cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Relating microfossil distribution patterns to deep-water depositional processes: A new biofacies model based on Oligocene-Miocene deposits

Micropaleontologic studies of wells from the Atlantic Basin reveal largescale variations in microfossil abundance patterns in deep-water mudstones that cannot be adequately explained using traditional paleoenvironmental models (e.g., water depth). Integration of foraminiferal, calcareous nannofossil and palynologic data with e–log and seismic control suggests a relationship between the presence or absence of deep-water slope channel systems and the distribution of these microfossil groups. Depositional processes related to the slope channel systems appear to create different paleoecologic conditions that govern the distribution of major microfossil groups. Recent research on slope channel hydrocarbon reservoirs provides an opportunity to evaluate microfossil distribution patterns relative to deep-water depositional environments. A new biofacies model is developed that recognizes the important links between paleoecology, sedimentary processes, and Environment of Deposition (EOD). Analyses of ditch cutting samples from wells in the bathyal (slope) environment have identified the following microfossil groups to be significant: planktonic, calcareous benthic and agglutinated benthic foraminifera; calcareous nannofossils; algae, spores, pollen, and kerogen (organic matter types). Five biofacies types are defined in non-reservoir facies based on abundances of these indicator groups. Three biofacies types are defined from intra-reservoir mudrocks. Based on this study the most important environmental factors determining microfossil distribution are: 1) sedimentation rate; 2) sediment source (terrestrial versus open marine); and 3) availability of oxygen on the sea-floor and within the sediment. This biofacies model has been applied successfully in several deep-water basins and is a potentially useful tool in hydrocarbon systems analysis of risks related to the presence and quality of source, seal and reservoir.
The re-socialisation of migrants in a local community in Shanghai, China

Following China’s economic reforms in the early 1990s, the wave of internal North-to-South, West-to-East and rural-to-urban migration has still not subsided. The purpose of this study was to investigate how a local community in Shanghai supported migrants from other provinces in China in the process of their re-socialisation. By examining the component parts of re-socialisation (integration, assimilation and culturalisation), this paper analyses how the learning programmes and services provided in Shanghai’s Zhabei District played a role in migrants’ adaptation to their new community environment. The author conducted interviews with migrants of both rural and urban origin at two migrant clubs, and complemented her respondents’ statements with formal and informal background research. Her findings indicate that participation in educational activity is only one aspect of migrants’ re-socialisation. She demonstrates how educational activities merge into a larger community context and are mingled simultaneously with other activities which relate to employment, healthcare, setting up a business, etc. She argues that educational activity loses its backbone if the initial entry-level support given to migrants is not followed up with advanced development activities, such as providing migrants with lifelong learning opportunities tailored to their aptitudes and needs, motivating them to engage in learning which can serve as a pathway towards their career goals, and helping them improve their life circumstances.
Suppression of lymphocyte responses by monocytes with untreated and treated multiple myeloma

Studies were performed on 15 untreated and 14 treated patients with multiple myeloma. The monocyte content was normal in blood but elevated in mononuclear leukocytes (MNL) from treated but not untreated patients (p less than 0.001). This correlated with the severity of lymphopenia in blood (p less than 0.01). Three patterns of immunoglobulin(Ig) synthesis emerged. (1) Most untreated patients showed normal polyclonal responses to pokeweek mitogen. (2) Of 12 treated patients, the 8 whose MNL included greater than 30% monocytes had subnormal Ig responses to pokeweek mitogen. Ig synthesis increased when adherent cells that suppressed Ig synthesis were depleted. Suppression in vitro bore no relationship to polyclonal immunoglobulin levels in serum. (3) Three patients had early blood invasion by plasmacytoid cells. Their MNL spontaneously released large amounts of the Ig class of their serum gammopathies. Proliferative responses to phytohemagglutinin by MNL from all patients were reduced, in part due to monocytoid cell suppression and in part to intrinsic T-cell hyporesponsiveness. B- and T-cell responses in vitro are sometimes suppressed with myeloma. This is related to elevated monocyte percentages in MNL preparations. This excess of monocytes is a function of lymphopenia secondary to therapy, rather than the primary malignant process itself. No evidence was found that suppression by monocytes is qualitatively altered by myeloma or its treatment.
Understanding Greek Immigration Policy

This chapter traces the undulating development of Greek immigration policy since 1991, focusing on the 1996-1997 regularization of illegal immigrants. It explores the incongruity between strong anti-immigrant public sentiment, and the pursuit of relatively liberal legalization policies. While many theories explain recent trends in migration policy as a policy of various international factors, it is domestic politics that have shaped the Greek case. The socialist (PASOK, or Panhellenic Socialist Movement) government has made migration an economic priority, discounting social consequences important to the Greek electorate. The government has been able to distance itself from public opinion because the Greek political system has many elements of a cartel party system. These features strengthen the ties of the party in government to the state, lower the risk of successful third-party emergence, and thus weaken the link between policy and public opinion. Immigration is an issue on which this distancing is possible because it does not fit neatly on the right-left political spectrum.
Analysis of Hump Operation at a Railroad Classification Yard

