cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The annual risk of melanoma progression. Implications for the concept of cure.

Background. Melanoma may remain clinically dormant for years, and patients may have distant metastatic disease decades after the initial diagnosis is made. Because of this potential for late recurrence, the concept of “cure” for melanoma is not particularly meaningful. Methods. To understand better the risks of future disease as a function of time elapsed after diagnosis, the clinical course of melanoma was reviewed in 5838 patients. Using conditional probability methods, the risk of recurrent disease and the risk of death were determined for 1-year and 5-year intervals during the first 15 years of follow-up. Results. The estimated 5-year risk of recurrence declined from 44% at the time of diagnosis to 21% after 6 years. The 5-year risk of mortality decreased from 26% after 1 year to 16% after 9 years. Among patients with recurrent or metastatic disease, the annual risk of mortality was approximately 20% per year for 3 years; thereafter, the risk declined markedly. Among patients with thick primary lesions, the greatest risk was during the first few years after diagnosis, but in patients with thin lesions, the risk was distributed evenly over 15 years and did not decrease with time. Conclusions. Conditional probability methods permit estimation of future risks to address questions frequently asked by patients with cancer who want to know when they can be considered cured of cancer or when the risk of recurrent disease has decreased. These data on the future risk of recurrent disease and mortality can give a patient meaningful information on which to base life decisions. Cancer 1992 70:1917-1927.
Preserving cell shape under environmental stress

An investigation into how poikilothermic organisms are able to maintain highly effective mechanical responses finds that a protein called Spam forms an extracellular shield that guards mechanosensory neurons from environmental insult. Spam also enables cells to resist physically and chemically induced deformation. Maintaining cell shape and tone is crucial for the function and survival of cells and tissues. Mechanotransduction relies on the transformation of minuscule mechanical forces into high-fidelity electrical responses1,2,3. When mechanoreceptors are stimulated, mechanically sensitive cation channels open and produce an inward transduction current that depolarizes the cell. For this process to operate effectively, the transduction machinery has to retain integrity and remain unfailingly independent of environmental changes. This is particularly challenging for poikilothermic organisms, where changes in temperature in the environment may impact the function of mechanoreceptor neurons. Thus, we wondered how insects whose habitat might quickly vary over several tens of degrees of temperature manage to maintain highly effective mechanical senses. We screened for Drosophila mutants with defective mechanical responses at elevated ambient temperatures, and identified a gene, spam, whose role is to protect the mechanosensory organ from massive cellular deformation caused by heat-induced osmotic imbalance. Here we show that Spam protein forms an extracellular shield that guards mechanosensory neurons from environmental insult. Remarkably, heterologously expressed Spam protein also endowed other cells with superb defence against physically and chemically induced deformation. We studied the mechanical impact of Spam coating and show that spam-coated cells are up to ten times stiffer than uncoated controls. Together, these results help explain how poikilothermic organisms preserve the architecture of critical cells during environmental stress, and illustrate an elegant and simple solution to such challenge.
Reactivity of BrONO2 and HOBr on sulfuric acid solutions at low temperatures

[1] Uptake of BrONO2 onto bulk sulfuric acid solutions and submicron sulfuric acid aerosol particles was studied in laminar flow cylindrical reactors where a chemical ionization mass spectrometer was used to detect products and reactants. Results from measurements at low temperatures and for sulfuric acid content between 70 and 85 wt.% are presented. These measurements suggest that the reaction probability for BrONO2 on a given sulfuric acid solution does not depend strongly on temperature. The heterogeneous chemistry of HOBr, a product of the hydrolysis of BrONO2, was also studied on bulk sulfuric acid solutions (58–70 wt.%). Measurements of HOBr and HNO3 solubility and the reaction HOBr + HCl → BrCl + H2O are reported. Supplemented with previous measurements, a set of parameters to calculate the reaction probabilities appropriate to the stratosphere are deduced. These measurements confirm earlier assertions that the reaction can be a significant loss process for HCl when aerosol volume in the stratosphere is elevated.
Modeling Cyclic Variability in Spark-Assisted HCCI

Spark assist appears to offer considerable potential for increasing the speed and load range over which homogeneous charge compression ignition (HCCI) is possible in gasoline engines. Numerous experimental studies of the transition between conventional spark-ignited (SI) propagating-flame combustion and HCCI combustion in gasoline engines with spark assist have demonstrated a high degree of deterministic coupling between successive combustion events. Analysis of this coupling suggests that the transition between SI and HCCI can be described as a sequence of bifurcations in a low-dimensional dynamic map. In this paper we describe methods for utilizing the deterministic relationship between cycles to extract global kinetic rate parameters that can be used to discriminate multiple distinct combustion states and develop a more quantitative understanding of the SI-HCCI transition. We demonstrate the application of these methods for indolene-containing fuels and point out an apparent HCCI mode switching not previously reported. Our results have specific implications for developing dynamic combustion models and feedback control strategies that utilize spark-assist to expand the operating range of HCCI combustion.
Swimming by medusae Sarsia tubulosa in the viscous vortex ring limit

