cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Using consumption constellations to develop integrated communications strategies

Abstract We advocate a holistic perspective on both communications and consumption processes. Much of the current emphasis in the area of integrated marketing communications is on the effective coordination of activities among different communications media. In contrast, our perspective emphasizes the content of the message and the notion that to create effective message strategies marketers must understand the context in which a product exists for consumers. We call attention to the role that symbolically based product complementarity (termed consumption constellations) plays in creating and maintaining social identities. Understanding how consumption constellations are represented cognitively and used by consumers as guides for consumption behavior provides valuable input in the development of integrated marketing communications. We provide a review of a program of research aimed at developing methods for identifying consumption constellations, and we also discuss the application of this work to developing effective integrated marketing communications strategies.
Primary lymphoma of the breast

Experience with primary malignant lymphoma in the breast at the Barnes Hospital is reviewed and analyzed. Sixteen cases were found which satisfied our criteria. Eleven were classified as malignant lymphoma, histiocytic type, and five as lymphocytic type. No cases of Hodgkin's disease were identified. Several intesting associations were noted. Two cases were associated with pregnancy. One case was preceded by carcinoma and another by cystic mastitis; both cases were proved by biopsy. Bilateral breast involvement by tumor was seen four times. Primary mammary lymphoma is an aggressive disease, with a high predilection for the right breast. Histologically, the tumor tends to infiltrate between mammary ducts without destroying them. In spite of various therapies, only three patients survived 5 years.
The limitations of small outcome studies

source of inappropriate referrals to MPI in their institution was pre-operative risk stratification. However, they also found that 40% of these inappropriate studies were abnormal. They, therefore, designed this study to examine the relationship between MPI appropriateness, MPI findings, and subsequent clinical outcomes. Their novel and provocative hypothesis was that MPI findings would predict outcome in appropriate studies, but not in inappropriate studies. Koh et al are to be commended for this novel study and their hypothesis. Their emphasis on clinical outcomes as the primary outcome in this study is laudatory. In the current era of quality improvement and performance measurement, clinical outcomes are increasingly predominant. Performance measures that focus on ‘‘process’’ or ‘‘surrogates’’ are being de-emphasized. Likewise, in the ongoing discussion related to healthcare reform, a focus on value in healthcare now dominates. Value is often defined in terms of patient outcomes, satisfaction, and safety, adjusted for cost over a span of care. 3 Unfortunately, studies which focus on clinical outcomes require considerable larger sample sizes than clinical research which utilizes other endpoints. The power of any study to detect differences in outcome, or to define important determinants of outcome, is primarily determined not by the sample size, but rather by the number of events. Thus, the sample size required in a population with a low incidence of subsequent events, such as patients with mild symptoms and stable coronary artery disease, is considerably larger than the sample size required in a population with a high event rate, such as patients with advanced heart failure. Outcome studies are therefore considerably more difficult to perform, particularly on a single-center-basis, and generally require both larger sample sizes and longer follow-up than most investigators recognize. Koh et al chose to focus on major cardiac and cerebrovascular events (MACCE) during 90 days of follow-up. Given the short follow-up, and generally low rate of cardiac or cerebrovascular events at the time of non-cardiac surgery in current practice, their study hypothesis demanded a very large sample size.
Lethal effects of high temperatures on nondiapausing pupae ofBathyplectes curculionis [Hym.: Ichneumonidae]

Nondiapausing pupae ofBathyplectes curculionis (Thomson) were studied under laboratory conditions.
Dependence on grain boundary structure of radiation induced segregation in a 9 wt.% Cr model ferritic/martensitic steel

Ferritic/Martensitic (F/M) steels containing 9 wt.% Cr are candidates for structural and cladding components in the next generation of advanced nuclear fission and fusion reactors. Although it is known these alloys exhibit radiation-induced segregation (RIS) at grain boundaries (GBs) while in-service, little is known about the mechanism behind RIS in F/M steels. The classical understanding of RIS in F/M steels presents a mechanism where point defects migrate to GBs acting as perfect sinks. However, variation in grain boundary structure may influence the sink efficiency and these migration processes. A proton irradiated 9 wt.% Cr model alloy steel was investigated using STEM/EDS spectrum imaging and GB misorientation analysis to determine the role of GB structure on RIS at different GBs. An ab initio based rate theory model was developed and compared to the experimental findings. This investigation found Cr preferentially segregates to specific GB structures. The preferential segregation to specific GB structures suggests GB structure plays a key role in the mechanism behind radiation-induced segregation, showing that not all grain boundaries in F/M steels act as perfect sinks. The study also found how irradiation dose and temperature impact the radiation-induced segregation response in F/M steels.
Temperature dependence of surface and bulk absorption in NaCl and KCl at 10.6 μm

The optical-absorption coefficient $\ensuremath{\beta}$ has been measured in NaCl and KCl at 10.6 \ensuremath{\mu}m from 100 to 300 K using low-temperature, C${\mathrm{O}}_{2}$ laser calorimetry. From the total absorption, both bulk and surface contributions were extracted. Bulk $\ensuremath{\beta}'\mathrm{s}$ of 1.4 \ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{} ${10}^{\ensuremath{-}4}$ and 3 \ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{} ${10}^{\ensuremath{-}5}$ ${\mathrm{cm}}^{\ensuremath{-}1}$ (upper limit) were measured for NaCl and KCl, respectively, at 100 K and 10.6 \ensuremath{\mu}m. The temperature dependence of the bulk values are compared to several recent multiphonon theories. The temperature dependence of the surface absorption is also presented and discussed for NaCl and KCl.
The modulation of growth by HMBA in PKC overproducing HT29 colon cancer cells.

