cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A Procedure for Accurate Calibration of the Orientation of the Three Sensors in a Vector Magnetometer

We present a procedure for simultaneously determining the orientations of the three sensors of a vector magnetometer and the three coils necessary for calibration. Cartesian coordinate systems in the sensor assembly and in geographic coordinates are established by an optical cube on the sensor and two theodolites on the earth. The relative orientations of these systems are measured by theodolite reflections from the faces of the optical cube. The sensor assembly is placed at the center of the coil assembly and known fields are applied along each coil axis. In each case the vector output is recorded providing three vector measurements. This procedure is repeated a total of four times with the sensor rotated 90° between each set of measurements. The 12 vector measurements are used in an iterative program to determine the 18 direction cosines of sensors and coils. The program assumes the axis orientations are known to roughly one-half degree by construction. With this assumption it is possible to formulate an approximate model which predicts the measurements made in each of the four sensor orientations. Differences between the predictions and measurements are used to calculate a correction to the initial model. This correction is added to the initial model and the calculation repeated. In a computer simulation convergence to 10-7 was obtained in three steps. An analysis of the probable errors suggests an accuracy of about 5 arcseconds should be obtainable. This corresponds to an error of 1 ? in the 50 000 ? earth's field.
The spatio-temporal impacts of demolition land use policy and crime in a shrinking city

Land use change, in the form of urbanization, is one of the most significant forms of global change, and most cities are experiencing a rapid increase in population and infrastructure growth. However, a subset of cities is experiencing a decline in population, which often manifests in the abandonment of residential structures. These vacant and abandoned structures pose a land use challenge to urban planners, and a key question has been how to manage these properties. Often times land use management of these structures takes the form of demolition, but the elimination of infrastructures and can have unknown and sometimes unintended effects on the human–environment interactions in urban areas. This paper examines the association between demolitions and crime, a human–environment interaction that is fostered by vacant and abandoned properties, through a comparative statistical analysis. A cluster analysis is performed to identify high and low hot spots of demolition and crime activity, specifically assault, drug arrests, and prostitution, over a 5-year period. Results show that there is an association between the area targeted for significant demolition activity and the migration of spatial patterns of certain crimes. The direction of crime movement toward the edges of the city limits and in the direction of the first ring suburbs highlights the importance of regional planning when implementing land use policies for smart decline in shrinking cities.
Aggregating Distributed Sensor Data for Network Intrusion Detection

Distributed network intrusion detection systems which incorporate tens, hundreds, even thousands, of sensors are becoming increasing popular. Managing and presenting the information from these sensors is becoming an increasingly difficult task. This paper explores the use of Conversation Exchange Dynamics (CED) to integrate and display sensor information from multiple nodes. We present an experimental setup consisting of multiple sensors reporting individual findings to a central server for aggregated analysis. Different scenarios of network attacks and intrusions were planned to investigate the effectiveness of the distributed system. The network attacks were taken from the M.I.T Lincoln Lab 1999 Data Sets. The distributed system was subjected to different combinations of network attacks in various parts of the network. The results were then analyzed to understand the behavior of the distributed system in response to the different attacks. In general, the distributed system detected all attacks under each scenario. Some surprising observations also indicated attack responses occurring in unanticipated scenarios.
Characterization of Periodic Eigenfunctions of the Fourier Transform Operator

Let the generalized function (tempered distribution) f on ℝ be a p-periodic eigenfunction of the Fourier transform operator F, i.e., f(x + p) = f(x), Ff = λ є ℂ. We show that λ = 1, -i, -1, or + i, that p = √N for some N = 1, 2, ..., and that f has the representation (f(x) = Σ(m = -∞,∞)Σ(n = 0,N - 1)γ[n]δ(x - (n/p) - mp) where δ is the Dirac functional and γ is an eigenfunction of the discrete Fourier transform operator F_N with (F_Nγ)[k] = (1/N)Σ(n = 0,N - 1)γ[n]e^(-2πikn/N) = (λ/√N)γ[k], k = 0, 1, ...,N-1. We generalize this result to p_1, p_2 -periodic eigenfunctions of F on ℝ^2 and to p_1, p_2, p_3 -periodic eigenfunctions of F on ℝ^3.
Comparison of Methodologies for Butyltin Species Determination

