cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Estrogens and ovarian follicular functions in Rana pipiens.

Abstract Ovulation and oocyte meiotic maturation (germinal vesicle breakdown) occur following the in vitro exposure of amphibian ovarian follicles to progesterone or gonadotropic hormones. The effects of estrogens on these two processes, and the separation of the follicular membranes from the oocyte, alone or in combination with these stimulatory hormones, were simultancously assessed. Estrogenic hormones did not initiate ovulation, maturation, or membrane separation and exhibited no inhibitory effects on ovulation, maturation, or membrane separation induced with progesterone. Estrone was inhibitory to pituitary-stimulated ovulation, maturation, and membrane separation when added to the incubation media at the same time as the pituitary hormone. Ovarian follicles were insensitive to the inhibitory effects of estrone if the addition of the steroid was delayed several hours after exposure to pituitary hormones. Follicular insensitivity to estrone occurs prior to germinal vesicle breakdown. These data suggest that estrogens act to prevent the synthesis or release of pituitary-stimulated ovarian intermediate(s). The ovarian folliele wall rather than the oocyte appears to be the site of estrogen inhibition of gonadotropic hormones.
Adsorption of oxygen and carbon monoxide on vacuum-deposited smooth Pd(111) surfaces and the effect of sputter-roughening

Abstract Adsorption of oxygen and carbon monoxide on smooth and sputtered clean surfaces of epitaxial Pd(111)/mica films was studied. Electron beam irradiation effects on the adsorbates were important only for CO in the total dose range of 1×10 14 to 2×10 19 electrons/mm 2 . The cross section for beam damage was approximately 2×10 -17 mm 2 /electron for the CO ad /Pd(111) system. AES was used to measure the O(KVV)/Pd(M 4,5 VV) intensity ratios for both O and CO adsorbates. Saturation values of 0.017±0.001 and 0.016±0.001 were obtained for O and CO respectively. The value for O is significantly lower than for sputter etched and annealed bulk crystals. No values have been reported for CO. On sputtered thin film surfaces, these ratios saturated at somewhat higher values when saturation ion doses were applied. The saturation ion dose was approximately 3×10 13 ions/mm 2 . Beyond this value no additional oxygen or carbon monoxide could be adsorbed. Annealing returned the adsorption characteristics to what was obtained on the initially smooth surfaces.
CONTACT THERMAL LITHOGRAPHY

Contact thermal lithography is a method for fabricating patterns based on thermal effects. In contrast to photolithography, where resolution is limited by the wavelength of light used in the exposure process, thermal lithography is limited by thermal diffusion. A traditional metal-glass photomask is brought into contact with a wafer coated with a thermally sensitive polymer. The mask-wafer combination is flashed briefly with high intensity light, causing the metal features to heat up and conduct heat locally to the polymer. The polymer cross-links due to the temperature rise and forms an image of the mask. Simple models are presented to analyze the heating process and select appropriate geometries and heating times. In addition, an experimental version of a contact thermal lithography system has been constructed. Early results from this system are presented, along with suggestions for future development.Copyright © 2005 by ASME
Das Messen charakteristischer Eigenschaften von Rieselfilmen

Aufschlus uber das Verhalten von Rieselfilmen last sich zur Zeit im wesentlichen nur durch experimentelle Studien gewinnen. Derartige Versuche haben jedoch nur dann Sinn, wenn die Eigenschaften der betrachteten Rieselfilme nicht durch die Messungen gestort werden. Es werden Verfahren beschrieben, die ein storungsfreies Messen der ortlichen Filmdicke, Wellenamplitude, Wellenfrequenz und Wellenlange sowie der Oberflachenneigung der Rieselfilme als Funktion der Zeit ermoglichen.
Oral contraceptives: ethinyl estradiol binds with higher affinity than mestranol to macromolecules from the sites of anti-fertility action.

The estrogen used in the oral contraceptives is either 17α-ethinyl estradiol (EE) or mestranol (MEE); they are used in similar doses. EE and MEE were studied for their capability to compete with 3H-estradiol for binding to macromolecules in the supernatant fraction of rat hypothalamus, anterior pituitary and uterus. These binding macromolecules are thought to be the estrogen tissue receptors. EE is about 300 times more potent than MEE in attaching to the estradiol binding sites. Much of the antifertility action of MEE may be dependent upon its known metabolism by O-dealkylation to EE. (Endocrinology 94: 803, 1974)
Sodium phosphate-induced hypernatremia in an elderly patient: a complex pathophysiologic state.

