cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Human large‐bowel cancer: Correlation of clinical and histopathological features with banded chromosomes

Clinical and histopathological features were correlated with cytogenetic banding studies on direct preparations from 31 large-bowel tumors. An interesting relationship between the site and the karyotypes of the tumors was observed. There appears to be a progressive increase in chromosomal number and/or structural rearrangement as one progresses from proximal to distal large bowel. We suggest that these observations may be related to differences in function and micro-environment within different areas of the colon. Although it is not known what factors favor cytogenetic variability and instability on the left side or the presence of fewer abnormalities on the right side of the colon, it is evident that clonal karyotypic evolution may be important in the progression of large-bowel cancer. The brevity of follow-up precludes conclusions regarding the influence of karyotype on survival.
Helium Cooling Systems for Large Superconducting Physics Detector Magnets

Abstract The large superconducting detector magnets used for high energy physics experiments are virtually all indirectly cooled. In general, these detector magnets are not cryogenically stabilized. Therefore, there are a number of choices for cooling large indirectly cooled detector magnets. These choices include; 1) forced two-phase helium cooling driven by the helium refrigerator J-T circuit, 2) forced two-phase helium cooling driven by a helium pump, and 3) a peculation gravity feed cooling system which uses liquid helium from a large storage dewar. The choices for the cooling of a large detector magnet are illustrated by applying these concepts to a 4.2 meter diameter 0.5 tesla thin superconducting solenoid for an experiment at the Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider (RHIC).
Factors affecting the effects of EDU on growth and yield of field-grown bush beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.), with varying degrees of sensitivity to ozone.

Abstract The effects of foliar applications of ethylenediurea (EDU) on responses to ozone by field-grown bush bean ( Phaseolus vulgaris L.) lines ‘ S156 ’ (O 3 -sensitive) and ‘ R123 ’ (O 3 -tolerant), and cultivars ‘ BBL 290 ’ (O 3 -sensitive) and ‘ BBL 274 ’ (O 3 -tolerant) were investigated during the 2001 and 2002 growing seasons. EDU was applied weekly to designated plants between primary leaf expansion and pod senescence. Results were compared with control plants at harvests made at pod maturation and pod senescence. In 2001, average hourly ambient O 3 concentrations ranged between 41 and 59 ppb for a total of 303 h; in 2002, for 355 h. EDU applications prior to pod maturation significantly increased the number of marketable pods in ‘ R123 ’, but not for the other cultivars. Harvests at pod senescence showed significant improvements in crop yield production in EDU-treated ‘ S156 ’ plants, whereas for EDU-treated ‘ R123 ’ plants significant reductions were determined in above-ground biomass and seed production. In contrast, results from ‘ BBL 290 ’ and ‘ BBL 274 ’ at both harvest points were inconclusive. Growth and reproductive responses of O 3 -sensitive and O 3 -tolerant bush bean plants to EDU applications varied, depending on developmental stages, duration of EDU applications, and fluctuations in ambient O 3 .
Bite block vowel production in apraxia of speech.

Purpose This study explored vowel production and adaptation to articulatory constraints in adults with acquired apraxia of speech (AOS) plus aphasia. Method Five adults with acquired AOS plus aphas...
Medieval Agricultural Lore in the Untitled Miscellany of MS. 6437, Biblioteca Municipal de València (Fons Serrano Morales)

A 15th century codex numbered 6437 in the Biblioteca Municipal de Valencia (Philobiblon BITECA manid 1029) contains, among other agricultural writings, seven hitherto unedited chapters on arboriculture, the sowing of seeds, and the prediction of weather patterns. There is evidence that this untitled miscellany was an original Romance composition, and, just like other texts such as the Mamoria de les maneres de laurons de plantar, & de sembrar e de pensar que hom deu fer a tota ortalissa and the Capitols singulars deles llauors que deuras sembrar, that it sprang from the flourishing huerta irrigation culture of the fifteenth century. Alongside such documents, this brief miscellany lends further weight to the notion that the educated elite of fourteenth and fifteenth century Catalan-speaking regions included practitioners of even the most ancient of arts, and that these early agronomists were determined to contribute their own local observations and experimentation to the sytematic treatment of agricultural exploitation handed down to them from Palladius
Critical Fusion Frequency as a Function of Exposure Time

The effect of exposure time from 0.1 to 1.1 sec on the critical flicker frequency (CFF) was studied. For all five subjects the CFF drops with shortening of the exposure time below 0.5 to 0.7 sec, gradually to 0.2 sec and steeply below 0.2 sec. The steepness of slope varied with the light–dark ratio (LDR) in the following order from most to least pronounced: LDR = 1:9, 5:5, 9:1. The data were plotted in terms of “critical number of flashes,” i.e., the number of light flashes at fusion multiplied by exposure time in milliseconds, versus exposure time. There was a linear relationship between 0.2 to 0.9 sec.
Optical constants from synchrotron reflectance measurements of AXAF witness mirrors 2 to 12 keV

