cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Elevated Psychological Stress Predicts Reduced Estradiol Concentrations in Young Women

There has long been much interest in whether psychological stress may have inhibitory effects on ovarian hormone production and associated fecundity in women, but previous research has been inconclusive. The present study assessed whether hormone concentrations were lower on days with higher self-perceived stress than on days with lower stress within the same menstrual cycles. Results demonstrated a clear negative relationship between current day stress ratings and salivary estradiol concentrations (but not concentrations of testosterone or progesterone). This effect survived controls for potential confounding variables related to food intake, cold symptoms, exercise duration, and hours of sleep. Likewise, the effect was still present when controlling for day of the menstrual cycle, and elevated stress was associated with suppressed estradiol across broad regions of the cycle. These findings provide direct evidence for an inhibitory effect of psychological stress on ovarian hormone production, and thus recommend future research designed to further elucidate the relevant physiological mechanisms.
Differential predation by the carnivorous marine copepod, Tortanus discaudatus1

The relative predation by adult, female Tortanus on their own nauplii and on developmental stages of Acartia clausii was determined by offering pairs of prey at several relative and absolute abundances. Predation was most intense on adult Acartia, less so on juvenile Acartia (nauplii and immature copepodites), and least on naupliar Tortanus. There was no evidence of switching.
Internal auditors' experiences and opinions regarding green IT: Assessing the gap in normative and positive perspectives

ABSTRACT: Organizations' sustainability and environmental compliance activities are escalating. Information technology (IT) is an essential environmental compliance component under the rubric of green IT, which can include the designing, manufacturing, implementing, and disposing of IT components and the supporting electrical and cooling infrastructure. Green IT has numerous compliance, governance, and control issues, and management needs assurance that green IT metrics reported to management, regulators, and other stakeholders are accurate, complete, and timely. Boards, executives, the Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA), and the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO) view internal auditors as control experts. This paper summarizes a survey of internal auditors as to what internal auditors should be doing in this domain and what they are actually doing. The results indicate that even though internal auditors believe that they should be more involved in green IT activitie...
Hormonal Inhibition of Feeding and Death in Octopus: Control by Optic Gland Secretion

Female Octopus hummelincki lays eggs, broods them, reduces its food intake, and dies after the young hatch. Removal of both optic glands after spawning results in cessation of broodiness, resumption of feeding, increased growth, and greatly extended life-span. Optic gland secretions may cause death of most cephalopods and may function to control population size.
Gene therapy approaches to regenerating the musculoskeletal system

Injuries to the musculoskeletal system are common, debilitating and expensive. In many cases, healing is imperfect, which leads to chronic impairment. Gene transfer might improve repair and regeneration at sites of injury by enabling the local, sustained and potentially regulated expression of therapeutic gene products; such products include morphogens, growth factors and anti-inflammatory agents. Proteins produced endogenously as a result of gene transfer are nascent molecules that have undergone post-translational modification. In addition, gene transfer offers particular advantages for the delivery of products with an intracellular site of action, such as transcription factors and noncoding RNAs, and proteins that need to be inserted into a cell compartment, such as a membrane. Transgenes can be delivered by viral or nonviral vectors via in vivo or ex vivo protocols using progenitor or differentiated cells. The first gene transfer clinical trials for osteoarthritis and cartilage repair have already been completed. Various bone-healing protocols are at an advanced stage of development, including studies with large animals that could lead to human trials. Other applications in the repair and regeneration of skeletal muscle, intervertebral disc, meniscus, ligament and tendon are in preclinical development. In addition to scientific, medical and safety considerations, clinical translation is constrained by social, financial and logistical issues.
Origin of the late Quaternary dune fields of northeastern Colorado

Abstract Stabilized eolian deposits, mostly parabolic dunes and sand sheets, cover much of the landscape of northeastern Colorado and adjacent parts of southwestern Nebraska in four geographically distinct dune fields. Stratigraphic and soil-geomorphic relations and accelerator radiocarbon dating indicate that at least three episodes of eolian sand movement occurred between 27 ka and 11 ka, possibly between 11 ka and 4 ka, and within the past 1.5 ka. Thus, eolian sand deposition took place under both glacial and interglacial climatic conditions. In the youngest episodes of eolian sand movement, Holocene parabolic dunes partially buried Pleistocene sand sheet deposits. Late Holocene sands in the Fort Morgan and Wray dune fields, to the south of the South Platte River, have trace element ratios that are indistinguishable from modern South Platte River sands, but different from Ogallala Formation bedrock, which has previously been cited as the main source of dune sand on the Great Plains. Sands in the Greeley dune field, to the north of the South Platte River, have trace element concentrations that indicate a probable Laramie Formation source. Measurements of parabolic dunes indicate paleowinds from the northwest in all dune fields, in good agreement with resultant drift directions calculated for nearby weather stations. Thus, paleowinds were probably not significantly different from present-day winds, and are consistent with a South Platte River source for the Fort Morgan and Wray dune fields, and a Laramie Formation source for the Greeley dune field. Sand accumulated downwind of the South Platte River to form the Fort Morgan duen field. In addition, sand was also transported farther downwind over the upland formed by the calcrete caprock of the Ogallala Formation, and deposited in the lee of the upland on the southeast side. Because of high wind energy, the upland itself served as a zone of sand transport, but little or no sand accumulation took place on this surface. These studies, which demonstrate the importance of fluvial-source sediments for dune fields in Colorado, may be applicable to other dune fields in North America. Because modern drift potentials in northeastern Colorado are among the highest in the world, the present stability of dunes in the region may be in part a function of the dunes being supply-limited rather than solely transport-limited. Extensive (∼ 7700 km2) late Holocene dunes document that eolian sand in northeastern Colorado is very sensitive to small changes in climate or fluvial source conditions.
Intraorbital arteriovenous fistulae of the ophthalmic veins treated by transvenous endovascular occlusion: technical case report.

