cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
TACHINID PARASITOIDS AFFECT HOST PLANT CHOICE BY CATERPILLARS TO INCREASE CATERPILLAR SURVIVAL

Current models of parasite–host interactions generally emphasize considerations of parasite virulence and parasite transmission rather than host responses to attack. We describe a situation in which parasitism causes a host to change its feeding behavior and this change improves the expected fitness of the host and probably the fitness of its parasites. We have found that a tachinid parasitoid (Thelaira americana) often emerges from its caterpillar host (Platyprepia virginalis) without killing the host. Whether the host caterpillar survives its parasites depends in part on what it has been eating. Unparasitized caterpillars were more likely to survive to adulthood when feeding on lupine, whereas parasitized caterpillars were more likely to survive on poison hemlock. Development time and pupal masses of caterpillars (both parasitized and unparasitized) were not found to be affected by the host plants that they fed on. Survival of fly larvae in caterpillars that we determined were parasitized using ultrasound was not affected by host plant. However, fly pupae that emerged from caterpillars that had been reared on hemlock were heavier than those emerging from lupine-fed caterpillars. This was due primarily to the direct effect of diet on the flies and less so to the indirect benefit to flies whose host caterpillars survived their parasites by feeding on hemlock. Parasitized caterpillars were more likely to select hemlock, and unparasitized caterpillars were more likely to select lupine when offered both host plants in field tests. These results were consistent for the two years that the choice experiments were conducted. These results were also consistent with the hypothesis that caterpillars change their food plant choices so as to increase their conditional success. Conditional food choices that increase success depending upon parasite load are well accepted for humans, controversial for other primates, and unknown for insects. If caterpillars alter their host plant choices as a result of their parasite load, then this phenomenon could help to explain the evolution of host plant choices that have defied explanation in the past. Such a suggestion assumes that nonlethal parasitism is a common phenomenon. We believe that this may be the case since we did not detect the nonlethal nature of this interaction until we began the unconventional practice of rearing in the field. Other workers have described nonlethal parasitism for several tachinid–host systems, and many families of flies are similar to tachinids except that their hosts are vertebrates; these interactions are nonlethal. Future empirical work, as well as models of parasite–host interactions, should consider the possibility that hosts alter their plant choices depending upon their parasite loads.
Vitamin D regulated keratinocyte differentiation: Role of coactivators

1,25 Dihydroxyvitamin D (1,25(OH)(2)D) regulates the differentiation of keratinocytes. 1,25(OH)(2)D raises intracellular free calcium (Cai) as a necessary early step toward stimulating differentiation. 1,25(OH)(2)D induces the calcium sensing receptor (CaR) in keratinocytes and enhances the calcium response of these cells. Activation of the CaR by calcium increases intracellular free calcium by a mechanism involving phospholipase C (PLC) cleavage of phosphatidylinositolbisphosphate into inositoltrisphosphate (IP(3)) and diacylglycerol (DG). 1,25(OH)(2)D induces the family of PLCs. PLC-gamma1 has a DR6 VDRE in its promoter which binds and is activated by VDR/RAR rather than VDR/RXR. The involucrin gene, which encodes a critical component of the cornified envelope, contains a DR3 VDRE in its promoter that acts in conjunction with a nearby AP-1 site. The sequential regulation of these genes is critical for the differentiation process. In undifferentiated keratinocytes, the VDR binds preferentially to the DRIP complex of coactivators. However, with differentiation DRIP 205 is no longer produced, and the VDR switches partners to the SRC family (SRC2 and 3). These studies suggest that at least part of the sequential activation of genes required during keratinocyte differentiation is regulated by the change (availability) of these different coactivator complexes.
Excitation of Vibrational Eigenstates of Coupled Microcantilevers Using Ultrasound Radiation Force

A coupled pair of 500 μm length microcantilevers was excited using the ultrasound radiation force. The excitation was produced using the difference frequency between the two sidebands of a doublesideband suppressed carrier AM (DSB-SC-AM) waveform centered on 500 kHz that was emitted by a focused ultrasound transducer. A laser Doppler vibrometer measured the frequency response and deflection shapes of the cantilever pair. The measured frequencies of the symmetric and antisymmetric eigenstates of the first transverse mode at 10 kHz excited using the ultrasound radiation force were consistent with frequencies measured using a scanning-probe microscopy system. The ultrasound radiation force was also used to excite the symmetric and antisymmetric eigenstates of the 60 kHz second transverse and 86 kHz first torsional modes. These results demonstrate the capability of using the ultrasound radiation force for excitation of structures in air that are significantly smaller, and with higher resonance frequencies, than in any previous study.
Predictive power of ejection fraction and renal failure in patients admitted for chest pain without ST elevation in the troponin era

