cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
EFFECTS OF HYDROLYSIS ON THE KINETICS OF HIGH-TEMPERATURE TRANSFORMATIONS IN ALUMINOSILICATE GELS

The reaction kinetics for the formation of mullite (3Al2O3· 2SiO2) from sol-gel-derived aluminosilicate gels prepared under various hydrolysis conditions were studied using dynamic X-ray diffraction (DXRD) and differential thermal analysis (DTA). The DXRD experiments showed that the apparent single-phase gels aluminosilicate gels were not completely single-phase gels but a composite of a single-phase gel (which has molecular-scale mixing) and a diphasic gel (which has nanometer-scale mixing). Mullite formation from these composite gels exhibits a two-stage conversion, the first at about 980°C and the second at about 1220°C. Gels prepared by a slower hydrolysis rate tend to have a higher conversion after the first stage, therefore, better molecular-scale mixing. Simultaneous formation of Al-Si spinel and mullite was also observed at 980°C. This coincidence of mullite and spinel formation could explain some of the controversy in the literature concerning the 980°C thermal event.
Advances in on-chip polymer optics for optofluidics

We present liquid-turned-solid lenses (Δn∼1.2) in polymer devices replicated from cryogenically-etched silicon molds, with estimated per surface losses of .2–.4 dB. The process creates optical-quality sidewalls (σRMS ∼ 30 nm) needed for sensitive optofluidic devices.
Genome-Wide Association Study and Pathway-Level Analysis of Tocochromanol Levels in Maize Grain

Tocopherols and tocotrienols, collectively known as tocochromanols, are the major lipid-soluble antioxidants in maize (Zea mays L.) grain. Given that individual tocochromanols differ in their degree of vitamin E activity, variation for tocochromanol composition and content in grain from among diverse maize inbred lines has important nutritional and health implications for enhancing the vitamin E and antioxidant contents of maize-derived foods through plant breeding. Toward this end, we conducted a genome-wide association study of six tocochromanol compounds and 14 of their sums, ratios, and proportions with a 281 maize inbred association panel that was genotyped for 591,822 SNP markers. In addition to providing further insight into the association between ZmVTE4 (γ-tocopherol methyltransferase) haplotypes and α-tocopherol content, we also detected a novel association between ZmVTE1 (tocopherol cyclase) and tocotrienol composition. In a pathway-level analysis, we assessed the genetic contribution of 60 a priori candidate genes encoding the core tocochromanol pathway (VTE genes) and reactions for pathways supplying the isoprenoid tail and aromatic head group of tocochromanols. This analysis identified two additional genes, ZmHGGT1 (homogentisate geranylgeranyltransferase) and one prephenate dehydratase parolog (of four in the genome) that also modestly contribute to tocotrienol variation in the panel. Collectively, our results provide the most favorable ZmVTE4 haplotype and suggest three new gene targets for increasing vitamin E and antioxidant levels through marker-assisted selection.
What does ‘local’ mean in the grocery store? Multiplicity in food retailers' perspectives on sourcing and marketing local foods

Local food systems are comprised of networks of actors that work to ensure the sustainability of food supplies within communities. While local food has typically been promoted through direct marketing strategies such as farmers' markets and community-supported agriculture (CSA), retail stores are increasingly carrying and marketing local foods in response to consumer demand and market potential. Given the frequency with which consumers shop at grocery stores, as well as the portion of consumers' food purchases made at these locations, these stores may play a significant role in the success of local agriculture and the shaping of ideology about what is ‘local’. We conducted 27 semi-structured interviews with representatives of food retailers known to source and market local foods in the four major urban centers of Oregon's Willamette Valley. Our results reveal that grocers' perceptions of local food vary significantly from one another. Additionally, our results differed in comparison to the published literature on consumers' and producers' ideas of what constitutes local. Food retailers identified varying distances (frequently a region including several states) that they consider local, as well as diverse reasons for choosing to source and market local foods (most commonly supporting the local economy). Some trends in the variation of responses relate to how the size and form of ownership of the grocery stores influence the level at which decisions are made. These wide-ranging perceptions outline many of the realities of the local food movement, as well as opportunities for change.
Gonadotoxicity of Cancer Therapies in Pediatric and Reproductive-Age Females