As organisms swim in their natural environment, they are constantly striving to forage successfully, escape from predation, and search for mates to reproduce. At some stage in their life cycle, most organisms have operated in environments where the Reynolds number (Re) is small and have developed strategies and behaviors to overcome the effects of viscosity. Relatively little is known about these animal-fluid interactions at relatively small (1 < Re < 10), viscous size scales. Swimming organisms have been described analytically using the self-propelled swimmer model, which applies for conditions where the organism is assumed to swim steadily in a noninertial fluid regime or Re < 1. However, for unsteady swimming processes, such as jumping or jet propulsion, these steady models do not account for the impulsiveness of the swimming behavior. The unsteady impulsive Stokeslet and impulsive stresslet models have been used to describe jumping by copepods, but neither model has been applied to jetting organisms. The purpose of this study is to identify which analytical, unsteady model best describes swimming by jetting organisms at small, viscous length scales. We conducted high-speed kinematic and velocity field measurements on 1-mm velar-diameter Sarsia tubulosa, a jetting, ambush-feeding medusa. From our measurements and comparisons using similar criteria established for copepod jumping, we conclude that the impulsive Stokeslet model more accurately describes swimming by small S. tubulosa. Since the hydrodynamic signature of an impulsive Stokeslet does not have strong vorticity bounding the medusa's body, this finding has important ecological implications for the ambush-feeding predator.
High-resolution electron energy-loss measurements of sticking coefficients of methane decomposition on Ru(0001)

Abstract A new approach, utilizing an elevated pressure reactor and high-resolution electron energy loss spectroscopy (HREELS), to the measurement of sticking coefficients of methane decomposition on Ru(0001) has been demonstrated. It has been shown that the detection, by Auger electron spectroscopy and photoelectron spectroscopy, of fractional monolayers of carbon on ruthenium is difficult because of the interference of the substrate signals. HREELS thus offers new opportunities to measure carbon buildup kinetics on ruthenium crystals. The measured initial sticking coefficient for methane decomposition on Ru(0001) varies from 1.7−12.7 × 10−7 in the 500–650 K temperature range. The apparent activation energy for methane dissociation is found to be 8.5 kcal mol .
Cryo-cooling in macromolecular crystallography: advantages, disadvantages and optimization.

The flash-cooling of crystals in macromolecular crystallography has become commonplace. The procedure makes it possible to collect data from much smaller specimens than was the case in the past. Also, flash-cooled crystals are much less prone to radiation damage than their room-temperature counterparts, allowing data to be accumulated over extended periods of time. Notwithstanding the attractiveness of the technique, it does have potential disadvantages. First, better methods need to be developed to prevent damage to crystals on freezing. There is also a risk that structures determined at low temperature may suggest conclusions based on aspects of the structure that are not necessarily relevant at room temperature.
CML/SLAM studies and “Velocity-Over-Ground” SLAM

Simultaneous Localization and Map Building (SLAM), also known as Concurrent Mapping and Localization (CML), is a tracking technique with the following goals: 1) Construct maps of the locations of strong point scatterers in the sensors’ field-of-view 2) Continually improve these maps as more sensor data arrives 3) Simultaneously achieve improve platform self-localization with respect to scatterer locations CML/SLAM’s refinement of the platform location estimates is directly linked to its exploitation of the stationary nature of the scatterers of opportunity. However, CML/SLAM is often computationally prohibitive as its architecture attempts to minimize the position error for each scatterer, i.e. “map-building.” This requires all pairwise correlation information to be maintained and updated leading to very large memory and computation requirements. Nearly every Unmanned Undersea Vehicle (UUV) mission involves a transiting stage. Here“ map-building” is unnecessary but can improve platform estimates. Can we capture relevant platform information without explicitly tracking strong point scatterers? We derive a CML/SLAM-inspired“ velocity-based” estimator that provides virtually optimum performance in transit scenarios. The method is of the order of complexity of the single contact Kalman Filter. A reformulation of the CML/SLAM problem leads to new insights into performance and earlier results. In addition, this reformulation stresses the fundamentally relative nature of the available measurements and helped lead to the new“ velocity-based” method. Theoretical arguments and real-data results are provided to reveal performance. A UUV with a forward-looking sonar along with an INS suite is the platform for this work.
Change in RNA polymerase associated with the shutoff of host transcription by T4.

An RNA polymerase mutant of E. coli defective in the shutoff of host transcription by T4 has been used to find a correlation between RNA polymerase modifications and host shutoff. A change has been found which is delayed in the mutant. It seems to be related either directly or indirectly to shutoff of host transcriptions by T4 and does not require T4 protein synthesis.
The frontal intersinus septum takedown procedure: revisiting a technique for surgically refractory unilateral frontal sinus disease.