Background Ejection fraction (EF) and renal failure (RF) are powerful predictors of mortality in patients with myocardial infarction (MI). There are limited data assessing the predictive value of EF and RF compared with clinical variables in patients without ST elevation using troponin as the diagnostic MI criteria. Methods Consecutive patients admitted from the emergency department underwent serial assessment of cardiac markers, including troponin I. Abnormal EF was defined as Results A total of 3074 patients had EF assessed. Mild to moderately reduced EF and CrCl were present in 639 (21%) and 582 (19%) patients, with 403 (13%) and 233 (7.6%) having severe systolic dysfunction and severe RF, respectively. Abnormal EF and RF were both present in 13% of patients (1-year mortality 26%), whereas 52% had both normal EF and CrCl (1-year mortality 3.2%). The presence of either systolic dysfunction or RF increased mortality 3- to 4-fold compared with patients without either. The most important multivariate predictors of 1-year mortality were EF (OR 2.6 [95% CI 1.7-3.8, P P Conclusions Both RF and EF are strong predictors of cardiac mortality in patients admitted for exclusion of MI. Prediction models that do not include these 2 variables will underestimate risk.
Predictions of the Gauss-Hermite beam model and finite element methodf or ultrasonic propagation through anisotropic stainless steel

The predictions of the Gauss-Hermite beam model are compared to those obtained by the finite-element method for a model problem. This is motivated by the desire to examine the trade-offs between computational speed and accuracy in the Gauss-Hermite model. In the model problem, a contact strip transducer radiates through an isotropic layer of ferritic steel into an anisotropic layer of austenitic stainless steel with various directions of the preferred axis of columnar grain alignment. Comparisons are made of time-domain waveforms in a common observation axis in the austenitic material. The predictions of the two models are found to be in good agreement near the center of the beam, with deviations developing as one moves away from the central ray. These are interpreted to be a consequence of the Fresnel approximation made in the Gauss-Hermite model. However, the region that contains most the energy is in the vicinity of the central ray, where there is excellent agreement between the two models. This loss in accuracy is accompanied by a several orders of magnitude increase in computation time. >
On the application of the LMS-based adaptive noise canceller in nonstationary environment associated with airborne Doppler weather radar

The use of the LMS least mean square-based adaptive noise canceller (ANC) as a process decorrelator in a nonstationary signal and noise environment is investigated. In an airborne Doppler weather radar application, ground clutter and weather returns are treated as two uncorrelated nonstationary processes. Under severly low signal-to-clutter ratio conditions, the adaptive noise canceller exhibits performance superior to that of a fixed, nonadaptive system in terms of ground clutter suppression and estimates of weather parameters. Signal modeling and the choice of reference input, which are issues associated with the implementation of the ANC, are also addressed. >
Laser Skin Treatment in Non-Caucasian Patients

The demand for facial rejuvenation and cosmetic procedures is rising among all ethnicities and skin types. The authors present a review of lasers and how to select a laser based on skin type and the treatment goals of laser resurfacing: skin laxity, dyschromia, hair removal, keloid, and hypertrophic scarring. In addition, they discuss preprocedural and postprocedural considerations, potential complications, and their management to maximize patient outcomes and minimize risk.
Adaptive sampling for fast physical optics numerical integration

It is shown that the numerical evaluation of the physical optics integral may be accelerated by an order of magnitude or more by adaptively varying the sampling density. The fast variation of the integrand is determined by the gradient of the phase, which in some regions may require far fewer points-per-wavelength than the standard Nyquist sampling rate.
The association between neuropsychological scores and ethnicity, language, and acculturation variables in a large patient population

The relationship between ethnicity and cognitive test performance was examined in a sample of 161 patients referred for evaluation at a public hospital-affiliated neuropsychology clinic; 83 patients were Caucasian (non-Hispanic), 31 were African-American, 30 were Hispanic, and 17 were Asian. Significant group differences were present on some measures of language (Boston Naming Test), attention (Digit Span ACSS), constructional ability (Rey-Osterrieth [RO] copy), nonverbal processing speed (Trails A), and executive skills (Wisconsin Card Sorting Test [WCST]). Comparison of those who spoke English as a first language (or who learned English concurrently with a second language) versus those who spoke English as a second language (ESL) revealed significantly higher performance in the non-ESL group for Digit Span, Boston Naming Test, and FAS, and a higher score in the ESL group for RO copy. Boston Naming Test scores were significantly related to years educated in the United States; Boston Naming Test and Digit Span scores were significantly correlated with age at which conversational English was first learned and number of years in the United States; and finally, FAS scores were also significantly related to number of years in the United States. These findings are consistent with data from published literature on ethnic differences and the effects of acculturation on cognitive test performance in nonpatients, and also indicate that these observations are not attenuated by the presence of psychiatric or neurologic illness. The results further caution that normative data derived on Caucasian samples may not be appropriate for use with other ethnic groups.
Effect of Acute Exposure to a Complex Fragrance on Lexical Decision Performance