OBJECTIVE AND IMPORTANCE: Intraorbital arteriovenous fistulas (AVF) of the ophthalmic veins are an extremely rare phenomenon. This article describes two such cases treated solely by transvenous occlusion and not hitherto described in the literature. METHODS AND RESULTS: Two women, aged 51 and 63 years old, presented with proptosis and chemosis mimicking a carotid-cavernous fistula. In both cases, cerebral angiography revealed an intraorbital dural AVF of the superior and inferior ophthalmic vein, respectively. Both patients underwent transvenous ablation of the dural AVF retrograde via the facial vein and subsequently had complete resolution of the presenting symptoms. CONCLUSION: Ophthalmic vein fistulas are a rare form of AVF with presenting symptoms mimicking those of carotid cavernous fistulae. This report describes two cases of ophthalmic vein fistulas successfully treated and angiographically obliterated via transvenous embolization with resolution of the patient's presenting symptoms.
Suppressor effects in coping research with African American adolescents from low-income communities.

Objective: The purpose of the current study was to demonstrate the replicable nature of statistical suppressor effects in coping research through 2 examples with African American adolescents from low-income communities. Method: Participants in the 1st example included 497 African American adolescents (mean age 12.61 years, SD 0.99; 57% female) reporting on dispositional coping, and participants in the 2nd example included 268 African American adolescents (mean age 12.90 years, SD 1.27; 56% female) reporting on situation-based coping. Participants in both samples completed self-report measures of coping strategies (Children’s Coping Strategies Checklist and How I Coped Under Pressure Scale) and internalizing symptoms (Youth Self-Report, Children’s Depression Inventory, and Revised Children’s Manifest Anxiety Scale). Results: The results of structural equation modeling revealed significant suppressor effects, with active coping and support-seeking coping enhancing the association between avoidant coping and internalizing symptoms. Conclusions: The demonstration of replicable suppressor effects helps to advance coping research and intervention by providing evidence of the interdependence of coping strategies, thus increasing understanding of how coping strategies work together to predict outcomes. The current study offers recommendations for understanding associations among coping strategies within the context of suppression effects.
A penalized matrix decomposition, with applications to sparse principal components and canonical correlation analysis

SUMMARY We present a penalized matrix decomposition (PMD), a new framework for computing a rank-K approximation for a matrix. We approximate the matrix X as ˆ X = � K=1 dkukv T , where dk, uk, and
On Steiner tableaus

Karl Byleen and Dale Mesner have suggested the following natural generalization of Room squares: An r-dimensional Steiner tableau of side n is an array (a"i"""1i"2...i"r) of n^r cells where each cell is either empty or contains an unordered r-tuple from (n + r - 1) symbols. Further, (T1) for any fixed i"k=h, the (r - 1)-dimensional subarray (a"i"""1...i"k"-"1hi"k+1-i"r)contains each unordered (r - 1)-tuple of the (n + r - 1)-symbols; and (T2) each unordered r-tuple of the (n + r - 1) symbols appears exactly once in the entire array. A necessary and sufficient condition for the existence of an r-dimensional Steiner tableau of side n is mentioned. The above definition reduces to the well-known Room squares when r = 2. For r = 3, we call such a design a Steiner cube. A description is given of a search (aided by machine) which establishes the existence of three Steiner cubes of side 7. Each is a 7 x 7 x 7 cube with each cell either empty or containing a single unordered triple from a 9-set. Each of the (93)=84 unordered triples from a 9-set occurs once, and any of the 7 + 7 + 7 = 21 square cross-sections (slices) of the cube contains the 12 triples of a Steiner triple system on 9 symbols.
Elephants in ancient Egypt and Nubia.

