CI, 2.3 to 16.2; P
Hormonal and Renal Responses to Hyperbaria

With the advent of a new diving technique “the saturation dive” about three decades ago, human divers are now able to engage in a multi-day dive to a considerable depth. In a dry simulation (chamber) dive carried out at Duke University in 1981, several divers exposed themselves to a depth of 686 m (nearly 70 atmospheres absolute or ATA) for 24 h and then safely returned to sea level. Apparently, human divers seem to be able to cope with such high pressures and can maintain normal activities albeit on a somewhat limited basis.
The Clinical Significance of Mutations in Colorectal Cancer

Genetic mutations are emerging as critical factors in treatment decisions for colorectal cancer. In this chapter, we review the clinical data for predictive and prognostic genetic markers. While a prognostic role for KRAS mutations remains uncertain, these activating mutations are clearly associated with nonresponsiveness to anti-EGFR therapy. We additionally examine the burgeoning clinical implications of NRAS, BRAF, and PIK3CA mutations. Finally, we provide an outlook on the potential impact of personalized cancer medicine to future clinical practice.
Valuing Art in an Estate

The recent district court case Stone illustrates certain estate tax valuation facts unique to holding artwork.
Decomposition of coherent and incoherent phonon conduction in superlattices and random multilayers

Nonequilibrium molecular dynamics (NEMD) simulations on conceptual binary Lennard-Jones systems show that the thermal conductivity ($\ensuremath{\kappa}$) of a superlattice (SL) can be significantly reduced by randomizing the thicknesses of its layers, by which a SL becomes a random multilayer (RML). Such reduction in $\ensuremath{\kappa}$ is a clear signature of coherent phonon that can be localized in RMLs. We build a two-phonon model that divides the overall heat conduction into coherent and incoherent phonon contributions. In SL both coherent and incoherent phonons contribute to heat conduction, while in RML coherent phonons are localized so only incoherent phonons contribute. This model can fit the length dependence of the thermal conductances predicted in our NEMD simulations very well. The ballistic-limit thermal conductance and the intrinsic mean free path (MFP) of both coherent and incoherent phonons, and the localization length of coherent phonons, are obtained by fitting our model to the NEMD simulation results. The significant increase in $\ensuremath{\kappa}$ of SL with total length is due to the long MFP of coherent phonons, and the lower $\ensuremath{\kappa}$ of RML than SL is caused by the localization of coherent phonons.
vTC: Machine Learning Based Traffic Classification as a Virtual Network Function

Network flow classification is fundamental to network management and network security. However, it is challenging to classify network flows at very high line rates while simultaneously preserving user privacy. Machine learning based classification techniques utilize only meta-information of a flow and have been shown to be effective in identifying network flows. We analyze a group of widely used machine learning classifiers, and observe that the effectiveness of different classification models depends highly upon the protocol types as well as the flow features collected from network data.We propose vTC, a design of virtual network functions to flexibly select and apply the best suitable machine learning classifiers at run time. The experimental results show that the proposed NFV for flow classification can improve the accuracy of classification by up to 13%.
Thalassemia Minor: Routine Erythrocyte Measurements and Differentiation from Iron Deficienc

The clinical differentiation of the causes of microcytosis is difficult because of the lack of a method for the diagnosis of alpha thalassemia. A number of laboratory tests have been proposed for the differentiation of alpha thalassemia from iron deficiency, including decision functions based on the red blood cell indices generated by electronic cell counters. The accuracy of these screening methods was assessed in 93 patients with microcytosis known to be secondary to either iron deficiency or beta thalassemia minor and, prospectively, in 26 patients with microcytosis in whom globin chain synthesis ratio was used to diagnose thalassemia. The functions evaluated were: RBC volume distribution curve; osmotic fragility; erythrocyte count; discriminant function = MCV - (5 X Hgb) - RBC - 8.4; ratio of MCH/RBC; ratio of MCV/RBC; and 0.01 X MCH X (MCV)2. A simplified method of measuring anisocytosis using the RBC volume distribution curve was significantly more accurate (P less than 0.01) in distinguishing iron deficiency from thalassemia than any of the other decision functions. Analysis of red blood cell volume distribution, although not sufficiently accurate for definitive diagnosis, appears to be a useful technic in the initial screening of patients with microcytosis and in determining which additional testing should be done.
Reflections on the Indonesian Case

The tangled affairs of Indonesia, twice thrust upon the Security Council, have served as an admirable touchstone of the principles, purposes, and effectiveness of the United Nations as well as of the policies of some of its leading members. Fundamental principles of the new postwar order were at stake. The Atlantic Charter had affirmed the right of all peoples to choose the form of government under which they would live, and the collapse of empires before the Japanese onslaught led to the widespread conclusion that the old colonial system was dead. These doctrines found sober and modified expression not only in Chapter XI of the United Nations Charter, but also in the more general assertion of the principle of equal rights and self-determination of peoples and of the universal application of human rights and fundamental freedoms. The rights of dependent peoples, the validity of the doctrine of self-determination, and the possibilities for peaceful change all hovered about the Security Council chamber in the course of the debates on the two Indonesian cases.
Inhibitory effect of osteoprotegerin on tumor necrosis factor-induced apoptosis in osteoblastic cells