This study tested the effect of acute exposure to a commercial air freshener, derived from fragrant botanical extracts, at an average concentration of 3.16 mg/m 3 total volatile organic compounds on the lexical decision performance of 28 naive participants. Participants attended two 18-min sessions on separate days and were continuously exposed to the fragrance in either the first (F/NF) or second (NF/F) session. Participants were not instructed about the fragrance. Exposure to the fragrance did not affect high-frequency word recognition. However, there was an order of administration effect for low-frequency word recognition accuracy. When the fragrance was administered first before the no-odor control condition, it did not affect accuracy, but when it was administered second after the control condition, it significantly decreased low-frequency word recognition accuracy. Reaction times to low-frequency words were significantly slower than those for high-frequency words, but no effect of either fragrance or order of administration on reaction times was found. The presence of fragrance in the second session apparently served as a distraction that impaired lexical task performance accuracy. The introduction of fragrances into buildings may not necessarily facilitate all aspects of work performance as anticipated.
The Poultry Industry, Its Importance in Agricultural Development

Abstract D evelopment of the P oultry I ndustry . It is probable that the domestication of fowls was first accomplished for the sport of cock fighting rather than for any economic reason. However, as the value of fowls as a source of food production came to be recognized, they came to be kept more and more, in small flocks, for the purpose of supplying food for the family. With the advent of modern methods of transportation and of cold storage, poultry keeping has developed into one of the activities on the farm from which it is expected to receive an actual money income, and in many cases into specialized poultry farms where from 1,800 to 20,000 head of fowls are kept. This development has been furthered by fairs and poultry shows, and by Government aid. As a result of this poultry development certain communities and countries have become noted for their poultry industry. For …
Intellect and Will in Augustine's Confessions

Augustine tells us in the Confessions that his reading of Cicero's Hortensius at the age of nineteen aroused in him a burning ' passion for the wisdom of eternal truth'. He was inspired 'to love wisdom itself, whatever it might be, and to search for it, pursue it, hold it, and embrace it firmly'.1 And thus he embarked on his arduous journey to the truth, which was at the same time a conversion to Catholic Christianity, and which culminated twelve years later in his experience in the garden in Milan. In the first part of this paper I will trace Augustine's search for intellectual knowledge and truth the pathway from Manicheeism to Catholicism by which he achieves what he takes to be a true conception of God. Consider? ation will be given to the way in which his intellectual progress affects and is affected by the conative side of his nature his desires, habits and affec? tions. I will then ask whether the insight into God's nature that Augustine achieves suffices to give him the wisdom that he seeks, and will consider his novel suggestion that it does not. We will see that Augustine attempts to set out additional, non-intellectual criteria for attaining knowledge of God where 'knowledge' has a richer sense that involves 'holding' the truth, and 'embracing it fully'. Augustine's conversion to the truth essentially involves a reorienting of the will, a radical change in attitude and motive. My second concern is with Augustine's conception of how his own will functions in his conversion. Clearly he thinks of his conversion as a. process of change within the whole self, but one that culminates in a final act of will. His highly dramatized and metaphorical description of the struggle that goes on within him leading to his final decision is a repository of insight into human willing. I will attempt to elicit from the text of the Confessions Augustine's conception of the will whether it functions as liberum arbitrium, capable of choosing between presented alternatives, or simply as the execu? tive organ of reason or desire. Secondly, I will consider the extent to which Augustine views himself as contributing by his own initiative both to the
Sparseness vs Estimating Conditional Probabilities: Some Asymptotic Results

One of the nice properties of kernel classifiers such as SVMs is that they often produce sparse solutions. However, the decision functions of these classifiers cannot always be used to estimate the conditional probability of the class label. We investigate the relationship between these two properties and show that these are intimately related: sparseness does not occur when the conditional probabilities can be unambiguously estimated. We consider a family of convex loss functions and derive sharp asymptotic results for the fraction of data that becomes support vectors. This enables us to characterize the exact trade-off between sparseness and the ability to estimate conditional probabilities for these loss functions.
Evolutionary Forces Shaping the Golgi Glycosylation Machinery: Why Cell Surface Glycans Are Universal to Living Cells

Despite more than 3 billion years since the origin of life on earth, the powerful forces of biological evolution seem to have failed to generate any living cell that is devoid of a dense and complex array of cell surface glycans. Thus, cell surface glycans seem to be as essential for life as having a DNA genetic code, diverse RNAs, structural/functional proteins, lipid-based membranes, and metabolites that mediate energy flux and signaling. The likely reasons for this apparently universal law of biology are considered here, and include the fact that glycans have the greatest potential for generating diversity, and thus evading recognition by pathogens. This may also explain why in striking contrast to the genetic code, glycans show widely divergent patterns between taxa. On the other hand, glycans have also been coopted for myriad intrinsic functions, which can vary in their importance for organismal survival. In keeping with these considerations, a significant percentage of the genes in the typical genome are dedicated to the generation and/or turnover of glycans. Among eukaryotes, the Golgi is the subcellular organelle that serves to generate much of the diversity of cell surface glycans, carrying out various glycan modifications of glycoconjugates that transit through the Golgi, en route to the cell surface or extracellular destinations. Here I present an overview of general considerations regarding the selective forces shaping evolution of the Golgi glycosylation machinery, and then briefly discuss the common types of variations seen in each major class of glycans, finally focusing on sialic acids as an extreme example of evolutionary glycan diversity generated by the Golgi. Future studies need to address both the phylogenetic diversity the Golgi and the molecular mechanisms for its rapid responses to intrinsic and environmental stimuli.
Use of an integrated MS : multiplexed MS/MS data acquisition strategy for high-coverage peptide mapping studies

Liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry (LC/MS) peptide maps have become a basic tool for characterizing proteins of biological and pharmaceutical interest. The ability to generate reproducible maps with high protein sequence coverage is a central goal of methods development. We have applied a recently developed analytical approach (termed LC/MSE) to LC/MS peptide mapping. Using the LC/MSE approach, the mass detector alternates between a low-energy scanning mode (MS) for accurate mass peptide precursor identification, and an elevated-energy mode (MSE) for generation of accurate mass multiplex peptide fragmentation data. In this paper, we evaluate this analytical approach against a tryptic digest of yeast enolase. From the low-energy data, high peptide map coverage (98% of sequence from peptides >3 amino acids) was reproducibly obtained. The MS signal for essentially equimolar peptides varied over 2 orders of magnitude in intensity, and peptide intensities could be precisely and reproducibly measured. Using the temporal constraint that MSE peptide fragment ions exhibit chromatographic profiles that parallel the precursor ions that generated them, we were able to produce accurate mass time-resolved MS/MS information for all enolase peptides with sufficient abundance to produce a detectable fragment ion. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Comparison of muscle force after immediate and delayed reinnervation using nerve-muscle-endplate band grafting

Abstract Background Because of poor functional outcomes of currently used reinnervation methods, we developed novel treatment strategy for the restoration of paralyzed muscles—the nerve-muscle-endplate band grafting (NMEG) technique. The graft was obtained from the sternohyoid muscle (donor) and implanted into the ipsilateral paralyzed sternomastoid (SM) muscle (recipient). Methods Rats were subjected to immediate or delayed (1 or 3 mo) reinnervation of the experimentally paralyzed SM muscles using the NMEG technique or the conventionally used nerve end-to-end anastomosis. The SM muscle at the opposite side served as a normal control. Results NMEG produced better recovery of muscle force as compared with end-to-end anastomosis. A larger force produced by NMEG was most evident for small stimulation currents. Conclusions The NMEG technique holds great potential for successful muscle reinnervation. We hypothesize that even better muscle reinnervation and functional recovery could be achieved with further improvement of the environment that favors axon-end plate connections and accelerates axonal growth and sprouting.
Systemic lupus erythematosus in three ethnic groups. XX. Damage as a predictor of further damage

OBJECTIVE To examine the predictors of damage in a multiethnic cohort of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients with a specific focus on damage at baseline. PATIENTS AND METHODS SLE patients from a multiethnic US (Hispanic, African-American and Caucasian) cohort (LUMINA: Lupus in Minority populations, Nature versus nurture) were included if they had > or =6 months of follow-up in the cohort. Damage was measured with the Systemic Lupus International Collaborating Clinics (SLICC) Damage Index (SDI). The dependent variable was the change in SDI score between study visits. Predictors were from the preceding visit. Variables known to affect damage accrual in SLE were included in the analyses. RESULTS Three hundred and fifty-two patients (82 Hispanics, 153 African-Americans and 117 Caucasians) representing 1795 patient visits were included. Previous damage was found to be a significant predictor of subsequent damage accrual (P < 0.0001). Other variables predictive of subsequent damage accrual were disease activity (P < 0.0001), older age (P = 0.041) and use of corticosteroids (P = 0.0048). CONCLUSIONS Once damage occurs in SLE, further damage is expected to occur. This is more likely to be the case if disease activity persists. These data have clinical implications for the management of SLE patients.
The Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP) And The Financial Crisis Of 2007-2008

When the financial crisis that started in the summer of 2007 took a turn for the worse in the fall of 2008, the Fed and Treasury Department engaged in efforts to stabilize financial markets. The Fed continuously reduced the discount rate and made loans to AIG, JPMorgan Chase, Morgan Stanley and Goldman Sachs. The U.S. Treasury Department initiated the Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP), which many felt was a waste of federal dollars. Using a GARCH(1,1) model, this paper finds evidence that volatility in stock index returns was reduced after October 14, 2008 when the TARP Capital Purchase Program was announced.
Richard Aoki's Legacy and Dilemma: Who Do You Serve?

