cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Myrothamnus flabellifolius selectively targets Triple Negative Breast Cancer in vitro, restoring Tamoxifen Sensitivity through modulation of miRNAs associated with Estrogen Receptors.

Summary. Triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) represents approximately 15-20% of all breast cancer (BC) cases worldwide. Prognosis for this subtype of BC is especially dire due to the absence of Estrogen (ER), Progesterone and Human Epidermal Growth Factor (HER2) receptors, usually targeted by neoadjuvant therapies like Tamoxifen. There is thus a dearth of targeted therapies for TNBC. Myrothamnus flabellifolius (MF), a well-studied South African medicinal herb, has shown significant anticancer activity with minimal effect on normal cells. In this study, we describe the cytotoxic and apoptosis-inducing effect of MF in TNBC with minimal effects on non-malignant breast cells. We also use miRNA profiling, Ingenuity Pathway Analysis (IPA), MTT and immunoblots to characterize the mechanism of action of MF in TNBC. We found deregulation of several oncogenic miRNAs in TNBC post MF treatment and IPA predicted reactivation of the estrogen-mediated s-phase entry, a pathway typically silenced in TNBC. Immunoblots confirmed restoration of ERα expression and repression of ERs. This increase in ERα/ERs ratio re-sensitized TNBC to tamoxifen treatment. Restoration of let-7i expression, a miRNA severely downregulated by MF, also partially reversed the sensitization effect. This is a preliminary investigation and the results from this studies merits further investigation into the active anti-TNBC compound present in the MF extract. Industrial relevance. The results of our work establish Myrothamnus flabellifolius as potential source for anti-TNBC agents. With increased interest in identifying natural agents that target TNBC, specifically, with minimal effects on neighbouring non-malignant tissue, MF’s dual action of both targeting and re-sensitizing TNBC to hormonal therapy presents a peculiarly interesting therapeutic approach. Our work also presents a case for ER-related miRNAs as drug targets, to restore hormone-therapy sensitivity in the especially troublesome TNBC. Keywords. Triple Negative Breast Cancer; Myrothamnus flabellifolius ; MicroRNAs ; Hormone therapy Normal 0 false false false EN-US JA X-NONE /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Cambria",serif; mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}
The First Year as Teachers Assigned to Elementary and Middle-School Special Education Classrooms:

The purpose of this qualitative study was to examine the experiences and perceptions of 10 first-year teachers who had been trained to provide evidence-based practices, including integrated service...
The Role of Finite Automata in the Development of Modern Computing Theory

Regular patterns described by finite automata are evident in the behavior of computers, in the structure of programming languages and in the rules for reasoning about programs. The systematic study of these patterns has shaped computing theory, providing theorems, techniques and a paradigm with far reaching and subtle effects on many aspects of modem computing theory. The essence of the development is illustrated in this paper by following the mainstream of work flowing from Kleene's 1951 theorem on regular events to recent (circa 1976) results in computational complexity and algorithmic logic.
Relationship between Biological Information and the Origin of Life

The question of how life arose on the Earth and the earliest stage of its evolution has been of considerable, but largely theoretical, interest. Theoretical considerations initiated by Haldane (1938) and Oparin (1938) have argued persuasively that the appearance of organic compounds preceded the first living thing, thus establishing the environmental milieu in which the latter emerged. There remained, however, the basic question of what changes within this primitive “organic soup” could lead to a system that possessed the fundamental properties which distinguish living systems from nonliving ones: replication (with mutation at a low frequency), growth and metabolism.
A Theoretical Framework for the Creative Process of Theatrical Costume Design for Historically Set Productions

Millions of Americans see theatrical productions every year, each with performers clothed via costume design. The purpose of this study was to systematically examine the creative process of costume...
Block of Granulocyte-Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor Prevents Inflammation-Induced Preterm Birth in a Mouse Model for Parturition.

Objective:A multitude of factors promotes inflammation in the reproductive tract leading to preterm birth. Macrophages peak in the cervix prior to birth and their numbers are increased by the cytok...
Repeat hepatectomy for recurrent colorectal cancer liver metastases after two-stage hepatectomy—limitations and opportunities

Whether resection of recurrent colorectal cancer liver metastases (CLMs) can be safely performed after prior hepatectomy, especially after two-stage hepatectomy (TSH), and to what extent this aggressive surgical approach may impact patient outcomes and prolong survival, are important issues to investigate.
Macrophages exposed to HIV viral protein disrupt lung epithelial cell integrity and mitochondrial bioenergetics via exosomal microRNA shuttling.