We report iridium optical constants fitted from synchrotron reflectance data. Specifically, we have used the NKFIT algorithm of D. L. Windt to derive (delta) (E) and (beta) (E) from 2 - 12 keV reflectance calibrations of AXAF witness mirrors. The model is applied at each energy separately, to fit four to nine data points from reflectance-versus-energy scans at selected grazing angles. The stability of the model in the presence of Gaussian noise has been tested extensively. We report the results of several bias studies, involving the generation and analysis of artificial data. Bias studies have been used to determine the optimal grazing angles to be scanned in the various x-ray energy ranges to condition the optical constants. They have also been used to investigate the effects of individual errant data points on the resulting fits and derived optical constants. The results will aid in eliminating systematic errors in the derived optical constants. We also present results of our investigation of the Debye-Waller and Nevot-Croce roughness correction algorithms as applied to our measurements. The Nevot-Croce method gives a much better representation of the data, however its rigorous justification in this experiment is lacking, and the roughness parameter derived is not constant with energy. A more self- consistent model for roughness correction is sought.© (1997) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Analysis of Studies from 2000-2010 in Real Option Theory and Application to OM

Traditional project investment methods, such as the discounted cash flow (DCF) with a fixed static plan, are no longer sufficient to assist the corporate strategies of seizing opportunities and profitability. The option pricing formula includes a theoretical framework for pricing financial options, assuming that the risk in a financial hedged position is zero, if the option is adjusted continuously in a short position. Hence, the real options revolution arose in response to the dissatisfaction of corporation practitioners with traditional capital budgeting techniques, such as standard discount cash flow. This paper analyzes relevant articles from the “Journal of Operations Management” and “Management Sciences” as related to real options theory in the field of operations management. The goal of this study is to review and identify the gaps in application to real option theory in their studies. Finally, this paper provides suggestions for future researchers.
Unnatural multidentate metal ligating α-amino acids

Abstract A family of penta- and hexadentate metal ligating α-amino acids, suitably protected for Fmoc solid-phase chemistry, has been prepared. These residues incorporate the mono-amides of ethanolaminetriacetic acid, ethylenediaminetriacetic acid, and ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid as side chains. Side chains are tethered varying distances (n) from the Cα-carbon to allow metal binding events to occur at distinct distances from the peptide backbone. These residues are designed to allow the facile installation of metal chelates along a peptide backbone.
A DOUBLE LUMEN SUPRAPUBIC URODYNAMIC CATHETER

A 7.5 FG double lumen suprapubic urodynamic catheter has been developed to avoid the effects of urethral catheterization and provide reliable continuous pressure monitoring. The device is an adapted central venous catheter which is easily introduced through a peel-away sheath, after the insertion of a guide wire.
DETERGENT (SODIUM LAURYL SULPHATE)-SPLITTING ENZYME FROM BACTERIA.

THE persistence of synthetic detergent compounds in treated sewage effluents and rural water supplies has become an increasing problem1. Several investigations have been carried out, using methylene blue colorimetric and manometric techniques, of the bio-degradation of these materials by the mixed bacterial flora in sewage and river water2. Payne and Feisal3 succeeded in isolating from benthonic soils two strains of bacteria, of which one could utilize lauryl sulphate and the other both lauryl sulphate and alkyl benzenesulphonate as sole carbon sources. Investigation of detergent metabolism at the enzyme-level has not yet been reported.
pp annihilations into four-and five-pion final states in the T(2190) region☆

Abstract New data from a 600 000 picture exposure of the BNL 31 inch hydrogen bubble chamber to a separated antiproton beam have been analyzed to try to determine if the π + π − π + π − or π + π − π + π − π 0 final states contribute any broad or narrow structure in the T(2190) region. The resonance channel fractions determined by maximum likelihood fits are all consistent with smooth behavior through the T-region and therefore there is no significant evidence that any of these resonance channels contributes to the broad bump in the total cross section. The errors on some of the fractions, however, limit the sensitivity to ∼ 0.5 mb for enhancements in these channels.
Mechanism of pericardial expansion with cardiac enlargement.

Abstract Background: The normal pericardial sac accommodates a 250–350 gram heart and 15–50 ml of pericardial fluid. Cardiac enlargement and/or increases in fluid must be accompanied by an increase in pericardial volume and a concomitant expansion of the pericardial sac. The mechanism of such expansion has been debated, but theoretical considerations include fibroblastic proliferation with new connective tissue deposition versus remodeling of the pre-existent connective tissue. Design: Nineteen pericardia were obtained from consecutive adult autopsies. Total pericardial fluid was measured; the absolute value of pericardial fluid volume and cardiac weight were added to create a total score. Representative pericardial tissue was stained with hematoxylin-eosin (H&E), Masson's trichrome, and Verhoeff's elastin stain (EVG). An additional archival case with the pericardium from a 900-g heart with 1,000-ml of fluid was also included. Results: None of the sections showed histologic evidence of fibroblastic proliferation. Parameters indicative of collagen stretching or damage were evaluated. The greatest correlative factor in identifying an enlarged pericardium was the average of four measurements of the greatest distance between elastic fibers surrounding obliquely oriented collagen layers. Five of six cases with a cardiac score >450 showed an average measurement of less than 15 μ, and 10 of 14 cases with a cardiac score ⩽450 showed an average measurement of >15 μ ( p = 0.0498). Histologic and ultrastructural evidence of collagen damage was identified in the pericardium from the 900-g heart with the 1,000-ml effusion. Conclusions: We propose that collagen stretching and slippage of obliquely oriented collagen layers contribute to the increased surface area needed to accommodate larger volumes. When these limits are exceeded, collagen damage ensues.
Circulating Levels of Biologically Active and Immunoreactive Intact Parathyroid Hormone in Human Newborns