Railroad classification yards play a significant role in freight transportation: shipments are consolidated to benefit from economies of scales. However, the disassembling of inbound trains, the classification of railcars and reassembling of outbound trains add significant time to the overall transportation. Determining the operational schedule of a railroad classification yard to ensure that railcars pass as quickly as possible through the yard to continue with their journey to their final destination is a challenging problem. In this paper, we create a simulation model to mimic the dynamics of a classification yard and investigate the effect of two simple but practical priority rules (train length and arrival time) for the sequencing of inbound trains through the humping operation. We monitor the effect of these rules on performance measures such as average wait time (dwell time) at the yard and daily throughput as the complexity and frequency of the trains vary. We run the simulation on four data sets with low and high complexity of trains and low and high frequency of trains.
Effects of DNA probe and target flexibility on the performance of a "signal-on" electrochemical DNA sensor

We report the effect of the length and identity of a nontarget binding spacer in both the probe and target sequences on the overall performance of a folding-based electrochemical DNA sensor. Six near-identical DNA probes were used in this study; the main differences between these probes are the length (6, 10, or 14 bases) and identity (thymine (T) or adenine (A)) of the spacer connecting the two target binding domains. Despite the differences, the signaling mechanism of these sensors remains essentially the same. The methylene blue (MB)-modified probe assumes a linear unstructured conformation in the absence of the target; upon hybridization to the target, the probe adopts a “close” conformation, resulting in an increase in the MB current. Among the six sensors, the T14 and A14 sensors showed the largest signal increase upon target hybridization, highlighting the significance of probe flexibility on sensor performance. In addition to the target without a midsequence spacer, 12 other targets, each with a d...
Empirical approach for predicting viscosities of liquid hydrocarbon systems: Defined compounds and coal liquids and fractions

A single-parameter empirical method, based on the effective carbon number concept, was developed to predict the viscosities of defined (alkanes, alkenes, aromatics, alicyclics, and hydrocarbon mixtures) and undefined (coal liquids and coal liquid fractions) hydrocarbon liquids at various temperatures and for pressures up to 700 bar. The only parameter required for estimating the viscosities of a hydrocarbon system is the effective carbon number, which can be obtained from a single liquid viscosity datum of the compound using one of two proposed correlations, that is, n-alkane correlation or aromatic correlation. Also, experimental data on the viscosities of laboratory-generated coal liquid oils were generated and used in the evaluation of the model. The new method, when tested on viscosity data of defined and undefined hydrocarbon liquid compounds at various pressures and temperatures, yielded an overall average absolute deviation (AAD) of 4.11% and 9.99%, respectively. The model was also found to compare...
Effect of polyinosinic acid on expression of lectin-like oxidized low-density lipoprotein receptor-1 and its antiatherogenic role in atherosclerotic rabbits

Objective To explore inhibitory actions of polyinosinic acid on expression of lectin-like oxidized low-density lipoprotein receptor-1 and its antiatherogenic role in atherosclerotic rabbits.Methods Thirty male New Zealand white rabbits were randomly divided into five groups: the control group,the hypercholesterol group,the poly Ⅰ group,the fluvastatin group and the association group(n=6).Except for the control group,the other groups were strained with a balloon in the abdominal aortic under general anesthesia induced by 3% sodium pentobarbital.Then,they were fed with polyinosinic acid(polyⅠ),fluvastatin,or hypercholesterol.12 weeks later,rabbits were sacrificed and the abdominal aortas were pathologically studied.Expressions of LOX-1 mRNA and protein in the vascular tissue were determined by immunohistochemistry and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR),respectively.Results Pathological changes of abdominal aortas: ① In the control group,ascular intima endothelial cells were intact and had no obvious lipid deposition.② In the hyper-cholesterol group,vascular intima endothelial cells fell off and atheromatous plaque formation were identified.Under the fibrous cap,large numbers of amorphous necrotic disintegrating products could be found with large amounts of cholesterol clefts,foam cells and lymphocytes.③ In the fluvastatin group,some endothelial cells fell off.Beneath the vascular intima,there were scattered and irregular plaques with a small amount of foam cells.④ In the poly Ⅰ group,some endothelial cells fell off and there were a lot of foam cells,as well as inflammatory cells,below the fibrous cap.⑤ In the association group,there was obviously weaker atherosclerosis than in the hypercholesterol group.The ascular intima slightly thickened,and there were a few foam cells,with the smooth muscle tidily ranked.There were high expressions of LOX-1 protein and mRNA in the vascular tissues of the hyper-cholesterol group,but rarely in the control group.Expression of LOX-1 protein and mRNA in both the fluvastatin group and association group were significantly lower than that in the hypercholesterol group(P0.01).Expressions of LOX-1 protein and mRNA between the hyper-cholesterol group and polyⅠgroup showed no significance(P0.05).Conclusion Poly Ⅰ may have a role in resist ance of atherosclerosis,but it does not posses an obvious function to reduce expressions of LOX-1 protein and mRNA.Fluvastatin can significantly inhibit the development of atherosclerosis and expressions of LOX-1 protein and mRNA.
Role of nitric oxide and cGMP system in regulation of ductus arteriosus tone in ovine fetus

