cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Surviving with lung cancer: medication-taking and oral targeted therapy.

Abstract Oral epidermal growth factor receptor inhibitors (EGFRIs) improve survival for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients; however, medication-taking implications are unknown. We used grounded theory to explore the process of medication-taking for NSCLC patients receiving oral EGFRIs. Thirty-two interviews were conducted for 13 participants purposively selected for gender, race/ethnicity, age, time in therapy, dose reductions, and therapy discontinuation and theoretically sampled for age and health insurance carrier. The study produced a grounded theory, Surviving with Lung Cancer, in which participants framed EGFRI therapy within recognition of NSCLC as a life-limiting illness without cure. Medication-taking was a “window” into participants' process of surviving with metastatic cancer that included deciding and preparing to take EGFRIs and treating lung cancer as a chronic condition. Our results contribute to understanding how NSCLC patients view themselves in the context of a life-limiting illness and support development of a theoretically-based intervention to improve medication-taking with EGFRIs.
Vaccination of dairy cows with recombinant Streptococcus uberis adhesion molecule induces antibodies that reduce adherence to and internalization of S. uberis into bovine mammary epithelial cells.

Abstract Streptococcus uberis is an important environmental mastitis pathogen that causes subclinical and clinical mastitis in lactating and nonlactating cows and heifers throughout the world. Previous work from our laboratory suggests that S. uberis adhesion molecule (SUAM) is involved in S. uberis pathogenesis and may be an excellent target for vaccine development. The objective of this study was to evaluate the antibody response of cattle vaccinated with recombinant SUAM (rSUAM). Uninfected primiparous dairy cows (n = 30) in late lactation were divided randomly into three groups of 10 cows each: control, 200 μg rSUAM, and 400 μg rSUAM. Cows in groups vaccinated with 200 μg and 400 μg rSUAM received an emulsion containing adjuvant, phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) and affinity purified rSUAM. Cows in the control group received an emulsion containing adjuvant and PBS. Cows were vaccinated subcutaneously in the neck region at drying off (D−0), 28 d after drying off (D+28) and within 7 d after calving. Serum was collected at D−0, D+28, at calving (C−0), calving vaccination (CV), and during early lactation (CV+14). Serum antibody responses were measured by an ELISA against rSUAM. Following the first vaccination a significant increase in anti-rSUAM antibodies was detected at D + 28 in cows from groups vaccinated with 200 μg and 400 μg rSUAM when compared to the control group. This increase in anti-rSUAM antibodies continued following the second immunization at D + 28; reaching the highest levels in the post-parturient sampling period (C0), after which antibodies appeared to plateau. S. uberis UT888 pretreated with several dilutions of heat-inactivated serum from cows vaccinated with rSUAM, affinity purified antibodies against rSUAM, and to a 17 amino acid long peptide from the N terminus of SUAM (pep-SUAM) were co-cultured with bovine mammary epithelial cells and adherence to and internalization of S. uberis into epithelial cells was measured. Compared to untreated controls, opsonization of two strains of S. uberis with sera from cows vaccinated with rSUAM, with affinity purified rSUAM antibodies, or with affinity purified pep-SUAM antibodies significantly reduced adherence to and internalization of this pathogen into bovine mammary epithelial cells. In conclusion, subcutaneous vaccination of dairy cows with rSUAM during physiological transitions of the mammary gland either from or to a state of active milk synthesis induced antibodies in serum and milk and these antibodies reduced adherence to and internalization of S. uberis into mammary epithelial cells under in vitro conditions. SUAM appears to be an excellent candidate for vaccine development.
High-density circuit approach for low-cost MMIC circuits

Using spectral domain coupled transmission line calculations and computer programs to generate circuit files for standard circuit analysis programs, a double balanced monolithic mixer with RF/IF overlap has been developed using spiral baluns. This technique can be employed to extend the design of high density MMIC circuits to frequencies greater than 20 GHz.© (1991) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Die-less Forming of Thermoplastic-Matrix Continuous Fiber Composite Materials—Process and Demonstration

Conventionally, large components made of thermoplastic matrices and continuous fibers are manufactured in autoclaves using dies. As the applications of composite materials increase, there is a need to reduce costs and increase manufacturing flexibility. This need has led to the development of a new concept called die-less forming. The concept of kinematically admissible bending is central to the concept of die-less forming. The concepts behind die-less forming have been tested in preliminary experiments on a two-roller demonstration machine. Induction heating was used to locally heat the composite as it moved into the forming zone, where it was bent using a specially designed cluster roller. Induction heating combined with a variable velocity profile was successful in establishing a uniform heating profile. Experiments were conducted for multidirectional APC-2 carbon/PEEK fiber composites and the composite bending behavior was explained using energy methods.
Cardiac embolism: the neurologist's perspective.