We evaluated circulating levels of biologically active and immunoreactive intact parathyroid hormone [iPTH-(1-84)] in 47 newborns at birth and eight hypocalcemic preterm infants during the first 10 d of life. Use of two sensitive detection systems, the cytochemical bioassay and an immunoradiometric assay specific for intact parathyroid hormone, enabled us to compare plasma concentrations of PTH-like bioactivity (bioPTH) and iPTH-(1-84). Mean umbilical venous plasma bioPTH was elevated in nondiabetic term and preterm newborns [22.5 +/- 3.1 (+/- SEM) and 15.8 +/- 2.5 ng-equiv/L, respectively] compared with normal adult subjects (9.8 +/- 2.6 ng-equiv/L; p less than 0.01). Umbilical bioPTH was suppressed in five term infants of diabetic mothers (2.6 +/- 0.4 ng-equiv/L). In contrast, iPTH-(1-84) was low in term and preterm nondiabetic infants' and term infants of diabetic mothers' umbilical samples (5.4 +/- 1.5, 4.3 +/- 1.5, and 2.4 +/- 1.0 ng/L, respectively). Umbilical venous bioPTH was highly correlated with the magnitude of the transplacental calcium gradient (r = 0.90; p less than 0.05). In eight preterm infants studied longitudinally, by 24-36 h of life, declining plasma total and ionized calcium (1.71 +/- 0.04 and 0.78 +/- 0.03 mmol/L, respectively) were accompanied by a significant rise in both bioPTH (41.2 +/- 6.3 ng-equiv/L) and iPTH-(1-84) (56.3 +/- 11.6 ng/L). These data indicate that the 3rd trimester fetoplacental circulation contains levels of bioPTH several-fold higher than those of immunoreactive intact hormone. We also conclude that even hypocalcemic preterm newborn infants can significantly elevate circulating levels of PTH.
Quantitative measurements of the stoichiometry of anodic oxides grown on Hg0.78Cd0.22Te

The Hg concentration in anodic oxides grown on Hg0.78Cd0.22Te has been measured by Rutherford backscattering and surface analysis by laser ionization techniques. A significant Hg content is found, and this result is contrasted with previous compositional studies which have concluded that a very low Hg concentration exists in the anodic oxide grown on Hg1−xCdxTe. In addition, a model reaction is proposed which suggests that Hg and Te are dissolved in the anodizing solution to a much greater extent than Cd during the oxidation process.
Facilitating fashion camouflage art

Artists and fashion designers have recently been creating a new form of art -- Camouflage Art -- which can be used to prevent computer vision algorithms from detecting faces. This digital art technique combines makeup and hair styling, or other modifications such as facial painting to help avoid automatic face-detection. In this paper, we first study the camouflage interference and its effectiveness on several current state of art techniques in face detection/recognition; and then present a tool that can facilitate digital art design for such camouflage that can fool these computer vision algorithms. This tool can find the prominent or decisive features from facial images that constitute the face being recognized; and give suggestions for camouflage options (makeup, styling, paints) on particular facial features or facial parts. Testing of this tool shows that it can effectively aid the artists or designers in creating camouflage-thwarting designs. The evaluation on suggested camouflages applied on 40 celebrities across eight different face recognition systems (both non-commercial or commercial) shows that 82.5% ~ 100% of times the subject is unrecognizable using the suggested camouflage.
Diversity in general surgery: a period of progress.

Objective Although 1996 to 2002 was a period of declining interest in general surgery (GS) among U.S. medical students (USS), most categorical general surgery (C-GS) training positions offered in the National Residency Matching Program (NRMP) continued to fill. We measured the impact of the decreasing U.S. student applicant volume on C-GS match outcomes and GS resident workforce composition over this time period. Design Match outcomes were analyzed for 7 applicant categories. Subsequent GS resident workforce compositions were analyzed for proportions of U.S. allopathic medical school graduates (USG), osteopathic medical graduates (OMG), Canadian MG (CMG), foreign MG (FMG), female physicians, and African-American physicians. Mantel-Haenzel chi-square tests measured trends in match percentages, C-GS positions filled, and GS workforce composition. All p-values are 2-sided. Results Increasing match percentages for USS applicants (p Conclusions Declining interest among U.S. students in GS has resulted in a workforce comprised of residents from a broad range of educational backgrounds, but also it has provided an opportunity for progress toward achievement of a GS resident physician workforce more equitably representative of the racial and gender composition of our society at large.
Modular small-molecule directed nanoparticle assembly

We demonstrate a simple and versatile approach to produce hierarchical assemblies of nanoparticles by combining block copolymers and small molecules. Directed nanoparticle assemblies can be achieved with a variety of nanoparticles and small molecules without modification of the nanoparticle ligands. This novel approach opens up new routes toward the fabrication of nanoparticle-based functional devices using a “Bottom-Up” approach.
Effects of ethanol on neutrophil recruitment and lung host defense in nitric oxide synthase I and nitric oxide synthase II knockout mice.

