cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Hormone receptors in male breast carcinoma.

It is well established that approximately 60% of female breast cancers contain estrogen receptors (ER+). The hormonal receptor status of male breast cancers remains relatively unknown. Tumor tissue from 14 patients has been reviewed at the University of Oregon Health Sciences Center. Specimens of all 14 patients were ER+ with a range of 5.5 to 374 fmol/mg protein. Eight of 12 patients had tumors which also contained progesterone receptors (PR+) with a range of 42 to 1852 fmol/mg protein. Nine patients were treated by modified radical mastectomy, two by radical mastectomy, one by simple mastectomy, and two by biopsies only. Twelve patients remain free of disease with a mean follow-up of less than 2 years. The two patients who developed metastases both responded to endocrine ablation by orchiectorny and subsequent adrenalectomy. These data suggest that male breast cancer is highly endocrine sensitive and that endocrine ablation can play an integral part in those men unfortunate enough to develop disseminated disease.
Prevalence of significant proximal colorectal neoplasia in patients with large proximal hyperplastic polyps

Prevalence of significant proximal colorectal neoplasia in patients with large proximal hyperplastic polyps
INFORMATION THEORY AND SEQUENCES OF LAND USE: AN APPLICATION

This paper addresses the question of how far into the past previous land-use patterns provide significant information concerning present or future patterns. The provision of information is viewed as a reduction in uncertainty. An information-theoretic approach that permits both statistical and graphical analysis is suggested. Application of this method to the analysis of land-use change in three townships on the fringe of Akron, Ohio suggests that, to a varying degree, the processes of change are first-order Markov processes.
Ab initio study of [2,3] sigmatropic rearrangement of allylic nitroxides and sulfoxides

Abstract The [2,3] sigmatropic rearrangement of allylic nitroxides and sulfoxides was studied by ab initio methods. The geometries of the reactants and the transition structures are generated by using RHF/3-21G∗, RHF/6-31+G∗, and MP2/6-31+G∗ theoretical models. The energies were evaluated by single MP3/6-31+G∗ and MP4/6-31+G∗ single point calculations on MP2/6-31+G∗ geometries. The results of this study showed that the allylic sulfoxides are more reactive than allylic nitroxides and that the major product of allyl sulfoxide rearrangement will be formed from the endo transition structure.
Detecting understory plant invasion in urban forests using LiDAR

Abstract Light detection and ranging (LiDAR) data are increasingly used to measure structural characteristics of urban forests but are rarely used to detect the growing problem of exotic understory plant invaders. We explored the merits of using LiDAR-derived metrics alone and through integration with spectral data to detect the spatial distribution of the exotic understory plant Ligustrum sinense, a rapidly spreading invader in the urbanizing region of Charlotte, North Carolina, USA. We analyzed regional-scale L. sinense occurrence data collected over the course of three years with LiDAR-derived metrics of forest structure that were categorized into the following groups: overstory, understory, topography, and overall vegetation characteristics, and IKONOS spectral features – optical. Using random forest (RF) and logistic regression (LR) classifiers, we assessed the relative contributions of LiDAR and IKONOS derived variables to the detection of L. sinense. We compared the top performing models developed for a smaller, nested experimental extent using RF and LR classifiers, and used the best overall model to produce a predictive map of the spatial distribution of L. sinense across our country-wide study extent. RF classification of LiDAR-derived topography metrics produced the highest mapping accuracy estimates, outperforming IKONOS data by 17.5% and the integration of LiDAR and IKONOS data by 5.3%. The top performing model from the RF classifier produced the highest kappa of 64.8%, improving on the parsimonious LR model kappa by 31.1% with a moderate gain of 6.2% over the county extent model. Our results demonstrate the superiority of LiDAR-derived metrics over spectral data and fusion of LiDAR and spectral data for accurately mapping the spatial distribution of the forest understory invader L. sinense.
Multi-user operation at an FEL facility

Abstract We have implemented a control system for the free electron laser (FEL) and its linear accelerator which allows us to produce independently controlled FEL beams multiplexed on a macropulse time scale. In this paper, we discuss the generation of multiple beams at Stanford. We go on to describe FEL beam diagnostics, the separation of multiple optical beams when generated using a single undulator, and finally optical beam distribution.
Key Performance Indicators of the MICE Industry and the Top 25 United States and Canadian CVBs

ABSTRACT The conventions and meetings industry is very large and has many stakeholders. Several trade associations monitor and report industry activity; however, no one single document aggregates the various industry indicators. Approximately 15 years ago, the Chicago Convention and Tourism Bureau started an annual survey of convention and visitors bureaus (CVBs) regarding key performance indicators (KPIs). Additionally, other industry secondary data (e.g., labor rates and average daily airlift) were collected. In January of 2005, 111 CVBs in the United States and Canada were sent a self-administered survey. This report documents these findings with recommendations supporting standardization of recordkeeping and key performance indicator calculations.
The great escape: another way for melanoma to leave physiological control?