Objectives/Hypothesis: Unilateral frontal sinus obstruction presents a surgical challenge when outflow tract osteoneogenesis or dense scarring is present. Frontal sinus obliteration is often employed as a last resort, but this procedure has potential long-term complications. In some cases, endoscopic modified Lothrop or unilateral drillout procedures may be effective options; however, restenosis rates are often high. Here we report our experience using frontal intersinus septum takedown (FISST) to address unilateral obstruction while preserving the opposite frontal outflow tract. Study Design: A retrospective review was performed of 12 patients with unilateral frontal sinus opacification due to irreversible frontal recess obstruction who underwent FISST. Surgical outcomes were assessed based on symptoms and computed tomography (CT) resolution of frontal sinus disease. Results: All 12 patients undergoing FISST had significant improvement in their symptoms. Ten postoperative CT scans were available for review, all showing continued patency of the interfrontal connection, and nine out of 10 with resolution of radiographic frontal sinus disease. Eleven of the procedures were performed via trephination, and one was achieved endoscopically. Conclusions: In patients with one obstructed frontal sinus and a functional contralateral sinus, removal of the intersinus septum allows for adequate sinus drainage and significant clinical improvement. The success of FISST may be surprising given knowledge of mucociliary clearance patterns, but may be effective because of the naturally dependent position of the frontal sinus ostium.
Total airborne mold particle sampling: evaluation of sample collection, preparation and counting procedures, and collection devices.

This study was conducted to evaluate (i) procedures used to collect, prepare, and count total airborne mold spore/particle concentrations, and (ii) the relative field performance of three commercially available total airborne mold spore/particle sampling devices. Differences between factory and laboratory airflow calibration values of axial fan-driven sampling instruments (used in the study) indicated a need for laboratory calibration using a mass flow meter to ensure that sample results were accurately calculated. An aniline blue-amended Calberla's solution adjusted to a pH of 4.2–4.4 provided good sample mounting/counting results using Dow Corning high vacuum grease, Dow Corning 280A adhesive, and Dow Corning 316 silicone release spray for samples collected using mini-Burkard and Allergenco samplers. Count variability among analysts was most pronounced in 5% counts of relatively low mold particle deposition density samples and trended downward with increased count percentage and particle deposition dens...
Failed metallic biliary stents: causes and management of delayed complications.

Objective : To describe the incidence, management and long-term outcome of metal stent failure in patients with malignant biliary obstruction. Subjects and Methods : Sixty-nine patients received a total of 93 metallic biliary stents for relief of malignant biliary obstruction. Twenty-nine patients had hilar tumours; 40 had common bile duct tumours. Results : Ten of 69 patients (14%) presented with stent occlusion at a mean interval of 4 months after stent insertion. Five of 29 patients (17%) with hilar lesions and five of 40 patients (12%) with common bile duct lesions had stent occlusion. Occlusion was due to tumour overgrowth in eight patients and to occlusion by debris in two. The eight patients with tumour overgrowth were treated with internal/external catheters (5 patients), no therapy (2 patients), and further metal stents (1 patient). These eight patients with tumour overgrowth had a limited lifespan after tumour overgrowth occurred with a mean survival of 2.6 months. The two patients with occlusion due to debris were treated by sweeping the stent with a balloon catheter and these patients survived 26 and 27 months, respectively. Conclusion : Adequate peripheral purchase in the biliary tree and overstenting are necessary to prevent tumour overgrowth when stenting hilar lesions. The development of stent occlusion due to tumour overgrowth heralds a limited survival and internal/external catheters are preferred over further metal stents for palliation.
The effects of intraspecific density dependence on species richness and species abundance distributions

Species richness and patterns of abundance result from the interplay between niche differences, realized as intraspecific density dependence (IDD), and so-called neutral processes that arise when species fitnesses are similar. This paper presents an extension of neutral models that incorporates delays in IDD that could result from resource-mediated competition or through a pathogen pool. These delays reduce standing species richness and qualitatively change the shape of species abundance distributions and render them consistent with the hollow curve shape even in the presence of strong IDD.
Efficient filtering using monotonic walk model

This paper proposes a nonlinear filter for estimating monotonic underlying trend from noisy observations. The filter computes maximum aposteriori probability (MAP) estimate using a monotonic walk model instead of the random walk model in standard linear filtering. The batch estimate is a solution of quadratic programming (QP) problem. This paper shows that the QP has a form of isotonic regression (IR) and has a linear computational complexity. The filter is implemented in a moving horizon estimation (MHE) setting. The data beyond the estimation horizon are replaced by the initial condition parameters (arrival cost). The MHE for IR is nonsmooth, so the existing nonlinear MHE theory is not applicable. By exploiting properties of the IR solution, we develop an update of the MHE arrival cost, which is provably close to the full information MAP solution and stable. The analysis is complemented by a Monte Carlo simulation study of the proposed nonlinear filtering algorithm. The simulation results confirm improved performance of the proposed filter compared with a linear filter and the earlier version of the MHE update.
The trade-off between volumetric and topographic structure for seismic traveltimes: 660 km topography and mantle structure

