cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Prostate Cancer Ki-67 (MIB-1) Expression, Perineural Invasion, and Gleason Score as Biopsy-Based Predictors of Prostate Cancer Mortality: The Mayo Model

Abstract Objective To determine the role of cellular proliferation and other biopsy-based features in the prediction of prostate cancer mortality. Patients and Methods Between 1993 and 2012, our institution has performed quantitation of prostate cancer DNA ploidy and Ki-67 (MIB-1) on most prostate cancer needle biopsy specimens. The outcomes of 451 consecutive patients with biopsy-proven cancer treated by radical prostatectomy between January 24, 1995, and December 29, 1998, without neoadjuvant hormonal therapy were assessed. Clinical and biopsy information obtained before radical prostatectomy was placed in multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression models to predict local or systemic progression and cancer-specific death. Predictive ability was evaluated using a concordance index. Results With a median follow-up of 12.9 years, 46 patients experienced local or systemic progression, and 18 patients died of prostate cancer. On multivariate analysis, the biopsy features of Ki-67 expression, perineural invasion, and Gleason score were associated with local or systemic progression. Ki-67 expression, perineural invasion, and Gleason score were associated with cancer-specific death with a concordance index of 0.892. After adjusting for perineural invasion and Gleason score, each 1% increase in Ki-67 expression was associated with a 12% increased risk of cancer-specific death ( P Conclusion This study documents that long-term prostate cancer outcomes are best estimated with a combination of Gleason score, perineural invasion, and Ki-67 expression. Given its low cost, rapid assessment, and strong predictive power, we believe that adding Ki-67 expression to perineural invasion and Gleason score at biopsy should be considered a standard by which all new biomarkers are compared before introducing them into clinical practice.
Variability and Robustness in T Cell Activation from Regulated Heterogeneity in Protein Levels

In T cells, the stochasticity of protein expression could contribute to the useful diversification of biological functions within a clonal population or interfere with accurate antigen discrimination. Combining computer modeling and single-cell measurements, we examined how endogenous variation in the expression levels of signaling proteins might affect antigen responsiveness during T cell activation. We found that the CD8 co-receptor fine-tunes activation thresholds, whereas the soluble hematopoietic phosphatase 1 (SHP-1) digitally regulates cell responsiveness. Stochastic variation in the expression of these proteins generates substantial diversity of activation within a clonal population of T cells, but co-regulation of CD8 and SHP-1 levels ultimately limits this very diversity. These findings reveal how eukaryotic cells can draw on regulated variation in gene expression to achieve phenotypic variability in a controlled manner.
A Method to Estimate Critical Tire Properties Using Non-Linear Tire Models

This paper describes a method to estimate lateral and longitudinal cornering stiffness, as well as the maximum tire force. Knowledge of these parameters can be critical for certain vehicle control systems that need to understand the tire’s limits, especially during turning maneuvers and acceleration. In this study, an extended Kalman filter is used along with the Dugoff or Fiala tire model to estimate these parameters. The pros and cons are discussed for estimation with both the Dugoff and Fiala tire models. An inertial measurement unit (IMU), a dual GPS antenna, and wheel speed sensors implemented on a test bed are used to evaluate the performance of the algorithms. A transformation matrix derived from a bicycle model is used to convert acceleration measurements into force measurements. The force measurements are then fed into the extended Kalman filter to estimate the parameters. Although this algorithm is post-processed, it can easily be used in real-time estimation. The experiment is performed on an asphalt surface to test its performance. The effects of vehicle roll can be significant for vehicles that exhibit large roll angles, but it is assumed to be negligible in this study.Copyright © 2007 by ASME
Philip Hayward, ed. Terror Tracks: Music, Sound and Horror Cinema , London: Equinox, 2009. ISBN: 9781845532024 and Neil Lerner, ed. Music in the Horror Film: Listening to Fear , New York: Routledge, 2010. ISBN: 9780415992039.

Philip Hayward, ed. Terror Tracks: Music, Sound and Horror Cinema London: Equinox, 2009 [xii, 286 p. ISBN: 9781845532024. $29.95 (trade paper)] Genre, Music, and Sound. Music examples, illustrations, tables, endnotes, bibliographies, and index. and Neil Lerner, ed. Music in the Horror Film: Listening to Fear New York: Routledge, 2010 [xii, 240 p. ISBN: 9780415992039. $32.95 (trade paper)] Routledge Music and Screen Media Series. Music examples, illustrations, tables, endnotes, and index.
IDEOLOGY ON THE REHNQUIST COURT

In this paper, we use multidimensional scaling (MDS) as developed by Kruskal to examine patterns of behavior on the Supreme Court for the five “natural courts” during the period 1986–1994. The data employed in the study are the interagreement scores among the justices compiled by and published in the Harvard Law Review. In general, we find that a one-dimensional solution performs satisfactorily in capturing the variance in the interagreement matrix. In examining the distribution of scale scores along this underlying dimension, it is evident that the relative positioning of the justices resembles the common sense placement of them along the conventional liberal-conservative continuum. Thus, MDS appears to be a convenient and useful means of systematically identifying the Court's ideological spectrum from its decision making behavior.
The Evolution of Future Tenses from Serial 'Say' Constructions in Central Eastern Bantu