Melanocyte growth is tightly controlled by a complex network of cell-cell communications and soluble growth factors. In situations where this delicate homeostasis is upset, the same melanocyte growth factors probably lead to the uncontrolled cell growth associated with melanoma. In this issue of the JID a paper byStove and colleagues (2003) adds yet another member to the growing list of growth factors implicated in melanocyte control. The newest members of this ever-expanding family are the Heregulins (HRG), which are ligands for the 4-membered human epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) family (also known as HER1-4 and ErbB1-4). The HER family of receptors is well known to cancer biologists as its members are often aberrantly overexpressed or mutated in a number of human tumors. Greater understanding of the HER/HRG system has led to therapeutic advances, with a humanized antibody (Herceptin Genetech, San Francisco, CA) to the HER2 receptor being used to treat metastatic breast cancer.
Appointment adherence and disparities in outcomes among patients with diabetes

Background Successful control of diabetes mellitus requires lifelong adherence to multiple self-management activities in close collaboration with health professionals. We examined the association of such control with appointment keeping behavior in a rural health system.
A review of micro and nanomachining from a materials perspective

Abstract This paper reviews the current state-of-the-art surrounding the development of micro and nanomachining processes viewed from a materials’ perspective. The paper begins by reviewing the theory of machining at the micro and nanoscale, and then introduces the reader to the advantages associated with ultra high speed machining. However, the heterogeneous nature of the material being machined has a profound effect on tool wear. Therefore, an extensive part of the paper is devoted to the development of cutting tool materials, coatings and extremely high speed machining regimes. Specially constructed machine tools are required to use these cutting tools at speeds in excess of one million revolutions per minute. This review provides a timely explanation of the literature that surrounds the advances made in micro and nanomachining from a materials’ perspective.
Bio-inspired Dynamic 3D Discriminative Skeletal Features for Human Action Recognition

Over the last few years, with the immense popularity of the Kinect, there has been renewed interest in developing methods for human gesture and action recognition from 3D data. A number of approaches have been proposed that extract representative features from 3D depth data, a reconstructed 3D surface mesh or more commonly from the recovered estimate of the human skeleton. Recent advances in neuroscience have discovered a neural encoding of static 3D shapes in primate infero-temporal cortex that can be represented as a hierarchy of medial axis and surface features. We hypothesize a similar neural encoding might also exist for 3D shapes in motion and propose a hierarchy of dynamic medial axis structures at several spatio-temporal scales that can be modeled using a set of Linear Dynamical Systems (LDSs). We then propose novel discriminative metrics for comparing these sets of LDSs for the task of human activity recognition. Combined with simple classification frameworks, our proposed features and corresponding hierarchical dynamical models provide the highest human activity recognition rates as compared to state-of-the-art methods on several skeletal datasets.
A Discontinuous Finite Element Analysis of Transient Temperature Response in Semi-Transparent Media Induced by Pulsing Lasers

A discontinuous Galerkin finite element formulation is presented for the simulation of the transient temperature distribution in a semi-transparent medium heated by an extra-fast pulsing laser. For this problem, the classic Fourier law breaks down and the thermal effects are described by a hyperbolic heat conduction equation coupled with internal radiative heat transfer. These coupled equations are solved using the discontinuous finite element method, which is particularly suited for problems of the hyperbolic type. In the paper, the discontinuous finite element formulation is presented and numerical fluxes are determined by enforcing the stability of the numerical method. Numerical analysis of the transient temperature response induced by a laser pulse is conducted for a one-dimensional semi-transparent slab with black boundaries. The numerical simulation demonstrates the non-Fourier characteristic of thermal wave behaviors in the slab, and the results from radiation-conduction coupling calculations show that the internal radiation helps to reduce the non-Fourier effects in the media.Copyright © 2004 by ASME
High-speed Electro-Optical Signal Conversion Devices

Interferometric waveguide modulators famed by Ti diffusion in LiNb03 are under development for use in a high-speed electrooptic analog-to-digital (A/D) converter operating in the 6-bit 1-GS/sec range. The operational principles of these modulators and the design considerations for the A/D converter will be reviewed and the operational characteristics of the fabricated waveguide modulators will be described. The devices have a 17-dB extinction ratio and modulation at 1.4 GHz has been demonstrated. To simulate the A/D conversion application, the modulators have also been used in conjunction with a frequency-doubled mode-locked Nd:YAG laser to sample a 69-MHz signal at 275 MS/sec.© (1980) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Improving snow cover mapping in forests through the use of a canopy reflectance model