SUMMARY Synthetic body-wave traveltime inversion experiments were performed to evaluate the effect of unmodelled 660km discontinuity topography on the inference of aspherical, volumetric mantle structure. Synthetic residuals were computed for S waves refracted through a 660 km discontinuity with topography. We employed a spherical harmonic parametrization for lateral variations of the topography of the 660 km discontinuity and the mantle velocity structure. the radial dependence of the velocity structure in the mantle was parametrized in two ways: smooth Chebyshev polynomial functions and uniform shells. the results of both para-metrizations show that significant smearing of the input topographic signal appears in the models of volumetric mantle structure inferred from the synthetic data. Solving for higher order radial structure with the smooth Chebyshev functions reduces the smearing, but resolution is limited to the half-wavelength of the radial basis functions. More of the input synthetic residual variance is absorbed into the solution for volumetric structure by solving for higher order radial structure with smooth polynomials or with thinner shells directly below 660km depth. However, fundamental differences between the kernels for volumetric and topographic structure restrict recovery of the input signal to approximately 80 per cent. This work points to the possible value of relating volumetric and topographic structure when inverting seismic observations. This may be addressed by incorporating geodynamic modelling and mineral physics results into the modelling of seismic observations.
Nucleation and growth in surface-melted crystalline and amorphous Fe 40 Ni 40 P 14 B 6 alloys

The well-known glass-forming alloy Fe 40 Ni 40 P 14 B 6 was surface melted by an electron beam traversing its surface at various velocities in an identical manner for both the crystalline and the amorphous state of the alloy. Cross-sectional optical metallography and numerical heat-flow analysis were used to show that (1) crystallization of the amorphous state does not occur during treatment around or in the regrown layer at the highest processing speeds, a behavior consistent with an extrapolation of isothermal nucleation and growth measurements; (2) initial resolidification of the molten layer is always crystalline when the melt pool contacts underlying crystalline material where nucleation is immediate; and (3) solidification front velocities greater than 5 ± 0. 5 cm/s exceed the maximum kinetic limit for growth of the crystalline phase and amorphous layers are formed, a result consistent with the eutectic nature of the alloy. Inconsistencies with the work of previous investigators of this system are discussed.
Multiple reference frame analysis of an unsymmetrical induction machine

Due to the asymmetry of the stator windings of an unsymmetrical induction motor, the equations which describe this device cannot be expressed in a frame of reference where the state variables are constant in the steady state. This prevents linearization and thereby places a stumbling block in the development of a transfer function which could be used in linear control analysis, as in servo applications. The work presented in this paper provides a means to accomplish this goal. This is achieved by eliminating the position-dependent terms brought about due to asymmetry by recognising a unique property of a combination of reference frames and by employing an averaging procedure. The resulting equations are shown to predict the performance of the unsymmetrical induction motor with the accuracy of the detailed equations. The stage is now set to develop accurate reduced-order models and linear transfer functions for unsymmetrical induction motors. >
Review essay: Grunt lit: The participant-observers of empire

My War: Killing Time in Iraq. Colby Buzzell. New York: Putnam Adult, 2005. 354 pp., works cited. The Last True Story I'll Ever Tell: An Accidental Soldier's Account of the War in Iraq. John Crawford. New York: Riverhead Books, 2005. xiv + 219 pp. One Bullet Away: The Making of a Marine Officer. Nathaniel Fick. Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 2005. 372 pp., photographs. Just Another Soldier: A Year on the Ground in Iraq. Jason Christopher Hartley. New York: HarperCollins, 2005. 320 pp., photographs, glossary. Warlord: No Better Friend, No Worse Enemy. Ilario Pantano. New York: Threshold Editions, 2006. 405 pp., table, map, photographs, glossary. Chasing Ghosts: A Soldier's Fight for America from Baghdad to Washington. Paul Rieckhoff. New York: Penguin, 2006. 326 pp., map, photographs, glossary, tables, chronology. Love My Rifle More Than You: Young and Female in the U.S. Army. Kayla Williams with Michael Staub. New York: Norton, 2005. 290 pp., photographs. In this review of firsthand accounts by U.S. military personnel of the Iraq occupation and insurgency, we argue for their importance as informed sources on the multiple, militarized transnational processes that help drive contemporary globalization. Their reflections, we suggest, are shaped by concerns familiar to sociocultural anthropology, including cross-cultural (mis)communication, technology and the media, the performance of gender roles, and the traumatic effects of violence, and as such challenge the discipline to take such military voices seriously, as it does other subaltern, marginalized, disruptive ways of knowing.
Targeting glioma stem cells: A novel framework for brain tumors