Although endogenous nitric oxide (NO) modulates basal tone in the fetal pulmonary and systemic circulations, little is known about its role in regulating ductus arteriosus (DA) tone. Immunostaining...
Transport, Origin and Source of Dissolved Organic Carbon

This chapter discusses both the transport of dissolved and particulate carbon by rivers to the ocean and the origin and source of organic carbon in fresh waters. The transport of organic carbon to the ocean is an important part of the carbon cycle, especially to those studying the nature and fate of organic compounds in aquatic environments. Transport of organic carbon is a poorly understood process; therefore, this chapter gives only a summary of mass-balance calculations that have been done on riverine organic carbon.
Purslane (Portulaca oleracea L.): A halophytic crop for drainage water reuse systems

Drainage water reuse systems have been proposed for the west side of the San Joaquin Valley of California in order to reduce the volumes of water requiring disposal. Implementation of this system requires development of a cropping system with successively higher salt tolerance. A major limitation is the need to identify alternate species that will be suitable as the final, most salt tolerant crop in the series. These crops must be productive when irrigated with waters that are typically high in sulfate salinity and may be contaminated with potentially toxic trace elements. This study was initiated to evaluate the interactive effects of sulfate salinity and selenium on biomass production and mineral content of purslane (Portulaca oleracea). Plants were grown in greenhouse sand cultures and irrigated four times daily. Treatments consisted of three salinity levels with electrical conductivities (ECi) of 2.1, 15.2, and 28.5 dS m−1, and two selenium levels, 0 and 2.3 mg L−1. In the initial harvests, shoot dry matter was reduced by 15 to 30% at 15.2 dS m−1 and by 80 to 90% at 28.5 dS m−1. Regrowth after clipping above the first node was vigorous and biomass from plants irrigated with 15.2 dS m−1 water was nearly double that from the 2 dS m−1 treatment. Purslane appears to be an excellent candidate for inclusion in saline drainage water reuse systems. It is (i) highly tolerant of both chloride- and sulfate-dominated salinities, (ii) a moderate selenium accumulator in the sulfate-system, and (iii) a valuable, nutritive vegetable crop for human consumption and for livestock forage.
Spatial denoising methods for low count functional images

Portable functional imaging devices can be used in oncological surgeries to locate residual tumors for better patient recovery and survival. Taking the patient dose and the limited time of surgery into account, the count in such images could be very low. In this study, we investigate effectiveness of different spatial denoising methods, such as Gaussian filtering, bilateral filtering, Rudin-Osher and Fatemin (ROF) denoising, and non-local means filtering, on low count functional images. We also propose a new denoising method based on maximum a posteriori (MAP) criterion. The simulation study shows that the simple methods, such as Gaussian and bilateral filtering, may be as effective as the advanced searching or iterative methods as measured by the relative root mean square error when the count is low. Further investigations using more realistic simulations or real functional images and tumor detection performance are needed to evaluate these methods at high noise levels.
Postglacial biogeography of Sierra lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta var. murrayana) in California

Plant macrofossils and pollen from 13 sites are used to reconstruct the biogeography of Sierra lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta Dougl. ex. Loud. var. murrayana), and its relationship to climate chang...
Clinical Flow Cytometry for Hematopoietic Neoplasms

Multi-parametric flow cytometry is a powerful diagnostic tool that permits rapid assessment of cellular antigen expression to provide immunophenotypic information suitable for disease classification. This chapter describes a general approach useful in clinical and research environments for the identification of abnormal hematopoietic populations by flow cytometry including: B- and T-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma, classical Hodgkin lymphoma, plasma cell neoplasms, acute myeloid leukemia, and acute lymphoblastic leukemia/lymphoma. In all of these approaches, a knowledge of the common patterns of antigen expression and maturation of normal hematopoietic cells is critical to permit identification of abnormal populations at disease presentation and for minimal residual disease assessment. We highlight an overview of procedures for processing, immunophenotyping, and interpreting flow cytometric data for hematopoietic neoplasms.
The development and characterization of a novel yet simple 3D printed tool to facilitate phantom imaging of photoacoustic contrast agents.

We report a new approach to preparing phantoms using 3D printing. This device supports plastic tubing containing the contrast agent and is immersed in a solution with absorption or scattering properties that mimic tissue. Up to 12 tubing samples could be placed in the device with sample-to-sample spacing as low as 0.3 mm and at a constant distance from the transducer (±0.16 mm), which is critical in validating photoacoustic contrast agents. We also studied different types of tubing and found that tubing with a larger outside diameter has more inherent signal. Both 40% India Ink and lipids in the immersion media modulated the signal. Finally, we created a depth phantom and found that signal decayed following a linear relationship (R2 = 0.997) with respect to distance from the focal point. We include computer-assisted drafting code the community can use to print this phantom or customized versions of this phantom.
Influence of isoflurane anesthesia on motor evoked potentials elicited by transcortical, brainstem, and spinal root stimulation

