cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Colon cancer prevention update

C OLORECTAL cancer is second only to lung cancer in mortality in the United States. 1 A review of the epidemiology of colorectal cancer shows interesting findings in general trends, in geographic distribution, in migrant populations, in ethnic variation, and in location of cancer within the colon itself. 2-4 In the United States, colon cancer mortality has remained flat over the last 40 years. Incidence peaked during 1985, with increased screenings after President Reagan's diagnosis of colon cancer that same year ) Since 1985, incidence rates for colorectal cancer have been lower, but they show marked geographic and racial disparity. The highest rates of colorectal cancer occur in the United States, other Anglo-Saxon countries, and western and northern Europe. 4 Africa, China, Japan, and India have low incidence rates, especially in the nonurban areas. 4 Migrants from areas with low colorectal incidence to areas with higher incidence rates show an increase in colorectal cancer. 5'6 Similarly, migrants from areas with higher incidence rates to areas with lower incidence rates evidence a decrease in risk. 7 From 1973 to 1988, the National Cancer Institute Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) Program reported an increase in age-adjusted colon cancer incidence rates of 30.6% for blacks and only 5.4% for whites. 2 Colorectal cancer occurs in the proximal colon, the distal colon, and the rectum. These divisions of the colon are significant for cancer development and, potentially, for cancer prevention. In areas of the world where the incidence of colorectal cancer is low, for example, colorectal cancer occurs predominantly in the proximal or transverse colon. 4 In geographic areas that have a high incidence of colorectal cancer, the cancer occurs more frequently in the distal colon. 8 Areas with a high incidence of colon cancer appear to have a high risk of rectal cancer. Aneuploidy, K-ras mutations, and allelic losses of chromosomes 5, 17, and 18 vary with location in the colon. 9 Rectal cancer occurs with higher frequency in men than in women, is positively associated with alcohol consumption, and is less common among persons of Jewish ancestry than is colon cancer, j~ There are also differences in age-specific sex ratios for various parts of the large bowel, as exemplified by older women who show an increase in right-sided colorectal cancer. 8 The reasons for these differences are not clear and may be attributed to variations in fecal contents, differences in the colonic and rectal mucosa, or differences in length of fecal contact. 10
Modified Gouy phase in optical resonators with mixed boundary conditions, via the Born-Oppenheimer method.

We investigate near-paraxial modes of high-finesse, planoconcave microresonators without using the paraxial approximation. The goal is to develop an analytical approach which is able to incorporate not only the spatial shape of the resonator boundaries, but also the dependence of reflectivities on angle of incidence. It is shown that this can be achieved using the Born-Oppenheimer method, augmented by a local Bessel wave approximation. We discuss how this approach extends standard paraxial theory. It is found that the Gouy phase of paraxial theory, which is determined purely by ray-optics, is no longer the sole parameter governing transverse mode splittings. The additional determining factor is the sensitivity with which boundary reflection phases depend on incident angle.
Electrodeposition of Tantalum and Tantalum-Chromium Alloys

As part of a programme to develop erosion resistant coatings for advanced gun barrels, electrodeposition of tantalum and tantalum-chromium alloys from fused Flinak has been investigated. Tantalum-chromium alloys containing 2–6% chromium were obtained by co-depositing tantalum and chromium from an electrolyte containing 10 wt% TaF5 and 0.5–1.5% Cr (as K3CrF6) at 800° C. The alloy coatings are smooth and columnar in structure. The microhardness of these coatings increases with the increase of chromium content. With chromium-rich alloys, an equiaxed alloy structure is observed, with a hardness greater than for pure tantalum or chromium.
Dynamic Frequency Shifts of Complexed Ligands: An NMR Study ofd-[1-13C,1-2H]Glucose Complexed to theEscherichia coliPeriplasmic Glucose/Galactose Receptor

Abstract The 13 C multiplet structure of d -[1- 13 C,1- 2 H]glucose complexed to the Escherichia coli periplasmic glucose/galactose receptor has been studied as a function of temperature. Asymmetric multiplet patterns observed are shown to arise from dynamic frequency shifts. Multiplet asymmetry contributions resulting from shift anisotropy–dipolar cross correlations were found to be small, with optimal fits of the data corresponding to small, negative values of the correlation factor, χ CD-CSA . Additional broadening at higher temperatures most probably results from ligand exchange between free and complexed states. Effects of internal motion are also considered theoretically, and indicate that the order parameter for the bound glucose is ≥0.9.
938-55 Effect of Residual Infarct Artery Stenosis on Flow Reserve After Reperfusion: Implications for Assessing Myocardial Viability Using Myocardial Contrast Echocardiography