This chapter reviews, evaluates, and critically compares the major techniques for the determination of butyltin species; discusses an analytical protocol for good laboratory practice; and presents results of several interlaboratory comparisons, including the certification of PACS-1 (the world’s first certified reference material for butyltins). The certified concentrations for tributyl-, dibutyl-, and monobutyltin are 1.21 ± 0.24, 1.14 ± 0.20, and 0.28 ± 0.17 mg Sn kg-1 of dry sediment, respectively. The uncertainties are 95% confidence intervals for the analysis of an individual subsample.
Modeling of Energy, Water, and CO2 Flux in a Temperate Grassland Ecosystem with SiB2: May–October 1987

Abstract The Simple Biosphere Model, version 2 (SiB2), was designed for use within atmospheric general circulation models as a soil–vegetation–atmosphere transfer scheme that includes CO2 flux prediction. A stand-alone version of SiB2 was used to simulate a grassland at Station 16 of the First ISLSCP Field Experiment (FIFE) located near Manhattan, Kansas, for a period of 142 days of the 1987 growing season. Modeled values of soil temperature and moisture were initialized, using field measurements from the soil profile, and thereafter updated solely by model calculations. The model was driven by half-hourly atmospheric observations and regular observations of canopy biophysics. This arrangement was intended to mimic model forcing in a GCM. Three model versions are compared: (i) a Control run using parameter values taken from look-up tables used for running the Colorado State University GCM; (ii) a Tuned run with many adjustments to optimize SiB2 to this ecosystem; and (iii) a Calibrated run, which calibrat...
Smoking cessation in methadone maintenance

Aims To evaluate relapse prevention (relapse prevention) and contingency management (contingency management) for optimizing smoking cessation outcomes using nicotine replacement therapy for methadone-maintained tobacco smokers. Design Experimental, 2 (relapse prevention)×2 (contingency management) repeated measures design using a platform of nicotine replacement therapy featuring a 2-week baseline period, followed by randomization to 12weeks of treatment, and 6- and 12-month follow-up visits. Setting Three narcotic treatment centers in Los Angeles. Participants One hundred and seventy-five participants who met all inclusion and no exclusion criteria. Intervention Participants received 12weeks of nicotine replacement therapy and assignment to one of four conditions: patch-only, relapse prevention + patch, contingency management + patch and relapse prevention + contingency management + patch. Measurements Thrice weekly samples of breath (analyzed for carbon monoxide) and urine (analyzed for metabolites of opiates and cocaine) and weekly self-reported numbers of cigarettes smoked. Findings Participants (73.1%) completed 12weeks of treatment. During treatment, those assigned to receive contingency management showed statistically higher rates of smoking abstinence than those not assigned to receive contingencies (F3,4680=6.3, P=0.0003), with no similar effect observed for relapse prevention. At follow-up evaluations, there were no significant differences between conditions. Participants provided more opiate and cocaine-free urines during weeks when they met criteria for smoking abstinence than during weeks when they did not meet these criteria (F1,2054=14.38, P=0.0002; F1,2419=16.52, P<0.0001). Conclusions Contingency management optimized outcomes using nicotine replacement therapy for reducing cigarette smoking during treatment for opiate dependence, although long-term effects are not generally maintained. Findings document strong associations between reductions in cigarette smoking and reductions in illicit substance use during treatment.
Role of Interferon Regulatory Factor 7 in T Cell Responses during Acute Lymphocytic Choriomeningitis Virus Infection

Type I interferons (IFNs), predominantly IFN-α and -β, play critical roles in both innate and adaptive immune responses against viral infections. Interferon regulatory factor 7 (IRF7), a key innate immune molecule in the type I IFN signaling pathway, is essential for the type I IFN response to many viruses, including lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV). Here, we show that although IRF7 knockout (KO) mice failed to control the replication of LCMV in the early stages of infection, they were capable of clearing LCMV infection. Despite the lack of type I IFN production, IRF7 KO mice generated normal CD4(+) T cell responses, and the expansion of naive CD8(+) T cells into primary CD8(+) T cells specific for LCMV GP(33-41) was relatively normal. In contrast, the expansion of the LCMV NP(396)-specific CD8(+) T cells was severely impaired in IRF7 KO mice. We demonstrated that this defective CD8(+) T cell response is due neither to an impaired antigen-presenting system nor to any intrinsic role of IRF7 in CD8(+) T cells. The lack of a type I IFN response in IRF7 KO mice did not affect the formation of memory CD8(+) T cells. Thus, the present study provides new insight into the impact of the innate immune system on viral pathogenesis and demonstrates the critical contribution of innate immunity in controlling virus replication in the early stages of infection, which may shape the quality of CD8(+) T cell responses.
Selecting automation for the clinical chemistry laboratory.