The natural depletion of the finite number of follicles present in the ovaries can be accelerated by cancer treatment, leading to acute ovarian failure or premature menopause. The negative impact of cancer therapy on ovarian follicular reserve, hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian axis function, uterine function, and cardiac function can impact the ability of female cancer survivors to conceive or carry a biologic pregnancy to term. Chemotherapeutic agents that affect the cell cycle interfere with growing follicles, whereas alkylating agents have a non-cycle-specific mechanism of action leading to single- and double-strand DNA breaks, thereby potentially affecting both quiescent and dividing cells in the ovary. Chemotherapy can also lead to cortical fibrosis, blood vessel damage, and stromal damage in the ovary. The impact of cancer treatment on reproductive potential depends on the age of the patient, the chemotherapeutic agents used, the duration of treatment, the total cumulative dose administered, and patient-specific factors. Current efforts are focusing on determining the gonadotoxicity of specific chemotherapeutic regimens rather than single agents. Irradiation of the ovaries (in total body radiation; direct pelvic, abdominal, or spinal irradiation; or scatter irradiation) of 1–2 Gy in girls and 4–6 Gy in adults depletes the follicle population and permanently impacts ovarian function. Posttreatment, reproductive capacity should be monitored through the measurement of gonadotropins and markers of follicle health, such as anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH).
Towards a theory of schema-mapping optimization

A schema mapping is a high-level specification that describes the relationship between two database schemas. As schema mappings constitute the essential building blocks of data exchange and data integration, an extensive investigation of the foundations of schema mappings has been carried out in recent years. Even though several different aspects of schema mappings have been explored in considerable depth, the study of schema-mapping optimization remains largely uncharted territory to date.In this paper, we lay the foundation for the development of a theory of schema-mapping optimization. Since schema mappings are constructs that live at the logical level of information integration systems, the first step is to introduce concepts and to develop techniques for transforming schema mappings to "equivalent" ones that are more manageable from the standpoint of data exchange or of some other data interoperability task. In turn, this has to start by introducing and studying suitable notions of "equivalence" between schema mappings. To this effect, we introduce the concept of data-exchange equivalence and the concept of conjunctive-query equivalence. These two concepts of equivalence are natural relaxations of the classical notion of logical equivalence; the first captures indistinguishability for data-exchange purposes, while the second captures indistinguishability for conjunctive-query-answering purposes. Moreover, they coincide with logical equivalence on schema mappings specified by source-to-target tuple-generating dependencies (s-t tgds), but differ on richer classes of dependencies, such as second-order tuple-generating dependencies (SO tgds) and sets of s-t tgds and target tuple-generating dependencies (target tgds).After exploring the basic properties of these three notions of equivalence between schema mappings, we focus on the following question: under what conditions is a schema mapping conjunctive-query equivalent to a schema mapping specified by a finite set of s-t tgds? We answer this question by obtaining complete characterizations for schema mappings that are specified by an SO tgd and for schema mappings that are specified by a finite set of s-t tgds and target tgds, and have terminating chase. These characterizations involve boundedness properties of the cores of universal solutions.
Unilateral power gain resonances and roll-off with frequency for the velocity-saturated MOSFET/MODFET wave equation

The bias, frequency, and gate length dependences of the intrinsic and extrinsic current gain and the unilateral power gain of the saturated MODFET are investigated using the velocity-saturated MOSFET/MODFET wave equation. Both short-channel and long-channel devices are considered. It is shown that when the ratio (V/sub GS/-V/sub T/)/(F/sub c/L/sub g/) becomes larger than one the ideal MOSFET/MODFET switches from the long- to the short-channel mode. The high-frequency analysis of the wave equation reveals the existence of unilateral power gain resonances in the intrinsic MODFET. Steady-state power gain is therefore conceptually possible in the intrinsic MODFET. The same frequency analysis for the extrinsic MODFET predicts, however, that realistic lossy parasitics will suppress these unilateral power gain resonances, and that under such conditions the resulting unilateral power gain of a FET in the short-channel mode will exhibit a switch from a 20- to 40-dB drop per decade at approximately the resonant frequency. >
How Medicare Could Use Comparative Effectiveness Research In Deciding On New Coverage And Reimbursement

Medicare must find new ways to achieve cost control without limiting access to beneficial services. We propose a payment model incorporating comparative effectiveness research to encourage Medicare to pay equally for services that provide comparable patient outcomes. The model would include higher payments for services demonstrated by adequate evidence to provide superior health benefits compared to alternative options. New services without such evidence would receive usual reimbursement rates for a limited time but then be reevaluated as evidence emerged. In spite of the substantial political hurdles to changing Medicare reimbursement, efforts should be made to use comparative effectiveness research to reward superior services, improve incentives for cost-effective innovation, and place Medicare on a more sustainable financial footing.
Conduction studies in silicon nitride: dark currents and photocurrents

Dark conduction and photoconduction phenomena in amorphous, stoichiometric Si3N4 films incorporated into metal-silicon nitride-silicon (MNS) structures are studied in detail. Results demonstrating the importance of hole conduction in Si3N4 thin films are presented. The importance of trapped space charge injected from the contacts is shown in an analysis of the effects of Si3N4 thickness and the choice of gate metal on conduction. Contact effects that are apparent in the current characteristics of thin Si3N4 layers become dominated by bulk conduction mechanisms as the silicon nitride film increases in thickness. Optical interference effects in photoconduction are used to determine the origin of photocarriers.
Parents' Perceptions of Helpful vs Unhelpful Types of Support in Managing the Care of Preadolescents With Chronic Conditions

