cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Contribution of Kinins to Endotoxin Shock in Unanesthetized Rhesus Monkeys

The effects of endotoxin ( Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas pseudomallei ) were studied in 18 unanesthetized rhesus monkeys restrained in primate chairs. Indwelling arterial and venous catheters were used for hemodynamic measurements and blood sampling. Whole blood kinin, plasma kininogen, lysosomal enzymes, complete blood counts, and blood gas tensions were measured. Within an hour of beginning the infusion of the endotoxin, the mean arterial pressure and systemic peripheral resistance decreased significantly in the 18 experimental monkeys compared to 13 control monkeys. These early changes were associated with significant elevation in whole blood kinin concentration and a decrease in plasma kininogen. All of these early changes were most marked in the animals that died. Granulocytopenia occurred within 15 minutes, and the concentration of free lysosomal enzyme in the plasma rose 2 hours after endotoxin infusion. The preterminal phase of shock was characterized by a low peripheral vascular resistance and decreasing cardiac output without elevation of kinin levels. These findings support the hypothesis that kinins play a pathogenetic role in the early phase of endotoxin-induced shock and that the severity of the early phase may influence the animal's survival. The relation of kinins to other vasoactive substances released after endotoxin-induced shock is unknown.
Transforming Growth Factor Production and Action in the Ovarian Follicle: Theca Cell-Granulosa Cell Interactions

Cell-cell interactions have an important role in the physiology of an individual cell and a whole organ. Interactions between cells result in the maintenance or alteration of several parameters, including growth, function and differentiation. It is unlikely that any individual interaction could maintain and regulate all cellular processes. Therefore, a number of different types of cell-cell interactions are required. The types of specific cellular interactions possible have previously been categorized into environmental, nutritional and regulatory cell-cell interactions (1). The current manuscript will review the interactions between different cell types in the ovarian follicle which regulate cell growth.
Polyenylphosphatidylcholine attenuates non-alcoholic hepatic fibrosis and accelerates its regression

Abstract Backgrouond/Aims: Polyenylphosphatidylcholine protects against alcoholic cirrhosis in the baboon. This study assesses whether the antifibrotic effect also pertains to a species other than the baboon and to agents other than alcohol. Methods: Rats were injected with either CC1 4 in peanut oil or peanut oil alone, and pair-fed nutritionally adequate liquid diets, with or without polyenylphosphatidylcholine. Other rats were injected with heterologous albumin instead of CC1 4 . To assess whether polyenylphosphatidyl-choline is active on established fibrosis, rats were also given CC1 4 for 8 weeks, and then divided into two groups and pair-fed a diet with or without polyenylphosphatidylcholine. Results: After 8 weeks of CC1 4 , the animals were sacrificed; chromotrope aniline blue and Sirius red stains of liver revealed fibrosis or cirrhosis in animals given CC1 4 alone, whereas the effect was attenuated in the polyenylphosphatidylcholine-supplemented animals. Hepatic collagen content was decreased by 25 to 32% ( p 4 treated rats and was not significantly affected by polyenylphosphatidylcholine although there was a trend towards a lesser increase. Polyenylphosphatidylcholine also attenuated liver fibrosis produced by the injection of heterologous albumin. CC1 4 -induced liver fibrosis regressed more rapidly in polyenylphosphatidylcholine-treated animals than controls, both histologically and by measurement of collagen ( p Conclusions: Polyenylphosphatidylcholine (a) attenuates hepatic fibrosis induced by CC1 4 or human albumin in rats; and (b) accelerates the regression of pre-existing fibrosis.
Interventions for Toddlers With Autism Spectrum Disorders: An Evaluation of Research Evidence

Recently emerging intervention studies for toddlers with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) were reviewed through a systematic assessment of intervention outcomes, research rigor, and intervention fea...
Efficient simulation of coded MC-DS-CDMA systems

We use computer simulations to compare the performance improvements associated with coding on a Gaussianized binary phase-shift keying (BPSK) multicarrier direct-sequence code-division multiple-access (MC-DS-CDMA) system and a nonGaussianized differential phase-shift keying (DPSK)-MC-DS-CDMA system. The effects of coding on the Gaussianized system approach the performance of a coded BPSK system operating in a Gaussian channel while the non-Gaussianized system performance is approximately 4 dB from the coded DPSK system operating in a Gaussian channel.
Towards a self-organizing stochastic-communications paradigm for wireless ad-hoc/sensor networks

We introduce a self-organizing stochastic-communications scheme, called BSTeR, for wireless ad-hoc/sensor networks (mobile or stationary). The introduced scheme involves three ideas essentially: 1) Each node i determines its transmit power dynamically according to a random variable Pi; 2) Node i computes the Probability Mass Function (PMF) of Pi, based on the topology of the network and the PMFs of other nodes in the network dynamically; and 3) Each time node i needs to transmit a data packet, it generates a random number pii according to Pi, and transmits the data with power level pii. Compared to the widely employed fixed-power communication schemes, the introduced scheme provides significant performance gains over many performance aspects concurrently, including network connectivity, end-to-end power/energy consumption, end-to-end delay and throughput, energy-delay relation, system longevity, and coverage.
Liver ABCA1 Deletion in LDLrKO Mice Does Not Impair Macrophage Reverse Cholesterol Transport or Exacerbate Atherogenesis

