cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Preliminary results with neoadjuvant therapy and resection for esophageal carcinoma

Between December 1988 and August 1992, 68 patients with adenocarcinoma (n = 39) and squamous carcinoma (n = 29) of the esophagus were entered prospectively in a treatment protocol to receive two cycles of cisplatin, 5-fluorouracil, etoposide, leucovorin, and 3,000 cGy of radiation to the involved esophagus and adjacent mediastinum, followed by resection. There were four deaths during chemotherapy, and 7 patients had a decline in condition or were denied operation. Fifty-six patients have come to operation, and 1 awaits resection. Twenty-two patients had transhiatal esophagectomy and 29 patients had esophagogastrostomy with a combined abdominal and right thoracic approach. Five patients did not undergo resection at operation. There was one hospital death (2%). A complete response to preoperative therapy was seen in 12 patients (21%): 5 of 20 with squamous cancer (25%) and 7 of 36 with adenocarcinoma (19%). Average follow-up is 19 months. Median survival in these patients after entrance in the protocol is 24 months. Actuarial survival at 12, 18, and 24 months is 72% (confidence limits, 66% and 78%), 53% (confidence limits, 46% and 60%), and 51% (confidence limits, 44% and 58%). Significantly better survival was associated with adenocarcinoma (p = 0.041). There is no survival advantage based on complete response to preoperative therapy. This neoadjuvant regimen is effective in patients with squamous carcinoma and adenocarcinoma. These preliminary results demonstrate an improved median and actuarial survival compared with historical controls in 137 patients operated on between 1966 and 1985 at our institution.
Methane production and consumption in anoxic marine sediments

The production of methane in anoxic environments can lead to significant accumulations of this gas in appropriate marine sediments. However, the uniformly low methane concentrations in marine, anoxic, sulfate-reducing sea water and sediments represents a balance between production by methanogenic bacteria and consumption by sulfate-reducing bacteria. The primary sink for anaerobically generated methane in marine sediments is sulfate reduction, not aerobic oxidation.
Recent advances in the fabrication of hollow glass waveguides

Hollow glass waveguides are an attractive fibers delivery system for a broad range of infrared wavelengths, including the 3 μm Er:YAG and 10.6 μm CO 2 lasers. The Losses for these waveguides are as low as 0.2 dB/m at the 10.6 μm wavelength for waveguides with a 700 μm bore. At the shorter wavelengths, like that of the Er:YAG laser, losses are higher than those predicted theoretically. This is shown to be a result of the increasing effect of surface roughness of the inner coatings. Variation of attenuation from waveguide to waveguide is examined, and the variation in the dielectric layer is evaluated.
Clinical Child Assessment in a Family Context: A Four-Group Typology of Family Experiences with Young Children with Developmental Delays

Part H of The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act of 1991 (IDEA), formerly the Education for the Handicapped Act, urges professionals to involve families as true collaborators in the assessment process. The challenge contains implications for child as well as family assessment. In this study, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 102 families of preschool-age children with developmental delays to supplement traditional child assessment data. Four types, or subgroups emerged, reflecting variations in parents' views of the impact of their child on the family's daily routine. These subgroups, in turn, were related to different domains of family adaptation or accommodation. Child impact was not related to developmental test scores, and there was no relationship between total family income or socioeconomic status and accommodation. Utility of the typology for early interventionists is discussed.
Change in Eating Habits of College Students and Increased Weighted Discrepancy Score Calculated with the Body-Image Ideals Questionnaire

Text: This study assessed the discrepancy between perceived and ideal body image versus its importance in college students (n 236), and identified eating habits, sources of nutrition information, and other factors that might significantly impact individual body image ideals. Methods included administration of the Body-Image Ideals Questionnaire (BIQ), demographics and questions regarding nutrition information sources, changes in weight and eating habits upon entering college, and measurements of body composition using bioelectrical impedance. Weighted discrepancy scores were calculated with the BIQ results. T-tests and ANOVAs identified significantly higher discrepancy scores based upon age, body type, television as a primary nutrition information source, and change in weight and five of eight eating habits upon entering college. A stepwise linear regression analysis explained 10% of the variance in weighted discrepancy scores by consumption of junk food, nutrition and diet information from television, binge eating habits, and weight increase upon entering college (p 0.0001). Results identify a need for nutrition education and skills interventions among undergraduate students to improve dietary habits and body image ideals.
Improving the operating temperature of quantum dots-in-a-well detectors

ABSTRACT In this paper, we report some of our recent results on improving the operating temperature of dots-in-a-well (DWELL) infrared photodetectors. This was achieved by engineering the dot geometry and the interrelated quantum confinement by varying the growth conditions and composition of the subsequent capping of the quantum dots (QDs). The influence of these conditions was determined by examining the optical properties of the QDs directly and indirectly with their function in a DWELL IR photodetector. Spectral response was observed until 250K with spectral response peak at 3.2 m, and the peak detectivity is 1×10 9 cmHz 1/2 /W at 77K and ~ 1e8 cmHz 1/2 /W at 250K. By varying the external bias, the DWELL heterostructure allows for the manipulation of the operating wavelength. This tunability is a critical stepping stone towards creating multicolor imaging systems that can be used to take images at multiple wavelengths from each pixel in a focal plane array. Keywords: infrared detectors, quantum dots-in-a-w ell (DWELL), focal plane array (FPA)
Pulsed metalorganic chemical vapor deposition of high quality AlN/GaN superlattices for intersubband transitions