To examine whether protein kinase C (PKC) plays a role in mediating growth inhibitory effects of hexamethylene bisacetamide (HMBA) we compared a control H29 colon cancer cell line to a derivative, HT29-PKC7, that overexpresses high levels of PKCβ1. We found that although HMBA markedly inhibited the growth of the control cells, no inhibition was seen with the HT29-PKC7 cells. On the other hand the tumor promoter 12-0-tetradecanoyl-phorbol-13 acetate inhibited the growth of HT29-PKC7 cells, but no inhibition was seen with the control cells. Maximum inhibition of the growth of both cell lines was obtained by combined treatment with HMBA and TPA. These results may be relevant to the use of HMBA in combination with other agents in the therapy of specific cancers.
PET detector modules based on novel detector technologies

A successful PET detector module must identify 511 keV photons with: high efficiency (> 85%), high spatial resolution (< 5 mm fwhm), low cost (<$600/in.2), low dead time (< 4 μs in.2), good timing resolution (< 5 ns fwhm for conventional PET, < 200 ps fwhm for time of flight), and good energy resolution (< 100 keV fwhm), where these requirements are listed in order of decreasing importance. The “high efficiency” requirement also implies that the detector modules must pack together without inactive gaps. Several novel and emerging radiation detector technologies could improve the performance of PET detectors. Avalanche photodiodes, PIN photodiodes, metal channel dynode photomultiplier tubes, and new scintillators all have the potential to improve PET detectors significantly.
Influence of Soil pH−Sorption Interactions on Imazethapyr Carry-over

Soil pH affects imazethapyr sorption-desorption, which in turn can affect persistence and bioavailability. Long-term imazethapyr carry-over has been observed in soil that is below pH 6.5, resulting in significant sugarbeet damage. Imazethapyr concentration decreased rapidly in field soil, regardless of pH. Despite similar amounts of imazethapyr remaining in aged soils at different pH levels, there were differences in bioavailability, which can be explained by sorption-desorption. At low pH more imazethapyr was sorbed than at high pH, but it readily desorbed. At high pH less imazethapyr was sorbed initially, but it did not readily desorb. Thus, after 3 months, the remaining imazethapyr in low-pH soil was desorbable and bioavailable, resulting in injury to canola and sugarbeet. Liming aged, low-pH soil released bound imazethapyr residues, which would then be degraded and result in less carry-over.
Evaluation of cyclooxygenase-2 inhibition in an orthotopic murine model of lung cancer for dose-dependent effect.

Objectives Cyclooxygenase-2 plays a role in growth, apoptosis, angiogenesis, and metastasis in lung cancer. Inhibition of cyclooxygenase-2 with celecoxib has been shown to inhibit tumor growth. We evaluated the effect of increasing doses of celecoxib in a murine model of human lung cancer. Methods Human lung adenocarcinoma cells (A549) were implanted in the left lung upper lobe of mice with severe combined immunodeficiency syndrome. Mice were randomly assigned to 4 groups at implantation (n = 10 per group): control, 125 mg/kg chow, 500 mg/kg chow, 1000 mg/kg chow. After 3 weeks, mice were killed, and a blinded observer measured total tumor volume. The dose effect of celecoxib was examined in vitro by studying cell proliferation, expression of cyclooxygenase-2 (mRNA and protein), and production of prostaglandin E 2 in unstimulated and interleukin 1β-stimulated cells. Results All 40 mice survived for 3 weeks with no observed toxicities. Total tumor volume was inhibited in each celecoxib group ( P = .0038, Welch analysis of variance): 206.7 ± 119.5 mm 3 (control group), 41.4 ± 54.0 mm 3 (low-dose group), 34.5 ± 39.3 mm 3 (medium-dose group), and 27.3 ± 53.6 mm 3 (high-dose group). In vitro celecoxib was effective at inhibiting production of prostaglandin E 2 , even in stimulated cells, although little effect was seen on cyclooxygenase-2 protein levels. Inhibition of proliferation was evident only at doses that exceeded those used in the animal model. Conclusion Inhibition of cyclooxygenase-2 with low-dose celecoxib restricted the growth of lung cancer in this model. This might be mediated by prostaglandin E 2 . Higher doses of celecoxib afforded no additional benefit. Chronic therapy with low-dose cyclooxygenase-2 inhibition has the potential to influence tumor progression in non-small cell lung cancer.
"Experimentation" with chloroform.

