cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Role of Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Delineating Clinically Significant Prostate Cancer

Objective To determine whether multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging might improve the identification of patients with higher risk disease at diagnosis and thereby reduce the incidence of undergrading or understaging. Methods We retrospectively reviewed the clinical records of 115 patients who underwent multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging before radical prostatectomy. We used Epstein's criteria of insignificant disease with and without a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) parameter (apparent diffusion coefficient) to calculate sensitivity, specificity, as well as negative and positive predictive values [NPV and PPV] across varying definitions of clinically significant cancer based on Gleason grade and tumor volume (0.2 mL, 0.5 mL, and 1.3 mL) on whole-mount prostate specimens. Logistic regression analysis was performed to determine the incremental benefit of MRI in delineating significant cancer. Results The majority had a prostate-specific antigen from 4.1-10.0 (67%), normal rectal examinations (90%), biopsy Gleason score ≤6 (68%), and ≤2 cores positive (55%). Of the 58 patients pathologically staged with Gleason 7 or pT3 disease at prostatectomy, Epstein's criteria alone missed 12 patients (sensitivity of 79% and NPV of 68%). Addition of apparent diffusion coefficient improved the sensitivity and NPV for predicting significant disease at prostatectomy to 93% and 84%, respectively. MRI improved detection of large Gleason 6 (≥1.3 mL, P = .006) or Gleason ≥7 lesions of any size (P Conclusion Integration of MRI with existing clinical staging criteria helps identify patients with significant cancer. Clinicians should consider utilizing MRI in the decision-making process.
Photomanipulation of external molecular modes: A time-dependent self-consistent-field approach

We introduce a time-dependent self-consistent-field approach for studying the coupled rotational–translational motion of molecules subject to the macroscopic potential induced by a spatially inhomogeneous, polarized laser field. A hybrid classical-quantum-mechanical variation of the scheme is employed to investigate the possibility of simultaneously focussing the center-of-mass motion of molecules and aligning their figure axis in a field-free region of space. A semiclassical-quantum-mechanical variation is used to describe the rotational–translational dynamics of cold molecules confined to an optical trap.
Effects of Lecithin-Emulsified Perfluorochemical Compounds in Ischemic Brain Injury

A lecithin-emulsified "Pluronic F-68"-free perfluorochemical compound, named F-1,3-DMA, was tested as a new agent in the prevention of central nervous tissue ischemia. A permanent ischemia leading to cerebral infarction was induced after microsurgical exposure and occlusion of the internal carotid, anterior, and middle cerebral arteries in the rabbit. Following arterial occlusion, F-1,3-DMA was administered intravenously, in a solution rendered isotonic to plasma, over a 30 minute period. The F-1,3-DMA was well tolerated. Hemodynamic, cardiovascular and metabolic parameters were not affected by the infusion of F-1,3-DMA. Although PO2 remained virtually unchanged, animals treated with F-1,3-DMA (n = 9), had smaller infarct volume by 61 percent as compared to the control (n = 8) group (P < 0.04, Student's t-test). Histopathology did not reveal any F-1,3-DMA related damage in the non-infarcted brain. These results suggest that F-1,3-DMA has nervous tissue ischemia protective properties possibly because of microflow effects although O2 transport to "local" tissue may be enhanced as well. We believe that further research is necessary in order to make clinical trials of F-1,3-DMA possible.
Overcoming Patient Barriers to Initiating Insulin Therapy in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

Data from clinical trials underscore the fact that loss of beta-cell function and insulin hyposecretion are progressive in type 2 diabetes. To achieve adequate glycemic control, most patients will eventually require insulin. Addition of insulin to sulfonylurea therapy, when maximal sulfonylurea does not adequately maintain fasting plasma glucose levels at <108 mg/dL, has been found to be more effective than initiating insulin therapy after oral agents have failed to maintain glycemic control. Nonetheless, both patients and providers are reluctant to begin insulin therapy. Research has shown that providers often delay modification of the diabetes treatment regimen because they believe their patients would be concerned about starting insulin therapy. In addition, they are concerned about patient nonadherence to nonpharmacologic and pharmacologic therapy. There are multiple reasons for patient nonadherence to insulin therapy; however, patients must be made to understand, early in the course of the disease, the progressive nature of type 2 diabetes and that exogenous insulin is an additional therapeutic option to help them achieve and maintain adequate glycemic control.
Electricity and Industrial Productivity: A Technical and Economic Perspective

Abstract Factors favoring the use of electricity as an energy source for production are considered and the economic implications of these factors are discussed. Several examples are presented illustrating particular aspects of the electricity-productivity relationship, including arc-furnace steel making, induction heating for forging, and microwave drying in the pasta industry. Other electrotechnologies that may significantly influence overall productivity in industry are cited.
Third harmonic microscopy of intrinsic and induced material anisotropy in dielectric thin films

