cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Loss of HBsAg after interferon-α treatment: Cure of chronic hepatitis B virus?

Sixty-four patients with chronic hepatitis B who were treated with interferon-α (recombinant IFN-α-2a in 9 patients, recombinant IFN-α-2b in 50 patients and lymphoblastoid IFN-α-n1 in 5 patients) in protocols conducted at the Liver Diseases Section of the National Institutes of Health between 1984 and 1986 were observed with sequential determinations of serum ALT levels, HBsAg and serological markers of hepatitis B virus replication (HBeAg, hepatitis B virus DNA polymerase, hepatitis B virus DNA by blot hybridization and hepatitis B virus DNA by polymerase chain reaction). Among the 64 treated patients, 23 responded to interferon treatment with loss of HBeAg and improvement in serum ALT. Three patients (13%) relapsed, all within the first year of follow-up. The remaining 20 patients continued to have no detectable HBeAg or hepatitis B virus DNA (dot blot) in serum during follow-up of 3 to 7 yr (mean = 4.3 yr), although 3 patients had minimal elevations of serum ALT. Thirteen patients (65%) lost HBsAg between 0.2 and 6 yr (mean = 3 yr) after loss of HBeAg. Although none of the 20 patients had detectable serum hepatitis B virus DNA (dot blot), all 7 patients with persistent HBsAg had detectable serum hepatitis B virus DNA by the polymerase chain reaction. Sequential testing in HBsAg–patients indicated the serum hepatitis B virus DNA usually became undetectable by the polymerase chain reaction at about the time of loss of HBsAg. Only 2 of 13 HBsAg– patients had hepatitis B virus DNA detectable in serum by the polymerase chain reaction.
A real variable restatement of Riemann’s hypothesis

We show that Riemann’s hypothesis is related to the equality of certain interesting subspaces ofL p (0,1). Our results generalize an earlier theorem of A. Beurling [2].
An overview of science contributions to the management of the Tongass National Forest, Alaska.

After 6 years of intensive study, all the research studies designed to answer the information needs identified in appendix B of the Tongass land management plan have ended, with their results published or in press. The knowledge generated from these studies not only informs the ongoing process of regional natural resource management in southeast Alaska, but also helped to define future directions for research. Topics still needing additional study include issues related to wildlife, aquatic systems and salmon habitat, silvicultural options for forest management, wood products utilization, and social science. The role of science in supporting the development of options for natural resource management of the Tongass National Forest was carefully defined and implemented in order to maintain science objectivity and impartiality. The planning processes in southeast Alaska clearly exemplify a clear example of the recognition that natural resource plans need to be founded on the best available science. The complexity of ecosystems, including the scales at which they are organized and operate, require focused research to answer key questions in tandem with management decisions. Managers want the support of science institutions to bolster the effectiveness, predictability, and credibility of their decisions. The integration of science into the decision making process is far more prevalent today than it once was and will increase in the future as we move to refine management decisions based on a continually increasing body of science on which to base those decisions.
Determination of tissue properties by immersion in a matched scattering fluid

We used frequency-domain measurements with immersion in a matched scattering medium to measure the optical properties of tissue. This approach reduces the effects of boundaries and geometry on the measurements. The diffusion equation, typically used as the basis for determining tissue optical properties, is not valid near a boundary. By immersing the tissue in a scattering medium with nearly the same scattering and absorption coefficients, the boundary effects are greatly reduced and the measurement conditions nearly approximate that in an infinite medium. Also, the measurement is made as a differential against a true homogeneous medium for which the scattering and absorption coefficients can be obtained quite accurately. We demonstrated this approach, using frequency- domain measurements to determine absorption and scattering coefficients of living tissue immersed in diluted intralipid, Ropaque, or milk. Previous approaches to determine optical properties in the frequency-domain used multiple path lengths or multiple frequencies. Immersion is a third frequency-domain approach.
Variants of Dynamic Mode Decomposition: Boundary Condition, Koopman, and Fourier Analyses

Dynamic mode decomposition (DMD) is an Arnoldi-like method based on the Koopman operator. It analyzes empirical data, typically generated by nonlinear dynamics, and computes eigenvalues and eigenmodes of an approximate linear model. Without explicit knowledge of the dynamical operator, it extracts frequencies, growth rates, and spatial structures for each mode. We show that expansion in DMD modes is unique under certain conditions. When constructing mode-based reduced-order models of partial differential equations, subtracting a mean from the data set is typically necessary to satisfy boundary conditions. Subtracting the mean of the data exactly reduces DMD to the temporal discrete Fourier transform (DFT); this is restrictive and generally undesirable. On the other hand, subtracting an equilibrium point generally preserves the DMD spectrum and modes. Next, we introduce an “optimized” DMD that computes an arbitrary number of dynamical modes from a data set. Compared to DMD, optimized DMD is superior at calculating physically relevant frequencies, and is less numerically sensitive. We test these decomposition methods on data from a two-dimensional cylinder fluid flow at a Reynolds number of 60. Time-varying modes computed from the DMD variants yield low projection errors.
Does opioid pain medication use affect the outcome of patients with lumbar disc herniation