AbstractElectrical stimulation over the motor cortexl base ofthe skulll and cervical spine motor roots was performed in 9 male rats (41 0 ± 86 g) before and after induction with isoflurane at 7 MAC concentration. The mean latency and amplitude of descending spinal evoked potential (OSEP) from spinal cord and motor evoked potentials (MEPs) from forearm muscles obtained after motor cortexl brainsteml and cervical root stimulations were calculated and compared. The electrical current intensity to elicit the MEPs after corticall brainsteml and spinal roots stimulation were 23.4 ± 7.61 7.0 ± 3.71 and 7.4 ± 0.8 mAl respectively. The brainstem stimulation activated descending motor pathways with a latency midway between that produced by electrical stimulation over the motor cOrtexI and by electrical stimulation over the cervical enlargements. The latency difference between cortical (8.8 ± 3.2 msec) and brainstem (5.7 ± 7.2 msec) stimulation was 3.7 ± 2.3 msec in all forearm extensor muscles. The latency differen...
Novel method measures current distribution in muscle tissue under applied voltage

Current distribution in muscle tissue has significant implications for clinical procedures utilizing electric current to heat tissue. Many clinical applications would like to heat tissue at greater depths in tissue rather than only at the surface. To accomplish deeper heating, the distribution of current beyond the contact point must be understood. Current distribution in tissue has been modeled but experimental data is quite limited possibly due to the difficulty in measuring current flow in undisturbed tissue. This experiment utilizes a novel method based on voltage differentials to measure the current distribution in intact bulk tissue. The results show that current does not concentrate on a line between electrodes as some have suggested. Current flow spreads rapidly and widely in bulk tissue to utilize all available paths in the tissue between electrodes. The lack of current concentration hinders localized heating in deeper tissue.
Aldehyde and Ketone Photoproducts from Solar-Irradiated Crude Oil-Seawater Systems Determined by Electrospray Ionization-Tandem Mass Spectrometry.

Aldehyde and ketone photoproducts were observed in the aqueous phase under oil exposed to simulated sunlight by using 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazine (DNPH) derivatization and electrospray ionization–tandem mass spectrometry (ESI–MS/MS). Oil samples were spread over seawater in a jacketed beaker held at 27.0 °C and exposed to simulated sunlight. The aqueous phase was collected after irradiation and derivatized with DNPH, which selectively reacts with aldehydes and ketones. The derivatized hydrazones (aldehyde– and ketone–DNPH derivatives) were washed and enriched with a solid-phase extraction cartridge prior to analysis by ESI–MS/MS in negative ion mode. Over 80 aldehyde and ketone photoproducts were observed from scan range 200–1000 atomic mass units (amu) in the aqueous phase after irradiation but were absent in dark controls. Based on the MS/MS fragmentation of the aldehyde– and ketone–DNPH derivatives, most of the aldehyde and ketone photoproduct mass spectra observed from the aqueous phase were determined...
Dysembryoplastic Neuroepithelial Tumor, Ganglioglioma, and Hamartoma: Are They Distinct Entities?

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses various aspects of dysembryoplastic neuroepithelial tumor, ganglioglioma, and Hamartoma. The dysembryoplastic neuroepithelial tumor is defined as a benign, supratentorial mixed glial-neuronal neoplasm characterized by its intracortical location, multinodular architecture, and heterogeneous cellular composition. Imaging findings and the gross appearance of the neoplasm are reflective of the microscopic appearance of the tumor. In most cases, the tumor is primarily situated within the cortex. Ganglioglioma is defined as a benign tumor composed of neoplastic astrocytes and ganglion cells. The classic radiographic and gross appearance of the tumor is that of a cystic lesion with enhancing mural nodules. Gangliogliomas can extend into the subarachnoid space with no apparent adverse effect on prognosis. It is found that most of the hamartomas arose in the frontal and temporal lobes. Both the radiographic as well as microscopic appearance denotes a fairly discrete and even focally circumscribed lesion. All of these lesions are associated with a biphasic histology which consists of both neuronal and glial cellular components. It is observed that markers of cellular proliferation are generally low or absent in all three lesions.
Topical oxygen therapy & micro/nanobubbles: a new modality for tissue oxygen delivery

Up to 15 billion dollars of US health care expenditure each year is consumed by treatment of poorly healing wounds whose etiologies are often associated with aberrancies in tissue oxygenation. To address this issue, several modes of tissue oxygen delivery systems exist, including Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) and Topical Oxygen Therapy (TOT), but their efficacies have yet to be fully substantiated. Micro/nanobubbles (MNBs), which range anywhere from 100 μm to <1 μm in diameter and are relatively stable for hours, offer a new mode of oxygen delivery to wounds. The aim of this article is to systematically review literature examining the use of TOT for wound healing and use of MNBs for tissue oxygenation using the MEDLINE database. The search yielded 87 articles (12 MNB articles and 75 TOT articles), of which 52 met the inclusion criteria for this literature review (12 MNB articles and 40 TOT articles). Additionally, we present an analysis on the efficacy of our MNB generating technology and propose its use as a wound healing agent.
Blocks4All: Overcoming Accessibility Barriers to Blocks Programming for Children with Visual Impairments

