cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
ERβ Regulation of Gonadotropin Responses during Folliculogenesis

Gonadotropins are essential for regulating ovarian development, steroidogenesis, and gametogenesis. While follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) promotes the development of ovarian follicles, luteinizing hormone (LH) regulates preovulatory maturation of oocytes, ovulation, and formation of corpus luteum. Cognate receptors of FSH and LH are G-protein coupled receptors that predominantly signal through cAMP-dependent and cAMP-independent mechanisms that activate protein kinases. Subsequent vital steps in response to gonadotropins are mediated through activation or inhibition of transcription factors required for follicular gene expression. Estrogen receptors, classical ligand-activated transcriptional regulators, play crucial roles in regulating gonadotropin secretion from the hypothalamic–pituitary axis as well as gonadotropin function in the target organs. In this review, we discuss the role of estrogen receptor β (ERβ) regulating gonadotropin response during folliculogenesis. Ovarian follicles in Erβ knockout (ErβKO) mutant female mice and rats cannot develop beyond the antral state, lack oocyte maturation, and fail to ovulate. Theca cells (TCs) in ovarian follicles express LH receptor, whereas granulosa cells (GCs) express both FSH receptor (FSHR) and LH receptor (LHCGR). As oocytes do not express the gonadotropin receptors, the somatic cells play a crucial role during gonadotropin induced oocyte maturation. Somatic cells also express high levels of estrogen receptors; while TCs express ERα and are involved in steroidogenesis, GCs express ERβ and are involved in both steroidogenesis and folliculogenesis. GCs are the primary site of ERβ-regulated gene expression. We observed that a subset of gonadotropin-induced genes in GCs, which are essential for ovarian follicle development, oocyte maturation and ovulation, are dependent on ERβ. Thus, ERβ plays a vital role in regulating the gonadotropin responses in ovary.
Application of nondestructive mechanical characterization testing for creating in vitro vessel models with material properties similar to human neurovasculature.

Vessel models are a first step in developing endovascular medical devices. However, these models, often made from glass or silicone, do not accurately represent the mechanical properties of human vascular tissue, limiting their use to basic training and proof-of-concept testing. This study outlines methods to quantify human vascular tissue mechanical properties and synthetic biomaterials for creating representative vessel models. Human vascular tissue was assessed and compared to silicone and new UV-cured polymers (VC-A30) using the following eight mechanical tests: compressive, shear, tensile dynamic elastic modulus, Poisson's ratio, hardness, radial force, compliance, and lubricity. Half of these testing methods were nondestructive, allowing for multiple mechanical and histological characterizations of the same human tissue sample. Histological evaluation of the cellular and extracellular matrix of the human vessels verified that the dynamic moduli and Poison's ratio tests were nondestructive. Fluid absorption by VC-A30 showed statistically significant softening of mechanical properties, stabilizing after 4 days in phosphate-buffered saline (PBS). Human vasculature exhibited notably similar results to VC-A30 in five of eight mechanical tests (≤30% difference) versus two of eight for standard silicone (≤38% difference). Results show that VC-A30 provides a new option for 3D-printing translucent in vitro vascular models with anatomically relevant mechanical properties. These new vessel analogs may simulate patient-specific vessel disease states, improve surgical training models, accelerate new endovascular device developments, and ultimately reduce the need for animal models.
Regulation of Securities Industry Intermediaries--Australian Proposals

In its one hundred ninety-eight page A Review of the Licensing Provisions of the Securities Industry Act and Codes (Review) published in October 1985,1 the Australian National Companies and Securities Commission, upon reviewing the licensing provisions of the Securities Industry Act of 1980 Commonwealth and Codes, stated what many had long felt, that "the present licensing system is not working adequately to provide adequate investor protection."'2 The Review considers, instead, a move to the United States/Canadian model of supervised self-regulation by self-regulatory organizations (SROs) in combination with the maintenance of the existing method of regulation by the Commission.3 This article endeavors to address the Australian proposals and to compare them with the North American experience. In particular, the article will initially review the various theories of occupational licensure.4 Next, it will discuss the ramifications of self-regulation by
Renal Cell Carcinoma

A male in his 50s with a history of prostate cancer presented for follow-up one year after prostatectomy. The follow-up computed tomography (CT) scan of the abdomen revealed a left renal solid enhancing mass. Under the clinical diagnosis of a renal neoplasm suspicious for malignancy, a left robotic-assisted partial nephrectomy was performed. Grossly, the tumor was confined to the kidney, measured 4.0 cm in greatest dimension and showed a homogenously tan-yellow cut surface with friable tissue and necrosis. Microscopically, the tumor demonstrated cells arranged in closely packed tubules and focal papillary architecture (Fig. 25.1a). Tumor cells displayed uniform, round to oval nuclei (Fuhrman nuclear grade 2) and had scant eosinophilic cytoplasm. Foamy macrophages and scant extracellular mucin were noted (Fig. 25.1b). No lymphovascular invasion was identified.
Road Investment to Foster Local Economic Development