BACKGROUND:Osteoporosis involves two aspects,osteoblast apoptosis and osteoclast differentiation and maturation.The apoptotic effect of tumor necrosis factor α varies in different cell lines and it remains unclear whether osteoprotegerin has inhibitory effects on the apoptosis of osteoblastic cells.OBJECTIVE:To study the interaction between tumor necrosis factor α and osteoprotegerin on the apoptosis of osteoblastic cells.DESIGN:Observational comparative study based osteoblasts and MG63 cells as subjects and murine WEHI 164 cells as positive controls.SETTING:Institute of Oral Medicine,General Hospital of Chinese PLA,and Veterans' Affairs Medical Center,Pittsburgh.MATERIALS:The experiment was conducted in the Dr.Blair's Laboratory and Oral Institute from January 2001 to December 2003.Commercial cell group,RPMI 1 640 culture medium and various related proteins were selected in this study.METHODS:Osteoblasts were differentiated from human mesenchymal stem cells in the culture medium,and were ready for the study on apoptosis with MG63.Annexin V and TUNEL analysis were used to assay osteoblasts' apoptosis induced by tumor necrosis factor α .MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES:The number of total cells and apoptotic cells.RESULTS:As FasL induced apoptosis,tumor necrosis factor α could obviously induce the apoptosis of MG63 osteogenic cells,mesenchymal stem cells and osteoblasts in concentration and time dependent manner.Cells showed obvious apoptosis after 2- 4 hours' effect by tumor necrosis factor α in low concentration(170- 500 pmol/L);osteoprotegerin,on the other hand,at 0.45- 1.5 nmol/L inhibited the apoptosis induced by tumor necrosis factor α of 500 pmol/L.Osteoblasts could secrete osteoprotegerin,whereas osteoclasts and precursor of osteoclasts could produce tumor necrosis factor α and work together to reduce the apoptosis of osteoblasts.CONCLUSION:Tumor necrosis factor α can effectively induce the apoptosis of osteoblastic cells while osteoprotegerin has the ability to inhibit it.The mechanism of osteoprotegerin on osteoporosis involves at least two aspects,by inhibiting the maturation of osteoclasts and the apoptosis of osteoblasts.
Correlation of Prostatic Nuclear Androgen Receptor Content with Duration of Response and Survival Following Hormonal Therapy in Advanced Prostatic Cancer

AbstractTo assess whether pre-treatment prostatic androgen receptor measurements would be of value in predicting the response to hormonal therapy in patients with prostatic cancer 23 men with metastatic carcinoma of the prostate underwent prostatic biopsy before treatment. Cytosolic and nuclear prostatic androgen receptor contents were measured by a single saturating dose, dextran-charcoal assay. All patients had measurable levels of androgen receptor in prostatic tissue and all demonstrated objective evidence of improvement following hormonal therapy. Thus, if androgen receptor measurements are to be useful in predicting prognosis correlations between quantitative levels of receptor and quantitative aspects of response must be established. In our study response was quantitated by measuring the duration of response and survival following hormonal treatment. The strong correlation between duration of response and survival (p less than 0.01) demonstrated herein suggests that survival in these patients is re...
Avanafil for the treatment of erectile dysfunction

ABSTRACTIntroduction: Erectile dysfunction (ED) affects millions of men worldwide, and the incidence of ED will continue to increase as the aging population grows. The first generation of phosphodiesterase-5 (PDE5) inhibitors, the mainstay of oral ED therapy, has revolutionized the treatment of this condition, but not without some drawbacks. Avanafil, the only United States and European Union-approved second-generation PDE5 inhibitor, is a safe and efficacious alternative to its predecessors.Areas covered: We reviewed the current and most up-to-date literature regarding Avanafil, as well as the pivotal trials that measured efficacy and tolerability. As Avanafil is still a relatively new drug, there is still a relative paucity of literature which inherently limited the search parameters. We searched the PUBMED database for articles detailing the clinical trials, chemistry, pharmacokinetics and dynamics, safety, and efficacy of the drug.Expert commentary: Avanafil’s unique pharmacologic profile both narrows...
Detection and analysis of shoreline changes using geospatial tools and automatic computation: Case of jijelian sandy coast (East Algeria)