Objective— Hepatic ATP binding cassette transporter A1 (ABCA1) expression is critical for maintaining plasma high-density lipoprotein (HDL) concentrations, but its role in macrophage reverse cholesterol transport and atherosclerosis is not fully understood. We investigated atherosclerosis development and reverse cholesterol transport in hepatocyte-specific ABCA1 knockout (HSKO) mice in the low-density lipoprotein (LDL) receptor KO (LDLrKO) C57BL/6 background. Approach and Results— Male and female LDLrKO and HSKO/LDLrKO mice were switched from chow at 8 weeks of age to an atherogenic diet (10% palm oil, 0.2% cholesterol) for 16 weeks. Chow-fed HSKO/LDLrKO mice had HDL concentrations 10% to 20% of LDLrKO mice, but similar very low-density lipoprotein and LDL concentrations. Surprisingly, HSKO/LDLrKO mice fed the atherogenic diet had significantly lower (40% to 60%) very low-density lipoprotein, LDL, and HDL concentrations (50%) compared with LDLrKO mice. Aortic surface lesion area and cholesterol content were similar for both genotypes of mice, but aortic root intimal area was significantly lower (20% to 40%) in HSKO/LDLrKO mice. Although macrophage 3 H-cholesterol efflux to apoB lipoprotein–depleted plasma was 24% lower for atherogenic diet–fed HSKO/LDLrKO versus LDLrKO mice, variation in percentage efflux among individual mice was Conclusions— The markedly reduced plasma HDL pool in HSKO/LDLrKO mice is sufficient to maintain macrophage reverse cholesterol transport, which, along with reduced plasma very low-density lipoprotein and LDL concentrations, prevented the expected increase in atherosclerosis.
Treating community-acquired pneumonia: to suppress or not to suppress? How much or what to suppress with? Those are the questions!

The article by Messika et al [1], in the Journal is very interesting and raises some important points and questions. They investigated whether acute exposure to nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) in the early stages of severe community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae would affect its presentation and outcome. They found that patients who took the NSAIDs were 20 years younger, had fewer comorbidities, and were more likely to be employed than those who did not receive them. Exposure to NSAIDs delayed intensive care unit (ICU) admission and antibiotic administration. Both groups had the same rates of respiratory failure and required the same ventilator support, although those who got NSAIDs had a lower pneumonia severity index, Simplified Acute Physiology Score II, and organ dysfunction and infection score. The confusion, (blood) urea, respiratory rate, blood pressure and aged 65 and the infective disease society of America ICU admission score was the same. They also found that pleural manifestations of S pneumoniae CAP were more frequent if NSAIDs were taken early in its course. In more than 80% of cases, health care workers provided the NSAIDs. Mortality at ICU discharge (P = .11) and mortality at hospital discharge (P = .11) were the same in both groups. The authors did not look at mortality at 1 or 5 years. The authors suggest that there are 2 reasons for their results. Firstly, the patients treated with NSAIDs usually did not receive antibiotics, until they reached the hospital. Secondly, NSAIDs may hamper the immune response, thus predisposing those who took them to a more severe pneumonia manifestation.
A single-center, double-blinded, randomized controlled study to evaluate the relative efficacy of sublingual and oral vitamin B-complex administration in reducing total serum homocysteine levels.

Objective: Reports correlating total homocysteine (tHcy) concentrations with arteriosclerosis have become a matter of interest amongst healthcare professionals and the public. Several commercial preparations of vitamin B complexes have been marketed as supplements intended to reduce elevated levels of tHcy. Among these preparations are those that have been specifically designed for sublingual administration. This study is designed to evaluate the relative efficacy of sublingually versus orally delivered vitamin B complex in reducing serum tHcy levels. Design: Forty-one (41) subjects, between the ages of 50 and 80 years with total serum tHcy concentrations exceeding 11 µmol/L, were treated with a six-week regimen of vitamin B complex. Each B complex consisted of 1000 µg vitamin B12 (as methylcobalamin), 400 µg folate (as folic acid), and 5 mg vitamin B6 (as pyridoxine HCl). Participants in the study were randomized into two groups designated, retrospectively, as SL and PO. Members of group SL were given a ...
Grass group I pollen allergens (β-expansins) lack proteinase activity and do not cause wall loosening via proteolysis