This study examines the relationship between road investments and local economic development. More specifically, it incorporates the best available theory on this relationship into a workable approach for those faced with making road investment decisions. To provide a sense of the types of projects state-level highway administrators must evaluate and to apply the approach developed, a specific state program is used as a case study. Chapter 1 is an introduction. Chapter 2 presents a discussion of the economic development process. In Chapter 3 highway investment is related to local and regional economic development. Chapter 4 provides a review of previous research on the connection between highway investment and economic growth and development, and reports the results of a survey conducted of all 50 state departments of transportation. Also discussed in Chapter 4 are the features of special economic development highway programs found in 24 states. Their ability to promote efficient investments is examined. Chapter 5 examines Iowa's RISE (Revitalize Iowa's Sound Economy) program. The details of the program are explained and its funding experience to date is summarized. The 18 projects approved more than three years prior to this evaluation are then examined. Performance measures used by the Iowa DOT -- cost per job assisted and capital investment ratio -- are applied to compare projected and reported results. These two performance measures are critiqued as bases for making investment decisions. In the final chapter, Chapter 6, the framework presented in Chapters 2 and 3 are applied to assess the economic development impacts of the 18 case study RISE projects. A series of questions or screens are used in the evaluation of each RISE project. These screens constitute a sequential series of considerations for a state evaluating a proposed road improvement if the objective is local economic development.
Potential Inundation due to Rising Sea Levels in the San Francisco Bay Region

An increase in the rate of sea level rise is one of the primary impacts of projected global climate change. To assess potential inundation associated with a continued acceleration of sea level rise, the highest resolution elevation data available were assembled from various sources and mosaicked to cover the land surfaces of the San Francisco Bay region. Next, to quantify extreme water levels throughout the bay, a hydrodynamic model of the San Francisco Estuary was driven by a projection of hourly water levels at the Presidio. This projection was based on a combination of climate model outputs, an empirical model, and observations, and incorporates astronomical, storm surge, El Nino, and long-term sea level rise influences. Based on the resulting data, maps of areas vulnerable to inundation were produced, corresponding to specific amounts of sea level rise and recurrence intervals, including tidal datums. These maps portray areas where inundation will likely be an increasing concern. In the North Bay, wetlands and some developed fill areas are at risk. In Central and South bays, a key feature is the landward periphery of developed areas that would be newly vulnerable to inundation. Nearly all municipalities adjacent to South Bay face this risk to some degree. For the bay as a whole, as early as mid-century under this scenario, the one-year peak event nearly equals the 100-year peak event in 2000. Maps of vulnerable areas are presented and some implications discussed. Results are available for interactive viewing and download at http://cascade.wr.usgs.gov/data/Task2b-SFBay.
Pyridine nucleotides in the thyroid: VI. DPN kinase activity of thyroid homogenate obtained from slices incubated with and without thyroid stimulating hormone

Abstract Thyroid slices incubated with and without TSH have been homogenized and assayed for DPN kinase (ATP:DPN 2′-phosphotransferase, EC 2.7.1.23) activity. Such activity was increased when homogenates from TSH incubated slices were incubated with ATP and DPN and [1- 14 C]-6-phosphogluconate oxidation measured as an indication of TPN formation. In similar experiments when TPN was measured directly, homogenates obtained from TSH incubated slices also had greater TPN levels than homogenates prepared from control slices. However, in these experiments since net synthesis of TPN was not observed, the results could also be explained by decreased rate of destruction as well as by increased synthesis of TPN. Subcellular fractionation of thyroid slices localized most of the DPN kinase to the nuclear fraction while the increased TPN of TSH incubated slices was in the supernatant. The TSH stimulation of glucose oxidation was not inhibited by a concentration of actinomycin D which caused a 90% reduction in [8- 14 C]adenine incorporation into nucleic acids. Vasopressin, which has been reported to directly stimulate thyroxine release from the thyroid, did not stimulate glucose oxidation in thyroid slices. TSH did not influence glucose oxidation of gastric mucosa and submandibular gland, two tissues which also share with thyroid the ability to concentration iodide but are not TSH responsive in terms of this parameter.
Detachable ultrasonic enabled inserter for neural probe insertion using biodissolvable Polyethylene Glycol

We report on a method to reversibly bond and debond silicon neural probes to a silicon ultrasonic horn to enable ultrasonic actuation during neural probe insertion. Neural probes can be attached using Poly-Ethylene Glycol (PEG), a bio-dissolvable polymer, and consequently debonded from the ultrasonic driver by aqueous dissolution. We demonstrate reduced force during probe insertion corresponding to ultrasonically micro-cutting of tissue. Reduced insertion forces can lead to less damage and reduced immune response for longer life neural interfaces. Three different configurations of neural probes were tested demonstrating insertion force reduction significantly by a factor of 4.3. The probes were driven by 30 V pp at 101.7 kHz. Our approach can potentially help inserting neural probes made in any new technology ultrasonically and increase the lifetime of neural probe recording sites.
The First Amendment and the Free Flow of Information: Towards A Realistic Right to Gather Information in the Information Age