A pulsed metalorganic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD) technique, specifically designed for high quality AlN/GaN superlattices (SLs) is introduced. Optical quality and precise controllability over layer thicknesses are investigated. Indium is shown to improve interface and surface quality. An AlN/GaN SL designed for intersubband transition at a telecommunication wavelength of ~1.5 μm, is grown, and processed for intersubband (ISB) absorption measurements. Room temperature measurements show intersubband absorption centered at 1.49 μm. Minimal (n-type) silicon doping of the well is shown to be crucial for good ISB absorption characteristics. The potential to extend this technology into the far infrared and even the terahertz (THz) region is also discussed.
Hatchability of Bobwhite Quail Eggs: Effect of Storage Time and Temperature

Abstract Two factorial experiments were conducted to determine the influence of preincubation storage time and temperature on the hatching quality of Bobwhite quail eggs. Each experimental cell represented a holding temperature of 7.2, 12.8, 18.3, or 23.9 C for 1, 2, 3, or 4 weeks of storage. Results indicated Bobwhite quail eggs should not be stored longer than 7 days. All temperatures tested gave satisfactory results for 1 week storage; however, if extended storage is required, the holding temperature should be approximately 12.8 C.
A cluster of four cases of Mycobacterium haemophilum infection

Four cases of infection withMycobacterium haemophilum occurred at a single hospital in a seven-month period. Only 22 cases have been reported since 1976. All four patients were immunocompromised; two had AIDS and two were the first known recipients of allogeneic bone marrow transplants (BMT) to develop the infection. One BMT recipient died ofMycobacterium haemophilum pneumonia. The organism requires hemin or ferric ammonium citrate and incubation of media at 30 °C for optimum growth. Clinicians and microbiologists should consider infection withMycobacterium haemophilum, particularly when specimens are from immuno-compromised patients with unexplained illness and/or when acid-fast bacilli are seen on smear.
Nonbinary LDPC-Coded Modulation for Rate-Adaptive Optical Fiber Communication Without Bandwidth Expansion

A rate-adaptive nonbinary low-density parity-check-coded modulation scheme is proposed to enable fiber-optic transmission at variable bit rates by adjusting the spectral efficiency (SE) of transmission while keeping the occupied bandwidth fixed. To achieve a given SE within a fixed bandwidth, both the underlying signal constellation size and the forward error correction code rate are adjusted. Using the scarce resource of bandwidth more effectively, the proposed scheme is expected to find applications in both current fixed-grid networks and in future networks that might adopt flexible grid approach.
Collaboration technology: theory & methodology

Collaborative systems are pushing at the boundaries of many research paradigms. The papers selected in collaboration technology mini-track reflect this.Amrit Tiwana and Ashley Bush suggest that Social Exchange Theory provides a foundation to address limitations such as inability to motivate members to actively participate in virtual knowledge sharing and problem solving activities. They further suggest that member perceptions of the costs and benefits of participating in the group can be modified over time by providing active feedback to each member. They propose a modified architecture for virtual community discussions by incorporating suggestions provided by Social Exchange Theory.Quentin Jones and Sheizaf Rafaeli outline a theory and a research program for the exploration of the material aspects of computer mediated communication, such as text length, text density, web-logs, etc. By focusing on the material aspects of communication, analysis can occur at a level where social meaning has only indirect relevance. By taking this approach, it is possible to examine larger scale phenomena such as the collective impact of individual cognitive processing-limits on group communication.
Membrane elasticity effects on permeability measurements in vesicles

Typical experiments to measure permeability in biologically relevant cell membranes utilize vesicles, single bilayer membrane capsules, as idealized cells. The permeation of solute through the vesicle membrane is analyzed with the assumption that the vesicle volume and membrane area are fixed during the experiment. In response to the excess solute concentration internal to the vesicle, however, an osmotic stress is set up that acts to stretch the vesicle membrane, resulting in an initial dilution of the vesicle contents, followed by a continued elastic response of the vesicle membrane as the experiment proceeds and the internal and external concentrations equilibrate. We derive a simple analytic theory of this process that couples the mass-transfer process with the area elasticity of the vesicle membrane. If dilution of the exterior solution is used to initiate the permeation, significant effects on measured permeabilities are predicted for membranes with a low elastic modulus, when large concentration differences are imposed or vesicles are greater than 0.1 micron in diameter. In practice, this leads to an underestimate of the permeability of membranes composed of polyunsaturated lipids or lipids in contact with alcohols or alkanes. It could also lead to the erroneous conclusion that the permeability is concentration-dependent. The effects of elasticity, however, are minor, if dialysis is used to continually remove any exterior solute or if saturated phospholipid membranes with a large elastic modulus or vesicles of less than 0.1 micron diameter are used.
Development of responsiveness to hormones after a blood meal in the mosquito Aedes aegypti