Objective To identify parents' perceptions of helpful vs unhelpful types of social support received in managing the care of preadolescents with chronic conditions. Design Multimethod cohort study with 1-year follow-up. Setting General community. Participants Volunteer, consecutive sample of parents of 124 preadolescents with a variety of chronic conditions. Methods In-depth, in-home interviews conducted with parents. Quantitative data from the Social Support Assessment questionnaire was used to assess and compare sources and types of helpful support at baseline and 1year later. Content analytic methods were used to categorize unsupportive behaviors described by parents during the first interview. Results Both mothers and fathers reported that other family members were the primary source of helpful emotional and tangible support, while health care providers were the primary source of helpful informational support. The amount of perceived support from family members, community members, and service providers stayed relatively stable over time, except that fathers reported a significant increase in helpful emotional and informational support from extended family members from baseline to 1 year later. Also, 388 incidents of unsupportive behaviors were identified; the majority of these behaviors were attributed to health professionals and extended family members. Conclusion While patterns of perceived support remained relatively stable over a 1-year period, reports of unsupportive behaviors suggest gaps in service and problems that must be addressed to improve the care that children with chronic conditions and their families receive.
Autologous Stem Cell Transplant after Heart Transplant for Light Chain (AL) Amyloid Cardiomyopathy

Background Historically, patients with AL amyloidosis and overt congestive heart failure have had an ominous prognosis with median survival of approximately 6 months. Methods Between 1994 and 2005, 11 patients underwent sequential orthotopic heart transplantation (HT) followed by autologous peripheral blood stem cell transplantation (SCT) for treatment of AL amyloidosis. Patients were accepted for this approach if they had heart-dominant AL with minimal/no other organ impairment and no evidence of multiple myeloma. Conditioning chemotherapy consisted of melphalan 200 mg/m 2 (6 patients) or melphalan 140 mg/m 2 (5 patients). Results Two patients died of complications from the SCT (18% transplant-related mortality). Nine patients survived both the HT and the SCT. Three patients subsequently died from progressive amyloidosis at 66, 56.7 and 55 months after SCT. The 1- and 5-year survival for HT was 82% and 65%. The median survival was 76 months from HT and 57 months from SCT. Conclusions These data suggest that aggressive treatment of the underlying plasma cell clone after HT may improve long-term outcomes in patients with cardiac amyloid. HT followed by SCT is feasible and offers the possibility of remission for carefully selected patients with cardiac amyloidosis.
Simultaneous Double-Opposing Z-Plasty and Posterior Pharyngeal Flap

Purpose Strategies to address severe anteroposterior palatal shortening with velopharyngeal insufficiency include palatal lengthening or manipulation of posterior pharyngeal tissue as a flap or sphincter. In some cases, a single procedure alone is not sufficient to achieve dynamic velopharyngeal closure. The objective of this study was to determine whether double-opposing Z-plasty coupled with a posterior pharyngeal flap would achieve adequate palatal length in severe velopharyngeal dysfunction. Materials and Methods Six patients, 3 with previously unrepaired cleft palate and 3 children with previous straight-line repairs and significant anteroposterior shortening, were included. Demographic and perioperative information was tabulated. Subjective and objective speech data were gathered, if available. Complications, follow-ups, and postoperative nasometric results were compiled. Statistical analysis involved the paired t test. Results There were no perioperative complications. Follow-up was at least 1 year. No postoperative fistulas or nasal obstruction developed. Hypernasal speech and nasal emission were subjectively improved in all patients. Nasometric data showed a statistically significant improvement in nasal air escape with speech. Conclusions Simultaneous double-opposing Z-plasty and posterior pharyngeal flap can be performed effectively. This strategy is useful for severe velopharyngeal dysfunction secondary to anteroposterior palatal shortening or a previously unrepaired cleft palate, and the technique optimizes palatal function and creates a mechanical blockade to nasal air escape.
Primary and secondary affective disorders in a sample of alcohol dependent inpatients: sociodemographic differences

Background Several studies indicate that patients with comorbid alcohol dependence and affective syndromes can be differentiated on the basis of the time of onset of mood symptoms relative to alcohol abuse. However, there are limited data on the underlying pathogenetic mechanisms and risk factors that differentiate between primary and secondary affective disorders (AD) in the context of alcohol dependence. In the present study we investigated the sociodemographic characteristics, family history and the course of illness in cases of comorbid alcohol dependence and AD.
UTexas: Natural Language Semantics using Distributional Semantics and Probabilistic Logic

We represent natural language semantics by combining logical and distributional information in probabilistic logic. We use Markov Logic Networks (MLN) for the RTE task, and Probabilistic Soft Logic (PSL) for the STS task. The system is evaluated on the SICK dataset. Our best system achieves 73% accuracy on the RTE task, and a Pearson’s correlation of 0.71 on the STS task.
Prioritization of Potential Mates’ History of Sexual Fidelity During a Conjoint Ranking Task:

This series of studies is the first to use conjoint analysis to examine how individuals make trade-offs during mate selection when provided information about a partner's history of sexual infidelity. Across three studies, participants ranked profiles of potential mates, with each profile varying across five attributes: financial stability, physical attractiveness, sexual fidelity, emotional investment, and similarity. They also rated each attribute separately for importance in an ideal mate. Overall, we found that for a long-term mate, participants prioritized a potential partner's history of sexual fidelity over other attributes when profiles were ranked conjointly. For a short-term mate, sexual fidelity, physical attractiveness, and financial stability were equally important, and each was more important than emotional investment and similarity. These patterns contrast with participants' self-reported importance ratings of each individual attribute. Our results are interpreted within the context of previous literature examining how making trade-offs affect mate selection.
Overweight boy’s and girl’s experiences with and perception of athletic clothing and its relationship to physical activity participation

The purpose of this study was to explore the relationship between athletic clothing and physical activity in overweight children. The perceptions of athletic clothing among overweight children were also investigated. The researchers asked: (a) what are overweight children’s experiences with athletic clothing, (b) does clothing impact overweight children’s motivation to participate in physical activity, and (c) are there differences between boys and girls? Focus groups and individual interviews were conducted with 35 children between the ages of 9 and 14 who were considered overweight according to their body mass index. Literature on social physique anxiety and body image provided the conceptual framework for the study. Four key themes emerged from the children’s discussions of their experiences with athletic clothes and participation in physical activity: (a) body exposure concerns, (b) clothing size exposure concerns, (c) desire to quit because of athletic clothes, and (d) positive experiences with athletic clothes.
The Impact Of Organizational Change On Information Systems Security

When major change is imposed on organizations, there is often resistance and resentment. Organizational change has been identified as one of the key issues that will present significant challenges to an organization’s effective and timely implementation of privacy and security standards. It will be necessary to identify specific implementation requirements that represent the most significant organizational change challenges. Organizations will also have to identify processes and methods to foster acceptance of the change associated with the entire compliance project This research examines changing information security requirements and the strategies organizations are developing to meet the related challenges.
Growth Asymmetry and Auxin Transport in Setae of Gravistimulated Pellia epiphylla Sporophytes

Abstract The gravitropic response of Pellia epiphylla (L.) Corda sporophytes was analyzed using digitized images from infrared video recordings. Lateral transport of radioactively labeled auxin was followed using agar block and liquid scintillation techniques. Upward gravitropic curvature of horizontally oriented sporophytes was detected within 50 to 60 minutes. Growth rates on the top sides of sporophyte setae dropped from 0.53 to 0.29 mm hr−1, and rose on the bottom from 0.53 to 0.88 mmAhr−1. 14C-labeled indoleacetic acid (IAA) applied in donor blocks moved preferentially toward the lower side of setae in horizontally oriented sporophytes, with three-fold polarity established after 40 minutes. Negligible movement of label from blocks was detected in setae of vertically positioned controls tested after the same interval. These observations are consistent with a mechanism for gravitropism in Pellia that involves lateral redistribution of IAA.
Adaptive loss minimization for semi-supervised elastic embedding

The semi-supervised learning usually only predict labels for unlabeled data appearing in training data, and cannot effectively predict labels for testing data never appearing in training set. To handle this out-of-sample problem, many inductive methods make a constraint such that the predicted label matrix should be exactly equal to a linear model. In practice, this constraint is too rigid to capture the manifold structure of data. Motivated by this deficiency, we relax the rigid linear embedding constraint and propose to use an elastic embedding constraint on the predicted label matrix such that the manifold structure can be better explored. To solve our new objective and also a more general optimization problem, we study a novel adaptive loss with efficient optimization algorithm. Our new adaptive loss minimization method takes the advantages of both L1 norm and L2 norm, and is robust to the data outlier under Laplacian distribution and can efficiently learn the normal data under Gaussian distribution. Experiments have been performed on image classification tasks and our approach outperforms other state-of-the-art methods.
Long-Term Mortality in Childhood-Onset Epilepsy

Seizure outcomes and mortality in a Finnish population-based cohort of 245 children diagnosed with epilepsy in 1964 were prospectively followed for 40 years (range, 2 to 53) at the Departments of Pediatric Neurology and Public Health, Turku University Hospital, Finland, and the Comprehensive Epilepsy Management Center, Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, NY.
Eight Blocks Away

The United States is attacked, thousands die, and two of the world's largest office towers are destroyed, eight short blocks from the campus of New York Law School. Here are eyewitness accounts of the attack of September 11, 2001, and first-hand reminiscences of students, staff, and faculty.
A comparison of hypertext and Boolean access to biomedical information.