Background: Ethanol (ETOH) inhibits Escherichia coli endotoxin [lipopolysaccharide (LPS)]-raediated induction of nitric oxide (NO) synthase (NOS) transcription and translation in macrophages and neutrophils [polymorphonuclear (PMN) cells] within the lung. ETOH also inhibits PMN recruitment into the lung and enhances NOS I-mediated production of NO. The contribution of the individual NOS isozymes to ETOH-mediated suppression of the host defense response to lung infection has not been defined. Methods: We evaluated the role of constitutive NOS I and NOS II in ETOH-mediated inhibition of PMN recruitment into the lung and ETOH-mediated suppression of lung clearance of inhaled Klebsiella pneumonia (K. pneumoniae) in female, homozygous transgenic mice deficient in the genes for NOS I (nNOS-KO) or NOS II (iNOS-KO) and their wild-type controls (WT). Results: Four hours after intratracheal administration of LPS or aerosol inhalation of K. pneumoniae, the lung content of PMNs obtained by bronchoalveolar lavage from WT mice was significantly reduced when compared with that obtained from the lungs of nNOS-KO and iNOS-KO mice. Pretreatment of WT mice with the NOS II inhibitor L-N6-iminoethyllysine (L-NIL; 10 mg/kg, ip) or with the NOS I inhibitor 7-nitroindazole (7-NI) (10, 25, or 40 mg/kg, ip) 30 min before LPS administration enhanced the lung content of PMNs recoverable by bronchoalveolar lavage. However, pretreatment of iNOS-KO with L-NIL did not affect lung recruitment of PMNs. Moreover, administration of 25 or 40 mg/kg, ip of 7-NI to nNOS-KO mice resulted in death of all the animals within 10 min. Pretreatment of nNOS-KO with 7-NI (10 mg/kg) did not affect LPS-stimulated PMN recruitment. Pretreatment of mice with ETOH (4.5 g/kg, ip) produced a greater inhibition of LPS-stimulated lung recruitment of PMNs in iNOS-KO mice than in WT mice. In contrast, pretreatment of nNOS-KO with ETOH produced little inhibition of LPS-stimulated lung recruitment of PMNs when compared with that measured in WT mice. Finally, 4 hr after aerosol inhalation of K. pneumoniae, lung clearance of this bacteria was enhanced in iNOS-KO when compared with WT and inhibited in nNOS-KO when compared with WT mice. ETOH-mediated suppression of lung clearance oiK. pneumoniae was unaffected in nNOS-KO mice and enhanced in the iNOS-KO mice, when compared with that obtained in WT mice. ETOH-stimulated the production of NOS I-derived nitrate and nitrite production by rat brain and lung and inhibited LPS-induced NOS II mRNA, protein, and production of nitrate and nitrite anion. Finally, inhibition of NOS I and NOS I deletion inhibited the in vivo metabolism of ETOH. Conclusions: We conclude that constitutive NOS I is involved in protection of the lung from stressor-induced lung injury. NOS I within the PMNs may limit PMN recruitment into the lung. Speculatively, NOS II-derived NO may also limit PMN-induced lung damage at the expense of a slower clearance of the bacterial burden.
Clinical characteristics of fibrositis

Twenty-two patients with fibrositis, selected from a general medical outpatient population by a screening questionnaire and subsequent evaluation, were compared with age-, sex-, and clinic-matched patients without fibrositis. Although there was a high prevalence of musculoskeletal complaints in both groups, the fibrositis patients had a uniform constellation of symptoms, including axial pain, severe aching and stiffness, morning fatigue, and modulation by specific factors. They also had a higher incidence of tension headache and irritable bowel syndrome. The use of a dolorimeter demonstrated that fibrositis patients had many more areas of localized tenderness than control patients, but also that fibrositis patients did not have diffusely diminished pain threshold and tolerance. Using the criteria of this study, fibrositis appears to be a common and readily definable syndrome within the spectrum of soft tissue rheumatism.
Efficient FIR filter architectures suitable for FPGA implementation

This paper describes efficient architectures for FIR filters. By exploiting the reduced complexity made possible by the use of two powers-of-two coefficients, these architectures allow the implementation of high sampling rate filters of significant length on a single field-programmable gate array (FPGA). >
Diagnostic Approaches for Deep Vein Thrombosis