Abstract A young patient presented with unconsciousness, cardiac arrhythmias, arterial hypotension, and mild intravascular hemolysis after intentional inhalation of chloroform. After the initial complications had resolved, nausea, loss of appetite, and mild transitory jaundice developed. Chloroform-associated hepatotoxicity was biochemically and histologically documented. Facilitating factors included longterm moderate alcohol consumption and an initial episode of arterial hypoxemia. Chloroform Inhalation for recreational purposes is probably uncommon. Yet, because of its delayed onset, chloroform poisoning should be considered in acute liver disease without a clear antecedent cause.
A +5dBFS third-order extended dynamic range single-loop ΔΣ modulator

A new single-loop delta-sigma modulator with extended dynamic range is proposed. It employs an auxiliary multi-bit quantizer which processes the quantization error of the main quantizer. This addition guarantees improved stability over a wider input signal range. The cancelation of the quantization noise of the main quantizer is done via in-loop digital summation and is immune to opamp DC gain. As a proof of concept, a 3rd order modulator is designed in a 0.18µm CMOS process. This implementation incorporates a 3-level main quantizer, a 9-level auxiliary quantizer and 30dB open-loop opamp gain. Measurement results show that at 1.2V power supply and reference, the input signal can go over +5dBFS without any stability issues, achieving 75dB SNDR and 77.2dB dynamic range at OSR of 16. The clock frequency is 40MHz and the power dissipation is 4.9mW.
Supply chain risk mitigations with expedited shipping

Abstract We study supply chain risk mitigations by incorporating expedited shipping. The firm we consider can source from two suppliers—one is unreliable while the other is perfectly reliable but more expensive. It intends to mitigate the potential risks caused by random disruptions at the unreliable supplier by adapting its risk mitigation policy based on the supplier’s disruption factors, such as the expected disruption length and expected availability, together with other information on costs and transportation time. This work generalizes the research of Tomlin [32] who investigated a similar problem without expedited shipping. We show how the expedited shipping option influences the optimal mitigation strategies, and conclude that a firm’s optimal risk-mitigation strategy is sensitive to its capability of expediting shipments. We also identify the cost-saving feature of expedited shipping for supply chain risk mitigations, and demonstrate that it is a good alternative when the cost of maintaining flexible capacity at the reliable supplier is high. These characterize the importance of considering expedited shipping in supply chain risk mitigation, and offer insights for developing new transportation modes with expedited shipping in practice.
Early experience and levels of noxious stimulation in monkeys

An analysis conducted in retrospect revealed that monkeys reared in isolation had a lower required level of shock (RLS) in order to perform a complex operant task than did monkeys reared in environments which permitted varying degrees of visual, tactile and social stimulation. This behavior prevailed (1) under conditions of both, avoidance and escape training and (2) at the time of initial exposure to shock and 10 months thereafter. A limited confirmation of Fuller's theory of emergence (1968) is discussed.
Sequence of progression of albuminuria and decreased GFR in persons with type 1 diabetes: a cohort study.

Background The sensitivity of albuminuria in predicting loss of kidney function has been questioned. We determined the sequence of kidney disease stages (microalbuminuria, macroalbuminuria, low estimated glomerular filtration rate [eGFR], and end-stage renal disease [ESRD]) and characterized those without albuminuria before a low eGFR. Study Design The Pittsburgh Epidemiology of Diabetes Complications Study is a prospective cohort investigation of childhood-onset type 1 diabetes. Setting & Participants 480 study participants with eGFR greater than 60 mL/min/1.73 m 2 (mean age, 27 years; diabetes duration, 19 years at study entry) were prospectively followed up for 16 years. Outcomes & Measurements Low eGFR was defined as creatinine clearance less than 60 mL/min/1.73 m 2 from timed urine collections; microalbuminuria, as albumin excretion rate between 20 to 200 μg/min (30 to 300 mg/24 h); macroalbuminuria, as albumin excretion rate greater than 200 μg/min (>300 mg/24 h); and ESRD, as dialysis or renal transplantation. Results The 33 of 480 individuals (7%) who developed ESRD had prior albuminuria. 71 of 480 (15%) individuals developed low eGFR. 66 of 71 (93%) had prior/concurrent albuminuria, and 5 of 71 (7%) did not. Incident low eGFR values in the 5 patients were: (1) 54, (2) 58, (3) 59, (4) 59.7, and (5) 59.8 mL/min/1.73 m 2 . 3 of 5 (60%; patients 1, 4, and 5) subsequently developed albuminuria. Final eGFRs in the 5 patients were: (1) 94, (2) 86, (3) 60, (4) 65, and (5) 54 mL/min/1.73 m 2 , respectively. Limitations GFR and insulin sensitivity were not measured, but estimated. Incident decreased eGFR in patients without preceding/concurrent albuminuria may be caused by misclassification or a temporary eGFR decrease. Conclusions Moderately decreased eGFR may occur rarely in patients with type 1 diabetes without preceding albuminuria.
Mobility control in the displacement of residual oil by an unstable foam