Abstract This study explored which of two modes of access to a biomedical database better supported problem solving in bacteriology. Boolean access, which allowed subjects to frame their queries as combinations of keywords, was compared to hypertext access, which allowed subjects to navigate from one database node to another. The accessible biomedical data were identical across systems. Data were collected from 42 first year medical students, each randomized to the Boolean or hypertext system, before and after their bacteriology course. Subjects worked eight clinical case problems, first using only their personal knowledge and, subsequently, with aid from the database. Database retrievals enabled students to answer questions they could not answer based on personal knowledge only. This effect was greater when personal knowledge of bacteriology was lower. The results also suggest that hypertext was superior to Boolean access in helping subjects identify possible infectious agents in these clinical case problems.
Superconvergence by M-decompositions. Part II: Construction of two-dimensional finite elements

We apply the concept of an M -decomposition introduced in Part I to systematically construct local spaces defining superconvergent hybridizable discontinuous Galerkin methods, and their companion sandwiching mixed methods. This is done in the framework of steady-state diffusion problems for the h - and p -versions of the methods for general polygonal meshes in two-space dimensions.
‘It would have happened already’: on one argument for a first cause

Examen de l'argument selon lequel il n'est pas possible qu'un evenement arrive apres un nombre infini d'evenements, la raison pour le denier est qu'il serait deja produit, puisqu'il appartiendrait necessairement a cette serie infinie. L'A. pense extremement difficile de soutenir cet argument et se montre meme sceptique quant a sa pertinence.
An Analysis of a Pinyon‐Juniper Community at Grand Canyon, Arizona

During July and August of 1949, data were obtained for a phytosociological analysis of a portion of the PinusJuniperus woodland (Pinus edulis-Juniperus spp.) on the Coconino Plateau in Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona. The Pinus-Juniperus zone (Daubenmire 1943) extends from Mexico to country south of the Snake River in Idaho while communities dominated by Juniperus alone continue as far north as southern Canada. It has been described floristically and qualitatively by several workers. Weaver and Clements (1938) and Oosting (1948) briefly discuss the community in textbooks. Shantz and Zon (1924), in addition, mention some associated plants. Woodbury (1933, 1947), Rasmussen (1941), Emerson (1932)., Philips (1909), Graham (1937), Howell (1941) give more detailed descriptions of this community in the southwest, especially Arizona, New Mexico, and Utah. Stoddart and Smith (1943) discuss the community from a range management standpoint. Howell obtained quantitative data from large sample plots (30.61 acres with 39 plots) in northern New Mexico and northeastern Arizona to determine volume, growth, and yield of these woodlands. He presents data on number of
Counterpoint: Chemosensitivity Assays for Recurrent Ovarian Cancer

Unfortunately, no reliable evidence-based data have shown any in vitro chemosensitivity assay strategy to be clinically useful in the management of recurrent ovarian cancer, despite frequent use. Several clinical trials have been proposed with the potential to support or refute the relevance of these approaches.
Comparison of Oral Fleroxacin with Oral Amoxicillin/Clavulanate for Treatment of Skin and Soft Tissue Infections

Oral fleroxacin, 400 mg once a day, and oral amoxicillin/clavulanate potassium (AMX/CP), 400 mg/125 mg three times a day, administered for 4–21 days, were compared for efficacy and safety in the treatment of skin and soft tissue infections. A total of 113 patients were enrolled in a multicenter, randomized, double-blind trial; 57 were assigned to fleroxacin and 56 to AMX/CP. A total of 22 and 33 patients in the fleroxacin and AMX/CP groups, respectively, were evaluable for efficacy. The most common diagnoses were skin abscess (14; 62%) and wound infections (5; 23%) in the fleroxacin group and skin abscess (17; 52%) and skin ulcer (9; 27%) in the AMX/CP group. A total of 20 (91%) of the fleroxacin-treated patients and 29 (88%) of the AMX/CP-treated patients were bacteriologically cured (two fleroxacin- and one AMX/CP-treated patients developed superinfection). The eradication rate for Staphylococcus aureus was 100% (11 of 11) in the fleroxacin group and 89% (17 of 19) in the AMX/CP group; 18 (82%) of the fleroxacin group and 25 (76%) of the AMX/CP group were clinically cured. Adverse events were seen in 22% (12 of 54) of the fleroxacin group and 25% (13 of 53) of the AMX/CP group. None were serious. Bacteriologic and clinical cure rates and safety results for the two groups were similar. The small sample size precluded statistical analysis at the 95% confidence level.
The Value of Testosterone Deprivation in Stage D1 Carcinoma of the Prostate

AbstractThe question of whether hormonal manipulation is effective in the treatment of stage D1 carcinoma of the prostate has yet to be determined conclusively. To study this question a retrospective review was conducted of 68 patients with stage D1 disease. Of the patients 22 underwent immediate orchiectomy, 24 delayed orchiectomy and 11 exogenous antiandrogen treatment (8 immediate and 3 delayed treatment), and 11 had no androgen deprivation. The patients were placed into 2 groups consisting of those receiving immediate hormonal deprivation (30) and those having treatment at the time of bone metastasis or who are as yet untreated (38). The minimum followup was 60 months. The median interval to progression to bone metastasis was 43 months in the delayed treatment group compared to 100 months in the immediate hormonal deprivation group. This difference was statistically significant (p equals 0.0087). Likewise, the median period from diagnosis to death was 90 months in the delayed treatment group and 150 m...
NAND technology