Myocardial contrast echocardiography (MCE) in the presence of pharmacologic vasodilation and a fully patent infarct-related artery has been used to assess myocardial infarct (MI) size during acute post-ischemic reperfusion. Because a stenosis (STN) affects reperfusion dynamics, we hypothesized that the degree of residual infarct artery STN affects MCE measures of myocardial viability. Accordingly, 7 open chest dogs were studied. A flow probe, snare, and variable occluder were placed around the left circumflex artery (LCX), which was then occluded for 3 hr, followed by reflow. MCE imaging with albumin microbubbles commenced before and during iv adenosine (ADN) (0.3 mg/kg/min) at each of 3 LCX patency states during reflow: fully patent, moderate, and severe non-flow-limiting STN. MCE images were digitally processed, and MI was delineated with triphenyl tetrazolium chloride (TIC). TIC-determined MI size was 18 ± 7% of the short-axis slice. Without ADN, MCE defects were smallest with no STN (11 ± 7%, P l 0.01 vs. any STN). intermediate with moderate STN (18 ± 8%), largest with severe STN (19 ± 10%), and most closely approximated MI size when a residual STN was present. With addition of ADN, progressively larger MCE defects occurred, starting with no STN (20 ± 10%), moderate STN (28 ± 10%) and severe STN (36 ± 13%, P l 0.05). With ADN, MCE defects overestimated and were unrelated to MI size in the presence of a severe STN (r = 0.39). slightly overestimated MI with a moderate STN (y = x + 8.02, P l 0.05), and best predicted MI when no residual STN was present (y = x + 0.65, p l 0.01). In conclusion, MCE without pharmacologic vasodilation closely approximates MI size when a STN is present during reflow, because a STN attenuates physiologic post-ischemic hyperemia. However, MCE with pharmacologic vasodilation during reflow through a STN overestimates MI in proportion to the degree of STN, since microvascular reserve in the entire risk bed is impaired. Thus, whereas MCE closely predicts MI size during pharmacologic vasodilation when the infarct artery is fully patent, if the infarct artery is stenotic, MCE best predicts MI size in the absence of pharmacologic vasodilation, particularly if the STN is severe.
Ultrastructure Studies of Conjugating Escherichia coli

THE process of formation of conjugal pairs is an intriguing aspect of the conjugation system of Escherichia coli. The process involves an interaction of surface components, especially F-pili1. There is also evidence that implicates further surface components2–4. Several attempts to obtain visual evidence for the nature of the conjugal bond have been reported, including the early use5 of negative staining techniques to study conjugation, and later studies with thin sectioning to obtain ultrastructural evidence6,7. These studies have demonstrated simple associations in pair formation in which the walls have merely been brought into close juxtaposition6, and also a more elaborate system in which bridging bubbles apparently arise from the outer cell wall layers of the recipient cells7. All these studies have used morphologically distinct donor and recipient cells to improve the recognition of possible conjugal pairs. Our purpose here is to report the observation, in cultures which consist solely of F− cells, of structures similar to those described above, and to suggest some of the limitations of electron microscopy for studies of this type.
O-antigen and Virulence Profiling of Shiga Toxin-Producing Escherichia coli by a Rapid and Cost–Effective DNA Microarray Colorimetric Method

Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) is a leading cause of foodborne illness worldwide. The present study developed the use of DNA microarrays with the ampliPHOX colorimetric method to rapidly detect and genotype STEC strains. A low-density 30-mer oligonucleotide DNA microarray was designed to target O-antigen gene clusters of eleven E. coli serogroups (O26, O45, O91, O103, O104, O111, O113, O121, O128, O145 and O157) that have been associated with the majority of STEC infections. In addition, the DNA microarray targeted eleven virulence genes, encoding adhesins, cytotoxins, proteases, and receptor proteins, which have been implicated in conferring increased ability to cause disease for STEC. Results from the validation experiments demonstrated that this microarray-based colorimetric method allowed for a rapid and accurate genotyping of STEC reference strains from environmental and clinical sources and from distinct geographical locations. Positive hybridization signals were detected only for probes targeting serotype and virulence genes known to be present in the STEC reference strains. Quantification analysis indicated that the mean pixel intensities of the signal for probes targeting O-antigen or virulence genes were at least three times higher when compared to the background. Furthermore, this microarray-based colorimetric method was then employed to genotype a group of E. coli isolates from watershed sediment and animal fecal samples that were collected from an important region for leafy-vegetable production in the central coast of California. The results indicated an accurate identification of O-type and virulence genes in the tested isolates and confirmed that the ampliPHOX colorimetric method with low density DNA microarrays enabled a fast assessment of the virulence potential of STEC using low-cost reagents and instrumentation.
Multimedia semantics: opportunities and challenges

Digital media production and consumption has skyrocketed in recent years and is now commonplace in many parts of our lives - from the way we entertain and inform ourselves to the way we communicate, socialize, and learn. With the tremendous growth of multimedia come great opportunities but even greater expectations and challenges. Traditional approaches of multimedia description based on manual tagging, production metadata, and link analysis are typically coarse-grained and inadequate. Advances in semantic understanding of multimedia content over recent years are instrumental for unlocking the full potential of multimedia.In this talk, I will describe a few case studies of multimedia semantics applications developed at IBM Research to address real world business problems, with emphasis on the key opportunities and challenges for each use case. The goal of this talk will be to raise questions and bring attention to open problems with practical implications, rather than to prescribe specific answers.
Biodegradation of wastes in a cyclically operated reactor: Theory, experimental verification and optimization studies