Blocks-based programming environments are a popular tool to teach children to program, but they rely heavily on visual metaphors and are therefore not fully accessible for children with visual impairments. We evaluated existing blocks-based environments and identified five major accessibility barriers for visually impaired users. We explored techniques to overcome these barriers in an interview with a teacher of the visually impaired and formative studies on a touchscreen blocks-based environment with five children with visual impairments. We distill our findings on usable touchscreen interactions into guidelines for designers of blocks-based environments.
The VLSI Circuit Model

The last chapter presenter a high-level bounding strategy for digital MOS circuits that assumed the circuit that assumed the circuit mdel being analyzed had a number df special properties. A general class of networks that exhibits these properties is deriver here. Restrictions are placed on the model that insure both the existence of sufficient monotonic relationships and the ability to partition analysis, but do not significantly restrict the model’s generality
Exercise Electrocardiography in Women with Suspected Coronary Disease

Exercise testing is a commonly used tool for the evaluation of atherosclerotic coronary artery disease. ST-segment depression has been a focus of interest as a marker of ischemia since at least 1928 (1). As early as 1950. Scherlis et al noted that, compared to men, normal women were more likely to have ST-segment abnormalities after exercise (2). Since then, most (if not all) studies have indicated a higher false-positive rate for ST-segment changes in women compared with men. From this body of literature emphasizing the higher false-positive rate comes the current perception that exercise electrocardiography is inherently less useful in women compared with men. The following review will examine recent developments in the accuracy of the exercise test in women, the role of hormones in the false-positive response, and the role of exercise testing in the evaluation of women with symptoms of suspected coronary disease.
The Role of Petrography in the Study of Archaeological Ceramics

Petrographic microscopy is a venerable geological technique that has been used in the service of archaeology at least since the 1930s (e.g., Shepard, 1936, 1939). Compared to newer, sophisticated, “high-tech” approaches to the study of the compositional analysis of ceramics (e.g., neutron activation or acid extraction), petrography surely rates the appellation “old fashioned.”The goal of this chapter is to describe and evaluate critically the current status and potential of ceramic petrography as an approach to the compositional analysis of archaeological ceramics, especially in light of the increasingly widespread and successful application of newer technologies for determining the elemental composition of ceramics that might be seen as rendering petrography obsolete (useful earlier reviews of ceramic petrography may be found in Freestone, 1991 and 1995; Peacock, 1970; Williams, 1983).
Formation and breakdown of Azolla polypeptides in paddy soils

The total polypeptide patterns of Azolla plants and symbiotic algae (cyanobacteria) grown on 14CO2 were examined by isoelectric focusing SDS polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The number of resolved polypeptides was greater in algal than in plant extracts. A component always found in dinitrogen-fixing Azolla was multiarginine-polyaspartic acid (cyanophycin), a reserve polymer of algal akinetes. This finding indicated that a substantial fraction of Azolla nitrogenreserve polypeptide derived from senescent forms of the symbiont. 14C-Labeled cyanophycin was rapidly broken down in paddy soils with release of 14CO2. Hence, although insoluble and generally resistant to proteolytic digestion, cyanophycin could serve as a major source of available nitrogen in paddy soils treated with Azolla.
Roles of the Western North Pacific Wind Variation in Thermocline Adjustment and ENSO Phase Transition

Analysis of 17 years (1980-1996) of tropical Pacific thermocline variations indicates that short period (about 18 months) cycles in the early 1990s exhibit a relatively small meridional scale. The long period (4-5 year) cycles in the 1980s, associated with major basic-wide warming/cooling events, have much wider meridional scales. The dominant mode of interannual variation of thermocline depth can be approximately described by a basin-scale east-west seesaw oscillation, with an eastward propagation of thermocline depth anomalies occurring in the equatorial waveguide during the transition phases. The long-period ENSO cycles associated with the major basic-wide warming/cooling events involve a substantial change of heat storage in the western North Pacific (WNP) (5-15°N, 130-170°E). The tendency of thermocline displacement and local wind stress curl in the WNP exhibit a coherent, broad spectral peak on a 8-20 month time scale. The deepening (rising) of the thermocline occurs in phase with the local anticyclonic (cyclonic) wind stress forcing, suggesting the essential roles of the in situ wind forcing in thermocline adjustment. The surface wind variation in the western Pacific is found to play a critical role in the phase transition of ENSO cycles. During the mature phases of major warm episodes, there is a rapid establishment of an anomalous anticyclonic wind stress curl over the WNP. The anticyclonic wind stress deepens the WNP thermoline and starts a recharge of heat content in the warm pool. Meanwhile, the easterly anomalies to the south of the anticyclonic center elevate the thermocline in the equatorial western Pacific, and trigger an eastward migration of the rising thermocline along the equator, leading to cooling in the east. The transition from cooling to warming during the mature phases of cold episodes involves a similar process, but with opposite anomalies.
Direct observation of smoking cessation activities in primary care practice.