ABSTRACTThis article examines the presence of elephants in civilizations of the ancient Nile valley, where they were hunted and distributed to Egypt and to the Classical Greco-Roman world for ivory, amusement, and military purposes. The full study of elephants requires diverse multidisciplinary research on their evolution, taxonomy, extinction, climate change, the history of human—elephant interactions, and modern issues relating to elephant and ivory policy. This regional view of the past illuminates some of the deep roots of these modern issues in human—elephant relations.
Path selection and coordination for multiple robots via Nash equilibria

We present a method for analyzing and selecting time-optimal coordination strategies for n robots whose configurations are constrained to lie on a C-space roadmap (which could, for instance, represent a Voronoi diagram). We consider independent objective functionals, associated with each robot, together in a game-theoretic context in which maximal Nash equilibria represent the favorable strategies. Within this framework additional criteria, such as priority or the amount of sacrifice one robot makes, can be applied to select a particular equilibrium. An algorithm that determines all of the maximal Nash equilibria for a given problem is presented along with several computed examples for two and three robots. >
Excitons in bundles of single walled carbon nanotubes

Time-resolved photoemission was used to differentiate between excitons and free carriers in non-fluorescing bundles of single walled carbon nanotubes (SWNT). Present findings show that direct interband excitations in semiconductive SWNTs lead to the formation of strongly bound excitons, indicating that proximity effects in SWNTs bundles do not destroy a one-dimensional character of optical excitations.
The development potential of parthenogenetically derived cells in chimeric mouse embryos: implications for action of imprinted genes

Parthenogenetic embryos of mice die shortly after implantation and characteristically contain poorly developed extraembryonic tissue. To investigate the basis of the abnormal development of parthenotes, we combined them with normal embryos to produce chimeras and examined the distribution of the parthenogenetically derived cells during preimplantation and early postimplantation development. The parthenogenetic embryos were derived from a transgenic mouse line bearing a large insert, which allowed these cells to be identified in histological sections using in situ hybridization. At the blastocyst stage, the parthenogenetic embryos contributed cells to the trophectoderm (TE) and inner cell mass (ICM) of chimeras. By 6.5 days, however, in almost every embryo, parthenogenetically derived cells were not detected in the extraembryonic trophoblast tissue descended from the TE. In contrast, parthenogenetically derived cells could contribute to all descendants of the ICM of 6.5-and 7.5-day chimeras, including the extraembryonic visceral and parietal endoderm. Quantitative analysis of the degree of chimerism in the embryonic ectoderm at 6.5-7.5 days indicated that parthenogenetically derived cells could contribute as extensively as normal cells. These results indicate that normal trophoblast development requires gene expression from the paternally inherited genome before 6.5 days of embryogenesis. Tissues of the ICM lineage, however, apparently can develop independently of the paternal genome at least to 7.5 days of embryogenesis. Comparison of these results with those of others suggests that the influence of imprinted genes is manifested at different times and in a variety of tissues during development.
Common information of random linear network coding over a 1-hop broadcast packet erasure channel

Random linear network coding (RLNC) is widely used in practical network coding (NC) protocol design. Recent results show that RLNC also plays an important role in capacity-achieving intersession NC schemes for erasure-based 1-hop relay networks. This work quantifies the common information of RLNC over a 1-hop broadcast packet erasure channel. Several potential applications are discussed, including source coding, intersession NC, and broadcasting with common and private information.
A Fully On-Chip 10Gb/s CDR in a Standard 0.18 /spl mu/m CMOS Technology

A fully integrated OC-192 clock-data recovery (CDR) architecture in standard 0.18 mum CMOS is described. The CDR integrates the large filter capacitor and satisfies SONET jitter tolerance requirements with a total power dissipation (including the buffers) of 290 mW. The measured RMS jitter of the recovered data is 0.74 ps with a bit-error rate (BER) less than 10-12 when the input 215-1 PRBS data pattern has a total horizontal eye closure of 0.54 UlPP due to the added ISI distortion by passing data through 9 inches FR4 PCB trace.
Sensitivity of galaxy cluster morphologies to Ω0 and P(k)

We examine the sensitivity of the spatial morphologies of galaxy clusters to Omega_0 and P(k) using high-resolution N-body simulations with large dynamic range. Variants of the standard CDM model are considered having different spatial curvatures, SCDM (Omega_0=1), OCDM (Omega_0=0.35), LCDM (Omega_0=0.35, lambda_0=0.65), and different normalizations, sigma_8. We also explore critical density models with different spectral indices, n, of the scale-free power spectrum, P(k) propto k^n. Cluster X-ray morphologies are quantified with power ratios (PRs), where we take for the X-ray emissivity j_gas propto rho^2_DM, which we argue is a suitable approximation for analysis of PRs. We find that Omega_0 primarily influences the means of the PR distributions whereas the power spectrum (n and sigma_8) primarily affects their variances: log_10(P_3/P_0) is the cleanest probe of Omega_0 since its mean is very sensitive to Omega_0 but very insensitive to P(k). The PR means easily distinguish the SCDM and OCDM models, while the SCDM and LCDM means show a more modest, but significant, difference (3 sigma). The OCDM and LCDM models are largely indistinguishable in terms of the PRs. Finally, we compared these models to a sample of ROSAT clusters and find that the cluster morphologies strongly disfavor Omega_0=1, CDM while favoring low density, CDM models with or without a cosmological constant.
Eden: Simplified Management of Atypical High-Performance Computing Jobs

As multiprocessor and multicore technology becomes prevalent, shared-memory architectures with 1,024 or more processing cores are becoming available for general-purpose applications. As an early operator of such a system, the Remote Data Analysis and Visualization (RDAV) center at the University of Tennessee observed a host of user applications needing to scale up their computation by running many concurrent instances of generic codes. This isn't a typical way of using high-performance computing systems, and naive solutions supporting such needs would cause significant issues that hamper system scalability and stability. The RDAV center's Eden software package helps manage large numbers of concurrent serial jobs with high throughput for any such application. Here, the authors describe the motivation and technical nature of Eden and report representative use cases they've participated in during the past two years.
Heat-assisted extraction for the determination of methylarginines in serum by CE.