Third harmonic (TH) microscopy with circularly polarized illumination directly reveals material anisotropy owing to suppression of background optical signals from isotropic media. Because optical thin films and their substrates are expected to be highly isotropic, TH microscopy presents a path to study induced and intrinsic anisotropy in films, providing both insight into laser-induced material modification that precedes damage and feedback about the deposition process. Because nanoscale defects and material strain influence the damage behavior of films, we examined TH sensitivity to similar sources of contrast. We demonstrate imaging of individual 10 nm colloidal gold nanoparticles and 100 mN nanoindentations in fused silica both with signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) ≥ 100∶1. We present TH images (SNR ≥ 210∶1) of sites exposed to femtosecond laser pulses below damage in 100 nm HfO2 films that are barely visible (SNR ≤ 2.3∶1) with Nomarski and polarization imaging, traditional microscopic techniques known to display contrast for material anisotropy. At our detection limit (320 mW, 50 fs, 790 nm, ≈ 106 photomultiplier tube gain), we examined root mean square in the TH image of nascent films that correlated to the film's macrostrain. TH microscopy presents a relatively simple all-optical method to monitor nanoscale anisotropy in thin films during exposure to high-intensity radiation and during deposition.
Integrating Architecture and Structural Design for Timber Structures

The case is made for structural engineers, both in practice and academia, to develop an awareness of architecture and integrate their structural work into the architectural design aspirations speci...
A nanocluster route to zero- and one-dimensional quantum structures by MOCVD

Zero-dimensional (quantum dot) and one-dimensional (nanowire) III-nitride structures are fabricated by metalorganic chemical vapor deposition by introducing metallic nanoclusters at the initial stages of the synthesis. GaN quantum dots are obtained by nitridation of liquid Ga clusters of controlled size and density, while nanowires are produced in the presence of metallic liquid phase catalysing the selective vapor-liquid-solid nucleation under the condition of low supersaturation in the growth environment. Nanostructures are characterized with atomic force microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and photoluminescence. Optically active GaN quantum dots are obtained after annealing in nitrogen-rich environment. (© 2005 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
A 10MHz to 100MHz bandwidth scalable, fully differential current feedback amplifier

A technique for power-bandwidth scaling of a current feedback amplifier (CFA) is presented. By employing current gain, instead of the feedback resistance, to alter the closed-loop bandwidth of the CFA, the proposed approach is shown to provide 30% quiescent power savings for a bandwidth variation of 10MHz to 100MHz. Parasitic extracted simulations are performed in a 0.18μm CMOS process with a power supply of 3.3V and a load capacitance of 1.5pF. A closed-loop gain range of 0–20dB, slew rate of 200V/μs, settling time of 33ns and total harmonic distortion of 73dB is achieved at a quiescent power consumption range of 3mW to 4.4mW.
Distributions in the Error Space: Goal-Directed Movements Described in Time and State-Space Representations

Manipulation of error feedback has been of great interest to recent studies in motor control and rehabilitation. Typically, motor adaptation is shown as a change in performance with a single scalar metric for each trial, yet such an approach might overlook details about how error evolves through the movement. We believe that statistical distributions of movement error through the extent of the trajectory can reveal unique patterns of adaption and possibly reveal clues to how the motor system processes information about error. This paper describes different possible ordinate domains, focusing on representations in time and state-space, used to quantify reaching errors. We hypothesized that the domain with the lowest amount of variability would lead to a predictive model of reaching error with the highest accuracy. Here we showed that errors represented in a time domain demonstrate the least variance and allow for the highest predictive model of reaching errors. These predictive models will give rise to more specialized methods of robotic feedback and improve previous techniques of error augmentation.
Demonstration of tissue-specific antigens shared by normal pancreas and pancreatic neoplasms

Xenoantiserum raised against extracts of normal hamster pancreas, after absorption with normal tissues, reacted specifically with normal hamster and human pancreas by immunodiffusion. Absorbed antiserum also reacted with hamster and human pancreatic carcinoma but not with other neoplasms. Immunization of hamsters with normal pancreas extracts prevented growth of transplantable pancreatic carcinomas.
Clinical Forms of Acquired Myasthenia Gravis in Dogs: 25 Cases (1988–1995)

The purpose of this project was to investigate the clinical forms of acquired myasthenia gravis in dogs. The medical records from 25 dogs with seropositive acquired myasthenia gravis were reviewed, and the following data were recorded for each patient: signalment, history, clinical findings; results of IV edrophonium chloride administration, repetitive nerve stimulation, and presence or absence of muscle membrane staining by immunocytochemical methods; serum acetylcholine receptor antibody concentration; treatment; and outcome. Several clinical forms of acquired myasthenia gravis were identified. Nine of the 25 patients (36%) had no historical or clinical evidence of appendicular muscle weakness, and were designated as focal myasthenics. These dogs exhibited focal weakness in one or more of the following muscle groups: facial (3 of 9), pharyngeal (3 of 9), and laryngeal (3 of 9). The remaining 16 dogs (64%) exhibited appendicular muscle weakness. Four of these 16 dogs had acute onset and rapid development of clinical signs, and were designated as acute fulminating myasthenics. The remaining 12 dogs were classified as generalized myasthenics. All 4 dogs with acute fulminating myasthenia gravis had megaesophagus, 2 had facial muscle weakness, and 1 had pharyngeal muscle weakness. Ten of the 12 dogs with generalized myasthenia gravis had megaesophagus, 4 had facial muscle weakness, 4 had pharyngeal muscle weakness, and 3 had laryngeal muscle weakness. Historical or clinical evidence of exercise-associated appendicular weakness was found in only 6 of the 12 (50%) dogs with generalized myasthenia gravis, and in none of the dogs with acute fulminating myasthenia gravis. Seven of the 12 dogs with generalized myasthenia gravis had weakness primarily (n = 1) or exclusively (n = 6) of the pelvic limbs. Two of the 4 dogs with acute fulminating myasthenia gravis had primarily pelvic limb weakness. Twelve of the 25 dogs (48%) died or were euthanized shortly after admission to the hospital due to aspiration pneumonia. The dogs with acute fulminating myasthenia gravis had a markedly higher 1-year mortality rate in comparison with the other 2 groups. The use of immunosuppressive therapy had a significant positive effect on patient survival, regardless of the type of myasthenia gravis. This investigation demonstrates that acquired myasthenia gravis in dogs is a disorder with a wide spectrum of clinical forms, similar to the analogous disorder in people.
Linear Stability Models of Shelfbreak Fronts