The past decade has seen a dramatic increase in stem cell research that focuses on glioma stem cells (GSC) and their mechanisms of action, revealing multiple potential targets for primary malignant brain tumors. Herein, we present a novel framework for considering GSC targets based on direct and indirect strategies. Direct strategies target GSC molecular pathways to overcome their resistance to radiation and chemotherapy, block their function or induce their differentiation. Indirect strategies target the microenvironment of the GSC, namely the perivascular, hypoxic and immune niches. Progress made on GSC targets is reviewed in detail and specific pathways are identified in context of the proposed framework. The potential barriers for translation to the clinical setting are also discussed. Overall, targeting GSC provides an unprecedented opportunity for revolutionary approaches to treat high-grade gliomas that continue to have a poor patient prognosis. (Cancer Sci 2011; 102: 1958–1966)
951 Gaspra: First Pictures of an Asteroid

On October 29, 1991, the Galileo spacecraft flew past 951 Gaspra at a distance of 1600 km and obtained the first close-up views of an asteroid. The best view of an asteroid ever taken (Figure 1) from some 5300 km out, shows detail as fine as 54 m. Among the more than 5,000 numbered asteroids, 951 Gaspra is a relatively small, highly elongated object with an average radius of about 7 km, orbiting near the inner edge of the main asteroid belt (semimajor axis of 2.21 AU), in the so-called Flora region. This region is densely populated with small asteroids that are generally thought to be the fragments of one or more larger precursor asteroids smashed by catastrophic collisions.
In situ estimation of blanket polish rates and wafer-to-wafer variation

Presents a scheme for extracting information from interferometry signals off patterned wafer polish during nonendpointed chemical-mechanical polishing (CMP). This enables one to obtain blanket removal rates immediately after a patterned wafer finishes polishing as well as estimate post-polish within lot thickness variation. A nonlinear regression algorithm is presented that enables one to estimate this information from less than a full interferometry trace cycle and with a lower sampling rate compared to peak-valley detection schemes.
Emotional Stress-reactivity and Positive Affect among College Students: The Role of Depression History

Multiple theories posit that people with a history of depression are at higher risk for a depressive episode than people who have never experienced depression, which may be partly due to differences in stress-reactivity. In addition, both the dynamic model of affect and the broaden-and-build theory suggest that stress and positive affect interact to predict negative affect, but this moderation has never been tested in the context of depression history. The current study used multilevel modeling to examine these issues among 1,549 college students with or without a history of depression. Students completed a 30-day online diary study in which they reported daily their perceived stress, positive affect, and negative affect (including depression, anxiety, and hostility). On days characterized by higher than usual stress, students with a history of depression reported greater decreases in positive affect and greater increases in depressed affect than students with no history. Furthermore, the relations between daily stress and both depressed and anxious affect were moderated by daily positive affect among students with remitted depression. These results indicate that students with a history of depression show greater stress-reactivity even when in remission, which may place them at greater risk for recurrence. These individuals may also benefit more from positive affect on higher stress days despite being less likely to experience positive affect on such days. The current findings have various implications both clinically and for research on stress, mood, and depression. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2014 APA, all rights reserved).
Expression and Distribution of NADPH Oxidase Isoforms in Human Myometrium - Role in Angiotensin II-induced Hypertrophy

The renin-angiotensin system is upregulated in pregnant women and may play a role in myometrial hypertrophy during pregnancy. We examined whether angiotensin II could induce myometrial protein synthesis as determined by 3H-leucine incorporation in an immortalized human myometrial smooth muscle cell line (ULTR cells). The effects of angiotensin II were mediated by NADPH oxidase because diphenylene iodonium abolished angiotensin II-induced protein synthesis. We investigated gene expression and cellular localization of NADPH oxidase isoforms in ULTR cells and confirmed expression of NOX1, NOX4, and NOX5 in myometrial tissue. Angiotensin II induced a cellular redistribution and upregulation of NOX5 protein without altering NOX1 and NOX4 expression. It seems the effect of angiotensin II relies on the type 1 receptor (AT1), because losartan significantly blocked angiotensin II-induced increase in 3H-leucine incorporation. We conclude that NADPH oxidase mediates angiotensin II-stimulated protein synthesis downstream of AT1 in myometrium smooth muscle cells.
On the analysis of accuracy for two‐equation transient problems

Fourier analysis of numerical accuracy has traditionally concentrated on the propagation behaviour of various methods. When systems of equations in more than one unknown are involved, analysis of propagation accuracy alone is shown to be incomplete. A distribution factor is introduced to complement the Fourier analysis in these cases, and application of the concept to two problems commonly encountered in the water resources field is demonstrated. The distribution factor is shown to provide important information which cannot be obtained from the customary analysis of propagation accuracy.
Measuring Aerodynamic Interference Drag Between a Bird Body and the Mounting Strut of a drag Balance