Antiretroviral therapy extends survival but does not eliminate HIV from its cellular reservoirs. Between immune and stromal cells in the tissue microenvironment, a dynamic intercellular communication might influence host viral immune responses via intercellular transfer of extracellular vehicles (EVs) (microvesicles, exosome, or apoptotic bodies). It is increasingly recognized that HIV-infected macrophage-secreted nucleotide-rich exosomes might play a critical role in mediating communication between macrophages and other structural cells; however, molecular mechanisms underlying cell–cell crosstalk remain unknown. Here we show that HIV-1-infected macrophages and HIV-1 proteins Tat or gp120-treated macrophages express high levels of microRNAs, including miR-23a and miR-27a. Identical miRNAs expression patterns were detected in macrophage-secreted exosomes isolated from bronchoalveolar lavage fluid of HIV transgenic rats. Tat-treated macrophage-derived exosomal miR-23a attenuated posttranscriptional modulation of key tight junction protein zonula occludens (ZO-1) 3′-UTR in epithelial cells. In parallel, exosomal miR-27a released from Tat-treated macrophages altered the mitochondrial bioenergetics of recipient lung epithelial cells by targeting peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ), while simultaneously stimulating glycolysis. Together, exosomal miRNAs shuttle from macrophages to epithelial cells and thereby explain in part HIV-mediated lung epithelial barrier dysfunction. These studies suggest that targeting miRNAs may be of therapeutic value to enhance lung health in HIV.
Acute Kidney Injury Guidelines Are Associated With Improved Recognition and Follow-up for Neonatal Patients.

BACKGROUND Studies demonstrate that neonatal acute kidney injury (AKI) is associated with increased morbidity and mortality. Acute kidney injury survivors are at risk for renal dysfunction and chronic kidney disease and require long-term follow-up. PURPOSE To maximize identification of AKI and ensure referral, we created guidelines for diagnosis, evaluation, and management of AKI. METHODS/SEARCH STRATEGY Retrospective cohort study of neonatal intensive care unit patients treated before guideline implementation (cohort 1; n = 175) and after (cohort 2; n = 52). Outcome measures included AKI incidence, documented diagnosis, and pediatric nephrology consultation. Statistical methods included t tests, Fisher exact tests, and Wilcoxon rank sum tests. FINDINGS/RESULTS We found 68 AKI episodes in 52 patients in cohort 1 and 15 episodes in 12 patients in cohort 2. Diagnosis and documentation of AKI improved after guideline implementation (C1:24/68 [35%], C2: 12/15 [80%]; P = .003) as did pediatric nephrology consultation (C1:12/68 [18%]; C2: 12/15 [80%]; P < .001) and outpatient referral (C1: 3/47 [6%], C2:5/8 [63%]; P < .01). IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE Neonatal AKI guideline implementation was associated with improvements in recognition, diagnosis, and inpatient and outpatient nephrology consultation. Early recognition and diagnosis along with specialist referral may improve outcomes among neonatal AKI survivors, ensuring appropriate future monitoring and long-term follow-up. IMPLICATIONS FOR RESEARCH Future research should continue to determine the long-term implications of early diagnosis of AKI and appropriate subspecialty care with follow-up.
State Space Modeling of Tie-Line Based Microgrid for Implementation of Robust H∞ Controller

In this paper, unlike the traditional load frequency control, a tie-line based load frequency control is utilized that can significantly improve the frequency response due to load fluctuations. The tie-line based frequency control divides the microgrid into virtual areas and controls the frequency of the microgrid by using the tie line error instead of just using the frequency deviation error. However, the main goal of this paper is to provide appropriate state space modeling to enable the further implementation of different types of controllers for frequency regulation in tie-line based microgrids. This could be a common approach for frequency regulation if there are private power providers within the power market. In order to evaluate the proposed concept of frequency control and to demonstrate the effectiveness and capability of the obtained state space model for tie-line based microgrids, two different controllers, namely, PI and robust H∞ controller are designed and implemented through the obtained model to solve the frequency regulation problem.
Fintech: Antidote to Rent-Seeking?

Innovations in financial technology, or Fintech, has been ongoing for decades but has recently begun to accelerate. Soon, it will begin to outstrip the ability of regulators to keep pace. What will be the result if the financial sector becomes unregulated? One possibility — drawn from public choice economics — is that rent-seeking will be inhibited or eliminated. Rent-seeking is the distortion of law and regulation for the benefit of special interests, who expend resources to guarantee those distortions in their favor. Rent-seeking is inefficient and inhibits growth and innovation, yet it continues so long as the government has the power to intervene and play favorites in markets. As innovation accelerates, the power of regulators to effectively interfere will be significantly reduced, making rent-seeking an unprofitable venture and advancing the cause of markets and consumers.
The potential of using forest residue to offset coal use in co-fired coal power plants in the eastern United States