Abstract The stability of inviscid frontally trapped waves along a shelfbreak is examined to determine whether frontal instabilities may contribute to the alongfront variability frequently observed. Three different basic states with increasingly complex stratification are treated. In each case, the shelfbreak occurs where a constant depth shelf meets a slope region with linearly increasing depth. The first basic state consists of an unstratified flow with a velocity discontinuity located at the shelfbreak. The resulting shear waves are stable for the velocity shear and topography typical of the Middle Atlantic Bight. Next, a two-layer, geostrophically balanced front located at the shelfbreak is considered. This is similar to the configuration of Flagg and Beardsley, but with an unbounded bottom topography offshore beyond the frontal region. For parameters typical of the Middle Atlantic Bight in winter, the most unstable wave is surface-trapped with a typical e-olding growth time scale of 9.5 days. The mos...
Survival trends in the United States following exercise-related sudden cardiac arrest in the youth: 2000-2006

BACKGROUND Sudden cardiac arrest is the leading cause of death in young athletes. However, limited studies have examined survival rates after exercise-related sudden cardiac arrest in the youth. OBJECTIVE The Purpose of this study was to monitor exerciserelated sudden death in the United States and to assess survival trends following exercise-related sudden cardiac arrest in the youth.
Fibronectin binding properties of bacteriologic petri plates and tissue culture dishes

With the aid of a monoclonal antibody-based ELISA assay, the fibronectin binding properties of poly(styrene) bacteriologic and tissue culture petri plates were studied. After treatment of the plastics with serum, both the rate of fibronectin binding and the maximum amount of fibronectin bound were found to be lower for bacteriologic than tissue culture plates. In contrast, when treated with purified fibronectin rather than serum, bacteriologic and tissue culture plates bound fibronectin equally well. Thus, serum proteins are more effective in inhibiting fibronectin binding to bacteriologic petri plates than to tissue culture dishes. The fibronectin binding properties of plastic substrata could be enhanced by oxidation with H2SO4 or diminished by dissolution and recasting of tissue culture dishes. Thus, the fibronectin binding properties of bacteriologic and tissue culture dishes can be interconverted. Plastics with enhanced fibronectin binding properties (tissue culture plates) were found to be hydrophilic and good substrates for cell attachment and growth while plastics with decreased fibronectin binding characteristics were found to be hydrophobic and poor substrates for cell attachment and growth. The cell-adhesive properties of bacteriologic and tissue culture plastic substrata were found to vary during incubation with cells. While cells remained firmly attached and spread on tissue culture plastics over a period of 5 days or more, previously attached cells gradually detached from bacteriologic plastics at incubation times beyond 12 h. The gradual detachment of cells from bacteriologic plates probably explains the poor properties of bacteriologic plastics for the growth of anchorage-dependent cells, in particular.
Zinc absorption and metabolism by isolated, vascularly perfused rat intestine

An isolated vascularly perfused rat intestine system was utilized to examine various aspects of zinc absorption in an attempt to more clearly examine the mechanisms involved. The lumen was perfused with a modified tissue culture medium containing 65Zn. The vascular system was perfused from the superior mesenteric artery to the portal vein, with Krebs-Ringer bicarbonate buffer containing 5% rat serum. The criterion for absorption was the amount of radioactivity transferred to the vascular perfusate. When the intestines were obtained from rats that had consumed a zinc-deficient diet the amount of zinc absorbed increased markedly. Conversely, elevation of zinc status decreased the amount of 65Zn that could be transferred to the vascular perfusate. These data strongly suggest that the isolated, perfused rat intestine retains the ability to exercise homeostatic control over 65Zn absorption. Transfer of infused 65Zn to the vascular perfusate was significantly decreased by aspirin, phytate, and prostaglandin E2. Uptake of 65Zn from the lumen into the intestinal cells was significantly increased by histidine and significantly decreased by phytate and prostaglandin E2. Thus, the isolated, vascularly perfused rat intestine appears to be capable of differentiating between the cellular uptake and cell to plasma transfer phases of zinc absorption.
Using N-Best Lists and Confusion Networks for Meeting Summarization