MODIS, the moderate resolution imaging spectroradiometer, will be launched in 1998 as part of the first earth observing system (EOS) platform. Global maps of land surface properties, including snow cover, will be created from MODIS imagery. The MODIS snow-cover mapping algorithm that will be used to produce daily maps of global snow cover extent at 500 m resolution is currently under development. With the exception of cloud cover, the largest limitation to producing a global daily snow cover product using MODIS is the presence of a forest canopy. A Landsat Thematic Mapper (TM) time-series of the southern Boreal Ecosystem-Atmosphere Study (BOREAS) study area in Prince Albert National Park, Saskatchewan, was used to evaluate the performance of the current MODIS snow-cover mapping algorithm in varying forest types. A snow reflectance model was used in conjunction with a canopy reflectance model (GeoSAIL) to model the reflectance of a snow-covered forest stand. Using these coupled models, the effects of varying forest type, canopy density, snow grain size and solar illumination geometry on the performance of the MODIS snow-cover mapping algorithm were investigated. Using both the TM images and the reflectance models, two changes to the current MODIS snow-cover mapping algorithm are proposed that will improve the algorithm's classification accuracy in forested areas. The improvements include using the normalized difference snow index and normalized difference vegetation index in combination to discriminate better between snow-covered and snow-free forests. A minimum albedo threshold of 10% in the visible wavelengths is also proposed. This will prevent dense forests with very low visible albedos from being classified incorrectly as snow. These two changes increase the amount of snow mapped in forests on snow-covered TM scenes, and decrease the area incorrectly identified as snow on non-snow-covered TM scenes.
On sources and networks: Can computational tools derive information theoretic limits?

A source-network coding problem is defined by a set of communication devices (nodes), a collection of error-free, capacitated channels (links) through which they communicate, a collection of random processes (sources) available at some nodes in the network, and a set of requirements (demands) to reconstruct those sources. The limits of such a system's performance are described by a set of achievable distortion vectors; each vector in the relative interior of this set captures the accuracies with which a single code reconstructs the demands at all receivers. The goal of this work is to build computational tools to derive provable inner and outer bounds on the set of achievable distortions for any source-network coding problem.
Getting From Red to Green: A Story of Change.

Background: The turnover rate (employee separations) of healthcare workers has created a cycle of exhaustion and discontent. High turnover affects the institution's ability to consistently provide high-quality care and increases institutional costs related to the recruitment, orientation, and lower productivity of newly hired staff. Methods: This is an Oklahoma University Medical System (OUMS) performance improvement educational intervention study. We will use a 5-year longitudinal design with repeated measures to examine the effect of diffusion of the HeartMath Healthcare Program Revitalizing Care techniques within OUMS. The variables include pre and post training scores on the Personal and Organizational Quality Assessment questionnaire (POQA-R), scores on the independently administered OUMS Annual Employee Engagement Survey, and separations from OUMS as reported by the human resources department as turnover rates. Employees of the OUMS were trained in cohorts of less than 20. The training sessions incl...
AP-S AdCom Minutes

Jennifer Bernhard welcomed the new AdCom members: Peter de Maagt, George Elefiheraides, Jay Kralovec, Giuliano Manara, and Prabhakar Pathak; and the new President Elect, Makoto Ando. She also thanked the out-going Past President, L. Wilson Pearson and the out-going AdComn members: Mike Jensen, Leo Kempel, Brian Kent, Eric Michielssen, and Tapan Sarkar for their four years of service. Several committee chairs have been changed: Jeff Young will be replaced as Chapter Activities Chair by Leo Kempel; Wilson Pearson will be replaced as Publications Chair by Allen Glisson; Lance Griffiths will be replaced by Ryan Adams as the GOLD representative; Magdy Iskander will be replaced by Andy Peterson as Awards Committee Chair; Dan Weile has resigned as co-Chair of the Membership Committee; and Ozlem. Kilic is replacing Jennifer Bernhard as Chair of the Constitution and Bylaws Committee.
Hormonal and Dietary Characteristics in Obese Human Subjects with and without Food Addiction

The concept of food addiction (FA) is a potentially important contributing factor to the development of obesity in the general population; however, little is known about the hormonal and dietary differences between obesity with and without FA. Therefore, the aim of our study was to explore potential biomarkers, including various hormones and neuropeptides, which regulate appetite and metabolism, and dietary components that could potentially differentiate obesity with and without FA. Of the 737 adults recruited from the general Newfoundland population, 58 food-addicted and non-food-addicted overweight/obese individuals (FAO, NFO) matched for age, sex, BMI and physical activity were selected. A total of 34 neuropeptides, gut hormones, pituitary polypeptide hormones and adipokines were measured in fasting serum. We found that the FAO group had lower levels of TSH, TNF-α and amylin, but higher levels of prolactin, as compared to NFO group. The total calorie intake (per kg body weight), the dietary intake of fat (per g/kg body weight, per BMI and per percentage of trunk fat) and the percent calorie intake from fat and carbohydrates (g/kg) was higher in the FAO group compared to the NFO group. The FAO subjects consumed more sugar, minerals (including sodium, potassium, calcium and selenium), fat and its components (such as saturated, monounsaturated and trans fat), omega 3 and 6, vitamin D and gamma-tocopherol compared to the NFO group. To our knowledge, this is the first study indicating possible differences in hormonal levels and micro-nutrient intakes between obese individuals classified with and without food addiction. The findings provide insights into the mechanisms by which FA could contribute to obesity.
The photoproduction of circumstellar OH maser shells

The structure of OH shells formed from the photodestruction of H2O by ambient UV photons in the thick, expanding envelopes around cool evolved stars is investigated. The properties of the shells are governed mainly by the envelope shielding which in turn is primarily controlled by the mass-loss rate M. The peak OH densities and column densities through the shells are, respectively, slowly decreasing and increasing functions of M. The characteristic radii of the shells also depend on M, increasing from about 4(15) cm for M = 1(-6) solar mass/yr to about 1(17) cm for M = 1(-4) solar mass/yr; this dependence is well matched by recent observational data, and lends support to the OH photoproduction mechanism.
Comparison of the expression of two highly homologous members of the soybean ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase small subunit gene family.