Abstract: The global transition from fossil fuel-based energy sources to renewable energy sources will be most effective, for at least the near future, by utilizing local resources and existing infrastructure. In many areas of the eastern United States, forest residue is abundant and can be used in existing facilities to supplement coal in coal-fired power plants. Thus forest residue has potential as a renewable energy source that could be effectively utilized in the near future. This study uses GIS to estimate the potential quantity of forest residue available for use in coal-fired power plants in the eastern United States. Transportation costs limit the distance over which it is feasible to transport forest residue to the power plants and these costs may fluctuate depending on economic conditions. Thus, we consider three scenarios in our analysis assuming the maximum feasible transport distances to be 60, 80, and 100 km. In the eastern U.S., the total annual forest residue available to coal plants is approximately 29.4, 40.2, and 48.2 million dry tons, respectively, for maximum transport distances of 60, 80, and 100 km. Assuming an 80 km transport distance, forest residue has the potential to reduce coal consumption by 22.3 million tons per year. Under this scenario, greenhouse gas emissions would be reduced by almost 58.1 million tons per year, and NOx and SOx emissions would be reduced by 69.3 and 122.6 thousand tons respectively. This analysis suggests that by offsetting coal use, forest residue has the potential to substantially reduce power plant emissions. Keywords: forest residue, coal, biofuel, co-firing, GIS, alternative energy DOI: 10.3965/j.ijabe.20140704.011 Citation: Parent J, Graziano M, Yang X S. The potential of using forest residue to offset coal use in co-fired coal power plants in the eastern United States. Int J Agric & Biol Eng, 2014; 7(4): 99－105.
The evolution of mate choice: a dialogue between theory and experiment

Research on the evolution of mate choice has followed three avenues of investigation: (1) theoretical models of the evolution of preference and the preferred trait; (2) proposed models of mate choice; and (3) experiments and observations on mate choice, both in the laboratory and with free-ranging animals. However, there has been relatively little dialogue among these three areas. Most attempts to account for observations of mate choice using theoretical mate-choice models have focused only upon a subset of particular models and have generally failed to consider the difference between probabilistic and deterministic models. In this review, I outline the underlying reasoning of the commonly cited mate-choice models and review the conclusions of the empirical investigations. I present a brief outline of how one might go about testing these models. It remains uncertain if, in general, mate-choice models can be realistically analyzed. Although it is clear that females frequently discriminate among males, data also suggest that females may typically have a very limited number of males from which to choose. The extent to which female choice under natural conditions is relatively random because of limited opportunities remains an open question for the majority of species.
Are Animal Maps Magnetic

A variety of animals travel long distances to relatively small targets (reviewed in Gould, 1982a). For example, honey bees may venture out as far as 15 km from their hive and return safely; vast numbers of monarch butterflies in the eastern United States fly thousands of kilometers to small, isolated mountain forests in Mexico; green sea turtles which hatch on tiny Ascension Island return there as adults years later from feeding grounds thousands of kilometers away; and many species of birds regularly migrate between restricted summer and winter territories, while homing pigeons can successfully return home after being displaced hundreds of kilometers. In each of these examples, the ability to navigate appears to be relatively unaffected by overcasts which block celestial cues, and all raise the question of whether animals have a “map” sense.
Consensus Filters for Sensor Networks and Distributed Sensor Fusion

Consensus algorithms for networked dynamic systems provide scalable algorithms for sensor fusion in sensor networks. This paper introduces a distributed filter that allows the nodes of a sensor network to track the average of n sensor measurements using an average consensus based distributed filter called consensus filter. This consensus filter plays a crucial role in solving a data fusion problem that allows implementation of a scheme for distributed Kalman filtering in sensor networks. The analysis of the convergence, noise propagation reduction, and ability to track fast signals are provided for consensus filters. As a byproduct, a novel critical phenomenon is found that relates the size of a sensor network to its tracking and sensor fusion capabilities. We characterize this performance limitation as a tracking uncertainty principle. This answers a fundamental question regarding how large a sensor network must be for effective sensor fusion. Moreover, regular networks emerge as efficient topologies for distributed fusion of noisy information. Though, arbitrary overlay networks can be used. Simulation results are provided that demonstrate the effectiveness of consensus filters for distributed sensor fusion.
Extending the shelf-life of seafood using a multiple barrier process

Abstract New processes to extend the shelf-life of seafood have recently become the goals for research and development in the seafood industry. A new approach to extend the shelf-life of fresh seafood, in this case dogfish ( Squalus acanthias ), was investigated using a combination of heat (hot corn oil, 175°C) and acidity (acetic acid), followed by vacuum packaging before storing at refrigeration temperature for at least one month. The synergistic effect due to the multiple barriers applied produced an intermediate product, not ready to eat, with extended shelf-life. The product had to be treated as raw fish would before consumption, i.e. cooked in some manner to prepare a meal. After one month of storage at refrigeration temperature, the bacterial count was insignificant. Taste panel tests on the treated samples showed similarity to the fresh untreated dogfish samples.
A REVIEW OF: “Governing from Center Stage: White House Communications Strategies During the Television Age of Politics”

Lori Cox Han, political scientist and former journalist, has written a useful book that traces the evolution of White House communications strategies during the television age. Han's study starts w...
Revisiting issues, drawbacks and opportunities with observational studies in comparative effectiveness research

Rationale Despite their inherently pervasive limitations, data from observational studies are increasingly relied upon by health care decision makers to fill critical information gaps created by lack of evidence from randomized controlled trials. Aim and objective The aim and objective of this article was to revisit the major issues associated with observational studies from secondary data sources. Method The method of this article was canvass of the literature. Results Sources of bias are highlighted and steps intended to minimize bias are summarized. Conclusion Efforts should be made to improve causal inference of treatment effects from observational studies found in secondary data sources. Extra care and caution should be exercised in the interpretation and reporting of results from these studies.
Evaluation of Coenzyme Q as an Antioxidant Strategy for Alzheimer's Disease