Methylarginines (MAs) are potent vasoconstrictors that have been reported to be present at elevated concentrations in the blood of patients suffering from cardiovascular disease (CVD). To determine the diagnostic potential of MAs for CVD, a method capable of rapidly quantifying their endogenous concentrations from serum samples is required. To that end, a heat-assisted extraction method was developed. Serum was first rapidly heated, causing it to congeal into a gel, and then subjected to solid-liquid extraction. The extraction solution was then derivatized with a fluorogenic dye and analyzed by CE-LIF to permit quantitation of the MAs. This heat-assisted extraction procedure allowed a no-net-dilution extraction of the analytes to be performed into a solvent compatible with the subsequent CE analysis. This enabled direct detection of low abundance analytes, such as MAs, without the need for a preconcentration step. This sample preparation method was compared with a commonly used solid-phase extraction method for MA analysis. Endogenous MA concentrations determined by both the heating and SPE methods were found to be in good agreement with each other and with values previously reported in the literature.
A randomized controlled trial of the effects of working memory training in methadone maintenance patients.

Abstract Objective Working memory impairment in individuals with chronic opioid dependence can play a major role in cognitive and treatment outcomes. Cognitive training targeting working memory shows promise for improved function in substance use disorders. To date, cognitive training has not been incorporated as an adjunctive treatment for opioid dependence. Methods Methadone maintenance patients were randomly assigned to experimental ( n = 28) or active control ( n = 28) 25-session computerized training and run in parallel. Cognitive and drug use outcomes were assessed before and after training. Results Participants in the experimental condition showed performance improvements on two of four working memory measures, and both groups improved on a third measure of working memory performance. Less frequent drug use was found in the experimental group than in the control group post-training. In contrast to previous findings with stimulant users, no significant effect of working memory training on delay discounting was found using either hypothetical or real rewards. There were no group differences on working memory outcome measures that were dissimilar from the training tasks, suggesting that another mechanism (e.g., increased distress tolerance) may have driven drug use results. Conclusions Working memory training improves performance on some measures of working memory in methadone maintenance patients, and may impact drug use outcomes. Working memory training shows promise in patients with substance use disorders; however, further research is needed to understand the mechanisms through which performance is improved and drug use outcomes are impacted.
Using behavior change to reduce child lead exposure in resource-poor settings: a formative study

The objective of this formative research was to explore the acceptability and feasibility of changing housekeeping behaviors as a low-cost approach that may reduce childhood lead exposure in Johannesburg, South Africa. Using the Trials of Improved Practices (TIPs) methodology, modified housekeeping behaviors were negotiated with participants who chose the behaviors they wanted to try and then performed them in their homes over 4 weeks. Researchers interviewed them at the end of the month to understand their experience of trying out the behaviors. The modified behaviors offered to each participantwereasfollows:cleaningwindowsills with detergent and water, cleaning window sills more frequently, mopping floors with two buckets (one with soapy water for washing and one with clean water for rinsing), mopping floors more frequently, dusting surfaces with detergent and water and dusting surfaces more frequently. Participants found cleaning window sills with soap and water and cleaning them more often the most acceptable and feasible of behavior modifications. Environmental samples showed a significant reduction in lead dust on window sills. These findings can assist in the development of acceptable and feasible medium-term interventions to reduce childhood lead exposure in resource-poor settings until more robust health policies are implemented.
Commentary: It's about the fundamentals

Recent actions by the American Psychiatric Association, the American Medical Association, and the American Psychological Association document a growing consensus that health professionals should not become directly involved in hostile interrogations. Challenging questions remain regarding the permissibility of indirect involvement, such as training directed toward promoting the humanity of interrogation procedures and the reliability of their results. A fundamental challenge comes from those who hold that a physician may relinquish the caring role and proceed to disregard medical ethics altogether. Some experts have even gone so far as to allege that all existing rules of medical ethics are baseless statements and thus cannot bind anyone. Forensic psychiatrists’ continuing contributions to this debate are critical.
Plasma processes for thin film surface treatment

