cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Chapter 19 – Hodgkin Lymphoma

Publisher Summary Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) is characterized by progressive enlargement of the lymph nodes. It is considered unicentric in origin and has a predictable pattern of spread by extension to contiguous nodes. Etiology of HL is unknown and it comprises 8.8% of all childhood cancers under the age of 20. Overall annual incidence rate in the United States is 12.1 per million for children under 20 years. Several factors have been associated with an increased risk of developing HL. These include family history of HL, EBV infections and socioeconomic status. Familial HL represents 4.5% of all HL cases. For adolescents and young adults there is a 99-fold increased risk among monozygotic twins and a 7-fold increased risk among siblings. EBV incorporated into the tumor genome has been most commonly reported with the mixed cellularity histologic subtype. In turn, this subtype is most common in children from underdeveloped countries, in males under age 10 years and in those with other immunodeficiencies. There is an association between HL and socioeconomic status. In children less than 10 years of age and in underdeveloped nations, HL is associated with lower socioeconomic status and in households with more children. However, in young adult patients and in developed nations, HL incidence increases with higher socioeconomic status and with smaller households with fewer children.
Use of Adaptive Learning Technology to Promote Self-Directed Learning in a Pharmacists' Patient Care Process Course.

Objective. One goal of pharmacy educators is to help students become self-directed learners. A method that may help achieve this goal is adaptive learning technology (ALT), which provides real-time feedback on students’ strengths and weaknesses. The primary objective of this study was to evaluate student changes in self-directed learning (SDL) in a Pharmacists’ Patient Care Process (PPCP) course using ALT. Methods. PPCP was delivered using traditional teaching methods in fall 2018 and ALT in spring 2019. First-year student pharmacists were surveyed three times throughout the academic year on SDL factors. Focus groups were conducted at the end of the spring semester to identify perceptions of course delivery. Multilevel linear modeling and qualitative content analysis were used to evaluate the surveys and the focus groups, respectively. Results. Ninety-two of 106 students completed all three surveys. Scores on stress management, and exam management increased from the beginning to the end of the academic year. Scores on seminar (lecture) learning proficiency, procrastination management, and time management decreased from the beginning to the end of the year. Assignment management and comprehension competence trends varied from ends of the first and second semesters. Themes identified from the focus groups were student learning preferences, semester comparisons, value, and technology. Conclusion. Student pharmacists struggled with the integration of ALT into their previously established study routines. Focus groups helped add context to SDL scores. Although statistically significant differences were found for some SDL factors, it is difficult to conclude at this time if implementation of ALT improved SDL.
Price Fixing Hits Home: An Empirical Study of US Price-Fixing Conspiracies

This paper analyzes a sample of Section 1, Sherman Act price fixing cases brought by the US Department of Justice between 1961 and 2013. Over 500 cartels were prosecuted during this period. The determinants of cartel formation and cartel breakup are estimated, including analysis of the impact of the discount rate, business cycles, and antitrust policy. We find that cartels are more likely to break up during periods of high real interest rates, presumably because higher interest rates are associated with greater impatience. The adoption of a stronger amnesty policy has no significant impact on cartel breakup over this period, although the results suggest some association with lower cartel formation rates.
Probing within the Bondi radius of the ultramassive black hole in NGC 1600

We present deep (250 ks) Chandra observations of the nearby galaxy group NGC 1600, which has at its centre an ultramassive black hole (17$\pm$1.5 billion M$_{\odot}$). The exceptionally large mass of the black hole coupled with its low redshift makes it one of only a handful of black holes for which spatially resolved temperature and density profiles can be obtained within the Bondi radius with the high spatial resolution of Chandra. We analyzed the hot gas properties within the Bondi accretion radius R$_B$=1.2" - 1.7"= 0.38 - 0.54 kpc. Within a $\sim\!3$ kpc radius, we find two temperature components with statistical significance. Both the single temperature and two temperature models show only a very slight rise in temperature towards the centre, and are consistent with being flat. This is in contrast with the expectation from Bondi accretion for a temperature profile which increases towards the centre, and appears to indicate that the dynamics of the gas are not being determined by the central black hole. The density profile follows a relatively shallow $\rho\propto~r^{-[0.61\pm0.13]}$ relationship within the Bondi radius, which suggests that the true accretion rate on to the black hole may be lower than the classical Bondi accretion rate.
Reproductive patterns of solitary cavity-nesting bees responsive to both local and landscape factors

Understanding how local and landscape-level factors influence species abundances and distributions is crucial for conservation and restoration efforts. Effects of urbanization are often negative at a landscape level, but some taxa such as solitary cavity-nesting bees perform better in urban areas, due to increases in food, nesting, and habitat resources at the local level. In this study, we ask how local and landscape factors across an urbanization gradient influence three demographic aspects of reproduction for solitary-nesting bees: fecundity, brood survivorship, and total adults to emerge in the spring. In 2018–2019, we surveyed solitary cavity-nesting bees active in 18 grassland restoration sites across the city of Louisville, Kentucky, USA using constructed nest boxes. We found that bee larvae had increased survivorship in urban areas as compared to surrounding rural areas, possibly due to decreased nest parasitism. Additionally, we found bee fecundity to increase with the proportion of native flowers in the surrounding floral community. These results indicate that urbanization can benefit some groups of solitary bees when paired with local grassland restoration efforts. This highlights the importance of native plants and natural areas in the urban matrix to support pollinator communities.
An evaluation of turbulent heat transfer predictions