This article briefly reviews the advantages and limitations of currently available methods for the diagnosis of deep vein thrombosis (DVT). Clinical evaluation alone is inadequate but still useful in assessing the need for further testing. The medical history, especially the detection of risk factors for DVT, is as important as the physical examination. Confirmation by objective diagnostic tests is essential. Venography has been the traditional standard for determining the optimal management of DVT, but has significant limitations which are not widely appreciated. Noninvasive diagnostic methods for DVT are essential for effective management, but the optimal method for a particular hospital depends on the personnel and resources available.
The regulation of ecosystem functions by ecotypic variation in the dominant plant: a Spartina alterniflora salt‐marsh case study

Summary 1 Genetic differences among populations of a keystone species may affect ecosystem functional properties. We tested this by planting Spartina alterniflora from different geographical regions in a newly created salt marsh in Delaware, USA. 2 Spartina alterniflora plants from morphologically distinct short-form (back marsh) populations were originally collected from Massachusetts (41 ° 34 ' N ), Delaware (38 ° 47 ' N ), and Georgia (31 ° 25 ' N ) in the USA and vegetatively propagated for 6 years in a salt water-irrigated common garden in Delaware before transfer to a newly created salt marsh. 3 The magnitude of the expression of marsh functions in the created marsh, measured over 5 years, remained distinct in patches of each ecotype. End of season aerial biomass, below-ground biomass, root and rhizome distribution, canopy height, stem density, and carbohydrate reserves were closer to values reported for the plants' native sites than to those typical of Delaware. Thus, many of the plant features characteristic of particular latitudes appear to be under genetic control. Such ecotypic differentiation influences ecosystem function through keystone resource and keystone modifier activities. 4 Respiration of the microbial community associated with either dead shoots or the soil varied with plant ecotype in the created wetland and the patterns reflected those reported for their native sites. High edaphic respiration under the Massachusetts ecotype was correlated with the high percentage of sugar in the rhizomes. Edaphic chlorophyll was greater under the canopies of the Massachusetts and Delaware ecotypes than under the Georgia canopy and exhibited a relationship similar to that of algal production rates reported for the native sites. Larval fish were most abundant in pit traps in the Massachusetts ecotype.
Inductance aware interconnect scaling

This paper introduces a new global-tier interconnect scaling scheme which ensures that inductance effects do not start dominating the overall interconnect performance. It is shown that for unscaled global lines, inductance effects increase as technology scales while for the scaling scheme proposed by ITRS (1999), interconnects become extremely resistive and, while inductance effects diminish with scaling but the performance, specifically, delay per unit length, degrades with scaling. The effect of the proposed global interconnect scaling scheme on optimized driver size, interconnect length, delay per unit length and total buffer area is quantified and compared with the unscaled and the ITRS cases. It is shown that the proposed scaling scheme improves the delay per unit length without degrading inductive effects or increasing buffer area with scaling.
Ultra-wideband dual-circularly polarized array with simple cost-effective feeding network

A dual-circularly polarized hexagonal array operating over multi-octave bandwidth with cost-effective feeding network is presented. A four-arm spiral antenna with two planar Klopfenstein microstrip feeds is used as a unit cell. The 7-element array is fed by two 7-way power dividers and a single 90° hybrid. The used feeding network in conjunction with fundamental properties of a four-arm spiral supports left and right hand circularly polarized operation over more than 3:1 bandwidth. The performance of the feeding network, frequency and time-domain characteristics of the proposed array are demonstrated through simulation and comprehensive measurements.
Sample size considerations for clinical research studies in nuclear cardiology

Sample size calculation is an important element of research design that investigators need to consider in the planning stage of the study. Funding agencies and research review panels request a power analysis, for example, to determine the minimum number of subjects needed for an experiment to be informative. Calculating the right sample size is crucial to gaining accurate information and ensures that research resources are used efficiently and ethically. The simple question "How many subjects do I need?" does not always have a simple answer. Before calculating the sample size requirements, a researcher must address several aspects, such as purpose of the research (descriptive or comparative), type of samples (one or more groups), and data being collected (continuous or categorical). In this article, we describe some of the most frequent methods for calculating the sample size with examples from nuclear cardiology research, including for t tests, analysis of variance (ANOVA), non-parametric tests, correlation, Chi-squared tests, and survival analysis. For the ease of implementation, several examples are also illustrated via user-friendly free statistical software.
Melanoma chondroitin sulfate proteoglycan enhances FAK and ERK activation by distinct mechanisms

Melanoma chondroitin sulfate proteoglycan (MCSP) is an early cell surface melanoma progression marker implicated in stimulating tumor cell proliferation, migration, and invasion. Focal adhesion kinase (FAK) plays a pivotal role in integrating growth factor and adhesion-related signaling pathways, facilitating cell spreading and migration. Extracellular signal–regulated kinase (ERK) 1 and 2, implicated in tumor growth and survival, has also been linked to clinical melanoma progression. We have cloned the MCSP core protein and expressed it in the MCSP-negative melanoma cell line WM1552C. Expression of MCSP enhances integrin-mediated cell spreading, FAK phosphorylation, and activation of ERK1/2. MCSP transfectants exhibit extensive MCSP-rich microspikes on adherent cells, where it also colocalizes with α4 integrin. Enhanced activation of FAK and ERK1/2 by MCSP appears to involve independent mechanisms because inhibition of FAK activation had no effect on ERK1/2 phosphorylation. These results indicate that MCSP may facilitate primary melanoma progression by enhancing the activation of key signaling pathways important for tumor invasion and growth.
The Role of IL-15 in Activating STAT5 and Fine-Tuning IL-17A Production in CD4 T Lymphocytes