STUDY DESIGN Subgroup analysis of prospective, randomized cohort. OBJECTIVE To review the results of patients who received opioid pain medications during treatment compared with that of patients who did not receive opioid medications. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA The Spine Patient Outcomes Research Trial (SPORT) is a prospective, multicenter study of surgical treatment versus nonoperative treatment for lumbar intervertebral disc herniation. METHODS The study population includes patients enrolled in SPORT for treatment of intervertebral disc herniation in combined randomized and observational cohorts. Patients who received opioid medications at baseline (opioid) were compared with those who did not (nonopioid). RESULTS There were 520 patients in the nonopioid group and 542 patients in the opioid group. Among the opioid medication group, there were significantly (P < 0.001) worse baseline scores in primary and secondary outcome measures. There was an increased percentage of patients in the opioid medication group with the perception of worsening symptoms and neurological deficit (P < 0.001). A higher percentage of the opioid group patients received surgery (P < 0.001).At 4 years of follow-up, there were no significant differences in primary or secondary outcome measures or treatment effect of surgery between opioid and nonopioid medication group patients. Opioid medications were associated with increased crossover to surgical treatment (P = 0.005) and decreased surgical avoidance (P = 0.01). The incidence of opioid use at 4 years was 16% among patients who were using opioids at baseline and 5% among patients who were not using opioids at baseline. CONCLUSION Patients who were treated with opioids had significantly worse baseline pain and quality of life. At final follow-up, there was no long-term difference in outcome associated with opioid pain medication use. Opioid medications were not associated with surgical avoidance. The majority of patients who use opioids during the study did not continue usage at 4 years. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE 2.
Consumer adoption of mobile TV: Examining psychological flow and media content

Mobile TV service, which provides television-like content through a mobile device, holds a limelight as the next killer application of wireless technologies and also as a prospective hedonic information technology. However, in a world where other potential wireless technologies and services speedily emerge, vendors and service providers interested in mobile TV hope that it will be diffused over the gulf between early users to general ones prior to competing sprouts. At this point, an investigation of early consumers' adoption of mobile TV may offer precious information for its survival. Based on the theoretical assumptions of the technology acceptance model (TAM), this study examines influences of cognitive concentration (or flow experience) and media content on consumers' acceptance of mobile TV. The results are threefold. First, results suggest that cognitive concentration (or flow experience) and content have a significant role in consumers' intention to use hedonic information technology. Second, results show that content has a critical impact on cognitive concentration. Finally, results support the use of the extended TAM as an explainer in the context of hedonic information technology.
Efficient assembly of social semantic networks

Social bookmarks allow Web users to actively annotate individual Web resources. Researchers are exploring the use of these annotations to create implicit links between online resources. We define an implicit link as a relationship between two online resources established by the Web community. An individual may create or reinforce a relationship between two resources by applying a common tag or organizing them in a common folder. This has led to the exploration of techniques for building networks of resources, categories, and people using the social annotations. In order for these techniques to move from the lab to the real world, efficient building and maintenance of these potentially large networks remains a major obstacle. Methods for assembling and indexing these large networks will allow researchers to run more rigorous assessments of their proposed techniques. Toward this goal we explore an approach from the sparse matrix literature and apply it to our system, GiveALink.org. We also investigate distributing the assembly, allowing us to grow the network with the body of resources, annotations, and users. Dividing the network is effective for assembling a global network where the implicit links are dependent on global properties. Additionally, we explore alternative implicit link measures that remove global dependencies and thus allow for the global network to be assembled incrementally, as each participant makes independent contributions. Finally we evaluate three scalable similarity measures, two of which require a revision of the data model underlying our social annotations.
Aortic atherosclerosis and stroke.