In a series of cases beginning in the 1960s and extending through the present time, the Supreme Court has struggled with determining the extent to which the First Amendment’s protection for freedom of expression applies to the gathering of information for the purpose of engaging in speech. The resulting First Amendment “information-gathering” jurisprudence is anomalous in the general scheme of free speech law in that it generally disfavors “flows of information” of an inherently political nature, and the protection that is extended to information-gathering activities tends to be applied to one select type of information-“news.” Professor McDonald argues that such a jurisprudence is inadequate to facilitate a “free flow of information and ideas” that is the hallmark of a society which places a premium on information and knowledge. Increasingly, the First Amendment is being invoked not only to protect the gathering of news by the institutional press, but also to protect academic and scientific research, information gathering by private research and policy organizations, and the collection and dissemination of information over the Internet. A logical extension of the “structural” theory of the First Amendment-which the Court has endorsed and which provides protection to the “essential processes” of communication necessary to facilitate an informed public discussion of important societal matters-would justify the recognition of a more uniform, but limited, First Amendment right to gather many different types of information of public concern. This right could be invoked only by those individuals and groups whom our society recognizes as performing an important and valued information-gathering and dissemination function as evidenced by certain objective criteria suggested in this Article.
Why do Anolis dewlaps glow? An analysis of a translucent visual signal

Summary Male anoline lizards utilize a colourful, expandable throat fan, called the dewlap, to rapidly and unambiguously signal their presence and species identity to conspecifics. Under some viewing conditions, the dewlaps of some species appear to glow vividly, because they transmit a great deal of diffuse light, creating a translucent signal. Translucent signals are probably found in many animal groups, but they have rarely been studied. We hypothesized that dewlap translucence might (i) increase dewlap/background luminance contrast or (ii) increase the reliability of the colour as a species recognition signal by lowering the colour discrimination threshold in low light conditions such as forest shade. We calculated dewlap colour (spectral radiance) for the Jamaican lizard Anolis lineatopus at natural perch sites with, and without, the inclusion of transmitted light. Transmitted light did not significantly increase the magnitude of luminance contrast between the dewlap and background. We plotted colours of dewlaps, background patches of habitat and dewlaps of sympatric species in an anoline perceptual colour space (the colour tetrahedron), based on the four classes of cone photoreceptors found in the retina. Using a newly developed approach, we used ellipsoidal plots of uncertainty to quantify perceptual overlap between dewlap spectral radiance and values for natural distractor colours. Diffuse transmission of light through the dewlap greatly reduced the perceptual overlap between the dewlap and natural background colours. This finding strongly suggests that selection has favoured the evolution of a translucent dewlap as a mechanism to increase the reliability of detection of the signal under the low light conditions. In general, any animal's colour signal must emit sufficient light intensity to allow the colour to be discriminated from other distractor colours in the habitat. This will tend to favour the evolution of colours with higher total intensity (i.e. higher reflectance and/or transmittance) in animals that signal in relatively low light conditions such as forest shade.
Memory accuracy predicts hippocampal mTOR pathway activation following retrieval of contextual fear memory

Prior work suggests that hippocampus-dependent memory undergoes a systems consolidation process such that recent memories are stored in the hippocampus, while older memories are independent of the hippocampus and instead dependent on cortical areas. One problem with interpreting these studies is that memory for the contextual stimuli weakens as time passes between the training event and testing and older memories are often less detailed, making it difficult to determine if memory storage in the hippocampus is related to the age or to the accuracy of the memory. Activity of the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling pathway is known to be important for controlling protein translation necessary for both memory consolidation after initial learning and for the reconsolidation of memory after retrieval. We tested whether p70s6 kinase (p70s6K), a key component of the mTOR signaling pathway, is activated following retrieval of context fear memory in the dorsal hippocampus (DH) and anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) at 1, 10, or 36 days after context fear conditioning. We also tested whether strengthening memory for the contextual stimuli changed p70s6K phosphorylation in these structures 36 days after training. We show that under standard training conditions retrieval of a recently formed memory is initially precise and involves the DH. Over time it loses detail, becomes independent of the DH and depends on the ACC. In a subsequent experiment, we preserved the accuracy of older memories through pre-exposure to the training context. We show that remote memory still involved the DH in animals given pre-exposure. These data support the notion that detailed memories depend on the DH regardless of their age.
Protein Synthesis and Translation Initiation Factor Activation in Neonatal Pigs Fed Increasing Levels of Dietary Protein