All three codes showed good comparison with heat transfer as long as the first radial spacing was relatively fine (Y+ < 0.5). This was improved further by employing a second order approximation for the radial derivatives that are used in the prediction of the heat transfer. These conclusions are predicated on the rather simple circular cross-section of the conical body.
PATH INTEGRAL TREATMENT OF SINGULAR PROBLEMS AND BOUND STATES

A path-integral approach for the computation of quantum-mechanical propagators and energy Green's functions is presented. Its effectiveness is demonstrated through its application to singular interactions, with particular emphasis on the inverse square potential — possibly combined with a delta-function interaction. The emergence of these singular potentials as low-energy nonrelativistic limits of quantum field theory is highlighted. Not surprisingly, the analog of ultraviolet regularization is required for the interpretation of these singular problems.
Bioavailability of Iron in Cooked Egg Yolk for Maintenance of Hemoglobin Levels in Growing Rats

The relative biological value (RBV) of iron in egg yolk was compared with that of iron in ferrous sulfate in prophylactic assays with weanling rats. Egg yolk cooked by one of three different methods was used in each experiment: (1) yolk of eggs boiled in the shell, lyophilized, and mixed with other dry diet ingredients; (2) pasteurized yolk and other diet components steamed with 8 liters of water per kilogram of diet; and (3) pasteurized yolk and other diet ingredients baked with 0.5 liters of water per kilogram of diet. Diets containing three levels of egg yolk and four levels of ferrous sulfate were fed to different groups of rats for 1, 2, and 3 weeks. Response of dietary iron was calculated as the regression of hemoglobin iron gain on iron intake and the nutritional quality of egg iron relative to that of ferrous sulfate iron was evaluated by slope-ratio analysis. RBV was 61, 64, and 90%, respectively, for iron of egg yolk cooked by the three methods. The presence of ascorbic acid during heat treatment of the diets significantly increased RBV of yolk iron from 64 to 92% in experiment 2, and increased it to a value equivalent to that of ferrous sulfate in experiment 3.
Skype Synchronous Interaction Effectiveness in a Quantitative Management Science Course

An experiment compared asynchronous versus synchronous instruction in an online quantitative course. Mann-Whitley U-tests, correlation, analysis of variance, t tests, and multivariate analysis of covariance (MANCOVA) were utilized to test the hypothesis that more high-quality online experiential learning interactions would increase grade. Quasi-experimental controls included prior ability and demographic factors (gender, age). The control group used asynchronous discussion forums while the test group held synchronous sessions in Skype (chat, audio, and document sharing). A statistically significant MANCOVA model was created, using teaching method as a factor, and a count of online interactions (as a covariate), with assessment timing (as a blocking factor), to measure effect on grade.
Beautification for Male in Dhaka: Exploring the Customer Groups, Services and Selection of Service Providers

The beauty salon is one of the flourishing industries in Dhaka. Like the women, now-a day, beautification is becoming a major concern for the male also. The current study aims at exploring the customer groups, services and selection of service providers for men’s salon in Dhaka. Other purposes of this study are to understand the customers’ demographic profile, service consumption and spending pattern, assess the importance of different attributes that the customer consider while choosing a salon and reveal the final factors that are important for selecting a salon. This study includes in-depth interview of salon managers and questionnaire survey of 500 male customers from 20 different salons of Dhaka city, conducted at the first quarter of 2011. The findings show that most of the clients are regular and the majority of them are from 15-35 years age groups. The client base comprise of middle, upper middle and upper class people with different occupation like students, service holder, businessman and professionals. Among the offered services, hair cut, shaving, facial and hair treatment are the most demanding service. Consumers give highest importance to the attributes like quality of services, service provider’s behavior, variety of services, service provider’s skill and environment and physical facilities. Factor analysis (Principal Component Analysis) with nine variables indicates that three selection factors are catering to customer’s choice of salon. These factors are Service Value Factor, Marketing Communication Factor and Marketing Mix Factor.
Characterization of human glucocerebrosidase from different mutant alleles.