• NAND Flash has a simple array structure which has been highly amenable to scaling • NAND Flash leads the industry in scaling • Lithography induced scaling limits were overcome using advanced pitch reduction techniques • Interference issues were contained through incorporation of air-gap at critical locations • Wrap cell limits were overcome with planar FG cell using High-K dielectric / Metal gate • 2D scaling can continue into the mid to low ∼10nm • Scaling beyond can come from transitioning to 3D
Regulation of K + Channels in the Thick Ascending Limb

The apical K+ conductance in the thick ascending limb (TAL) is important in-the recycling of the K+ which enters via the apical Na/K/Cl cotransport; in generating the positive transepithelial potential; and in the reabsorption of Na+ across the paracellular pathway. Two types of K+ channels have been identified in the apical membrane of the TAL. One group of K+ channels is inhibited by ATP [1–3]; these are referred to as the ATP-sensitive channels. A second group is Ca2+-activated [4–12]; because of their relatively large single channel conductance, they have been called Ca+2-activated, maxi-K+ channels. In this review, the properties and modulators of these groups of channels and their physiological role in TAL function are discussed.
Case 58: A Clinical Pharmacology Study

A young researcher asks if you have any comments to make about a proposed study, which is summarized below:
Thomas Bewick’s A History of British Birds and the Politics of the Miniature

Eighteenth century natural history is inextricably linked to colonial expansion, which brought with it a swell of new species to be named, examined, and categorized — a “burgeoning proliferation of colonial natures.”1 As Mary Louise Pratt points out, the cosmopolitan, systematic arrangement of plants and animals led to “a new form of what one might call planetary consciousness among Europeans.” A consequence of this planetary consciousness, Pratt observes, was the way in which “the system of nature overwrote local and peasant ways of knowing within Europe just as it did indigenous ones abroad.”2 While natural history expanded outward to classify all life on the planet, Thomas Bewick’s A History of British Birds (Vol. I, 1797; Vol. II, 1804) aimed to conserve a complex collection of small, miniature details of regional knowledge. Instead of placing animals within a global, Linnaean system that pursued and applied the regularities of laws, Bewick employed and conserved a provincial folk taxonomy, which defined and categorized birds by their “ecological proclivity,” their interrelationships with other animal, human, and plant life.3 By narrating bird behavior and habits within a circumscribed space, Bewick’s British Birds additionally chronicles a “second nature” as the text records social customs and relations within Bewick’s native Northumberland.
Quantitative chest CT (QCT) measurements in World Trade Center (WTC) workers and volunteers with accelerated air flow decline

Introduction: The nature and risk factors for chronicity of the WTC-related lower airway diseases remain to be characterized. We hypothesized that accelerated air flow decline was associated with increased airway wall thickness (AWT), as assessed by QCT. Methods: from a group of 467 former WTC workers who had both chest CT scans performed since 2006, and available QCT measurements with the Airway Inspector software, we identified subjects with evidence on longitudinal spirometry surveillance of accelerated FEV 1 decline (“decliners”, >100 ml/year for ≥5 years), and subjects with normal and stable FEV 1 (“stable”). AWT was measured by QCT in the 3 rd bronchial generation of the right upper lobe. We determined body mass index (BMI)-based baseline weight status and BMIslope (kg/m 2 /year). Covariates included age, gender, height, and tobacco smoking and both pre-WTC and WTC occupational exposure categories. We used logistic regression to model decliner status vs. AWT, adjusting for smoking and WTC exposure. Results: The study group consisted of 70 decliners and 33 stable subjects, 82.6% male, aged 42.0±8.8 years. Accelerated FEV 1 decline was associated with AWT, BMIslope, age, height and pre-WTC exposure in unadjusted analyses. Adjusted analyses confirmed the association for AWT (OR 1.35 per 0.05 mm, 95% CI 1.08, 1.72), BMIslope (OR 2.65 per 0.2 kg/m2/year, 95% CI 1.65, 4.25), and age (OR 1.84 per 5 years, 95% CI 1.22, 2.77). Discussion: Accelerated air flow decline on longitudinal spirometry of former WTC workers is associated with increased AWT, accelerated weight gain, and age, adjusting for smoking and occupational WTC exposure level.
Genetic separation of southern and northern soybean breeding programs in North America and their associated allelic variation at four maturity loci.