Limited data suggest that the growth of low-birth-weight infants is enhanced by feeding a high-protein diet; however, the mechanisms involved in the effect have not been delineated. To identify these mechanisms, 34 pigs were fed from 2 to 7 d of age [60 g dry matter/(kg body weight . d)] isocaloric milk diets that contained levels of dietary protein that were marginal, adequate, and in excess of the piglets protein requirement (21, 33, and 45% of dry matter, respectively). Dietary protein replaced lactose and fat on an isocaloric basis. Fractional protein synthesis rates, various biomarkers of translational regulation, and plasma glucose and insulin levels were measured in overnight food-deprived and fed pigs. Mean daily weight gain of pigs fed the 33 and 45% protein diets was greater than that of pigs fed the 21% protein diet (P < 0.01). Plasma glucose (P = 0.07) and insulin (P < 0.01) levels decreased as dietary protein increased 60 min after feeding. Protein synthesis rates in longissimus dorsi, gastrocnemius, masseter, heart, liver, kidney, jejunum, and pancreas were greater in the fed than in the food-deprived state (P < 0.01). Protein synthesis in skeletal muscle did not change with protein intake in the fed state, but decreased quadratically (P < 0.01) with increasing dietary protein in the food-deprived state. Protein kinase B, ribosomal protein S6 kinase 1(S6K1), and eukaryotic initiation factor (eIF) 4E binding protein-1 (4E-BP1) were more phosphorylated, and assembly of the inactive eukaryotic initiation factor 4E . 4E-BP1 complex in muscle and liver was reduced in the fed state (P < 0.001) and were not consistently affected by dietary protein level. The results suggest that feeding stimulates protein synthesis, and this is modulated by the activation of initiation factors that regulate mRNA binding to the ribosomal complex. However, the provision of a high-protein diet that exceeds the protein requirement does not further enhance protein synthesis or translation initiation factor activation.
Examination of Criteria for Local Model Principal Component Regression

In analytical chemistry, principal component regression (PCR) is widely used as a method for calibration and prediction. The motivation behind PCR is to select factors associated with predictive information and eliminate those associated with noise. The classical approach, referred to as top-down selection, chooses sequential factors based on singular value magnitudes, and the same factors are used for all future unknown samples; i.e., a global model is formed. The number of factors needed is often determined through crossvalidation on the calibration samples or with an external validation set. Alternatively, a model developed specific to an unknown sample, i.e., a local model or sample-dependent model, could offer improved accuracy. The idea behind sample-dependent PCR is that factors associated with small singular values not included in a topdown PCR model can still contain relevant predictive information. This paper shows that local models generated by selecting factors on a sample-by-sample basis often reduce prediction errors compared with those for the global top-down model. However, evidence is also provided that supports the use of global top-down models. Several criteria are proposed and examined for selecting factors on a sample-dependent basis. Observations and conclusions presented are based on two near-infrared data sets.
Real-time photorealistic stereoscopic rendering of fire

We propose a method for real-time photorealistic stereo rendering of the natural phenomenon of fire. Applications include the use of virtual reality in fire fighting, military training, and entertainment. Rendering fire in real-time presents a challenge because of the transparency and non-static fluid-like behavior of fire. It is well known that, in general, methods that are effective for monoscopic rendering are not necessarily easily extended to stereo rendering because monoscopic methods often do not provide the depth information necessary to produce the parallax required for binocular disparity in stereoscopic rendering. We investigate the existing techniques used for monoscopic rendering of fire and discuss their suitability for extension to real-time stereo rendering. Methods include the use of precomputed textures, dynamic generation of textures, and rendering models resulting from the approximation of solutions of fluid dynamics equations through the use of ray-tracing algorithms. We have found that in order to attain real-time frame rates, our method based on billboarding is effective. Slicing is used to simulate depth. Texture mapping or 2D images are mapped onto polygons and alpha blending is used to treat transparency. We can use video recordings or prerendered high-quality images of fire as textures to attain photorealistic stereo.
Seasonal and spatial evolution of albedo in a snow-ice-land-ocean environment

[1] In the course of a program studying Arctic coastal processes we have investigated the albedos for the range of surfaces in the region and their response to seasonal changes in a land-ice-ocean regime near Barrow, Alaska. From April through June in the years 2000, 2001, and 2002, spectral and wavelength-integrated albedos were measured along 200-m survey lines. These lines were installed at four sites and included sea ice, lagoon ice, fresh ice, and tundra. Initially, all sites were completely snow-covered, and the albedo was high (0.8–0.85) and spatially uniform. The concentration of absorptive contaminants in the snow was enough to produce a slight reduction below the pure snow values. As the melt season progressed, albedos decreased at all sites. The decrease was greatest and most rapid at the tundra site, where the albedo dropped from 0.8 to 0.15 in only 2 weeks. The spectral signature also changed as the wavelength of maximum albedo at the tundra site shifted from 500 nm for snow to 1100 nm for vegetation. As the snow cover melted, there was rapid and extensive ponding, resulting in a decrease of the spatially averaged, wavelength-integrated albedo from 0.6 to 0.2 in only 5 days. Extensive pond drainage and below-freezing temperatures caused the albedo to rebound briefly to 0.55 before resuming a steady decrease. Comparison of these results with data collected in the central Arctic show that albedos of fast ice in the coastal regime evolve significantly faster than pack ice albedos. Interannual seasonal variations showed additional melting phases that might be expected during protracted warming. The albedo evolution in the coastal lagoon was different each of the 3 years because of variations in sediment loading of the ice during freeze-up and in the melt/freeze pattern the following spring. The record early melt in May 2002 followed by a pronounced freezing event 2 weeks later produced a distinct melt regime that gave rise to reduced melt pond coverage and higher albedo. Such events provide insight into processes associated with the melt ponds that will be important for modeling sea ice in a warming climate.
Adaptive estimation when the unidimensionality assumption of IRT is violated