Abstract Context.—Laboratory automation proposes to improve the quality and efficiency of laboratory operations, and may provide a solution to the quality demands and staff shortages faced by today's clinical laboratories. Several vendors offer automation systems in the United States, with both subtle and obvious differences. Arriving at a decision to automate, and the ensuing evaluation of available products, can be time-consuming and challenging. Although considerable discussion concerning the decision to automate has been published, relatively little attention has been paid to the process of evaluating and selecting automation systems. Objective.—To outline a process for evaluating and selecting automation systems as a reference for laboratories contemplating laboratory automation. Design.—Our Clinical Chemistry Laboratory staff recently evaluated all major laboratory automation systems in the United States, with their respective chemistry and immunochemistry analyzers. Our experience is described and ...
Interfacial agents for multiphase polymer systems: Recent advances

The rapid growth in the use of multiphase polymer systems (blends and composites) is undoubtedly related to the availability of methods of controlling the physical and chemical interactions at the interface. Compounds acting as interfacial agents are commonly known as “compatibilizers” in blends, or “coupling agents” in composites; their function is to promote adhesion and enhance overall properties. This paper is a review of recent advances in the use of these compounds in immiscible polymer blends and thermoplastic composites. Polymeric compatibilizers are classified according to their method of addition (in situformation vs. separate addition) and reactivity. Reactive low molecular weight compounds are also listed and their various coupling mechanisms are discussed. It is demonstrated that common routes to enhanced adhesion exist for some types of blends and composites. For example, reactive graft copolymers and certain crosslinklng agents are equally effective as adhesion promoters in blends and composites containing a polyolefin phase.
Interpenetrating networks of elastomers exhibiting 300% electrically-induced area strain

Mechanical prestrain is generally required for most electroelastomers to obtain high electromechanical strain and high elastic energy density. However, prestrain can cause several serious problems, including a large performance gap between the active materials and packaged actuators, instability at interfaces between the elastomer and prestrain-supporting structure, and stress relaxation. Difunctional and trifunctional liquid additives were introduced into 400% biaxially prestrained acrylic films and subsequently cured to form the second elastomeric network. The goal of this research was to determine the effect of different functional additives and concentrations on the microstructure, the mechanical properties, and the actuation of composite films. In the as-obtained interpenetrating polymer networks (IPNs), the additive network can effectively support the prestrain of the acrylic films and as a result, eliminate the external prestrain-supporting structure. However, the large amount of additive used to completely preserve prestrain was found to make the films too stiff, causing damage to IPN composite films. Furthermore, the interpenetrating network formed from a trifunctional monomer is more effective than that formed from a difunctional monomer in supporting the high tension of the VHB network. This high efficiency trifunctional additive leads to the enhancement of the breakdown field, due to less damage on the microstructure. The IPN composite films without external prestrain exhibit electrically-induced strains up to 300% in area, comparable to those of VHB 4910 films under high prestrain conditions.
DNA Mismatch Repair Proteins Are Required for Efficient Herpes Simplex Virus 1 Replication

Herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1) is a double-stranded DNA virus that replicates in the nucleus of its human host cell and is known to interact with many cellular DNA repair proteins. In this study, we examined the role of cellular mismatch repair (MMR) proteins in the virus life cycle. Both MSH2 and MLH1 are required for efficient replication of HSV-1 in normal human cells and are localized to viral replication compartments. In addition, a previously reported interaction between MSH6 and ICP8 was confirmed by coimmunoprecipitation and extended to show that UL12 is also present in this complex. We also report for the first time that MLH1 associates with ND10 nuclear bodies and that like other ND10 proteins, MLH1 is recruited to the incoming genome. Knockdown of MLH1 inhibits immediate-early viral gene expression. MSH2, on the other hand, which is generally thought to play a role in mismatch repair at a step prior to that of MLH1, is not recruited to incoming genomes and appears to act at a later step in the viral life cycle. Silencing of MSH2 appears to inhibit early gene expression. Thus, both MLH1 and MSH2 are required but appear to participate in distinct events in the virus life cycle. The observation that MLH1 plays an earlier role in HSV-1 infection than does MSH2 is surprising and may indicate a novel function for MLH1 distinct from its known MSH2-dependent role in mismatch repair.
High frequency of virus-specific interleukin-2-producing CD4(+) T cells and Th1 dominance during lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus infection.