Two soybean ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase small subunit (SSU) genes, SRS1 and SRS4, are highly homologous over a region that includes 4 kb of 5′ and 1 kb of 3′ flanking sequences. The expression of these genes was compared using synthetic oligonucleotide probes. Analysis of a soybean leaf cDNA library indicates that SRS1 and SRS4 are the most highly expressed members of the soybean SSU gene family. Similar changes were observed in the RNA levels for these genes in response to white light, far-red light and darkness, although SRS1 was expressed at a four-fold higher level in total RNA than SRS4 under all conditions. However, nuclear run-on assays indicate that SRS 1 is transcribed at a lower rate than SRS4, which suggests that SRS1 RNA is more stable. S1 nuclease analysis and oligonucleotide directed RNase H cleavage indicate that transcripts from both genes are polyadenylated within two principle regions separated by 35 nt. Sequence analysis of 16 independent cDNA clones identified seven different polyadenylation sites, and six of these sites lie within these two regions. Although SRS1 RNA was poorly recovered during poly(A)+ fractionation, RNase H cleavage experiments showed that transcripts from SRS1 and SRS4 had similar poly (A) tail lengths ranging from 0 to 220 nt. In addition, and despite differences in the untranslated leader sequences, SRS1 and SRS4 RNAs are assembled into polysomes with equal efficiencies. The overall similarity in expression patterns for these two genes further illustrates the coordinate evolution of individual members of a SSU gene family and is consistent with the proposal that gene conversion homogenizes both the coding and regulatory regions of these genes.
Accuracy of chest computerized tomography in detecting malignant hilar and mediastinal involvement by squamous cell carcinoma of the lung

The accuracy of chest computerized tomography (CT) in detecting malignant hilar and mediastinal involvement by squamous cell carcinoma of the lung is examined. The preoperative chest CT scans of 74 patients with pathologically proven squamous cell lung carcinoma were prospectively and retrospectively reviewed. Criteria for the diagnosis of malignant hilar involvement were nonvascular mass enlarging the hilum; local alteration of hilar contour; adenopathy greater than 1 cm; thickened posterior wall of the bronchus intermedius and distal upper lobe bronchi; and bronchial displacement, compression, and obstruction. Criteria for the diagnosis of malignant mediastinal involvement were confluence of tumor with the mediastinum, altered contour of the azygoesophageal recess, thickened posterior wall of the proximal main stem bronchi, and mediastinal adenopathy greater than 1 cm. Calcified hilar and mediastinal nodes were considered benign. Our results, corrected for reader error, were 92% sensitive, 92% specific, and 96% accurate in the hilum and 95% sensitive, 77% specific, and 82% accurate in the mediastinum. These data support a significant role for chest CT in the preoperative staging of non small cell lung carcinoma.
Treatment of Multidrug‐Resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa Using Extended‐Infusion Antimicrobial Regimens

In the management of multidrug-resistant infections in critically ill patients with multiorgan dysfunction, consideration must be given to the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of an antimicrobial agent to optimize dosing. We describe a 25-year-old woman who was undergoing thrice-weekly hemodialysis and developed multidrug-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa bacteremia secondary to infected left and right ventricular assist devices. After multiple courses of antibiotics, her blood cultures revealed that the infecting organism was becoming progressively more resistant to antibiotic options. Cefepime 2 g administered over 3 hours/day (in combination with colistimethate) provided adequate drug levels for multidrug-resistant, cefepime-intermediate P. aeruginosa bacteremia in this patient. We present the clinical case of this patient, followed by a discussion of possible therapeutic approaches to be considered, including illustration of the principles of using extended-infusion antimicrobial regimens, and present the patient's resulting clinical course.
Three New Regulators of Swarming in Vibrio parahaemolyticus

Movement on surfaces, or swarming motility, is effectively mediated by the lateral flagellar (laf) system in Vibrio parahaemolyticus. Expression of laf is induced by conditions inhibiting rotation of the polar flagellum, which is used for swimming in liquid. However, not all V. parahaemolyticus isolates swarm proficiently. The organism undergoes phase variation between opaque (OP) and translucent (TR) cell types. The OP cell produces copious capsular polysaccharide and swarms poorly, whereas the TR type produces minimal capsule and swarms readily. OP↔TR switching is often the result of genetic alterations in the opaR locus. Previously, OpaR, a Vibrio harveyi LuxR homolog, was shown to activate expression of the cpsA locus, encoding capsular polysaccharide biosynthetic genes. Here, we show that OpaR also regulates swarming by repressing laf gene expression. However, in the absence of OpaR, the swarming phenotype remains tightly surface regulated. To further investigate the genetic controls governing swarming, transposon mutagenesis of a TR (ΔopaR1) strain was performed, and SwrT, a TetR-type regulator, was identified. Loss of swrT, a homolog of V. harveyi luxT, created a profound defect in swarming. This defect could be rescued upon isolation of suppressor mutations that restored swarming. One class of suppressors mapped in swrZ, encoding a GntR-type transcriptional regulator. Overexpression of swrZ repressed laf expression. Using reporter fusions and quantitative reverse transcription-PCR, SwrT was demonstrated to repress swrZ transcription. Thus, we have identified the regulatory link that inhibits swarming of OP strains and have begun to elucidate a regulatory circuit that modulates swarming in TR strains.
Composite Y internal thoracic artery-saphenous vein grafts: short-term angiographic results and vasoreactive profile.