Oxygen plasma treatment of polyimide and metal interfaces is used to remove undesirable organic contamination and improve adhesion of thin films. The authors present the results of some of the experimental and modeling efforts directed toward understanding the basic physics and chemistry of the plasma systems used in thin-film processing. Measured ion densities are correlated with the observed effects on polyimide etch rates as well as with debris removal and polyimide cracking upon exposure to various plasma systems. Comparisons of predicted oxygen atom flux with the measured carbon atom turn-over number indicated that the main etching species are the O/sup 3/P atoms. However, activation of the polyimide surface by ion bombardment is an essential first step and is the rate-determining process. The polyimide crack threshold is observed to decrease with increasing ion density (decreasing pressure). Plasma-treatment-induced changes of polyimide and metal surfaces have been delineated by XPS (X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy) and Auger spectroscopy and by water contact angle measurements. Surface modification of the polyimide to increase oxygen content resulted in improved wetting and adhesion. The oxidation state of chrome is a strong function of pressure. Plasma processes at 100 mtorr resulted in the formation of a stable Cr/sub 2/O/sub 3/ oxide layer, while a mixture of Cr/sub 2/O/sub 3/ and CrO/sub 3/ is formed at higher pressures. >
Global Justice and the Bretton Woods Institutions

Together with the WTO, the Bretton Woods Institutions are the preeminent international institutions devoted to managing international economic relations. This mandate puts them squarely in the center of the debate concerning development, inequality and global justice. This essay explores how justice criteria might apply to the ideology and operations of the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund. Using the Rawlsian model of egalitarian justice adapted to international institutions by the author in connection with the WTO, this essay asks what difference it would make for the Bank and Fund if an explicit justice framework informed their international lending activities.
The Red Riviera: Gender, Tourism, and Postsocialism on the Black Sea

The Red Riviera: Gender, Tourism, and Postsocialism on the Black Sea. Kristen Ghodsee. Durham, NC: Duke University Press, 2005. 226 pp.
Particle Size of Periodontal Bone Grafting Materials

Samples of autogenous bone obtained by high speed burs, low speed burs, hand chisels and bone blending; freeze-dried bone purchased from a tissue bank and alloplastic materials, such as Calcitite, Durapatite, Periograf and Synthograft used as donor material for periodontal bone grafting procedures, were evaluated histometrically. Particle sizes ranged from a mean of 210 X 105 mu for bone blend to 1559 X 783 mu for hand-chisel samples. Except for those two materials, all of the others were in the 300 to 500 microns (0.3-0.5 mm) range that seems to be preferred for use in periodontal defects.
Attachments to recreation settings: The case of rail‐trail users

Abstract The authors explore the nature of place attachment (the extent to which an individual values or identifies with a particular environmental setting) and develop a model to help explain how such relationships with recreation settings form. This model is then tested with a sample of users of three “rail‐trails” (multiuse recreation trails constructed on unused railroad rights‐of‐way). Results support the literature, suggesting that place attachment has at least two dimensions: a place dependence, reflecting the importance of the place in facilitating a user's activity, and a more affective place identity, reflecting an individual's valuing of a setting for more symbolic or emotional reasons. Analysis reveals that place identity can best be predicted by how long users have been associated with the trail, the importance they ascribe to their trail activity, and their level of place dependence. Level of place dependence is best predicted by the distance between the trail and the user's home and users’ ...
CHARACTERIZATION OF THE MIHF GENE OF MYCOBACTERIUM SMEGMATIS

Integration of mycobacteriophage L5 requires the mycobacterial integration host factor (mIHF) in vitro. mIHF is a 105-residue heat-stable polypeptide that is not obviously related to HU or any other small DNA-binding proteins. mIHF is most abundant just prior to entry into stationary phase and is essential for the viability of Mycobacterium smegmatis.
Britain Joins the ESO Bandwagon

The United Kingdom is finally joining the European Southern Observatory (ESO). The deal, announced last week and due to take effect on 1 July 2002, will give the U.K. astronomy community access to ESO9s Very Large Telescope and a giant millimeter-wave radio observatory ESO is planning to build with the United States and Japan. But the pact comes at a price: a huge reduction in U.K. funding to the Anglo-Australian Observatory in Siding Spring, Australia.
Interethnic Difference in the Allelic Distribution of Human Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor Intron 1 Polymorphism

Purpose: Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) plays a critical role in signal transduction and is a target for a novel class of anticancer agents that aim to inhibit EGFR-mediated cancer cell growth. Previous studies have demonstrated a dinucleotide (CA)n repeat polymorphism in intron 1 of EGFR , ranging from 14 to 21 repeats, that has been suggested to regulate EGFR expression. The longer allele with 21 repeats showed an 80% reduction of gene expression compared with the shorter allele with 16 repeats. Therefore, the evaluation of the allelic distribution of this polymorphism in populations of various ethnic origins will be crucial to understand the interindividual variability in EGFR expression. Experiment Design: We evaluated the influence of ethnicity on this polymorphism by genotyping individuals of Caucasian ( n = 183), African-American ( n = 84), and Asian ( n = 66) background. Results: The frequency of one of the longer alleles, allele 20 is significantly higher in Asian individuals (63% compared with 21% in Caucasians, P = 2 × 10−18). In confirmation of prior studies, the shorter allele 16 was the most common allele in Caucasians (43%) and African-Americans (42%), but its frequency was significantly lower in Asians (average 17%, P = 10−7 compared with Caucasians). Conclusion: Major interethnic differences in the allelic frequencies of the EGFR intron 1 polymorphism exist. Our results may contribute to a better understanding of the molecular basis underlying ethnic differences in drug response and may be helpful for future strategies of individualized therapy with EGFR inhibitors.
Calcium Regulation of Ion Channels in Neurons