Analysis of C57BL/6 mice acutely infected with lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV) by using intracellular cytokine staining revealed a high frequency (2 to 10%) of CD4+ T cells secreting the Th1-associated cytokines interleukin-2 (IL-2), gamma interferon (IFN-γ), and tumor necrosis factor alpha, with no concomitant increase in the frequency of CD4+ T cells secreting the Th2-associated cytokines IL-4, IL-5, and IL-10 following stimulation with viral peptides. In LCMV-infected C57BL/6 CD8−/− mice, more than 20% of the CD4+ T cells secreted IFN-γ after viral peptide stimulation, whereas less than 1% of the CD4+ T cells secreted IL-4 under these same conditions. Mice persistently infected with a high dose of LCMV clone 13 also generated a virtually exclusive Th1 response. Thus, LCMV induces a much more profound virus-specific CD4+ T-cell response than previously recognized, and it is dramatically skewed to a Th1 phenotype.
Rate rRegions for coherent and noncoherent multisource network error correction

In this paper we derive capacity regions for network error correction with both known and unknown topologies (coherent and non-coherent network coding) under a multiple-source multicast transmission scenario. For the multiple-source non-multicast scenario, given any achievable network code for the error-free case, we construct a code with a reduced rate region for the case with errors.
Oxidized ATP Protection against Anthrax Lethal Toxin

Bacillus anthracis lethal toxin (LT) induces rapid lysis (<90 min) of murine macrophages from certain inbred strains. The mechanism for LT-induced cytolysis is currently unknown. We hypothesized that the ATP-activated macrophage P2X7 receptors implicated in nucleotide-mediated macrophage lysis could play a role in LT-mediated cytolysis and discovered that a potent P2X7 antagonist, oxidized ATP (o-ATP), protects macrophages against LT. Other P2X7 receptor antagonists, however, had no effect on LT function, while oxidized nucleotides, o-ADP, o-GTP, and o-ITP, which did not act as receptor ligands, provided protection. Cleavage of the LT substrates, the mitogen-activated protein kinases, was inhibited by o-ATP in RAW274.6 macrophages and CHO cells. We investigated the various steps in the intoxication pathway and found that binding of the protective-antigen (PA) component of LT to cells and the enzymatic proteolytic ability of the lethal factor (LF) component of LT were unaffected by o-ATP. Instead, the drug inhibited formation of the sodium dodecyl sulfate-resistant PA oligomer, which occurs in acidified endosomes, but did not prevent cell surface PA oligomerization, as evidenced by binding and translocation of LF to a protease-resistant intracellular location. We found that o-ATP also protected cells from anthrax edema toxin and diphtheria toxin, which also require an acidic environment for escape from endosomes. Confocal microscopy using pH-sensitive fluorescent dyes showed that o-ATP increased endosomal pH. Finally, BALB/cJ mice injected with o-ATP and LT were completely protected against lethality.
Functional minimalism versus ethnicity in explaining lithic patterns in the Levantine Epipalaeolithic

The relationship between raw material availability, economizing behaviours and technological procedures undoubtedly influenced the configurations of Levantine Epipalaeolithic assemblages, as has been well recognized for over 20 years (Bar-Yosef 1970; Henry 1973). Other 'functional factors' have also been examined — environmental settings, settlement mobility and provisioning strategies. While each factor has been shown to have influenced the specific configurations of Epipalaeolithic assemblages, none (other than broad environmental settings) has been shown to account for the large-scale patterned variability that distinguishes the three major taxa, the Geometric Kebaran, Natufian, and Mushabian complexes. This is why most prehistorians working in the region hold that ethnicity, at some scale, provides the most robust explanation for the patterned variability observed and for the temporal and geographic distributions at the taxonomic level of 'complex'.
Bringing the “General Strike” Back In: DuBois, Slavery and Emancipation

ABSTRACTThe “general strike” of slaves in the Civil War was a direct action that involved millions of small and large acts of defiance by slaves. These actions pushed President Lincoln from hesitation to full on military action, although this chapter of history has been neglected. The work of W.E.B. Du Bois reinserted the agency of slaves in their own liberation through the “general strike” but this analysis has also been pushed to the margins. David Roediger's “Seizing Freedom: Slave Emancipation and Liberty for All' is an important corrective to this historical omission.
Sum over Histories Representation for Kinetic Sensitivity Analysis: How Chemical Pathways Change When Reaction Rate Coefficients Are Varied