Increasing evidence suggests that Alzheimer's disease (AD) is associated with oxidative damage that is caused in part by mitochondrial dysfunction. Here we investigated the feasibility of modifying Alzheimer pathology with the mitochondrial antioxidant coenzyme Q (CoQ). Exogenous CoQ protected MC65 neuroblastoma cells from amyloid-beta protein precursor C-terminal fragment (APP CTF)-induced neurotoxicity in a concentration dependent manner, with concentrations of 6.25 microM and higher providing near complete protection. Dietary supplementation with CoQ at a dose of 10 g/kg diet to C65/Bl6 mice for one month significantly suppressed brain protein carbonyl levels, which are markers of oxidative damage. Treatment for one month with 2 g lovastatin/kg diet, which interferes with CoQ synthesis, resulted in a significant lowering of brain CoQ10 levels. Mitochondrial energetics (brain ATP levels and mitochondrial membrane potential) were unaffected by either CoQ or lovastatin treatment. Our results suggest that oral CoQ may be a viable antioxidant strategy for neurodegenerative disease. Our data supports a trial of CoQ in an animal model of AD in order to determine whether a clinical trial is warranted.
Nickel sulfides for electrocatalytic hydrogen evolution under alkaline conditions: a case study of crystalline NiS, NiS2, and Ni3S2 nanoparticles

Electrocatalytic water splitting to produce H2 plays an important role in the capture, conversion, and storage of renewable energy sources, such as solar energy and wind power. As the reductive half reaction of water splitting, H2 evolution reaction (HER) suffers from sluggish kinetics, and hence competent HER catalysts are needed. Despite being excellent HER catalysts, noble metal-based catalysts (i.e. Pt) are too expensive to be economically competitive. Therefore, low-cost catalysts composed of solely earth-abundant elements have attracted increasing attention these years, among which nickel-based HER catalysts, particularly nickel chalcogenides, are considered as promising candidates. Although many nickel chalcogenides, including NiS, NiS2, and Ni3S2, have been reported for hydrogen evolution, their intrinsic catalytic activities have never been investigated and compared in detail under the same conditions. Most of the previous investigations were limited to only one species of nickel chalcogenides under very unique conditions, rendering a fair comparison of their HER activities impossible. Herein, we report the preparation and characterization of three crystalline nickel sulfides, NiS, NiS2, and Ni3S2, with comparable crystal sizes and specific surface areas. Detailed electrochemical studies under strongly alkaline conditions coupled with theoretical computations were performed to probe their intrinsic HER activities, resulting in the order of Ni3S2 > NiS2 > NiS. The superior HER performance of Ni3S2 mainly stems from the combined effect of large electrochemically active surface area and high conductivity (metallic conductor vs. semiconductor).
Comments on the Reality of the Butcher-Oemler Effect

We propose that some of the evidence, especially recent spectroscopic data, for evolution in the properties of galaxies in the central cores of high redshift clusters remain questionable. Problems include biased selection of the clusters, contamination by extraneous galaxies, and non-inclusion of several corrections including the expansion of the universe. In particular, we suggest that clusters viewed approximately in the plane of flattened superclusters will preferentially be selected, thus magnifying the contamination by other clusters and “field” galaxies. The ratio of the accepted volume to that of the cluster core may easily reach beyond 400 for redshifts z greater than 0.3. Reasonable assumptions on the density structure of clusters and superclusters predict 10% or more contamination as observed.
A measurement axiomatization for an essentially multiplicative representation of two factors

Abstract An axiomatization for simultaneous conjoint measurement is given which leads to an essentially multiplicative representation for the effect due to the two quantities. The result is a generalization of that obtained by Luce and Tukey, since the ranges of the functions involved contain both positive and negative real values.
Accounting software evaluation: hardware, audit trails, backup, error recovery and security

Illustrates the selection of accounting software packages (AP) by correlating user needs to system specifications. A recommendation report ranks the software in descending order of their correlations to user needs. As a by‐product the system educates the consultant or user by explaining the specifications, making their expectations more realistic and avoiding unpleasant “after the fact” surprises.
Dyspepsia: Organic Causes and Differential Characteristics from Functional Dyspepsia

Richter JE. Dyspepsia: organic causes and differential characteristics from functional dyspepsia. Scand J Gastroenterol 1991, 26(suppl 182), 11–16Diseases presenting with dyspepsia fall into two ge...
Covariant Position Operators, Spin, and Locality

A manifestly covariant formalism is developed suitable for a discussion of position operators for relativistic systems. It is shown that the rest-frame center of mass and the frame-dependent center of mass, which were studied previously by Pryce and M\o{}ller, and the local Newton-Wigner operator all transform like the spatial part of a four-vector when appropriately interpreted. The formalism allows an equivalent treatment of the space and time components of a position four-vector operator, and manifestly covariant canonical commutation rules are obtained for the three operators mentioned above. Finally it is suggested that the Newton-Wigner operator be interpreted as a center of spin.
Trauma index revisited: a better triage tool.