I ATROGENIC hypernatremia usually results from the administration oflarge quantities of hypertonic sodium salts, or from the loss of excessive amounts of water, or from a combination of both processes. We recently encountered a patient in whom iatrogenic hypernatremia resulted from a combination of simultaneous sodium excess and third-space water loss. Evidence presented suggests that sodium phosphate, retained in the bowel of this obstipated patient, caused hypernatremia both by being absorbed and by sequestering fluid in the bowel.
Improving Teaching through Improving Evaluation: A Guide to Course Portfolios:

This article demonstrates how course portfolios can be used by marketing faculty members to enhance their teaching effectiveness. Course portfolios are a mechanism by which faculty memberscan exhibit their teaching accomplishments for examination by others. This method affords faculty membersthe opportunity to obtain peer review of their teaching in much the same manner as they receive peer review of their research. Through collaboration, faculty members can improve their teaching at a time when many institutions of higher learning are placing increased emphasis on effective teaching. Specific guidelinesare given for constructing the portfolio and for obtaining peer review. Finally, excerptsfrom a marketing course portfolio are used to show possible components of a marketing course portfolio.
A 125-Mw Unfired Combined Cycle Electric Generating Unit From Concept to Operation

This paper discusses the development of a 125-Mw combined cycle generating unit from the original developmental concepts to the initial operation. The initial justification, the evolution of the plant through design, and the actual construction are discussed. The actual construction site and the equipment utilized are described. A discussion of the cooling system and the licensing efforts that were required are also discussed. This paper also shows how this type of plant will provide a versatile, economical, mid-range peaking plant.Copyright © 1974 by ASME
Analysis of gene expression associated with cold acclimation in blueberry floral buds using expressed sequence tags

Abstract To gain a better understanding of changes in gene expression associated with cold acclimation in the woody perennial blueberry ( Vaccinium spp.), a genomics approach based on the analysis of expressed sequence tags (ESTs) was undertaken. Two cDNA libraries were constructed using RNA from cold acclimated and non-acclimated floral buds of the blueberry cultivar Bluecrop and about 600 5′-end ESTs were generated from each of the libraries. About 100 3′-end ESTs were generated from the cold acclimated library as well. Putative functions were assigned to 57% of the cDNAs that yielded high quality sequences based on homology to other genes/ESTs from Genbank, and these were classified into 14 functional categories. From a contig analysis, which clustered sequences derived from the same or very similar genes, 430 and 483 unique transcripts were identified from the cold acclimated and non-acclimated libraries, respectively. Of the total unique transcripts, only 4.3% were shared between the libraries, suggesting marked differences in the genes expressed under the two conditions. The most highly abundant cDNAs that were picked many more times from one library than from the other were identified as representing potentially differentially expressed transcripts. Northern analyses were performed to examine expression of eight selected transcripts and seven of these were confirmed to be preferentially expressed under either cold acclimating or non-acclimating conditions. Only one of the seven transcripts, encoding a dehydrin, had been found previously to be up-regulated during cold acclimation of blueberry. This study demonstrates that analysis of ESTs is an effective strategy to identify candidate cold acclimation-responsive transcripts in blueberry.
WE‐C‐I‐609‐03: Study of Radial Gradient Features in LDA Classifier for Automated CT Lung Nodule Detection

Purpose: To study the use of radial gradient index features by an LDA classifier for false positive reduction in automated CTlung nodule detection. Method and Materials: Our database contains 38 diagnostic CT scans, with a total of 82 lung nodules. A radial gradient index (RGI)‐based approach is used to reduce false positives detected by our automated method. For each CT section a complementary image (an “RGI map”) is generated in which the pixel intensity is proportional to the RGI computed along a circle of chosen diameter d, centered at that pixel. As the RGI is maximum for a perfect circle, an RGI map enhances the intensity of nodules relative to neighboring anatomic structures. For every candidate we calculate a set of three RGI features, for each of five different values of the RGI diameter. We evaluate the performance of the classifier by introducing in turn RGI features corresponding to a particular diameter, together with an optimal set of 9 non‐RGI features determined previously. The results are compared with the performance of the LDA without RGI features. Finally, we use stepwise LDA in order to identify optimal features. Results: The performance for d = [12, 16, 20] is optimal (the sensitivity increases from 70 % to 79 % at 0.5 false detections/section) while for d ⩾ 24 performance decreases. A stepwise LDA was performed for 10 random partitions of the database in order to evaluate the relative weight of different features for classification. This revealed that 8 out of 15 RGI features were included 9 or more times within the optimal feature set. Conclusion: Inclusion of RGI features results in a substantially improved FROC performance, which is consistent with results of stepwise linear discriminant analysis. Conflict of Interest: SGA is a shareholder in R2 Technology, Inc.
Determination of membrane protein glycation in diabetic tissue

Diabetes-associated hyperglycemia causes glycation of proteins at reactive amino groups, which can adversely affect protein function Although the effects of glycation on soluble proteins are well characterized, there is no information regarding membrane-associated proteins, mainly because of the lack of reproducible methods to determine protein glycation in vivo. The current study was conducted to establish such a method and to compare the glycation levels of membrane-associated proteins derived from normal and diabetic tissue. We present a detailed sample preparation protocol based on the borohydride-periodate assay, modified to allow manipulation of animal tissue. Assay noise associated with extraction protocols and nonproteinaceous buffer components was eliminated by the using 3-[(3-cholamidopropyl) dimethylammonio]-1-propanesulfonate (CHAPS) as a membrane detergent, applying desalting columns, and including a protein precipitation step. The glycation level of membrane proteins from diabetic rats is elevated to 4.89 nmol/mg protein (standard deviation [SD] 0.48) compared with normoglycemic control tissue (2.23 nmol/mg protein, SD 0.64). This result is consistent with and correlated to the total glycated hemoglobin levels in diabetic and normoglycemic rats. Using<100 μg protein, the described methods allow further study of protein glycation effects on the function of individual transporter proteins and the role of these modifications in diabetes.
Enhanced ferromagnetic exchange in EuO films doped with Eu and non-magnetic ions

Abstract Enhanced ferromagnetic exchange has been observed in EuO films doped simultaneously with Eu and the non-magnetic ions Ag or Cu. The Curie temperatures increased from 70°K to as 150°K.
Dominance Hierarchies in Groups of Early Adolescents.