Abstract Cardioembolic stroke represents a major health-care challenge in the United States, accounting for significant morbidity and mortality, as well as economic and social costs. Determining the cause of ischemic stroke is often difficult because multiple potential etiologies are often present and available diagnostic tools are relatively insensitive. The diagnosis of cardioembolic stroke is based on a variety of clinical and laboratory clues that are significant, although not invariable, predictors of stroke etiology. Computed tomography scans help suggest etiology, and scans performed at 48 hours after stroke onset are essential to identify hemorrhagic infarctions. Cerebral angiograms may be helpful if performed early. Echocardiography is indicated only for selected patients who are more likely to demonstrate cardiac abnormalities on an echocardiogram. The management of acute cardioembolic stroke involves weighing the benefits of reducing stroke recurrence by anticoagulation against the risk of symptomatic brain hemorrhage. A management algorithm is provided that can help reduce both the risk of symptomatic brain hemorrhage and the incidence of potentially disabling stroke recurrence.
New Results from Single-Top-Quark Searches with the CDF II Detector

In this paper we present new results from single-top-quark searches with the CDF II detector at the Fermilab Tevatron. In a data sample of 162 pb-1 of proton-antiproton collisions accumulated at CDF, we find no significant evidence for signal and set an upper limit of 17.8 pb on the total single-top production rate, at 95% confidence level. Individual upper limits of 10.1 pb and 13.6 pb are set on the the individual rates of t–channel, and s–channel single-top, respectively.
pH monitoring: Is it the gold standard for the detection of gastroesophageal reflux disease?

Ambulatory, long term (24-h) intraluminal esophageal pH monitoring is the “gold standard” for detection and quantification of gastroesophageal reflux. Is it, however, the “gold standard” for the diagnosis of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)? The answer depends in part on how GERD is defined. Is it to be defined on the basis of symptoms, inflammatory changes in the esophageal mucosa, extent of the exposure of the esophagus to acid or some combination of these factors? Since the correlation between acid exposure of the esophageal mucosa and either symptoms or histologic changes is poor at best, it seems there must be factors in addition to acid exposure that determine the severity of symptoms and histologic damage. One such is the resistance of the individual patient's mucosa to injury by acid exposure. In view of the above, it is not surprising that no specific value for acid exposure of the esophagus can be equated with the diagnosis of GERD. The addition of the symptom index, the frequency with which symptoms coincide with reflux episodes, has done little to increase the sensitivity and specificity of pH recording in the diagnosis of GERD. Another variable only occasionally considered is the day to day variation in the frequency and duration of acid reflux. Finally, intraesophageal pH recording measures only the intensity of acid exposure but we have no clinical measure of mucosa resistance to acid-induced injury, the other factor contributing to the pathogenesis of GERD.
High-precision sinusoidal frequency estimator based on weighted least square method

The estimation of the frequency of a sine wave is a fundamental task in many test and measurement systems. In this report, a frequency estimator based on the weighted least-square method (WLSM) is derived. The estimator is optimal in the sense that it is unbiased, and it has the smallest standard deviation among the whole class of linear estimators. A well-approximated normalized standard deviation of the estimator is obtained in closed form. It is shown that the normalized standard deviation of the optical estimator is of the form 2.2σ/[m×n3]1/2, where m is the average number of samples per period, n is the number of half periods covered by the observation interval, and σ is the standard deviation of the additive noise. There are three potential applications of this result: precision frequency measurement in white-noise environment; confidence interval display in frequency meter; and waveform digitizer effective-bits characterization.
Relationship between Milk Yield and Fertility in Dairy Cattle

Abstract In three studies of 51,618 Holstein, 6,630 Jersey, and 1,524 Guernsey records, correlation was .07 between 120-day milk yield and number of services required for probable conception, independent of days postpartum. The partial regression coefficient for Holsteins was .014 ± .001 more services for each additional 100 kg of 120-day milk. For Jerseys and Guernseys, .028 ± .008 more services were required for each additional 100 kg of 120-day milk.
Linear Free Energy Relationships for Neurotransmitter Binding to a Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptor

Agonists turn on receptors because they bind with a higher affinity to the active vs. resting form of their target sites. We measured the correlation between low-affinity (LA) and high-affinity (HA) neurotransmitter binding energies in adult mouse muscle acetylcholine receptors (AChRs) by using single-channel electrophysiology. The energy values were estimated from current interval durations, for different agonists and for mutations of seven different binding site amino acids. The results were analyzed as a linear free energy relationship, the slope of which gives the fraction of the overall binding chemical potential at the point the LA complex is established. All mutations of four binding site alpha-subunit aromatic amino acids (Y93, W149, Y190 and Y198) and alphaG147 produced fold-decreases in LA binding (relative to ACh, wild-type) that were about half those at in HA binding. For most residues (and agonists) this slope was ∼0.5, but mutations of two binding site residues had a significantly higher (0.90; alphaG153) or lower (0.25; epsilon P121) slope. The sequence of energy changes in the binding process appears to be alphaG153>(aromatics and alphaG147)>epsilonP121.
Introduction: Strategic Directions for the Geographical Sciences in the Next Decade

Understanding the Changing Planet: Strategic Directions for the Geographical Sciences, produced by the U.S. National Research Council's (NRC) ad hoc Committee on Strategic Directions for the Geographical Sciences in the Next Decade, is an agenda-setting document that speaks to a transdisciplinary geographical science but nonetheless challenges geographers to think about how the discipline of geography can contribute to a better understanding of our rapidly changing planet. In this Focus Section, five geographers are invited to evaluate the NRC report, followed by a response from Alexander Murphy on behalf of the NRC Committee. We hope this Focus Section initiates a new conversation among geographers about the future of geography.
Influence of Soaking and Cooking upon the Softening and Eating Quality of Black Beans (Phaseolus vulgaris)