This study examined some effects of using a unidi mensional IRT model when the assumption of unidi mensionality was violated. Adaptive and nonadaptive tests were formed from two-dimensional item sets. The tests were administered to simulated examinee populations with different correlations of the two un derlying abilities. Scores from the adaptive tests tended to be related to one or the other ability rather than to a composite. Similar but less disparate results were obtained with IRT scoring of nonadaptive tests, whereas the conventional standardized number-correct score was equally related to both abilities. Differences in item selection from the adaptive administration and in item parameter estimation were also examined and related to differences in ability estimation. Index terms: ability estimation, adaptive testing, item pa rameter estimation, item response theory, multidimen sionality.
Central administration of aldosterone increases blood pressure in rats.

Experiments were designed to determine whether hypertension in rats caused by a central infusion of aldosterone requires supplemental sodium and uninephrectomy. Group 1 was uninephrectomized and received an intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) infusion of aldosterone (9 ng/h) plus 1M NaCl, dissolved in 0.01% ethyl alcohol-artificial cerebrospinal fluid (vehicle). Group 2 received the same infusion but was not uninephrectomized. Group 3 received an i.c.v. infusion of aldosterone alone in vehicle. Group 4 received an i.c.v. infusion of vehicle with intravenous (i.v.) infusion of aldosterone plus NaCl. All rats received a diet of standard Purina rat chow and tap water ad libitum. Systolic blood pressure of groups 1 and 2 was significantly increased. Rats treated with i.c.v. aldosterone alone also showed a significant increase in blood pressure on day 21. However, i.v. infusion of the same dose of aldosterone did not change blood pressure. The results show that hypertension induced with chronic central infusion of aldosterone does not require uninephrectomy. We conclude that aldosterone may act directly within the central nervous system to increase blood pressure.
Alveolar soft part sarcoma of the cervix: case report and literature review

Alveolar soft part sarcoma (ASPS) is a rare mesenchymal malignancy typically found in the extremities or chest of young adults. We present a case of an alveolar soft part sarcoma arising in the endocervix of a 38-year-old premenopausal woman. This cancer was treated by extrafascial hysterectomy. No evidence of metastatic disease was found after extensive surgical staging. Since treatment, she has since remained disease-free for more than 5 years without additional therapy. This is the second case of ASPS arising in the endocervix of which we are aware. Our observations suggest simple hysterectomy suffices for optimal clinical management of cervical ASPS and that surgical staging of this disease offers little prognostic benefit.
Evaluation of electrolyte repletion in hematopoietic cell transplant patients receiving H-2 receptor antagonists or proton pump inhibitors

Evaluation of electrolyte repletion in hematopoietic cell transplant patients receiving H-2 receptor antagonists or proton pump inhibitors
Diagnostic accuracy of asthma within a health maintenance organization

Abstract Reported asthma morbidity and mortality are increasing in the U.S. We addressed one explanation, that the accuracy of the diagnosis of asthma is changing. The diagnosis of asthma was evaluated in 320 inpatient and outpatient records bearing the diagnosis of asthma for the periods 1970–1973 and 1980–1983 in a health maintenance organization (HMO). We determined whether or not our agreement with the chart diagnosis was a function of: sex, period of treatment, inpatient vs outpatient setting, whether or not asthma was the primary or secondary diagnosis, and patient age. The standard of comparison was an expert panel review in which asthma was divided into six categories. In both inpatient (97%) and outpatient settings (94%), the majority of charts examined exhibited a clinical picture consistent with asthma. The rate of the narrowly defined “definite asthma” category varied with respect to age, with the highest proportion in the under 20-year age group (74%) and the lowest (46%) in the over 60 age groups, probably because older individuals often have coexisting smoking related diseases. The increase in “definite asthma” among outpatients from the 1970s to the 1980s likely reflects increasing chart documentation among physicians, illustrating the need for clear, consistent chart documentation of signs and symptoms of asthma.
Recipient to Donor Conduction of Atrial Tachycardia Following Orthotopic Heart Transplantation

We report a case of atrial tachycardia in a 60-year-old male 8 years postorthotopic heart transplantation. At electrophysiology study, the clinical rhythm was found to arise from the remnant of the recipient atrium and was successfully terminated by delivery of radiofrequencv energy. Surgical scars formed at the anastomosis of the recipient and donor atrium during the time of orthotopic heart transplantation are thought to electrically isolate the two areas. Although rarely recognized, dysrhythmias originating from the recipient atrial remnant may occur more often than previously thought.
Medical aspects of head and neck cancer.