Group I grass pollen allergens make up a subgroup of the beta-expansin family of cell wall loosening proteins in plants. A recent study reported that recombinant Phl p 1, the group I allergen from timothy grass pollen, was associated with papain-like proteinase activity and suggested that expansins loosen the plant cell wall via proteolysis. We tested this idea with three experimental approaches. First, we evaluated three purified native group I allergens from timothy grass, ryegrass and maize (Phl p 1, Lol p 1, Zea m 1) using five proteinase assays with a variety of substrates. The proteins had substantial wall loosening activity, but no detectable proteolytic activity. Thus we cannot confirm proteolytic activity in the pollen allergen class of beta-expansins. Second, we tested the ability of proteinases to induce cell wall extension in vitro. Tests included cysteine proteinases, serine proteinases, aspartic proteinases, metallo proteinases, and aggressive proteinase mixtures, none of which induced wall extension in vitro. Thus, wall proteins are unlikely to be important load-bearing components of the plant cell wall. Third, we tested the sensitivity of beta-expansin activity and native wall extension activity to proteinase inhibitors. The results show that a wide range of proteinase inhibitors (phenylmethanesulfonyl fluoride, N-ethylmaleimide, iodoacetic acid, Pefabloc SC, and others) inhibited neither activity. From these three sets of results we conclude proteolysis is not a likely mechanism of plant cell wall loosening and that the pollen allergen class of beta-expansins do not loosen cell walls via a proteolytic mechanism.
Superconducting lines for the transmission of large amounts of electrical power over great distances

As an application of high-field, high-current superconductors we sketch the design of a power transmission line to carry 100 GW (1011watts) of direct current over a distance of 1000 km. (It is interesting to note that the present peak power generating capacity of the United States is approximately 200 GW, or just twice the capacity of the proposed line.) Such a line, in contrast to one made of ordinary metal, would dissipate none of the power transmitted through it, although it is necessary to tap power from the line for refrigeration. The consequences of negligible transmission loss are substantial: power transmission would be more economical than the present practice of shipping coal to the region in which electricity is generated and consumed; generating-plant site selection could be made almost entirely on economic considerations; at the same time, thermal and air-pollution problems could be minimized; novel power sources could be considered. The power line would be made of Nb 3 Sn and would be refrigerated to 4°K. The power must be transmitted as direct current, rather than as alternating current, because the very large (comparatively) alternating-current losses would require excessive refrigeration capacity. Specifically, we shall discuss a line at 200 kV carrying 0.5 × 106A. The investment in the line will be approximately $806 million, or $8.06/kW. Of this, some $6.06/kW is line cost, the remainder being converter cost, which, of course, is the same for an ordinary dc line. In comparison with the shipping of coal, the investment cost would be repaid in ten months. We have investigated in some detail the problems of refrigeration along the line, including those of heat leak through the wires which deliver power to customers at room temperature. The efficiency of the line is greater than 99.9 percent (power transmitted less the power drawn off to run refrigeration equipment, all divided by transmitted power). While the technical discussion is probably correct, the cost figures do not include engineering expeditures and do not consider in detail the costs involved in providing the redundancy and safety factors for, say, a failure rate of one per ten years with a time of a few seconds to restore power. This is not an engineering study but rather a preliminary exploration of feasibility. Provided satisfactory superconducting cable of the nature described can be developed, the use of superconducting lines for power transmission appears feasible. Whether it is necessary or desirable is another matter entirely.
Mechanisms of prezygotic reproductive isolation between two sympatric species, Gelsemium rankinii and G. sempervirens (Gelsemiaceae), in the southeastern United States

Natural hybridization plays a critical role in speciation, the maintenance of reproductive isolation, and genetic introgression. While many plant species have hybrid swarms in areas of sympatry, the lack of hybrids among closely related sympatrically distributed species suggests that strong pre- and/or postzygotic barriers exist to hybridization. Gelsemium sempervirens and G. rankinii (Gelsemiaceae) are sympatrically distributed southeastern sister taxa that have strong postzygotic barriers to hybrid formation and high levels of genetic differentiation. In this study, two sympatric populations in Lowndes County, Georgia were surveyed from 1999-2005 to assess the role of temporal and pollinator isolation as potential prezygotic barriers. The populations had mostly non-overlapping flowering periods in 2003-2005, with significant differences in time of peak flowering and length of flowering. Both species shared a similar community of flower visitors, with the apid bee Habropoda laboriosa the dominant visitor to both species. A choice experiment found that H. laboriosa visited both species but preferred G. sempervirens. The primary prezygotic barrier is temporal isolation preventing hybridization in spite of the shared pollinators. This study suggests that reliance on a shared pollinator during speciation may limit opportunity for divergent selection on flowering time.
Perception of 3-D surfaces from 2-D contours

Inference of 3-D shape from 2-D contours in a single image is an important problem in machine vision. The authors survey classes of techniques proposed in the past and provide a critical analysis. They show that two kinds of symmetries in figures, which are known as parallel and skew symmetries, give significant information about surface shape for a variety of objects. They derive the constraints imposed by these symmetries and show how to use them to infer 3-D shape. They also discuss the zero Gaussian curvature (ZGC) surfaces in depth and show results on the recovery of surface orientation for various ZGC surfaces. >
Perforator stroke following intracranial stenting: a sacrifice for the greater good?