Abstract The effects of exogenous hormones on oocyte development in isolated abdomens from blood-fed female Aedes aegypti were examined. Abdomens were prepared immediately after a blood meal. Single applications of hormones were administered immediately after ligation or 18 hr after the blood meal. Double applications were done at both times. Oocyte development was assayed by measuring the amount of yolk in oocytes 66 hr after the blood meal. Topical application of maximum doses of methoprene immediately after ligation caused oocytes to mature in 60% of the abdomens; a half-maximum response was obtained with 300 pg. Injection of 700 ng of 20-hydroxyecdysone (20-HE) was necessary to cause an equivalent response. Delaying the injection of 20-HE until 18 hr after feeding reduced the amount necessary to obtain a half-maximum response to 150 ng. Treating the abdomens twice dramatically reduced the amount of 20-HE needed for the second dose: pretreatment of abdomens immediately after ligation with 50 pg of 20-HE reduced the amount of 20-HE needed in the second injection to 30 ng. Pretreatment with a topical application of 50 pg of methoprene had a similar effect. These data indicate that the sensitivity of the mosquito to exogenous hormones changes after a blood meal, and that either 20-HE or methoprene can promote a further increase in sensitivity.
Sperm competition affects the structure of the mammalian vas deferens

Sperm competition is widespread, resulting in sexual selection when the gametes of two or more males compete for access to a given set of ova. This study shows, for the first time, that sexual selection has influenced the evolution of the mammalian vas deferens – that is, the muscular duct which rapidly transports spermatozoa from the cauda epididymis to the ampulla during sexual activity. Morphometric studies of 103 species, representing 70 genera of mammals, show that the vas deferens is on average 33% shorter and its muscular walls are 45% thicker, in those forms where sperm competition pressures are greatest. The outer and inner longitudinal muscle layers of the vas are thickened under these conditions, whereas the central, circular muscle layer is significantly reduced. Thus, mammals that have multiple partner mating systems, and large testes in relation to body weight, have shorter and more muscular vasa deferentia than mammals where single partner mating systems, and smaller relative testes sizes, are the norm. These differences are statistically significant after application of procedures to correct for possible phylogenetic biases in the data set. Sperm competition has played an important role in the evolution of the mammalian vasa deferentia, favouring muscular specializations that enhance sperm transport.
Anatomical Correction of Vaginal Vault Prolapse by Uterosacral Ligament Fixation in Women Who Also Require a Pubovaginal Sling

ABSTRACTPurpose: We describe the anatomical and functional outcome in patients who underwent vaginal vault fixation to the proximal uterosacral ligaments for the treatment of vault prolapse and who also required a concomitant pubovaginal sling for associated stress urinary incontinence as well as the repair of other sector defects.Materials and Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the records of 33 patients who underwent such repairs between November 1998 and December 2001. Endopelvic fascial defects were described using the pelvic organ prolapse quantitative system (POPQ). Outcome measures included anatomical and functional assessment of pelvic floor defects and urinary incontinence.Results: Preoperatively all patients complained of a vaginal bulge and stress urinary incontinence, while 17 of the 33 had urge incontinence, and 24 and 9 had POPQ stage III or IV and stage II prolapse, respectively. Mean followup was 28 months (range 6 to 43). There was significant improvement in all POPQ measurements (p <0....
Turbulence Implies that Mean Motion Resonances are Rare

This paper considers the effects of turbulence on mean motion resonances in extrasolar planetary systems and predicts that systems rarely survive in a resonant configuration. A growing number of systems are reported to be in resonance, which is thought to arise from the planet migration process. If planets are brought together and moved inward through torques produced by circumstellar disks, then disk turbulence can act to prevent planets from staying in a resonant configuration. This paper studies this process through numerical simulations and via analytic model equations, where both approaches include stochastic forcing terms due to turbulence. We explore how the amplitude and forcing time intervals of the turbulence affect the maintenance of mean motion resonances. If turbulence is common in circumstellar disks during the epoch of planet migration, with the amplitudes indicated by current MHD simulations, then planetary systems that remain deep in mean motion resonance are predicted to be rare. More specifically, the fraction of resonant systems that survive over a typical disk lifetime of ~1 Myr is of order 0.01. If mean motion resonances are found to be common, their existence would place tight constraints on the amplitude and duty cycle of turbulent fluctuations in circumstellar disks. These results can be combined by expressing the expected fraction of surviving resonant systems in the approximate form $m{c P}bound a C/N1/2orb$ -->, where the dimensionless parameter -->C ~ 10?50 and -->Norb is the number of orbits for which turbulence is active.
Where are the old-population hypervelocity stars?