Intracellular calcium modulates the activity of a number of voltage-dependent ion channels in neurons. This modulation is often functionally important, and can influence the responsiveness of cells to natural inputs. In extreme cases, the regulation of ion channels by intracellular calcium can even determine the pattern of electrical activity of neurons. In this review, I will summarize the role of calcium in electrogenesis in bursting molluscan neurons, and in responses to synaptic inputs in rat hippocampal cells and frog sympathetic ganglion neurons.
Investigation of Possible Wellbore Cement Failures During Hydraulic Fracturing Operations

Abstract We model and assess the possibility of shear failure along the vertical well by using the Mohr–Coulomb failure model and employing a rigorous coupled flow-geomechanic analysis. To this end, we take various values of cohesion between the well casing and the surrounding cement to represent different quality levels of cementing operation (low cohesion corresponds to low-quality cement and/or incomplete cementing). The simulation results show that there is very little fracturing when the cement is of high quality. Conversely, incomplete cementing and/or weak cement can cause significant shear failure and evolution of long fractures/cracks along the vertical well. Specifically, low cohesion between the well and cemented areas can cause significant shear failure along the well, while high cohesion does not cause shear failure. The Biot and thermal dilation coefficients strongly affect shear failure along the well casing, and low Young's modulus causes fast failure propagation. Still, for the high quality of the cementing job, failure propagates very little. When the hydraulic fracturing pressure is high or when permeability increases significantly, low cohesion of the cement can cause fast propagation of shear failure and of the resulting fracture/crack, but a high-quality cement with no weak zones exhibits limited shear failure that is only concentrated near the bottom of the vertical part of the well. Thus, high-quality cement and complete cementing along the vertical well appears to be the strongest protection against shear failure of the wellbore cement and, consequently, against contamination hazards to drinking water aquifers during hydraulic fracturing operations.
Effect of Standing Estrus Prior to an Injection of GnRH on Steriodogenic Enzyme Expression in Luteal Tissue

Cows detected in estrus around the time of fixed-time AI had increased pregnancy success and progesterone concentrations. Additionally, GnRH following onset of estrus influenced LH pulse frequency and CL formation/function. Therefore our objective was to determine steriodogenic enzyme expression within luteal tissue of cows that were or were not detected in standing estrus prior to an injection of GnRH. Cows were synchronized with the CO-Synch protocol (day -9 100 mg GnRH; day -2 25 mg PGF2α; day 0 100 mg GnRH). Estrus was detected with the HeatWatch system. Location and size of the ovulatory follicle was determined on day 0 at time of GnRH by transrectal ultrasonography; blood samples were collected on day 3,4,5,7, and 9; and luteal tissue was collected on d 10 (n = 3 estrus and n = 8 no estrus) from CL originating from similar sized follicles (13.5 to 16 mm). Total cellular RNA was extracted and relative mRNA levels were determined by real-time RT-PCR and corrected for GAPDH. There was no effect of estrus on CL weight (P = 0.83). There was no effect of estrus by time (P = 0.17) or estrus (P = 0.97) on progesterone concentrations, but there was an effect of time (P < 0.01). In addition, there was no effect of estrus, follicle size, or CL weight on LH receptor expression (P = 0.97, 0.94, and 0.85), StAR expression (P = 0.87, 0.92, and 0.86), CYP11A1 expression (P = 0.49, 0.27, and 0.99), or 3HSD expression (P = 0.49, 0.61, and 0.91). However, there was a correlation between follicle size and CL weight (P = 0.01; R = 0.51); for every increase of 1 mm in follicle size, CL weight increased by 1.1 g. In addition, there was an effect of CL weight by time (P = 0.01) on progesterone concentrations and an effect of time (P < 0.01) with a tendency for an effect of CL weight (P = 0.06). In summary, estrus did not influence CL weight, progesterone concentrations, or expression of steriodogenic enzymes. However, as follicle size increased, CL weight increased, and CL weight influenced progesterone concentrations.
Comparison of Two Rapid Response Teams Models Reduction of Rapid Response Triggers and Cardiac Arrests by the Continuum of Care Model Compared With Traditional Rapid Response Team

Background. Although rapid response teams (RRTs) decrease in-house cardiac arrests, significant debate exists surrounding their impact on patient outcomes. We have implemented the continuum of care...
Soluble tumour necrosis factor receptor type II and survival in colorectal cancer