Abstract Analysis and understanding of coastline variability and coastal erosion-accretion trends are important for scientists and local decision-makers for orienting regulation and decisions concerning coastal planning. This study focuses on the detection and analysis of historical changes in shoreline position of the Bay of Jijel (East -Algeria) occurred between 1960 and 2014. Shoreline changes along the Bay of Jijel were studied from multi-dated aerial photographs (1960, 1973 and 1988) and Quick-bird satellite image (2014). The correction of aerial photographs and satellite image was carried out using the remote sensing tools and Geographic Information System “GIS”. To attain our objective, the study area was divided into three sectors for analysis: (1) the beaches of Jijel, Tassoust in the western sector, (2) the central area encompasses beaches of El Kanar, El Mzair and SidiAbdelaziz, (3) the eastern sector contains the beaches of El Djnah and Beni Belaid. Net rates changes of shoreline position in time were calculated from several statistical methods End Point Rates (EPR), Linear Regression Rates (LRR) and Weighted Linear Regression (WLR). These net rates of coastline changes have been calculated, also, on three intervals of times (1960–1973, 1973–1988 and 1988–2014) and on a period (mid-centennial) of 54 years (1960–2014). The result shows that the study area is almost stable between 1960 and 1973 with a rate of change equal to −0.072 m/year. This rate of change, has negatively increased during episodes time 1973–1988 and 1988–2014, with average values of −0.125 m/year and −0.85 m/year, respectively. Over a mid-secular period, the coast has experienced an average net rate global of changes equal to −0.459 m/year. This recession of the coastline is due to the combined action of the cumulative effects of stormy climate of the coast and various human actions on the Jijelian coastal strip.
Drivers of redistribution of fishing and non-fishing effort after the implementation of a marine protected area network.

Marine spatial planning (MSP) is increasingly utilized to sustainably manage ocean uses. Marine protected areas (MPAs), a form of spatial management in which parts of the ocean are regulated to fishing, are now a common tool in MSP for conserving marine biodiversity and managing fisheries. However, the use of MPAs in MSP often neglects – or simplifies – the redistribution of fishing and non-fishing activities inside and outside of MPAs following their implementation. This redistribution of effort can have important implications for effective MSP. Using long term (14 years) aerial surveys of boats at the California Channel Islands, we examined the spatial redistribution of fishing and non-fishing activities and their drivers following MPA establishment. Our data represent 6 years of information before the implementation of an MPA network and 8 years after implementation. Different types of boats responded in different ways to the closures, ranging from behaviors by commercial dive boats that support the hypothesis of fishing-the-line, to behaviors by urchin, sport fishing, and recreational boats that support the theory of ideal free distribution. Additionally, we found that boats engaged in recreational activities targeted areas that are sheltered from large waves and located near their home ports, while boats engaged in fishing activities also avoided high wave areas but were not constrained by the distance to their home ports. We did not observe the expected pattern of effort concentration near MPA borders for some boat types; this can be explained by the habitat preference of certain activities (for some activities, the desired habitat attributes are not inside the MPAs), species’ biology (species such as urchins where the MPA benefit would likely come from larval export rather than adult spillover), or policy-infraction avoidance. The diversity of boat responses reveals variance from the usual simplified assumption that all extractive boats respond similarly to MPA establishment. Our work is the first empirical study to analyze the response of both commercial and recreational boats to closure. Our results will inform MSP in better accounting for effort redistribution by ocean users in response to the implementation of MPAs and other closures. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
Absence of Fluoride Varnish–Related Adverse Events in Caries Prevention Trials in Young Children, United States

Introduction Fluoride varnish is an effective prevention intervention for caries in young children. Its routine use in clinical care is supported by meta-analyses and recommended by clinical guidelines, including the US Preventive Services Task Force (B rating). This report is the first prospective systematic assessment of adverse events related to fluoride varnish treatment in young children. Methods We determined the incidence of adverse events related to fluoride varnish treatment in 3 clinical trials on the prevention of early childhood caries, conducted under the auspices of the Early Childhood Caries Collaborating Centers, an initiative sponsored by the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research. Each trial incorporated use of fluoride varnish in its protocol and systematically queried all children's parents or legal guardians about the occurrence of acute adverse events after each fluoride varnish treatment. Results A total of 2,424 community-dwelling, dentate children aged 0 to 5 years were enrolled and followed for up to 3 years. These children received a cumulative total of 10,249 fluoride varnish treatments. On average, each child received 4.2 fluoride varnish treatments. We found zero fluoride varnish-related adverse events. Conclusion Fluoride varnish was not associated with treatment-related adverse events in young children. Our findings support its safety as an effective prevention intervention for caries in young children.
How Did Arius Learn from Asterius? On the Relationship between the Thalia and the Syntagmation

In the De decretis Athanasius claims that Arius ‘copied’ and ‘learned’ from Asterius. This study explores how this could have happened by arguing that in the writing of his Thalia Arius was influenced by Asterius’ Syntagmation. Besides complicating the literary and theological relationship between Arius and Asterius, this reconstruction provides the clearest evidence for the new perspective on Arius which has emerged in recent revisionist scholarship, and which argues that he is best understood as embedded within a theological tradition and as a catalysing participant in its efforts to articulate a theological vision. By dating the Syntagmation to about 322 and the Thalia to about 323 this study also gives qualified support to Rowan Williams's dating of some pre-Nicene events and discredits a recent attempt to position Asterius as having had a formative influence on Arius.