To date, all of the reported hypervelocity stars (HVSs), which are believed to be ejected from the Galactic center, are blue and therefore almost certainly young. Old-population HVSs could be much more numerous than the young ones that have been discovered, but still have escaped detection because they are hidden in a much denser background of Galactic halo stars. Discovery of these stars would shed light on star formation at the Galactic center, would constrain the mechanism by which they are ejected from it, and, if they prove numerous, would enable detailed studies of the structure of the dark halo. We analyze the problem of finding these stars and show that the search should be concentrated around the main-sequence turnoff (0.3 < g - i < 1.1) at relatively faint magnitudes (19.5 < g < 21.5). If the ratio of turnoff stars to B stars is the same for HVSs as it is in the local disk, such a search would yield about 1 old-population HVS per 45 deg2. A telescope similar to the Sloan 2.5 m could search about 20 deg2 per night, implying that such a population, should it exist, would show up in interesting numbers in short order.
An unusual landslide feature on Mars

A flow feature on a crater wall, characteristic of a landslide, has been identified in a Mariner 9 high resolution photograph. Although other evidence of mass wasting is common in Mariner 9 photography, the case presented appears unique. A tentative conclusion is that, at least in some cases, Martian soil exhibits significant internal friction in mass movements.
Conversion of a 3-desoxysteroid to 3-desoxyestrogen by human placental aromatase.

Abstract Human placental aromatase is a cytochrome P-450 enzyme system which converts androgens to estrogens by three successive oxidative reactions. The first two steps have been shown to be hydroxylations at the androgen 19-carbon, but the third step remains unknown. A leading theory for the third step involves ferric peroxide attack on the 19-oxo group to produce a 19,19-hydroxyferric peroxide intermediate and subsequent collapse to estrogen. We had previously developed a nonenzymatic peroxide model reaction which was based on the above-mentioned theory, and we demonstrated the importance of 3-ketone enolization in facilitating aromatization. This study discusses the synthesis and nonenzymatic and enzymatic study of a 3-desoxy-2,4-diene-19-oxo androgen analogue. This compound was found to be a potent nonenzymatic model substrate and competitive inhibitor of aromatase (Ki = 73 nM). Furthermore, in an unprecedented event, this compound served as a substrate for aromatase, with conversion to the corresponding 3-desoxyestrogen.
Sex differences in the JAK2V617F allele burden in chronic myeloproliferative disorders

Background The JAK2V617F allele burden is a variable measure, determined by the frequency of mitotic recombination events and the expansion of JAK2V617F clones. Since variability in the JAK2V617F allele burden is partly responsible for the distinct phenotypes seen in the myeloproliferative disorders, the objective of this study was to identify modifiers of the allele burden.Design and Methods Blood samples were obtained between May 2005 and January 2009 from 272 patients with essential thrombocytosis, polycythemia vera, and myelofibrosis. The JAK2V617F allele burden was measured by an allele-specific quantitative polymerase chain reaction using DNA from purified neutrophils. Repeated measures, on average 2 years apart, were available for 104 patients.Results Sex, age at diagnosis, and disease duration all independently influenced the JAK2V617F allele burden. When considering all patients with myeloproliferative disorders, women had significantly lower allele burdens than men (P=0.04). In those patients with repeated measures, the increase in allele burden per year between the first and second evaluations was significantly less in females than in males. Among those who experienced disease evolution, females were 4.5 times more likely to have evolution from essential thrombocytosis to polycythemia vera, but 0.23 times as likely to have evolution from essential thrombocytosis to myelofibrosis.Conclusions Sex is an independent factor accounting for variability in the JAK2V617F allele burden. We speculate that lower allele burdens in females reflect a lower frequency of mitotic recombination events in females than in males, and should be considered when evaluating the relationship of allele burden to disease phenotype and also in evaluating responses to JAK2V617F-inhibitors. Because sex may influence genotype and/or clonal expansion, underpinning the variability in JAK2V617F allele burden, it will be important to explore factors that determine susceptibility to mitotic recombination events.
Free-running rhythms of pineal circadian output.

Circadian rhythms are self-sustaining oscillations that free-run in constant conditions with a period close to 24 h. Overt circadian rhythms have been studied mostly using onset phase as the marker for the underlying pacemaker. Using in vivo online pineal microdialysis, the authors have performed detailed analysis of free-running profiles of rat pineal secretory products, including N-acetylserotonin (NAS) and melatonin that have precisely defined onsets and offsets. When rats entrained in LD 12:12 were released into constant darkness (DD), both onset and offset phases of melatonin and NAS free-run. However, while onsets free-run with a period closer to a day (FRPon = 24-24.17 h) at the beginning, offset phases free-run with significantly larger FRPs (free-running periods) (FRPoff = 24.24-24.42 h). This asymmetric free-running of onset and offset of NAS and melatonin in DD resulted in a 60- to 120-min increase of secretion duration of both NAS and melatonin. The rate of expansion of melatonin duration was ...
MEMS tunable resonant leaky mode filters