In the development of triage and bypass protocols, many different scoring systems and triage criteria are being used. Our purpose was to evaluate the Revised Trauma Index (RTI) as a triage tool for both its severity prediction ability and triage accuracy. A total of 2,340 trauma admissions were evaluated using the RTI and the Injury Severity Score (ISS). The data were submitted to standardized statistical analysis and compared to other published data for under and overtriage. Our results show a linear correlation between the RTI and the ISS with a correlation coefficient of .62. There is 5% death rate at an RTI level of 15, which yields a 5% undertriage rate for death and a 37.3% overtriage rate for predicting an ISS greater than 15. This compares to under and overtriage rates for the Trauma Score, CRAMS, Pre-Hospital Index, and Mechanism of Injury scales varying from 19% to 56% undertriage and 7% to 82% overtriage. We reached the following conclusions. a) The RTI is a simple, fast triage tool for predicting major trauma. b) The RTI is related to the ultimate ISS. c) Use of an RTI greater than or equal to 15 results in an acceptable undertriage rate, with a better rate for overtriage than existing scores. d) Therefore, we recommend the RTI for use in emergency medical direction and bypass protocols.
Combined electroconvulsive shock and cycloheximide inhibition of brain protein synthesis in Vivo

Levels of mouse brain synthesis in vivo following combined cycloheximide and electroconvulsive shock treatments were compared to levels following each treatment given separately. The duration of brain protein synthesis inhibition was examined for all treatment conditions. At appropriate times after treatment mice were injected intracerebrally with labeled amino acids. The amount of radioactivity recovered from brain proteins after 5 min of labeling was used to estimate levels of synthesis. Although combined cycloheximide and electroconvulsive shock treatments have been shown to produce more complete behavioral amnesia than either treatment alone, such combined treatments do not produce more protein synthesis inhibition than cycloheximide alone. Hypotheses of memory storage based primarily on brain protein synthesis mechanisms may have to be reexamined.
Shear modulus in viscoelastic solid 4He

The complex shear modulus of solid 4He exhibits an anomaly in the same temperature region where torsion oscillators show a change in period. We propose that the observed stiffening of the shear modulus with decreasing temperature can be well described by the response of glassy components inside of solid 4He. Since glass is an anelastic material, we utilize the viscoelastic approach to describe its dynamics. The viscoelastic component possesses an increasing relaxation as temperature decreases. The response functions thus derived are identical to those obtained for a glassy, time-delayed restoring back-action. By generalizing the viscoelastic equations for stress and strain to a multiphase system of constituents, composed of patches with different damping and relaxation properties, we predict that the maximum change of the magnitude of the shear modulus and the maximum height of the dissipation peak are independent of an applied external frequency. The same response expressions allow us to calculate the temperature dependence of the shear modulus’ amplitude and dissipation. Finally, we demonstrate that a Vogel-Fulcher-Tammann (VFT) relaxation time is in agreement with available experimental data.
Comparison of three clustering algorithms and an application to color image compression

This paper investigates a traditional clustering algorithm (K-means) and two neural networks (SOM and ART-F). The characteristics of each algorithm are illustrated by simulating geometric space data clustering. Then each algorithm is applied to image data sets to compress the size by reducing the number of colors from 256 to 16.© (1997) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Family‐Identified Barriers to Medication Reconciliation

PURPOSE. This study aims to discover family-identified barriers to providing medication information, family ability to provide medication information, and family suggestions to improve the medication reconciliation process. DESIGN AND METHODS. One hundred families with a child with a chronic condition on daily-prescribed medication completed a 10-question survey. RESULTS. Families identified not knowing, forgetting, and ability to provide information as the main reasons for not bringing medication. Half of the families that did not bring medication could not provide complete information. Families wanted to be reminded multiple times in different ways. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS. Many families are unable to provide complete medication information.
Assessing Iran's Nuclear Rationality: The “Eye of the Beholder” Problem

The realization that Iran may soon develop nuclear weapons has generated a heated debate about the nation's ability to manage its arsenal. Part of the discourse about the nuclear rationality of Third Word dictatorship and rogue states, the debate has pitted so-called nuclear optimists, analysts confident that Iran is able to handle such weapons, against nuclear pessimists, who warn that the regime operates in a manner that deviates from the principles of rationality that underlay nuclear deterrence, thus rending the doctrine of mutual assured destruction invalid. This article examines the reasoning employed by the opposing groups, concluding that they are essentially articles of faith. Since there is virtually no margin of error in nuclear matters, political leaders need to be aware that should the optimist prove wrong, the consequences can be dire.
Causes of Death in Men With Prevalent Diabetes and Newly Diagnosed High- Versus Favorable-Risk Prostate Cancer