Abstract A cyclically operated biological reactor employed for treatment of liquid wastestreams containing a single pollutant was mathematically modeled and analyzed, using the principles of bifurcation theory for forced systems. The analysis showed that the system has two qualitatively different solutions (washout and culture survival), and that there are regions in the operating parameter space where multistability occurs. The theoretical predictions were experimentally verified with a 5-liter continuously operated reactor. Phenol was used as the model pollutant, and the biomass consisted of a pure culture of Pseudomonas putida (ATCC 31800). In all cases, an excellent agreement was found between experimental data and model predictions, both at a qualitative and a quantitative level. The model was subsequently used in numerical studies, the objective of which was to find optimal operating parameter values for maximizing the productivity (volumetric efficiency) of the reactor. The results indicate that in all cases, optimal parameter value sets exist. The system considered here is a variation of the sequencing batch reactors (SBRs) used in wastewater treatment applications. The results of this study suggest a methodology for optimal bioreactor design for environmental applications.
Progress‐report on the International Polar Year of 1932–33

The importance of securing increased knowledge of the physics of the Earth through observations in the inaccessible polar regions has long been recognized, but polar explorers and observers—because of limited means and lack of cooperative opportunities—have not always found it possible to undertake scientific programs simultaneously at many stations over even short periods. The polar records of pioneer and heroic endeavor give ample evidence of this. There was, however, one notable exception, namely, the First International Polar Year of August 1882 to August 1883 sponsored by the International Meteorological Organization following suggestions made in 1875 by Lieutenant Karl Weyprecht of Austria. That endeavor showed how highly profitable a simultaneous program for a full year at many stations may be, as is witnessed by the theoretical and practical applications of some 20 published volumes of its results.
Numerical simulation of many electron systems

Abstract The numerical simulation of many electron systems in condensed matter physics is discussed. An algorithm for carrying out such simulations, which is based upon the hybrid-molecular dynamics approach presently being used to study lattice gauge theory, is described. Results are presented from a simulation of the three-dimensional Hubbard model on lattices ranging in size from 4 3 to 10 3 .
Adaptive Trajectory Control for Autonomous Helicopters

For autonomous helicopter flight, it is common to separate the flight control problem into an inner loop that controls attitude and an outer loop that controls the translational trajectory of the helicopter. In previous work, dynamic inversion and neural-network-based adaptation was used to increase performance of the attitude control system and the method of pseudocontrol hedging (PCH) was used to protect the adaptation process from actuator limits and dynamics. Adaptation to uncertainty in the attitude, as well as the translational dynamics, is introduced, thus, minimizing the effects of model error in all six degrees of freedom and leading to more accurate position tracking. The PCH method is used in a novel way that enables adaptation to occur in the outer loop without interacting with the attitude dynamics. A pole-placement approach is used that alleviates timescale separation requirements, allowing the outer-loop bandwidth to be closer to that of the inner loop, thus, increasing position tracking performance. A poor model of the attitude dynamics and a basic kinematics model is shown to be sufficient for accurate position tracking. The theory and implementation of such an approach, with a summary of flight-test results, are described.
Physiological model of motion analysis for machine vision

We studied the spatio-temporal shape of `receptive fields' of simple cells in the monkey visual cortex. Receptive fields are maps of the regions in space and time that affect a cell's electrical responses. Fields with no change in shape over time responded to all directions of motion; fields with changing shape over time responded to only some directions of motion. A Gaussian Derivative (GD) model fit these fields well, in a transformed variable space that aligned the centers and principal axes of the field and model in space-time. The model accounts for fields that vary in orientation, location, spatial scale, motion properties, and number of lobes. The model requires only ten parameters (the minimum possible) to describe fields in two dimensions of space and one of time. A difference-of-offset-Gaussians (DOOG) provides a plausible physiological means to form GD model fields. Because of its simplicity, the GD model improves the efficiency of machine vision systems for analyzing motion. An implementation produced robust local estimates of the direction and speed of moving objects in real scenes.
Atmospheric reactions on electrically charged surfaces

It is proposed that tropospheric NO2 at concentrations in the parts-per-billion range can be efficiently converted to HONO in a dust storm, by a process that is initiated by electron capture by NO2 from a negatively-charged dust particle. The electron capture is visualized as a harpoon-type process that does not require the NO2 to be adsorbed on the particle. The resulting electronically excited [NO2−]* ion reacts with water to form an HONO molecule plus an OH−·(H2O)n cluster ion. It is suggested that analogous processes can occur on other atmospheric aerosol particles with both positive and negative charges, with other molecules of high electron affinity such as SO2, and also, because the earth’s surface is effectively the negative plate of a planet-sized capacitor, at the surfaces of terrestrial solids, lakes and oceans.
Bone Development in Creek Chub from a Stream Chronically Polluted with Heavy Metals