A tunable double-grating resonant leaky mode microelectromechanical-type element is introduced. A significant level of tunability is demonstrated by adjusting mechanically the structural symmetry of the grating profile. Tuning is also possible by variation of the thickness of the resonant layer. For a particular example silicon-on-insulator structure treated, it is shown that the resonance wavelength can be shifted by /spl sim/300 nm with a horizontal movement of /spl sim/120 nm within the 1.4-1.7-/spl mu/m wavelength band. Additionally, the reflectance can be varied from /spl sim/10/sup -3/ to 1 at central wavelength of 1.55 /spl mu/m with a vertical movement of /spl sim/200 nm. These results demonstrate new possibilities in design of tunable optical devices.
The G Protein-Coupled Receptor GPR30 Inhibits Human Urothelial Cell Proliferation

We have previously shown that estrogen stimulates cell proliferation in both normal and transformed urothelial cells mainly through activation of the two primary estrogen receptors (ERs), ERα and ERβ. A growing body of evidence suggests that estrogen also initiates nongenomic effects that cannot be explained by activation of primary ERs. In the present study, we observed that urothelial cells express high amounts of GPR30, a G protein-coupled receptor recently identified as a candidate for membrane-associated estrogen binding. Membrane- impermeable bovine serum albumin-conjugated 17β-estradiol and the specific GPR30 agonist G-1 both inhibited urothelial cell proliferation in a concentration-dependent manner. Transient overexpression of GPR30 inhibited 17β-estradiol (E2)-induced cell proliferation. Decreased GPR30 expression caused by specific small interfering RNA increased E2-induced cell proliferation. These results indicate that membrane-associated inhibitory effects of E2 on cell proliferation correlate with abundance of GPR30. Although E2 induced a significant increase in caspase-3/7 activity, G-1 did not, suggesting that the GPR30-mediated inhibitory effect on cell proliferation was not caused by apoptosis. Furthermore, we found that G-1 failed to induce c-fos, c-jun, and cyclin D1 expression, and GPR30 overexpression abolished E2-induced c-fos, c-jun, and cyclin D1 expression. However, inactivation of GPR30 by small interfering RNA increased c-fos, c-jun, and cyclin D1 expression. These results suggest that GPR30-mediated inhibition of urothelial cell proliferation is the result of decreased cyclin D1 by down-regulation of activation protein-1 signaling.
Renal and Adrenal Relationships in Compensatory Hyperplasia.

SummaryThe compensatory renal hyper-plasia that normally follows unilateral ne-phrectomy is abolished by bilateral adrenal-ectomy if rats are maintained on fresh drinking water, but is restored when saline drinking water is provided or if such animals are injected with desoxycorticosterone. The adrenals are also important for the heightened proliferation caused by unilateral hydrone-phrosis. These experiments suggest that the role of the adrenal cortex in renal hyperplasia may be to secrete mineralocorticoids, which promote the retention of sodium and thereby stimulate cell division in the kidneys.
A Determinant of Substrate Specificity Predicted from the Acyl-Acyl Carrier Protein Desaturase of Developing Cat's Claw Seed

Cat9s claw ( Doxantha unguis-cati L.) vine accumulates nearly 80% palmitoleic acid (16:1Δ9) plus cis -vaccenic acid (18:1Δ11) in its seed oil. To characterize the biosynthetic origin of these unusual fatty acids, cDNAs for acyl-acyl carrier protein (acyl-ACP) desaturases were isolated from developing cat9s claw seeds. The predominant acyl-ACP desaturase cDNA identified encoded a polypeptide that is closely related to the stearoyl (Δ9–18:0)-ACP desaturase from castor ( Ricinis communis L . ) and other species. Upon expression in Escherichia coli , the cat9s claw polypeptide functioned as a Δ9 acyl-ACP desaturase but displayed a distinct substrate specificity for palmitate (16:0)-ACP rather than stearate (18:0)-ACP. Comparison of the predicted amino acid sequence of the cat9s claw enzyme with that of the castor Δ9–18:0-ACP desaturase suggested that a single amino acid substitution (L118W) might account in large part for the differences in substrate specificity between the two desaturases. Consistent with this prediction, conversion of leucine-118 to tryptophan in the mature castor Δ9–18:0-ACP desaturase resulted in an 80-fold increase in the relative specificity of this enzyme for 16:0-ACP. The alteration in substrate specificity observed in the L118W mutant is in agreement with a crystallographic model of the proposed substrate-binding pocket of the castor Δ9–18:0-ACP desaturase.
The Role of Mast Cells in Osteoporosis