North American soybean breeders have successfully developed a large number of elite cultivars with diverse maturity groups (MG) from a small number of ancestral landraces. To understand molecular and genetic basis underlying the large variation in their maturity and flowering times, we integrated pedigree and maturity data of 166 cultivars representing North American soybean breeding. Network analysis and visualization of their pedigree relationships revealed a clear separation of southern and northern soybean breeding programs, suggesting that little genetic exchange occurred between northern (MG 0–IV) and southern cultivars (MG V–VIII). We also analyzed the transcript sequence and expression levels of four major maturity genes (E1 to E4) and revealed their allelic variants in 75 major ancestral landraces and milestone cultivars. We observed that e1-as was the predominant e mutant allele in northern genotypes, followed by e2 and e3. There was no allelic variation at E4. Transcript accumulation of the e2 mutant allele was significantly reduced, which might be caused by its premature stop codon triggering the nonsense-mediated mRNA decay pathway. The large DNA deletion generating the e3 mutant allele also created a gene fusion transcript. The e alleles found in milestone cultivars were traced through pedigrees to their ancestral landraces and geographic origins. Our analysis revealed an approximate correlation between dysfunctional alleles and maturity groups for most of the 75 cultivars. However, single e mutant alleles and their combinations were not sufficient to fully explain their maturity diversity, suggesting that additional genes/alleles are likely involved in regulating maturity time.
Phase II study of bevacizumab (B) plus cisplatin (C) plus intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) for locoregionally advanced head and neck squamous cell cancer (HNSCC): Preliminary results

6013 Background: For patients with locoregionally advanced HNSCC, concurrent high-dose cisplatin + radiation therapy is a historical standard of care. HNSCC tumors expressing high levels of VEGF have been associated with worse prognosis, and bevacizumab may sensitize tumors to cisplatin and radiation. Methods: Percutaneous gastrostomy (PEG) tube was placed pre-treatment for all patients. Planned treatment consisted of definitive IMRT (total, 70 Gy) with concurrent C (50 mg/m2 days 1, 2, 22, 23, 43, 44) and B (15 mg/kg days 1, 15, and 43). The initial version of the protocol called for an additional 6 months of maintenance B, but this was discontinued in an amendment after a G4 pulmonary hemorrhage event in subject 1 during maintenance treatment. 1o endpoint was 2-year PFS. Results: 42 previously untreated patients (34 M, 8 F), median age 55 (27–75), with stage III/IV, M0 HNSCC (oropharynx 39, larynx 3) enrolled. HPV status by ISH: 16 pos, 14 neg, 12 unknown). All patients have completed treatment. CTCAE v...
Reconfigurable Massively Parallel Computers

Reconfigurable massively parallel computers polymorphic VLSI arrays with distributed control implementation and application of A gated-connection network in image understanding reconfiguration in the low and intermediate levels of the image understanding architecture reconfigurable arrays using local autonomy embedding pyramid into mesh arrays hypercube - a reconfigurable mesh arrays for digital signal processing functions - fault tolerance and functional reconfiguration fault-tolerant rectangular array processors via reconfiguration.
A new enrichment model for high sensitivity detection and downstream analyses of circulating tumor cells in breast cancer patients

B19 The detection of circulating tumor cells (CTCs) in breast cancer patients have the potential to improve prognostication and the monitoring of response to treatment. Most CTC enrichment technologies are based on binding to anti-EpCAM antibodies. The sensitivity of such assays is limited by tumors that express no or undetectable levels of EpCAM. Improvements in CTC detection coupled with the development of systems to interrogate CTC’s for therapeutic target expression could lead to novel applications for patient monitoring, clinical diagnosis and treatment. In this study, we describe a sensitive and reproducible enrichment method for CTC’s. We defined CTCs as circulating cells with three criteria of positivity for cytokeratin (CK+) and DAPI (nuclear) (DAPI+) and negative staining for CD45 (CD45-). We have previously reported that this system has a higher sensitivity for circulating tumor cell detection and provides a better platform for CTC downstream analyses compare to the methods currently available in the market. Herein, we describe the use of this platform for the evaluation of breast cancer biomarkers in CTC’s. Blood samples from patients with metastatic breast cancer were used for CellSearch™ assay (Veridex , LLC ) and our CTC assay (CTC enrichment and detection kit, Genetix). We performed the CTC enrichment assay using the combination of anti-CK and anti-EpCAM antibodies. CTCs were identified with brightfield and fluorescence labeled anti-CK, anti-CD45 and DAPI (nuclear stain) images. The Ariol® system (Applied Imaging Corporation) was employed for automated cell image capture and analysis of CTCs on standard microscope glass slides. CTCs enriched on the glass slides were used for CTC downstream analysis.Our CTC enrichment model is designed to have the capability to enrich all the three types of CTCs including CK+ & EpCAM+, CK+ & EpCAM-/low and CK-/low & EpCAM+ cells. Compared to the enrichment methods using anti-EpCAM or anti-cytokeratin antibody alone, a higher CTC detection rate and a larger dynamic CTC detected range were obtained with our new enrichment model. Interestingly there were clear CTC number differences with enrichment methods in the higher CTC count patient samples which indicate that the different enrichment methods may enrich different types of CTCs from patient blood samples. Our method may have better performance on enrichment of heterogeneous CTCs and provide a better platform for biomarker evaluations.
Principles of proportional recovery after stroke generalize to neglect and aphasia.