Purpose To determine whether prevalent diabetes mellitus (pDM) affects the presentation, extent of radiotherapy, or prostate cancer (PCa)-specific mortality (PCSM) and whether PCa aggressiveness affects the risk of non-PCSM, DM-related mortality, and all-cause mortality in men with pDM. Methods Between October 1997 and July 2907, 5,279 men treated at the Chicago Prostate Cancer Center with radiotherapy for PCa were included in the study. Logistic and competing risk regression analyses were performed to assess whether pDM was associated with high-grade PCa, less aggressive radiotherapy, and an increased risk of PCSM. Competing risks and Cox regression analyses were performed to assess whether PCa aggressiveness described by risk group in men with pDM was associated with the risk of non-PCSM, DM-related mortality, and all-cause mortality. Analyses were adjusted for predictors of high-grade PCa and factors that could affect treatment extent and mortality. Results Men with pDM were more likely (adjusted hazard ratio [AHR], 1.9; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.3–2.7; p = .002) to present with high-grade PCa but were not treated less aggressively ( p = .33) and did not have an increased risk of PCSM ( p = .58) compared to men without pDM. Among the men with pDM, high-risk PCa was associated with a greater risk of non-PCSM (AHR, 2.2; 95% CI, 1.1–4.5; p = .035), DM-related mortality (AHR, 5.2; 95% CI, 2.0–14.0; p = .001), and all-cause mortality (AHR, 2.4; 95% CI, 1.2–4.7; p = .01) compared to favorable-risk PCa. Conclusion Aggressive management of pDM is warranted in men with high-risk PCa.
Photoelectric measurement of blood flow during hemodialysis.

Accurate measurements of blood flow rate during hemodialysis are essential for determinations of hemodialyzer performance. Despite the availability of a variety of electronic blood flow meters, use of such instruments for determination of blood flow in hemodialysis has never been satisfactory, a situation caused by such factors as the need to recalibrate frequently, the necessity of incorporating transducers into the dialyzer blood circuit and the effect which variables such as hematocrit may have on the accuracy of determination. Furthermore, such devices are expensive and often require the periodic services of an electronics specialist to maintain them in an operable condition. An alternative technique for measuring flow rate in the extracorporeal blood tubing consists of timing the passage of an injected air bubble between two points in the tubing. Since the advent of maintenance dialysis, the "racetrack and bubble time" technique [1] has been widely used for routine determinations of blood flow rate. Data derived from research studies in which this method of flow determination was employed have been published widely, in spite of the relative inaccuracies of the method.
LEAP Shared Memories: Automating the Construction of FPGA Coherent Memories

Parallel programming has been widely used in many scientific and technical areas to solve large problems. While general-purpose processors have rich infrastructure to support parallel programming on shared memory, such as coherent caches and synchronization libraries, parallel programming infrastructure for FPGAs is limited. Thus, development of FPGA-based parallel algorithms remains difficult. In this work, we seek to simplify parallel programming on FPGAs. We provide a set of easy-to-use declarative primitives to maintain coherency and consistency of accesses to shared memory resources. We propose a shared-memory service that automatically manages coherent caches on multiple FPGAs. Experimental results of a 2-dimensional heat transfer equation show that the shared memory service with our distributed coherent caches outperforms a centralized cache by 2.6x. To handle synchronization, we provide new lock and barrier primitives that leverage native FPGA communication capabilities and outperform traditional through-memory primitives by 1.8x.
Asymptotic theory of bending-torsion flutter of high aspect ratio wing in the torsion controlled domain

Two distinct (high and low) frequency domains are identified. For illustration, detailed analysis is carried out only in the high-frequency domain. To substantiate its adequacy, the classical case of a uniform unswept cantilever wing in an incompressible airflow is treated as a case study.
Port-site recurrences following laparoscopic operations for gynaecological malignancies

Objective To determine the frequency of port-site recurrences following laparoscopic surgical treatment of gynaecological malignancies metastatic at the time of surgery. Design Retrospective review of metastatic primary and recurrent gynaecological malignancies. Results Twenty-five women were studied. Twenty-four had metastatic disease at the time of laparoscopic surgery, 22 in association with a primary malignancy (cervix: n= 12, ovary: n= 7, endometrium: n= 3), and two in association with recurrent ovarian cancer; all received pelvic or extended field radiation or chemotherapy after surgery. One woman with Stage IHC ovarian cancer, disease-free at the completion of neoadjuvant chemotherapy following laparotomy by a general surgeon, was included; she developed scalene node metastases 18 months after definitive laparoscopic surgery. Seventy-one 5 mm trocars and fifty 10 mm trocars (total n= 121) were used for surgery; thirty-one 10 mm trocar sites and forty-four 5 mm sites (total n= 75) received post-operative treatment with chemotherapy (n= 49) or radiation (n= 26). Four women (16%) developed recurrences in association with endometrial (n= 2) and cervical (n= 2) cancer at six trocar sites. All recurrences were associated with abdominopelvic and/or distant metastases, and all occurred at untreated 5 mm trocar sites. The difference in recurrence rates between 5 mm and 10 mm trocar sites (χ2= 6; P < 0.025), and between treated and untreated trocars (χ2= 5; P < 0.05) were both statistically significant (McNemar's test), but the effects of treatment and trocar size on the port-site recurrence rate were confounded. Conclusions Port-site recurrences are local manifestations of disseminated disease that result from the enhancement of tumour growth characteristic of healing tissues and can be prevented by appropriate post-operative therapy.
Electrohydrodynamic Solutions for Nematic Liquid Crystals with Positive Dielectric Anisotropy