Objectives The notion that mast cells and their secreted products play a potentially pathogenic role in osteoporosis bone loss is novel, but gaining substantial support. We reviewed the literature from 1950 to present to demonstrate an association between mast cells and bone turnover. The effect of primary increase in mast cells, deficiency in mast cells, and effect of mast cells during high remodeling states is discussed in this review. Methods A retrospective review of the literature was performed using Medline and MD Consult databases from 1957 to 2004. The keywords mast cell and osteoporosis revealed 200 abstracts, limited to English and review articles. The references were further selected based on relevance to pathogenesis, research, and histamine's role in osteoporosis. Results Using the model of systemic mastocytosis, increased numbers of mast cells led to an acceleration of bone turnover. Activation mutations in tyrosine growth factor receptor, KIT, may be responsible for this occurrence. Mast cell deficiency demonstrates delayed osteoclastic recruitment and a delayed osteoblastic formation phase. Histamine deficiencies lead to a decrease in osteoclast number as reflected by tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase staining. Osteoblasts stimulated by parathyroid hormone synthesize abundant stem cell factor, which contributes to enhanced osteoclastogenesis. Conclusions Mast cells appear to be relevant in the pathogenesis of bone turnover. Their deficiency has been associated with low remodeling states, while their excess is associated with accelerated bone loss. Even their byproducts are responsible for increased bone resorption. Inhibiting mast cells and/or their products many be a novel therapy for treating osteoporosis in the future.
Geometrical properties of turbulent premixed flames : comparison between computed and measured quantities

Abstract The constant density scalar field equation for a converted unsteady interface is solved numerically under prescribed monochromatic pulsating two-dimensional flow fields, with spatial frequencies (κ), temporal frequencies (ω) and rms amplitudes (w) simulating a Kolmogorov spectrum with parameter β = ω/kw ranging between 0.1 and 100. The effect of multiple velocity scales on the interface, which is considered to be a flame front, is accounted for by applying the renormalization theory on the monochromatic flame responses. Numerical calculations are performed for values of uv′/uL (turbulent intensity to laminar flame speed) up to fifteen. The results are then compared with turbulent flame front structure measurements obtained in an Internal Combustion Engine. The contribution of small scales to the flame surface area increase is shown to be smaller in cases with larger values of uv′/uL. The flame front does not obey a simple fractal-like scaling behavior between the extreme scales of the Kolmogorov ...
Adverse Reactions to Chiropractic Treatment and their Effects on Satisfaction and Clinical Outcomes among Patients Enrolled in the UCLA Neck Pain Study

Abstract Background Minor side effects associated with chiropractic are common. However, little is known about their predictors or the effects of reactions on satisfaction and clinical outcomes. Objective The objectives of this study are to compare the relative effects of cervical spine manipulation and mobilization on adverse reactions and to estimate the effects of adverse reactions on satisfaction and clinical outcomes among patients with neck pain. Methods Neck pain patients were randomized to receive cervical spine manipulation or mobilization. At 2 weeks, subjects were queried about possible treatment-related adverse reactions and followed for 6 months with assessments for pain and disability at 2, 6, 13, and 26 weeks. Numerical rating scales and the Neck Disability Index were used to measure pain and disability. Perceived improvement and satisfaction with care were assessed at 4 weeks. Results Of 960 eligible patients, 336 enrolled and 280 responded to the adverse event questionnaire. Thirty percent of respondents reported at least 1 adverse symptom, most commonly increased pain and headache. Patients randomized to manipulation were more likely than those randomized to mobilization to report an adverse reaction (adjusted odds ratio = 1.44, 95% confidence interval = 0.85, 2.43). Subjects reporting adverse reactions were less satisfied with care and less likely to have clinically meaningful improvements in pain and disability. Conclusions Adverse reactions are more likely to be reported following cervical spine manipulation than mobilization. Chiropractors may reduce iatrogenesis and increase satisfaction and perhaps clinical outcomes by mobilizing rather than manipulating their neck pain patients.
2012-2013--the year in preview.

Summary A highlight of many journals is a review of pertinent literature in a specific field that has been published in the preceding year. Although such "Year in Review" presentations are important, at PRR we are pleased to present the news that has not yet happened. In this manuscript, which is a combination of science and fiction, I will present the very best research that has not yet been conducted but will be published sometime in 2012 or 2013. This will cover all aspects of paediatric pulmonary disease. Any resemblance to real research that is actually published during this time period is strictly coincidental and the product of a fertile imagination. However, if these ideas inspire you to do these studies and publish the results it would make this science fiction even more interesting. To quote the famous baseball player, Yogi Berra, "It's difficult to make predictions, especially about the future." 1
Buccal salivary cysts in association with a congenital parotid salivary fistula

Summary Congenital parotid salivary fistulas are unusual entities that can arise from accessory parotid glands or, even more infrequently, from normal parotid glands via an aberrant Stensen's duct. A unique case of a congenital parotid salivary fistula presented in a four-week-old infant as polycystic swelling of the buccal region, with cyst contents draining to a cutaneous pit near the oral commissure. This patient offered an initial diagnostic challenge until it became evident that the drainage represented a salivary fistula. The case is used here to highlight the overlapping clinical and pathologic features shared between type I branchial cleft anomalies and congenital salivary cysts. This case is the second report of buccal salivary cysts in structural association with a congenital parotid salivary fistula and the first such case in which a normal Stensen's duct orifice has been preserved.
Design of modified ESD protection structure with low-trigger and high-holding voltage in embedded high voltage CMOS process