A qualitative analysis is developed for the displacement of an unstable foam in a porous structure. The effects of the magnitude of the London-van der Waals forces, of the surface tension, of the surface viscosities, of the quality (volume fraction of the gas), of the bubble size, and of the viscosity of the foaming agent solution are investigated. A number of qualitative conclusions are drawn regarding three aspects of mobility control: distribution of bypassed oil, speed of displacement, and displacement efficiency. Ideally, any change in formulation should increase both the speed of displacement and the displacement efficiency. This is possible only by decreasing the surface viscosities. With all of the other variables, whenever either the speed of displacement or the displacement efficiency is increased, the other is decreased. Whether both the speed of displacement and the displacement efficiency actually increase on reducing the surface viscosities depends on whether the effects of the surface viscosities are dominant.
Chronic cigarette smoking causes hypertension, increased oxidative stress, impaired NO bioavailability, endothelial dysfunction, and cardiac remodeling in mice

Cigarette smoking is a major independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease. While the association between chronic smoking and cardiovascular disease is well established, the underlying mechanisms are incompletely understood, partly due to the lack of adequate in vivo animal models. Here, we report a mouse model of chronic smoking-induced cardiovascular pathology. Male C57BL/6J mice were exposed to whole body mainstream cigarette smoke (CS) using a SCIREQ "InExpose" smoking system (48 min/day, 5 days/wk) for 16 or 32 wk. Age-matched, air-exposed mice served as nonsmoking controls. Blood pressure was measured, and cardiac MRI was performed. In vitro vascular ring and isolated heart experiments were performed to measure vascular reactivity and cardiac function. Blood from control and smoking mice was studied for the nitric oxide (NO) decay rate and reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation. With 32 wk of CS exposure, mice had significantly less body weight gain and markedly higher blood pressure. At 32 wk of CS exposure, ACh-induced vasorelaxation was significantly shifted to the right and downward, left ventricular mass was significantly larger along with an increased heart-to-body weight ratio, in vitro cardiac function tended to be impaired with high afterload, white blood cells had significantly higher ROS generation, and the blood NO decay rate was significantly faster. Thus, smoking led to blunted weight gain, hypertension, endothelial dysfunction, leukocyte activation with ROS generation, decreased NO bioavailability, and mild cardiac hypertrophy in mice that were not otherwise predisposed to disease. This mouse model is a useful tool to enable further elucidation of the molecular and cellular mechanisms of smoking-induced cardiovascular diseases.
« Une taxinomie de l'interdisciplinarité »

Les trois termes les plus frequemment utilises et qui sont associes a l’interdisciplinarite – multidisciplinarite, interdisciplinarite, transdisciplinarite – constitutent la principale taxinomie pour comprendre les degres d’interaction et d’integration entre les disciplines ainsi que les degres de collaboration au sein des equipes de recherche. Les typologies distinguent egalement les activites methodologiques qui visent a ameliorer les resultats theoriques a la faveur d’une meilleure comprehension des enjeux epistemologiques. La construction d’un « pont » laisse intactes les approches existantes, alors que la restructuration produit de l’interdisciplinarite et des champs nouveaux. La resolution instrumentale ou opportuniste des problemes differe des formes critiques qui interrogent la structure existante de la connaissance et de l’education. La transdisciplinarite inclut la quete d’unite de meme qu’un nouvel encadrement en vue de comprendre les phenomenes complexes et la recherche trans-sectorielle qui implique les acteurs de la societe.
Limits to trophic levels and omnivory in complex food webs: theory and data.

Abstract: While trophic levels have found broad application throughout ecology, they are also in much contention on analytical and empirical grounds. Here, we use a new generation of data and theory to examine long‐standing questions about trophic‐level limits and degrees of omnivory. The data include food webs of the Chesapeake Bay, U.S.A., the island of Saint Martin, a U.K. grassland, and a Florida seagrass community, which appear to be the most trophically complete food webs available in the primary literature due to their inclusion of autotrophs and empirically derived estimates of the relative energetic contributions of each trophic link. We show that most (54%) of the 212 species in the four food webs can be unambiguously assigned to a discrete trophic level. Omnivory among the remaining species appears to be quite limited, as judged by the standard deviation of omnivores’ energy‐weighted food‐chain lengths. This allows simple algorithms based on binary food webs without energetic details to yield s...
Enhancing and suppressing effects of recombinant murine macrophage inflammatory proteins on colony formation in vitro by bone marrow myeloid progenitor cells