SAVIN-WILLIAMS, RITCH C. Dominance Hierarchies in Groups of Early Adolescents. CHILD DEVELOPMENT, 1979, 50, 923-935. By using behavioral observations and sociometric methods, a stable dominance hierarchy was found in 8 groups of 12to 14-year-old male and female adolescents at a summer camp. Status position was relatively stable over time and across behavior settings. For both sexes the dominance hierarchy correlated significantly with the rank orderings of pubertal maturation, athletic ability, and group leadership. There were notable sex differences in the specific behaviors utilized to assert dominance and in the stability of the dominance hierarchy; the group structure in female cabins was more likely to fluctuate over time and in accordance to situational events. The dominance hierarchy appears to foster a reduction in intragroup antagonism, to focus division of labor responsibilities, to distribute any scarce resources, and to provide knowledge of where one's place is among peers.
Testosterone production in non-breeding Northern Cardinals (Cardinalis cardinalis): is temperature influential?

Abstract In seasonally breeding birds annual changes occur in hormone production by the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis as individuals transition between breeding and non-breeding condition. Typically, some external environmental cue induces the observed changes; changes in day length, corresponding to change of seasons, are a strong cue for HPG axis activity in many species. Some species use cues other than day length as their primary initiator of breeding, and a number of light-sensitive species incorporate other cues to initiate breeding. Northern Cardinals (Cardinalis cardinalis) exhibit individual variation in when breeding begins and circulating testosterone is present throughout the year. Chemical tests of HPG axis responsiveness indicate that many individuals have an activated HPG axis as early as December. Here we use GnRH injections to assess whether individuals with active HPG axes prior to the winter solstice and increasing day lengths, may be influenced to initiate breeding by low t...
Brain glucose transporters Implications for neurologic disease

The normal adult brain constitutes approximately 2% of the body weight and consumes approximately 20% of glucose in the body (about 120 g of glucose per day). In the nervous system, the aerobic metabolism of glucose is the main source of energy in the form of adenosine triphosphate (ATP); most of this energy is utilized to sustain excitatory synaptic transmission. The interaction among neurons, astrocytes, and endothelial cells has a central role coupling energy supply with changes in neuronal activity. These cells express different subtypes of glucose transporters (GLUTs) that mediate the sodium-independent facilitated transport of glucose across membranes. GLUT1 and GLUT3 are expressed in the nervous system, GLUT1 in endothelial cells and astrocytes, and GLUT3 in neurons. Astrocytes take up glucose from the blood and metabolize it to lactate, which is then delivered to neurons. The relative contribution of this astrocyte-to-neuron lactate shuttle as a main source of energy to sustain neuronal physiology, compared to direct glucose uptake by neurons, is a matter of debate; nevertheless, the role of GLUT1 in astrocytes is underscored by the range of clinical phenotypes associated with GLUT1 deficiency. There are several reviews on the biochemistry and physiology of GLUTs, neurometabolic coupling between astrocytes and neurons, the clinical consequences of GLUT1 deficiency, and the involvement of GLUT1 in other neurologic disorders.(1-7.)
Evaluation of 15 Polymerases and Phosphorothioate Primer Modification for Detection of UV‐induced C:G to T:A Mutations by Allele‐specific PCR¶

Allele-specific polymerase chain reaction is based on polymerase extension from primers that contain a 3' end base that is complementary to a specific mutation and inhibition of extension with wild-type DNA due to a 3' end mismatch. Taq polymerase is commonly used for this assay, but because of the high rate of nucleotide extension from primer 3' base mismatches documented for Taq polymerase, high sensitivity is difficult to achieve. To determine whether other polymerases might improve assay sensitivity, 15 polymerases were tested with mutation-specific primers for two ultraviolet-induced mutations in the human 5S ribosomal RNA genes. Of the 15 polymerases tested, six were capable of discriminating these mutations at levels equivalent to or better than Taq polymerase. All primers were phosphorothioate modified on the 3' end to block removal of the critical 3' mutation-specific base by polymerases containing 3' --> 5' exonuclease "proofreading" activity. The effectiveness of phosphorothioate modification was measured in mock polymerase chain reaction reactions and a time course. All six enzymes containing this exonuclease activity showed some ability to digest phosphorothioate-modified primers and could be divided into two groups, showing fast and slow digestion kinetics. Of the three enzymes that showed slow digestion kinetics, two also showed significantly slower digestion kinetics of unmodified primers.
Triangular finite element for analysis of thick laminated plates