The modified ESD protection structure with N-well implant in the drain region has been proposed and investigated in this paper. Table I lists the comparison of TLP, HBM/MM ESD robustness, and TLU immunity between HV GGNMOS structure with and without N-well implant. By the influence of N-well implant, many drawbacks such as double snapback, soft leakage degradation, non-uniform current conduction, low ESD robustness, and weak TLU immunity in the common HV GGNMOS device are overcome efficaciously. Without additional mask or process cost, the proposed ESD device with low trigger voltage and high holding voltage is effectively employed for power clamp protection in HV CMOS ICs without latchup or transient-induced latchup damage.
Electrocorticography reveals the temporal dynamics of posterior parietal cortical activity during recognition memory decisions

Theories of the neurobiology of episodic memory predominantly focus on the contributions of medial temporal lobe structures, based on extensive lesion, electrophysiological, and imaging evidence. Against this backdrop, functional neuroimaging data have unexpectedly implicated left posterior parietal cortex (PPC) in episodic retrieval, revealing distinct activation patterns in PPC subregions as humans make memory-related decisions. To date, theorizing about the functional contributions of PPC has been hampered by the absence of information about the temporal dynamics of PPC activity as retrieval unfolds. Here, we leveraged electrocorticography to examine the temporal profile of high gamma power (HGP) in dorsal PPC subregions as participants made old/new recognition memory decisions. A double dissociation in memory-related HGP was observed, with activity in left intraparietal sulcus (IPS) and left superior parietal lobule (SPL) differing in time and sign for recognized old items (Hits) and correctly rejected novel items (CRs). Specifically, HGP in left IPS increased for Hits 300–700 ms poststimulus onset, and decayed to baseline ∼200 ms preresponse. By contrast, HGP in left SPL increased for CRs early after stimulus onset (200−300 ms) and late in the memory decision (from 700 ms to response). These memory-related effects were unique to left PPC, as they were not observed in right PPC. Finally, memory-related HGP in left IPS and SPL was sufficiently reliable to enable brain-based decoding of the participant’s memory state at the single-trial level, using multivariate pattern classification. Collectively, these data provide insights into left PPC temporal dynamics as humans make recognition memory decisions.
Early-Pruning K-Best Sphere Decoder for MIMO Systems

The sphere decoding algorithm has been used for maximum likelihood detection in MIMO systems, and the K-Best sphere decoding algorithm is proposed for MIMO detections for its fixed complexity and throughput. However, to achieve near-ML performance, the K needs to be sufficiently large, which leads to large computational complexity and power consumption in hardware implementation. In this paper, we have developed some efficient early-pruning schemes, which can eliminate the survival candidates that are unlikely to become ML solution at early stages. Therefore, the computational complexity and the power consumption can be significantly saved. The simulation results show that for the 4×4 64QAM MIMO system, totally 55% computational complexity (or power consumption) can be reduced by applying our proposed schemes.
Effects of amino acid composition, finite size of proteins, and sparse statistics on distance-dependent statistical pair potentials

Statistical distance dependent pair potentials are frequently used in a variety of folding, threading, and modeling studies of proteins. The applicability of these types of potentials is tightly connected to the reliability of statistical observa- tions. We explored the possible origin and extent of false positive signals in statistical potentials by ana- lyzing their distance dependence in a variety of randomized protein-like models. While on average potentials derived from such models are expected to equal zero at any distance, we demonstrate that sys- tematic and significant distortions exist. These dis- tortions originate from the limited statistical counts in local environments of proteins and from the lim- ited size of protein structures at large distances. We suggest that these systematic errors in statistical potentials are connected to the dependence of amino acid composition on protein size and to variation in protein sizes. Additionally, atom-based potentials are dominated by a false positive signal that is due to correlation among distances measured from atoms of one residue to atoms of another residue. The significance of residue-based pairwise poten- tials at various spatial pair separations was assessed in this study and it was found that as few as � 50% of potential values were statistically significant at dis- tances below 4 A u ,a nd only at most� 80% of them were significant at larger pair separations. A new definition for reference state, free of the observed systematic errors, is suggested. It has been demon- strated to generate statistical potentials that com- pare favorably to other publicly available ones. Pro- teins 2007;67:559-568. V C 2007 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Accelerating matrix decomposition with replications

Matrix decomposition applications that involve large matrix operations can take advantage of the flexibility and adaptability of reconfigurable computing systems to improve performance. The benefits come from replication, which includes vertical replication and horizontal replication. If viewed on a space-time chart, vertical replication allows multiple computations executed in parallel, and horizontal replication renders multiple functions on the same piece of hardware. In this paper, the reconfigurable architecture that supports replications for matrix decomposition applications on reconfigurable computing systems is described, and issues including the comparison of algorithms on the system and data movement between the internal computation cores and the external memory subsystem are addressed. A prototype of such a system is implemented to prove the concept. It is expected to improve the performance and scalability of matrix decomposition involving large matrices.
Proximal flow convergence region as assessed by real-time 3-dimensional echocardiography: challenging the hemispheric assumption.