1.The drag of a bird body mounted on the strut of a drag balance in a wind tunnel is more than the sum of the drags of the isolated strut and the isolated body. The strut changes the air flow around the body and generates additional drag, known as interference drag. This paper describes practical methods for measuring the drag of bird bodies: a strain-gauge drag balance, dimensions for struts made with machine or hand tools, and a procedure for correcting drag measurements for interference drag. 2.Interference drag can be measured by extrapolating a relationship between the drag of isolated struts with different crosssectional sizes and shapes and the drag of a body mounted on those struts. The interference length the length of an isolated strut that produces drag equal to the interference drag is a usefulquantity for predicting interference drag. 3.The relationship mentioned above is a straight line for a model peregrine falcon (Falco peregrinus L.) body mounted on smooth struts struts with convex cross-sectional shapes ranging from streamlined to circular. This finding simplifies the determination of interference drag in three ways: (i) the line can be found from measurements with just two struts a standard strut with low drag and a calibration strut with high drag; (ii) the two struts need not have the same shape for example, the standard strut can be changed to a calibration strut by attaching a spoiler without disturbing the body mounted on the strut and (iii) a single value of interference length (33.1mm) describes smooth struts with a range of shapes and sizes. These struts had drag coefficients between 0.33 and 0.91 at Reynolds numbers between 2100 and 10800. 4.The interference length of a strut supporting the actual falcon body with a feathered surface is not significantly different from that of the strut supporting the model body with a rigid surface. 5.As a hypothesis, interference length (hI, in metres) of a smooth strut varieswith the size of the body mounted on it: hI=0.0365m0.333 where m is the body mass (in kg) of the intact bird.
An evaluation of the nitric oxide/cGMP/cGMP-dependent protein kinase cascade in the induction of cerebellar long-term depression in culture

Cerebellar long-term depression (LTD) is a model system of information storage in which a persistent attenuation of the parallel fiber-Purkinje neuron (PN) synapse is induced by conjunctive stimulation of parallel fiber and climbing fiber inputs at low frequency. As some studies have suggested that release of the gaseous second messenger, nitric oxide (NO), in the molecular layer and the consequent activation of soluble guanylate cyclase and cGMP-dependent protein kinase (PKG) in the PN, is necessary for LTD induction, we have further examined this hypothesis using a cell culture protocol. In cerebellar cultures made from transgenic mice in which the gene for neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) has been rendered null, LTD induced by glutamate/depolarization conjunctive stimulation was indistinguishable from that in cultures from wild-type mice in terms of amplitude, rate of onset, and duration. Bath application of cGMP analogs produced a large (80%), transient attenuation of glutamate-gated inward currents. However, application of an activator of soluble guanylate cyclase or an inhibitor of type V cGMP-phosphodiesterase did not mimic the effect of cGMP analogs, and inclusion of cGMP analogs in the patch pipette did not give rise to a slowly developing attenuation, suggesting that these compounds exert their effects at the cell surface. Free Ca was measured in the distal dendritic arbor of single PNs by fura-2 microfluorimetry.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Planet scale software updates

Fast and effective distribution of software updates (a.k.a. patches) to millions of Internet users has evolved into a critical task over the last years. In this paper, we characterize "Windows Update", one of the largest update services in the world, with the aim to draw general guidelines on how to best design and architect a fast and effective planet-scale patch dissemination system. To this end, we analyze an extensive set of data traces collected over the period of a year, consisting of billions of queries from over 300 million computers. Based on empirical observations and analytical results, we identify interesting properties of today's update traffic and user behavior.Building on this analysis, we consider alternative patch delivery strategies such as caching and peer-to-peer and evaluate their performance. We identify key factors that determine the effectiveness of these schemes in reducing the server workload and the network traffic, and in speeding-up the patch delivery. Most of our findings are invariant properties induced by either user behavior or architectural characteristics of today's Internet, and thus apply to the general problem of Internet-wide dissemination of software updates.
Evaluation of Staphylococcus aureus Growth Potential in Ham during a Slow-Cooking Process: Use of Predictions Derived from the U.S. Department of Agriculture Pathogen Modeling Program 6.1 Predictive Model and an Inoculation Study

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has cautioned against slow cooking meat such that the interior temperature increases from 10 degrees C (50 degrees F) to 54.4 degrees C (130 degrees F) in > or = 6 h. During a commercial ham-smoking process, the ham cold point is typically between 10 and 54.4 degrees C for 13 h, but the ham is subsequently exposed to heating sufficient to eliminate vegetative pathogenic bacteria. Thus, production of heat-stable staphylococcal enterotoxin is the primary biological hazard. For this study, uncooked surface and uncooked ground interior ham were inoculated with a three-strain Staphylococcus aureus mixture, exposed to simulated surface and interior slow-cook conditions, respectively, and analyzed periodically using the Baird-Parker agar and 3M Petrifilm Staph Express count plate methods. For the surface and interior conditions, S. aureus numbers increased by no more than 0.1 and 0.7 log units, respectively. Predictions derived from actual time and temperature data and S. aureus growth values from a computer-generated model (Pathogen Modeling Program 6.1, U.S. Department of Agriculture) were for 2.7 (ham surface) and 9.9 to 10.5 (ham interior) generations of S. aureus growth, indicating that use of model-derived growth values would not falsely indicate safe slow cooking of ham. The Baird-Parker method recovered significantly (P or = 2.3% sodium lactate, (iii) > or = 0.8% sodium chloride, and (iv) 200 ppm ingoing sodium nitrite, slow-cooking critical limits of < or = 4 h between 10 and 34 degrees C, < or = 5 h between 34 and 46 degrees C, and < or = 5 h between 46 and 54.4 degrees C could be considered adequate to ensure safety.
Energy Aware Load Prediction for Cloud Data Centers