OBJECTIVE Our goals were to determine how often family physicians incorporate smoking cessation efforts into routine office visits and to examine the effect of patient, physician, and office characteristics on the frequency of these efforts. STUDY DESIGN Data was gathered using direct observation of physician-patient encounters, a survey of physicians, and an on-site examination of office systems for supporting smoking cessation. POPULATION We included patients seen for routine office visits in 38 primary care physician practices. OUTCOMES MEASURED The frequency of tobacco discussions among all patients, the extent of these discussions among smokers, and the presence of tobacco-related systems and policies in physicians' offices were measured. RESULTS Tobacco was discussed during 633 of 2963 encounters (21%; range among practices = 0%-90%). Discussion of tobacco was more common in the 58% of practices that had standard forms for recording smoking status (26% vs 16%; P=.01). Tobacco discussions were more common during new patient visits but occurred less often with older patients and among physicians in practice more than 10 years. Of 244 smokers identified, physicians provided assistance with smoking cessation for 38% (range among practices = 0%-100%). Bupropion and nicotine-replacement therapy were discussed with smokers in 31% and 17% of encounters, respectively. Although 68% of offices had smoking cessation materials for patients, few recorded tobacco use in the "vital signs" section of the patient history or assigned smoking-related tasks to nonphysician personnel. CONCLUSIONS Smoking cessation practices vary widely in primary care offices. Strategies are needed to assist physicians with incorporating systematic approaches to maximize smoking cessation rates.
Pre-analytic Workflow and Specimen Evaluation

An optimal pre-analytic workflow is a proactive adaptation to the demands of molecular pathology and takes into account the strengths and weaknesses of one’s practice environment. Ideally, the pre-analytic retrieval, evaluation, and preparation of cases for molecular testing are done efficiently with minimal disruption to conventional diagnostic services and done well to ensure trustworthy test results. Depending on practice environment, the potential need for molecular testing may also impact sample collection and preparation.
Evaluating the Effect of Right-Censored End Point Transformation for Radiomic Feature Selection of Data From Patients With Oropharyngeal Cancer

PurposeTo evaluate the effect of transforming a right-censored outcome into binary, continuous, and censored-aware representations on radiomics feature selection and subsequent prediction of overall survival (OS) and relapse-free survival (RFS) of patients with oropharyngeal cancer.Methods and MaterialsDifferent feature selection techniques were applied using a binary outcome indicating event occurrence before median follow-up time, a continuous outcome using the Martingale residuals from a proportional hazards model, and the raw right-censored time-to-event outcome. Radiomic signatures combined with clinical variables were used for risk prediction. Three metrics for accuracy and calibration were used to evaluate eight feature selectors and six predictive models.ResultsFeature selection across 529 patients on more than 3,800 radiomic features resulted in increases ranging from 0.01 to 0.11 in C-index and area under the curve (AUC) scores compared with clinical features alone. The ensemble model yielded th...
Thermal Management in 3D IC Designs for Nano-CMOS Technologies: Analysis on Graphene- vs. Graphite-based TIM

With a high thermal conductivity of 3000–5000 W/m -K, Graphene outstands almost all materials in effective lateral heat spreading. Will introduction of 2D monolayer graphene in 3D-IC help in vertical heat conduction too? In this work, we investigate the impact of Graphene- and Graphite- -based inter-die thermal interface material (TIM) on the peak temperature of the 3D-IC. We compare configurations of additional intermediate layer (IL) of monolayer graphene, graphite and copper materials along with TIM. Simulations show a peak temperature reduction of up to 50°C in GSRC benchmarks. Role of thermal conductivity and the additional IL critical thickness in peak temperature reduction is also investigated. Our discussion encompasses the vertical thermal profile impact on TSV delay and peak temperature dependence on TIM material, thermal-conductivity and thickness. Lastly, of all configurations, we suggest to further investigate a very promising cost-effective graphite-based inter-die TIM along with graphite-based heat spreaders, to compensate the poor heat dissipation problem in 3D ICs.
Suspensions of Semiconducting Nanoparticles in Nafion for Transient Spectroscopy and Terahertz Photoconductivity Measurements

The characterization of emerging materials is crucial for the experimentally driven design of next-generation technologies. We describe a cost- and time-effective method for suspending nanoparticles and other photoactive materials in Nafion for transient spectroscopy and time-resolved terahertz (THz) photoconductivity measurements. Nafion is an ideal suspension matrix because it has high transparency throughout the UV/vis/near-IR and THz regions of the spectrum. Suspensions of nanoparticles in Nafion require only small amounts of sample (<5 mg) and can be prepared and deposited in ∼1 h. The suspension is well-suited for transient THz measurements, which can be used to determine the photoconductivity spectrum of the embedded nanoparticles. In this work, we used silicon nanoparticles as a model material to demonstrate the efficacy of Nafion suspensions for transient THz spectroscopy. This methodology can be used for rapid and cost-effective measurements of emerging materials such as solar materials, electrocatalysts, and nanomaterials.
Exome Chip Analysis of 14,026 Koreans Reveals Known and Newly Discovered Genetic Loci Associated with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus.