AbstractCertain medical aspects of advanced head and neck cancer observed in 191 patients referred to a medical oncology service over a 14-year period are presented in this review. While these tumors constitute an uncommon group of advanced neoplasms, the disability and impairment associated with this disease are great. Infections, folate deficiency, and hypercalcemia are frequent complications and generally detected. The occurrence of pulmonary tuberculosis, cardiovascular and neurologic sequelae were infrequent but may be generally underrecognized. Additionally, head and neck cancer patients were found to develop second malignancies in remote sites with surprising frequency as well as demonstrating the predilection to develop second primary tumors within the same area.
Multidimensional search trees that provide new types of memory reductions

An orthogonal query that asks to aggregate the set of records in k-dimensional box regions is studied, and it is shown that space O(N((log N)/(log log N))k-1) makes possible a combined time complexity O(logkN ) for retrievals, insertions, and deletions.
Coherent optical frequency domain reflectometry (OFDR) using a fiber grating external cavity laser

An optical frequency domain reflectometry (OFDR) system containing a narrow linewidth fiber grating external cavity laser is demonstrated to have 62-dB of sensitivity when detecting Fresnel backreflection and 2 m of resolution at a 115 m range in optical fiber. With this system we were able to detect Rayleigh backscattering in optical fiber with 20-dB signal-to-noise ratio. The phase noise limitation on the distance range for the OFDR was investigated, and the measured signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) data followed the theoretical simulation over the ranges measured. This technique has potential to be applied to the OFDR at 1550 mm with very high dynamic range by using an erbium doped fiber laser. >
Finite equational bases for congruence modular varieties

In this paper it is proved that a variety generated by a finite algebraic system with finitely many operations is finitely axiomatizable, provided that the variety is congruence modular and residually small. This result is an extension to congruence modular varieties of a well known theorem for congruence distributive varieties, due to K. A. Baker. Also, under somewhat less restrictive hypotheses, (which are satisfied by finite groups and rings) it is proved that a finite algebraic system belongs to a finitely axiomatizable locally finite variety.
Hume on Steadfast Objects and Time

Soulevant le paradoxe de la coexistence d'un objet avec la succession des choses chez Hume, l'A. montre celui-ci developpe une approche consistante des objets stables, qui s'inscrit dans une theorie du temps inhabituelle, fondee sur la succession d'instants indivisibles.
Trapped positrons for antihydrogen

Positrons from a 12 mCi22Na source are slowed by a W(110) reflection moderator and then captured in a Penning trap, by damping their motion with a tuned circuit. Because of the stability of the Penning trap and the cryogenic ultra-high vacuum environment, we anticipate that positrons can be accumulated and stored indefinitely. A continuous loading rate of 0.14 e+/s is observed for 32 h in this initial demonstration. More than 1.6×104 positrons have thus been trapped and stored at 4 K, with improvements expected. The extremely high vacuum is required for compatibility with an existing antiproton trap, which has already held more than 105 antiprotons at 4 K, for producing antihydrogen at low temperatures. The extremely cold positrons in high vacuum may also prove to be useful for cooling highly stripped ions.
THE SYNTHESIS OF ACIDIC CHROMOSOMAL PROTEINS DURING THE CELL CYCLE OF HELA S-3 CELLS : II. The Kinetics of Residual Protein Synthesis and Transport

The kinetics of acidic residual chromosomal protein synthesis and transport were studied throughout the cell cycle in HeLa S-3 cells synchronized by 2 mM thymidine block and selective detachment of mitotic cells. Pulse labeling the cells with leucine-3H for 2 min and then "chasing" the radioactive proteins for up to 3 hr showed that the amount of protein synthesized, transported, and retained in the acidic residual chromosomal protein fraction is greater immediately after mitosis and later in G1 than in the S or G2 phases of the cell cycle. During S, only 20–25% of the proteins synthesized and transported to the acidic residual chromosomal protein fraction are chased during the first 2 hr after pulse labeling, whereas up to 40% of the material entering the residual nuclear fraction in mitosis, G1, and G2 leaves during a 2 hr chase. Polyacrylamide gel electrophoretic profiles of these proteins, at various times after pulse labeling, reveal that the turnover of individual polypeptides within this fraction has kinetics of synthesis and turnover which are markedly different from one another and undergo stage-specific changes.
Broadband Transparency and the Measurement Lab

Vinton Cerf graciously agreed to prepare this article for the I&M Magazine. He is the Chief Internet Evangelist for Google Inc., and he was the keynote speaker at the IEEE 2010 International Instrumentation and Measurement Technology Conference. He accepted the invitation tendered by Ruth Dyer, at the time the Instrumentation and Measurement Society's VP of Publications, to prepare this article based on that keynote address in which he both challenged the audience to pay attention to some very important issues and engaged them in interesting and lively discussion.
NO-mediated alterations in skeletal muscle nutritive blood flow and lactate metabolism in fibromyalgia.