The development of a general triangular C0 element, based on an assumed quadratic displacement potential energy approach, is presented for the analysis of arbitrarily laminated thick plates. The element formulation assumes transverse inextensibility and layerwise constant shear-angle. Convergence of transverse displacement, moments and stresses, the effects of two different Gauss quadrature schemes and comparison of the present solutions with the available analytical/finite-element results also form a part of the investigation. Furthermore, numerical results indicate close agreement between the LCST (layerwise constant shear-angle theory) and the three-dimensional elasticity theory with the length (or width) to thickness ratio as low as 4. Detailed comparison of the LCST-based finite-element solutions with those based on the CST (constant shear-angle theory) and the CLT (classical lamination theory) clearly demonstrates the superiority of the former over the latter two, especially in the prediction of the distribution of the in-plane displacements and stresses through the laminate thickness. This paper also introduces a new non-dimensionalized parameter, Δθ*, which is shown to be a very useful measure for classification of the laminated plates and the suitability of different plate theories over various ranges of length-to-thickness ratio.
An observational analysis of surgical team compliance with perioperative safety practices after crew resource management training.

Abstract Background Acknowledging the need to improve team communication and coordination among health care providers, health care administrators and improvement officers have been quick to endorse and invest in aviation crew resource management (CRM). Despite the increased interest in CRM there exists limited data on the effectiveness of CRM to change team behavior and performance in clinical settings. Methods Direct observational analyses were performed on 30 surgical teams (15 neurosurgery cases and 15 cardiac cases) to evaluate surgical team compliance with integrated safety and CRM practices after extensive CRM training. Results Observed surgical teams were compliant with only 60% of the CRM and perioperative safety practices emphasized in the training program. Conclusions The results highlight many of the challenges the health care industry faces in its efforts to adapt CRM from aviation to medicine. Additional research is needed to develop and test new team training methods and performance feedback mechanisms for clinical teams.
Highly Efficient Multiple Exciton Generation in Colloidal PbSe and PbS Quantum Dots

We report ultra-efficient multiple exciton generation (MEG) for single photon absorption in colloidal PbSe and PbS quantum dots (QDs). We employ transient absorption spectroscopy and present measurement data acquired for both intraband as well as interband probe energies. Quantum yields of 300% indicate the creation, on average, of three excitons per absorbed photon for PbSe QDs at photon energies that are four times the QD energy gap. Results indicate that the threshold photon energy for MEG in QDs is twice the lowest exciton absorption energy. We find that the biexciton effect, which shifts the transition energy for absorption of a second photon, influences the early time transient absorption data and may contribute to a modulation observed when probing near the lowest interband transition. We present experimental and theoretical values of the size-dependent interband transition energies for PbSe QDs. We present experimental and theoretical values of the size-dependent interband transition energies for ...
Soft decision decoding of linear block codes using genetic algorithms

Soft decision decoding is a difficult search problem, for which optimal algorithms are computationally intractable. Genetic algorithms (GA) are stochastic optimisation techniques that have successfully solved many difficult search problems. We have developed a high performance GA for suboptimal soft decision decoding of binary linear block codes, which gives bit error probabilities as low as 0.00183 for a [104, 52] extended quadratic residue code with a signal-to-noise ratio of 2.5 dB, exploring only 30,000 codewords, whereas the search space contains 10/sup 1/5 codewords. Success ensues from the use of a new crossover operator that exploits problem-specific knowledge. >
Store-operated calcium entry inactivates at the germinal vesicle breakdown stage of Xenopus meiosis.

Abstract Store-operated calcium entry (SOCE) is the predominant Ca2+ influx pathway in non-excitable cells and is activated in response to depletion of intracellular Ca2+ stores. We have studied SOCE regulation duringXenopus oocyte meiosis. SOCE can be measured readily in stage VI Xenopus oocytes arrested at the G2–M transition of the cell cycle, either by Ca2+ imaging or by recording the SOCE current. However, following meiotic maturation, SOCE can no longer be activated by store depletion. We have characterized the time course of SOCE inactivation during oocyte maturation, and show that SOCE inactivates almost completely, in a very short time period, at the germinal vesicle breakdown stage of meiosis. This acute inactivation offers an opportunity to better understand SOCE regulation.
Review of 2 Decades of Aneurysm-Recurrence Literature, Part 2: Managing Recurrence after Endovascular Coiling

Cerebral aneurysms are treated to prevent hemorrhage or rehemorrhage. Angiographic recurrences following endovascular therapy have been a problem since the advent of this treatment technique, even though posttreatment hemorrhage remains rare. Notwithstanding its unclear clinical significance, angiographic recurrence remains not only a prime focus in the literature but also frequently leads to potentially risky retreatments. The literature regarding aneurysm recurrence following endovascular therapy, spanning 2 decades, is immense and immensely confusing. We review the topic of recurrence following endovascular treatment of cerebral aneurysms in an effort to distill it down to fundamental material relevant to clinical practice.
A language for modeling and programming cooperative control systems