Methods: Studies using transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) suggest aortic atherosclerosis may be a risk factor for stroke, particularly stroke of undetermined mechanism, but controls in prior studies were not balanced for vascular risk factors. We used TEE to evaluate aortic atherosclerosis in 60 patients with stroke compared with a high-risk control population of 46 subjects. We also examined the possible association of plasma viscosity and fibrinogen levels to aortic atherosclerosis. Results: The mean maximal plaque thickness (MMPT) was similar for the control (2.8 ± 3.6 mm) and the stroke group (3.3 ± 3.5 mm), but varied with stroke mechanism. The MMPT was similar in stroke of undetermined and atherosclerotic mechanism [3.5 ± 4 mm (n = 25) and 4.2 ± 4.3 mm (n = 16), respectively], significantly greater than in stroke of other mechanisms (1.7 ± 1.2 mm, P P P
Religious disagreement: internal and external

Philosophers of religion have taken the assumption for granted that the various religious traditions of the world have incompatible beliefs. In this paper, I will argue that this assumption is more problematic than has been generally recognized. To make this argument, I will discuss the implications of internal religious disagreement, an aspect of this issue that has been too often ignored in the contemporary debate. I will also briefly examine some implications of my argument for how one might respond to the existence of religious diversity.
Evaluation of the North Carolina NET program: The teachers perspective

Abstract This paper reports on the teacher component of a statewide evaluation of the Nutrition Education and Training (NET) Program. The major objective of this study was to determine teacher perceptions of the effectiveness of both the curriculum materials provided and training programs related to their use. Teachers from eight schools active in the NET Program and from eight schools inactive in the program responded to a self-administered questionnaire. The teacher responses were based on their experiences with the NET Program over a period of time, and responses could be affected by memory. Therefore, the resulting data must be interpreted with caution. Despite this constraint, it does appear that the NET Program in this state is meeting some of its major goals. Teachers who had attended training events have positive perceptions of the usefulness of nutrition education training and the materials provided. When compared with teachers who have had little or no involvement in the NET Program, the NET teachers expressed more satisfaction with their level of knowledge, felt somewhat less pressured for time to teach nutrition, and seemed more positive toward school food services. The information from this evaluation may be useful in improving NET Programs, both in North Carolina and elsewhere.
Lessons Learned in the Environmental Qualification of Class 1E Equipment at Tennessee Valley Authority

Tennessee Valley Authority has been engaged in an extensive program for the environmental qualification of Class 1E components. This program has been conducted in accordance with the requirements set forth in various industry standards and federal regulations, including IEEE 323-1971, IEEE 323-1974, Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) IE Bulletin 79-01B, NRC NUREG-0588, and the Code of Federal Regulations 10CFR50.49. Valuable lessons have been learned as a result of this program, particularly in the area of environmental qualification testing. This paper describes some unique experiences in the qualification testing of main steam isolation valve control manifold assemblies, control relays, and motor control centers.
Examining Factors to Better Understand Autoregressive Models

Most introductory time series analysis courses and texts designed for students in statistics, engineering, applied sciences, econometrics, and finance are sorely lacking when it comes to providing much depth of understanding about the basic features of the autoregressive (AR) model obtained for a realization. We show that factoring an AR model is useful for conveying information about the model, including stationarity as well as time and frequency domain information. While it is common practice to express models with unit roots or seasonal models in a factored form, we recommend factoring the stationary components of the model and using a factor table to summarize the information about model factors. We also discuss the decomposition of an AR realization into its additive components, which helps students visualize the information in the factor table. The factor table and decomposition can be used as teaching tools, so that students will no longer view the AR model as a “black box” from which to obtain for...
Mixed Layers and Fronts in Simple Ocean Circulation Models

Abstract A three-dimensional regime with a differentially heated mixed layer on top of an ideal fluid interior is considered in a situation which corresponds to the interior of the well-known wind-driven model by Stommel (1948). Although the transport field in this case is continuous and simple, the same is not necessarily true for the density and velocity fields: if the mixed layer is weakly coupled to the atmosphere a front is generated at the line of a maximum downwelling; another front is expected at the line of a zero downwelling.
Design of a hydrogen peroxide-activatable agent that specifically targets cancer cells

abstract Some cancers, like acute myeloid leukemia (AML), use reactive oxygen species to endogenously activatecell proliferation and angiogenic signaling cascades. Thus many cancers display increases in reactiveoxygen like hydrogen peroxide concentrations. To translate this ﬁnding into a therapeutic strategy wedesigned new hydrogen peroxide-activated agents with two key molecular pharmacophores. The ﬁrstpharmacophore is a peroxide-acceptor and the second is a pendant amine. The acceptor is anN-(2,5-dihydroxyphenyl)acetamide susceptible to hydrogen peroxide oxidation. We hypothesized thatselectivity between AML and normal cells could be achieved by tuning the pendant amine. Synthesisand testing of fourteen compounds that differed at the pendent amine led to the identiﬁcation of an agent(14) with 2 l M activity against AML cancer cells and an eleven fold-lower activity in healthy CD34+ bloodstem cells. Interestingly, analysis shows that upon oxidation the pendant amine cyclizes, ejecting water,with the acceptor to give a bicyclic compound capable of reacting with nucleophiles. Preliminarymechanistic investigations show that AML cells made from addition of two oncogenes (NrasG12D andMLL-AF9) increase the ROS-status, is initially an anti-oxidant as hydrogen peroxide is consumed toactivate the pro-drug, and cells respond by upregulating electrophilic defense as visualized by Westernblotting of KEAP1. Thus, using this chemical approach we have obtained a simple, potent, and selectiveROS-activated anti-AML agent.! 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
On the deduction of single coal particle combustion temperature from three-color optical pyrometry