The incorrect speech recognition results usually have a negative impact on the speech summarization task, especially on the meeting domain where the word error rate is often higher than other speech genres. In this paper we investigate using rich speech recognition results to improve meeting summarization performance. Two kinds of structures are considered, n-best hypotheses and confusion networks. We develop methods to utilize multiple word and sentence candidates and their recognition confidence for summarization under an unsupervised framework. Our experimental results on the ICSI meeting corpus show that our proposed method can significantly improve summarization performance over using 1-best recognition output, evaluated by both ROUGE-1 and ROUGE-2 scores. We also find that if the task is to generate speech summaries or identify salient segments, using rich speech recognition output is just as effective as using human transcripts. In addition, we discuss the difference between n-best lists and confusion networks, and analyze the word error rate in the exacted summary sentences.
Representations of class and gender on primetime Spanish‐language television in the United States

This study examines the content of primetime Spanish‐language programming available in the United States. Four alternate nights of primetime, serial programming, which included 6 telenovelas and 1 drama, were analyzed on three Spanish TV networks—Telemundo, Univision and Azteca America. Content analysis included gender roles, class, sexual talk, and physical and verbal aggression. Women were represented comparably to men in overall numbers, but with more childcare responsibilities, less job status and a greater emphasis on attractiveness. Lighter skin characters were more likely to play major roles, were more fit and younger, and more likely to be upper class than their darker skin counterparts. Sexual talk followed a pattern similar to U.S. soaps but was more pronounced on Spanish‐language television. Verbal and physical aggression were less prevalent compared to U.S. programming. The potential impact of stereotypical class and gender roles on U.S. viewers is discussed.
Origin of the Black Shank Resistance Gene, Ph, in Tobacco Cultivar Coker 371-Gold

ABSTRACT Flue-cured tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum) cultivar Coker 371-Gold (C 371-G) possesses a dominant gene, Ph, that confers high resistance to black shank disease, caused by race 0 of the soil-borne pathogen Phytophthora parasitica var. nicotianae. The origin of this gene is unknown. Breeding lines homozygous for the Ph gene were hybridized with NC 1071 and L8, flue-cured and burley genotypes known to possess qualitative resistance genes from Nicotiana plumbaginifolia and N. longiflora, respectively. The F1 hybrids were out-crossed to susceptible testers and the progenies evaluated in field black shank nurseries and in greenhouse disease tests with P. parasitica var. nicotianae race 0. Results showed that Ph was allelic to Php from N. plumbaginifolia in NC 1071. Testcross populations of hybrids between burley lines homozygous for Ph and L8, possessing Phl from N. longiflora, showed that Ph and Phl integrated into the same tobacco chromosome during interspecific transfer. Nevertheless, the two loci were ...
Obesity as a risk factor for triple-negative breast cancers: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is a subtype of breast tumor with unique characteristics in terms of clinical-pathological presentation, prognosis, and response to therapy. Epidemiological investigations focusing on the identification of risk factors involved in the onset and progression of TNBCs have identified unique demographic, anthropometric, and reproductive characteristics involved in the etiopathogenesis of this subtype of breast tumors. This systematic review and meta-analysis evaluates the association between TNBCs and obesity and menopause status. Eligible articles were identified through three databases and secondary reference analysis. The search was conducted from the first record to February 2012. Eleven original articles meeting a priori established inclusion criteria were incorporated in the quantitative analysis. Case-case and case-control comparisons were performed. In addition, a case-case comparison was conducted before and after stratification according to menopausal status. Based on the level of between-study heterogeneity, pooled odds ratio (OR) and 95 % confidence interval were calculated using fixed or random models. The case-case comparison showed a significant association between TNBC and obesity (OR: 1.20; 95 % CI: 1.03-1.40). These results were confirmed by the case-control comparison (OR: 1.24; 95 % CI: 1.06-1.46). Once stratification based on menopausal status was applied to the case-case analysis, significant results were observed only in the pre-menopausal group (OR: 1.43; 95 % CI: 1.23-1.65). According to this analysis, obese women are at a greater risk of presenting with a TNBC than non-obese women, and menopause status may be a mitigating factor. If validated, these findings should be taken into consideration for the development of targeted preventive programs.
Growth and Characterization of InAs Quantum Dot Enhanced Photovoltaic Devices

The growth of InAs quantum dots (QDs) by organometallic vapor phase epitaxy (OMVPE) for use in GaAs based photovoltaics devices was investigated. Growth of InAs quantum dots was optimized according to their morphology and photoluminescence using growth temperature and V/III ratio. The optimized InAs QDs had sizes near 7×40 nm with a dot density of 5(±0.5)×10 10 cm -2 . These optimized QDs were incorporated into GaAs based p-i-n solar cell structures. Cells with single and multiple (5x) layers of QDs were embedded in the i-region of the GaAs p-i-n cell structure. An array of 1 cm 2 solar cells was fabricated on these wafers, IV curves collected under 1 sun AM0 conditions, and the spectral response measured from 300-1100 nm. The quantum efficiency for each QD cell clearly shows sub-bandgap conversion, indicating a contribution due to the QDs. Unfortunately, the overarching result of the addition of quantum dots to the baseline p-i-n GaAs cells was a decrease in efficiency. However, the addition of thin GaP strain compensating layers between the QD layers, was found to reduce this efficiency degradation and significantly enhance the subgap conversion in comparison to the un-compensated quantum dot cells.
Tolerance to multiple transient faults for aperiodic tasks in hard real-time systems