Abstract Background The angiographic patency of composite Y internal thoracic artery–saphenous vein grafts has not been investigated in detail. Methods Twenty-five patients who received composite Y internal thoracic artery–saphenous vein grafts had control angiography and vasoactive challenges with serotonin, acetylcholine, and isosorbide dinitrate at a mean of 2.5 ± 1.2 years after surgery. Results The perfect patency rate of composite Y internal thoracic artery–saphenous vein grafts was 72% (18/25). The distal portion of the internal thoracic artery was stringed in 4 patients and occluded in 2. The saphenous branch of the composite Y internal thoracic artery–saphenous vein grafts was found patent in all patients except 1. No failures were reported in the proximal tract of the internal thoracic artery. The distal tract of the internal thoracic artery showed reduced capacity of endothelium-mediated relaxation. Conclusion The short-term patency of composite Y internal thoracic artery–saphenous vein grafts is suboptimal and markedly influenced by distal runoff and native flow competition.
LAND USE PLANNING AND URBAN SPATIAL STRUCTURE

(1988). LAND USE PLANNING AND URBAN SPATIAL STRUCTURE. Urban Geography: Vol. 9, Women and Employment, pp. 209-216.
High molecular weight protein aggregates in x-ray-induced cataract.

Abstract The nature and the possible mechanism of formation of high molecular weight (HMW) protein aggregates were studied in X-ray-induced cataract in rabbit. The HMW protein fraction (molecular weight >4×10 6 daltons) which constituted approximately 18% of the total soluble protein in both the cataractous cortex and nucleus was isolated by gel filtration chromatography. The concentration of sulfhydryl (-SH) groups per milligram of protein in the HMW fraction was three times higher than that of normal α-crystallin. In addition, 50% of the total concentration of sulfhydryl groups contained in the HMW protein was found to be present in the oxidized state; the increased oxidation of protein -SH groups in the X-irradiated lens being observed only during the final stage of cataract which was marked by complete opacity. Treatment of HMW protein with dithioerythritol and subsequent refractionation yielded two peaks; peak I which eluted as α-crystallin and the second fraction (peak II) which eluted in the position of low molecular weight β-crystallin. Peak I accounted for approximately 40% of the deaggregated protein and peak II 60%. There was little protein eluted in the position of γ-crystallin. Thus, it appears that the HMW protein of X-ray-induced cataract is comprised of both α- and β-crystallins joined by intermolecular disulfide bonds. SDS (sodium dodecyl sulfate) electrophoresis of HMW protein and peaks I and II showed that the major bands of both peaks I and II were represented in the bands exhibited by the HMW protein. The electrophoretic mobilities of the major bands of peaks I and II were similar to those of α-crystallin and β-crystallin, respectively. The amino acid composition of peak I was found to be comparable to α-crystallin while the composition of peak II was similar to β-crystallin with the major exception that the hydrolysates of proteins in both peaks I and II were nearly lacking in tyrosine.
Pulsating turbidity currents with relationship to high swell and high tides

THE Rio Balsas of Mexico has built a delta into the Pacific at latitude 18°N, virtually covering the narrow shelf, where the seaward slope is cut by numerous valleys. In 1967, during a period of large swell, Reimnitz1 made a SCUBA dive to 18 m in a tributary of the Rio Balsas Canyon (Fig. 1) and encountered downcanyon current pulses estimated at more than 1 m s−1. We visited the area on the RV Ellen B. Scripps in April 1975 and placed a current meter in Rio Balsas Canyon at a depth of 285 m. During the 5-d recording, a period of rather heavy swell occurred. This was indicated on our tide record (taken ∼ 0.5 km inside the river estuary) by wave-induced oscillations with amplitudes up to 20 cm at periods of about 3 or 4 min. These persisted for approximately 36 h (Fig. 2). High swell was also observed on our fathometer records during traverses nearshore, and wave heights up to ∼ 5 m were seen, considerably larger than during the rest of our study.
Inverting a Steady-State

We consider the problem of inferring choices made by users based only on aggregate data containing the relative popularity of each item. We propose a framework that models the problem as that of inferring a Markov chain given a stationary distribution. Formally, we are given a graph and a target steady-state distribution on its nodes. We are also give a mapping from per-node scores to a transition matrix, from a broad family of such mappings. The goal is to set the scores of each node such that the resulting transition matrix induces the desired steady state. We prove sufficient conditions under which this problem is feasible and, for the feasible instances, obtain a simple algorithm for a generic version of the problem. This iterative algorithm provably finds the unique solution to this problem and has a polynomial rate of convergence; in practice we find that the algorithm converges after fewer than ten iterations. We then apply this framework to choice problems in online settings and show that our algorithm is able to explain the observed data and predict the user choices much better than other competing baselines across a variety of diverse datasets.
Structural basis for 2'-phosphate incorporation into glycogen by glycogen synthase.