In this paper we describe a software tool called CCLi (for CCL interpreter) that implements the Computation and Control Language (CCL). CCL is a language for modeling and programming of robotic and control systems. CCLi is used to simulate CCL models and programs and can also be used to execute CCL programs on actual robots. The language is particularly well suited to concurrent, partially synchronized processes interacting via communications and the environment, such as would describe cooperative control tasks. This paper describes the syntax and semantics of the language and gives examples of its use in modeling and programming cooperative control and multi-robot systems.
Emulsion polymerization of butadiene and styrene in presence of carbon black. I. Persulfate initiation

Butadiene and butadiene-styrene have been emulsion polymerized in the presence of carbon black and by use of persulfate initiation. The recipe developed gives 50% conversion of butadiene in about 16 hours, and produces polymers which are superior to conventional ones in processability, ultimate tensile, and elongation. The compounded tensiles are about 1000 p.s.i. higher, while the elongations are higher by 60-100%. The rates of polymerization at 50°C. are dependent on the type of black used, the type and amount of soap, and the method of preparation of the black dispersion, but they are insensitive to molecular oxygen. However, even the “optimum” persulfate recipe suffers from two serious drawbacks: (1) above 50% conversion the rate of polymerization becomes extremely slow, and (2) the stability of the carbon black in the latex decreases rapidly above conversions of 30%. Even though the precipitated carbon black is easily redispersed by agitation, it is inconvenient to work with latices which are so unstable colloidally. These difficulties could not be circumvented in polymerization systems containing persulfate as the initiator.
Field measurements of an indoor high-speed QAM wireless system using decision feedback equalization and smart antenna array

This paper reports on field measurements of point-to-point indoor high-speed (10 Mbit/s to 30 Mbit/s at 5 Mbaud) wireless communications realized using a flexible multilevel quadrature amplitude modulation (M-QAM) testbed that features real-time equalization and smart antenna-array technology. The results from an extensive set of measurements, 59262 trials in all, performed without cochannel interference under various receiver configurations and wireless environments are presented and analyzed. The results underscore the dramatic potential for a system that optimally combines equalization and a smart antenna array. For example, using only 10 mW of transmit power, the system delivered 30 Mitts at an uncoded bit error rate (BER) of 10/sup -3/ with 5% outage at a coverage radius of 20 in. For a lower data rate of 10 Mbitts, the coverage radius was increased to 32 in, the uncoded BER dropped below 10/sup -7/, and the outage improved to 1%. The field measurements indicate that a 4-tap feedforward-filter decision-feedback equalizer with eight feedback-filter taps is sufficient to mitigate the intersymbol interference for typical indoor environments. They also show a significant gain when using a smart antenna array. For example, when transmitting between rooms at a 2% outage probability, the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) improves by 8.3 dB when using two antennas instead of one antenna. Doubling the number of antennas to four provided an additional SNR improvement of 5.2 dB. The paper also presents simulation results that confirm the performance trends observed from the field measurements.
Performance test results of the production fault tolerant air data inertial reference system

The fault tolerant air data inertial reference system (FT/ADIRS) is now in the final stages of production development. The FT/ADIRS consists of the fault tolerant air data inertial reference unit (FT/ADIRU), the secondary air data altitude reference unit (SAARU), and six air data modules (ADM). The ADIRU is the primary navigation unit of the FT/ADIRS. This paper presents the FT/ADIRU production flight test performance data. A comparison of the FT/ADIRU hexad configuration with the conventional triad sensor configuration is also discussed in this paper along with a description of the functionality of the inertial reference software. The production flight tests confirm that the FT/ADIRU provides a high performance navigation system. In addition, the ADIRS provides exceptional benefits to the airlines, which include deferred maintenance capability, significantly fewer schedule interruptions, and substantial operating cost benefits. >
The more extreme nature of U.S. warm season climate in the recent observational record and two “well‐performing” dynamically downscaled CMIP3 models

Arid and semiarid regions located in subtropical zones are projected to experience the most adverse impacts of climate change. During the warm season, observations and Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change global climate models generally support a “wet gets wetter, dry gets drier” hypothesis in these regions, which acts to amplify the climatological transitions in the context of the annual cycle. In this study, we consider changes in U.S. early warm season precipitation in the observational record and regional climate model simulations driven by two “well-performing” dynamically downscaled Coupled Model Intercomparison Project phase 3 (CMIP3) models (Hadley Centre Coupled Model, version 3 and Max Planck Institute (MPI) European Centre/Hamburg Model 5) that have a robust climatological representation of the North American Monsoon System (NAMS). Both observations and model results show amplification in historical seasonal transitions of temperature and precipitation associated with NAMS development, with Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF)-MPI better representing the observed signal. Assuming the influence of remote Pacific sea surface temperature (SST) forcing associated with the El Nino–Southern Oscillation and Pacific Decadal Variability (ENSO-PDV) on U.S. regional climate remains the same in the 21st century, similar extreme trends are also projected by WRF-MPI for the next 30 years. A methodology is also developed to objectively analyze how climate change may be synergistically interacting with ENSO-PDV variability during the early warm season. Our analysis suggests that interannual variability of warm season temperature and precipitation associated with Pacific SST forcing is becoming more extreme, and the signal is stronger in the observed record.
A new clustering algorithm of large datasets with O(N) computational complexity