Abstract Temperature–time histories of burning single coal particles can be obtained with multi-color (multi-wavelength) optical pyrometry. With this method, a number of different temperatures can be deduced from the resulting number of two-color ratios. However, these two-color temperatures do not always agree, causing considerable uncertainty in the temperature measurement. This work used a three-color pyrometer and focused on identifying and minimizing the causes of disparity among the three deduced temperatures. Components of the pyrometer (such as dichroic filters, interference filters and photo-detectors) were modeled mathematically, taking into account their wavelength-dependent properties. The pyrometer was calibrated with both a high-temperature pre-calibrated tungsten lamp, and a moderately-high temperature blackbody cavity, to span the temperature range of interest in pulverized coal combustion. Temperatures were deduced based not only on a suitably-modified pyrometric signal ratio method but also, on a similarly modified pyrometric signal non-linear least-square method, to provide comparison. Results are exemplified by presenting radiation-signal-time and temperature–time profiles of single particles burning in air. The variation of the projected luminous area of burning particles was also computed using both methods, and area–time profiles are presented herein. The char particle emissivity was either treated as a quantity independent of the wavelength (i.e., assuming gray-body behavior), or as a quantity assumed to depend linearly on the wavelength and using pertinent published emissivity data. Finally, a sensitivity analysis was performed to investigate individual effects of parameters, such as the calibration method, the wavelength dependencies of filter transmissivities, and the photo-detector responsivities on the pyrometric signal ratio method temperature consistency.
Applied physiology of rowing.

Elite oarsmen and oarswomen possess large body dimensions and show outstadning aerobic and anaerobic qualities. Oarsmen have VO2max values of 6.1 ± 0.6 L/min and have incurred O2 debts of between 10 and 20 litres. The caloric expenditure of rowing estimated from the O2 cost of a 6-minute rowing ergometer exercise was calculated at 36 kcal/min, one of the highest energy costs so far reported for any predominantly aerobic-type sport. Aerobic and anaerobic calculations show that 70 to 75% of the energy necessary to row the standard 2000m distance for men is derived from aerobiosis while the remaining 25 to 30% is anaerobic. Women achieve VO2max values of 4.1 ± 0.4 L/min and slightly lower anaerobic values than men. The relative 60 to 65% energy contribution of aerobic metabolism and 35 to 40% for anaerobiosis is not surprising since women compete at 1000m. Rowers also exhibit excellent isokinetic leg strength and power when compared with other elite athletes and oarswomen produced higher relative leg strength values than men when lean body mass is considered. Muscle fibre type distributions in oarsmen resemble those of distance runners while women tend to have a slightly higher proportion of fast-twitch fibres. An average power output of 390 ± 13.6W was produced by oarsmen for 6 minutes of simulated rowing while women were able to develop 300 ± 18.4 for 3 minutes of the same activity. Mechanical efficiency for rowing was calculated at 20 ± 0.9%. Oarsmen also achieve very high ventilation volumes being able to average above 200 L/min BTPS for 6 minutes of simulated rowing; women ventilate 170 L/min BTPS for 3 minutes of this exercise. Excellent VO2max and O2 pulse values demonstrate outstanding cardiorespiratory efficiency. Both oarsmen and oarswomen utilise a unique physiological pattern of race pacing; they begin exertion with a vigorous sprint which places excessive demands on anaerobic metabolism followed by a severely high aerobic steady-state and then an exhaustive sprint at the finish. Tolerance to excessive anaerobiosis is evident by very high lactates and O2 deficits measured during the first 2 minutes of exercise. Physiological profiles of successful international calibre rowing athletes have been established as a result of studies described in this review and the data have been used in a variety of ways to improve rowing performance.
MORPHOGENESIS OF THE LABIATE PROCESS IN THE ARAPHID PENNATE DIATOM DIATOM A VULGARE1