SUMMARYFuture tense markers have been shown to arise from a variety of verbal sources, among them motion verbs and volitional verbs. In a small number of central eastern Bantu languages, a verb 'say' has developed into a future marker, a phenomenon not previously noted in the literature. In this study, the author presents a description and analysis of this grammatical shift, proposing two principal paths of evolution: decategorialization and auxiliation.RESUMELes marques de temps futur proviennent d'une grande variete de sources verbales, parmi elles les verbes de mouveet et volition. Dans un petit nombre de langues bantoues du centre-est, on trouve un verbe 'dire' qui est devenu une marque de futur, un phenomene non-signale dans la litterature jusqu'a present. Dans l'etude actuelle l'auteur presente une description et une analyse de cette modification grammaticale, proposant deux voies principales d'evo-lu-tion: 'decategorialization' et 'auxiliation'.ZUSAMMENFASSUNGTempusmarkierungen fur das Futur haben bekanntlich eine Reihe ver-schiedenener verbaler Ursprunge, u.a. Verben, die Bewegung oder eine Ab-sicht ausdrucken. In einer kleinen Anzahl von mittelostlichen Bantusprachen z.B. hat sich des Verb, das gewohnlich 'sprechen' ausdruckt, zu einem Futur-Markierungszeichen entwickelt, eine Erscheinung, die bisher nicht in der wis-senschaftlichen Literatur aufzufinden gewesen ist. In der vorliegenden Arbeit legt der Autor eine Beschreibung und Erklarung dieses grammtischen Wan-dels vor, in denen er zwei hauptsachliche Entwicklungslinien unterscheidet: 'Entkategorisierung' und 'Hilfszeitwortwerdung'.
Differences in the response to intact b-PTH I-84 and synthetic b-PTH I-34 in isolated perfused bones from young and adult dogs.

Controversy exists over the relative effects of intact b-PTH I-84 and synthetic b-PTH I-34 on the generation of cyclic-AMP (cAMP) by the skeleton. Some experimental models demonstrate that these parathyroid hormone (PTH) peptides are equipotent while other systems show that the synthetic amino-terminal PTH fragment is more potent. The present studies examine the relase of cAMP by isolated perfused bone from adult and young dogs in response to intact PTH I-84 and synthetic b-PTH I-34 in order to examine if age is important in determining the response of bone to OTH peptides. The results show that there is a remarkable difference in the release of cAMP between bones from adult and young animals. The release of cAMP in response to synthetic b-PTH I-34 is greater in bones from puppies than in bones from adult dogs. The release of cAMP in response to b-PTH I-84 is minimal in bones from adult dogs which is in agreement with previous studies from our laboratory. In puppies, however, there is a definite response to b-PTH I-84 albeit less than that of synthetic b-PTH I-34
Antidiabetic agents: past, present and future

Treatment of diabetes mellitus requires, at a certain stage of its course, drug intervention. This article reviews the properties of available antidiabetic medications and highlights potential targets for developing newer and safer drugs. Antidiabetic agents are grouped in the article as parts I, II and III according to the history of development. Part I groups early developed drugs, during the 20th century, including insulin, sulfonylureas, the metiglinides, insulin sensitizers, biguanides and α-glucosidase inhibitors. Part II groups newer drugs developed during the early part of the 21st century, the past decade, including GLP-1 analogs, DPP-VI inhibitors, amylin analogs and SGLT2 inhibitors. Part III groups potential targets for future design of newer antidiabetic agents with less adverse effects than the currently available antidiabetic drugs.
Stabilization of nonlinear systems using linear observers

It is shown that a linear observer can always be employed to stabilize a nonlinear system which contains a true Popov type nonlinearity in the closed interval from 0 to k, where k is finite, provided the nonlinear function and a completely observable output of the linear portion are available as inputs to the observer. Taking into consideration the case in which a completely observable output is not available from the linear portion, stabilization is shown to be possible if the original linear approximation of the system is asymptotically stable.
Long-term outcomes in patients with calciphylaxis from hyperparathyroidism.

Calciphylaxis is a rare condition associated with chronic renal failure and entails a very poor prognosis. Pathogenesis is poorly understood but involves abnormalities in calcium and phosphorus metabolism that lead to vascular and extravascular calcification. Patients present with painful ulcerating plaques that progress to gangrenous wounds. Parathyroidectomy has been advanced as a life-saving intervention in these patients, but long-term results with wound healing and survival after parathyroidectomy are not well described. Between January 1987 and October 2003, 15 patients with biopsy-confirmed calciphylaxis were treated at the University of Wisconsin. Of these 15 patients, 9 were treated with medical therapy (bisphosphonates and phosphate binders), whereas 6 underwent parathyroidectomy. The medical records were reviewed, and patients or relatives were interviewed. Survival was determined by Kaplan-Meier analysis. Four patients underwent subtotal parathyroidectomy, and two patients underwent total parathyroidectomy. All had reductions in the intact parathyroid hormone level (mean ± SD, 25.2 ± 4.5 pg/mL). Whereas all six patients treated with parathyroidectomy had partial/complete wound healing, only two of nine in the medical group had any improvements in the skin lesions (P = .006). With up to 80 months of follow-up, patients who underwent parathyroidectomy had a longer median survival compared with those who did not have surgery (39 vs. 3 months; P = .017). On the basis of our long-term follow-up of this patient population, subtotal or total parathyroidectomy was associated with long-term survival and was more likely to promote healing if performed earlier in the course of disease. Therefore, patients with calciphylaxis from secondary hyperparathyroidism should be referred promptly for potential parathyroidectomy.
5-Benzyloxytryptamine as an antagonist of TRPM8