Human cDNA was mutagenized to duplicate six naturally occurring mutations in the gene for glucocere-brosidase. The mutant genes were expressed in NIH 3T3 cells. The abnormal human enzymes were purified by immunoaffinity chromatography and characterized. The Asn370—-Ser mutant protein differed from normal enzyme in its inhibition by both conduritol B epoxide and glucosphingosine demonstrating that the 370 mutant enzyme has an abnormal catalytic site. In addition, the 370 mutant enzyme is less activated by saposin C, but more stimulated by phosphatidylserine than the wild type enzyme. The Arg463—-Cys mutant protein was normal with respect to conduritol B epoxide and glucosphingosine inhibition, but was less activated by both saposin C and phosphatidylserine. The Arg120—-Gln mutant protein was catalytically inactive. The Leu444—-Pro, the pseudopattern, and the Pro415—-Arg mutants appear to have reduced amounts of enzyme protein in cells. The studies demonstrated that mutations in the gene for glucocerebrosidase have different effects on the catalytic activity and stability of the enzyme.
Socioeconomic Status and Age: The Effect of Income Sources and Portfolios on U.S. Adult Mortality

Despite the persistent inverse relationship between family income and mortality, no one has examined the effect of distinct income sources or income portfolios on mortality risk. We link the National Health Interview Survey to the Multiple Cause of Death file and use hazard models to examine income-related mortality across four age groups. Income from jobs, self-employment, interest, and dividends each predicts lower mortality at the younger, middle, and early old ages. Diverse income portfolios buffer against mortality risk at all ages, net of the amount of income received. These findings illuminate the various dimensions of income that shape U.S. mortality risks.
Ion-implanted P-channel GaAs MESFET using Schottky barrier height tailoring

A new P-channel GaAs MESFET has been fabricated by ion implantation. The low P-GaAs Schottky barrier height has been increased using a barrier tailoring technique, resulting in substantially improved device characteristics. Extrinsic transconductances as high as 22 mS/mm are obtained from 1μm P-MESFETs at room temperature with gate voltage swings in excess of 1 V.
Exploiting Early Tag Access for Reducing L1 Data Cache Energy in Embedded Processors

In this paper, we propose a new cache design technique, referred to as early tag access (ETA) cache, to improve the energy efficiency of data caches in embedded processors. The proposed technique performs ETAs to determine the destination ways of memory instructions before the actual cache accesses. It, thus, enables only the destination way to be accessed if a hit occurs during the ETA. The proposed ETA cache can be configured under two operation modes to exploit the tradeoffs between energy efficiency and performance. It is shown that our technique is very effective in reducing the number of ways accessed during cache accesses. This enables significant energy reduction with negligible performance overheads. Simulation results demonstrate that the proposed ETA cache achieves over 52.8% energy reduction on average in the L1 data cache and translation lookaside buffer. Compared with the existing cache design techniques, the ETA cache is more effective in energy reduction while maintaining better performance.
The Contribution of Laparoscopy in Evaluation of Penetrating Abdominal Wounds

Background Penetrating abdominal wounds are traditionally explored by laparotomy. We investigated prospectively the role of laparoscopy within a defined protocol for management of penetrating abdominal wounds to determine its safety and advantages over traditional operative management. Study design The study inclusion criteria were: stab and gun shot abdominal wounds, including junction zone injuries; stable vital signs; and absence of contraindications for laparoscopy. Diagnostic end points included detection of peritoneum or diaphragm violation, visceral injuries, and other indications for laparotomy. Systematic examination was undertaken using a multiport technique whenever the peritoneum or diaphragm had been violated. All repairs were done by open operation. Results A total of 40.6% of patients with penetrating trauma fulfilled study criteria (52 patients). Of these, 33% had no peritoneal penetration; 29% had no visceral injuries despite violation of peritoneum or diaphragm; 38% had visceral injuries, of which 40% (mainly liver and omentum) required no intervention. Twelve patients (23% of total) had open repairs. No missed injuries or death occurred in the study. Overall, 77% of penetrating injuries with stable vital signs avoided exploratory laparotomy. Compared with National Trauma Data Bank information for patients with the same Injury Severity Scores, hospitalization was reduced by more than 55% for the entire series. Conclusions Laparoscopy for penetrating abdominal injuries in a defined set of conditions was safe and accurate, effectively eliminating nontherapeutic laparotomy and shortening hospitalization.
Effect of fusicoccin on the membrane potential, on the uptake of glucose and glycine, and on the ATP level in Lemna gibba G1

Abstract Fusicoccin (FC) increased the membrane potential (pd) of Lemna gibba G1 by about 50 mV or 140 mV in high-pd or low-pd plants, respectively. The uptake of glucose and glycine was significantly enhanced by FC, whereas glucose and glycine induced depolarization of the membrane was reduced after FC pretreatment. The ATP content of Lemna plants treated with FC was altered only transiently independent of whether it was low in the low-pd plants or high in the high-pd plants. These results are regarded as an evidence that FC is active also in intact plants similarly to excised tissues and further evidence that sugar and amino acid uptake in Lemna plants proceeds by an H+-solute contransport dependent on the electrochemical proton gradient.
The risk of lymph node metastasis in colorectal polyps with invasive adenocarcinoma