Chronic inflammation may play a role in colorectal cancer (CRC) pathogenesis. The relationship between soluble tumour necrosis factor receptor type II (sTNF-RII) and survival among CRC patients is not well defined. We prospectively evaluated the association between pre-diagnosis plasma levels of sTNF-RII and mortality in 544 CRC patients from the Nurses’ Health Study and Health Professionals Follow-Up Study diagnosed from 1990 to 2010. Primary and secondary end points were overall and CRC-specific mortality, respectively. Cox proportional hazards models were used to calculate multivariate hazard ratios for mortality. Higher sTNF-RII levels were significantly associated with increased overall mortality (multivariate HR=1.48, 95% CI 1.02–2.16, P-trend=0.006), but not with CRC-specific mortality (HR=1.23, 95% CI 0.72–2.08, P-trend=0.34). In subgroup analyses, among regular aspirin users, those with higher sTNF-RII levels had an adjusted HR of 0.52 (95% CI 0.20–1.33) for overall mortality compared with those with lower sTNF-RII levels, whereas among nonregular aspirin users the adjusted HR was 2.26 (95% CI 1.23–4.01, P for interaction=0.53). Among CRC patients, higher sTNF-RII levels are associated with a significant increase in overall mortality, but not CRC-specific mortality. The role of inflammation and anti-inflammatory medications in survival of CRC patients warrants further exploration.
Chief Complaints of Patients with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Admitted to Emergency Department

Objective To analyze the chief complaints of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus ( SLE) presenting to emergency department ( ED) . Methods The chief complaints of 200 patients with SLE who admitted to the ED in our hospital from September 2009 to January 2013 were retrospectively analyzed. Clinical data queried included: the number and distribution of chief complaint symptoms,the chief complaint symptoms of the untreated patients with SLE,and the causes of fever. Results Two different symptoms were most commonly reported at presentation to the ED ( 47. 5% ,95 /200 ) ,with fever being the most common ( 58% , 116 /200) . Other common symptoms involved the central nervous system ( 38. 5% ,20 /52) ,respiratory system ( 23. 1%,12/52) ,and digestive system ( 19. 2%,10/52) were prone to be complicated with fever. The most common cause of fever was lupus activity in untreated patients with SLE ( 78. 8% ,26 /33) and infection in patients with SLE exacerbation ( 69. 9% ,58 /83) . In patients with infection-induced fever,the most common location of infection was respiratory system ( 81. 5% ,53 /65) . Conclusion SLE patients admintted to ED have a variety of chief complaints,which should be carefully distinguished for particular features during the diagnosis.
Reflection on Upsurge of Low-carbon Cities in China:Status Quo,Problems and Trends

Nowadays,the construction of low-carbon cities has become very an upsurge in China.However,certain issues are still vague and need to be reflected rationally.Five subjects related to low-carbon cities were reviewed in this paper.1)After interpreting the concept of a low-carbon city,it was pointed out that the low-carbon city construction should be carried out on the basis of low-carbon economy while multiple objectives such as economic development,environmental protection and living standard improvement should be balanced.2)The evaluation indicator of a low-carbon city was summarized for which the criteria has not been clarified yet.3)Low-carbon city construction pathways were collected from various aspects of urban planning,low-carbon policy,ecological industry,sustainable energy,green transport and so on,when choosing typical cities such as Baoding,Shanghai,Jilin and Hangzhou as the cases.4)The evaluation results of urban low-carbon development level were also analyzed,which implies there is still a long way to go for low-carbon city construction.5)Moreover,the issues that deserve attention in future were pointed out,e.g.,the low-carbon objective can not replace all the other urban development objectives;different cities with different conditions should take specific measures to construct a low-carbon city;as a long-term systematic project,the construction of low-carbon city needs cooperation of experts from multiple fields and lifecycle tracking and management during the period of systematic planning,scheme implementation and its effect assessment.It is expected that these ideas will promote smoothly the construction of low-carbon cities in China.
Topographical dissociation of BCL-2 messenger RNA and protein expression in human lymphoid tissues.

Immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization with a synthetic oligonucleotide probe were used to compare the topographical distribution of BCL-2 proto-oncogenic protein with that of its messenger RNA (mRNA) in normal lymphoid tissues, follicular lymphomas, and lymphoma-derived cell lines. In normal lymph nodes, BCL-2 protein was most abundant in the small lymphocytes of primary lymphoid follicles and the mantle zones of secondary follicles, virtually absent within germinal centers, and of variable abundance in many interfollicular cells. In contrast, the distribution of BCL-2 mRNA was roughly reciprocal to that of the protein with intense hybridization signal in germinal centers and almost none in mantle zones. Discordant BCL-2 RNA and protein levels were also observed in tonsillar epithelial cells and cortical thymocytes. Concordant and abundant expression of BCL-2 mRNA and protein was detected in biopsy tissues and cell lines from t(14;18)-carrying lymphomas. The contrasting distributions of BCL- 2 protein and RNA in normal lymphoid tissues suggest that translational and posttranslational control mechanisms play a significant role in regulating BCL-2 protein levels in germinal center cells, epithelial cells, and cortical thymocytes. Concordant BCL-2 mRNA and protein levels in follicular lymphomas suggest that translational control mechanisms may be disrupted as part of the sequence of genetic changes that transforms normal lymphoid cells into neoplastic follicular lymphoma cells.
MO-FG-CAMPUS-TeP2-05: Optimizing Stereotactic Radiosurgery Treatment of Multiple Brain Metastasis Lesions with Individualized Rotational Arc Trajectories