Each valve of the araphid pennate diatom Diatoma has a labiate process (LP) at one end; in a frustule, the LPs are at diagonally opposite ends. After mitosis is over, an elongated dense body detaches from the spindle pole and migrates to one end of the daughter cell, always diagonally opposite the LP of the parental valve. This dense body trails a cone-shaped array of microtubules (MTs). Meanwhile, the new valve has begun to form within the Silica Deposition Vesicle (SDV). Having reached the end of the cell, this dense body moves back slightly and then settles onto the SDV, developing a layered substructure as it does so. Immediately beneath it, the LP of the new daughter valve differentiates. This dense object is clearly the homologue of the fibrous Labiate Process Apparatus (LPA) involved in the differentiation of the LP in several centric diatoms. In a few cases, these LPAs also hair been shown to originate from some component of the spindle pole. Thus, the homologue of the LPA of centric diatoms has now been found in an araphid pennate diatom; in each case, the LPA apparently comes from the pole of the spindle and presumably uses a cytoskeleton of MTs to locate the LP in its correct position. These observations support the possibility that the raphe evolved from the LP.
A Critical Analysis of the Changing Concept of Criminal Responsibility

By critically examining the concept of criminal responsibility we learn how the concept has undergone three major transformations. The changes are illuminated by focusing on structural transformations underlying legal theory and changes in the application of legislation and case law. Attention is also directed to the changing rhetoric of legitimation associated with each transformation.
Contrasting Assessments of Interdisciplinarity in Emerging Specialties The Case of Neural Networks Research

The degree of interdiseiplinarity observed in the analysis of a research literature can depend on the analytical approach Subject assignments of highly cited journals and those frequently publishing topic-relevant articles are compared with data from a recent survey of neural networks researchers. Publication subject patterns parallel the survey results-concentrating heavily in the physical sciences and engineering-while the biological and psychological literature is more visible in citation patterns This finding may reflect both discipline-specific differences in size and publishing patterns and cross-boundary problems in the perceived usefulness of and access to published information.
Electrostatic modulation of the kinetics of electron transfer from cytochrome c to cobalt phenanthroline by binding to lipid bilayers: Effects of ionic strength and extent of incorporation of various negatively charged lipids

The effect of electrostatically binding ferrous cytochrome c to anionic liposomes, composed of dimyristoyl phosphatidylglycerol (DMPG-), dioleoyl phosphatidyl-glycerol (DOPG-), or cardiolipin (CL2-) mixed with varying amounts of egg phosphatidylcholine (PC), on the kinetics of cytochrome oxidation by the positively charged cobalt phenanthroline ion has been measured using stopped-flow spectrophotometry. The rate of electron transfer is enhanced as much as 3000-fold by increasing the number of negatively charged binding sites on the liposome surface, and by as much as 1000-fold by decreasing the ionic strength of the buffer. The sigmoidal shape of the curve of rate constant vs mole percent anionic lipid is consistent with a positively cooperative effect of the negative surface charge. The rate stimulation is greater for DOPG(-)- and CL2(-)-containing liposomes than for DMPG- vesicles; this is most likely due to structural differences in the respective liposomes. The results do not provide any support for a role of structural changes in the bound cytochrome in influencing oxidation kinetics, a possibility suggested by recent spectroscopic measurements, although relatively small conformational effects cannot be completely ruled out.
LiBbO3:Ti Directional-Coupler Modulators For High-Bandwidth, Single-Shot Instrumentation Systems Operating At 800 Nm

We update our work on optical directional-coupler modulators (ODCMs) for single-shot, analog instrumentation systems operating at 800 nm. We can now fabricate directional-coupler devices that have one input and two output pigtails, with insertion losses of 8.9 dB on average. Data for the ODCMs indicate an impulse response of less than 40 ps. We have implemented these devices in an ultrafast, x-ray measurement system. We discuss our data from this implementation and their implications for continued ODCM development.
Homosexuality and bisexuality in different populations

The general public as well as the scientific community have use for accurate data on the size(s) of the heterosexual, homosexual, and bisexual populations. Uses include political, legal, medical, and social. The data upon which the typically used figures are dependent have come under scrutiny. This review of studies from the U.S. and elsewhere indicate that it is unreasonable to consider the often-used figure of 10% of the male population as more or less regularly engaging in same-sex activities. The figure is closer to half that. And the figure for the lesbian population is even smaller. Further, routinely exclusive or predominantly exclusive homosexual activities are more common than bisexual activities.
Gastroschisis in successive siblings: Further evidence of an acquired etiology

Abstract In recent years, we have treated two families that had successive siblings with gastroschisis. In the first family, the delivery of their second child, a boy with gastroschisis, was followed 11 months later by the delivery of a girl also with gastroschisis. The mother admitted to use of tobacco, alcohol, and marijuana during both pregnancies; the father was the same for both children. In the other family, the second child was a boy with gastroschisis, and the third, born 6 years later, was also a boy with gastroschisis. The mother denied any use of tobacco, alcohol, or recreational drugs; these two boys had different fathers. Gastroschisis in siblings has been reported only rarely, and has been noted in both identical and dizygotic twins. Our second set of siblings is the first documented case involving paternity by different fathers. Although a genetic factor cannot be excluded completely, teratogenic factors operative through the mother seem most probable. In conjunction with other reports of "epidemics" of gastroschisis, these two families amid our own recent out-break of gastroschisis strongly suggest that the teratogenic factors may be environmental.
Treatment of Impotence Resulting from Internal Urethrotomy