Abstract Creek chub Semotilus atromaculatus from Rocky Fork, a metal-contaminated stream in north-central Ohio, and Clear Fork, a nearby uncontaminated stream, were studied to determine the effects of chronic heavy metal contamination from industrial and municipal sources on bone development. We examined bone development offish from two contaminated sites in Rocky Fork and from four reference sites – three in Clear Fork and one in Rocky Fork – to evaluate variability among reference sites, and to determine if the clean-water headwater site on Rocky Fork was a suitable reference site for the two downstream contaminated sites. Collagen composition, density, strength, and energy-absorbing capacity of bone were significantly higher in fish from the headwater site on Clear Fork (upstream from an impoundment) than in fish at the other three reference sites. In bones of creek chub from sites in Rocky Fork where the water contained high total concentrations of chromium, copper, iron, nickel, and zinc, the collage...
Multiple Photon Production in Quantum Electrodynamics

Multiple production of photons in high-energy processes in quantum electrodynamics is investigated, and the electron-positron annihilation is specially discussed in detail. It is found that at very high energies in cosmic rays, multiple production of up to four or five observable photons can easily take place. But, the probability, according to quantum electrodynamics, for the multiple production of a larger number of observable photons is quite small.
Regulation of Ku-DNA Association by Yku70 C-terminal Tail and SUMO Modification

The Ku70-Ku80 ring complex encloses DNA ends to facilitate telomere maintenance and DNA break repair. Many studies focus on the ring-forming regions of subunits Ku70 and Ku80. Less is known about the Ku70 C-terminal tail, which lies outside the ring. Our results suggest that this region is responsible for dynamic sumoylation of Yku70 upon DNA association in budding yeast. Mutating a cluster of five lysines in this region largely eliminates Yku70 sumoylation. Chromatin immunoprecipitation analyses show that yku70 mutants with these lysines replaced by arginines exhibit reduced Ku-DNA association at both telomeres and internal DNA breaks. Consistent with this physical evidence, Yku70 sumoylation deficiency is associated with impaired ability to block DNA end resection and suppression of multiple defects caused by inefficient resection. Correlating with these, yku70 mutants with reduced sumoylation levels exhibit shorter telomeres, increased G overhang levels, and altered levels of non-homologous end joining. We also show that diminution of sumoylation does not affect Yku70 protein levels or its interactions with protein and RNA partners. These results suggest a model whereby Yku70 sumoylation upon DNA association strengthens Ku-DNA interaction to promote multiple functions of Ku.
New functions for coenzyme Q

Coenzyme Q is primarily identified with its role in energy coupling where it is involved in the generation of a proton gradient across membranes to drive ATP formation. Its identification as a significant antioxidant throughout cellular membranes is developing. Its function in other membrane redox systems introduces new functions such as the generation of hydrogen peroxide related to cellular signal systems or the acidification of other organelles. A role in the control of cell growth and apoptosis has also been introduced.
Generation of Recombinant Influenza Virus from Plasmid DNA

Efforts by a number of influenza research groups have been pivotal in the development and improvement of influenza A virus reverse genetics. Originally established in 1999 1,2 plasmid-based reverse genetic techniques to generate recombinant viruses have revolutionized the influenza research field because specific questions have been answered by genetically engineered, infectious, recombinant influenza viruses. Such studies include virus replication, function of viral proteins, the contribution of specific mutations in viral proteins in viral replication and/or pathogenesis and, also, viral vectors using recombinant influenza viruses expressing foreign proteins 3.
Clonidine has a bidirectional effect on operant responding for food.

Abstract Clonidine, an alpha-noradrenergic agonist, has had inconsistent effects when administered peripherally in previous studies of feeding behavior. The present experiment was undertaken to evaluate clonidine using an operant feeding paradigm (continuous reinforcement schedule) to provide detailed data on the time course of its effects. Over an entire four-hour session, all doses of clonidine tested (25, 50, or 100 μg/kg) increased bar-pressing. The 50 μg/kg dose was most effective. An examination of the time course of responding revealed that the initial effect of clonidine was to decrease responses with the duration and magnitude of the decrease directly proportional to dose. However, clonidine also prolonged a phase of steady responding for food once the animals resumed bar-pressing, resulting in a net increase of food intake. Future investigations of clonidine should take into account the effects of increasing dose on delayed onset of feeding.
Sexual dimorphisms in the vocal control system of a teleost fish: ultrastructure of neuromuscular junctions.