The sensitivity of kinetic observables is analyzed using a newly developed sum over histories representation of chemical kinetics. In the sum over histories representation, the concentrations of the chemical species are decomposed into the sum of probabilities for chemical pathways that follow molecules from reactants to products or intermediates. Unlike static flux methods for reaction path analysis, the sum over histories approach includes the explicit time dependence of the pathway probabilities. Using the sum over histories representation, the sensitivity of an observable with respect to a kinetic parameter such as a rate coefficient is then analyzed in terms of how that parameter affects the chemical pathway probabilities. The method is illustrated for species concentration target functions in H2 combustion where the rate coefficients are allowed to vary over their associated uncertainty ranges. It is found that large sensitivities are often associated with rate limiting steps along important chemical pathways or by reactions that control the branching of reactive flux.
PGC1α drives NAD biosynthesis linking oxidative metabolism to renal protection

PGC1α protects against kidney injury by upregulating enzymes that enhance nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD) and driving local accumulation of the fatty acid breakdown product β-hydroxybutyrate, which leads to increased production of the renoprotective prostaglandin E2. Samir Parikh and colleagues show that the mitochondrial biogenesis regulator PGC1α protects against kidney injury by regulating NAD biosynthesis. In a mouse model, PGC1α upregulates NAMPT, an enzyme required form for NAD+ biosynthesis, and drives local accumulation of the fatty acid breakdown product β-hydroxybutyrate. This, in turn, leads to increased production of the renoprotective prostaglandin PGE2. The authors further show that treatment with the NAD precursor nicotinamide (NAM) can reverse established ischaemic kidney injury. The energetic burden of continuously concentrating solutes against gradients along the tubule may render the kidney especially vulnerable to ischaemia. Acute kidney injury (AKI) affects 3% of all hospitalized patients1,2. Here we show that the mitochondrial biogenesis regulator, PGC1α3,4, is a pivotal determinant of renal recovery from injury by regulating nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD) biosynthesis. Following renal ischaemia, Pgc1α−/− (also known as Ppargc1a−/−) mice develop local deficiency of the NAD precursor niacinamide (NAM, also known as nicotinamide), marked fat accumulation, and failure to re-establish normal function. Notably, exogenous NAM improves local NAD levels, fat accumulation, and renal function in post-ischaemic Pgc1α−/− mice. Inducible tubular transgenic mice (iNephPGC1α) recapitulate the effects of NAM supplementation, including more local NAD and less fat accumulation with better renal function after ischaemia. PGC1α coordinately upregulates the enzymes that synthesize NAD de novo from amino acids whereas PGC1α deficiency or AKI attenuates the de novo pathway. NAM enhances NAD via the enzyme NAMPT and augments production of the fat breakdown product β-hydroxybutyrate, leading to increased production of prostaglandin PGE2 (ref. 5), a secreted autacoid that maintains renal function. NAM treatment reverses established ischaemic AKI and also prevented AKI in an unrelated toxic model. Inhibition of β-hydroxybutyrate signalling or prostaglandin production similarly abolishes PGC1α-dependent renoprotection. Given the importance of mitochondrial health in ageing and the function of metabolically active organs, the results implicate NAM and NAD as key effectors for achieving PGC1α-dependent stress resistance.
Game Theory with Applications to Economics, 2d ed., by James W. Friedman

(1992). Game Theory with Applications to Economics, 2d ed., by James W. Friedman. The Journal of Economic Education: Vol. 23, No. 1, pp. 89-92.
VizBib: Visual Culture

A scan of recent popular, professional, and research publications, films, and other media of interest to visual communicators, artists, and scholars.
Shear-induced crystallization in jammed systems.