Intracranial atherosclerosis accounts for 5–15% of ischemic strokes, depending on the population studied. Patients with recently symptomatic intracranial stenosis have high rates of stroke with medical therapy. In the Warfarin Aspirin Symptomatic Intracranial Disease (WASID) study, the rate of stroke was approximately 10% per year.1 The limitations of medical therapy coupled with technological advances have prompted consideration of intracranial stenting as treatment for intracranial stenoses in selected patients. A major concern of intracranial angioplasty with or without stent placement has been occlusion of the perforating vessels such as the lenticulostriate arteries during middle cerebral artery angioplasty. In this issue of Neurology , Jiang et al.2 report a large, single-center experience of intracranial stenting for symptomatic atherosclerotic disease. In this series, 181 lesions were treated with balloon-expandable stents. Perforator strokes occurred in only 3.0% of patients. Patients with preprocedural infarction of territories fed by perforators had postprocedural infarction (or transient worsening) at a rate significantly higher than patients without pretreatment perforator-region infarctions (8.2% vs 0.8%). These figures may …
Polarons and solitons in Jahn-Teller systems

Abstract Using a semiclassical continuum model of an electron in a deformable molecular crystal, some properties of multicomponent generalizations of the polaron – “vector polarons” – are elucidated. Analytical solutions for the case of two electronic bands coupled to two vibrational modes are given in detail. Within the model considered, the vector polaron can be classified by its wavefunction into several types and can have features that include: (1) a spatial variation in the electronic and vibrational character, and (2) low-energy internal degrees of freedom. For the case of electronic and vibrational degeneracy, local Jahn–Teller interactions can also lead to a novel spatiotemporal soliton, a long-lived excited state of the many-electron system stabilized by the conservation law resulting from degeneracy.
Differential‐game examination of optimal time‐sequential fire‐support strategies

Abstract : Optimal time-sequential fire-support strategies are studied through a two-person zero-sum deterministic differential game with close-loop (or feedback) strategies. Lanchester-type equations of warfare are used in this work. In addition to the max-min principle, the theory of singular extremals is required to solve this prescribed-duration combat problem. The combat is between two heterogeneous forces, each composed of infantry and a supporting weapon system (artillery). In contrast to previous work reported in the literature, the attrition structure of the problem at hand leads to force-level-dependent optimal fire-support strategies with the attacker's optimal fire-support strategy requiring him to sometimes split his artillery fire between enemy infantry and artillery (counterbattery fire). A solution phenomenon not previously encountered in Lanchester-type differential games is that the adjoint variables may be discontinuous across a manifold of discontinuity for both players' strategies. This makes the synthesis of optimal strategies particularly difficult. Numerical examples are given.
On Ramsey Numbers of Sparse Graphs

The Ramsey number, $r(G)$, of a graph $G$ is the minimum integer $N$ such that, in every $2$-colouring of the edges of the complete graph $K_N$ on $N$ vertices, there is a monochromatic copy of $G$. In 1975, Burr and Erdos posed a problem on Ramsey numbers of $d$-degenerate graphs, i.e., graphs in which every subgraph has a vertex of degree at most $d$. They conjectured that for every $d$ there exists a constant $c(d)$ such that \[ r(G) \leq c(d)n \] for any $d$-degenerate graph $G$ of order $n$.In this paper we prove that $r(G) \,{\leq}\, n^{1+o(1)}$ for each such $G$. In fact, we show that, for every $\epsilon\,{>}\,0$, sufficiently large $n$, and any graph $H$ of order $n^{1+\epsilon}$, either $H$ or its complement contains a $(d,n)$-common graph, that is, a graph in which every set of $d$ vertices has at least $n$ common neighbours. It is easy to see that any $(d,n)$-common graph contains every $d$-degenerate graph $G$ of order $n$. We further show that, for every constant $C$, there is an $n$ and a graph $H$ of order $Cn$ such that neither $H$ nor its complement contains a $(2,n)$-common graph.
Digital Diffusion of Research: Ongoing Studies & Potentials

In the study of vernacular architecture, verification of physical space and understanding social, cultural, and economic contexts are of central importance. Today the challenge is to create new ways toshare findings and invite dialogue. Our studies of early wooden structures in the Balkans have yielded publications and exhibitions on regions and buildings as well as our drawings and photographs. Today the Internet includes an increasing number of sites with images of vernacular buildings that survive orare being restored. A number of preservation institutes and other organizations are developing websites to reveal these cultural treasures. Within this context, we are working to produce an open access site with a flexible format to provide information that crosses national and cultural borders, that in some cases are more rigid as countries in the Balkans reinterpret their cultural heritage and their artifacts. This shift in presentation media and transformation in historical interpretations demand that we revisit our research and the way it is disseminated. This paper focuses on two aspects. First, it will present examples of misinformation created as national entities begin to redefine their identities. These include situations where historians, scholars, politicians andjournalists have created views that are more fantasy than actual. Second, we will show strategies that we are implementing in our website to allow others to view a database with bibliographic notes of Balkan vernacular architectural artifacts that cover the period from the 17th through the last part of the 20th century. The website describes visited and studied buildings, locates these geographically, and will include an interactive database to allow access to images and information about similar building types across the Balkan peninsula, and will allow others to contribute.
Mortality and apolipoprotein E in African-American, and White elders: an attempted replication.