Abstract -The steady state electrohydrodynamic equations of motion have been solved for nematic liquid crystals which are characterized by a positive dielectric anisotropy and possess a parallel homogeneous texture when contained between transparent electrodes. It is found that a periodic distortion of the director is possible above a critical voltage which is a function of the material constants. The optical texture should be similar to that observed in the Williams domain mode. The wavelength of the distortion is a function of voltage, and the relationship is very similar to the dispersion relation calculated for a negative dielectric anisotropy material in the homeotropic texture. These calculations demonstrate that the numerous experimental observations of domain structures have a common explanation in terms of the continuum theory. A physical explanation is given for the double valued solutions observed in the parallel homogeneous negative dielectric anisotropy problem.
Water, electrolyte and nitrogen content of human skin.

SummaryTotal water, nitrogen, collagen nitrogen, and electrolyte concentrations were determined in human skin which was removed at once from amputated parts during the course of surgery. The total skin (corium plus epidermis) gave the mean average results which are expressed as units per kilo of fat-free skin: total water, 717.7 ± 20.1 g; chloride, 79.9 ± 4.8 mM; sodium, 93.0 ± 8.0 mM; potassium, 16.47 ± 3.36 mM; calcium, 2.68 ± 0.52 mM; magnesium, 2.13 ± 0.30 mM; total nitrogen, 45.5 ± 3.8 g; and collagen nitrogen, 33.7 ± 4.5 g.By applying methods now accepted as valid for calculating the weight of connective tissue in a tissue, the weight of connective tissue in human skin was estimated to be 546 ± 73 g per kilo of fat-free skin. The calculated 330 ± 45 g of water identified with this amount of connective tissue demonstrates that the volume of available water is considerably larger in skin than in any other tissue of the body. The skin may be regarded as one of the most important water-storage organs of...
Lithium alkylnickelate and alkylpalladate bimetallic “ate” complexes as initiators for anionic polymerization of methyl methacrylate

Anionic-coordinative polymerization of methyl methacrylate (MMA) was carried out in the presence of new bimetallic initiators based on lithium alkylnickelates and alkylpalladates in tetrahydrofuran, at −78°C. Well-defined poly(methyl methacrylate), PMMA, with molecular weights increasing linearly with conversion and relatively narrow polydispersities (Mw/Mn = 1,26 to 1,4) were prepared by initiation with some of the “ate” complexes. In the presence of lithium “ate” Ni-based complexes, PMMA with enhanced syndiotacticity [(rr) = 73 to 75%] was formed.
Tuning Adhesion Failure Strength For Tissue-Specific Applications

Soft tissue adhesives are employed to repair and seal many different organs, which range in both tissue surface chemistry and mechanical challenges during organ function. This complexity motivates the development of tunable adhesive materials with high resistance to uniaxial or multiaxial loads dictated by a specific organ environment. Co-polymeric hydrogels comprising aminated star polyethylene glycol and dextran aldehyde (PEG:dextran) are materials exhibiting physico-chemical properties that can be modified to achieve this organ- and tissue-specific adhesion performance. Here we report that resistance to failure under specific loading conditions, as well as tissue response at the adhesive material–tissue interface, can be modulated through regulation of the number and density of adhesive aldehyde groups. We find that atomic force microscopy (AFM) can characterize the material aldehyde density available for tissue interaction, and in this way enable rapid, informed material choice. Further, the correlation between AFM quantification of nanoscale unbinding forces with macroscale measurements of adhesion strength by uniaxial tension or multiaxial burst pressure allows the design of materials with specific cohesion and adhesion strengths. However, failure strength alone does not predict optimal in vivo reactivity. Thus, we demonstrate that the development of adhesive materials is significantly enabled when experiments are integrated along length scales to consider organ chemistry and mechanical loading states concurrently with adhesive material properties and tissue response.
Ultrastructure of the giant-cell fibroma of the oral mucosa.

Abstract The ultrastructural features of the giant-cell fibroma of the oral mucosa are described. These features suggest that the characteristic cells are atypical fibroblasts containing numerous intracellular microfibrils. The multinucleated giant cells appear to occur by fusion of the mononuclear cells. A viral origin for the tumor is postulated.
The synthesis of cypridina etioluciferamine and the proof of structure of cypridina luciferin