Real-time systems are being increasingly used in several applications which are time-critical in nature. Fault tolerance is an essential requirement of such systems, due to the catastrophic consequences of not tolerating faults. In this paper, we study a scheme that guarantees the timely recovery from multiple faults within hard real-time constraints in uniprocessor systems. Assuming earliest-deadline-first scheduling (EDF) for aperiodic preemptive tasks, we develop a necessary and sufficient feasibility-check algorithm for fault-tolerant scheduling with complexity O(n/sup 2/-/spl kappa/), where n is the number of tasks to be scheduled and /spl kappa/ is the maximum number of faults to be tolerated.
Preliminary work on an early warning and rapid response program for moderate earthquakes

Warning of imminent ground shaking due to a large earthquake would be useful to a variety of agencies. This kind of ground-motion prediction is possible in southern California for events with magnitude less than 6, where path effects dominate. The 28 June 1991 Sierra Madre earthquake is presented as a test case for this concept. A single-station inversion of the record from the Pasadena station 20 km SW of the epicenter produces reasonable source parameters for the event. With these source parameters and a library of Green's functions calculated for an average southern California crustal model, ground motions can be predicted throughout the region. In particular, since the peak displacement for the Sierra Madre event occurs at Pasadena before ground motion begins at a station near the San Andreas Fault in San Bernardino, ground motions near the San Andreas Fault can be calculated before the seismic energy has propagated into the area. Considering this scenario in the reverse direction, records from a station near an earthquake on the San Andreas Fault could be used to predict ground motions in the metropolitan Los Angeles area. Broadband, high-dynamic-range seismic instruments produce high-quality records for events over a wide magnitude range. Thus, the development of a warning system can be approached in stages, starting with small events. With path effects determined by modeling moderate-size events, work can begin on developing distributed fault models to predict ground motions of great earthquakes.
Is surgical excision necessary for the management of atypical lobular hyperplasia and lobular carcinoma in situ diagnosed on core needle biopsy?: a report of 38 cases and review of the literature.

Abstract Context.—Both atypical lobular hyperplasia (ALH) and lobular carcinoma in situ (LCIS) have traditionally been considered to be risk factors for the development of invasive carcinoma and are followed by close observation. Recent studies have suggested that these lesions may represent true precursors with progression to invasive carcinoma. Due to the debate over the significance of these lesions and the small number of cases reported in the literature, the treatment for lobular neoplasia diagnosed by percutaneous core biopsy (PCB) remains controversial. Objective.—To review our experience with pure LCIS or ALH diagnosed by PCB and correlate the radiologic findings and surgical excision diagnoses to develop management guidelines for lobular neoplasia diagnosed by PCB. Design.—We searched the pathology database for patients who underwent PCB with a diagnosis of either pure LCIS or ALH and had subsequent surgical excision. We compared the core diagnoses with the surgical excision diagnoses and the rad...
RADIATION INDUCED MOLECULAR PHENOMENA IN NUCLEIC ACIDS: A BRIEF INTRODUCTION

A brief elucidation of focus of the current volume is provided. It has been pointed out that a cohrent strategy incorporating both theoretical and experimental approaches is needed to study the molecular building blocks of nucleic acids. These investigations will help enriching our understanding of behavior of genetic materials. A brief description of available theoretical and experimental methods in exploring intrinsic and extrinsic properties of genetic molecules and the essence of the book is presented in this introductory chapter
Analog Circuits for Constrained Optimization

This paper explores whether analog circuitry can adequately perform constrained optimization. Constrained optimization circuits are designed using the differential multiplier method. These circuits fulfill time-varying constraints correctly. Example circuits include a quadratic programming circuit and a constrained flip-flop.
The development of hair cells in the embryonic chick's basilar papilla.

During the 7th to 21st (hatching) days, hair cells of the embryonic chick transform from an undifferentiated epithelium into cylindrically-shaped tall hair cells (THCs), pitcher-shaped short hair cells (SHCs), or intermediate hair cells that share structural characteristics of the first two. By the 11th day hair cell types are unambiguous. “Hairs” (stereocilia and a kinocilium) were first identified on the 7th day and resembled the adult pattern the 13th. The nucleus occupies relatively less volume as hair cells increase in size, becoming positioned centrally in THCs and basally in SHCs. Nucleoli, which are prominent throughout development, remain conspicuous even in newly hatched chicks. The cuticular cone begins to form the 11th day. By the 10th day, sensory nerve endings synapse on the bases of the HCs, which by the 11th day develop synaptic bars. Although efferent neurites were in evidence as early as the 11th day, synaptic contacts and their cisterns were identified by the 19th day but may form earli...
Spatial energy market risk analysis. II. The spatial risk model