In fields such as bioinformatics, cytometry, geographic information systems, just to name a few, huge amount of data, often multidimensional in nature, has more than ever highlighted the need for new algorithms to reduce the computational requirements needed for data analysis and interpretation. In this study, we present a new unsupervised clustering algorithm /sub e/nsity-based adaptive window clustering algorithm, which reduces the computational load to /spl sim/ O(N) number of computations, making it more attractive and faster than current hierarchical algorithms. This method relies on weighting a dataset to grid points on a mesh, and identifies the density peaks by reducing low density points, ranking and correlation calculation. The adaptive windows used are a modification of the recently proposed k-windows clustering algorithm to shape the desired clusters. The new algorithm makes it easier for users to observe and analyze data for enhanced interpretation and improved real-world applications, especially in clinical practices.
Factors that influence patient enrollment in active surveillance for low-risk prostate cancer

OBJECTIVES To learn from patients their rationale for enrollment in active surveillance (AS) for low-risk prostate cancer as an alternative to primary treatment. METHODS A rank-order survey was designed to assess the relative influence of factors that contributed to the decision to elect AS. The survey was mailed to 185 patients enrolled in AS at our university-based urologic oncology practice. Participants were also asked whether they had been offered AS as an alternative to primary treatment by the urologist who had initially diagnosed their cancer. RESULTS The survey was returned by 105 (57%) of 185 patients. AS was offered to 38 (36%) of 105 patients by the physician who had made the initial diagnosis. Patients most frequently reported physician influence as the greatest contributor to their decision to elect AS (73%). Patients also cited concerns regarding the potential side effects of incontinence (48%) and erectile dysfunction (44%) associated with therapy as reasons for choosing AS. CONCLUSIONS The results of the present study have shown that patients are heavily influenced by physicians in their decision to elect AS. Notably, the majority of our sampled patients were not offered AS at diagnosis. Evidence has indicated that AS is an appropriate approach for low-risk prostate cancer and should be discussed with patients in this risk category.
Cardiopulmonary manifestations of systemic sclerosis

S tem sclerosis (scleroderma) is a generalized disorder of connective tissue characterized by inflammatory, fibrotic, and degenerative changes and accompanied by vascular abnormalities in the skin and in a variety of internal organs. The course of the disease is unpredictable and its pathogenesis has not been elucidated. Three general pathogenetic models have been hypothesized to explain the abnormalities seen in these patients: (1) a primary abnormality of the vasculature, suggested by the prominence of Raynaud’s phenomenon and the evidence of widespread small artery and capillary changes in these patients; (2) an immunologic derangement, indicated by the presence of serologic abnormalities and multiple abnormalities of lymphocyte function; and (3) an abnormal inflammatory process, suggested by the findings from skin biopsies, gallium scanning, and bronchoalveolar lavage. These postulated mechanisms are not necessarily mutually exclusive; any combination of them might be operative in patients with systemic sclerosis. At the current time, there is no unifying hypothesis which is completely accepted. The general clinical features of cardiopulmonary involvement in patients with systemic sclerosis have been evaluated over the past 40 years. However, the recent availability of more sophisticated testing techniques such as thallium scanning and bronchoalveolar lavage has generated a large body of new information on this disease. This information may be important in understanding not only the pathogenesis of cardiac and pulmonary involvement, but also the pathogenesis of systemic sclerosis in general. This review will focus on this new information. The reader is also referred to several recent general discussions of systemic scierosis 2 and to a recent comprehensive review of the cardiovascular manifestations of the disease.3
A Survey of Ground-Dwelling Ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) in Georgia

Abstract Ground-dwelling ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) were sampled at 29 sites in 26 counties in Georgia with pitfall traps, leaf litter extraction, visual searching, and bait stations. We found 96 ant taxa including nine species not previously reported from Georgia: Myrmica americana Weber, M. pinetorum Wheeler, M. punctiventris Roger, M. spatulata Smith, Pyramica wrayi (Brown), Stenamma brevicorne (Mayr), S. diecki Emery, S. impar Forel, and S. schmitti Wheeler, as well as three apparently undescribed species (Myrmica sp. and two Stenamma spp.). Combined with previous published records and museum records, we increased the total number of ground-dwelling ants known from Georgia to 144 taxa.
Dynamic Long-Range Forces and Z Branches at Phase Transitions

We show that the critical dynamics of dense pseudospin systems interacting via retarded long-range forces (e.g., acoustic phonons) gives rise to the appearance of a $Z$ branch in the central-peak dispersion which should be observable by light-scattering techniques. The evolution of an initially nonconserved quantity towards a hydrodynamic regime leads to liquidlike behavior of the solid for a range of wave vectors.
Guided-wave multiwavelength Content-Addressable Memory (CAM) processing module for database and networking applications