Background: Most loci associated with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) discovered to date are within noncoding regions of un known functional significance. By contrast, exonic regions have advantages for biological interpretation. Methods: We analyzed the association of exome array data from 14,026 Koreans to identify susceptible exonic loci for T2DM. We used genotype information of 50,543 variants using the Illumina exome array platform. Results: In total, 7 loci were significant with a Bonferroni adjusted P=1.03×10-6. rs2233580 in paired box gene 4 (PAX4) showed the highest odds ratio of 1.48 (P=1.60×10-10). rs11960799 in membrane associated ring-CH-type finger 3 (MARCH3) and rs75680863 in transcobalamin 2 (TCN2) were newly identified loci. When we built a model to predict the incidence of diabetes with the 7 loci and clinical variables, area under the curve (AUC) of the model improved significantly (AUC=0.72, P<0.05), but marginally in its magnitude, compared with the model using clinical variables (AUC=0.71, P<0.05). When we divided the entire population into three groups―normal body mass index (BMI; <25 kg/㎡), overweight (25≤ BMI <30 kg/㎡), and obese (BMI ≥30 kg/㎡) individuals―the predictive performance of the 7 loci was greatest in the group of obese individuals, where the net re classification improvement was highly significant (0.51; P=8.00×10-5). Conclusion: We found exonic loci having a susceptibility for T2DM. We found that such genetic information is advantageous for predicting T2DM in a subgroup of obese individuals.
Sociopolitical Factors in Colombia Interweaving a Teacher Subjectivity

It is essential to revise how political discourses and the administering of politics, not precisely within the school context but outside as well, interplay with the constitution of teacher subject...
Sovereignty and Subversion

Between those who advocate “too great liberty” and those who contend for “too much authority,” Thomas Hobbes found it difficult “to pass between the points of both unwounded.” It does not appear that he cleared the gauntlet successfully. One of the many curiosities in Hobbes’s work is its provocation of two diametrically opposed, and seemingly inconsistent, criticisms. When Leviathan was first published some 350 years ago, Hobbes’s very name became an epithet in polite circles, evoking the horrors of atheism, libertinism, and worst of all, defiance to established authority. Today, the same work that Hobbes’s contemporaries denounced as a “Rebel’s Catechism” is widely viewed as an unequivocal, and misguided, defense of an authoritarian and absolutist government. Hobbes’s descriptions of the need for a powerful sovereign are many and memorable enough to have eclipsed, over time, his endorsements of a few specific rights to resist the sovereign. But Hobbes’s contemporaries did not overlook the subversive strands of his work, and neither should we. In particular, there is much to be learned from the juxtaposition of Hobbes’s account of law – a command made with authority, to one obliged to obey – and his account of punishment – an act of violence that the target has a right to resist. This juxtaposition illuminates some recurring jurisprudential questions about the relationship of law to coercion and the possibility of strictly descriptive, non-evaluative legal theory.
A comparative dictionary of the Indo-Aryan languages

The work in four volumes presents a picture of linguistic development over some three millennia. It is a splendid reference source for the student of the Indo-Aryan language as a whole of an individual languages. The volume one is referred to Text and second to Indexes. The third volume contains a phonetic analysis of the head words. It has over 1500 sounds and sound groups. The volume four carries addenda and corrigenda to extend the scope of the Dictionary.
A Branch-and-Bound Algorithm for the Continuous-Process Job-Shop Scheduling Problem

Abstract The continuous-process job-shop scheduling problem (CPJS) arises typically in the following way: (1) a set of M machines or production facilities are available; (2) a set of N jobs are to be processed through these machines in accordance with a technological matrix; (3) the machines associated with a given job must all be used simultaneously for the completion of this job; (4) a predetermined production time is required for each job; (5) the objective is to determine a production schedule which minimizes the total completion time (makespan) of all jobs. A branch-and-bound type algorithm for the solution of the (CPJS) problem is presented.
System analysis of phycomyces light-growth response with Gaussian white-noise-noise stimuli

The light-growth response of the Phycomyces sporangiophore is a transient change of elongation rate in response to changes in ambient blue-light intensity. The white-noise method of nonlinear system identification (Wiener-Lee-Schetzen theory) has been applied to this response, and the results have been interpreted by system analysis methods in the frequency domain. Experiments were performed on the Phycomyces tracking machine. Gaussian white-noise stimulus patterns were applied to the logarithm of the light intensity. The log-mean intensity of the broad-band blue illumination was 0.1 Wm-2 and the standard deviation of the Gaussian white-noise was 0.58 decades. The results, in the form of temporal functions called Wiener kernels, represent the input-output relation of the light-growth response system. The transfer function, which was obtained as the Fourier transform of the first-order kernel, was analyzed in the frequency domain in terms of a dynamic model that consisted of a first-order high-pass filter, two second-order low-pass filters, a delay element, and a gain factor. Parameters in the model (cutoff frequencies, damping coefficients, latency, and gain constant) were evaluated by nonlinear least-squares methods applied to the complex-valued transfer function. Analysis of the second-order kernel in the frequency domain suggests that the residual nonlinearity of the system lies close to the input.
Guest Editorial: Wavelet Transforms

This PDF file contains the editorial “Guest Editorial: Wavelet Transforms” for OE Vol. 31 Issue 09
Management of the Regional Lymph Nodes in Early-Stage Breast Cancer

The management of regional nodes in early-stage invasive breast cancer continues to evolve. Improved systemic therapy has contributed to better local regional control, and at the same time it has drawn more attention to its importance. Axillary dissections have decreased, in part because of the increased efficacy of systemic therapy, and also because adjuvant therapy decisions are increasingly driven by biologic characterization of the tumor rather than pathologic nodal information. The trend toward less axillary surgery and a shift toward increased reliance on systemic and radiation therapy to address nodal disease has created interesting questions that were subsequently addressed in recent trials. We review the controversies in regional nodal management, the benefits of current treatment paradigms, the balance between less surgery and more radiation, and the potential tradeoffs vs toxicity.
Biomechanical and morphometric differences in Triticum aestivum seedlings differing in Rht gene dosage.