Glycogen is a glucose polymer that contains minor amounts of covalently attached phosphate. Hyperphosphorylation is deleterious to glycogen structure and can lead to Lafora disease. Recently, it was demonstrated that glycogen synthase catalyzes glucose–phosphate transfer in addition to its characteristic glucose transfer reaction. Glucose-1,2-cyclic-phosphate (GCP) was proposed to be formed from UDP-Glc breakdown and subsequently transferred, thus providing a source of phosphate found in glycogen. To gain further insight into the molecular basis for glucose–phosphate transfer, two structures of yeast glycogen synthase were determined; a 3.0-A resolution structure of the complex with UMP/GCP and a 2.8-A resolution structure of the complex with UDP/glucose. Structural superposition of the complexes revealed that the bound ligands and most active site residues are positioned similarly, consistent with the use of a common transfer mechanism for both reactions. The N-terminal domain of the UDP⋅glucose complex was found to be 13.3° more closed compared with a UDP complex. However, the UMP⋅GCP complex was 4.8° less closed than the glucose complex, which may explain the low efficiency of GCP transfer. Modeling of either α- or β-glucose or a mixture of both anomers can account for the observed electron density of the UDP⋅glucose complex. NMR studies of UDP-Glc hydrolysis by yeast glycogen synthase were used to verify the stereochemistry of the product, and they also showed synchronous GCP accumulation. The similarities in the active sites of glycogen synthase and glycogen phosphorylase support the idea of a common catalytic mechanism in GT-B enzymes independent of the specific reaction catalyzed.
Confidence based dual reinforcement Q-routing: an adaptive online network routing algorithm

This paper describes and evaluates the Confidence-based Dual Reinforcement Q-Routing algorithm (CDRQ-Routing) for adaptive packet routing in communication networks. CDRQ-Routing is based on the Q-learning framework of Q-Routing. The main contribution of this work is the increased quantity and improved quality of exploration in CDRQ-Routing, which lead to faster adaptation and better routing policies learned as compared to Q-Routing, the state-of-the-art adaptive Bellman-Ford Routing, and the non-adaptive shortest path routing. Experiments over several network topologies have shown that at different loads, CDRQ-Routing learns superior policies significantly faster than Q-Routing. Moreover, CDRQ-Routing learns policies that sustain higher load levels than Q-Routing. Analysis shows that overhead due to exploration is insignificant as eqmpared to the improvements in CDRQ-Routing.
Evaluation of Cycle-Count Policies for Supply Chains with Inventory Inaccuracy and Implications on RFID Investments

Inventory record inaccuracy leads to ineffective replenishment decisions and deteriorates supply chain performance. Conducting cycle counts (i.e., periodic inventory auditing) is a common approach to correcting inventory records. It is not clear, however, how inaccuracy at different locations affects supply chain performance and how an effective cycle-count program for a multi-stage supply chain should be designed. This paper aims to answer these questions by considering a serial supply chain that has inventory record inaccuracy and operates under local base-stock policies. A random error, representing a stock loss, such as shrinkage or spoilage, reduces the physical inventory at each location in each period. The errors are cumulative and are not observed until a location performs a cycle count. We provide a simple recursion to evaluate the system cost and propose a heuristic to obtain effective base-stock levels. For a two-stage system with identical error distributions and counting costs, we prove that it is more effective to conduct more frequent cycle counts at the downstream stage. In a numerical study for more general systems, we find that location (proximity to the customer), error rates, and counting costs are primary factors that determine which stages should get a higher priority when allocating cycle counts. However, it is in general not effective to allocate all cycle counts to the priority stages only. One should balance cycle counts between priority stages and non-priority stages by considering secondary factors such as lead times, holding costs, and the supply chain length. In particular, more cycle counts should be allocated to a stage when the ratio of its lead time to the total system lead time is small and the ratio of its holding cost to the total system holding cost is large. In addition, more cycle counts should be allocated to downstream stages when the number of stages in the supply chain is large. The analysis and insights generated from our study can be used to design guidelines or scorecard systems that help managers design better cycle-count policies. Finally, we discuss implications of our study on RFID investments in a supply chain.
Detecting Compromised Nodes in Wireless Sensor Networks

While wireless sensor networks are proving to be a versatile tool, many of the applications in which they are implemented have sensitive data. In other words, security is crucial in many of these applications. Once a sensor node has been compromised, the security of the network degrades quickly if there are not measures taken to deal with this event. There have been many approaches researched to tackle the issue. In this paper, we look into an anomaly-based intrusion detection system to detect compromised nodes in wireless sensor networks. An algorithm to detect the compromised sensor nodes has been developed. Simulations are conducted to verify the design.
Eribulin Mesylate: Mechanism of Action of a Unique Microtubule-Targeting Agent