One hundred fifty-one patients with colorectal polyps containing invasive adenocarcinoma treated by resection were studied to determine the incidence of lymph node metastasis and whether lymph node metastasis was related to the depth of invasion. Other variables evaluated included size and configuration of the polyp, grade of adenocarcinoma, presence or absence of lymphovascular invasion, and degree of differentiation. In patients with sessile polyps, the incidence of lymph node metastasis was 10 percent. Eighty percent of these lesions had lymphovascular invasion. For pedunculated polyps, the overall incidence of lymph node metastasis was 6 percent. However, there was no incidence of lymph node metastasis when the depth of invasion was limited to the head, neck, and stalk of the polyp (Levels 1, 2, and 3). Only when the depth of invasion reached to the base of the stalk (Level 4) was the risk of lymph node metastasis high (27 percent). The other risk factors were not associated with lymph node metastasis. We concluded that the most significant risk factor for lymph node metastasis in patients with invasive carcinoma in a polyp was invasion into the submucosa of the bowel wall (Level 4).
Mimicking the human nervous system with a triboluminescence sensory receptor for the structural health monitoring of composite structures

The human nervous system (HNS) provides one of the most advanced examples of how to monitor the structural state of a complex system. In attempts to mimic the HNS, a key component has been the development of the sensory receptor. This paper reports on the development of a triboluminescence (TL)-based sensory receptor that converts mechanical energy from fatigue or impact loads and cracks propagation, into optical signals. This sensor system has potential for wireless, in-situ and distributed sensing (WID). The approach differs from existing fiber optic methods in that it does not require any external light source to function. The optical signal is generated through mechanical excitation of the highly triboluminescent ZnS:Mn. It is then transmitted through optical fibers to photomultiplier tubes (PMT) for detecting, quantifying and locating (with further analysis), intrinsic damage in critical engineering structures like concrete bridges. The TL sensory receptor consists of a sensitized portion of a polymer optical fiber (POF) coated with epoxy containing ZnS:Mn crystals. The sensory receptors were then incorporated into cementitious and polymer samples. Results from preliminary investigation showed that the TL sensory receptor gives repeatable responses under multiple impact loads. The triboluminescent intensity of the signal is directly related to the magnitude of the impact load. Results from dynamic mechanical analysis show a reduction in the Tg of the ITOF coating (TSR) with higher concentration of the triboluminescent (ZnS:Mn) crystals for the epoxy system used. There was however significant enhancement of the modulus with increase in the TL crystals. High-performance epoxy system with the principles of particulate composites would be applied in subsequent work to optimize the properties and performance of the TL sensor system.
Chemical characteristics and acidity of soluble organic substances from a northern hardwood forest floor, central Maine, USA

Abstract Our understanding of the chemistry, structure, and reactions of organic substances in forest floor leachates is limited and incomplete. Therefore, we examined the organic and inorganic chemistry of forest floor leachates collected from a hardwood forest in central Maine over a two-year period (1987–1989), including detailed study of dissolved organic carbon (DOC). Seasonal variations in NH4+, NO3−, K+, and total Al were believed due to organic matter decomposition and release. Leaching of other base cations closely followed that of NO3−. Snowmelt resulted in NO3− levels that decreased in time due to flushing of mineralization/nitrification by-products that had accumulated during the winter months. Total DOC ranged from 2228 to 7193 μmol L−1 with an average of 4835 μmol L−1. Monosaccharides and polyphenols constituted 3.9% (range of 3.4 to 4.4%) and 3.0% (2.2 to 3.7%) of the DOC, respectively, which suggests DOC may contain partially oxidized products that are possibly of a lignocellulose nature. Fractionation of the forest floor DOC indicated high organic acid contents (hydrophobic and hydrophilic acids) that averaged 92% of the total DOC. Organic acids were isolated and analyzed for elemental content (C, H, N, and S), and determination of UV absorptivity ( E 4 E 6 ) ratios, CuO oxidation products, FT-IR and 13C-NMR spectra, and acidity by potentiometric titration. Results from these analyses indicate the organic acids in the forest floor leachates are similar to fulvic acids. Hydrophobic and hydrophilic acids had average exchange acidities of 0.126 and 0.148 μeq μmol−1 C, respectively, and pKa, of 4.23 and 4.33. Their FT-IR and 13C-NMR spectra suggest they are primarily carboxylic acids, with aliphatic and aromatic structure. An organic charge contribution model was developed using titration data, DOC fractionation percentages, and the total DOC in the forest floor leachates. Application of the model to all solutions accounted for 97% of the charge balance deficits. Adjusted values for the flux of C and organic acidity due to organic solutes in forest floor leachates indicated translocation of 112 to 260 kg C ha−1 yr−1 and 460 to 1330 eq ha−1 yr−1, respectively, to the underlying mineral subsurface horizons.
Gazing ‘There and Back Again’: Bilateral Relations as Constructions of Hungarian Identity in the Press