Abstract 5-Benzyloxytryptamine 19 was found to act as an antagonist of the TRPM8 ion-channel. For example, 19 had an IC50 of 0.34 μM when menthol was used as the stimulating agonist. Related commercially-available tryptamine derivatives showed diminished, or no antagonist activity at TRPM8. The structural similarity of 5-benzyloxytryptamine to other literature TRPM8 antagonists was noted.
3-hydroxy-5-methylproline, a new amino acid identified as a component of actinomycin Z1.

Abstract 3-Hydroxy-5-methylproline has been identified in hydrolysates of actinomycin Z 1 by ion-exchange and paper chromatography, paper electrophoresis, gas chromatography and mass spectrometry in comparison with the synthetic compound. The stereochemistry of this amino acid is under investigation. The amino acid composition of actinomycin Z 1 thus consists of threonine, hydroxythreonine, D-valine(2), 4-oxo-5-methylproline, 3-hydroxy-5-methylproline, sarcosine(2), N-methylalanine and N-methylvaline.
Mining the complement system for lupus biomarkers

Abstract Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic multiorgan autoimmune disease. Activation of the complement system plays a fundamental role in the pathogenesis of SLE. For the past several decades, laboratory monitoring of SLE has focused primarily on measurement of serum C3, C4, and their activation products. However, the utility of these measures as biomarkers for diagnosis and assessment of disease activity of SLE is still debated. Over the same time span, knowledge of the complement system has advanced remarkably, with more than 30 proteins identified. In view of the urgent need for identifying reliable lupus biomarkers, it is appropriate to revisit the issue of whether the complement system is a potential source of biomarkers for SLE. This article will review historical aspects of complement measurement in SLE, and summarize recent advances that may lead to a newly rejuvenated “gold rush” to mine the complement system for biomarkers of SLE. Specifically, development and utility of a novel assay that measures cell-bound complement activation products as lupus biomarkers will be discussed.
Red cloud's cooper union address

A great Sioux chief, pressed to the brink of war and unable to enlist the President's aid against a fraudulent treaty, took his case directly to the people and forced the United States government i...
Ethical considerations in dental epidemiological studies.

Interpretation of the guidelines for ethical considerations in epidemiological studies requires defining a position of delicate balance. The goal must be to protect the rights, the health, and the dignity of study participants to the extent possible, while at the same time placing as few inhibitions as possible on the conduct of the research. The end result must therefore be a compromise, because these two requirements are inherently in conflict. The elements of this compromise are not static, for social philosophies change over time. What society considers the ideal balance between protection of the individual
Radiation-generated Short DNA Fragments May Perturb Non-homologous End-joining and Induce Genomic Instability

Cells exposed to densely ionizing radiation (high-LET) experience more severe biological damage than do cells exposed to sparsely ionizing radiation (low-LET). The prevailing hypothesis is that high-LET radiations induce DNA double strand-breaks (DSB) that are more complex and clustered, and are thereby more challenging to repair. Here, we present experimental data obtained by atomic force microscopy imaging, DNA-dependent protein kinase (DNA-PK) activity determination, DNA ligation assays, and genomic studies to suggest that short DNA fragments are important products of radiation-induced DNA lesions, and that the lengths of DNA fragments may be significant in the cellular responses to ionizing radiation. We propose the presence of a subset of short DNA fragments that may affect cell survival and genetic stability following exposure to ionizing radiation, and that the enhanced biological effects of high-LET radiation may be explained, in part, by the production of increased quantities of short DNA fragments.
A lossless active clamping circuit for current doubler topologies

This letter presents a new lossless clamping circuit on the secondary side for DC-DC converters with a current-doubler structure. This circuit reduces ringing on secondary-side rectifiers due to leakage inductance. The ringing loss is recovered to the load. As a result, efficiency is improved, and the voltage stress on secondary-side rectifiers is reduced significantly. These improvements allow DC-DC topologies with a current doubler to operate efficiently at high switching frequencies. The operating principle of the clamping circuit is detailed. Simulations and experimental results validate the proposed technique.
FRAMESHIFT SUPPRESSION IN SACCHAROMYCES CEREVISIAE. IV. NEW SUPPRESSORS AMONG SPONTANEOUS CO-REVERTANTS OF THE GROUP II HIS4-206 AND LEU2-3 FRAMESHIFT MUTATIONS