The paper focuses on the formulation of a spatial power market risk model based on the Markowitz semivariance method. The model is for assessing the risk of profit making of power producers in a multi-pool market setting. This is a sophisticated problem that has not been addressed sufficiently. The model also includes practical constraints such as transaction costs and wheeling contracts, leading to a mixed integer formulation. A case study is used to illustrate the successful application of the model with satisfying results.
The "Already Surmounted" yet "Secretly Familiar": Malaysian Identity as Symptom

Hindu reform-inspired movements and artistic organizations produce a multicultural and multiethnic narrative for Malaysia that simultaneously asserts difference while negating both the state-sponsored and stereotypical boundaries of ethnic demarcation. An exacerbated uncertainty of identity among Indians and Malays, as perceived by elite Indians, produces a struggle for symbolic autonomy or transcendence from the ethnosymbolic ordering of the nation-state. This, ironically, manifests itself in a fetishistic hold of ethnic ideology, despite its ostensible negation by elite Hindus in Malaysia. This process is instructive for an understanding of the local contingencies of identity formation, particularly in its fixated-on form.
Effects of prostaglandins and prostaglandin synthesis inhibitors on sexual behavior in boars.

SUMMARY Experiments were conducted investigating the effects of prostaglandins and prostaglandin synthesis inhibitors on libido in boars. In Experiment 1, two prostaglandin products were compared with regard to expediting the training of boars for semen collection. On each of five consecutive days, boars received i.m. treatment with saline, dinoprost tromethamine or cloprostenol sodium (n=12/group). On each of day 1 (p=0.06), day 2 (p 0.1), the percentage of boars collected after dinoprost tromethamine, but not cloprostenol sodium, was greater than controls. In Experiments 2 and 3, libido in boars that were trained previously for semen collection was assessed after treatment with prostaglandin synthesis inhibitors, testing the hypothesis that endogenous release of prostaglandin is necessary for expression of sexual behaviors. In Experiment 2, boars treated with flunixin meglumine (n=12) had suppressed (p 0.1) to
Time-dependent blood flow and oxygenation in human skeletal muscles measured with noninvasive near-infrared diffuse optical spectroscopies

We have employed near-infrared optical methods to mea- sure noninvasively the dynamics of muscle blood flow and oxygen saturation (StO2) during cuff occlusion and plantar flexion exercise. Relative muscle oxygen consumption (rVO2) was also computed from these data. Diffuse correlation spectroscopy provides information about blood flow, and diffuse reflectance spectroscopy provides infor- mation about blood oxygenation. Ten healthy subjects and one pa- tient with peripheral arterial disease (PAD) were studied during 3-min arterial cuff occlusion of arm and leg, and during 1-min plantar flex- ion exercise. Signals from different layers (cutaneous tissues and muscles) during cuff occlusion were differentiated, revealing strong hemodynamic responses from muscle layers. During exercise in healthy legs, the observed ;4.7 fold increase in relative blood flow (rBF) was significantly lower than the corresponding increase in rVO2 (;7 fold). The magnitudes of rBF and rVO2 during exercise in the PAD patient were ;1/2 of the healthy controls, and the StO2 recovery time was twice that of the controls. The hybrid instrument improves upon current technologies for measuring muscle responses by simul- taneously measuring rBF and StO2 . The instrument thus provides a method for evaluation of microcirculation and muscle metabolism in patients with vascular diseases. © 2005 Society of Photo-Optical Instrumentation
Hepatic Gas: Widening Spectrum of Causes Detected at CT and US in the Interventional Era

The spectrum of causes of hepatic gas detected at computed tomography (CT) and ultrasonography (US) is widening. There are many iatrogenic and noniatrogenic causes of hepatic parenchymal, biliary, hepatic venous, and portal venous gas. Hepatic gas may be an indicator of serious acute disease (infarct, infection, abscess, bowel inflammation, or trauma). In other clinical scenarios, it may be an expected finding related to therapeutic interventions (such as surgery; hepatic artery embolization for a tumor or for active bleeding in acute trauma cases; percutaneous tumor ablation performed with radiofrequency, cryotherapy, laser photocoagulation, or ethanol). In some cases, hepatic gas is an incidental finding of no clinical significance. Familiarity with the expanding list of newer intervention-related causes of hepatic gas detected at CT and US, knowledge of the patient's clinical history, and a careful search for associated clues on images are all factors that may allow the radiologist to better determine the clinical relevance of this finding.
Improved Assay Method for Phospholipase C

A lecithin sol dispersed with deoxycholate was found to be attacked by phospholipase C in the presence of calcium ion more rapidly than were any other lecithin sols. The inorganic phosphate could be released quantitatively from the acid soluble phosphate liberated from lecithin by an excess amount of alkaline phosphatase present in phospholipase C reaction mixture. A simple and accurate assay method for phospholipase C was developed with the sol and the alkaline phosphatase.
Adverse Events in Platelet Apheresis Donors: A Multivariate Analysis in a Hospital–Based Program

Objectives: This study was designed to review the incidence of adverse events during nearly 20,000 apheresis procedures over a 4–year period in a hospital–based program. Me
Prognosis in acute pancreatitis