Objective Traditionally, a hemispheric assumption for the proximal flow convergence region (PFCR) is used when calculating mitral regurgitant (MR) effective orifice area (EROA). However, 2-dimensional (2D) echocardiography limits evaluation of the complete PFCR contour. Real-time 3-dimensional (3D) echocardiography (RT3D) allows direct assessment of the true PFCR contour. We hypothesized that the PFCR contour is not necessarily hemispheric, but rather hemielliptic, and aimed to apply a hemielliptic calculation, based on the 3D contour of the PFCR for more accurate MR quantification. Methods In all, 50 patients with MR underwent RT3D to characterize PFCR contour as hemispheric or hemielliptic. MR EROA by RT3D-derived PFCR was calculated using a hemielliptic formula using 3D data. The 2D EROA was computed using standard hemispheric assumption. EROAs calculated from 2D and RT3D data were compared with quantitative Doppler EROA (mitral inflow − aortic outflow/MR time-velocity integral), used as an independent comparison. Results Only 1 of 50 patients (2%) had a hemispheric PFCR contour by RT3D. The remaining had hemielliptic PFCR contours. Compared with Doppler method, 2D echocardiography significantly underestimated EROA (0.34 ± 0.14 vs 0.48 ± 0.25 cm 2 , P P = not significant). Of 33 patients with Doppler EROA greater than 0.3 cm 2 (≥moderate-severe MR), 45% (15 of 33) were underestimated as having mild to moderate MR by 2D EROA. Conclusions The true PFCR contour as shown by RT3D is generally not hemispheric but hemielliptic, tracking the orifice contour. Based on this 3D shape, a hemielliptic approach can be used for practical clinical application with improved MR quantification.
Nanodiamond film with ‘ridge’ surface profile for chemical sensing

Abstract A nanodiamond film with ‘ridge’ surface morphology was grown on highly doped n-type silicon substrate by microwave plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition (MPECVD) using a H 2 /CH 4 /N 2 gas mixture. The nanodiamond electrode was electrochemically characterized by cyclic voltammetry using various concentrations of ferrocyanide in a background of 0.1 M KCl. The results show a wide working potential window of ~ 3 V, quasi-reversible kinetics with a high signal to noise S/B ratio. The peak current increases linearly with increasing concentration of ferrocyanide. Also, the peak current varies linearly with the square root of scan rate indicating planar diffusion dominated mass transport. The nanodiamond electrode exhibits excellent structure stability and electrochemical behavior without any surface pretreatment, indicating it is an excellent candidate for electrochemical sensing.
Is It Impossible to Be Moral

Recent work in moral theory includes an intriguing new argument that the vagueness of moral properties, together with two well-known and well-received metaethical principles, entails the incredible conclusion that it is impossible to be moral. I show that the argument equivocates between “it is true that A and B are morally indistinguishable” and “it is not false that A and B are morally indistinguishable.” As expected the argument is interesting but unsound. It is therefore not impossible to be moral.
The Drosophila Egg Chamber—A New Spin on How Tissues Elongate

During development, tissues undergo complex cellular rearrangements and changes in shape that produce a diversity of body plans and the functional organs therein. The Drosophila egg chamber has emerged as an exciting and highly tractable model in which to investigate novel mechanisms driving the elongation of tissues. Egg chambers are multicellular assemblies within flies' ovaries that will each give rise to a single egg. Although initially spherical, these simple organ-like structures lengthen as they grow. This transformation depends on an unusual form of planar polarity in the egg chamber's outer epithelial layer, in which arrays of linear actin bundles and fibril-like structures in the basement membrane both align perpendicular to the axis of elongation. The resulting circumferential arrangement of structural molecules is then thought to act as a "molecular corset" that directionally biases growth of the egg chamber. I will explore four fundamental questions about this system: (1) How is the circumferential pattern generated in the follicular epithelium? (2) What is the physical nature of the corset? (3) How does a corset-type mechanism lead to the cellular rearrangements necessary for the elongation of tissues? and (4) To what extent are the cellular mechanisms controlling egg chamber elongation conserved in other systems? For each topic, I will present insights gleaned from the recent literature and highlight fertile areas for future investigation.
Crosstalk noise analysis at multiple frequencies

In SOC designs, it is common to have multiple clocks with some of them capable of operating at different frequencies. Crosstalk noise analysis uses switching information of nets in the form of timing windows to identify simultaneously switching aggressors. When clock frequencies change, the switching overlap relationship among nets also changes. Hence it is important to perform crosstalk analysis at all frequencies at which the chip may operate. In this paper we propose an approach to perform crosstalk analysis across multiple frequencies concurrently. We first present a method to obtain the worst crosstalk noise across all frequencies for each stage. Then we consider glitch propagation effects and build an efficient approach to analyze for crosstalk failures at all frequencies. We also discuss a method to guarantee functionality for a range of frequencies.
Treatment of facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy with Denosumab.

Background: Facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD) is the 3rd most common form of muscular dystrophy. Effective treatments for any of the muscular dystrophies have yet to be realized. This report describes such a treatment.