Abstract In the sound-generating fish, Porichthys notatus , large, nest-guarding ‘Type I’ males use their swimbladder ‘drumming’ muscles to produce acoustic communication signals. Females and another group of smaller sexually mature males (‘Type II’) have not been observed to produce sounds. Electron microscopy was used to compare the morphology of the neuromuscular junctions in vocalizing Type I males to those of Type II males and females. Significant differences were seen in synaptic vesicle density, terminal size, degree of terminal invagination below the muscle fiber surface, number of Schwann cell processes along the non-synaptic boundary of boutons, and the number of boutons per innervation site.
An analysis of automation for monitoring Area Navigation (RNAV) and required navigation performance (RNP) terminal operations

As stated in the roadmap for performance-based navigation, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is committed to implementing area navigation (RNAV) and required navigation performance (RNP) procedures throughout the National Airspace System (NAS). RNAV and RNP procedures provide lateral guidance as well as vertical and speed restrictions at waypoints where necessary along arrival or departure procedures. As compared to conventional vectoring operations where the terminal controller issues heading, speed, and altitude clearances, RNAV procedures reduce the number of clearances issued by air traffic control (ATC). The MITRE Corporationpsilas Center for Advanced Aviation System Development (CAASD) in coordination with ATC subject matter experts from FAA operational facilities has conducted research to define automation needs for monitoring RNAV and RNP operations. The needs focus on ensuring controllers maintain situation awareness in environments with high RNAV and RNP participation and increasing traffic levels. One major function of the automation is to provide an alert to a radar controller when an aircraft is deviating from its assigned RNAV or RNP procedure. This paper presents the automation needs associated with monitoring RNAV and RNP operations, and the results from human-in-the-loop experiments that measured latency times in detecting deviation events in simulated RNAV and RNP environments with and without the alerting automation. Results indicate that latency times associated with detecting pilot deviations were reduced in conditions with the monitoring automation. Subjective workload measures were not different in any significant way.
httperf—a tool for measuring web server performance

This paper describes httperf, a tool for measuring web server performance. It provides a flexible facility for generating various HTTP workloads and for measuring server performance. The focus of httperf is not on implementing one particular benchmark but on providing a robust, high-performance tool that facilitates the construction of both micro- and macro-level benchmarks. The three distinguishing characteristics of httperf are its robustness, which includes the ability to generate and sustain server overload, support for the HTTP/1.1 protocol, and its extensibility to new workload generators and performance measurements. In addition to reporting on the design and implementation of httperf this paper also discusses some of the experiences and insights gained while realizing this tool.
The coronary artery bypass experience: gender differences

Abstract Objective The primary purpose of this study was to examine differences between women and men on physical, social and psychological domains of health quality of life before, 1 month after, and 3 months after coronary artery bypass surgery. Design A prospective, longitudinal design was used. Setting The study was conducted at a Midwestern, 500-bed community hospital with an ongoing cardiothoracic surgical program. Participants Forty pairs of women and men matched on age within 5 years and body surface area within 0.1m 2 . Instruments The physical, social and psychological domains of health quality of life were assessed using the following instruments: Ferrans and Powers Quality of Life Index, Specific Activity Scale, Symptom Scale, Profile of Mood States, Overall Health Rating Index, and Personal Resource Questionnaire. Results Both women and men improved on physical and psychological measures following coronary artery bypass surgery. Compared with men, women reported more shortness of breath and depression and lower ratings of activity, vigor, and overall health. Measures of social support yielded little information. Conclusions Despite matching for age and body surface area, women did not have as favorable an outcome after surgery as men. Continued research needs to further examine the interaction of physical outcomes and depression in women after coronary artery bypass surgery.
Semiotics and Society

This essay introduces some of the basic concepts that can be used in applied semiotic analysis and discusses the work of some prominent semioticians, such as Ferdinande de Saussure, Charles Sander Peirce, Umberto Eco, and Roland Barthes. Barthes’ book Mythologies is identified as a seminal text in applied semiotic analysis. Marshall McLuhan’s book The Mechanical Bride is discussed as being semiotic in nature, though he doesn’t use the term. The utility of semiotics utility in studying teeth, facial expression and other aspects of people watching and communication is also dealt with.
Title: Preparing for the future

Given that current generation DWDM systems supported multiple bit rate upgrades, the expectation is that next generation platforms will provide even more scalability. This presentation focuses on key requirements to future proof the transport network.
Best Management Practices for Summer Fallow in the World's Driest Rainfed Wheat Region

Soil Sci. Soc. Am. J. 78:1707–1715 doi:10.2136/sssaj2014.04.0168 Received 24 Apr. 2014. *Corresponding author (william.schillinger@wsu.edu). © Soil Science Society of America, 5585 Guilford Rd., Madison WI 53711 USA All rights reserved. No part of this periodical may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher. Permission for printing and for reprinting the material contained herein has been obtained by the publisher. Best Management Practices for Summer Fallow in the World’s Driest Rainfed Wheat Region Soil & Water Management & Conservation
Randomized trial of beta-lactam regimens in febrile neutropenic cancer patients