A complication of internal urethrotomy (11% in 1 series') is impotence caused by a corpus cavernosum-spongiosum fistula. We report a novel perineal approach to fistula repair. CASE REPORT A 44-year-old man experienced a straddle injury at work, and presented with urethral bleeding and perineal pain. Retrograde urethrography demonstrated a small amount of extravasation into the corpus spongiosum without contrast medium reaching the bladder. A urethral catheter could not be passed, direct endoscopic visualization failed to identify urethral continuity and a suprapubic tube was placed. Two months following the injury retrograde urethrography demonstrated a 1 cm. bulbar urethral stricture, which was dilated. Cold-knife direct vision internal urethrotomy was performed at the 12 o'clock position. The patient subsequently voided well with a normal flow rate but complained of erections inadequate for intercourse, which had been normal before direct vision internal urethrotomy. Impotence evaluation, including duplex Doppler cavernosometric tests, demonstrated high maintenance flow rates and low cavernous artery pressures and flow. Radiography of the cavernosa revealed a fistula between the corpus cavernosum and corpus spongiosum in the area of the urethrotomy (fig. 1).
Cancer as a Disease of Self-Seeding

Our work focuses on breast cancer metastatic suppressor genes and their functions in the metastatic process. For this, we are using breast cancer cell line model and their derivatives, which have a strong metastatic capacity to lung and bone. We used these subpopulations to functionally validate a particular metastasis suppressor whose loss of expression in ER- breast cancer cells confers a selective advantage for the colonization of lung. Tumor cells under certain conditions cannot grow or survive in the absence of a supportive microenvironment. Indeed, the microenvironment may even drive tumor and metastasis development by selecting for highly invasive and resistant cancer cell phenotypes and systemically fostering the mobilization of marrow-derived progenitor cell. In particular, loss of expression of our gene of interest is selected in the primary tumor. Interestingly, how these particular gene controls the ability to subsequently colonize distant organs depends on the organ-colonizing faculties of disseminated tumor cells rather than interaction with the restrictive microenvironment of target organs. Collectively, these results show that genes selected for metastasis contribute to the different steps and represent the random accumulation of traits that provide the necessary advantage for adaptation to a different organ microenvironment and need at any time. 1. American_Cancer_Society. Cancer facts and figures. American Cancer
The 8-year course of alcohol abuse: gender differences in social context and coping.

Background: The aim of this study was to compare women (n= 230) and men (n= 236) who had alcohol use disorders in terms of social context and coping methods and in terms of changes in these indices associated with participation in professional treatment and Alcoholics Anonymous (AA). Methods: Initially untreated problem drinkers were followed up for 8 years. Results: Women and men did not differ in regard to the type of help received, but women had longer professional treatment. At baseline, women had more stressors and fewer resources from family and relied more on avoidance coping and drinking to cope. During the next 8 years, women, more so than men, increased on approach coping and reduced their use of avoidance coping and drinking to cope. When baseline status was controlled, women had better social resource, coping, and drinking outcomes than men did at 1 year and 8 years. A longer duration of professional treatment during year 1 was associated with improved approach coping among men but not women. A longer duration of AA attendance during year 1 and the full 8 years was associated with more resources from friends, more use of approach coping, and less drinking to cope. In turn, more friends resources and approach coping and less drinking to cope were associated with better drinking outcomes. Decreases in avoidance coping and drinking to cope were more strongly associated with better drinking outcomes among men than among women. Conclusions: It may be important to target men for formal services or self-help to increase their use of approach coping in efforts to maintain abstinence. Women's strategies for improving their social context need further explication to be adapted for transfer to male problem drinkers.
BGP-S: a protocol for terrestrial and satellite network integration in network layer

To accomplish network layer integration of terrestrial and satellite IP networks, special exterior gateway protocols are needed. In this work, a new exterior gateway protocol called Border Gateway Protocol-Satellite version (BGP-S) is introduced that enables automated discovery of paths that go through the satellite network. This protocol is designed to work in only one terrestrial gateway in every Autonomous System and enables the forwarding of discovered paths in the Internet using the BGP-4 protocol. The performance of BGP-S is investigated through simulations.
Electron Emission from Amorphous Solid Water Induced by Passage of Energetic Protons and Fluorine Ions