“In life, Richard Aoki provided important leadership, bringing into reality Afro-Asian unity, Third World solidarity, and internationalism. In death, Richard became an iconic role model for younger generations. Now, with the bombardment of FBI Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) documents and the media alleging he was an informant, many of his friends, comrades, and others are re-evaluating Richard Aoki's life.”
Synthesis, Development, and Testing of High-Surface-Area Polymer-Based Adsorbents for the Selective Recovery of Uranium from Seawater

The ocean contains uranium with an approximate concentration of 3.34 ppb, which can serve as an incredible supply source to sustain nuclear energy in the United States. Unfortunately, technology currently available to recover uranium from seawater is not efficient enough and mining uranium on land is still more economical. We have developed polymer-based adsorbents with high uranium adsorption capacities by grafting amidoxime onto high-surface-area polyethylene (PE) fibers. Various process conditions have been screened, in combination with developing a rapid testing protocol (<24 h), to optimize the process. These adsorbents are synthesized through radiation-induced grafting of acrylonitrile (AN) and methacrylic acid (MAA) onto PE fibers, followed by the conversion of nitriles to amidoximes and basic conditioning. In addition, the uranium adsorption capacity, measured in units of gU/kgads, is greatly increased by reducing the diameter of the PE fiber or changing its morphology. An increase in the surface ...
Synthesis and Antiproliferative Activity Evaluation of the Disulfide-Containing Cyclic Peptide Thiochondrilline C and Derivatives

Thiochondrilline C (4) was previously isolated from Verrucisispora sp. and reported to have moderate cytotoxicity against human lung adenocarcinoma cells. Herein, we report the synthesis of thiochondrilline C by N-terminal peptide extension, oxidative disulfide bond formation, and heterocycle installation as key steps. Antiproliferative activities for the prepared natural product and several derivatives against the NCI 60 cancer cell line panel are also described. Derivative 22 was identified as a moderately potent antiproliferative agent (50% growth inhibition (GI50) = 0.2–12.2 μM) with leukemia (average GI50 = 1.8 ± 0.1 μM) and colon (average GI50 = 2.4 ± 0.3 μM) cells being most sensitive.
Consumer Behavior and Y2K

T he study of consumer (or better, customer) behavior is one of the most fascinating and multifaceted topics imaginable. For the past 20 years, the dominant paradigm in "CB" has been information processing (cf. Bettman 1979). Substantively, the emphasis has been on attitudes toward and choices among a set of close substitutes (i.e., brands within a product category). Particular emphasis is evident in assessing the impact of marketing mix elements, specifically, price, promotion, and, especially, (mass) advertising. Theoretically, the dominant paradigm has been borrowed from psychology (cognitive and social in particular) and, to a lesser extent, economics. Information acquisition and processing (from memory and outside sources) have been the center of attention. In terms of method, the typical approach has used a lab study with controlled manipulation of a few factors using a homogeneous sample (students). The analytical method of choice has been ANOVA, with particular emphasis on p-values (that is, "proving" an effect is not zero) and a search for interactions. This approach has produced substantial progress, and interesting issues still exist (e.g., how will consumers deal with the information deluge they face?). A relevant question, however, is whether a broader focus is needed. This question arises in an era when the future of one of the parent disciplines of CB, marketing, increasingly is being marginalized (Lehmann 1997) as areas such as strategy, quality, satisfaction, the supply chain, and product design have addressed marketing issues. The position of this article is that different theories, areas of substantive interest, and methods
Abstract 3084: Constitutively active RAS signaling reduces 1,25 dihydroxyvitamin D-mediated gene transcription by suppressing vitamin D receptor gene expression in mouse colon epithelial cells

The active metabolite of vitamin D, 1,25 dihydroxyvitamin D (1,25(OH) 2 D), binds to the vitamin D receptor (VDR) and stimulates anti-cancer transcriptional events in many cell lines including colon cancer cells. However, we found that tumors which form in the distal colon of mice with an APC allele deletion had significantly lower VDR mRNA levels compared to RNA isolated from the distal colon of wild-type mice (-92%, p≤0.05). These data suggest that colon carcinogenesis may impair 1,25(OH) 2 D-regulated chemoprevention in colon epithelial cells. APC inactivation and KRAS activation are early events in the development of distal colon that may suppress VDR gene expression. Compared to immortalized colonic epithelial cells derived from the “Immorto” mouse (YAMC), cells from a cross between APC min and “Immorto” mice (IMCE), and YAMC cells overexpressing the v-Ha-RAS gene (YAMC-RAS) have significantly lower VDR mRNA (-80%; p≤0.05) expression. Previous research shows that constitutively active (ca) RAS signaling suppresses 1,25(OH) 2 D action in many cell lines so we conducted additional studies on the impact of this mutation. YAMC-RAS cells had a significant reduction in 1,25(OH) 2 D-induced CYP24 mRNA expression (-40%; p≤0.05). Consistent with lower VDR mRNA levels, YAMC-RAS cells also had lower VDR protein levels than YAMC cells and the suppression of 1,25(OH) 2 D-induced CYP24 expression in YAMC-RAS was overcome with VDR over-expression. The mechanism for RAS-mediated suppression of VDR mRNA levels was further explored. First we hypothesized that caRAS signaling expression reduced VDR mRNA stability, however, YAMC and YAMC-RAS cells treated with 4 µg/ml of the transcription inhibitor actinomycin D for up to 12 h had no significant difference in the VDR mRNA half-life (about 8 h). Next we examined whether caRAS signaling reduced accessibility within chromosomal regions in the VDR gene previously identified as necessary for VDR gene expression. Using a DNAse I hypersensitivity assay we found that in YAMC-RAS cells there was a significant reduction (p≤0.05) in chromosome accessibility on the proximal promoter (-23%, 300 bp upstream of exon 1), an enhancer region located 6 kb upstream of the transcriptional start site (-56%), and an enhancer region located in exon 2 (-100%) compared to the YAMC cells. These data show that caRAS signaling suppresses 1,25(OH) 2 D-mediated gene transcription in colon epithelial cells by reducing VDR gene transcription. Supported by NIDDK Award DK54111and AICR Award 09A098 to JCF Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 103rd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2012 Mar 31-Apr 4; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2012;72(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 3084. doi:1538-7445.AM2012-3084
Neutrophil life cycle with tritiated thymidine.