Since the original Ranson criteria were published more than 30 years ago,[1][1] few topics have engendered as much sustained interest as the prediction of outcome in acute pancreatitis. Acute pancreatitis is a common cause for admission to hospital, accounting for more than 200 000 admissions in the
An Economic Impact Analysis of South Texas Landowner Hunting Operation Expenses

Abstract Hunting is an important source of economic activity for rural South Texas. However, little is known about the economic impacts associated with landowner expenses. Questionnaires were mailed to landowners across the South Texas region to collect expense data related to managing hunting operations. The data included expense information on 248 ranches and encompassed 692,564 hunted hectares. The software IMPLAN was used to calculate the economic impact of these expense data. Total expenditures for the region were an estimated $114.4 million. Landowners who responded to our survey (n = 200) generated an estimated $166.1 million in economic output. With a direct impact of $108.9 million, the total value added to the South Texas economy was an estimated $75.7 million, which supported 1,635 jobs. Landowner expenditures contribute significantly to the economy of the South Texas region and should be a consideration of those who maintain or create policy that impacts wildlife conservation in the region.
Research Article: Effects of humidity on activity of the northern short-tailed shrew, Blarina brevicauda

Abstract Activity in small mammals is affected by local environmental conditions. Shrews have high metabolic requirements for water, so microclimatic humidity should influence activity patterns. Six different B. brevicauda individuals were trapped and monitored for time spent feeding, drinking, out of a den area, and using a wheel in an experimental chamber for 48 hours under conditions of low (24%), moderate (60%) and high (86%) relative humidity. Time spent drinking was significantly higher in the high humidity level (P < 0.05) and was the only significant difference other than significant variation among individuals. High humidity may have reduced evaporation across the integument, causing an increase in heat load and stimulation of drinking behaviors. Other activity may not have been affected by humidity level because there was abundant, available food and water and no natural dangers. Additionally, the temperature was below the thermal neutral zone for this species, so there was no water loss due to ...
A 19-Gb/s Serial Link Receiver With Both 4-Tap FFE and 5-Tap DFE Functions in 45-nm SOI CMOS

This paper presents the design of a 19-Gb/s serial link receiver with both 4-tap feed-forward equalizer (FFE) and 5-tap decision-feedback equalizer (DFE), thereby making the equalization system self-contained in the receiver. This design extends existing power-efficient DFEs based on current-integrating summers and adds FFE functionality to the DFE circuit infrastructure for an efficient implementation. Key techniques for implementing receive-side FFE are: the use of multiphase quarter-rate sample-and-hold circuits for generating multiple time-shifted input data signals, time-based analog multiplication for FFE coefficient weighting, and a merged FFE/DFE summer. The receiver test chip, implemented in a 45-nm silicon-on-insulator (SOI) CMOS technology, occupies 0.07 mm2 and has a power efficiency of 6.2 mW/Gb/s at 19 Gb/s. Step-reponse characterization of the receiver demonstrates accurate FFE computation. The receiver equalizes a 35-in PCB trace at 17 Gb/s with a channel loss of 30 dB at 8.5 GHz and a 20-in PCB trace at 19 Gb/s with a channel loss of 25 dB at 9.5 GHz.
Small-Scale Hydro in New England: 1960-1976

A review of the capacity and licensing data on small-scale hydro (SSH) in New England in the period 1960 to 1976 is presented and compared to national and regional hydropower data. Costs of electricity data are also reviewed. Major findings are that until recently New England has followed the past national trend of decreased interest in both large-scale hydro (LSH) and SSH and of retiring small, inefficient plants. Generally, LSH has been used for peaking, SSH for run-of-the-river. Most of the present capacity in New England is privately owned; little is state or municipally owned. Since the interest in hydropower is inversely related to the costs of alternatives for producing electricity, it appears that the recent interest in SSH will continue (municipal and rural coop interest seems particularly strong).
An Introduction to CRISPR Technology for Genome Activation and Repression in Mammalian Cells

CRISPR interference/activation (CRISPRi/a) technology provides a simple and efficient approach for targeted repression or activation of gene expression in the mammalian genome. It is highly flexible and programmable, using an RNA-guided nuclease-deficient Cas9 (dCas9) protein fused with transcriptional regulators for targeting specific genes to effect their regulation. Multiple studies have shown how this method is an effective way to achieve efficient and specific transcriptional repression or activation of single or multiple genes. Sustained transcriptional modulation can be obtained by stable expression of CRISPR components, which enables directed reprogramming of cell fate. Here, we introduce the basics of CRISPRi/a technology for genome repression or activation.
Picturing the Past. Media, History, and Photography by Bonnie Brennen and Hanno Hardt, (eds.), Urbana and Chicago: University of Illinois Press, 1999. 263 pages

(2002). Picturing the Past. Media, History, and Photography by Bonnie Brennen and Hanno Hardt, (eds.), Urbana and Chicago: University of Illinois Press, 1999. 263 pages. American Journalism: Vol. 19, No. 1, pp. 121-122.
Combat Exposure in Early Adulthood Interacts with Recent Stressors to Predict PTSD in Aging Male Veterans