Abstract Absolute doubly differential electron emission yields were measured from thin films of amorphous solid water (ASW) after the transmission of 6 MeV protons and 19 MeV (1 MeV/nucleon) fluorine ions. The ASW films were frozen on thin (1-µm) copper foils cooled to approximately 50 K. Electrons emitted from the films were detected as a function of angle in both the forward and backward direction and as a function of the film thickness. Electron energies were determined by measuring the ejected electron time of flight, a technique that optimizes the accuracy of measuring low-energy electron yields, where the effects of molecular environment on electron transport are expected to be most evident. Relative electron emission yields were normalized to an absolute scale by comparison of the integrated total yields for proton-induced electron emission from the copper substrate to values published previously. The absolute doubly differential yields from ASW are presented along with integrated values, providing...
Impact of Retrotransposons in Pluripotent Stem Cells

Retrotransposons, which constitute approximately 40% of the human genome, have the capacity to ‘jump’ across the genome. Their mobility contributes to oncogenesis, evolution, and genomic plasticity of the host genome. Induced pluripotent stem cells as well as embryonic stem cells are more susceptible than differentiated cells to genomic aberrations including insertion, deletion and duplication. Recent studies have revealed specific behaviors of retrotransposons in pluripotent cells. Here, we review recent progress in understanding retrotransposons and provide a perspective on the relationship between retrotransposons and genomic variation in pluripotent stem cells.
Near-field angular distributions of high velocity ions for low-power hall thrusters

Experimental angular distributions of high-energy primary ions in the near-field region of a small Hall thruster between 50-200 mm downstream of the thruster exit plane at a range of centerline angles have been determined using a highly-collimated, energy-selective diagnostic probe. The measurements reveal a wide angular distribution of ions exiting the thruster channel and the formation of a strong, axially-directed jet of ions along the thruster centerline. Comparisons are made to other experimental determinations as applicable.
Update on randomized trials on recurrent disease

Abstract Approximately 75% of patients with advanced ovarian cancer will have a recurrence of their disease within the first 3 years after upfront surgery and paclitaxel–carboplatin-based chemotherapy. An optimal choice of treatment of patients with a recurrence is an important issue, and several factors should be taken into account in this decision-making, including disease, patients, and treatment. Fortunately, we have several strategies that can be of help not only with respect to palliation, but also in terms of survival benefit. Apart from surgery, which will be reviewed in another article of this series, different single cytotoxic agents and combinations and, more recently, the addition of antiangiogenic agents have shown that they can have impact on progression-free survival and, for some strategies, on the overall survival in such patients. In this review, we present an update of the clinical trials that have led to these achievements.
IMAGINING SAFE URBAN SPACE: THE CONTRIBUTION OF DETECTIVE FICTION TO RADICAL GEOGRAPHY

Radical geographers often discuss how contemporary urban space is becoming increasingly violent and dangerous. They pay much less attention to the question of how to make this space safe. In contrast, detective fiction focuses precisely on how to take danger out of the city. It therefore provides radical geographers with imaginative models of how different levels of space are linked through forms of violence. Detective fiction challenges accounts of the urban spatialization of power that over-simplify relations between city inhabitants as a clash between “oppressor” and “oppressed.” By suggesting how a subject can simultaneously oppress through and be oppressed by volence, detective fiction shows the contradictory multiplicity of people's spatial identifications.
A Continuous-Time, Latent-Variable Model of Time Series Data

Many types of time series data in political science, including polling data and events data, exhibit important features'such as irregular spacing, noninstantaneous observation, overlapping observation times, and sampling or other measurement error'that are ignored in most statistical analyses because of model limitations. Ignoring these properties can lead not only to biased coefficients but also to incorrect inference about the direction of causality. This article develops a continuous-time model to overcome these limitations. This new model treats observations as noisy samples collected over an interval of time and can be viewed as a generalization of the vector autoregressive model. Monte Carlo simulations and two empirical examples demonstrate the importance of modeling these features of the data.
Importance of increasing the awareness of psychiatric consequences among caregivers in a cardiology setting

Caregivers in cardiology departments are busy with a rapid flow of patients, and identification of patients with depressive symptoms will not necessarily be prioritized in all patients and among all caregivers
Safety of Tissue Plasminogen Activator for Acute Stroke in Menstruating Women

Background— Menses is a theoretical contraindication to intravenous tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) treatment. We sought to establish the safety of intravenous tPA in the treatment of acute ischemic stroke in women who are actively menstruating. Summary of Report— We provide a case report and review of the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) database for women coded as actively menstruating. Nine subjects were coded as actively menstruating in the NINDS trial (4 placebo and 5 in the treatment). One subject in the treatment group who had a 1-year history of dysfunctional uterine bleeding required emergent uterine artery ligation. We also report a case of a woman requiring transfusion after intravenous tPA administration for acute ischemic stroke. Conclusions— Intravenous tPA may be administered relatively safely in women who are menstruating and should be used with caution in women with a history of dysfunctional uterine bleeding. Potential patients should be advised that the...
Integration of power semiconductors devices: Synchronous buck converters in a package