SummaryThe pattern of neutrophilic granulocyte development has been studied in 2 dogs by high resolution radioautography with tritiated thymidine. Two to 3 days are required for differentiation from the myelocyte to the segmented neutrophil. The half time for disappearance of the latter in the periphery appears to be of the order of 2 days.
Indeterminate Findings on Oncologic PET/CT: What Difference Does PET/MRI Make?

Positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) with 2-deoxy-2-[18F]fluoro-D-glucose (FDG) has become the standard of care for the initial staging and subsequent treatment response assessment of many different malignancies. Despite this success, PET/CT is often supplemented by MRI to improve assessment of local tumor invasion and to facilitate detection of lesions in organs with high background FDG uptake. Consequently, PET/MRI has the potential to expand the clinical value of PET examinations by increasing reader certainty and reducing the need for subsequent imaging. This study evaluates the ability of FDG-PET/MRI to clarify findings initially deemed indeterminate on clinical FDG-PET/CT studies. A total of 190 oncology patients underwent whole-body PET/CT, immediately followed by PET/MRI utilizing the same FDG administration. Each PET/CT was interpreted by our institution's nuclear medicine service as a standard-of-care clinical examination. Review of these PET/CT reports identified 31 patients (16 %) with indeterminate findings. Two readers evaluated all 31 PET/CT studies, followed by the corresponding PET/MRI studies. A consensus was reached for each case, and changes in interpretation directly resulting from PET/MRI review were recorded. Interpretations were then correlated with follow-up imaging, pathology results, and other diagnostic studies. In 18 of 31 cases with indeterminate findings on PET/CT, PET/MRI resulted in a more definitive interpretation by facilitating the differentiation of infection/inflammation from malignancy (15/18), the accurate localization of FDG-avid lesions (2/18), and the characterization of incidental non-FDG-avid solid organ lesions (1/18). Explanations for improved reader certainty with PET/MRI included the superior soft tissue contrast of MRI and the ability to assess cellular density with diffusion-weighted imaging. The majority (12/18) of such cases had an appropriate standard of reference; in all 12 cases, the definitive PET/MRI interpretation proved correct. These 12 patients underwent six additional diagnostic studies to clarify the initial indeterminate PET/CT findings. In the remaining 13 of 31 cases with indeterminate findings on both PET/CT and PET/MRI, common reasons for uncertainty included the inability to distinguish reactive from malignant lymphadenopathy (4/13) and local recurrence from treatment effect (2/13). Indeterminate PET/CT findings can result in equivocal reads and additional diagnostic studies. PET/MRI may reduce the rate of indeterminate findings by facilitating better tumor staging, FDG activity localization, and lesion characterization. In our study, PET/MRI resulted in more definitive imaging interpretations with high accuracy. PET/MRI also showed potential in reducing the number of additional diagnostic studies prompted by PET/CT findings. Our results suggest that whole-body PET/MRI provides certain diagnostic advantages over PET/CT, promotes more definitive imaging interpretations, and may improve the overall clinical utility of PET.
Routine preoperative laboratory testing in elective pediatric cardiothoracic surgery is largely unnecessary

Abstract Objective Routine preoperative laboratory testing (RLT) is common practice in pediatric cardiothoracic surgery and is associated with significant cost burden to patients and families. We sought to examine the value of RLT in patients undergoing elective pediatric cardiothoracic surgery. Methods We conducted a retrospective study of all scheduled elective pediatric cardiothoracic surgery at our institution from 2012 to 2014. Inpatients were excluded. Patient charts were reviewed to obtain preoperative laboratory values and determine relationship to case cancellation. RLT includes complete blood count, prothrombin time, partial thromboplastin time, urinalysis, 7 chemistry metabolic panel, electrocardiogram, and 2-view chest radiograph. Results RLT was completed for 1106 scheduled elective cases. Six (0.5%) cancellations were related to abnormal preoperative laboratory test results: 5 complete blood counts and 1 urinalysis. Hospital charge for RLT averaged $2064 per patient. Based on this incidence, we estimated that 184 routine preoperative laboratory tests, which generated a total hospital charge of $379,776, were required to capture 1 abnormal test significant enough to cancel surgery. An estimated charge of $2,169,552 was generated on prothrombin time, partial thromboplastin time, 7 chemistry metabolic panel, electrocardiogram, and 2-view chest radiograph, and none of these tests resulted in a cancellation. Conclusions RLT does not significantly impact decision-making in elective pediatric cardiothoracic surgery. The decision to order a specific screening test should be clinically driven. Selective preoperative laboratory testing may have a positive impact on healthcare costs without affecting outcomes.
Homicide and Punishment in Europe: Examining National Variation