ICR-induced frameshift mutations at the his4 locus in Saccharomyces cerevisiae have been classified into several groups on the basis of their reversion and suppression properties. One group of externally suppressible his4 mutations, designated Group II, have been shown to contain +1 G:C insertions in glycine codons and are suppressed by any one of five suppressor mutations described previously (SUF1, SUF3, SUF4, SUF5, and SUF6). The suppressor genes are believed to encode glycine tRNAs containing four base anticodons.—An analysis of spontaneous co-revertants of the Group II frameshift mutations his4-206 and leu2-3 has revealed the existence of eleven new Group II-specific suppressor genes (SUF15 through SUF25). The locations of the new suppressor loci on the yeast genetic map have been determined.—By comparing the ability or inability of Group II-specific suppressors mapping at 16 different loci to suppress different Group II his4 mutations, two subclasses of suppressors have been defined. One subclass suppresses his4-38 and his4-519, which contain the altered four base mRNA codons 5'-GGGU-3' and 5'-GGGG-3', respectively. The other subclass suppresses his4-38, but fails to suppress his4-519. The mechanism of tRNA-mediated frameshift suppression and the molecular basis for this division of the suppressors into two subclasses is discussed.
Pronociceptive actions of isoflurane: a protective role for estrogen.

Background: Low concentrations of inhaled anesthetics present in the early postoperative period can increase pain sensitivity. Changes in pain threshold associated with inhaled anesthetics have been reported in male mice, rats, and humans. Methods: The authors compared the pain-enhancing effects of isoflurane in male and female mice in response to a thermal stimulus and studied the consequences of hormonal manipulation. Results: Isoflurane produced a larger increase in pain sensitivity in female mice. Both castration and oophorectomy resulted in an increase in baseline pain sensitivity and potentiated pain enhancement by isoflurane. At stages of the estrus cycle when estrogen was low, female mice showed greater pain enhancement from isoflurane than at high estrogen stages. Treatment with exogenous estrogen reduced isoflurane-induced pain sensitivity. Exogenous testosterone treatment had a similar effect, which did not occur when enzymatic conversion to estrogen was prevented. Conclusions: Because both estrogen and testosterone reduce the pronociceptive action of isoflurane, intact females may exhibit a larger increase in pain sensitivity because of their cyclical estrogen levels. Testosterone is effective in the male because of conversion to estrogen. Enhanced pain sensitivity is clearly undesirable in the postoperative setting. If these findings also apply to humans, the menstrual cycle may be an important factor in determining pain levels after emergence from general anesthesia.
New criteria for diagnosis of benign joint hypermobility in children

Benign joint hypermobility (BJH) is a clinical condition characterized by an increased ability of joints during passive and dynamic movements.
Electromagnetic scattering from two adjacent objects

In the paper, the problem of electromagnetic scattering from two adjacent particles is considered and an iterative solution that accounts for multiple scattering up to second-order is proposed. The first-order solution can easily be obtained by calculating the scattered field of isolated particles when illuminated by a plane-wave. To get the second-order solution, the scattered field from one of the particles, with nonuniform phase, amplitude, and polarization, is considered as the illuminating wave for the other particle and vice versa. In the work, the second-order scattered field is derived analytically using a novel technique based on the reciprocity theorem. In specific, the analytical solution for bistatic specular scattering from a cylinder and sphere pair is discussed and the results are compared with numerical computations based on the method of moments. >
Fast and Scalable Recurrent Neural Network Learning based on Stochastic Meta-Descent

This paper presents an efficient and scalable online learning algorithm for recurrent neural networks (RNNs). The approach is based on the real-time recurrent learning (RTRL) algorithm, whereby the sensitivity set of each neuron is reduced to weights associated with either its input or ouput links. This yields a reduced storage and computational complexity of O(N2). Stochastic meta-descent (SMD), an adaptive step size scheme for stochastic gradient-descent problems, is employed as means of incorporating curvature information in order to substantially accelerate the learning process. Despite the dramatic reduction in resource requirements, it is shown through simulation results that the approach outperforms regular RTRL by almost an order of magnitude. Moreover, the scheme lends itself to parallel hardware realization by virtue of the localized property that is inherent to the learning scheme.
The Politics of China's Emerging Micro-Blogs: Something New or More of the Same?

China’s Twitter-like micro-blogs, or weibo, have exploded in popularity since their launch in late 2009, and already have over 300 million users. From sparking investigations of a contentious train crash to uncovering official malfeasance, many Western and Chinese observers have credited China’s weibo with hastening the arrival of mass participation in Chinese governance. The end result, they argue, is that the Chinese Communist Party (CCP)’s tight grip on China’s media landscape will inevitably loosen, foretelling major political and social changes. Using a mixed-methods combination of mini-case studies, fieldwork, interviews and a series of large-scale computer-assisted content analysis, I argue that weibo’s likely political impact has been overblown. Not only have older media like newspapers been more politically aggressive than many scholars realize, but also weibo themselves are likely to follow the pattern set by previous emerging electronic media. In the long run, the CCP will likely tame China’s micro-blogs in a way that may even help foster the Party’s continuing rule. The revolution, in short, may not be Twittered.
Dynamics of Nonequilibrium Liquid Plasma Generation