Purified recombinant (r) macrophage inflammatory proteins (MIPs) 1 alpha, 1 beta, and 2 were assessed for effects on murine (mu) and human (hu) marrow colony-forming unit-granulocyte-macrophage (CFU-GM) and burst-forming unit-erythroid (BFU-E) colonies. Recombinant MIP-1 alpha, -1 beta, and -2 enhanced muCFU-GM colonies above that stimulated with 10 to 100 U natural mu macrophage-colony-stimulating factor (M-CSF) or rmuGM-CSF, with enhancement seen on huCFU-GM colony formation stimulated with suboptimal rhuM-CSF or rhuGM-CSF; effects were neutralized by respective MIP-specific antibodies. Macrophage inflammatory proteins had no effects on mu or huBFU-E colonies stimulated with erythropoietin (Epo). However, natural MIP-1 and rMIP-1 alpha, but not rMIP-1 beta or -2, suppressed muCFU-GM stimulated with pokeweed mitogen spleen-conditioned medium (PWMSCM), huCFU-GM stimulated with optimal rhuGM-CSF plus rhu interleukin-3 (IL-3), muBFU-E and multipotential progenitors (CFU-GEMM) stimulated with Epo plus PWMSCM, and huBFU-E and CFU-GEMM stimulated with Epo plus rhuIL-3 or rhuGM-CSF. The suppressive effects of natural MIP-1 and rMIP-1 alpha were also apparent on a population of BFU-E, CFU-GEMM, and CFU-GM present in cell-sorted fractions of human bone marrow (CD34 HLA-DR+) highly enriched for progenitors with cloning efficiencies of 42% to 75%. These results, along with our previous studies, suggest that MIP-1 alpha, -1 beta, and -2 may have direct myelopoietic enhancing activity for mature progenitors, while MIP-1 alpha may have direct suppressing activity for more immature progenitors.
A stochastic expectation and maximization algorithm for detecting quantitative trait-associated genes

Motivation: Most biological traits may be correlated with the underlying gene expression patterns that are partially determined by DNA sequence variation. The correlations between gene expressions and quantitative traits are essential for understanding the functions of genes and dissecting gene regulatory networks. Results: In the present study, we adopted a novel statistical method, called the stochastic expectation and maximization (SEM) algorithm, to analyze the associations between gene expression levels and quantitative trait values and identify genetic loci controlling the gene expression variations. In the first step, gene expression levels measured from microarray experiments were assigned to two different clusters based on the strengths of their association with the phenotypes of a quantitative trait under investigation. In the second step, genes associated with the trait were mapped to genetic loci of the genome. Because gene expressions are quantitative, the genetic loci controlling the expression traits are called expression quantitative trait loci. We applied the same SEM algorithm to a real dataset collected from a barley genetic experiment with both quantitative traits and gene expression traits. For the first time, we identified genes associated with eight agronomy traits of barley. These genes were then mapped to seven chromosomes of the barley genome. The SEM algorithm and the result of the barley data analysis are useful to scientists in the areas of bioinformatics and plant breeding. Availability and implementation: The R program for the SEM algorithm can be downloaded from our website: http://www.statgen.ucr.edu Contact: [email protected] Supplementary information:Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
A high-throughput investigation of Fe–Cr–Al as a novel high-temperature coating for nuclear cladding materials

High-temperature alloy coatings that can resist oxidation are urgently needed as nuclear cladding materials to mitigate the danger of hydrogen explosions during meltdown. Here we apply a combination of computationally guided materials synthesis, high-throughput structural characterization and data analysis tools to investigate the feasibility of coatings from the Fe–Cr–Al alloy system. Composition-spread samples were synthesized to cover the region of the phase diagram previous bulk studies have identified as forming protective oxides. The metallurgical and oxide phase evolution were studied via in situ synchrotron glancing incidence x-ray diffraction at temperatures up to 690 K. A composition region with an Al concentration greater than 3.08 at%, and between 20.0 at% and 32.9 at% Cr showed the least overall oxide growth. Subsequently, a series of samples were deposited on stubs and their oxidation behavior at 1373 K was observed. The continued presence of a passivating oxide was confirmed in this region over a period of 6 h.
Choosing a genome browser for a Model Organism Database: surveying the Maize community

As the B73 maize genome sequencing project neared completion, MaizeGDB began to integrate a graphical genome browser with its existing web interface and database. To ensure that maize researchers would optimally benefit from the potential addition of a genome browser to the existing MaizeGDB resource, personnel at MaizeGDB surveyed researchers' needs. Collected data indicate that existing genome browsers for maize were inadequate and suggest implementation of a browser with quick interface and intuitive tools would meet most researchers' needs. Here, we document the survey's outcomes, review functionalities of available genome browser software platforms and offer our rationale for choosing the GBrowse software suite for MaizeGDB. Because the genome as represented within the MaizeGDB Genome Browser is tied to detailed phenotypic data, molecular marker information, available stocks, etc., the MaizeGDB Genome Browser represents a novel mechanism by which the researchers can leverage maize sequence information toward crop improvement directly. Database URL: http://gbrowse.maizegdb.org/
Split sample comparison of ThinPrep and conventional smears in endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography-guided pancreatic fine-needle aspirations.

Fine-needle aspiration (FNA) of pancreatic lesions is a common procedure to establish a tissue diagnosis before chemotherapy or surgery. In this study, the authors attempt to compare the diagnostic value of the ThinPrep (TP) method with conventional smears (CSs) in samples obtained by endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP)-guided pancreatic FNAs. Material obtained, prospectively, from ERCP-guided pancreatic FNAs was split to prepare CSs (2–5 slides) first, the remainder being rinsed in PreservCyte, and in the laboratory, 1 TP slide was prepared. The diagnostic categories of unsatisfactory, benign, reactive, suspicious for malignancy, and malignant were compared. Fifty-one pancreatic FNAs prepared by split sample method yielded the following results: TP yielded unsatisfactory, 6 cases; benign, 3 cases; reactive, 5 cases; suspicious for malignancy, 11 cases; and malignant, 26 cases; in contrast, CS yielded unsatisfactory, 13 cases; benign, 4 cases; reactive, 3 cases; suspicious for malignancy, 13 cases; and malignant, 18 cases. Histological follow-up was available in 21 cases (reactive, 8 cases; suspicious for malignancy, 1 case, and malignant, 12 cases). The foregoing data indicate a higher sensitivity in detection of pancreatic adenocarcinoma by the TP method (TP, 91% vs. 58% CS) with equivalent specificity (100%). In addition, TP provides better preservation and cytological detail. Diagn. Cytopathol. 2005;32:70–75. © 2005 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
3D tracking = classification + interpolation