Amazon recently estimated that the cost of energy for its datacenters reached 42% of the total cost of operation. Our previous research proposed an algorithm to predict how much cloud workload is expected at a specific time. This allows physical servers determined not to be needed to be placed in a low-power sleep state to save energy. If more system capacity is required, servers in a sleep state are transitioned back to an active state. In this paper, we extend our prior research by presenting both a stochastic model for state change as well as a new approach to determining the sampling frequency for performing the prediction of the expected capacity. The first result we show is that this allows the optimal prediction time horizon to be chosen. We next present a dynamic prediction quantization method to determine the optimal number of prediction calculation intervals. Both of these new algorithms allow us to predict future load within required Service Level Agreements while minimizing the number of prediction calculations. This effectively optimizes our ability to predict while minimizing the detrimental effect of additional calculations on our cloud resources. Finally, we test this model by simulating the stochastic time horizon and dynamic quantization algorithms and compare the results with three competing methods. We show that our model provides up to a 20% reduction in the number of calculations required while maintaining the given Service Level Agreement.
Are Debit Cards Really More Costly for Merchants? Assessing Retailers' Costs and Benefits of Payment Instrument Acceptance

Payment cards have been a perennial source of debate among economists. That debate received additional fodder in 2011 with passage of the Durbin Amendment, which targets debit card interchange fees. I assess the claim that the merchant side of the debit card payment platform has paid more than its “fair share” for debit transactions. I find no evidence to support the view that debit cards are more costly for merchants to accept than other payment instruments, like cash or check. To the contrary, when relevant incremental costs and benefits are included, debit cards are most often one of the cheapest payment instruments for retailers to accept.
Quality of Life in Nursing Homes

Abstract The Nursing Home Reform Act (NHRA) of 1987 established nursing home requirements and dually emphasized quality of care and quality of life outcomes. We researched elders' perceptions of quality of life in nursing homes using focus groups. Analysis revealed four major themes important to residents: generativity, spiritual well-being, homelike environment, and privacy. Themes were used to analyze the disparity between NHRA's goal of dual emphasis and the dominance of quality of care in the treatment of frail elders living in nursing homes. Policies and procedures must be developed that promote decisional control in everyday matters of an older person's life.
Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Problems in Large Urban Communities

In order to introduce EMS problems in large urban communities, I will first tell you the parable of the County of Smog. It covers an area of about 4,000 square miles and includes areas of mountain wilderness, dense urban population, coastal ocean communities and a peculiar blend of heat, foul air, and residential and industrial communities known simply as “The Valley.” About ten years ago, Smog County health officials established a pilot program to train a handful of firemen in reading electrocardiograms, the pharmacology of emergency cardiac drugs, intravenous infusions, and defibrillation. The firemen responded in a station wagon from a hospital. It was readily learned that these paramedical personnel could impact positively on the outcome of patients with cardiac conditions.
Novel mechanisms power bacterial gliding motility

For many bacteria, motility is essential for survival, growth, virulence, biofilm formation and intra/interspecies interactions. Since natural environments differ, bacteria have evolved remarkable motility systems to adapt, including swimming in aqueous media, and swarming, twitching and gliding on solid and semi-solid surfaces. Although tremendous advances have been achieved in understanding swimming and swarming motilities powered by flagella, and twitching motility powered by Type IV pili, little is known about gliding motility. Bacterial gliders are a heterogeneous group containing diverse bacteria that utilize surface motilities that do not depend on traditional flagella or pili, but are powered by mechanisms that are less well understood. Recently, advances in our understanding of the molecular machineries for several gliding bacteria revealed the roles of modified ion channels, secretion systems and unique machinery for surface movements. These novel mechanisms provide rich source materials for studying the function and evolution of complex microbial nanomachines. In this review, we summarize recent findings made on the gliding mechanisms of the myxobacteria, flavobacteria and mycoplasmas.
CALCULOUS PANCERATITIS DISCOVERED IN AN AGED PATIENT AFTER GALLBLADDER RUPTURE -A CASE REPORT-