This chapter examines punishment for homicide in Europe by analyzing statistical data on how various nations sanction homicide offenders. It presents a general survey of existing data on the complex and varied ways that European nations punish these serious offenders, revealing considerable variation across the continent. Officially, most European nations retain very long periods of incarceration, usually life imprisonment, as the sanction for the most serious homicide infractions. But in practice, few offenders are ever prosecuted and sentenced under the law’s most serious infraction. Instead, many European homicide offenders are sentenced for 10–20 years, and rarely serve full terms due to a variety of penal and administrative processes that mitigate incarceration during the punishment phase. This is less the case in English speaking nations and in Eastern European countries. The United Kingdom and the Russian Federation impose long prison sentences on many homicide offenders, and are increasingly turning to life sentences. Although data limitations severely limit any comprehensive assessment of punishment for homicide in Europe, this chapter helps sketch general trends, and raises questions about how to explain the considerable differences found across the continent.
Modeling of electromechanically-induced failure of passivated metallic thin films used in device interconnections

A theoretical analysis is presented of the failure of metallic thin films used for device interconnections in integrated circuits. Failure is mediated by void dynamics, which is driven by surface electromigration and processing related residual thermal stresses in the films. The analysis is based on surface mass transport modeling coupled strongly with the electrostatic and elastic deformation problems in the metallic films. Special emphasis is placed on the combined effects on void dynamics of anisotropy both in surface diffusivity along a void surface and in the applied stress tensor. A systematic parametric study is carried out based on self-consistent numerical simulations of surface morphological evolution. Void dynamics is analyzed and results are presented for void morphological stability in terms of critical stress levels as a function of stress state and surface mobility anisotropy. Finally, the role of plastic deformation is discussed around crack-like features emanating from void surfaces in ductile metallic films based on results of molecular-dynamics simulations in Cu.
Definindo a carga da infecção por vírus sincicial respiratório

O VSR e a principal causa de infeccao viral do trato respiratorio inferior (ITRI) em criancas pequenas, em paises desenvolvidos e em desen-volvimento, e aproximadamente 34 milhoes de novos casos surgem em todo o mundo a cada ano. Nos Estados Unidos, o VSR e a causa mais comum de internacao de criancas.
The effect of interactivity on smokers' intention to quit: A linear or curvilinear relationship?

Abstract This paper reports the effect of website interactivity on change in smokers' behavioral intention to quit with a pretest-posttest design experiment. An online experiment with 92 smokers tested the effect of the number of interactive features on the website ranging from zero to three. An inverted U-shaped quadratic trend was found in perceived interactivity, which indirectly influenced the change score of participants’ behavioral intention to quit after browsing. Only one or two interactive features, not three, led to a significant increase in the change score compared with the control condition, by increasing vividness of the stimulus website and decreasing defensive responses. However, for smokers who are highly addicted, the website with three interactive features decreased their defensive responses and led to greater change in behavioral intention to quit compared with other less interactive conditions.
Are Surgical Milestone Assessments Predictive of In-Training Examination Scores?

Objectives With the recent utilization of Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education developmental milestones as part of resident evaluation, we sought to explore whether milestone-based ratings were associated with American Board of Surgery In-Training Examination (ABSITE) scores. Methods Mid-year milestone ratings were obtained from the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education Accreditation Database System for years 2014, 2015, and 2016 for all postgraduate years 1-5 general surgery residents in our program and paired with ABSITE scores (n = 69) from January of the following year. Linear regression was used to assess predictor importance of milestones on both ABSITE percentage correct scores and ABSITE percentile scores. Results Minimal to small positive correlations were observed between milestones and ABSITE percentile scores (r = 0.09-0.25), while moderately large correlations were observed between milestones and percentage correct scores (r = 0.65-0.76). The Medical Knowledge 1 (MK1) milestone significantly predicted ABSITE percentage correct scores, and explained 60% of the variance (adjusted R2 = 0.603). MK1 also significantly predicted ABSITE percentile scores, although weaker in magnitude, with MK1 explaining 20% of the variance (adjusted R2 = 0.197). Postgraduate year level and other milestones were not influential predictors of ABSITE scores. Conclusions The mid-year MK1 milestone rating was predictive of ABSITE scores and may serve as a useful marker for Clinical Competency Committees to identify residents who could benefit from additional support to prepare for the ABSITE, although given the small exploratory nature of this study, additional research is still needed.
Abstract 2275: Serum retinol and risk of overall and site-specific cancer in the Alpha Tocopherol, Beta-Carotene Cancer Prevention Study