Dans le contexte des dynamiques identitaires generees par le processus d'elargissement de l'Union europeenne a l'Est, l'A. examine la construction de l'identite hongroise dans la presse nationale du pays. Il propose une analyse qualitative du discours sur les relations bilaterales de la Hongrie avec d'autres pays dans les deux principaux quotidiens Magyar Nemzet et Nepszabadsag durant une periode d'activite politique normale : entre le 1 er et le 15 septembre 1999. Les ambitions et les ideaux de la Hongrie, tels qu'ils sont reveles dans la construction discursive des relations bilaterales dans la presse, revele une ethique de l'etre, l'identite exprimee etant principalement definie par rapport a l'Autre - et dans la mesure ou elle se refere aux caracteristiques de la Hongrie elle-meme, elle est centree sur la notion de perte (question des minorites) et orientee vers le passe. La Hongrie apparait ainsi comme obsedee par sa position dans la region, et peu preoccupee par son role en tant qu'acteur sur la scene internationale. Cette position s'avere potentiellement dommageable dans le contexte des efforts de reconnaissance internationale - et notamment europeenne - de la Hongrie en tant que pays de l'Est.
INTERNATIONAL COMPARISON OF TOTAL FACTOR PRODUCTIVITY: A REVIEW

Several different approaches to international comparison of Total Factor Productivity (TFP) have now emerged. Among these are the time-series approach, the panel approach, and the cross-section approach. This paper compares methodologies of these different approaches and results that have been obtained from their application. The comparison of results is conducted in the context of two samples, namely the sample of G7 countries and a large sample that includes developing nations. It is found that while there are broad agreements in results, there exist considerable differences too. The analysis shows how these differences can be related, in part, to differences in methodology. The paper also shows how these different approaches to international TFP-comparison can play a complementary role in enhancing our understanding of such important phenomena as technological diffusion and TFP-convergence.
Best in practice: a model for improved radiologist-technologist collaboration and image optimization.

The past several years have seen rapid innovation in imaging techniques, with both hardware and software changes. These changes have occurred in all modalities, including the development of multichannel CT scanners with lowradiation dose scanning protocols and reconstruction algorithms, ultrasound elastography, parallel transmit and receive MR coils, and the widespread implementation of 3-T field strengths. These imaging changes have led to increasing complexity in the performance of examinations, requiring extensive protocol optimization. At the same time, the development of digital, filmless technology has led to the formation of large, geographically divided departments whose members have limited interactions. The geographic dispersion of imaging departments has led some to advocate for a more independent, decisionmaking role for technologists [1,2]. owever, it has been our experince that the physical separation of echnologists and radiologists has ed to a breakdown in the tradiional team approach between hem. This has been particularly rue in the areas of protocol develpment and image optimization. In an attempt to counteract these evelopments, New York Uniersity Langone Medical Center’s NYULMC) Department of Radiolgy implemented a program called est in Practice (BIP) in our MRI epartment in the summer of 2009.
Modeling Photonic Crystal Fibers for use in Quantum Cryptography Systems

In this paper, we report computer simulations of photonic crystal fibers and attempts to minimize their polarization mode dispersion. This is expected to improve performance of quantum cryptography systems.
Environmental aspects of PAH biodegradation

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are ubiquitous pollutants, some of which are on the US Environmental Protection Agency priority pollutant list. Consequently, timely clean-up of contaminated sites is important. The lower-mol-wt PAHs are amenable to bioremediation; however, higher-mol-wt PAHs seem to be recalcitrant to microbial degradation. The rates of biodegradation of PAHs are highly variable and are dependent not only on PAH structure, but also on the physicochemical parameters of the site as well as the number and types of microorganisms present. PAHs sorb to organic matter in soils and sediments, and the rate of their desorption strongly influences the rate at which microorganisms can degrade the pollutants. Much of the current PAH research focuses on techniques to enhance the bioavailability and, therefore, the degradation rates of PAHs at polluted sites. Degradation products of PAHs are, however, not necessarily less toxic than the parent compounds. Therefore, toxicity assays need to be incorporated into the procedures used to monitor the effectiveness of PAH bioremediation. In addition, this article highlights areas of PAH research that require further investigation.
Item Selection and Ability Estimation Procedures for a Mixed-Format Adaptive Test

In this study we compared five item selection procedures using three ability estimation methods in the context of a mixed-format adaptive test based on the generalized partial credit model. The item selection procedures used were maximum posterior weighted information, maximum expected information, maximum posterior weighted Kullback-Leibler information, and maximum expected posterior weighted Kullback-Leibler information procedures. The ability estimation methods investigated were maximum likelihood estimation (MLE), weighted likelihood estimation (WLE), and expected a posteriori (EAP). Results suggested that all item selection procedures, regardless of the information functions on which they were based, performed equally well across ability estimation methods. The principal conclusions drawn about the ability estimation methods are that MLE is a practical choice and WLE should be considered when there is a mismatch between pool information and the population ability distribution. EAP can serve as a viab...
Parasitized Male Field Crickets Exhibit Reduced Trilling Bout Rates and Durations