Purpose of the study Combat is a risk factor for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD); however, less is known about how exposure to combat in early adulthood may contribute to the development of PTSD as the individual ages. Prior exposure to trauma may "sensitize" people to respond more intensely to subsequent stressors. Further, aging initiates new challenges that may undermine previous coping strategies. Over the life course combat veterans may be more reactive to new stressors and thus be more vulnerable to PTSD. Design and methods This study draws on the two waves of the National Comorbidity Survey (NCS-1) and NCS-2 (10-year follow-up). Participants were male (noncombat N = 620 and combat N = 107) and 50-65 years of age at Wave-2. At baseline, participants were assessed for exposure to wartime combat, number of Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) diagnoses in the past year, and life-time PTSD. At follow-up, PTSD occurring between waves was determined. A measure of recent life stressors was also obtained. Results Using logistic regression analyses, combat predicted PTSD at follow-up (controlling for baseline demographics, number of DSM diagnoses in the past year, life-time PTSD). Recent life stressors were also associated with PTSD. Importantly, the effect of combat on PTSD was significant at high levels, but not low levels, of recent life stress. Implications Veterans who have experienced combat may be more reactive to new stressors, and in turn be more vulnerable to PTSD. Combat veterans should be regularly assessed for current stressors and PTSD.
Clinical considerations in the implementation of home care ventilation: observations in 24 patients.

The assessment and management of 24 patients with compromized respiratory systems, in our experience, suggest that the physiological support delivered by mechanical ventilation can improve the clinical status of such patients. Clinical observations of recurrent respiratory failure, progressive deterioration in exercise tolerance, and/or symptoms of alveolar hypoventilation due to hypercarbia and hypoxemia were sufficient to warrant clinical trials of assisted mechanical ventilation. Long-term management goals included supportive care for patients with progressive neuromuscular diseases and rehabilitation in patients with restrictive chest wall disease or diaphragmatic paralysis.
High-frequency sensor data acquisition system (SDAC) for flight control and aerodynamic data collection

This paper describes a high-frequency sensor data acquisition system (SDAC) for flight control and aerodynamic data collection research on small to mid-sized unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). The system is both low weight and low power, operates at 100 Hz and features: a high-frequency, high-resolution six degree-offreedom (6-DOF) inertial measurement unit (IMU) with a global positioning system (GPS) receiver, a 3-axis magnetometer, a pitot probe, seven 10-bit analog-to-digital converters (ADC), sixteen 12-bit analog-to-digital converters, a 14-bit analog-to-digital converter, twenty digital input/outputs (I/O), eight pulse width modulation (PWM) signal inputs, a 40 mile downlink transceiver, an open serial and an open CANbus port, and up to 64 GB of onboard storage. The data acquisition system was completely fabricated from commercial-off-theshelf (COTS) components, which reduced the system cost and implementation time. The SDAC combines the large variety of sensor streams into a unified high-fidelity state data stream that is recorded for later aerodynamics analysis and simultaneously forwarded to a separate processing unit, such as an autopilot.
Utilization of Database Marketing in the Private Club Industry

ABSTRACTThe primary objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of database marketing in private clubs. Additionally, it aimed to develop a list of preferences that would be beneficial to track and determine how satisfaction levels with the remembrance of preferences impacted overall satisfaction at home and reciprocal clubs. A mixed method approach involving a focus group of private club managers and a mail survey of members at three private clubs was used to achieve research objectives. Results indicated that database marketing is only starting to become prevalent in private clubs. Also, member satisfaction with remembrance of preferences did affect their overall satisfaction with the club. A list of member preferences that would be beneficial to track is presented.
Black and White Children’s Responses to Television Commercials

Children ranging in age from eight to twelve years were exposed to a short videotaped commercial in order to test for differences in the way in which black and white children respond to such advertisements. The results indicated no significant racial differences for product attitudes, recall, or product selection. Implications are discussed and suggestions for future research are made.
Development of a New Type MU for Digital Substations

New demands for merging unit(MU) development of digital substation are put forward,because of standard IEC 61850 development,application of new synchronizing and sampling technology,and network's key equipment development.Key technology and application of newtype MU,namely,MU math models are studied.IEC 61850-9-2 based sampling value mapping,IEEE 1588 based timing and synchronizing implementation of device and synchronizing sampling of MU are described.At last,the hardware and software architecture design methods with field programmable gate array(FPGA) based MU are proposed.
Clinical trials results of a unique monoclonal antibody in asthma.

L'IgE est liee a un des recepteurs de haute affinite FceRI sur les mastocytes, basophiles, macrophages alveolaires et cellules presentatrices d'antigene. L'activation cellulaire par l'allergene entraine la liberation de mediateurs tels que l'histamine, leucotrienes, cytokines... definissant la physiopathologie de l'asthme. Il a ete developpe un anticorps (Ac) monoclonal humain rhuMAb-E25 (E25). E25 offre une nouvelle approche strategique au traitement de l'allergie, reduisant le faux d'IgE circulantes, tout en ameliorant l'asthme allergique, g Les essais cliniques ont ete realises chez l'enfant et chez l'adulte.