Abstract An unambiguous synthesis of Cypridina etioluciferamine was accomplished in order to prove the structure of this important bioluminescent natural product. Several 2-aminopyrazine 1-oxides were synthesized in order to establish a spectroscopic method for determining the placement of substituents on the pyrazine nucleus of Cypridina etioluciferamine. Titanium tetrachloride was used to improve the yields of these compounds; for example, the yield of 2-amino-3-methyl-5-phenylpyrazine 1-oxide (19) from reaction of phenylglyoxal 1-oxime and α-aminopropionitrile was raised from 3% to 51% by the use of titanium tetrachloride. The pyrazine ring proton is found at τ 1·37 (DMSO-d6). The isomeric 2-amino-3-methyl-6-phenylpyrazine 1-oxide (22) was similarly prepared and its pyrazine ring proton is found at τ 2·18. This large difference (0·81 ppm) in chemical shift was used to determine whether a 2-aminopyrazine 1-oxide was 5- or 6- substituted. Prepared in an analogous fashion were 2-amino-5-(indol-3-yl)-3-methylpyrazine 1-oxide (23) and 2-amino-5-(indol-3-yl)-3-(3-phthalimidopropyl)pyrazine 1-oxide (16). The structures of these compounds were verified by NMR spectroscopy. By treatment with Raney nickel and hydrogen gas, then 100% hydrazine hydrate, 16 was converted to 2-amino-3-(3-aminopropyl)-5-indol-3-ylpyrazine (5), isolated as the dihydrochloride. This compound, with the indole moiety definitely placed at C-5, is identical with Cypridina etioluciferamine dihydrochloride (IR, UV, TLC). These results show that the structures of Cypridina etioluciferamine and luciferin are correct as published.
Acquired myasthenia gravis in childhood.

Purpose of reviewThis review discusses recent studies on myasthenia gravis with onset in childhood (juvenile myasthenia gravis) and neonatal myasthenia gravis.Recent findingsThe occurrence of myasthenia gravis in childhood is strongly influenced by genetic and environmental factors. Juvenile myasthe
Regional, annual and seasonal variation in pollinator guilds: intrinsic traits of bees (Hymenoptera: Apoidea) underlie their patterns of abundance at Vaccinium ashei (Ericaceae)

We studied the numerical importance of bees as pollinators of rabbiteye blueberry, Vaccinium ashei Reade, in the southeastern United States. Most of the 27 bee species were rare at V. ashei flowers. Three taxa of bees were often abundant at V. ashei : the honey bee, Apis mellifera L.; queens of four bumble bee species ( Bombus spp.); and the southeastern blueberry bee, Habropoda laboriosa (F.). Most bee species that co-occur with cultivated V. ashei do not visit its flowers either because adults emerge late in the spring following bloom, or their tongues are too short to probe the flowers effectively. The more common bees varied in their regional, annual, and seasonal abundances at cultivated V. ashei , reflecting inherent differences in sociality, foraging predilections, voltinism, and adult phenologies. Our censuses showed that H. laboriosa is a Vaccinium specialist (2 yr, two states, four habitats). Compared with the other common bees, abundance of H. laboriosa at V. ashei was most variable regionally, least variable annually, and most predictable daily during a flowering season. For 6 yr, adult activity of Bombus queens and univoltine H. laboriosa generally spanned the season of V. ashei flowering. Spatial patchiness but local reliability of H. laboriosa may be an outcome of its oligolectic floral preferences. In contrast, polylectic honey and bumble bees were regionally ubiquitous. However, the temporal abundance of honey bees fluctuated markedly at V. ashei , perhaps reflecting their shifting preferences among competing members of a local flora.
Vibrational spectra of metals treated with allyltrimethoxysilane sol–gel and self-assembled monolayer of allytrichlorosilane

Abstract A sol–gel has been prepared by using allyltrimethoxysilane (ATMS) as precursor, ethanol as homogenizer as well as solvent, and hydrochloric acid as catalyst. The sol–gel was employed for the coating treatment of aluminum. Self-assembled monolayer (SAM) with allyltrichlorosilane (ATCS) is another method used for the metal surface treatment in the present work. The treated metal surfaces were characterized with reflection adsorption infrared spectra (RAIR). Detailed interpretation and vibrational assignment have been given to the collected IR spectra of the sol–gel, xerogel and surface films of ATMS and the SAM of ATCS on aluminum as well as pure silanes. A series of investigation of the UV exposure and temperature effects has been carried out. Results from the investigation indicate that the UV radiation exposure or the high temperature thermal treatment will induce a chemical process on the organosilica coated surfaces.
A new design method for phase-corrected reflectors at microwave frequencies

A method is given for the design of a class of wide-angle reflectors in which the aberrations are reduced by coating the reflector surface with a dielectric. At microwave frequencies this dielectric may take the form of an array of metal plates or waveguides and the constraint imposed by this form greatly simplifies the analysis. The path of the feed point is chosen so that only selected rays from it are equally phased. It is then found that both of the reflector's profiles and the path of the feed point can be described by a single parameter. The residual aberrations of several cylindrical systems, including the corrected parabola and circle, are analysed to find a reflector for which the scanning arc is the circle with centre at the vertex of the reflector. A refocusing procedure, which is found to be necessary, produces this scanning arc. Experimental results in agreement with the theory are given. It is shown that the design principle can be used to programme a step-wise procedure for the design of corrected surfaces using nonconstrained natural dielectric coatings.