OBJECTIVE: We have tried, with only partial success, to confirm findings in a recently reported study in this journal on the relationship of APOE genotype to mortality in community representative Hispanics (n = 659), Whites (n = 272), and African-Americans (n = 450), aged 65 and over, living in Northern Manhattan, New York. METHODS AND RESULTS: That study found that using proportional hazards models adjusted for sex and lipid levels, Hispanics and Whites with the E2/E3 genotype, but not AfricanAmericans, had the lowest mortality risk. Those under age 75 had risks comparable to those over age 75, suggesting minimal survivor bias. Nearly 50% of the mortality risk associated with the APOE genotype appeared to act through heart disease, diabetes, and stroke. The current study of African-Americans (n = 1,083) and Whites (n = 915) aged 71 and over living in the more rural Southeastern US, found no protective effect of the E2/E3 genotype for either African-Americans or Whites. Among younger Whites (age 71-75), point estimates suggested that the E2/E3 genotype might be protective, but at a nonsignificant level; self-reported AfricanAmerican race, but not genotype, was a risk factor for mortality in this age group. Neither lipid level nor health condition attenuated the effect of APOE genotype. CONCLUSION: Differences in findings may reflect issues of sampling, age, the relative distribution of the APOE alleles, or some other factor. Until such time as studies use truly representative samples and include younger ages, findings in this area must be treated with caution.
Mobilities of mixtures of ion isotopes in gas mixtures

It is shown how the mobility of a mixture of isotopes of the same ion species in a gas mixture can be obtained directly from mobility data of a single isotope of the ion and one isotope of each neutral species, for any gas temperature and ratio of the electrostatic field strength to the gas number density. This combination of the “aliasing” procedure for ion isotopes, Blanc’s Law for gas mixtures at low fields, and the extended Blanc’s Law at intermediate and high fields is tested by comparing values calculated from the mobilities of 79Br− in 20Ne with those determined both experimentally and ab initio for various mixtures. It is so accurate that it obviates the necessity in future work of making measurements or calculations for more than one isotope of each ion and each neutral.
Herpes T virus variants. Isolation and characterization.

Herpes T virus obtained from squirrel monkeys appears to be composed of a mixed population of large and small plaques. By clonal selection it was possible to obtain a large plaque and a small plaque strain. The latter which formed a minor component in the parent population differed from its companion large plaque type in all in-vitro markers studied: plaque size, CPE development, infectivity to host cell cultures both in degree and in titer, polykaryocyte development, rate of adsorption and thermostability characteristics. LPV measured 3 mm and SPV 1 mm as seen in rabbit kidney cell cultures 6 days post inoculation. This size difference was also seen in simian, mammalian and avian cell cultures. The CPE caused by LPV differed from SPV both in appearance and in the time of development. LPV had a greater capacity to form polykaryocytes in almost all cell cultures examined, while SPV was deficient in this regard and failed to form polykaryocytes in rabbit kidney, mouse embryo kidney, cat kidney and chick fibroblast cell cultures. LPV was more thermostable than SPV — at 56° C SPV lost 100% infectivity within 10 minutes, while LPV lost 63%. When the adsorption rates of the two clones were compared, LPV adsorbed at a faster rate with 60% being adsorbed within 15 minutes, in contrast to 31% with SPV. Plaque morphology, development of CPE, in-vitro virulence to cell cultures, formation of polykaryocytes, rate of adsorption and thermostability were useful markers for the characterization of Herpes T virus variants.
Simulation of Fish Locomotion and Control

This work discusses the development of a simulation of fish locomotion and its corresponding control. The simulation is based on unsteady panel methods and can calculate the loads on a general 2-D deformable hydrofoil (simplification of an aquatic animal) and then integrate them to produce the motion history. The code receives as input a specified body geometry history and outputs its loading and path. In order to achieve the reverse the simulation is used in conjunction with a neural network controller that predicts the needed body deflections (body geometry history) necessary to perform a specified maneuver. Validation results are presented that show the accuracy of the present simulation and several uncontrolled test cases are presented to show the capabilities of the controller.
HBV-DNA levels in serum and saliva of hepatitis B patients

[Objective]To explore the HBV-DNA levels in serum and saliva of hepatitis B patients,and provide clinical evidence for HBV spreading by saliva[Methods]Real-time PCR was adopted for the determination of HBV-DNA levels in serum and saliva of hepatitis B patients.[Results]The positive rate of in serum and saliva of 99 cases of hepatitis B patients was 90.9%(90 cases) and 65.7 %(65 cases).[Conclusion]The difference of HBV-DNA positive rate between serum and saliva of hepatitis B patients is significant(P0.01),and HBV-DNA levels in serum and saliva showed a significant positive correlation(r=0.82).
Intravesical urokinase for the management of clot retention in boys.

AbstractWe successfully used intravesical urokinase in 2 young boys to relieve clot retention occurring as a consequence of upper tract bleeding. Urokinase clot dissolution appears to offer a simple, minimally invasive, atraumatic solution to this infrequent problem.
Updates in adjuvant therapy in pancreatic cancer: gemcitabine and beyond. Highlights from the "2010 ASCO Gastrointestinal Cancers Symposium". Orlando, FL, USA. January 22-24, 2010.