Soaking and cooking treatments: were evaluated to establish the relationship of various regimes to the development of cooked bean texture and flavor of black beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.). A salt combination soaking solution was most effective in promoting bean softening during cooking, compared to no soaking or a distilled water soak. A high correlation was observed between objective and sensory texture scores. An Instron puncture force of.150g (0.14 cm probe, 5 cm/min) accurately defined the “eating-soft” limit of texture acceptability.
El trauma del Otro: Once voces contra la barbarie del 11-M

El 11 de marzo de 2005, once representaciones teatrales conmemoraron el primer aniversario del atentado terrorista en Madrid en busca de la catarsis del trauma. Algunas de las piezas en Once voces contra la barbarie del 11-M incluyen personajes inmigrantes, como victimas y como verdugos, en varias relaciones con los personajes espanoles. La construccion de los dramas individuales, ademas del conjunto, es fragmentaria, visual y repetitiva, haciendo un paralelismo con el trauma o el trauma virtual/mediatizado que causaron los terroristas. El trauma asi penetra todos los niveles del proyecto, indicando un viaje inacabado hacia la recuperacion y una relacion todavia inquieta con los inmigrantes en Espana.
SU-E-J-50: Does a Breathing Surrogate From a Point On the Abdominal Skin Represent the Organ Motion in Thorax for Phase-Based 4D CT Sorting?

Purpose: This work aims (1) to determine the validity of the current practice of the phase-based 4DCT sorting (abdomen signal) for thorax scans; (2) to assess the potential benefit of utilizing the 3D surface breathing surrogate of chest area for phase-based 4DCT sorting. Methods: Dynamic 3D surface images over the chest and abdomen were acquired using 3D-suface-camera-system (VisionRT Ltd., London, UK) for a total of 10 patients. The vertical motions of five regions-of-interest (ROIs): abdomen, mid-sternum, lower-, middle-, and upper- ipsilateral-chest were tracked. Based on our previous work, the main source of motion artifact is the variation-of-phase-differences (VPD) between the breathing surrogate and the organ motion during scanning. Thus, we utilize VPD as a quantitative index of the variation of the resulting 4DCT images. The average VPD over a 60 second time-period was calculated for each of the abdomen and ROI combination. A simulation study with a wire phantom was designed to demonstrate the resulting 4DCT images. Results: Simulation showed significant image distortion or motion artifacts when VPD is larger than 5% of breathing period. The average VPDs of individual ROIs of each patient indicates that 75%, 59% and 22% cases have VPD larger than 5%, 10% and 15% of period each cycle between the selected ROI and the abdominal motions patterns, respectively (10.1±6.0 %, minimum 1.0% to maximum 23.9 %). Overall, patients with less 3-second breathing-period present VPD larger than 10%. The correlations between the abdomen and individual chest ROIs motions as well as the motions among chest ROIs are highly case-dependent. Conclusion: Abdominal motion does not represent the chest motions for some of the patients. This results in motion artifacts in the phase-based 4DCT. Utilizing the surface surrogate of the chest region can potentially improve phase-based 4DCT sorting for thorax 4DCT scan, especially for fast breathing patients.
Granulocytopenia and hyperleucocytosis following sulfanilamide therapy

Summary A patient receiving comparatively small doses of sulfanilamide, exhibitedstriking variations in the blood picture, including total leucocyte counts and percentage of granulocytes. There was an apparent stimulation followed by a depression of hematopoiesis of the granulocytes.
Development of an imaging performance criterion for wide-field grazing incidence x-ray telescopes

For staring, wide-field applications, such as a solar x-ray imager, the severe off-axis aberrations of the classical Wolter Type-I grazing incidence x-ray telescope design drastically limits the 'resolution'. Since surface scattering effects from residual optical fabrication errors are always substantial at these very short wavelengths, the field-weighted-average half-power radius is a far more appropriate measure of aerial resolution. If an ideal mosaic detector array is being used in the focal plane, the finite pixel size provides a practical limit to this system performance. Thus, the total number of aerial resolution elements enclosed by the operational field-of-view, expressed as a percentage of the number of ideal detector pixels, is a further improved image quality criterion. In this paper we describe the development of an image quality criterion for wide-field applications of grazing incidence x-ray telescopes which leads to a new class of grazing incidence designs described in a following companion paper.
Stereochemistry of cyclopropane formation involving group IV organometallic complexes.