IL-15 is an important IL-2-related cytokine whose role in Th17 cell biology has not been fully elucidated. In this study, we show that exogenous IL-15 decreased IL-17A production in Th17 cultures. Neutralization of IL-15 using an Ab led to increases in IL-17A production in Th17 cultures. Both Il15(-/-) and Il15r(-/-) T cell cultures displayed higher frequency of IL-17A producers and higher amounts of IL-17A in the supernatants compared with those of wild-type (WT) cells in vitro. IL-15 down-modulated IL-17A production independently of retinoic acid-related orphan receptor-γt, Foxp3, and IFN-γ expression. Both Th17 cells and APCs produced IL-15, which induced binding of STAT5, an apparent repressor to the Il17 locus in CD4 T cells. Also, in a model of myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein-induced experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), Il15(-/-) mice displayed exacerbated inflammation-correlating with increased IL-17A production by their CD4(+) T cells-compared with WT controls. Exogenous IL-15 administration and IL-17A neutralization reduced the severity of EAE in Il15(-/-) mice. Taken together, these data indicate that IL-15 has a negative regulatory role in fine-tuning of IL-17A production and Th17-mediated inflammation.
Preserving source location privacy in monitoring-based wireless sensor networks

While a wireless sensor network is deployed to monitor certain events and pinpoint their locations, the location information is intended only for legitimate users. However, an eavesdropper can monitor the traffic and deduce the approximate location of monitored objects in certain situations. We first describe a successful attack against the flooding-based phantom routing, proposed in the seminal work by Celal Ozturk, Yanyong Zhang, and Wade Trappe. Then, we propose GROW (Greedy Random Walk), a two-way random walk, i.e., from both source and sink, to reduce the chance an eavesdropper can collect the location information. We improve the delivery rate by using local broadcasting and greedy forwarding. Privacy protection is verified under a backtracking attack model. The message delivery time is a little longer than that of the broadcasting-based approach, but it is still acceptable if we consider the enhanced privacy preserving capability of this new approach. At the same time, the energy consumption is less than half the energy consumption of flooding-base phantom routing, which is preferred in a low duty cycle, environmental monitoring sensor network.
Time‐dependent effect of spherulite size on the tensile behavior of polypropylene

The mechanical behavior of isotactic polypropylene following primary crystallization is known to be dependent on the aging time (e.g., at room temperature). This aging time effect is believed to be related to a form of additional crystallization (sometimes called secondary crystallization). We show in the present work that the aging characteristics depend on spherulite size and that indeed the spherulite size effects reported by others very likely reflect chain rearrangements upon aging, rather than some property associated with the as-crystallized material.
Colistin-Resistant Acinetobacter baumannii: Beyond Carbapenem Resistance

Background. With an increase in the use of colistin methansulfonate (CMS) to treat carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii infections, colistin resistance is emerging. Methods. Patientswithinfection orcolonizationdue tocolistin-resistantA.baumanniiwere identifiedat ahospital system in Pennsylvania. Clinical data were collected from electronic medical records. Susceptibility testing, pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE), and multilocus sequence typing (MLST) were performed. To investigate the mechanism of colistin resistance, lipid A was subjected to matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry. Results. Twenty patients with colistin-resistant A. baumannii were identified. Ventilator-associated pneumonia was the most common type of infection. Nineteen patients had received intravenous and/or inhaled CMS for treatment of carbapenem-resistant, colistin-susceptible A. baumannii infection prior to identification of colistin-resistant isolates. The 30-day all-cause mortality rate was 30%. The treatment regimen for colistin-resistant A. baumannii infection associated with the lowest mortality rate was a combination of CMS, a carbapenem, and ampicillin-sulbactam. The colistin-susceptible and -resistant isolates from the same patients were highly related by PFGE, but isolates from different patients were not, suggesting evolution of resistance during CMS therapy. By MLST, all isolates belonged to the international clone II, the lineage that is epidemic worldwide. Phosphoethanolamine modification of lipid Awas present in all colistin-resistant A. baumannii isolates. Conclusions. Colistin-resistant A. baumannii occurred almost exclusively among patients who had received CMS for treatment of carbapenem-resistant, colistin-susceptible A. baumannii infection. Lipid A modification by the addition of phosphoethanolamine accounted for colistin resistance. Susceptibility testing for colistin should be considered for A. baumannii identified from CMS-experienced patients.
Energy efficiency in multi-hop CDMA networks: a game theoretic analysis