Pancreatic cancer represents the 4 th leading cause of cancer deaths in the United States. Surgical resection remains the only potential curative approach. However, given the notion of a high recurrence rate, adjuvant therapy is needed to offset this risk. The 2010 American Society of Oncology Gastrointestinal Cancers Symposium offered new insights into optimized approaches towards adjuvant therapy of pancreatic cancer. Abstracts focusing on the role of targeted therapy utilizing erlotinib or GI-4000 in combination with gemcitabine (Abstracts #224 and #229) were presented. Subbiah, et al. presented a retrospective analysis comparing systemic chemotherapy versus chemoradiotherapy (Abstract #230) in the adjuvant setting. In addition, a data driven prediction tool to help predict which patients would be able to complete a course of adjuvant therapy in order to select out those who may alternative approaches (Abstract #236) was also presented. The authors summarize these findings presented at the 2010 ASCO Gastrointestinal Cancers Symposium, January 22-24, 2010, Orlando, FL, USA. Image: Chemical structure of gemcitabine (Author: Calvero , Wikimedia Comons )
Laser and Electron Beam Machining

This chapter introduces two nontraditional machining processes: laser machining and electron beam machining. These two machining processes use laser and electron beams as energy sources to introduce thermal energy to remove work material by melting and/or vaporization. The chemical reaction between the photon/electron and workpiece is another material removal mechanism using laser. When performing precision micromachining, it is important to consider the chemical reaction to achieve the accurate dimension and desired surface integrity. Applications of laser and electron beam machining processes are broad, from large-scale cutting to microscale drilling of work materials ranging from hard metals to soft polymers.
Extended Abstract: Rescuing Relationships, Developing a Framework for Exchange Relationship Disruption

Research investigating business-to-business (B2B) exchange supports the position that cultivating strong interfirm relationships (i.e., buyer-seller relationships) is vital to the long-term success of both parties involved in an exchange (Morgan and Hunt 1994; Palmatier 2008). Healthy exchange relationships are characterized as being built on the foundation of high levels of interfirm trust and commitment (Garbarino and Johnson 1999; Gregoire et al. 2009; Priluck 2003), and evidence demonstrates their positive impact on critical downstream measures such as sales growth, financial performance, and cooperation for both parties (Morgan and Hunt 1994; Palmatier et al. 2006; Palmatier et al. 2007). Further, strong exchange relationships can create a competitive advantage for companies relative to rival firms engaged in weaker relationships (Dyer and Hatch 2006; Dyer and Singh 1998). In short, it is an accepted premise that strong relationships yield a number of positive outcomes for both parties involved in the exchange.
FCC Comment: In the Matter of Connect America Fund

The Broadband Institute of California (BBIC) and the Broadband Regulatory Clinic of Santa Clara Law (BRC) petition the Commission to expressly consider the needs of rural tribal lands in promulgating regulations regarding spectrum allocated for the development of 5G technologies, and encourages the Commission to work with prospective auction participants, broadband service providers and tribal communities to develop 5G use cases targeting rural and tribal needs. Presently, barriers to broadband deployment across tribal lands include geographical isolation, low population densities, difficult terrain, and political fragmentation arising from tribal governance issues. The first portion of this Comment explains these particularly crippling barriers. Enabling tribes with access to broadband connectivity can assist in combating social problems that arise as a result of these barriers. With regards to geographic isolation, access to healthcare and employment opportunities would improve, without the need for commuting long distances, as consumer markets expand.
Competitive Energy and Electron Transfer in β-Functionalized Free-Base Porphyrin-Zinc Porphyrin Dimer Axially Coordinated to C60 : Synthesis, Supramolecular Formation and Excited-State Processes.

Simultaneous occurrence of energy and electron transfer events involving different acceptor sites in a newly assembled supramolecular triad comprised of covalently linked free-base porphyrin-zinc porphyrin dyad, H2 P-ZnP axially coordinated to electron acceptor fullerene, has been successfully demonstrated. The dyad was connected through the β-pyrrole positions of the porphyrin macrocycle instead of the traditionally used meso-positions for better electronic communication. Interestingly, the β-pyrrole functionalization modulated the optical properties to such an extent that it was possible to almost exclusively excite the zinc porphyrin entity in the supramolecular triad. The measured binding constant for the complex with 1:1 molecular stoichiometry was in the order of 104 m-1 revealing moderately stable complex formation. An energy level diagram constructed using optical, electrochemical and computational results suggested that both the anticipated energy and electron events are thermodynamically feasible in the triad. Consequently, it was possible to demonstrate occurrence of excited state energy transfer to the covalently linked H2 P, and electron transfer to the coordinated ImC60 from studies involving steady-state and time-resolved emission, and femto- and nanosecond transient absorption studies. The estimated energy transfer was around 67 % in the dyad with a rate constant of 1.1×109 s-1 . In the supramolecular triad, the charge separated state was rather long-lived although it was difficult to arrive the exact lifetime of charge separated state from nanosecond transient spectral studies due to overlap of strong triplet excited signals of porphyrin in the monitoring wavelength window. Nevertheless, simultaneous occurrence of energy and electron transfer in the appropriately positioned energy and electron acceptor entities in a supramolecular triad was possible to demonstrate in the present study, a step forward to unraveling the complex photochemical events occurring in natural photosynthesis and its implications in building light energy harvesting devices.
Plane Waves: Time Domain Solutions