Hand gestures are examples of fast and complex motions. Computers fail to track these in fast video, but sleight of hand fools humans as well: what happens too quickly we just cannot see. We show a 3D tracker for these types of motions that relies on the recognition of familiar configurations in 2D images (classification), and fills the gaps in-between (interpolation). We illustrate this idea with experiments on hand motions similar to finger spelling. The penalty for a recognition failure is often small: if two configurations are confused, they are often similar to each other, and the illusion works well enough, for instance, to drive a graphics animation of the moving hand. We contribute advances in both feature design and classifier training: our image features are invariant to image scale, translation, and rotation, and we propose a classification method that combines VQPCA with discrimination trees.
Transcriptional regulatory sequences of the housekeeping gene for human triosephosphate isomerase.

Abstract To examine the functional organization of the human triosephosphate isomerase (TPI) promoter, deletion, insertion, and linker scanning mutations were introduced into the TPI promoter of hybrid TPI/beta-globin genes. These genes were transiently expressed in mouse L and human HeLa cells, and the effect of each mutation on the frequency and position of transcription initiation was assayed by S1 nuclease transcript mapping. Multiple positive regulatory elements reside between positions -595 and +1 in L cells and -920 and -7 in HeLa cells and coordinately promote maximum hybrid gene transcription. These elements include an array of GC boxes (positions -126 to -48) that variably conform to the consensus Sp1-binding site, and a canonical TATA box (positions -27 to -21) that is essential for detectable levels of transcription. In an additive yet position-dependent fashion, the GC boxes function in cis to the TATA box to control both the frequency and position of transcription initiation. Additional positive elements reside upstream of position -131 and are required for full promoter function. Also, an inhibitory element(s) residing between position -7200 and either -2800 in L cells or -920 in HeLa cells reduces transcription approximately 7-fold relative to the level of transcription achieved with the maximally active promoter.
On-line business applications

The federal government is destined to play a key role in the future development of on-line business systems and the structure of the new industry growing up around them. Six points of contact already are evident:1. Anti-trust action (real and implied) as in the current cases against IBM and AT&T.2. Inquiries on the practices and policies of the communications common carriers as in the recent FCC inquiry on the relationship between computers and communications, and the now discharged Task Force on Telecommunications appointed by Lyndon Baines Johnson.3. Hearings on privacy and associated rights of the individual as conducted last year by Congressman Gallagher and Senator Long.4. Legislation on copyrights and other possible mechanisms for protecting computer software.5. Encouragement of standardization and economy measures as in the Brooks Bill and intended activities by the National Bureau of Standards, the General Services Administration, and the Bureau of the Budget.6. Direct and indirect subsidies of development through research grants, purchase of services and equipment, and support of education.
Resources to maintain the academic culture

Abstract In summary, the recent attention to the research aspect of our professorial lives brings with it some challenges. The first, of course, is to keep our research agendas alive—to find the resources to nuture new investigators and to provide the support to sustain those who are funded. The second challenge is to rethink our ideas about teaching so that both sides of the coin are addressed: the need to have classroom teachers who are doing research and the need to keep investigators in the classroom.
Fractionated external-beam radiation therapy for meningiomas of the cavernous sinus

Abstract Purpose: Despite advances in microsurgical technique, many cavernous sinus meningiomas remain unresectable or only partially resectable, prompting referral of patients for radiation therapy. Stereotactic radiosurgery is recommended as therapy at some institutions. We evaluated our experience with fractionated radiotherapy to permit comparison with single-fraction radiosurgery. Materials and Methods: Between July 1985 and January 1998, 21 women and 7 men were treated for primary (21) or recurrent (7) cavernous sinus meningiomas. Of these, 22 tumors were subtotally resected and 6 were unresectable. Of the 28 lesions, 26 were categorized histologically as benign (16), aggressive-benign (7), or malignant (3); 2 were not biopsied. All patients were treated with fractionated photon irradiation to a median dose of 53.1 Gy. We assessed prognostic factors for overall (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS), including age, gender, presentation (primary vs. recurrent), extent of surgical resection, radiotherapy dose, and technique. Influence of radiotherapy dose and technique on acute and late treatment toxicities was analyzed. Results: One patient died of disease and 2 others were alive with progressive disease at last follow-up, yielding 8-year actuarial OS and PFS of 96% and 81%, respectively. Univariate analysis showed that none of the prognostic factors tested was significantly associated with OS or PFS. There were two late side effects of treatment: an orbital sac fibrosis and a 6-month decline of cognitive function documented by formal neuropsychiatric testing. Neither radiotherapy dose nor technique significantly influenced late toxicity. Conclusion: For unresectable or subtotally resected cavernous sinus meningiomas, fractionated radiotherapy provides patients with excellent progression-free survival and minimal treatment-related toxicity.
The germ line regulates somatic cyst cell proliferation and fate during Drosophila spermatogenesis