A three-arm prospective randomized trial was designed to compare the efficacies of piperacillin plus vancomycin, ceftazidime plus vancomycin, or all three drugs as initial therapy for fever in neutropenic cancer patients. The objectives were to determine whether a broad-spectrum penicillin was as effective as a broad-spectrum cephalosporin and whether two beta-lactam antibiotics were more effective than one. Four hundred and seventy of the 519 febrile episodes entered in the study could be evaluated for response. Ceftazidime plus vancomycin was significantly more effective than piperacillin plus vancomycin, considering all febrile episodes (79 percent versus 61 percent, p = 0.001), documented infections (79 percent versus 57 percent, p = 0.004), gram-negative infections (88 percent versus 47 percent, p = 0.001), and bacteremias (81 percent versus 51 percent, p = 0.01). The addition of piperacillin to ceftazidime (piperacillin plus ceftazidime and vancomycin versus ceftazidime plus vancomycin) did not improve the response rate and was associated with a significantly higher incidence of skin rash. Vancomycin plus ceftazidime provides adequate antibiotic coverage for initial treatment of fever in neutropenic patients. This combination was equally effective, less expensive, and less toxic than the double beta-lactam combination used in this study.
Apurinic/Apyrimidinic Endonuclease 1 Alters Estrogen Receptor Activity and Estrogen-Responsive Gene Expression

Apurinic/apyrimidinic endonuclease 1 or redox factor-1 (Ape1/Ref-1) is a pleiotropic cellular protein involved in DNA repair and, through its redox activity, enhances the binding of a select group of transcription factors to their cognate recognition sequences in DNA. Thus, we were intrigued when we identified Ape1/Ref-1 and a number of DNA repair and oxidative stress proteins in a complex associated with the DNA-bound estrogen receptor alpha (ERalpha). Because Ape1/Ref-1 interacts with a number of transcription factors and influences their activity, we determined whether it might also influence ERalpha activity. We found that endogenously expressed Ape1/Ref-1 and ERalpha from MCF-7 human breast cancer cells interact and that Ape1/Ref-1 enhances the interaction of ERalpha with estrogen-response elements (EREs) in DNA. More importantly, Ape1/Ref-1 alters expression of the endogenous, estrogen-responsive progesterone receptor and pS2 genes in MCF-7 cells and associates with ERE-containing regions of these genes in native chromatin. Interestingly, knocking down Ape1/Ref-1 expression or inhibiting its redox activity with the small molecule inhibitor E3330 enhances estrogen responsiveness of the progesterone receptor and pS2 genes but does not alter the expression of the constitutively active 36B4 gene. Additionally, the reduced form of Ape1/Ref-1 increases and E3330 limits ERalpha-ERE complex formation in vitro and in native chromatin. Our studies demonstrate that Ape1/Ref-1 mediates its gene-specific effects, in part, by associating with endogenous, estrogen-responsive genes and that the redox activity of Ape1/Ref-1 is instrumental in altering estrogen-responsive gene expression.
Working memory, fluid intelligence, and impulsiveness in heavy media multitaskers

Ophir, Nass, and Wagner (Proceedings of the National Association of Sciences 106:15583-15587, 2009) reported that individuals who routinely engage in multiple forms of media use are actually worse at multitasking, possibly due to difficulties in ignoring irrelevant stimuli, from both external sources and internal representations in memory. Using the media multitasking index (MMI) developed by Ophir et al., we identified heavy media multitaskers (HMMs) and light media multitaskers (LMMs) and tested them on measures of attention, working memory, task switching, and fluid intelligence, as well as self-reported impulsivity and self-control. We found that people who reported engaging in heavy amounts of media multitasking reported being more impulsive and performed more poorly on measures of fluid intelligence than did those who did not frequently engage in media multitasking. However, we could find no evidence to support the contention that HMMs are worse in a multitasking situation such as task switching or that they show any deficits in dealing with irrelevant or distracting information, as compared with LMMs.
Partial Purification of an Antidiarrheic Factor in Modified Cottonseed Oil Soapstock for Milk Replacer Rations

Abstract A commercially manufactured feed-grade oil, Marcol B-75, reported previously to be strongly antidiarrheic when added to calf milk replacer diets, was systematically partitioned by three selected fractionation procedures: distillation, solubility in hexane, and saponification. The nondistillable, hexane-insoluble, saponifiable fraction was sufficiently antidiarrheic to prevent scouring in calves on milk replacer diets over-fed 60 to 100% above normal. The smallest active fraction, comprising 3% by volume of the original oil, was effectively antidiarrheic when incorporated into a milk replacer diet at a level of 0.3% by weight.
Unbinding Time: Alternate Work Schedules and Work-Life Balance

We examine the possibility that alternate work schedules affect perceived work-life imbalance—the “time bind.” The results show that alternate schedules per se do not “unbind” time. However, perceived control of work schedules increases work-life balance net of family and work characteristics. The most consistent family characteristic predicting imbalance is being a parent. The most consistent work characteristic predicting imbalance is hours worked. Once we control for hours worked, women and part-timers are shown to perceive more imbalance. Younger and better educated persons also perceive more work-life imbalance. However, they also report higher levels of schedule control and since schedule control improves work-life balance, it may be more important for unbinding time than schedule alternatives.
Accounting for trait architecture in genomic predictions of US Holstein cattle using a weighted realized relationship matrix