The reaction of (Z)-HDCCHCH(OCH3)C6H5 (1) with Cp2Zr(D)Cl followed by BF3·OEt2 gave phenylcyclopropanes 3a and 3b, both having cis deuterium. This stereochemical outcome requires inversion of configuration at the carbon bound to zirconium and is consistent with a “W-shaped” transition state structure for cyclopropane formation. In a Kulinkovich hydroxycyclopropanation, trans-3-deutero-1-methyl-cis-2-phenyl-1-cyclopropanol (5) was formed stereospecifically from Ti(O-i-Pr)4, ethyl acetate, EtMgBr, and trans-β-deuterostyrene. This stereochemistry requires retention of configuration at the carbon bound to titanium and is consistent with frontside attack of the carbon−titanium bond on a carbonyl group coordinated to titanium. In a de Meijere cyclopropylamine synthesis, a 3:1 mixture of N,N-dimethyl-N-(trans-3-deutero-trans-2-phenylcyclopropyl)amine (6a) and N,N-dimethyl-N-(cis-3-deutero-cis-2-phenylcyclopropyl)amine (6b) was formed from Ti(O-i-Pr)4, DMF, Grignard reagents, and trans-β-deuterostyrene. This ster...
Principles and applications of dissolved air flotation

Principles of dissolved air flotation (DAF) discussed include: bubble formation and size, bubble-particle interactions, measures of supplied air, and modeling of the reaction and clarification zones of the flotation tank. Favorable flotation conditions for bubble attachment or adhesion to particles requires a reduction in the charge of particles and production of hydrophobic particles or hydrophobic spots on particle surfaces. A conceptual model for the bubble-particle reaction zone based on the single collector collision efficiency is summarized and discussed. An alternative modeling approach is considered. Clarification or separation zone modeling is based on particle-bubble agglomerate rise velocities. The application of DAF in drinking water treatment is addressed beginning with summaries of design and operating parameters for several countries. DAF should not be considered as a separate process, but integrated into the design and operation of the overall treatment plant. This concept shows that flocculation ahead of DAF has different requirements regarding floc size and strength compared to sedimentation. The efficiency of DAF in removing particles and reducing particle loads to filters needs to be integrated into DAF plant design. The impact on filtration performance is illustrated. Finally, fundamental and applied research needs are addressed.
Multiple recurrences of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia in women with the human immunodeficiency virus

Objective: To evaluate the long-term outcomes after treatment of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) in women infected with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Methods: Human immunodeficiency virus—infected and HIV-negative women treated for CIN by ablation or excision were followed-up prospectively by cytology and colposcopy for periods of up to 73 months. Results: Among 127 HIV-infected CIN patients, 62% developed recurrent CIN by 36 months after treatment, compared with 18% of 193 HIV-negative CIN patients. Recurrence rates reached 87% in 41 HIV-infected women with CD4 counts less than 200 cells/mm 3 . Progression to higher-grade neoplasia, including one invasive cancer, occurred by 36 months in 25% of HIV-infected and 2% of HIV-negative women. After adjusting for age, CIN severity, and treatment type, predictors of recurrence included HIV infection (rate ratio 4.4), and, in HIV-positive women, low CD4 count (rate ratio 2.2). In patients treated by excision, predictors of recurrence included HIV infection (rate ratio 2.0) and residual CIN after treatment (rate ratio 2.7). After a second treatment, a second CIN recurrence developed in 14 of 33 HIV-infected and in one of 17 HIV-negative women. After a third treatment, three of six HIV-infected women developed a third recurrence. With long-term follow-up, 45% of treated HIV-infected CIN patients had chronic condylomatous changes in the cervix compared with 5% of HIV-negative women. Conclusion: In HIV-infected women, CIN may recur despite multiple treatments, and chronic condylomatous changes are common. Innovative therapies for controlling CIN in HIV-infected women are needed.
Gaseous elemental mercury (GEM) emissions from snow surfaces in northern New York.

Snow surface-to-air exchange of gaseous elemental mercury (GEM) was measured using a modified Teflon fluorinated ethylene propylene (FEP) dynamic flux chamber (DFC) in a remote, open site in Potsdam, New York. Sampling was conducted during the winter months of 2011. The inlet and outlet of the DFC were coupled with a Tekran Model 2537A mercury (Hg) vapor analyzer using a Tekran Model 1110 two port synchronized sampler. The surface GEM flux ranged from −4.47 ng m−2 hr−1 to 9.89 ng m−2 hr−1. For most sample periods, daytime GEM flux was strongly correlated with solar radiation. The average nighttime GEM flux was slightly negative and was not well correlated with any of the measured meteorological variables. Preliminary, empirical models were developed to estimate GEM emissions from snow surfaces in northern New York. These models suggest that most, if not all, of the Hg deposited with and to snow is reemitted to the atmosphere.
DataSpace: a data Web for the exploratory analysis and mining of data

A data web can simplify the processes of cleaning, transforming, and exploring data in a data mining application. DataSpace is one such mechanism that lets scientists view, retrieve, and apply simple transformations to remote and distributed data. DataSpace is an example of a data web, that is, a web-based infrastructure for working with data.
Testosterone replacement therapy and the risk of prostate cancer. Is there a link

Substantial evidence supports the value of testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) in improving quality of life in men with proven aging male syndrome (AMS). Benefits of TRT include improved bone mineral density, reduced fracture risk, increased muscle mass, and improved mood, sense of well being, and libido, among others. There is currently a heated debate about the theoretical association between TRT and the initiation, progression, and aggressiveness of prostate cancer; however, this link has not been uniformly studied, and any results have been contradictory and nonconclusive. Although no clear evidence links TRT to prostate cancer, the possibility of increasing the risk of a clinical manifestation of a latent pre-existing malignancy can influence the decision about TRT use. Current recommendations are to exclude prostate cancer before initiating TRT in men over age 40 and to closely monitor men in the first year of testosterone replacement, followed by observation in subsequent years.
Recent Changes in Density, Biomass, Recruitment, Size Structure, and Nutritional State of Dreissena Populations in Southern Lake Michigan