A game-theoretic analysis is used to study the effects of receiver choice on the energy efficiency of multi-hop networks in which the nodes communicate using direct-sequence code division multiple access (DS-CDMA). A Nash equilibrium of the game in which the network nodes can choose their receivers as well as their transmit powers to maximize the total number of bits they transmit per unit of energy is derived. The energy efficiencies resulting from the use of different linear multiuser receivers in this context are compared, looking at both the non-cooperative game and the Pareto optimal solution. For analytical ease, particular attention is paid to asymptotically large networks. Significant gains in energy efficiency are observed when multiuser receivers, particularly the linear minimum mean-square error (MMSE) receiver, are used instead of conventional matched filter receivers.
The Relationships of Dress to Selected Measures of Personality in Undergraduate Women

(1963). The Relationships of Dress to Selected Measures of Personality in Undergraduate Women. The Journal of Social Psychology: Vol. 59, No. 1, pp. 119-128.
The role of research programs in the electrical engineering curriculum at the U.S. Coast Guard Academy

The electrical engineering (EE) section of the US Coast Guard Academy has developed a research program based on aggressive undergraduate participation and dedicated to working on Coast Guard engineering problems. The research projects help the students bridge the gap between classroom learning and solving real-world engineering problems. The authors describe how the Academy's EE section has committed itself to the research program and how the program is arranged. >
Regulation of the estrogen receptor and its messenger ribonucleic acid in the ovariectomized sheep myometrium and endometrium: the role of estradiol and progesterone.

Estrogen receptor (ER) mRNA is dramatically increased in sheep myometrium and endometrium during glucocorticoid-induced premature labor and term spontaneous labor. However, the underlying mechanism for the up-regulation of uterine ER in labor is still unknown. We used ovariectomized (OVX) non-pregnant sheep to analyze the role of estradiol and progesterone in the regulation of myometrial and endometrial ER protein and ER mRNA in vivo. Twenty-one OVX ewes were treated with saline (n = 6), or with estradiol infused i.v. for 2 days (50 micrograms/day, n = 5), or with an intravaginal progesterone sponge for 10 days (containing 0.3 g progesterone, n = 5), or with an intravaginal progesterone sponge for 10 days with estradiol (50 micrograms/day) administered on Days 9 and 10 with the progesterone sponge still in place (n = 5). The ER protein concentration in both cytosolic and nuclear compartments, analyzed by Western blot, increased significantly (P < 0.05) in the myometrium after estradiol treatment, while progesterone alone had no detectable effect on ER level. Elevated ER protein was observed only in the nuclear fraction of endometrium. However, when estradiol was given together with progesterone treatment, progesterone antagonized the up-regulatory effect of estradiol on the ER level both at the endometrium and myometrium. The changes in cellular ER mRNA followed the pattern observed at the ER protein level. Estrogen receptor mRNA was elevated significantly (p < 0.01) only in estradiol-treated ewes. Expression of the ER gene in ewes receiving progesterone alone or progesterone combined with estradiol was similar to that of the control group. From these observations we conclude that ER gene expression and active ER synthesis in nonpregnant sheep myometrium and endometrium are estradiol-dependent. Progesterone antagonizes this estrogen action. Progesterone down-regulated the elevated ER mRNA when used together with estradiol. In situ hybridization showed that ER mRNA was evenly distributed in the smooth muscle cells and blood vessels of the myometrium and the epithelial cells of the glands in endometrium. In conclusion, we have observed estradiol-dependent activation of ER gene expression as well as active ER synthesis in the nonpregnant sheep myometrium and endometrium. Progesterone acted as an antagonist of estradiol on ER gene expression.
A better way to repair torn earlobes using a modified z-plasty.

Ear piercing is a well-established cultural and fashion-related practice from ancient times. Most people do not realize the common complications involved: contact dermatitis, keloid formation, infection, lobular tissue loss from trauma, and tearing of the earlobe, most commonly from repeated mechanical stress from heavy earrings. Torn earlobes are also referred to as cleft or split earlobes. Split earlobes are a common acquired deformity in people who wear heavy or dangling earrings, which increase the tension on the piercing site. As the pressure point from the earring atrophies, the piercing hole gradually enlarges and can eventually split. Repair of a torn earlobe is a common procedure encountered in facial plastic surgery.
ATMOSPHERIC STRUCTURE OF THE OUTER PLANETS FROM THERMAL EMISSION DATA

Methods for determining atmospheric structure exploit the opacities provided by the collision induced H2 dipole and the nu4 fundamental of CH4. In addition to earth-based observations, useful measurements of thermal emission from Jupiter and Saturn have been or soon will be made by several spacecraft, with results cross-checked with independent radio occultaion results. For Uranus and Neptune, only a limited set of whole-disk earth-based data exists. All the outer planets show evidence for stratospheric temperature inversions; temperature minima range from about 105 K for Jupiter and 87 K for Saturn, to roughly 55 K for Uranus and Neptune. Remaining problems may be resolved by better quantitative understanding of gas and aerosol absorption and scattering properties, chemical composition, and non-LTE source functions. Ultimately, temperature structure results must be supplemented by quantitative energy equilibrium models which will allow some meaning to be given to the relationships between such characteristics as temperature, clouds, incident solar and planetary radiation, and chemical composition.
Dallas Glaucoma Registry: Preliminary Results.