Spermatogenesis relies on the function of germ-line stem cells, as a continuous supply of differentiated spermatids is produced throughout life. In Drosophila, there must also be somatic stem cells that produce the cyst cells that accompany germ cells throughout spermatogenesis. By lineage tracing, we demonstrate the existence of such somatic stem cells and confirm that of germ-line stem cells. The somatic stem cells likely correspond to the ultrastructurally described cyst progenitor cells. The stem cells for both the germ-line and cyst lineage are anchored around the hub of non-dividing somatic cells located at the testis tip. We then address whether germ cells regulate the behavior of somatic hub cells, cyst progenitors and their daughter cyst cells by analyzing cell proliferation and fate in testes in which the germ line has been genetically ablated. Daughter cyst cells, which normally withdraw from the cell cycle, continue to proliferate in the absence of germ cells. In addition, cells from the cyst lineage switch to the hub cell fate. Male-sterile alleles of chickadee and diaphanous, which are deficient in germ cells, exhibit similar cyst cell phenotypes. We conclude that signaling from germ cells regulates the proliferation and fate of cells in the somatic cyst lineage.
Defects and Doping in Nanocrystalline Silicon-Germanium Devices

Nanocrystalline Silicon-Germanium (Si,Ge) is a potentially useful material for photovoltaic devices and photo-detectors. Its bandgap can be controlled across the entire bandgap region from that of Si to that of Ge by changing the alloy composition during growth. In this work, we study the fabrication and electronic properties of nanocrystalline devices grown using PECVD techniques. We discovered that upon adding Ge to Si during growth, the intrinsic layer changes from n-type to p-type. We can change it back to n-type by using ppm levels of phosphorus, and make reasonable quality devices when phosphine gas was added to the deposition mix. We also measured the defect density spectrum using capacitance frequency techniques, and find that defect density decreases systematically as more phosphine is added to the gas phase. We also find that the ratio of Germanium to Silicon in the solid phase is higher than the ratio in the gas phase.
Common Musculoskeletal Tumors of Childhood and Adolescence

Osteosarcoma, Ewing sarcoma, and rhabdomyosarcoma are the most common malignant musculoskeletal tumors in children and adolescents. Today, most patients can be cured. Numerous factors have contributed to improved outcome for these patients over the past several decades. These include multidisciplinary care involving oncologists, radiation oncologists, surgeons, pathologists, and radiologists and enrollment of patients in clinical trials. Better understanding of molecular mechanisms of disease have resulted in studies using molecular targets in addition to standard chemotherapeutic agents, which hopefully will lead to better outcomes in the future. Moreover, new orthopedic techniques and devices as well as new technologies in radiation oncology hold promise for better local control of primary tumors and the potential for fewer late adverse effects. Despite this progress, patients must undergo lifelong follow-up for possible late effects of intense chemotherapy and radiation therapy. We review the diagnosis, prognosis, staging, multidisciplinary therapy, new directions in therapy, and long-term complications of treatment for these tumors. For this review, we searched MEDLINE using the terms rhabdomyosarcoma, osteosarcoma, Ewing sarcoma, biology, and humans and limited the search to articles from 2000 to September 2011. Additional references found in these articles were utilized as appropriate, as well as references from the background information in current therapeutic studies of the Children's Oncology Group. The same database and time frame were searched for articles written by leading authorities in the field.
Nox and Inflammation in the Vascular Adventitia

For nearly half a century, strong associations have been made linking early adventitial activation in disease with endothelial dysfunction,1,2 thus challenging the notion that the luminal endothelium is the initial sensor and propagator of cardiovascular disease. Over the past 2 decades, perturbational studies have established a causal role of adventitial factors in this regard. This review-based update acts as a springboard for a revitalized debate of the adventitia’s role in vascular disease. From a pathological perspective, the adventitia reportedly plays a deleterious role via production of large amounts of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate oxidase (Nox)-derived reactive oxygen species (ROS) in response to vascular injury and disease.3,4 A combined adventitial fibroblast and inflammatory cell infiltration facilitated by the vasa vasorum (VV) is expected to synergize and propagate vessel inflammation.5 In fact, Noxes are highly activated by inflammatory cytokines, hormones, lipids, and angiotensin II (Ang II).6 In the adventitia, Nox-derived ROS is the dominant culprit for intracellular redox signaling cascade activation, either in an autocrine or in a paracrine manner, leading to subsequent vascular cell activation, proliferation, hypertrophy, or apoptosis and thereby promoting vascular diseases including hypertension and atherosclerosis.7 Despite these discoveries, studies delving into the role of the adventitia in disease propagation or progression remain limited. This gap in knowledge presents a relatively untapped opportunity to study vascular disease pathogenesis in a renewed light. This focused mini-review addresses the role of adventitial Nox-derived ROS from a perivascular viewpoint looking inwards to promoting vascular inflammation and disease. Forming the outermost layer of the vessel wall, the adventitia is emerging as a prominent channel for the progression of vascular remodeling. Within the adventitial milieu, adventitial fibroblasts/myofibroblasts, lymphocytes, stem cell–like vascular and hematopoietic lineage progenitors, and endothelial cells reside.8–10 To date, the …
Predicting emergency coronary artery bypass graft following PCI: application of a computational model to refer patients to hospitals with and without onsite surgical backup.