In most cases, the electric breakdown of liquids is initiated by the application of high electric field on the electrode, followed by rapid propagation and branching of plasma channels. Typically plasmas are only considered to exist through the ionization of gases and typical production of plasmas in liquids has generated bubbles through heating or via cavitation and sustains the plasmas within those bubbles. The question appears: Is it possible to ionize the liquid without cracking and voids formation? To answer this question we used a pulsed power system with 32-220 kV pulse amplitude, 0.5-12 ns pulse duration, 150 ps rise time. Discharge cell had point-to-plate geometry with a tip diameter of 100 m. These parameters allow us to observe the non-equilibrium plasma generation. The measurements were performed with the help of 4Picos ICCD camera. It was found that discharge in liquid water forms in picosecond time scale. Emission intensity increase and plasma formation took 200-300 ps. Diameter of excited region near the tip of the high-voltage electrode was ~ 1 mm. After this initial stage emission rapidly decreased and plasma region becomes almost invisible in 500 ps. The absence of the emission during the rest of the pulse is explained by electrical field decrease on the boundary of conductive zone. Thus we have demonstrated possibility of formation of nonequilibrium plasma in liquid phase and investigated the dynamics of excitation and quenching of nonequilibrium plasma in liquid water.
Multiaccommodative stimuli in VR systems : Problems & solutions

Virtual reality environments can introduce multiple and sometimes conflicting accommodative stimuli. For instance, with the high-powered lenses commonly used in head-mounted displays, small discrepancies in screen lens placement, caused by manufacturer error or user adjustment focus error, can change the focal depths of the image by a couple of diopters. This can introduce a binocular accommodative stimulus or, if the displacement between the two screens is unequal, an unequal (anisometropic) accommodative stimulus for the two eyes. Systems that allow simultaneous viewing of virtual and real images can also introduce a conflict in accommodative stimuli: When real and virtual images are at different focal planes, both cannot be in focus at the same time, though they may appear to be in similar locations in space. In this paper four unique designs are described that minimize the range of accommodative stimuli and maximize the visual system's ability to cope efficiently with the focus conflicts that remain: ...
Advances in hatchery and grow‐out technology of cobia Rachycentron canadum (Linnaeus)

This paper describes advances in hatchery and growout technology of cobia (Rachycentron canadum, Linnaeus). In 2007, methods for capture, transport, acclimation, sampling, conditioned spawning, larval rearing, ¢ngerling production, nursery, shipping and grow-out have been perfected. Survival rates ranging from 17.5% to 35% were achieved from egg to shipping size ¢ngerlings (1.0 g) in 2007 at the University of Miami Experimental Fish Hatchery, with production of approximately 20 000 ¢ngerlings per 12000 L tank. Wild and F1 broodstock cobia have been conditioned to spawn through temperature manipulation producing viable eggs for experimental and production level larval rearing trials in several hatcheries. Brood ¢sh have also been induced to spawn using hormones. Cobia appear to be susceptible to infestations by parasitic protozoa such as Amyloodinium ocellatum and to infections caused by deleterious bacteria such as Photobacterium spp. and Vibrio spp. Prophylactic methods used to prevent and control epizootic diseases at the hatchery are summarized. Improved techniques for cage management were implemented, and both novel designs of submerged cages deployed in exposed areas and traditional gravity cages in protected areas have been used for commercial ongrowing of cobia in the Americas and the Caribbean region.
Letter by Gross and Du Regarding Article, "Intracranial Dural Arteriovenous Fistulae: Clinical Presentation and Management Strategies".

We read with interest the review by Miller and Gandhi1 on dural arteriovenous fistulae (dAVF). Limited by word count of a letter to the editor, we cannot provide more references/details; however, we have several inquiries. The authors state that dAVF may recruit pial arterial supply. Do they have a radiographic example of such a case? It would seem almost by definition that dAVF are supplied exclusively by meningeal arteries. Perhaps a pial arteriovenous fistula or arteriovenous malformation may be of mixed supply, but it is difficult to understand from a pathophysiologic basis that how a dAVF may recruit pial arterial supply. The authors credit an article in Neurosurgery from 1984 as one of the first to identify cortical venous drainage as the main risk factor for serious sequelae from dAVF. In their oft-cited 1972 article in Radiology , …
Postnatal maturation of carotid chemoreceptor responses to O2 and CO2 in the cat

This study aimed to characterize neural responses of the carotid chemoreceptors of the maturing cat to natural stimuli and to determine the time course of carotid chemoreceptor development from the...
Use of azathioprine or 6-mercaptopurine for treatment of steroid-dependent lymphocytic and collagenous colitis.