Background and purpose Motor recovery after stroke can be characterized into two different patterns. A majority of patients recover about 70% of initial impairment, whereas some patients with severe initial deficits show little or no improvement. Here, we investigated whether recovery from visuospatial neglect and aphasia is also separated into two different groups and whether similar proportions of recovery can be expected for the two cognitive functions. Methods We assessed 35 patients with neglect and 14 patients with aphasia at 3 weeks and 3 months after stroke using standardized tests. Recovery patterns were classified with hierarchical clustering and the proportion of recovery was estimated from initial impairment using a linear regression analysis. Results Patients were reliably clustered into two different groups. For patients in the first cluster (n = 40), recovery followed a linear model where improvement was proportional to initial impairment and achieved 71% of maximal possible recovery for both cognitive deficits. Patients in the second cluster (n = 9) exhibited poor recovery (<25% of initial impairment). Conclusions Our findings indicate that improvement from neglect or aphasia after stroke shows the same dichotomy and proportionality as observed in motor recovery. This is suggestive of common underlying principles of plasticity, which apply to motor and cognitive functions.
Fundamental interfacial mechanisms underlying electrofreezing

This article reviews the fundamental interfacial mechanisms underlying electrofreezing (promotion of ice nucleation via the application of an electric field). Electrofreezing has been an active research topic for many decades, with applications in food preservation, cryopreservation, cryogenics and ice formation. There is substantial literature detailing experimental and simulations-based studies, which aim to understand the complex mechanisms underlying accelerated ice nucleation in the presence of electric fields and electrical charge. This work provides a critical review of all such studies. It is noted that application-focused studies of electrofreezing are excluded from this review; such studies have been previously reviewed in literature. This review focuses only on fundamental studies, which analyze the physical mechanisms underlying electrofreezing. Topics reviewed include experimental studies on electrofreezing (DC and AC electric fields), pyroelectricity-based control of freezing, molecular dynamics simulations of electrofreezing, and thermodynamics-based explanations of electrofreezing. Overall, it is seen that electrofreezing can enable disruptive advancements in the control of liquid-to-solid phase change, and that our current understanding of the underlying mechanisms can be significantly improved through further studies of various interfacial effects coming into play.
An Introduction to Algebras of Chiral Differential Operators

These notes are an informal introduction to algebras of chiral differential operators. The language used is one of vertex algebras, otherwise the approach chosen is that suggested by Beilinson and Drinfeld. The prerequisites are kept to a minimum, and we even give an informal introduction to the Beilinson-Bernstein localization theory in the example of the projective line.
High impulse noise intensity removal in MRI images

This study introduces an image denoising method which focuses on detail preservation in the presence of high impulse (salt and pepper) noise. The proposed adaptive median and fixed weighted mean filter (AMFWMF) result in enhanced image similarity and optimal edge information preservation with high correlation and structural similarity index measures. For comparative purposes, a comprehensive analysis of other denoising filters is provided based on different structural metrics. Such standard measures, are used as standard measurements to gauge which of these methods leads to an optimal outcome. The provided results are compared to other existing denoising filters and support of hypothesis of a filter with high resilience to impulse noise of high density levels, our assertion on the method's resilience to impulse noise even under high-density levels. Then, we apply it to a set of MRI images corrupted by different levels of impulse noise intensity.
Human fetal immune cells fight back.

Immune dysregulation begins in utero, influenced by inflammation, maternal microchimerism, and the activation of fetal immune responses (Frascoli et al., this issue).
Automated Recognition of RNA Structure Motifs by Their SHAPE Data Signatures

High-throughput structure profiling (SP) experiments that provide information at nucleotide resolution are revolutionizing our ability to study RNA structures. Of particular interest are RNA elements whose underlying structures are necessary for their biological functions. We previously introduced patteRNA, an algorithm for rapidly mining SP data for patterns characteristic of such motifs. This work provided a proof-of-concept for the detection of motifs and the capability of distinguishing structures displaying pronounced conformational changes. Here, we describe several improvements and automation routines to patteRNA. We then consider more elaborate biological situations starting with the comparison or integration of results from searches for distinct motifs and across datasets. To facilitate such analyses, we characterize patteRNA’s outputs and describe a normalization framework that regularizes results. We then demonstrate that our algorithm successfully discerns between highly similar structural variants of the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) Rev response element (RRE) and readily identifies its exact location in whole-genome structure profiles of HIV-1. This work highlights the breadth of information that can be gleaned from SP data and broadens the utility of data-driven methods as tools for the detection of novel RNA elements.