The proposed multiwavelength guided-wave CAM processing module provides parallel constant-time perfect-match search for database and networking/routing applications, with the capability of achieving an aggregate processing speed of 1012 bits/s.
Research on differential power analysis of the DES algorithm

Based on the thorough analysis of the Differential Power Analysis theory,a DES-oriented DPA system is designed in this paper and the DPA analysis correct rate is achieved.Through detail observation and analysis of the experimental data,we’ve found one factor which may seriously affect the DES’ DPA analysis correct rate,that is the 4th S-Box collision phenomenon which is deserved to be researched deeply in the future.
Factors Influencing Survival and Prognosis in Early Breast Carcinoma (T1N0M0–T1N1M0): Assessment of 644 Patients with Median Follow-up of 18 Years

That there is probably a significant proportion of "cured" patients, particularly in the T1N0 group, is an important observation when one considers the proper role of adjuvant therapy, especially for patients with stage I disease. Analysis of this series indicates that patients with T1N0 disease can be subdivided into different prognostic groups. Factors associated with an especially favorable prognosis in T1N0 cases are a primary tumor size of 1 cm or less; special tumor type such as tubular, medullary, papillary, or colloid carcinoma; and low-grade tumor. Relatively unfavorable tumor characteristics are size greater than 1.0 cm (especially the group 1.7 to 2.0 cm), the presence of lymphatic tumor emboli in the breast, blood vessel invasion, high-grade tumor or poor differentiation, and intense peritumoral lymphoplasmacytic reaction. The T1N0 patients whose tumors manifest the latter features may have longer disease-free survival as a result of adjuvant therapy. On the other hand, women in the T1N0 group with an especially favorable prognosis usually can be spared adjuvant therapy.
A giant retailer in Argentina: ‘Glocalization’ perspectives

This article examines how Wal-Mart became successful in Argentina by applying the tenets of ‘glocalization’ theory. ‘Glocalization’ refers to the strategies a multinational corporation employs abroad to cater to local idiosyncrasies. When Wal-Mart built its first stores in Argentina, it imposed its US-based blueprint of low-pricing tactics and shopping traditions that were rapidly rejected by most Argentinian consumers. After a few years of trial and error, Wal-Mart finally brought forth five major business and cultural changes that proved successful: (1) adaptation of store design, (2) adaptation of products to local tastes, (3) adaptation of shopping culture, (4) adaptation of employment practices and workplace culture and (5) acceptance of trade unions.
Multiple but Complementary, Not Conflictual, Leaderships: The Tunisian Democratic Transition in Comparative Perspective

Many classic studies of leadership focus on strong leadership in the singular. This essay focuses on effective leaderships in the plural. Some of the greatest failures of democratic transitions (Egypt, Syria, Libya) have multiple but highly conflictual leaderships. However, a key lesson in democratization theory is that successful democratic transitions often involve the formation of a powerful coalition, within the opposition, of one-time enemies. This was accomplished in Chile, Spain, and Indonesia. In greater detail, this essay examines Tunisia, the sole reasonably successful democratic transition of the Arab Spring. In all four cases, religious tensions had once figured prominently, yet were safely transcended by the actions of multiple leaders via mutual ideological and religious accommodations, negotiated socioeconomic pacts, and unprecedented political cooperation. A multiplicity of cooperating leaders, rather than a single “strong leader,” produced effective democratic leadership in Tunisia, Indon...
Photochemical transformations of thiolated polyethylene glycol coatings on gold nanoparticles

Photochemical reactions can cause significant transformations of manufactured nanomaterials in sunlit environments. While transformations of inorganic nanoparticles (NPs) have been investigated extensively, less attention has been focused on the direct impact of aqueous photochemical reactions on adsorbed organic macromolecules that form the NP corona and strongly influence the surface interactions and reactivity that affect NP transport, fate, and toxicity. Here, we assess the transformations of methoxy polyethylene glycol thiol (mPEGSH) coatings on gold NPs (AuNPs) under controlled UV irradiation. A decrease in the adsorbed layer thickness of polymer was observed within 24 h of UV irradiation, resulting in increased susceptibility of the transformed NPs to aggregation. Surface chemistry analyses, including X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), showed loss of the ether groups but persistence of reduced S on the AuNP surface, indicative of a chain scission mechanism yielding different NP surface properties from that of either the initial PEGylated AuNP or the citrate-stabilized AuNP prior to coating with mPEGSH. The transformation of the chemisorbed polymer was compared to that of dissolved mPEGSH in the presence and absence of the Au NPs, as evaluated by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS). In contrast to the NP-adsorbed coating, the primary observed transformation of the dissolved mPEGSH was thiol oxidation to disulfides without extensive chain scission. This study demonstrates that transformations of adsorbed macromolecular coatings must be considered to accurately predict NP attachment behavior, and hence transport, in environmental systems. Because the corona transformation was not predictable from that of the dissolved polymer, direct NP surface characterization is required to discern the fundamental reactions involved in the photochemical transformation of coatings after sorption to the NP surface.
PACAP Circuits Mediating the Sensory and Behavioral Consequences of Pain