Purpose: Radiosurgery of multiple (n>4) brain metastasis lesions requires 3–4 noncoplanar VMAT arcs with excessively high monitor units and long delivery time. We investigated whether an improved optimization technique would decrease the needed arc numbers and increase the delivery efficiency, while improving or maintaining the plan quality. Methods: The proposed 4pi arc space optimization algorithm consists of two steps: automatic couch angle selection followed by aperture generation for each arc with optimized control points distribution. We use a greedy algorithm to select the couch angles. Starting from a single coplanar arc plan we search through the candidate noncoplanar arcs to pick a single noncoplanar arc that will bring the best plan quality when added into the existing treatment plan. Each time, only one additional noncoplanar arc is considered making the calculation time tractable. This process repeats itself until desired number of arc is reached. The technique is first evaluated in coplanar arc delivery scheme with testing cases and then applied to noncoplanar treatments of a case with 12 brain metastasis lesions. Results: Clinically acceptable plans are created within minutes. For the coplanar testing cases the algorithm yields singlearc plans with better dose distributions than that of two-arc VMAT, simultaneously with a 12–17% reduction in the delivery time and a 14–21% reduction in MUs. For the treatment of 12 brain mets while Paddick conformity indexes of the two plans were comparable the SCG-optimization with 2 arcs (1 noncoplanar and 1 coplanar) significantly improved the conventional VMAT with 3 arcs (2 noncoplanar and 1 coplanar). Specifically V16 V10 and V5 of the brain were reduced by 11%, 11% and 12% respectively. The beam delivery time was shortened by approximately 30%. Conclusion: The proposed 4pi arc space optimization technique promises to significantly reduce the brain toxicity while greatly improving the treatment efficiency.
Mixing Effects in Continuous Crystallization

Factors influencing size distribution in well-back-mixed crystallizers have been extensively studied with considerable success. Valuable information has been found concerning production size equipment. Unfortunately, in large systems good backmixing is seldom if ever achieved. In fact, it is often purposely avoided, and as a result improvements in size distribution are achieved. Therefore, the question that arises is can any significant analysis be made of a system which is not perfectly backmixed which will give any insight on how the mixing conditions effect the distribution (1).
ASSESSING REFERRALS AND IMPROVING INFORMATION AVAILABILITY FOR CONSULTATIONS IN AN ACADEMIC ENDOCRINOLOGY CLINIC.

Objective: Outpatient specialty consultations rely on the timeliness and completeness of referral information to facilitate a valuable patient-specialist interaction. This project aimed to increase essential diagnostic information availability at the initial consultation for patients referred for common endocrine conditions frequently lacking such data—diabetes mellitus, thyroid nodule, thyrotoxicosis, and hypercalcemia. Methods: At an endocrinology clinic at an academic medical center in rural New England, providers see several thousand new patients annually, the majority of whom are referred by providers external to the clinic's healthcare system. Through consensus, endocrinology clinic providers agreed on the two or three data elements essential for a meaningful initial consultation for each. A quality improvement team employed a planned series of interventions based on previously published methods and an innovative approach: dissemination of a referral guideline, an assessment of referral adequacy in ...
Risk Factors for Development of Pulmonary Hypertension in Infants with Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Summary Objectives Preterm infants with bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) are at increased risk for development of Pulmonary Hypertension (PHT). We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to identify risk factors for development of PHT in infants with BPD. Study Design A systematic review identified risk factors for the development of PHT in infants with BPD. A meta-analysis of the pooled data was performed for each individual risk factor. Result Of the 20 risk factors identified, 10 were repeated more than once in nine studies. Meta analysis showed that duration of mechanical ventilation, length of stay, oligohydramnios, use of high frequency ventilation, small for gestational age, sepsis and severity of BPD were significant risk factors; while birth weight and gestational age were inversely related. Conclusion Several clinical variables are predictive of the development of PHT in infants with BPD. Prospective studies are needed to transform these risk factors into a risk-based scoring system.
Prevalence and Correlates of Cannabis Use in Outpatients with Serious Mental Illness Receiving Treatment for Alcohol Use Disorders.

Abstract Introduction: People with serious mental illness (SMI) use cannabis more than any other illicit drug. Cannabis use is associated with increased psychotic symptoms and is highly comorbid with alcohol use disorders (AUDs). Despite the national trend toward decriminalization, little is known about the prevalence, correlates, and impact of cannabis use on those with SMI receiving treatment for substance use disorders, a group at high risk for the negative effects of cannabis use. Methods: In this secondary data analysis, cannabis use prevalence, correlates, and impact on treatment outcomes were examined in 121 adults with cooccurring SMI and AUDs receiving outpatient addiction treatment in a randomized trial of contingency management (CM) for alcohol. Prevalence and frequency of cannabis use were calculated across the 7-month study period using self-report and urine tests. Cannabis users were compared with nonusers by SMI diagnosis, psychiatric symptoms, medical problems, legal problems, and HIV-risk...