The reproductive compensation hypothesis suggests that recently parasitized animals could offset future reproductive losses by increasing their current reproductive effort. We test this hypothesis by determining how male Texas field crickets (Gryllus texensis) alter their mate attraction displays following parasitism by acoustically orienting female parasitoid flies Ormia ochracea (Diptera, Tachinidae, Ormiini). Larval tachinid parasitoids cause little damage in phase I of host infestation. However, substantial host damage occurs in phase II, which results in parasitoid emergence and host death. We predicted that recently parasitized crickets would increase their mate attraction behaviour over pre-parasitism levels to enhance their abilities to attract a mate in phase I. Contrary to our prediction, during phase I neither total signalling time, trilling bout duration, trilling bout rate or amplitude changed from pre-parasitism levels. During phase II male crickets had significantly reduced total signalling times, and produced calls of significantly shorter duration at significantly slower trilling bout rates. Our results suggest that male Texas field crickets do not compensate for their shortened lifespan by increasing their reproductive effort following parasitism.
Un exemple de log-périodicité : la découverte des éléments chimiques

Resume La decouverte des elements chimiques s’est effectuee selon des cycles de duree de plus en plus courte dont l’origine a ete stimulee par des innovations scientifiques majeures. Diverses caracteristiques de ces cycles suggerent que la chronologie de ces decouvertes suit une loi « log-periodique » presentant une convergence vers un temps critique Tc = 2055 ± 25 et un facteur d’autosimilarite, g = 1,30 ± 0,10. A partir de ces valeurs, il est possible de prevoir par un simple calcul la date d’arrivee de ces percees jusqu’au temps critique Tc. Un tel modele a ete propose et justifie par Nottale, Chaline et Grou qui ont mis en evidence des log-periodicites pour des evenements selectionnes dans plusieurs domaines de la physique, dans l’evolution de l’arbre de vie et des crises economiques depuis 10 000 ans.
P- AND SV-WAVE CORNER FREQUENCIES OVER LOW-LOSS PATHS: A DISCRIMINANT FOR EARTHQUAKE SOURCE THEORIES?

Seismic data recorded at Jamestown, California, provide P- and SV-wave spectral corner frequencies for 18 trans-Sierra Nevada events in the range 3.2≤ML≤4.0. These include most of the available earthquakes from 06 July 1974 to 31 August 1975. The ratio R of P- to SV-wave corner frequency was 0.96±0.17 for these events, which sample a wide range of source azimuths and focal mechanisms, Assumptions of a flat far-field source spectrum and frequency-independent attenuation in the 1-20 Hz band lead to Qβ not less than 480. Many recent source theories predict factor-of-two or more variation of R with azimuth, and significant deviation of its average value from unity; we conclude that such source models do not apply to these earthquakes. Previous studies of R by MOLNAR et al. (1973), STUMP (1974), and BAKUN et al. (1975), also based on excellent data, find different results. We interpret this discrepancy not as a contradiction, but as an indication that R may be an extremely useful source-model discriminant, its variation indicating that different models need be applied to different source regions. R may lead to a clearer understanding of the physical processes associated with earthquakes; for example, the only source models that predict a value of unity for R at all azimuths are those in which the corner frequency measures the time duration of motion at the source, thus indicating that this duration is as long as the rupture propagation time across the source.
Invited Review: Prevalence of Shiga Toxin-Producing Escherichia coli in Dairy Cattle and Their Products

The main objective of this review was to assess the role of dairy cattle and their products in human infections with Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC). A large number of STEC strains (e.g., members of the serogroups O26, O91, O103, O111, O118, O145, and O166) have caused major outbreaks and sporadic cases of human illnesses that have ranged from mild diarrhea to the life-threatening hemolytic uremic syndrome. These illnesses were traced to O157 and non-O157 STEC. In most cases, STEC infection was attributed to consumption of ground beef or dairy products that were contaminated with cattle feces. Thus, dairy cattle are considered reservoirs of STEC and can impose a significant health risk to humans. The global nature of food supply suggests that safety concerns with beef and dairy foods will continue and the challenges facing the dairy industry will increase at the production and processing levels. In this review, published reports on STEC in dairy cattle and their products were evaluated to achieve the following specific objectives: 1) to assemble a database on human infections with STEC from dairy cattle, 2) to assess prevalence of STEC in dairy cattle, and 3) to determine the health risks associated with STEC strains from dairy cattle. The latter objective is critically important, as many dairy STEC isolates are known to be of high virulence. Fecal testing of dairy cattle worldwide showed wide ranges of prevalence rates for O157 (0.2 to 48.8%) and non-O157 STEC (0.4 to 74.0%). Of the 193 STEC serotypes of dairy cattle origin, 24 have been isolated from patients with hemolytic uremic syndrome. Such risks emphasize the importance and the need to develop long-term strategies to assure safety of foods from dairy cattle.
Capped-dose mitomycin C: a pooled safety analysis from three prospective clinical trials