The co-prevalence of stress-related psychopathologies with chronic pain has implicated common mechanistic underpinnings. PACAP has been associated with chronic stress-related behaviors and disorders; the expression and regulation of PACAP and PAC1 receptors in sensory pathways have implicated the PACAPergic system in nociceptive signaling. Although conflicting effects of PACAP in mediating anti-nociception or pro-nociception have been reported in peripheral vs. central peptide infusion experiments, neuropathic and inflammatory pain studies using PACAP or PAC1 receptor knockout mice have consistently illustrated the pro-nociceptive action of PACAP signaling. PACAP has recently been identified in the parabrachioamygdaloid tract which transmits nociceptive information from the dorsal horn of the spinal cord to the pontine lateral parabrachial nucleus (LPBn), where PACAP neurons project to the lateral capsular division of the central amygdala (CeLC), or the nociceptive amygdala. The amygdala is the principal integration center for emotional responses; hence these observations implicate a neurocircuit in which PACAP nociceptive signaling can impact stress-related behaviors. PACAP expression was induced along the spino-parabrachioamygdaloid tract in a partial sciatic nerve ligation chronic constriction injury (CCI) model of neuropathic pain. Amygdala PACAP infusions increased stress-related behaviors concomitant with heightened thermal nociceptive sensitivity, and conversely, CCI-induced behavioral and pain responses were attenuated upon acute amygdala PACAP receptor antagonist administration. Chronic pain increased amygdala ERK activation which could be mimicked by PACAP; notably, inhibition of PACAP receptor-mediated ERK signaling with drugs that block either MEK or endosomal signaling mitigated PACAP-mediated nociceptive hypersensitivity. Accordingly, PACAP signaling and function in the parabrachioamygdaloid tract may be a mediator of the adverse emotional consequences of chronic pain.
Cooperative wideband spectrum sensing using radio frequency sensor networks

This paper implements spectrum sensing using a radio frequency sensor network and analyzes the performance of this implementation through simulation. A sensor network based cooperative wideband spectrum sensing scheme is proposed for the implementation of this task. In the proposed scheme, wavelet-based multi-resolution spectrum sensing, which was originally proposed for cognitive radio applications, is adapted to radio frequency sensor networks. For cooperation of the nodes in the proposed scheme, a new three-bit hard combination technique is developed. A simulation model is created in MATLAB programming language to implement the proposed scheme and to analyze its simulation performance. The results of the simulation show that the proposed sensor network based cooperative wideband spectrum sensing scheme is appropriate for radio frequency sensor networks and the proposed three-bit hard combination scheme is superior to the traditional hard combination schemes in terms of false alarm reduction.
On the dynamics of three-dimensional slung prisms under very low and high turbulence flows

The distinctive pendulum-like oscillation and pitching patterns of cubic and rectangular slung prisms were inspected for two aspect ratios at various Reynolds numbers under two free-stream turbulence levels. Systematic experiments were performed using high-resolution telemetry and hotwire anemometry to quantitatively characterize the dynamics of the prisms and the wake fluctuation. The results show that the dynamics of the prisms can be characterized by two distinctive regions depending on the prism shape. Specifically, in the case of cubic prisms the regions are defined by the growth rate of the pitching amplitude; whereas the dynamics of the rectangular prisms is more sensitive to the angle of attack. In particular, when the large side initially faces the flow, the regions are defined by the synchronization between the vortex shedding and pure oscillations under very low turbulence. When the smaller side initially faces the flow, the regions are defined by the equilibrium pitching position. Regardless of the geometry of the prism and flow condition the dominant oscillation frequency resulted as being close to the natural frequency of the small-amplitude pendulum-like oscillation.
Rapid Web-Based Platform for Assessment of Orthopedic Surgery Patient Care Milestones: A 2-Year Validation

Objective To determine the validity, feasibility, and responsiveness of a new web-based platform for rapid milestone-based evaluations of orthopedic surgery residents. Setting Single academic medical center, including a trauma center and pediatrics tertiary hospital. Participants Forty residents (PG1-5) in an orthopedic residency program and their faculty evaluators. Methods Residents and faculty were trained and supported in the use of a novel trainee-initiated web-based evaluation system. Residents were encouraged to use the system to track progress on patient care subcompetencies. Two years of prospectively collected data were reviewed from residents at an academic program. The primary outcome was Spearman’s rank correlation between postgraduate year (PGY) and competency level achieved as a measure of validity. Secondary outcomes assessed feasibility, resident self-evaluation versus faculty evaluation, the distributions among subcompetencies, and responsiveness over time. Results Between February 2014 and February 2016, 856 orthopedic surgery patient care subcompetency evaluations were completed (1.2 evaluations per day). Residents promptly requested feedback after a procedure (median = 0 days, interquartile range: 0-2), and faculty responded within 2 days in 51% (median = 2 days, interquartile range: 0-13). Primary outcome showed a correlation between PGY and competency level ( r = 0.78, p Conclusions Rapid tracking of trainee competency with milestone-based evaluations in a learner-centered mobile platform demonstrated validity, feasibility, and responsiveness. Next Accreditation System-mandated data may be efficiently collected and used for trainee and program self-study.