Background Clinical tools to stratify patients for emergency coronary artery bypass graft (ECABG) after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) create the opportunity to selectively assign patients undergoing procedures to hospitals with and without onsite surgical facilities for dealing with potential complications while balancing load across providers. The goal of our study was to investigate the feasibility of a computational model directly optimised for cohort-level performance to predict ECABG in PCI patients for this application. Methods Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan Cardiovascular Consortium registry data with 69 pre-procedural and angiographic risk variables from 68 022 PCI procedures in 2004–2007 were used to develop a support vector machine (SVM) model for ECABG. The SVM model was optimised for the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC) at the level of the training cohort and validated on 42 310 PCI procedures performed in 2008–2009. Results There were 87 cases of ECABG (0.21%) in the validation cohort. The SVM model achieved an AUROC of 0.81 (95% CI 0.76 to 0.86). Patients in the predicted top decile were at a significantly increased risk relative to the remaining patients (OR 9.74, 95% CI 6.39 to 14.85, p Conclusions Computational risk stratification directly optimising cohort-level performance holds the potential of high levels of discrimination for ECABG following PCI. This approach has value in selectively referring PCI patients to hospitals with and without onsite surgery.
Tissue Engineering of the Urethra: The Basics, Current Concept, and the Future

Urethral reconstruction can be necessitated by congenital anomalies, infection, trauma, and cancer. In situations where the desired surgical outcome requires tissue substitution, choices have traditionally consisted of autografts of flaps and/or grafts, allografts of homologous or heterologous tissue, or synthetic materials. Unfortunately, however, these options have the potential for complications such as donor site morbidity, rejection, or suboptimal performance. Thus, there is a rationale to support development of “off-the-shelf” tissue substitutes that will allow simplified and durable restoration of urethral form and function.
High-power, high-efficiency digital polar doherty power amplifier for cellular applications in SOI CMOS

This paper presents a Digital Doherty Power Amplifier (DDPA) with high back-off efficiency. The main and peaking amplifiers are implemented in 180 nm CMOS SOI as Digital Power Amplifiers (DPAs) with 10 bit amplitude control. The Doherty combiner is implemented using external matching components on a PCB, with lumped elements synthesized to provide equivalent characteristics of impedance inverter and offset-line. Phase adjustment between main and peaking DDPAs allows optimization of efficiency. CW measurements for the DDPA at 900 MHz correspond to 33.1 dBm peak power with 55.5% efficiency. This is highest reported output power for CMOS Doherty amplifiers. The efficiency at 6 dB back-off reaches 52.5%.
Ligand-Controlled Colloidal Synthesis and Electronic Structure Characterization of Cubic Iron Pyrite (FeS2) Nanocrystals

Iron pyrite (FeS2) is a promising photovoltaic absorber because of its Earth abundance, high optical extinction, and infrared band gap (Eg = 0.95 eV), but its use has been hindered because of the difficulty of phase pure synthesis. Pyrite phase purity is a paramount concern, as other phases of iron sulfide have undesirable electronic properties. Here we report the synthesis of phase pure iron pyrite nanocrystals with cubic morphology and a mean dimension of 80 nm. Control over the nanocrystal shape was achieved using an unusual ligand, 1-hexadecanesulfonate. The particles were characterized via synchrotron X-ray spectroscopy, indicating an indirect band gap of 1.00 ± 0.11 eV and a valence bandwidth of nearly 1 eV. Transmission electron microscopy from early reaction stages suggests a nucleation and growth mechanism similar to solution precipitation syntheses typical of metal oxide nanocrystals, rather than the diffusion-limited growth process typical of hot-injection metal chalcogenide nanocrystal syntheses.
The Inhibition of Angiotensin Converting Enzyme in Chronic Renal Hypertension by a Synthetic Peptide

Renal hypertension was produced in 14 Sprague-Dawley rats by ligating both poles of one kidney followed in one week by unilateral nephrectomy. Biweekly subcutaneous injections of SQ 20858 reduced the blood pressure in the chronic renal hypertensive animals. Upon discontinuing the injections the blood pressure rose to pretreatment levels. No angiotensin II activity was seen in seven of the renal group treated with SQ indicating a complete block in serum converting enzyme activity. Likewise, serum with only angiotensin I activity when added to normal serum containing converting enzyme, continued to show angiotensin I activity. It is concluded that SQ 20858 is effective in lowering blood pressure in chronic renal hypertensive rats presumably by partially inhibiting converting enzyme.