Background Mitomycin C (MMC) up-regulates topoisomerase-I and thymidine phosphorylase making it ideal to combine with irinotecan or capecitabine. One of the most devastating toxicities MMC has been associated with is thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura/hemolytic uremic syndrome (TTP/HUS) in 4–15% of patients, especially when receiving cumulative doses higher than 60 mg/m2.
Information graphics: an untapped resource for digital libraries

Information graphics are non-pictorial graphics such as bar charts and line graphs that depict attributes of entities and relations among entities. Most information graphics appearing in popular media have a communicative goal or intended message; consequently, information graphics constitute a form of language. This paper argues that information graphics are a valuable knowledge resource that should be retrievable from a digital library and that such graphics should be taken into account when summarizing a multimodal document for subsequent indexing and retrieval. But to accomplish this, the information graphic must be understood and its message recognized. The paper presents our Bayesian system for recognizing the primary message of one kind of information graphic (simple bar charts) and discusses the potential role of an information graphic's message in indexing graphics and summarizing multimodal documents.
Normal Hematopoiesis and Neurofibromin -Deficient Myeloproliferative Disease Require Erk

Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) predisposes individuals to the development of juvenile myelomonocytic leukemia (JMML), a fatal myeloproliferative disease (MPD). In genetically engineered murine models, nullizygosity of Nf1, a tumor suppressor gene that encodes a Ras-GTPase-activating protein, results in hyperactivity of Raf/Mek/Erk in hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPCs). Activated Erk1/2 phosphorylate kinases and transcription factors with myriad mitogenic roles in diverse cell types. However, genetic studies examining Erk1/2's differential and/or combined control of normal and Nf1-deficient myelopoiesis are lacking. Moreover, prior studies relying on chemical Mek/Erk inhibitors have reached conflicting conclusions in normal and Nf1-deficient mice. Here, we show that while single Erk1 or Erk2 disruption did not grossly compromise myelopoiesis, dual Erk1/2 disruption rapidly ablated granulocyte and monocyte production in vivo, diminished progenitor cell number, and prevented HSPC proliferation in vitro. Genetic disruption of Erk1/2 in the context of Nf1 nullizygosity (Mx1Cre(+)Nf1(flox/flox)Erk1(-/-)Erk2(flox/flox)) fully protects against the development of MPD. Collectively, we identified a fundamental requirement for Erk1/2 signaling in normal and Nf1-deficient hematopoiesis, elucidating a critical hematopoietic function for Erk1/2 while genetically validating highly selective Mek/Erk inhibitors in a leukemia that is otherwise resistant to traditional therapy.
Toward a New Understanding of Two Films from the Dark Side: Utilizing Terror Management Theory to Analyze Rosemary's Baby and Straw Dogs

Abstract Rosemary's Baby and Straw Dogs are New Hollywood films that explore themes of death and violence. Terror management theory (TMT), a theory of the role of death fear in the human striving for significance, is utilized to clarify various aspects of these films, including their use of death imagery and the motivations of the characters, and to reveal some novel parallels between the films.
Immunophenotypic and Functional Characteristics of Haemopoietic Cells from Human Cord Blood

Cord blood (CB) as a new source for bone marrow transplantation represents advantageous features concerning stem cell and leucocyte compartments and function. We attempted to get more information about the phenotypes and function of CB cells by investigating their cell surface markers and also the production of IL-2, IFN-gamma and IL-6 by mitogen and alloantigen stimulation. The CB cells were characterized by a low proportion of CD3+ T cells, CD4+ T subpopulation, activated T cells and CD3+CD16/CD56+ cytotoxic cells, suggesting reduced graft versus host potential. The significant increase of CD19/CD3 double positive cells and decrease of CD19/HLA-DR double positive mature B cells reflect that immature B cells exist in CB. In the functional studies, a 27- and 5-fold reduction was observed in the production of IFN-gamma by CB cells stimulated with PHA and allogeneic cells, respectively. The production of IL-2 in PHA-stimulated CB cells also showed a 50% determination. Decrease in the production of these cytokines by CB cells is supported by the decline of the proportion of CD3+ T cells. However, an increase was observed in the production of IL-6 by CB cells stimulated with allogeneic cells as compared with the controls. These results suggest a difference in the functional activity of the T helper cell subsets between the CB and peripheral blood and/or differences in the functional maturity of T helper cell subsets and B cells in these compartments.
Low-temperature electron transport in GaAs

Abstract For temperatures between 5 and 80 K, electron mobilities in n-type GaAs have been calculated using ionized impurity cross sections derived from the partial wave phase shift method. The mobilities obtained differ significantly from those calculated previously using Brooks-Herring theory. Although agreement with data from a number of experimental samples is good above 30 K, the theoretical mobilities tend to overestimate experiment at lower temperatures. In order to improve the agreement it may be necessary to incorporate the effects of multi-ion scattering and collision-broadening, and to generalize the screened Coulomb scattering potential.
Prevalence and Severity of Diverticular Disease in the Post-Lung Transplant Population – A Single Center’s Experience