Now that we have identified the significant properties of an acoustic signal we may address two fundamental questions: How was the signal generated at its source? How was the signal modified as it traveled from its source to the location where it was observed? These questions often are closely related. Generation of sound is usually associated with oscillation of another medium that shares a surface with the fluid in which the sound is observed.
Shedding New Light on the Magnitude of Thrombosis Risk in Patients With Myeloproliferative Neoplasms

Hultcrantz and colleagues' study examined thrombosis patterns in Swedish patients with MPNs diagnosed between 1987 and 2009 compared with matched control participants. The editorialists discuss the...
Directionality effects via distance-based penalty scaling

In this paper we develop a new proposal for distance-based penalty scaling in Optimality-theoretic analyses, including Harmonic Grammar. We apply this technique to the analysis of two phonological phenomena, both of which have posed challenges to implementation using standard constraint-based methods: directionality effects and bounded domain windows. In the analysis of directionality, we demonstrate how our approach can model challenge directional harmony by applying distance-based penalty scaling in the analysis of Ngore-Kiga sibilant harmony. We then extend our analysis to capture "opposite-edge" effects such as Japanese mimetic palatalization and Selkup stress assignment. Finally, we illustrate how the same mechanisms we outline in the analysis of directionality can be intuitively applied in the generation of bounded domain windows. Specifically, we illustrate how our approach models the generation of metrical stress window systems such as in Macedonian. Taken as a whole, we argue that distance-based penalty scaling handles both directionality and bounded domain window in a straightforward and unified manner.
Abstract 325: Usefulness of Peripheral Vascular Disease Assessment on Readmission in a Heart Failure Program Cohort

Background: Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) was reported to have a relationship with functional capacity in heart failure patients. Heart failure patients presenting with a good functional capacity have been found to have better metabolic equivalents (METs). Recognizing and managing patients’ functional capacity surrogates like ankle-brachial index (ABI) and METs will be beneficial to improve the rate of readmission, however, little is known about the relationship with readmission rate in heart failure patients. We assessed readmission rate within 30 days after discharge using functional capacity assessment. Methods: 860 patients who were followed in the cardiology clinic from 2005 to 2015 were included. We analyzed the 240 patients who were admitted with a diagnosis of acute heart failure. Patients who were unable to cardiac rehabilitation or who had severe lung disease were excluded. Heart failure is classified as a reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF, EF =50). MET (Metabolic equivalents) level was used for functional capacity. If ABI was less than 0.9 or over 1.4, patients were regarded to have peripheral arterial disease.We found no significant difference between our HFpEF and HFrEF patients (Mean METS 7.5±0.6 vs 7.4±0.7). ABI did not show any significant difference (1.1±0.2 vs 1.0±0.3). In multiple logistic regression analyses, HFpEF patients with more than 4 MET level were likely to have fewer readmissions rate compared to HFpEF patients with less than 4 METS level [odds ratio (OR): 0.54, confidence interval (CI): 0.35-0.81]. HFpEF patients with ABI between 0.9 and 1.4 had less readmission rate compared to HFpEF with less than 0.9 or more than 1.4 ABI [OR: 0.62, CI: 0.41-0.77] after related risk factors adjustment. Conclusion: In conclusion, good functional status with better METs and ABI in HFpEF patients was significantly associated with less readmission rate. ABI might be a surrogate factor for assessing functional capacity in HFpEF patients. This result implies that heart failure patients’ functional capacity might need to be assessed to decrease readmission rate.
Protease inhibitors of the marama bean

The marama bean, which thrives in semi-desert climates, has the potential to provide a high protein supplement in areas of the world, where many crops will not grow. Nutritional studies are presented that suggest the marama bean contains an antinutritional factor, in addition to very high levels of antiproteinases. Five trypsin inhibitors on two elastase inhibitors have been identified to date.
When Giants Leave the Forest, the Trees Carry Their Songs: Clarence Fountain, Edwin Hawkins, Walter Hawkins, Aretha Franklin

The musical legacies of Aretha Franklin, Clarence Fountain, and Edwin and Walter Hawkins are essential subjects of study in American culture. They have in common the religious culture of Black working-class communities. Each in his or her own distinct way broke through the barriers of segregation to create music for a society “where everybody is somebody,” to borrow from the motto of Rev. James Cleveland’s Gospel Music Workshop of America. Fountain, the Hawkins brothers, and Franklin have departed, but they have left us with plenty to listen to and to learn from.
Comparison between Catalytic Fast Pyrolysis and Catalytic Fast Hydropyrolysis for the Production of Liquid Fuels in a Fluidized Bed Reactor

We report results for the conversion of Arundo donax into liquid transportation fuels with an HZSM-5 catalyst via catalytic fast pyrolysis (CFP, inert atmosphere) and catalytic fast hydropyrolysis ...
Proliferating cell nuclear antigen expression in normal, preneoplastic, and neoplastic colonic epithelium of the rat.

Abstract Expression of the proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) was examined in normal rat intestinal tissues and in carcinogen-treated nonneoplastic and neoplastic colonic mucosa. In the normal intestine, PCNA expression was confined to the expected region of the proliferative compartment. A strong correlation was observed between PCNA labeling index and both [ 3 H]thymidine labeling index ( R = 0.993, P = 0.007) and percent of cells in S phase as determined by flow cytometry ( R = 0.982, P = 0.018) and between the location of the maximal staining for PCNA and [ 3 H]thymidine ( R = 0.997, P
Orthostatic hypotension is associated with new-onset atrial fibrillation: Systemic review and meta-analysis.