Abstract Trends in density, biomass, population structure, and nutritional state of Dreissena polymorpha and Dreissena rostriformis bugensis were examined in southern Lake Michigan between the 1990s and 2008. Density and biomass of D. polymorpha increased to a peak in the early 2000s and then declined. In contrast, D. rostriformis bugensis was first found in the southern basin in 2001 and has continued to increase in density or biomass at all depths ever since. In 2008, maximum mean density of D. rostriformis bugensis occurred at 16–30 m (19,000/m 2 ), but maximum biomass (AFDW) occurred at 31–50 m (43.9 g/m 2 ). D. rostriformis bugensis has only recently (since 2005) began to increase at depths > 50 m. When both species were present in 2004 at depths D. rostriformis bugensis was 27% higher, and shell weight per shell length was 48% lower compared to D. polymorpha . For D. rostriformis bugensis , CI decreased in 2008 compared to 2004 at 25 m and 45 m, but biochemical content (lipid, glycogen) did not. Seasonal changes in both RNA/DNA ratio (growth) and ETS (metabolic activity) in D. rostriformis bugensis were unaffected by reproductive activity, and only ETS appeared to change seasonally relative to bottom temperatures. Spawning of D. rostriformis bugensis occurred in late summer at 25 m, but occurred in spring at 45 m. Veliger densities peaked in both spring and late summer at both depths. Future population expansion (biomass) is expected to be most rapid at depths > 50 m.
Long-term PAH monitoring results from the Anacostia River active capping demonstration using polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) fibers

In this paper, the long-term monitoring results for hydrophobic organic compounds, specifically polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), from a field demonstration of capping contaminated sediments at the Anacostia River in Washington DC are presented and analyzed. In situ pore water concentrations in field-contaminated sediments in the demonstration caps were quantified using a polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS)-based passive sampling device. High resolution vertical pore water concentration profiles were measured using the device and were used to infer fate and transport of polycyclic aromatics hydrocarbons (PAHs) at the site. The derived pore water concentrations were compared with observed bioaccumulation and solid-phase concentration profiles to infer contaminant migration rates and mechanisms. Observed pore water concentrations were found to be a better predictor of bioaccumulation than solid-phase concentrations. Solid-phase concentrations were low in cores which implied containment of contamination; however pore water profiles showed that contaminant migration had occurred in the first few years after cap placement. The discrepancy is the result of the low sorption capacity of the sand. Because of surface re-contamination, low sorption capacity in the demonstration caps and strong tidal pumping effects, steady state contaminant profiles were reached in the caps several years after placement. Despite re-contamination at the surface, steady state concentrations in the capped areas showed decreased contamination levels relative to the control area.
Heterogeneity in the Likelihood of Market Advisory Service Use by U.S. Crop Producers

Analysis of a unique data set of 1,400 U+S+ crop producers using a mixture-modeling framework shows that the likelihood of Marketing Advisory Services ~MAS! use is, among others, driven by the perceived performance of MAS in terms of return and risk reduction, the match between the MAS and the crop producer’s marketing philosophy, and the interaction between them+ The influence of these factors on crop producers’ MAS usage is not homogeneous across crop producers+ The heterogeneity is played out in different MAS choices and appears to be driven by crop producers’ risk attitudes+ @EconLit citations: D210, D400, L100, L200, M310, Q120, Q130+# © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc+
MLP aware heterogeneous memory system

Main memory plays a critical role in a computer system's performance and energy efficiency. Three key parameters define a main memory system's efficiency: latency, bandwidth, and power. Current memory systems tries to balance all these three parameters to achieve reasonable efficiency for most programs. However, in a multi-core system, applications with various memory demands are simultaneously executed. This paper proposes a heterogeneous main memory with three different memory modules, where each module is heavily optimized for one the three parameters at the cost of compromising the other two. Based on the memory access characteristics of an application, the operating system allocates its pages in a memory module that satisfies its memory requirements. When compared to a homogeneous memory system, we demonstrate through cycle-accurate simulations that our design results in about 13.5% increase in system performance and a 20% improvement in memory power.
Independence of Circadian Timing from Cell Division in Cyanobacteria

In the cyanobacterium Synechococcus elongatus, cell division is regulated by a circadian clock. Deletion of the circadian clock gene, kaiC, abolishes rhythms of gene expression and cell division timing. Overexpression of the ftsZ gene halted cell division but not growth, causing cells to grow as filaments without dividing. The nondividing filamentous cells still exhibited robust circadian rhythms of gene expression. This result indicates that the circadian timing system is independent of rhythmic cell division and, together with other results, suggests that the cyanobacterial circadian system is stable and well sustained under a wide range of intracellular conditions.
Giant hepatocellular adenoma in a child

An 8-year-old female presented with fever, shortness of breath, bdominal pain, and abdominal distention of 2 days duration. xamination was unrevealing except for a large abdominal mass. bnormal laboratory findings included haemoglobin (8.4 g/dl), ematocrit (25.4%), ALT (92 U/L), AST (99 U/L), and total bilirubin 4.5 mg/dl). Computed tomography (coronal view) of the abdomen evealed a large irregular contoured rounded hepatic mass, with reas of mixed density consistent with haemorrhage (Fig. 1). Biopsy f the mass showed well-differentiated hepatocytes without assoiated bile ducts consistent with hepatic adenoma (Fig. 2). The child
Hip Fracture Incidence among Elderly Asian-American Populations