Eribulin mesylate (eribulin), an analog of the marine natural product halichondrin B, is a microtubule-depolymerizing drug that has utility in the treatment of patients with breast cancer. Clinical trial results have demonstrated that eribulin treatment provides a survival advantage to patients with metastatic or locally advanced breast cancer previously treated with an anthracycline and a taxane. Furthermore, a pooled analysis of two pivotal phase III trials has demonstrated that eribulin also improves overall survival in several patient subgroups, including in women with human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-negative disease and triple-negative breast cancer. This review covers the preclinical research that led to the clinical testing and approval of eribulin, as well as subsequent research that was prompted by distinct and unexpected effects of eribulin in the clinic. Initial studies with halichondrin B, and then eribulin, demonstrated unique effects on tubulin binding that resulted in distinct microtubule-dependent events and antitumor actions. Consistent with the actions of the natural product, eribulin has potent microtubule-depolymerizing activities and properties that distinguish it from other microtubule targeting agents. Here, we review new results that further differentiate the effects of eribulin from other agents on peripheral nerves, angiogenesis, vascular remodeling and epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition. Together, these data highlight the distinct properties of eribulin and begin to delineate the mechanisms behind the increased survival benefit provided by eribulin for patients.
Compliance Effect on Amplitude and Phase of Cranio-Spinal CSF Flow Measured by MRI

Intracranial compliance (ICC) determines the ability of the intracranial space to accommodate increase in volume without a large increase in pressure. Indirect and direct approaches have been proposed for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-based noninvasive estimation of ICC from measured cerebral blood and cerebral spinal fluid (CSF) flow dynamics to and from the cranium during the cardiac cycle. The indirect measures are based on phase lag between the CSF flow and its driving force, either arterial inflow or net transcranial blood flow. The direct approach estimates ICC from the ratio of the volume and pressure changes during the cardiac cycle. This study compares the sensitivity of indirect and direct measures of ICC to changes in ICC. In vivo volumetric blood and CSF flows measured by MRI phase contrast from healthy volunteers and from patients with elevated ICP were used for the comparison. We utilized an RLC circuit model of the cranio-spinal system to simulate the effect of a change in ICC on the CSF flow waveform. These simulations quantify the affect of changes in intracranial compliance on phase and amplitude and further demonstrate that amplitude based measures such as the one used in the direct approach are a more sensitive and reliable estimate of ICC than the phase based indirect approach.
Optimal decentralized control of linear systems via Groebner bases and variable elimination

We consider the problem of optimal decentralized controller synthesis. There are several classes of such problems for which effective algorithms are known, including the quadratically invariant cases. In this paper, we use Groebner bases and elimination methods to characterize all the possible closed-loop maps which are obtainable by forming a feedback loop with decentralized controllers. We show that this approach allows solution of a strictly wider class of optimal decentralized control problems than the quadratically invariant ones
A stereotaxic instrument for man

Abstract A human stereotaxic instrument has been in use since 1960 which embodies the following features: (1) Localization is achieved by fractional pneumography by routine demonstration of both the anterior and posterior commissures without the use of radiopaque oils. (2) Permits use with standard X-ray equipment. (3) Permits full surgical draping. (4) Instrument may be aligned with the intracerebral axes. (5) Full three plan graduated movement. (6) Permits skull entry at any point (apart from the central area at the vertex which underlies the apparatus) without the use of phantom target points or recomputation. (7) Precise realignment for staged procedures.
Predictive Value of Compression Ultrasonography for Deep Vein Thrombosis in Symptomatic Outpatients: Clinical Implications of the Site of Vein Noncompressibility

Background Compression ultrasonography has a high negative predictive value for deep vein thrombosis in symptomatic outpatients. Limited data are available on factors influencing positive predictive value. The objective of this study was to evaluate the positive predictive value of compression ultrasonography according to the anatomic site of vein noncompressibility. Methods We performed a prospective cohort study of 756 consecutive outpatients with suspected first-episode deep vein thrombosis. Compression ultrasonography was performed at the initial visit: results were abnormal if a noncompressible segment was identified or normal if all segments were fully compressible. Venography was performed in patients with abnormal compression ultrasonography results. Positive predictive value was determined according to the site of noncompressibility: common femoral vein only, popliteal vein only, or both sites. Venography was the reference standard for the presence of deep vein thrombosis. Results Positive predictive value was 16.7% (95% confidence interval, 0.4%-64.1%) for noncompressibility isolated to the common femoral vein compared with 91.3% (95% confidence interval, 72.0%-98.9%) for the popliteal vein only and 94.4% (95% confidence interval, 72.7%-99.9%) for both sites (P Conclusions The positive predictive value of noncompressibility isolated to the common femoral vein is too low to be used alone as the diagnostic end point for giving anticoagulant therapy. Noncompressibility isolated to the common femoral vein is a diagnostic marker for pelvic disease.
Impact of low-impedance substrate on power supply integrity