Genomic BLUP (GBLUP) can predict breeding values for non-phenotyped individuals based on the identity-by-state genomic relationship matrix (G). The G matrix can be constructed from thousands of markers spread across the genome. The strongest assumption of G and consequently of GBLUP is that all markers contribute equally to the genetic variance of a trait. This assumption is violated for traits that are controlled by a small number of quantitative trait loci (QTL) or individual QTL with large effects. In this paper, we investigate the performance of using a weighted genomic relationship matrix (wG) that takes into consideration the genetic architecture of the trait in order to improve predictive ability for a wide range of traits. Multiple methods were used to calculate weights for several economically relevant traits in US Holstein dairy cattle. Predictive performance was tested by k-means cross-validation. Relaxing the GBLUP assumption of equal marker contribution by increasing the weight that is given to a specific marker in the construction of the trait-specific G resulted in increased predictive performance. The increase was strongest for traits that are controlled by a small number of QTL (e.g. fat and protein percentage). Furthermore, bias in prediction estimates was reduced compared to that resulting from the use of regular G. Even for traits with low heritability and lower general predictive performance (e.g. calving ease traits), weighted G still yielded a gain in accuracy. Genomic relationship matrices weighted by marker realized variance yielded more accurate and less biased predictions for traits regulated by few QTL. Genome-wide association analyses were used to derive marker weights for creating weighted genomic relationship matrices. However, this can be cumbersome and prone to low stability over generations because of erosion of linkage disequilibrium between markers and QTL. Future studies may include other sources of information, such as functional annotation and gene networks, to better exploit the genetic architecture of traits and produce more stable predictions.
Dependency Analysis Framework for Software Service Delivery

Various phases in the delivery of software services such as solution design, application deployment, and maintenance require analysis of the dependencies of software products that form the solution. As software systems become more complex and involve a large number of software products from multiple vendors, availability of correct and up-to-date system requirement information becomes critical to ensure proper functioning of managed and maintained software solutions. System requirement information, is mostly made available in unstructured formats from sources such as websites or product documents and are not amenable to programmatic analysis. In this paper, we motivate the benefits of capturing this information in a structured format for software service delivery, and present a dependency analysis system that collects and integrates software dependency/interoperability information from multiple unstructured sources using text mining techniques. Information hence collected, is used to support analytics useful in software service delivery. We report the results of our experiments on mining millions of web pages to collect dependency information for more than 700 software products.
THE BENEFITS OF INDUCED DEFENSES AGAINST HERBIVORES

Previous explanations for the evolution of induced resistance of plants to herbivory emphasized arguments based on saving costs when allocations to defense were not needed; these models met with limited empirical support. We offer a novel explanation based on induced resistance providing increased variability in defense. As long as maximal levels of defense are constrained, variability will increase the effectiveness of a given level of investment in defense. We show that variability can decrease herbivore performance if herbivore performance is a concave function of the level of resistance. In particular, if herbivores can choose among different plants and plant tissues, then variability created by induced resistance may benefit plants under attack and hence may be favored by selection. The key assumptions of this model are broadly supported by empirical data from many plant-herbivore systems.
Programmable low noise amplifier with active-inductor load

A common gate CMOS low noise amplifier (LNA) with an active-inductor load is presented. For large inductance values, an on-chip passive inductor requires considerable silicon area and it is quality-factor (Q) limited; a situation that can be rendered as impractical. Hence, the purpose of this work is to seek the possibility of using active inductors in RF circuits as substitutes for passive ones. Moreover, an active inductor opens avenues for programmability, e.g. it is possible to attain an amplifier with a programmable center frequency. It is shown in this paper that by proper design optimization the active-inductor's noise contribution can be minimized. HSPICE simulations using 0.5 /spl mu/m HP technology show that our amplifier has a tuning range of half decade for a center frequency at 1 GHz. The simulated gain, noise figure, and power consumption are 20 dB, 3.65 dB, and 14 mW, respectively.
Physiologic Evidence for a Dual A-V Transmission System

A study of the transmission of early premature contractions between atria and ventricles and in the retrograde direction in the dog heart suggests the existence of two parallel A-V conduction pathways communicating with each other over one or more branches. The evidence is based on the excessive delay of very early premature responses in traversing the node, suggesting that a slowly conducting pathway recovers earlier than the normal "fast" pathway; on the echoing back to the chamber of origin of early premature responses; and on ventricular electrograms of "abnormal" configuration obtained during early premature responses. These observations and the hypothesis to which they lead provide a natural explanation for reciprocal rhythm and nodal paroxysmal tachycardia.
A Cross-Layer Multiple-Access Protocol with Adaptive Transmission for Direct-Sequence Spread-Spectrum Ad Hoc Networks