This study estimated national age- and sex-specific nontraumatic hip fracture incidence rates for elderly Chinese Americans, Japanese Americans, and Korean Americans. Based on a 50 percent sample of 1992 Medicare enrollees with the race/ethnicity code "Asian" and "other," cohorts of persons with distinctive Chinese (n = 24,366), Japanese (n = 28,762), and Korean (n = 5,470) names were followed passively for 2 years for a hospitalization with a diagnostic code indicating hip fracture. Cohorts of whites and blacks were followed for comparison. Year of immigration was deduced from the year of issuance of the Social Security number. Age-adjusted hip fracture incidence was lower for all three Asian-American groups than for whites. For females, the standardized fracture ratio relative to whites was 30.1 for Chinese, 73.2 for Japanese, and 52.8 for Koreans; for males, the standardized fracture ratio was 41.9 for Chinese, 58.1 for Japanese, and 90.7 for Koreans. Persons whose Social Security numbers were issued after the immigration Act of 1965 had an adjusted relative risk of 1.37 (95% confidence interval 1.05-1.78) compared with those in the US before that year, after adjustment for age, sex, and ethnic group.
Late Neogene sequence stratigraphy of a carbonate-siliciclastic transition: Southwest Florida

A network of high-resolution seismic profiles and 23 lithologically and/or geophysically logged boreholes have been analyzed in order to evaluate the effects of sea-level cyclicity, karstification, and an intercalated, carbonate to siliciclastic transition on the late Miocene to Quaternary stratigraphy of the Charlotte Harbor area in southwest Florida. Six late Neogene disconformity-bounded depositional sequences are identified between two regional unconformities. The lower regional unconformity (R-3) varies from about 20 m to more than 115 m below sea level. The lows are present as northwest-southeast- and northeast-southwest-trending troughs, and the high areas as sharp, irregular reflections and isolated sinkholes indicative of subaerial exposure. The R-2 unconformity, which overlies and truncates the late Neogene sequences, occurs as a strong, flat-lying reflector seaward of the present coastline and a series of downcutting channel complexes in back-barrier areas. The six depositional sequences prograde to the south-southeast with a proximal-distal transition from short, steeply dipping oblique clinoforms to long, low-angle clinoforms. Three lithofacies, which generally occur in a vertical sequence, are (from the bottom up) (1) quartz-dominated sand with phosphate sand and gravel; (2) calcareous clays; and (3) poorly indurated to well-indurated, sandy, molluscan calcirudite. The pebbley sand facies are transgressive lags gradationally overlain by prograding, laminated clays deposited in an estuarine to prodelta shoreface environment. The calcirudite transitionally overlies the clay facies and was deposited in a shallow subtidal to subaerial chenier-like setting which may be indurated and/or indicate subaerial exposure and may form the base of another sequence. The karstified antecedent topography has controlled the distribution of the depositional sequences in two ways. First, fluvial systems are localized in the antecedent lows, which restricts the distribution of fluvially transported sands. Second, the relatively impermeable clays, which occur as thin beds outside the lows, thicken to 20-40 m within the karstic depressions. The clay deposits limit vertical drainage and initiate the development of fluvial systems on the carbonate terrain. The sequences were deposited during the late Miocene Tortonian Stage, which is increasingly viewed as a time of high-frequency, glacio-eustatic sea-level fluctuations. Although high-resolution chronostratigraphic data are not available, the sequences contain thin and/or poorly preserved transgressive sands, overlain by prograding regressive sediments, and they represent discrete sea-level cycles. A regional pattern of karstic dissolution has controlled the transition by localizing deposition of impermeable prodelta clays and the developing paleo-fluvial system. The introduction of quartz sand into the carbonate terrain was, in turn, controlled by the karstic relief and a localized sediment supply derived from the paleo-fluvial systems.
Sentido de Pertenencia: A Hierarchical Analysis Predicting Sense of Belonging Among Latino College Students

The present study estimated the influence of academic and social collegiate experiences on Latino students' sense of belonging, controlling for background differences, using hierarchical analysis t...
Influence of Fires on O3 Concentrations in the Western U.S.

Because forest fires emit substantial NOx and hydrocarbons--known contributors to O3 production--we hypothesize that interannual variation in western U.S. O3 is related to the burned area. To evaluate this hypothesis we used a gridded database of western U.S. summer burned area (BA) and biomass consumed (BC) by fires between 101-125 degrees W. The fire data were compared with daytime summer O3 mixing ratios from nine rural Clean Air Status and Trends Network (CASTNET) and National Park Service (NPS) sites. Large fire years exhibited widespread enhanced O3. The summer BA was significantly correlated with O3 at all sites. For each 1 million acres burned in the western U.S. during summer, we estimate that the daytime mean O3 was enhanced across the region by 2.0 ppbv. For mean and maximum fire years, O3 was enhanced by an average of 3.5 and 8.8 ppbv, respectively. At most sites O3 was significantly correlated with fires in the surrounding 5 x 5 degrees and 10 x 10 degrees regions, but not with fires in the nearest 1 x 1 degree region, reflecting the balance between O3 production and destruction in a high NOx environment. BC was a slightly better predictor of O3, compared with BA. The relationship between O3 and temperature was examined at two sites (Yellowstone and Rocky Mountain National Parks). At these two sites, high fire years were significantly warmer than lowfire years; however, daytime seasonal meantemperature and O3 were not significantly correlated. This indicates that the presence of fire is a more important predictor for O3 than is temperature.
Relation of abnormal folate metabolism to neuropathy developing during anticonvulsant drug therapy.