Integration in power semiconductor devices has been always a challenge for technologists. This occurs mainly because the integration process increases the power density with negative consequences in the temperature of the devices which deteriorate the electrical and reliability performance in comparison with discrete approach. In order to successfully integrate power microelectronic devices one needs to have semiconductor solutions with extremely good efficiency to dissipate small quantities of heat and package solutions that can conduct extremely well the heat generated so the junction temperature of the device does not exceed the maximum temperatures under specifications. Traditional approaches to improve efficiency in DC/DC synchronous buck converters include reducing conduction losses in the MOSFETs through lower RDS(ON) devices and lowering switching losses through low-frequency operation. However the incremental improvements in RDS(ON) are at a point of diminishing returns and low RDS(ON) devices have large parasitic capacitances that do not facilitate the high-frequency operation required to improve power density. The drive for higher efficiency and excellent thermal performance to achieve high degree of integration is being addressed by advancements in both silicon and packaging technologies. In this paper we present the Power Stage concept, the technology we developed in the silicon and packaging fronts in order to integrate a half bridge DC-DC synchronous Buck converter with a gate driver IC. The NexFET Power Stage achieves higher levels of performance and integration, and in half the space versus discrete MOSFETs. This article explains these new technologies and highlights their performance advantage.
Second-trimester echogenic small bowel : An increased risk for adverse perinatal outcome

2267 singleton fetuses who had one ultrasound examination between 15 and 21 weeks' gestation were prospectively evaluated for echogenic small bowel. Thirty-two cases of echogenic small bowel were detected—a prevalence of 1·4 per cent. Echogenic fetal small bowel was divided into two grades: grade 1, where the small bowel was more echogenic than the liver; and grade 2, where the small bowel had the echogenicity of bone. In contrast to 19/23 fetuses with grade 1 small bowel echogenicity, only 2/9 fetuses with grade 2 echogenic bowel had a normal pregnancy outcome (Fisher's exact test; P⩽0·01). Complications associated with second-trimester echogenic small bowel included in utero cytomegalovirus infection, second-trimester growth restriction, intrauterine fetal demise, and chromosomal abnormalities. Second-trimester fetal echogenic small bowel is associated with an increased risk of an adverse outcome. The prevalence of perinatal and neonatal complications is significantly greater when small bowel echogenicity approaches that of bone.
Outcome of Cesarean Scar Pregnancies Diagnosed Sonographically in the First Trimester

Objectives The purpose of this study was to determine the outcome of cesarean scar pregnancies diagnosed during the first trimester. Methods We retrospectively identified all cesarean scar implantation pregnancies diagnosed by sonography before 14 weeks' gestation between 2000 and 2012 at our institution. We reviewed the patients' sonograms and medical records and recorded sonographic findings and pregnancy outcomes. Results Thirty-four cases met study entry criteria. Ten patients presented with no embryonic cardiac activity, of whom 7 underwent interventions, and 3 were expectantly managed. One of the former 7 and none of the latter 3 required hysterectomy for bleeding. Among the 24 patients with embryonic cardiac activity, 8 were managed expectantly: 5 (62.5%) ultimately delivered a live-born neonate, 3 (60.0%) of whom required hysterectomy due to placenta accreta; and 3 had fetal demise. Sixteen of the 24 underwent interventions, 2 opting for gravid hysterectomy (10 and 11 weeks' gestation, respectively) and 14 treated by a minimally invasive method: intrasac potassium chloride injection (3 cases); intrasac potassium chloride injection plus intramuscular methotrexate (4 cases); sonographically guided dilation and curettage (6 cases); and laparascopic resection (1 case). None of the latter 14 subsequently required hysterectomy. Conclusions If a woman has a first-trimester diagnosis of a cesarean scar implantation pregnancy and embryonic cardiac activity is present, expectant management offers the possibility of delivering a live-born neonate (62.5% in our study) but carries a substantial likelihood of hysterectomy at delivery due to placenta accreta (37.5% in our study), whereas minimally invasive therapy that interrupts the pregnancy largely eliminates the need for hysterectomy.
Image compression methods with distortion controlled capabilities

This paper presents a class of lossy data compression algorithms capable of encoding images so that the loss of information complies with certain distortion requirements. The developed algorithms are based on tree-structured vector quantizers (TSVQ). The first distortion controlled algorithm uses variable-size image blocks encoded on quad-tree data structures to encode efficiently image areas with different information content. Another class of distortion controlled algorithms presented is based on recursive quantization of error image blocks that represent the difference between the current approximation and the original block. The progressive compression properties of these algorithms are described. Compression/distortion performance using satellite images provided by NASA is better than that of the TSVQ algorithms at high bit rates. >