Abstract The purpose of these investigations was to determine if differences exist in skeletal muscle nutritive blood flow and lactate metabolism in women with fibromyalgia (FM) compared to healthy women (HC); furthermore, to determine if differences in nitric oxide-mediated systems account for any detected alterations in blood flow and lactate metabolism and contribute to exertional fatigue in FM. FM ( n =8) and HC ( n =8) underwent a cycle ergometry test of aerobic capacity, a muscle biopsy for determination of nitric oxide synthase (eNOS, nNOS, iNOS) content, and microdialysis for investigation of muscle nutritive blood flow and lactate metabolism. During prolonged (3 h) resting conditions, the ethanol outflow/inflow ratio (inversely related to blood flow) increased in FM over time compared to HC ( P P P r 2 =0.462, P
Interface and meniscus widths and positions for low-speed ultracentrifuge runs.

Abstract Three No. 4 rubber stoppers placed between the drive base plate and chamber top of a Spinco model E centrifuge gave an extremely steady rotor at speeds around 1,000 rev./min. The broadening of the meniscus and of the interface of two liquid phases at low speeds is thought to be due to the diffraction of light out of the optical system from a curved surface. The entire surface appears to be curved since the meniscus and interface bands broaden both towards and away from the center of rotation as speed is reduced. The position of the meniscus (or the interface) appears to be at a distance of approximately one-third of the meniscus width from the apex of the curved surface. The width of the interfacial band can be reduced by decreasing the interfacial tension between the two liquid phases. The composition of the cell and the shape of the cell sector also appear to alter the width of the meniscus and interfacial bands.
The magnesium content of duodenal mucosa in man.

The magnesium content of duodenal mucosa was estimated in biopsy specimens from 50 patients, 43 of which had normal mucosal histopathology. There was no significant difference in the mean mucosal magnesium content of those specimens with normal and abnormal histopathology and overall the mean value was 30.9 mmol/kg dry weight of tissue, but there was a wide spread of values. The concentration of magnesium in plasma and duodenal fluid was also determined. There was no significant correlation between duodenal mucosal magnesium content and plasma magnesium concentration. However, there was a weak but statistically significant correlation between magnesium content in duodenal fluid and duodenal mucosa (r = 0.54,p < 0.001).
Global multispectral mosaics of the icy Galilean satellites

Multispectral mosaics of the three icy Galilean satellites have been produced from low- to moderate-resolution Voyager images. The digital image data have been calibrated using preflight and in-flight calibration data, and reduced to normal albedos for four-color band passes, centered at 0.35, 0.41, 0.48, and 0.59 microns. The individual images have been geometrically corrected, mosaiked, and presented in a normal cylindrical map projection at a uniform scale of 8 km/pixel. Preliminary analysis of the normal albedo data shows that (1) the darkest terrains on the satellites are the dark regions on Callisto, (2) the brightest regions are bright plains regions on Europa and bright, fresh craters on Ganymede, (3) bright craters on Ganymede and its dark, cratered regions are both significantly brighter than comparable terrains on Callisto, and (4) Europa exhibits several distinct spectral units, with regions on the trailing hemisphere having lower relative ultraviolet spectral reflectance than areas on the leading hemisphere. This is consistent with proposals that Io-related plasma impact on Europa's trailing side has altered its optical properties.
Enhancement of Measurement Efficiency for Electrical Capacitance Tomography

This paper presents a new sensing method to improve the efficiency of electrical capacitance tomography. Instead of applying one excitation signal to one electrode at a time, the multiple excitation capacitance polling (MECaP) method progressively applies an increasing number of multiple excitations to multiple electrodes and simultaneously measures the capacitance values, thereby significantly increasing the image scanning speed. The performance of a MECaP-based sensor system is numerically simulated and analyzed using the finite element method. Experimental evaluation of the numerical results demonstrates the effectiveness and efficiency of the new sensing technique and its applicability to a broad range of commercial and industrial applications where permittivity determination through capacitance measurement provides an effective means for noninvasive dynamic processes monitoring in an enclosed environment.
Robust ultra-low power sub-threshold DTMOS logic

Digital sub-threshold logic circuits have recently been proposed for applications in the ultra-low power end of the design spectrum, where the performance is of secondary importance. To improve switching performance of the sub-threshold logic family with comparable energy/switching, we propose the use of sub-DTMOS (sub-threshold Dynamic Threshold MOS) transistors. The stability of sub-threshold DTMOS logic to temperature and process variations eliminates the need of additional stabilization scheme that may be required for regular sub-threshold MOS logic families to ensure proper operation in the sub-threshold region.
A potential dichotomous role of ATF3, an adaptive-response gene, in cancer development