Use of Azathioprine or 6-mercaptopurine for treatment of steroid-dependent lymphocytic and collagenous colitis
Empirical Mode Decomposition Operator for Dewowing GPR Data

Signal processing tools available to ground penetrating radar data used for shallow subsurface imaging and hydrogeophysical parameter estimation are significantly handled using the same tools available to seismic reflection data. Overall, the same tools produce interpretable images from both data types, but particular noise (wow noise) in electromagnetic data must be removed before stable and accurate quantitative results can be produced. Wow noise is an inherent, nonlinear electromagnetic interference and a significant component of GPR data. Further, the nonlinear and non-stationary nature of wow noise provides a strong argument for preprocessing radar traces with time-domain operators. Time-domain operators designed for nonlinear signals are under increasing development for both electromagnetic and acoustic signal processing. This work demonstrates optimal wow noise removal from ground penetrating radar data using the empirical mode decomposition. The technique provides a data-driven approach to empirically dewowing GPR data.
Adults' knowledge of phoneme–letter relationships is phonology based and flexible

Despite the importance of phonemic awareness in beginning literacy, several studies have demonstrated that adults, including teacher trainees, have surprisingly poor phonemic skills. Three experiments investigated whether adults' responses in phonemic awareness and spelling segmentation tasks are based on units larger than single letters and phonemes. Responses often involved large units, and they were influenced by sonority and syllable structure. Participants who performed a phoneme counting task before a spelling segmentation task produced significantly more phoneme-based responses and fewer onset–rime responses than participants who first counted words in sentences. This training effect highlights the flexibility of adults' strategies. Although adults are capable of phoneme-based processing, they sometimes fail to use it.
Distinct roles for two synaptotagmin isoforms in synchronous and asynchronous transmitter release at zebrafish neuromuscular junction

An obligatory role for the calcium sensor synaptotagmins in stimulus-coupled release of neurotransmitter is well established, but a role for synaptotagmin isoform involvement in asynchronous release remains conjecture. We show, at the zebrafish neuromuscular synapse, that two separate synaptotagmins underlie these processes. Specifically, knockdown of synaptotagmin 2 (syt2) reduces synchronous release, whereas knockdown of synaptotagmin 7 (syt7) reduces the asynchronous component of release. The zebrafish neuromuscular junction is unique in having a very small quantal content and a high release probability under conditions of either low-frequency stimulation or high-frequency augmentation. Through these features, we further determined that during the height of shared synchronous and asynchronous transmission these two modes compete for the same release sites.
Prefrontal Cortex and Long-Term Memory Encoding: An Integrative Review of Findings from Neuropsychology and Neuroimaging

Recent findings have led to a growing appreciation of the role of the lateral prefrontal cortex (PFC) in episodic long-term memory (LTM). Here, the authors will review results from neuropsychological and neuroimaging studies of humans and present a framework to explain how different regions of the PFC contribute to successful LTM formation. Central to this framework is the idea that different regions within the PFC implement different control processes that augment memory by enhancing or attenuating memory for certain aspects of a particular item or event. Evidence reviewed here suggests that ventrolateral regions of the PFC contribute to the ability to select goal-relevant item information, and that this processing strengthens the representation of goal-relevant features of items during LTM encoding. Dorsolateral regions of the PFC may contribute to the ability to organize multiple pieces of information in working memory, thereby enhancing memory for associations among items in LTM. Thus, dorsolateral and ventrolateral regions of the PFC may implement different control processes that support LTM formation in a complementary fashion.
Gripper design guidelines for modular manufacturing

This paper describes guidelines for the design of grippers for use in modular manufacturing workcells. Gripper design is an important and often overlooked aspect of the design of a complete assembly system. Here, we present guidelines which can be applied to a wide variety of grippers and are divided into two major categories: those that improve system throughput and those that increase system reliability. Designs of several grippers, currently being used in a modular manufacturing workcell, are presented as examples of the application of the guidelines to real world problems.
Efficacy of Cysteine in Replacing Methionine in the Immune Responses of Broiler Chicks

Two trials were conducted to compare the effects of supplements of methionine and cysteine on the growth and immune responses of broiler chicks fed corn-soy diets. The basal diet contained 21% crude protein, 3,255 kcal metabolizable energy/kg diet, .35% methionine, .37% cysteine, and .13% choline. Additions to the basal diet were methionine (.063, .25, .85, and 1.45%), or cysteine (.203%), or a combination of methionine (.063%) and cysteine (.153%). Total antibody and 2-mercaptoethanol-resistant antibodies, immunoglobulin G (IgG), were determined in chicks inoculated intraperitoneally at 14 days of age and serially bled at 4, 7, and 10 days postinoculation. Thymus-derived (T)-cell-dependent in vivo mitogen response to phytohemagglutinin-P (PHA-P) was assessed via wing web swelling. The methionine requirement for growth (0 to 3 wk of age) was found to be no more than .413% of the diet (.35% in the basal diet plus .063% added). Addition of 1.45% methionine to the basal diet resulted in significant depression (P less than .05) in growth. The antibody responses generally peaked at 7 days postprimary inoculation. Both methionine and cystine supplementation at low levels resulted in improvement in the cell mediated PHA-P responses as well as in the IgG (T-cell-dependent) responses. High supplemental methionine (1.45%), however, caused significant (P less than .05) depressions in both responses. Equimolar additions of methionine and cysteine (16.8 mmol/kg diet) showed that cysteine was about 84 and 70% as efficacious as methionine in the IgG and the PHA-P stimulation (PHA-I), respectively, in healthy chicks.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
By the Numbers: Certifying Class Actions Based on Statistics