Abstract 52 patients with chronic epilepsy (20 with peripheral neuropathy and 32 without abnormal neurological findings) had serum-folate levels determined. Subnormal levels were found in 26 (50%) and there was no significant difference in the proportion of patients with this finding in the two groups. A double-blind trial of therapy with folic acid and placebo, over two successive 3-month periods in 12 patients with neuropathy, failed to produce any significant improvement as measured by clinical and electrodiagnostic studies.
Distributed intelligent sound processing system

Source localization of objects using sound waves and vibrations is very important for many applications that range from military to security and home automation systems. Typical applications include tracking a moving object in security systems, where the location of a sound is needed to direct a camera, or selecting the closest microphone to a speaker from a microphone array, as in the case of a voice automated home. The simpler cases of sound localization, as in the last example, are the focus of the project we present in this paper. The system described in the paper is designed around a master module for control and multiple intelligent sound processing modules (ISPM) with omnidirectional microphones, signal conditioning and digital signal processing. All modules are connected using a differential serial bus using a custom time division multiplexing (TDM) master/slave protocol. In this paper we describe the protocol, the theory of operation, and first experiences with the prototype system.
Taxane‐induced hedgehog signaling is linked to expansion of breast cancer stem‐like populations after chemotherapy

Recurrence of breast cancer after chemotherapy is thought to arise from resistant breast cancer stem cells which are eventually able torepopulatethetumor.TheHedgehog(HH)signaling pathway hasbeen shown toregulate theproliferation andsurvivalofbreastcancerstemcells,andhasbeenshowntopromoteresistancetochemotherapythroughtheactivationof multi-drug resistance and pro survival pathways. Here we report that exposure of heterogenous breast cancer cell lines to docetaxel (DOC) resulted in release of Sonic Hedgehog ligand (SHH) and activation of the HH pathway as evidenced by increased expression and nuclear translocation of the downstream effector Gli-1 at 4–24h after DOC treatment. This activation had little effect on the bulkof the tumor cell population as inhibition of HH signaling failedto increase apoptosis in response to DOC. However, HH pathway activation was required for clonogenic growth of cell lines after DOC. Increases in stemnessmarkersaswellasmammosphereformationwereobservedaftertreatmentwithDOCsuggestinganincreaseinthe breast cancer stem cell populations. These increases were similar to that of cell lines cultured in the presence of recombinant SHH and could be eliminated by co-treatment with HH inhibitors. These results suggest that HH pathway activation induced byDOC treatmentdoesnot haveachemosensitizing effectontheheterogeneoustumorpopulation,butmayberequiredfor survival and expansion of breast cancer stem cells after chemotherapy. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Texture of Cr interlayer in double CoCrTa thin films and effects of interlayer on the magnetic properties

Multilayer magnetic recording thin-film media have attracted much attention because of their high signal-to-noise ratios. The authors investigated the crystallographic texture of the interlayer and the effects of the interlayer on the magnetic properties. It was found that: (1) when deposited at room temperature, the Cr interlayer has [110] texture, the same as the texture of the Cr underlayer; (2) when deposited at elevated temperatures, the Cr interlayer may have a different texture than that of the underlayer; (3) the Cr interlayer (only 25 AA thick) can either increase H/sub c/ or reduce S*, depending on the thickness of the CoCrTa layer; and (4) the substrate temperature affects H/sub c/ and S* dramatically. >
Cranial Anatomy in Tenrecid Insectivorans: Character Evolution Across Competing Phylogenies

Abstract Soft-tissue characters from the cranial vasculature and anterior nasal fossa are described and figured for several tenrecs and other insectivoran-grade mammals. A number of variations in blood supply and anterior nasal anatomy exist among observed specimens, including the involution of certain branches of the stapedial artery, blood supply to the jaw, relation of the external carotid to pharyngeal musculature, connections of the vomeronasal duct and paraseptal cartilage, presence of a papillary cartilage, and others. When the observed anatomy is distilled into 20 discrete anatomical characters and optimized onto recent insectivoran phylogenetic trees, these soft-tissue characters are more consistent with a reconstruction based on osteological and dental characters than with one based on molecular characters. Nevertheless, all recently proposed phylogenies require homoplasy from this dataset, and potential synapomorphies for both a monophyletic Lipotyphla and endemic African clade can be optimized...
Additions to the cicada fauna of Venezuela with the description of a new species and checklist of the Venezuelan cicada fauna (Hemiptera: Cicadomorpha: Cicadidae)