Gallbladder rupture is a probable cause of acute abdomen and, especially in the aged, often constitutes a serious condition. We experienced a case of gallbladder rupture in an aged patient, which might be affected by stenosis of the common bile duct associating with calculous pancreatitis. An 84-year-old man, who was an inpatient under examination for upper abdominal pain of unknown origin, suddenly developed severe pain of the abdomen and abdominal distension. Ultrasonic-guided puncture of ascites revealed the presence of bile juice. Emergency operation was performed and the patient was diagnosed as acute biliary peritonitis secondary to ruptured gallbladder. Intraoperative cholangiography disclosed a stenosis of the lower bile duct. Cholecystectomy and placement of an indwelling T-tube were performed. On the basis of postoperative studies a diagnosis of lower bile duct stenosis due to calculous pancreatitis was made, and at reoperation removal of the calculous and choledochojejunostomy were carried out with favorable results.
A Column Structure Design and the Verification of a Commercial Vehicle Model

The article analyzes the design processing of A column structure of a commercial vehicle model,including its function design,section design,concrete structure design,craftsmanship and CAE analysis verification.By the systematic summary,efficiency of design could be improved and the invention time of automobile could be reduced.
60 Maximising injury research through translation of an evidence-based safe teen driving program into a workplace wellness program

Statement of purpose Previous intervention studies have demonstrated that increasing parent involvement in teen driving increases safe driving behaviour. The purpose of this research is to translate an evidence-based safe teen driving program into a workplace wellness program. Methods Steering Teens Safe (STS), an evidence-based teen driving intervention, involves training parents in effective communication before/during their teens intermediate licensing. STS is currently being translated into workplace wellness programs. To increase translation effectiveness, the Replicating Effective Programs framework and the RE-AIM model are being applied. Parent-employees completed a focus group to identify facilitators and barriers to translation. STS was modified into a 3-month program where parent-employees receive three one-hour trainings on communication, complete online tutorials and answer three surveys (baseline, 1-month, and 3-months). Results Facilitators to translation included a parents desire to teach their child, a child’s desire to want to drive, and a culture of safety and wellness within the business. Barriers identified by parents were time and a teen’s potential response to this new type of communication. Three businesses are currently enrolled in STS and the majority of the STS communication trainings have been facilitated by a trainer within each business. To date, 27 parent-employees (8 fathers, 19 mothers) have completed the wellness program. From baseline to the 3-month follow-up, parent-teen communication improved significantly (p = 0.04). The most frequently completed online tutorials focused on basic safety principals of taking driving seriously (72%), always wearing your seatbelt (68%) and avoiding distractions while driving (68%). Of interest, the least completed tutorials were on setting guidelines for your child to drive (40%). Conclusion Injury research can be effectively translated into a workplace. Parent-teen communication about driving improved following translation of an evidence-based intervention into a wellness program. Further translation of evidence-based programs is needed to maximise the benefits of injury research.
Incremental Recovery Using Dual-Completed Wells in Gas Reservoirs With Bottom Water Drive: A Feasibility Study

Water drive reduces gas recovery through the mechanism of water coning, which results in liquid loading that kills the wells. Installation of a Downhole Gas Water Separator (DGWS) in the well may prevent liquid loading. This paper presents another solution to this problem: a dual-completed well with downhole water sink (DWS) drainage and injection installation. DWS wells are different from DGWS wells by the inclusion of a second bottom completion that controls water outside the well and prevents a commingled inflow of gas and water to the top completion. DWS wells have been successfully tested in oil reservoirs. This study analyzes the DWS concept for gas wells by comparing simulated performances of a conventional well and a DWS well. The simulation runs were made over a broad range of the initial reservoir pressure and permeability values for a gas reservoir with a large associated aquifer. Also included is a comparison between DGWS and DWS wells at selected conditions. The results demonstrate the considerable advantages of dual completion over conventional wells in low-pressure (subnormal), tight (1 md) reservoirs-a 2.6 fold recovery increase before the wells are killed by excessive water production. The advantage, however, reduces to 10% for a reservoir with normal pore pressure gradient and a permeability of 10 md, and almost disappears for a permeability of 100 md and abnormal reservoir pressure. When compared to DGWS wells, the final gas recovery of DWS wells is the same, but DWS produces the gas 35% sooner than DGWS. The study also identifies the best DWS completion design where top completion is used only for gas production, and bottom completion for inverse gas coning, gravity separation, and water injection.
Lead Intoxication in Children with Autism

The incidence of reexposure to lead poisoning in 17 children with pervasive developmental disorders (PDD), including autism, compared to a randomly selected group of 30 children without PDD who were treated for plumbism over the same six year period, was evaluated by a retrospective chart review at the lead treatment program, Children’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Massachusetts Poison Control System, Boston, MA.
Tricyclic Antidepressants and Attention Deficit Disorder

A review of the literature concerning imipramine and other tricyclics in the treatment of attention deficit disorder (ADD) is presented from the Dept Psychiatry, Univ. Texas Health Sci Cntr, 7703 Floyd Carl Drive, San Antonio, TX 78284.