This article analyzes two major class action issues the Supreme Court will consider in Tyson Foods, Inc. v. Bouaphakeo, argued November 10, 2015. The underlying litigation involves the claims of workers at a Tyson Foods poultry processing facility concerning alleged overtime wage discrimination for so-called "donning and doffing" activities of the workers. The Court will consider whether, in certifying a class action under Federal Rule 23(b)(3) or a collective action under the Fair Labor Standards Act, a court may rely on representative proof based on statistical methodology to determine a defendant’s liability and damages, presuming all class members to be identical to the sample average. In evaluating the use of statistical methodology to ascertain classwide damages, the Court may revisit its pronouncements on "trial by formula" repudiated by the Court in Wal-Mart v. Dukes. In addition, the Court also may determine whether a class or collective action may be certified where numerous class members allegedly have suffered no injury and have no right to damages. Assessment of the status of so-called "no injury" classes may entail consideration of standing requirements in class action jurisprudence.
Painful Medical Conditions and Alcohol Use: A Prospective Study among Older Adults

Objective To determine associations between older adults’ baseline painful medical conditions and their 10-year drinking behavior, and whether personal and life context characteristics moderate these associations.
Search Engine Advertising (SEA) Or Organic Links: Do Customers See The Difference?

This study seeks to investigate the perceptions and attitudes of internet users toward the sponsored link. In light of this study, respondents do not express greater bias with sponsored links in comparison with traditional advertising media, as well as in comparison with organic links. Among factors that mostly affect searchers’ attitudes, the informativeness is the critical factor; however, no specific category of information will significantly increase the respondent’s likelihood to explore a sponsored link. It is rather text relevance to the keyword typed by the searcher that makes a link attractive. Results also indicate that business students recognize a great value and potential benefits of using search engine advertising as a marketing tool.
Role of Larval Stemmata in Control of Pupal Color and Pupation Site Preference in Swallowtail Butterflies Papilio troilus, Papilio polyxenes, Eurytides marcellus, and Papilio glaucus (Lepidoptera: Papilionidae)

Swallowtail butterfly species (Lepidoptera: Papilionidae) dimorphic for pupal color produce cryptic brown and green pupae in response to environmental cues. The occurrence of perceptible and reliable cues about pupation site color is a necessary condition for the evolution of this adaptation. By comparing the pupal color responses of prepupal larvae blinded by cautery of the stemmata with prepupal larvae cauterized, but not blinded, we show that the larval eyes (stemmata) mediate the pupal color response. Using a similar comparison, we also show that the stemmata are involved in pupation site choice by prepupal larvae. Considered in light of previously published work on the spectral sensitivities of stemmatal photoreceptors, the absorption spectra of green vegetation and the effects of different colored surfaces on pupal color, our results suggest a model for the proximate control of pupal color involving the differential stimulation of green and blue stemmatal photoreceptors.
Detection of Campylobacter jejuni Strains in the Water Lines of a Commercial Broiler House and Their Relationship to the Strains That Colonized the Chickens

Campylobacter jejuni is frequently present in the intestinal tract of commercial broiler chickens, and their drinking water has been proposed to be an initial source of bacteria for newly hatched chicks. We studied three sequential commercial broiler flocks raised in a house from which we had cultured C. jejuni from the nipple waters prior to placement of the first flock. Campylobacter cells were detected by immunofluorescence in the biofilm of the drinking nipples during the weeks when the flock was colonized with C. jejuni but not during weeks when the birds were negative. Campylobacter jejuni was isolated from the drinking water during the growth of the first flock and was present in the birds from all three flocks. Randomly amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD)-polymerase chain reaction (PCR) typing with primer OPA11 indicated that seven distinct strains were present within the broiler house. One strain found in drinking water was similar to a strain found in birds in the second flock; however, RAPD-PCR with primer HLW85 showed that the strains were not identical. These results suggest that although the watering system is a potential source of C. jejuni in broiler flocks, the waterborne strain in this study was not detected in the birds.
Truss and Frame Analysis

A truss is a structure composed of rod members arranged to form one or more triangles. The joints are pinned (do not transmit moments) so that the members must be triangulated. A frame, on the other hand, is a structure that consists of arbitrarily oriented beam members which are connected rigidly or by pins at joints. The members support bending as well as axial loads.
Feasibility of radiolabeled small molecule permeability as a quantitative measure of microbicide candidate toxicity