Although it is tempting to think of the power grid as an independent medium of the transfer of energy from the package to the devices in the IC, some second-order technology-related effects can sometimes cause unforeseen problems. This article focuses especially on the relationship of the power delivery system to the silicon substrate properties, and shows how a low-impendance substrate can make a substantial difference in the noise generated by the power grid.
Noncoding transcription controls downstream promoters to regulate T‐cell receptor α recombination

The T early α (TEA) promoter in the murine Tcra locus generates noncoding transcripts that extend across the 65 kb Jα array. Here, we have analyzed the significance of TEA transcription for Tcra locus regulation through the targeted introduction of a transcription terminator downstream of the TEA promoter. We demonstrate that noncoding transcription driven by this single promoter can instruct both positively and negatively the activity of downstream Jα promoters, and can similarly instruct alterations in Jα chromatin structure and Jα recombination. TEA transcription activates promoters associated with relatively proximal Jα segments and stimulates histone acetylation, histone methylation and chromatin accessibility in this region. In contrast, at more distal locations, TEA transcription inhibits promoter activity through transcriptional interference and suppresses chromatin accessibility. In combination, these effects target initial Vα-to-Jα recombination to TEA-proximal Jα segments and promote the ordered usage of the Jα array. The ability of TEA transcription to coordinate the activity of multiple downstream promoters maximizes the biological potential of the Jα array and diversifies the Tcra repertoire.
An ‘all-human’ diet decreases days of parenteral nutrition compared with formula in premature infants

Commentary on: Cristofalo EA, Schanler RJ, Blanco CL, et al. Randomised trial of exclusive human milk versus preterm formula diets in extremely premature infants. J Pediatr 2013;163:1592–5.e1.[OpenUrl][1][CrossRef][2][PubMed][3][Web of Science][4] Necrotising enterocolitis (NEC) is a common and devastating disease among premature infants. Mother's own milk significantly decreases the risk of NEC; whether this benefit is due to protective factors in human milk or harmful factors in infant formula or both is unclear. Current recommendations in the USA are to provide pasteurised donor human milk (PDHM) when mother's own milk is not available.1 However, pasteurisation alters many of the immunoprotective human milk proteins. Most extremely premature infants require fortification of human milk to achieve adequate growth. While most human milk fortifiers are made from bovine milk, the studied fortifier is made from concentrated PDHM, providing the possibility of an ‘all-human’ … [1]: {openurl}?query=rft.jtitle%253DJ%2BPediatr%26rft.volume%253D163%26rft.spage%253D1592%26rft_id%253Dinfo%253Adoi%252F10.1016%252Fj.jpeds.2013.07.011%26rft_id%253Dinfo%253Apmid%252F23968744%26rft.genre%253Darticle%26rft_val_fmt%253Dinfo%253Aofi%252Ffmt%253Akev%253Amtx%253Ajournal%26ctx_ver%253DZ39.88-2004%26url_ver%253DZ39.88-2004%26url_ctx_fmt%253Dinfo%253Aofi%252Ffmt%253Akev%253Amtx%253Actx [2]: /lookup/external-ref?access_num=10.1016/j.jpeds.2013.07.011&link_type=DOI [3]: /lookup/external-ref?access_num=23968744&link_type=MED&atom=%2Febmed%2F19%2F4%2F142.atom [4]: /lookup/external-ref?access_num=000327543200016&link_type=ISI
The Effects of Passivation Thickness and Initial Aluminum Line Stress on Electromigration Behavior

The electromigration behavior of pure Al lines passivated with oxides of different thicknesses and passivation deposition temperatures was studied. The initial hydrostatic stress states of the passivated Al lines were modeled with finite element modeling (FEM), and, when possible, measured with X-ray diffraction. Conventional wafer-level electromigration tests showed a clear passivation thickness effect, but no detectable effect of initial stress on electromigration lifetimes. Increasing the passivation thickness increased the electromigration lifetimes, which has been observed by other researchers. However, in a sample set where the Al lines were covered with a thin (0. 1μm) oxide layer, the lifetimes were much longer than expected. Differences in the damage morphology and the failure mechanism between the thin and thicker oxides accounted for this unexpected result.
Expression and function of a proapoptotic Bcl-2 family member Bcl-XL/Bcl-2-associated death promoter (BAD) in rat ovary.

Bcl-2-related anti- and proapoptotic proteins are important in the decision step of the intracellular death program upstream from the caspase proteases. Targeted overexpression of Bcl-2 in ovarian somatic cells of transgenic mice leads to decreased apoptosis of granulosa cells and is associated with higher ovulation rate, increased litter size, and ovarian teratoma formation. The ability of exogenous Bcl-2 proteins to promote follicle cell survival suggests that the transgene can bind to endogenous ovarian Bcl-2 family members and modulate the intracellular apoptosis process in favor of cell survival. We used the yeast two-hybrid system to search for ovarian Bcl-2 interacting proteins. The screening of an ovarian fusion complementary DNA library yielded several clones encoding for the death agonist Bcl-XL/Bcl-2-associated death promoter (BAD). Dimerization of Bcl-2-related proteins mediated by the consensus Bcl-2 homology (BH) domains is essential for their apoptosis-regulating function. Consistent with t...