Retinol, one of the most biologically active forms of vitamin A, influences many biologic pathways potentially related to cancer. However, results of observational studies of serum retinol and cancer risk have been mixed. We prospectively examined serum retinol and risk of overall and site-specific cancer in the Alpha-Tocopherol, Beta-Carotene Cancer Prevention (ATBC) Study, a randomized, double-blind, placebo controlled trial of α-tocopherol (AT) and β-carotene (BC) supplementation conducted in male smokers in southwestern Finland. At enrollment, overnight fasting blood samples were collected and stored at -70°C protected from light. Serum retinol concentration was measured for all 29,133 participants using reverse-phase high performance liquid chromatography. 10,798 cancer cases occurred through 12/31/2012. Cox proportional hazards models were used to estimate the prospective association between quintiles of baseline serum retinol and overall and site-specific cancer incidence. Known or hypothesized risk factors for cancer were included in the multivariable model (AT and BC supplementation group, cigarettes smoked/day, years smoked, age, BMI, alcohol intake, and serum AT, BC, and cholesterol). Stratified analyses for all subgroups of the covariates (by category or by medians for continuous variables) and follow-up time to diagnosis ( Citation Format: Manila Hada, Alison Mondul, Stephanie Weinstein, Demetrius Albanes. Serum retinol and risk of overall and site-specific cancer in the Alpha Tocopherol, Beta-Carotene Cancer Prevention Study [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2017; 2017 Apr 1-5; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2017;77(13 Suppl):Abstract nr 2275. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2017-2275
Global Rasikas: Audience Reception for Akram Khan’s Desh

Spectatorship is shaped by structures of feeling that link individuals to the social both in and out of the theatre. The Indian concept of “rasika,” in which reception operates at the union of knowledge and feeling, illuminates the responses of audience members who share Khan’s experience of cultural hybridity and transnational mobility, even as Khan acknowledges spectators who do not share his cultural references.
Continuous EEG Monitoring for Status Epilepticus

There has been a substantial increase in the use of continuous electroencephalography (C-EEG) in critically ill patients, most commonly for detection of nonconvulsive seizures. Studies have found that not only patients with primary brain insults but also those with systemic illness are at high risk of developing nonconvulsive status epilepticus (NCSE). The Neurocrit Care Society and The American Clinical Neurophysiology Society have published consensus statements or guidelines on the indications, duration, and technical aspects of EEG monitoring for status epilepticus (SE). Unified criteria for defining NCSE have also been proposed and published. Nevertheless, critically ill patients can have equivocal patterns, not clearly ictal (“ictal” is used to mean an electrographic seizure pattern in this chapter) or interictal, and have been considered to lie on an ictal-interictal continuum. Diagnostic treatment trials with IV benzodiazepines and non-sedating anti-seizure drugs (ASDs) can be helpful to determine if equivocal patterns are contributing to the patient’s impaired mental status or other neurologic deficits. The labor-intensive and time-consuming process of reviewing 24 h of EEG on many patients can be expedited by using tools such as quantitative EEG (Q-EEG) via commercial software packages. Thus far, there is some evidence to suggest that after strokes and head trauma, NCSE may worsen outcomes. Whether C-EEG monitoring and aggressive treatment of these seizures translates into improved patient outcomes is yet to be proven.
Development and testing of a stitched stretch sensor with the potential to measure human movement

AbstractHuman movement in health sciences is typically measured using motion capture laboratory equipment, but this method has inherent limitations including cost, specialized knowledge requirement...
A High-Efficiency High-Density Wide-Bandgap Device-Based Bidirectional On-Board Charger

This paper proposes a novel two-stage topology for a 6.6-kW on-board charger. The first stage, employing an interleaved bridgeless totem-pole ac/dc in critical conduction mode to realize zero-voltage switching, is operated at over 300 kHz. A bidirectional CLLC resonant converter operating at 500 kHz is chosen for the second stage. A variable dc-link voltage is adopted to track the wide battery voltage range, so that the CLLC resonant converter can always operate at its most efficient point. The 1.2-kV SiC devices are adopted for the ac/dc stage and the primary side of dc/dc stage, while 650-V GaN devices are used for the secondary side of dc/dc stage. In addition, PCB winding coupled inductors and integrated transformer are implemented in ac/dc stage and dc/dc stage, respectively, for the purpose of high density and manufacture automation. The proposed structure is demonstrated to have 37-W/in3 power density and above 96% efficiency over the entire battery voltage range, which far exceeds the current practice.
Characterizing Light Sources Color Filters and Pigments

If we are to be able to understand the way the eye transmits nerve impulses, we need to be able to characterize accurately the light that is incident upon the eye. Obviously, the light generally casts an image with great variation in detail, with respect to both color and intensity. In this chapter, we will restrict ourselves to an image that consists of a field of uniform color and intensity. Such an image can be produced by having a light beam be cast upon and then reflected by a white screen. Therefore, we will focus our attention upon the characterization of a light beam.
Lithography Systems for VLSI

This article describes the different lithographic approaches being used to fabricate microcircuits. All approaches are directed towards reducing dimensions and packing components closer together. The accuracy with which structures can be placed is as important as how small the structures can be.