Abstract Objective To determine the feasibility of using quantitative changes in vaginal permeability to small molecules as a measure of candidate microbicide toxicity. Study design Controlled, open-labeled, prospective study. Seven healthy women received a single vaginal dose of hydroxyethylcellulose gel (HEC), nonoxynol-9 (N-9) or K-Y Jelly. Each gel was radiolabeled with a small molecule ( 99m Tc-DTPA) followed by 12-h blood and urine collection. Pharmacokinetic (PK) parameters of 99m Tc-DTPA were calculated to compare the impact of each gel on vaginal permeability. Each woman served as her own control. The Friedman test with post hoc Wilcoxon test was used to detect differences among the gels. Results Vaginal permeability of 99m Tc-DTPA was highest for the N-9 radiolabel. N-9 plasma area under the concentration curve was 2.7-fold higher (p=.04), and peak concentration was threefold higher (p=.04) compared to HEC. There were no significant PK parameter differences between HEC and K-Y Jelly or between N-9 and K-Y Jelly. Cumulative dose-adjusted median (interquartile range) 12-h timed urine gamma activity was 66.70×10 −4 μCi (27.90–152.00) following HEC dosing, 103.00×10 −4 μCi (98.20–684.00) following N-9 gel dosing and 20.30×10 −4 μCi (11.10–55.90) following K-Y gel dosing. The differences between urine HEC and K-Y Jelly (p=.047) and between N-9 and K-Y Jelly (p=.016) were statistically significant. Conclusions It is feasible to measure differences in vaginal permeability among vaginal gels using a radiolabeled small molecule, though there are permeability differences that require a nuanced understanding of gel composition to interpret the results. Implications Establishing the safety of both vehicle and active pharmaceutical ingredient is an essential task in microbicide development, to be determined as soon as possible. This study suggests that a combination of microbicide toxicity assessments, that is, cervicovaginal permeability, inspection and histopathology, may need to be studied simultaneously.
New faces in new spaces in new places: Residential attainment among newly legalized immigrants in established, new, and minor destinations.

Abstract Immigrants at the beginning of the twenty-first century are located in a more diverse set of metropolitan areas than at any point in U.S. history. Whether immigrants' residential prospects are helped or hindered in new versus established immigrant-receiving areas has been the subject of debate. Using multilevel models and data from the New Immigrant Survey (NIS), a nationally representative sample of newly legalized immigrants to the U.S., we move beyond aggregate-level analyses of residential segregation to specify the influence of destination type on individual-level immigrant residential outcomes. The findings indicate that immigrants in new and minor destinations are significantly more likely to live in tracts with relatively more non-Hispanic whites and relatively fewer immigrants and poor residents. These residential advantages persist net of individual-level controls but are largely accounted for by place-to-place differences in metropolitan composition and structure. Our exclusive focus on newly legalized immigrants means that our findings do not necessarily contradict the possibility of worse residential prospects in new areas of settlement, but rather qualifies it as not extending to the newly authorized population.
Bacterial wilt of cucurbits: impact of plant age on symptom progression and pathogen movement and locating genes associated with host preference and pathogenesis in E. tracheiphila

Bacterial wilt of cucurbits is a devastating disease of cucurbit crops in the midAtlantic region of the USA. Caused by Erwinia tracheiphila, it is transmitted by striped (Acalymma vittatum (F.)) and spotted (Diabrotica undecimpunctata howardi (Barber)) cucumber beetles. The management of bacterial wilt relies primarily on the control of cucumber beetles with insecticides. However, alternative management strategies are needed due to the high cost of insecticides and their negative impact on the environment. Understanding bacterial wilt etiology and the ecology of E. tracheiphila may provide insights to help control bacterial wilt of cucurbits. The first objective of my thesis research was to evaluate the impact of host age on the rate of symptom development and the extent of bacterial movement in the xylem of muskmelon. Wilting occurred more rapidly on muskmelon seedlings that were 2 or 4 weeks old when inoculated than those that were 6 or 8 weeks old. Culturing of a rifampicin-resistant strain of E. tracheiphila from muskmelon stem segments after inoculation revealed that vascular spread of E. tracheiphila was more extensive below than above the inoculation point. These findings provide experimental evidence that host age impacts the rate of symptom development in cucurbit bacterial wilt and that withinplant movement of the xylem pathogen E. tracheiphila occurs primarily in the downward direction. The second objective of my thesis was to locate the genetic basis of host preference and pathogenicity in E. tracheiphila. Previous studies at Iowa State University suggested that specificity of E. tracheiphila strains was correlated with host genus
Group therapy reduces medical and psychiatric hospitalization

This article studies the impact of outpatient group therapy on medical care at a large city − county hospital. Of the 65 group therapy outpatients, 33 persons met the criterion of having attended at least 12 group sessions over the course of a year. We compared a control period (the year prior to initiating group therapy) with a study period (months 6-18 after starting group) and found a sharp decrease in the number of hospitalizations and in-hospital days. There was significantly increased use of neuroleptics and nonpsychotropics and increased attendance at nonpsychiatric clinics
Preclinical Skills in Dentistry and Theories of Dental Decay: Their Relationships in Dental Education

IT WAS pointed out in the chapter on dental edu cation in The Survey of Dentistry that very few den tal curricula in the United States could be regarded as experimental and that the small number of such curricula emphasized the need for a greater amount of experimentation. In particular, it was suggested that dental schools experiment with courses that serve to bridge the gap between the basic sciences and clinical practice (5: 330). Since the publication of this important document in dentistry, very few research studies have been conducted that relate to the fundamentals of the den tal curriculum. A search through the literature brings to light the fact that in the past few years no more than three or four studies have been published that might be considered experiments in curriculum. Among these were one by Bernard, Smith and Nicholls (1), who experimented with a modified block system in the teaching of pedodontics, and one by Darby, Chen, and Podshadley (2), who explored the feasibil ity and effects of condensing a two-semester course in clinical dentistry into a block of time of three weeks' duration. None of these studies, however, were concerned with testing the feasibility and ef fects of correlating a course in the basic sciences with the clinical or preclinical aspects of dentistry.