Background: Although glaucoma is a leading cause of blindness worldwide, yet there are no large databases where risk factors, current management options and outcomes may be evaluated. With this concept in mind, Dallas Glaucoma Registry was established to focus on an ethnically mixed North Texas population. Methods: This is a retrospective, chart review of 2,484 patients (4,839 eyes) with glaucoma from three clinics. Data collected included: age, race, gender, intraocular pressure, visual acuity, central corneal thickness, cup-to-disk ratio, extent of visual field damage, glaucoma diagnoses, medical and surgical therapies. Results: The most prevalent glaucoma was primary open angle glaucoma accounting for 44.4% of patients, followed by glaucoma suspect (39.5%), secondary glaucoma (7.2%), angle closure glaucoma (6.8%), normal tension glaucoma (1.7%), and childhood glaucoma (0.5%). The mean (SD) age was 68.7 (13.8) and 41.3% were non Hispanic white, 37.0% were black, 10.4% were Hispanic and 11.3% were of other ethnic origin. Hispanic representation in glaucoma did not match their numbers in general population of North Texas. Conclusion: Large numbers of patients in the ongoing Dallas Glaucoma Registry do provide adequate data to better understand risk factors, early detection, improved screening targets, treatment options, outcomes and future studies.
Impact of Vertical Mergers on Industry Profitability: An Empirical Evaluation

Vertical integration has become an important business strategy to respond to the needs of a consumer-driven marketing system. Although one of the perceived benefits of vertical ownership integration is improved profitability of the integrated firm, empirical literature mostly ignores this issue. Using a sample of U.S. food manufacturing industries, this study examines the impact of vertical mergers on profitability. Findings show that vertical mergers negatively impact profits. This may be due to the failure of vertical mergers to create differential advantages, such as cost savings, for the integrated firm.
Factors influencing the underutilization of mental health services among Asian American women with a history of depression and suicide

Despite the substantially high prevalence of depression, suicidal ideation and suicide attempts among Asian American women who are children of immigrants, little is known about the prevalence of mental health utilization and the perceived barriers to accessing care. The data were from the Asian American Women’s Sexual Health Initiative Project (AWSHIP), a 5-year mixed methods study at Boston University. The quantitative analysis examined the differential proportion of mental health utilization among 701 survey participants based on their mental health risk profile determined by current moderate to severe depression symptoms and lifetime history of suicidality. Mental health risk groups were created based on participants’ current depression symptoms and history of suicide behaviors: Group 1–low-risk; Group 2–medium-risk; Group 3–high-risk. Mental health care utilization outcomes were measured by any mental health care, minimally adequate mental health care, and intensive mental health care. The qualitative analysis explored the perceived barriers to mental health care among 17 participants from the medium and high-risk groups. Among 701 participants, 43 % of women (n = 299) reported that they either suffered from current moderate to severe depression symptoms or a lifetime history of suicidal ideation or suicide attempt. Although the high-risk group demonstrated statistically significant higher mental health utilization compared to the low and medium-risk groups, more than 60 % of the high-risk group did not access any mental health care, and more than 80 % did not receive minimally adequate care. The qualitative analysis identified three underutilization factors: Asian family contributions to mental health stigma, Asian community contributions to mental health stigma, and a mismatch between cultural needs and available services. Despite the high prevalence of depression and suicidal behaviors among young Asian American women in the sample, the proportion of mental health care utilization was extremely low. The qualitative analysis underscores the influence of Asian family and community stigma on mental health utilization and the lack of culturally appropriate mental health interventions. Prevention and intervention efforts should focus on raising mental health awareness in the Asian American community and offering culturally sensitive services.
After the bone and joint decade: it is still time to educate on the musculoskeletal system: commentary on an article by James D. Wylie, MD, MHS, et al.: "Physician provider type influences utilization and diagnostic utility of magnetic resonance imaging of the knee".

Medical providers should deliver a high quality of care to their patients without ordering unnecessary tests. This concept has been brought to the forefront at a time when health-care costs have markedly increased. Berwick and Hackbarth reminded us of the initial goals from the Institute of Medicine in providing care to patients and emphasized providing quality care that is safe, effective, timely, equitable, and patient-centered1. Today, an additional goal to improve quality is providing affordable care. We must understand these goals to improve the process of care in order to maintain high value and to minimize risk to our patients. The study by Wylie et al. uses knee pain as a model to evaluate this process of patient care. In 2011, the Bone and Joint Initiative demonstrated that up to 17% of adults presented to a physician with a chief symptom of knee pain2. Many different types of health-care providers are in a position to be the first to evaluate these patients with knee pain. All of these health-care providers should …
A People's Guide to Los Angeles

Laura Pulido, Laura Barraclough, and Wendy Cheng. Berkeley, CA: University of California Press, 2012. xi and 310 pp., maps, illustrations, bibliography, index. $29.95 paper (ISBN 978-0-52027-081-7)...