Purpose Our aim was to assess the rate and severity of diverticular disease and related complications in a post-lung transplantation population as well as identify risk factors that might be associated with worse outcomes. Methods and Materials We performed a single center cohort study of lung transplant recipients from 2007-2011. Statistical analyses performed included chi-square and Kaplan-Meier survival estimates were assessed with a log rank test. Results There were 202 patients included in our cohort. 39.1% (n=79) had documented diverticulosis and of those patients, 15% (n=12) required a related surgery post-transplant. 6.5% (n=8) of the 123 patients without documented pre-transplant diverticular disease on screening colonoscopy required a surgery for complicated diverticular disease post-transplant. Patients who underwent diverticular-related surgery post-transplant had a significantly worse survival. [ figure 1 ] Identification of pre-transplant diverticular disease on screening colonoscopy did not impact survival post-transplant. Conclusions Patients who undergo intra-abdominal surgery for complications related to diverticular disease have significantly poorer survival than those patients who do not require surgery. Optimal assessment of pre-transplant diverticular disease is necessary to prevent excessive morbidity and mortality following transplantation.
Control and virus-transformed baby hamster kidney cells resistant to ethidium bromide. I. Characterization and the respiratory enzymes.

Cell lines resistant to ethidium bromide have been developed from cultured mammalian BHK21/C13 cells and these same cells transformed by Rous sarcoma virus (C13/B4). Cells resistant to 2 μg ethidium bromide per milliliter have been cloned. One clone of the control and one of the virus-transformed cell lines has been employed for characterization. The resistant cells, in the presence of 2 μg ethidium bromide/ml, grow at approximately the same rate as the untreated parental cells. The control cells possess a “normal” karyotype (44 chromosomes), while the corresponding ethidium bromide mutant has a reduced chromsome number of 41 and a number of translocations. The mitochondria displayed morphological alterations compared to the parental lines during the transition phase prior to the isolation of the ethidium bromide-resistant cells. The mitochondria of the ethidium bromide-resistant mutants appear somewhat enlarged with a normal morphology. The effect of ethidium bromide on selected respiratory enzymes in normal and virus-transformed ethidium bromide-resistant baby hamster kidney cells was determined. Ethidium bromide-resistant cells exhibited a depressed level of cytochrome aa3. This depression could not be reversed by growth in ethidium bromide-free media. Ethidium bromide-resistant cells possessed the same cytochrome b, c, and c1 levels per cell as their corresponding parental lines. Purified mitochondria isolated from virus-transformed ethidium bromide-resistant cells exhibited a depression in cytochrome oxidase-specific activity, while the ethidium bromide-resistant control cells did not. All cell lines studied showed a depression in NADH-ferricyanide and NADH-cytochrome c reductase-specific activities relative to parental BHK21/C13 cells. An increase in succinate dehydrogenase and succinate cytochrome c reductase-specific activities was observed in ethidium bromide-resistant control cells relative to their parental BHK21/C13 cells. No increase was observed in virus-transformed ethidium bromide-resistant cells. Ethidium bromide-resistant control cells exhibited a two-fold increase in oligomycin-insensitive adenosine triphosphatase activity relative to their parental cells. All of the cell lines studied possessed equivalent oligomycin-sensitive adenosine triphosphatase-specific activity except for the virus-transformed, dyeresistant mutant, whose activity was increased.
Redefining Data Locality for Cross-Data Center Storage

Many Cloud applications exploit the diversity of storage options in a data center to achieve desired cost, performance, and durability tradeoffs. It is common to see applications using a combination of memory, local disk, and archival storage tiers within a single data center to meet their needs. For example, hot data can be kept in memory using ElastiCache, and colder data in cheaper, slower storage such as S3, using Amazon as an example. For user-facing applications, a recent trend is to exploit multiple data centers for data placement to enable better latency of access from users to their data. The conventional wisdom is that co-location of computation and storage within the same data center is a key to application performance, so that applications running within a data center are often still limited to access local data. In this paper, using experiments on Amazon, Microsoft, and Google clouds, we show that this assumption is false, and that accessing data in nearby data centers may be faster than local access at different or even same points in the storage hierarchy. This can lead to not only better performance, but also reduced cost, simpler consistency policies and reconsidering data locality in multiple DCs environment. This argues for an expansion of cloud storage tiers to consider non-local storage options, and has interesting implications for the design of a distributed storage system.
Refined Prediction for Linear Regression Models.

Abstract : Adequate prediction of a response variable using a multiple linear regression model is shown in this article to be related to the presence of multicollinearities among the predictor variables. If strong multicollinearities are present in the data, this information can be used to determine when prediction is likely to be accurate. A region of prediction, R, is proposed as a guide for prediction purposes. This region is related to a prediction interval when the matrix of predictor variables is of full column rank, but it can also be used when the sample is undersized. The Gorman-Toman (1966) ten variable data is used to illustrate the effectiveness of the region R. (Author)