We introduce a protocol for direct-sequence spread-spectrum ad hoc networks that enables simultaneous transmissions while limiting multiple-access interference. Our protocol establishes channel-access restrictions to prevent excessive levels of multiple-access interference and enables efficient operation of adaptive transmission. Each radio uses cross-layer metrics to identify neighboring radios which could cause detrimental levels of multiple-access interference. We implement and evaluate the distributed protocol in a simulation that models the multiple-access interference for each packet transmission. We show that our cross-layer protocol significantly increases network throughput compared to protocols that do not jointly control channel access and adaptive transmission.
A new projection-type split-sample score test in linear instrumental variables regression

In this paper we introduce a new method of projection-type inference and describe it in the context of two stage least squares-based split-sample inference on subsets of structural coefficients in a linear instrumental variables regression model. The use of the new method not only guards against the uncontrolled over-rejection of the true value of the parameters of interest, but also reduces the conservativeness of the usual method of projection proposed by Dufour and his co-authors.
Loss reduction from use of new SVC model

This paper presents an application of a flexible AC transmission system (FACTS) device as additional control in reactive power (VAR) optimization problem and analyzes the impact on system loss minimization. The adopted FACTS device is a new static VAR compensator (SVC). The general SVC consists of internal devices, and local devices, and the operation mode of the general SVC model is voltage control mode only. The new SVC model controls local, remote, internal and external devices simultaneously. It has two modes of operation: (1) Voltage control mode; and (2) Q control mode. This paper analyzes the functions of the new SVC, and implements them in the practical power systems. The impact of VAR optimization with new SVC model on loss minimization is also discussed by comparing it with VAR optimization with general SVC model as well as VAR optimization without SVC model.
Exploring Environmental and Economic Trade-offs Associated with Aggregate Recycling from Decommissioned Forest Roads

Forest road decommissioning is a pro-active mechanism for preventing future habitat degradation and for increasing the likelihood of endangered salmonid survival in the western U.S. High implementation costs however preclude many desirable projects from being undertaken, especially on federally owned land. Previous research and real-world applications have demonstrated the cost savings potential of reusing aggregate recovered from forest roads during decommissioning. These cost savings can effectively subsidize decommissioning projects, suggesting an economic benefit associated with improving environmental benefit. We present a mixed integer, multiple objective formulation to identify the efficient trade-off surface between conflicting economic and environmental criteria, where environmental benefit is defined as the hazard weighted length of roads decommissioned. We compare nondominated frontiers identified with and without the opportunity to recycle aggregate. Our results suggest that aggregate recycling promotes a synergistic relationship between cost savings (subsidy) and environmental performance, where subsidies generally increase with increasing environmental performance. Effective subsidy values can reach 31% of total expenditure, at the maximum level of environmental benefit. Transportation managers are therefore able to recover and reuse a nonrenewable resource, while at the same time promoting economic and environmental efficiency.
Volumetric analysis of the initial index computed tomography scan can predict the natural history of acute uncomplicated type B dissections

Objective Our objective was to characterize the predictive impact of computed tomography (CT) scan volumetric analysis on the natural history of acute uncomplicated type B aortic dissections (ADs). Methods We conducted a retrospective review of patients with acute type B ADs from 2009 to 2014. On an iNtuition workstation (TeraRecon, Foster City, Calif), volume measurements were obtained using the true lumen volume (TLV), false lumen volume (FLV), and total aortic volume from the left subclavian artery to the celiac artery. Growth rate was calculated as the change in maximal diameter between first and last available CT scans during the time interval. The primary outcome of the study was delayed aortic intervention. P Results During a 5-year period, 164 patients had CT scan evidence of acute type B ADs; 11 patients were excluded for lack of subsequent follow-up imaging; 36 patients who underwent urgent repair ( 14 days) thoracic endovascular aneurysm repair (29) or open repair (3). Mean age was 66 ± 12 years. Mean TLV/FLV ratio on initial CT scan was significantly higher in patients who did not eventually require an operation (1.55 vs 0.82; P = .02). The mean growth rate was higher in those eventually requiring operation (2.47 vs 0.42 mm/mo; P = .003). Patients were divided into three subgroups on the basis of their initial imaging TLV/FLV ratios ( 1.6). There was a significant difference in the growth rates between these three groups (4.6 vs 2.4 vs 0.8 mm/mo; P P 1.6 was highly predictive for freedom from delayed operation (sensitivity, 91%; specificity, 42%; positive predictive value, 61%; negative predictive value, 86%). After Kaplan-Meier analysis, 1-year and 2-year survival free of aortic interventions was 60% and 42% with a TLV/FLV ratio 1.6 ( P = .001). Conclusions Initial CT scan volumetric analysis in patients presenting with uncomplicated acute type B ADs is a useful tool to predict growth and need for future intervention.