Consequences of Rht-dosage on the biochemical attributes of seedlings, particularly as they might affect the capacity of the coleoptile to penetrate the soil during germination and subsequent early growth
The Structure of Human α-Galactosidase A and Implications for Fabry Disease

The three-dimensional structure of human α-galactosidase A has been determined by x-ray crystallography, revealing the molecular and mechanistic basis for the defects leading to Fabry disease. The structure showed that the active site of the enzyme is formed from the C-terminal ends of seven beta strands in the first domain, a (β/α)8 barrel. The structure of the complex of α-galactosidase A with ligand bound shows that the enzyme makes specific contacts with every functional group on the ligand. The enzyme uses a double displacement reaction mechanism to cleave terminal α-galactosides off of the substrate. Mapping the mutations that lead to Fabry disease onto the structure reveals three groups of mutations: those that perturb the active site of the enzyme, those that affect the hydrophobic core of the protein, and those that have other effects on the structure. Most of the mutations that lead to disease alter the hydrophobic core of α-galactosidase A, thus Fabry disease is usually caused by misfolding of the mutant polypeptide.
X-ray powder diffraction data for rhombohedral AlPt

X-ray powder diffraction data for a rhombohedral AlPt phase formed by self-propagating, high-temperature reactions of Al∕Pt bi-layer films are reported. Multilayer Al∕Pt thin film samples, reacted in air or vacuum, transformed into rhombohedral AlPt with space group R-3(148). Indexing and lattice parameter refinement of AlPt powders (generated from thin-film samples) yielded trigonal/hexagonal unit-cell lattice parameters of a=15.623(6) A and c=5.305(2) A, Z=39, and V=1121.5 A3.
Improved techniques for the extraction and chromatography of cobalamins

Abstract We describe the use of column chromatography on the nonpolar adsorbent. Amberlite XAD-2, and on silanized silica gel in the desalting and partial purification of cobalamins. These techniques are both simpler and more versatile than phenol extraction, without sacrificing efficiency. In addition, a solvent system for thin-layer chromatography on silanized silica gel is described which rapidly separates naturally occurring cobalamins.
Expression of CD14 corrects the slow response to lipopolysaccharide in the 1B8 mutant of the B cell lymphoma 70Z/3

B cells and macrophages both activate NF-κB/Rel in response to lipopolysaccharide (LPS), but differ in sensitivity to LPS and in downstream genes that are activated. CD14 is a high-affinity receptor for LPS found on macrophages, but not B cells. We expressed human CD14 (hCD14) in the mouse B lymphoma, 70Z/3, and a mutant, 1B8, which responds slowly to LPS, to test whether expression of hCD14 could correct or bypass the defect in 1B8 cells. We compared the timing and extent of known responses to LPS in 70Z/3 cells and the 1B8 mutants. The hCD14+ 1B8 and 70Z/3 cells responded more rapidly and were sensitive to 100-fold lower levels of LPS than their untransfected counterparts. Degradation of the IκB-α and -β molecules and translocation of the NF-κB/Rel complexes into the nucleus were more rapid and the steady-state levels of Igk mRNA and mIgM on the cell surface were markedly increased in cells that expressed hCD14. The LPS response of the hCD14+ 1B8 and 70Z/3 cells showed subtle differences. In the 1B8 hCD14 cells, the p50/p50 complexes were never abundant in nuclear extracts, and degradation of IκB-β was slower than in hCD14 70Z/3 cells. This partial correction of the 1B8 phenotype suggests that the defective component in 1B8 participates in the CD14 signaling pathway and could include the B-cell LPS receptor itself.
Phase I study of weekly vinorelbine in combination with weekly paclitaxel in adult patients with advanced refractory cancer.

AbstractVinorelbine and paclitaxel are highly active antineoplastic agents. Preclinical data indicate a potential for antitumor synergy for a number of common tumor types when they are combined. We investigated a novel weekly schedule of both agents. Eighteen patients with advanced cancer were entered onto this phase I trial. Vinorelbine and paclitaxel were given weekly in combination for 6 consecutive weeks, followed by a 2-week break. Sequential cohorts of patients were treated at two dose levels: Vinorelbine 22.5 mg/m2 followed by paclitaxel 40 mg/m2 and Vinorelbine 22.5 mg/m2 followed by paclitaxel 60 mg/m2. Ten patients completed at least one 8-week course of therapy. Neutropenic myelosuppression was dose limiting at level II. Neurotoxicity was not dose limiting. Objective responses were seen in patients with esophageal, lung, and breast cancer and suggest that this is an active regimen worthy of further investigation in selected diseases. Phase II trials of this regimen are in progress.