The new Neotropical cicada species Fidicinoides flavipronotum sp. n. is described. Comparisons are made to other members of the genus found in Venezuela. Fidicina distanti Goding, 1925 is transferred to Fidicinoides Boulard & Martinelli and Diceroprocta bilaqueata (Uhler, 1903) is transferred to Ariasa Distant. Eleven additional species are recorded for the first time from Venezuela increasing the cicada fauna diversity of the country by 31%. A checklist of Venezuelan species is provided.
A case of idiopathic granulomatous mastitis associated with erythema nodosum, arthritis, and reactive cough

Idiopathic granulomatous mastitis (IGM) is a rare, chronic inflammatory disease of the breast.1, 2, 3, 4, 5 IGM most commonly affects young, healthy parous women and usually presents as an ill-defined breast lump simulating malignancy.1, 2, 3, 4, 5 On histopathology, noncaseating granulomas confined to the breast lobules are typically seen.1, 2, 3, 4, 5 We present a unique case of IGM that may be of interest to dermatologists who are not readily familiar with this condition.
Metabolic and hemodynamic responses to endogenous and exogenous catecholamines in formerly obese subjects

Formerly or reduced-obese (RO) subjects exhibit diminished systemic energy requirements for weight maintenance. Based on studies in animals and humans, there is reason to believe that the autonomic nervous system (ANS) plays an important role in coordinate regulation of energy metabolism and may be altered in the RO state. We have, therefore, investigated aspects of autonomic physiology in obese (OB), RO, and never obese (NO) subjects subjected to insulin-mediated hypoglycemia and incremental intravenous infusions of epinephrine. Total catecholamine secretion during insulin-induced hypoglycemia was significantly lower in the RO. The RO showed increased sensitivity to in vivo lipolytic and cardiovascular effects of endogenous and infused catecholamines. In these studies, OB subjects responded more like the NO subjects than did the RO. The RO display characteristic changes in autonomic status that may play a role in their enhanced energy efficiency.
Childhood drowning in New South Wales 1990-1995: a population-based study

OBJECTIVE: To review the circumstances of children drowning in New South Wales (NSW), 1990-1995, and to analyse trends. DESIGN: The NSW Paediatric Trauma Death Review Data Unit received coronial notification of childhood drowning deaths. Age-specific annual drowning rates per 100,000 population were calculated. SUBJECTS: Children aged 0-14 years who died of drowning. RESULTS: 132 children drowned (96[73%] aged 0-4 years). There was was an overall decrease in incidence of drowning, from 2.0 to 1.5 per 100,000 population, and a decline in domestic pool drownings (from a peak of 15 in 1992 to five in 1995), and in drownings in waterways (from nine to six over the six-year period). However, drownings in baths and dams did not decrease. In general, boys were at higher risk than girls. CONCLUSIONS: Analysis of the drowning incidents indicates that, despite the decreases documented, we should not be complacent, and preventive programs are still warranted. All pools and dams should have well maintained fences between the body of water and the house. All infants aged under three and all epileptic children should be supervised in the bath by an adult. Children should be taught to swim, warned of the dangers of rivers and surf, and adequately supervised.
Proton adsorption at the ferric oxide/aqueous solution interface: I. A kinetic study of adsorption

A kinetic study of the adsorption of potential-determining ions (Hi+) at the ferric oxide (α-Fe2O3)/solution interface is reported. The experimental results obtained by potentiometric titrations of suspensions of the synthetically-prepared solid indicate that a two-step process operates at the interface. The observed results may be explained by a rapid adsroption (or desorption) of protons at the surface of the oxide, followed by the slow diffusion of the adsorbed proton into (or out of) a goethite-like interphase separating the bulk anhydrous oxide from the solution phase. Corroborative evidence for the proposed model and mechanism is supplied.
Occurrence of tapered collagen fibrils from human sources with observations on mesenchymal neoplasms.

SummaryPreparations of adult human skin, Achilles tendon, dura and endometrium; human embryonic skin and Achilles tendon; and benign and malignant mesenchymal neoplasms were examined in the electron microscope for the relative frequency of occurrence of collagen fibrils with tapered ends. It was found that tapered fibrils occurred with greater frequency where collagen apparently was being actively formed.
Influence of CeO2 and ZnO nanoparticles on cucumber physiological markers and bioaccumulation of Ce and Zn: a life cycle study.

With the dramatic increase in nanotechnologies, it has become increasingly likely that food crops will be exposed to excess engineered nanoparticles (NPs). In this study, cucumber plants were grown to full maturity in soil amended with either CeO2 or ZnO NPs at concentrations of 0, 400, and 800 mg/kg. Chlorophyll and gas exchange were monitored, and physiological markers were recorded. Results showed that, at the concentrations tested, neither CeO2 nor ZnO NPs impacted cucumber plant growth, gas exchange, and chlorophyll content. However, at 800 mg/kg treatment, CeO2 NPs reduced the yield by 31.6% compared to the control (p ≤ 0.07). ICP-MS results showed that the high concentration treatments resulted in the bioaccumulation of Ce and Zn in the fruit (1.27 mg of Ce and 110 mg Zn per kg dry weight). μ-XRF images exhibited Ce in the leaf vein vasculature, suggesting that Ce moves between tissues with water flow during transpiration. To the authors’ knowledge, this is the first holistic study focusing on the ...