Abstract Introduction Orthostatic hypotension (OH) is common among elderly patients. Its presence may herald severe underlying comorbidities and be associated with a higher risk of mortality. Interestingly, recent studies suggest that orthostatic hypotension is associated with new-onset atrial fibrillation (AF). However, a systematic review and meta-analysis of the literature has not been performed. We assessed the association between AF and OH through a systematic review of the literature and a meta-analysis. Methods We comprehensively searched the databases of MEDLINE and EMBASE from inception to November 2018. Published prospective or retrospective cohort studies that compared new-onset AF between male patients with and without OH were included. Data from each study were combined using the random-effects, generic inverse variance method of DerSimonian and Laird to calculate risk ratios and 95% confidence intervals. Results Four studies from October 2010 to March 2018 were included in the metaanalysis involving 76,963 subjects (of which 3,318 were diagnosed with OH). The presence of OH was associated with new-onset AF (pooled risk ratio 1.48; 95% confidence interval [1.21, 1.81], p? Conclusions Orthostatic hypotension was associated with new-onset AF up to 1.5-fold compared to those subjects without OH. The interplay between OH and AF is likely bidirectional
Synthesis and Characterization of a High-TemperatureThermoset Network Derived from a Multicyclic Cage Compound Functionalizedwith Exocyclic Allylidene Groups

A heptacyclo[6.6.0.02,6.03,13.04,11.05,9.010,14]tetradecane (HCTD) complex with terminal allylidene groups at the 7- and 12-positions (HCTD-7,12-diallylidene, 2) was generated at the multigram scal...
Compartmentalized oskar degradation in the germ plasm safeguards germline development

Partitioning of mRNAs into ribonucleoprotein (RNP) granules supports diverse regulatory programs within the crowded cytoplasm. At least two types of RNP granules populate the germ plasm, a cytoplasmic domain at the posterior of the Drosophila oocyte and embryo. Germ granules deliver mRNAs required for germline development to pole cells, the germ cell progenitors. A second type of RNP granule, here named founder granules, contains oskar mRNA, which encodes the germ plasm organizer. Whereas oskar mRNA is essential for germ plasm assembly during oogenesis, we show that it is toxic to pole cells. Founder granules mediate compartmentalized degradation of oskar during embryogenesis to minimize its inheritance by pole cells. Degradation of oskar in founder granules is temporally and mechanistically distinct from degradation of oskar and other mRNAs during the maternal-to-zygotic transition. Our results show how compartmentalization in RNP granules differentially controls fates of mRNAs localized within the same cytoplasmic domain.
Simulation and Fatigue Damage Prediction for Board Level CBGA Solder Joint of LTCC-based SiP Module under Random Vibration Loading

Aerospace/airborne military SiP modules have strong demand in high performance, multi-layer flexibility, embedded passive integration and airtightness requirement. Based on this, high-density integrated LTCC (Low Temperature Co-fired Ceramic) based SiP modules with ball grid array (BGA) I/Os show obvious superiority upon other packaging, often being soldered onto Digital/RF printed circuit board (PCB). However, board level ceramic BGA solder joints suffer sustaining random vibration mechanical stress under complicated conditions, for which the interconnection reliability need to be evaluated in advance. In this paper, 3D finite element analysis (FEA) models were developed using ANSYS workbench to understand the vibration-mechanical behavior of CBGA under random vibration test. Related materials properties were accurately obtained by DMA analysis. Simulated load boundaries are consistent with random vibration test bench. The natural frequencies of board level CBGA solder joint LTCC-based SiP specimen were obtained from modal analysis to confirm the vibration mode, based on which the subsequent random vibration simulations were conducted to mapping the equivalent stress/strain distribution of BGAs at interconnect solder joints in X/Y/Z directions. For fatigue prediction, the "three-zone technology" suggested by Steinberg, which taken into consideration both Gaussian distribution and Miner’s linear damage theory together, was used to predict fatigue life of CBGA solder joint under random vibration conditions.
The hypergeometric distribution as a more accurate model for stochastic computing

A fundamental assumption in stochastic computing (SC) is that bit-streams are generally well-approximated by a Bernoulli process, i.e., a sequence of independent 0-1 choices. We show that this assumption is flawed in unexpected and significant ways for some bit-streams such as those produced by a typical LFSR-based stochastic number generator (SNG). In particular, the Bernoulli assumption leads to a surprising overestimation of output errors and how they vary with input changes. We then propose a more accurate model for such bit-streams based on the hypergeometric distribution and examine its implications for several SC applications. First, we explore the effect of correlation on a mux-based stochastic adder and show that, contrary to what was previously thought, it is not entirely correlation insensitive. Further, inspired by the hypergeometric model, we introduce a new mux tree adder that offers major area savings and accuracy improvement. The effectiveness of this study is validated on a large image processing circuit which achieves an accuracy improvement of 32%, combined with a reduction in overall circuit area.