Activating transcription factor 3 (ATF3) is a member of the ATF/cyclic AMP response element-binding family of transcription factors. We present evidence that ATF3 has a dichotomous role in cancer development. By both gain- and loss-of-function approaches, we found that ATF3 enhances apoptosis in the untransformed MCF10A mammary epithelial cells, but protects the aggressive MCF10CA1a cells and enhances its cell motility. Array analyses indicated that ATF3 upregulates the expression of several genes in the tumor necrosis factor pathway in the MCF10A cells but upregulates the expression of several genes implicated in tumor metastasis, including TWIST1, fibronectin (FN)-1, plasminogen activator inhibitor-1, urokinase-type plasminogen activator, caveolin-1 and Slug, in the MCF10CA1a cells. We present evidence that ATF3 binds to the endogenous promoters and regulates the transcription of the TWIST1, FN-1, Snail and Slug genes. Furthermore, conditioned medium experiments indicated that ATF3 has a paracrine/autocrine effect, consistent with its upregulation of genes encoding secreted factors. Finally, ATF3 gene copy number is >2 in ∼80% of the breast tumors examined (N=48) and its protein level is elevated in ∼50% of the tumors. These results provided a correlative argument that it is advantageous for the malignant cancer cells to express ATF3, consistent with its oncogenic roles suggested by the MCF10CA1a cell data.
Interleukin-15 induces the expression of mRNAs of cytolytic mediators and augments cytotoxic activities in primary murine lymphocytes.

Interleukin-15 (IL-15) is a novel cytokine displaying biological activities that overlap those of interleukin-2 (IL-2). Like IL-2, IL-15 has been shown to be capable of stimulating the proliferation of human natural killer cells and PHA-treated T lymphocytes and of generating cytotoxic activity in stimulated lymphocyte populations. Using primary murine lymphocytes as a model in the present study, we have investigated the effects of IL-15 on the induction of the expression of mRNAs encoding different lymphocyte cytolytic mediators and the enhancement of cytolytic activities. Using reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction analysis, both IL-15 and IL-2 have been shown to induce the expression of mRNAs for perforin, granzymes A and B, interferon-gamma, and Fas ligand in primary murine splenic lymphocytes. The induction effect of IL-15 has been shown to be at least partially independent of cell proliferation. Although IL-15 and IL-2 appear to be comparably effective in inducing the expression of cytolytic mediator mRNAs, the former is less potent in eliciting functional cytolytic activity in stimulated lymphocyte populations. The inadequate cytolytic activity of IL-15-stimulated lymphocytes may in part be due to the less efficient production of cytolytic mediator proteins, e.g., perforin and granzyme A, in these cells.
Laparoscopic versus open left pancreatectomy: can preoperative factors indicate the safer technique?

Background: Laparoscopic left pancreatectomy (LLP) is associated with favorable outcomes compared with open left pancreatectomy (OLP). However, it is unclear if the risk factors associated with operative morbidity differ between these two techniques. Guidelines for determining which patients should undergo OLP versus LLP do not exist. Methods: A multi-institutional analysis of OLP and LLP performed in 9 academic medical centers was undertaken. LLP cases were defined in an intent-to-treat manner. Perioperative variables were analyzed to identify factors associated with complications and pancreatic fistulae after OLP and LLP. In addition, complication and fistula rates for patients undergoing OLP and LLP were compared in matched cohorts to determine if one approach resulted in superior outcomes over the other. Results: Six hundred and ninety-three left pancreatectomy cases (439 OLP, 254 LLP) were analyzed. OLP and LLP cases were similar with respect to patient age and American Society of Anesthesiologists score. Body mass index (BMI) was higher in patients undergoing LLP. OLP was more often performed for adenocarcinoma and larger tumors, resulted in longer resected specimen lengths, and more commonly involved concomitant splenectomy. Estimated blood loss was higher and operative times were longer during OLP. On multivariate analysis, variables associated with major complications and clinically significant fistulae differed between OLP and LLP. Patients with body mass index ≤27, without adenocarcinoma, and with pancreatic specimen length ≤8.5 cm had significantly higher rates of significant fistulae after OLP than after LLP; in contrast, no preoperatively evaluable variables were associated with a higher likelihood of significant fistula after LLP versus OLP. Conclusions: Risk factors for complications and pancreatic fistulae after left pancreatectomy differ when open versus laparoscopic techniques are employed. Preoperative characteristics may identify cohorts of patients who will benefit more from LLP, and no patient cohorts had higher postoperative complication rates after LLP than OLP. These observations suggest that LLP may be the operative procedure of choice for most patients with left-sided pancreatic lesions; a more definitive prospective and randomized comparison may be warranted.
Review of The Crisis Caravan: What's Wrong with Humanitarian Aid?

Linda Polman, drawing from over fifteen years experience reporting from war zones for a range of European radio stations and newspapers, uses rich case study analysis to posit a picture of ineffective and ill-targeted foreign assistance that departs alarmingly from the industry's claim of impartial assistance to victims of conflict. On the contrary, Ms. Polman paints a convincing portrait of captured aid, supporting the business of war and military strategy, pushing the ethical boundaries on such questions as whether doing something is always better than doing nothing, and whether good intentions are enough to warrant certain means and outcomes. She argues for greater transparency, honesty and accountability across the humanitarian assistance industry with rich, detailed accounts of areas for needed change. This is an essential read for students, practitioners and scholars of international conflict, development and aid.