Simulations are used to address the effects of oscillating shear strain on jammed systems composed of spherical particles. The simulations show that shear oscillations with amplitudes of more than a few percent lead to substantial crystallization of the system. To ensure that the conclusions are independent of the simulation methodology, a range of simulations are carried out that use both molecular dynamics and athermal dynamics methods, soft and hard potentials, potentials with and without attractive forces, and systems with and without surrounding walls. The extent of crystallization is monitored primarily by the ${Q}_{6}$ order parameter, but also in some simulations by the potential energy and the radial distribution function, and by direct visual inspection. A mechanism is proposed for shear-induced crystallization of jammed systems, based on fold catastrophes of the free-energy landscape.
Interpreted Information Exchange: Systematic Approach for BIM to Engineering Analysis Information Transformations

AbstractTransforming a building information model to an engineering analytical model is tedious and time consuming. With the current state of interoperability, after importing the building information model, the designer makes extensive modifications to prepare the model for analysis. This issue could be addressed by automating the model transformation process. In this paper, an automated interpretation mechanism referred to as interpreted information exchange (IIE) is presented and compared with the conventional direct information exchange (DIE). Moreover, a methodology is proposed for design and standardization of this type of information exchange to facilitate its implementation. Subsequently, application of IIE for engineering analyses is illustrated by explaining and validating a case study platform developed for interpreting the structural analytical model from the architectural model. Furthermore, based on the experience gained as a result of developing this tool, the considerations that need to be...
The Polymorphism of Apolipoprotein B Gene VNTR and the Behavior Life Style in Rural Population: a Study on the Interaction Effect in Longevity

Objective To study the interaction effect in longevity between polymorphism of apolipoprotein B(ApoB) gene VNTR and behavior life style in rural population of Wuyi.Methods A sampling survey and physical examination were conducted among longevity and control population with a total of 346 residents.Genomic DNA was extracted and used to detect polymorphisms of 3' VNTR of the ApoB gene by employing polymerase chain reaction(PCR).Crossover analysis was conducted to explore the interaction effect between the gene and life style.Results Eating meat often and current smoking were risk factors of longevity(OR = 0.448 and 0.391,P 0.05);eating fresh vegetables often and eating bean products often were protective factors of longevity(OR = 2.523 and 3.444,P 0.05).The polymorphism of ApoB VNTR indicated that the big allele was a risk factor of longevity(OR = 0.208,P 0.05).Eating meat often and current smoking had obvious cooperative interaction with the ApoB VNTR big allele(OR = 4.016 and 4.362,P 0.05).Conclusion The interaction effects in longevity between the polymorphism of apolipoprotein B VNTR and the behavior life style do exist in rural population of Wuyi.
Sleep Drive Is Encoded by Neural Plastic Changes in a Dedicated Circuit

Prolonged wakefulness leads to an increased pressure for sleep, but how this homeostatic drive is generated and subsequently persists is unclear. Here, from a neural circuit screen in Drosophila, we identify a subset of ellipsoid body (EB) neurons whose activation generates sleep drive. Patch-clamp analysis indicates these EB neurons are highly sensitive to sleep loss, switching from spiking to burst-firing modes. Functional imaging and translational profiling experiments reveal that elevated sleep need triggers reversible increases in cytosolic Ca(2+) levels, NMDA receptor expression, and structural markers of synaptic strength, suggesting these EB neurons undergo "sleep-need"-dependent plasticity. Strikingly, the synaptic plasticity of these EB neurons is both necessary and sufficient for generating sleep drive, indicating that sleep pressure is encoded by plastic changes within this circuit. These studies define an integrator circuit for sleep homeostasis and provide a mechanism explaining the generation and persistence of sleep drive.
Cisplatin, cyclophosphamide and doxorubicin chemotherapy for unresectable urothelial tumors: the M.D. Anderson experience.

AbstractWe reviewed retrospectively 97 patients treated with cisplatin, cyclophosphamide and doxorubicin chemotherapy at our hospital to evaluate predictive variables for response to chemotherapy and long-term survival free of disease. Histological subtype influenced response: 70 per cent of the patients with pure transitional cell carcinoma achieved an objective response (partial remission 31 per cent and complete remission 39 per cent), whereas 45 per cent of those with mixed tumors achieved response (partial remission 20 per cent and complete remission 25 per cent). Patients with nodal metastases only had an equal over-all response rate to those with visceral metastasis (64 versus 62 per cent) but patients with nodal metastases had a higher complete remission rate (45 versus 20 per cent).A total of 35 patients (36 per cent) achieved a complete response. In 17 of the 35 patients the duration of response was less than 100 weeks and 18 (51 per cent) have survived longer than 100 weeks. Of the 17 patients ...
Rare-Earth Magnet Ingestion–Related Injuries in the Pediatric Population A Review

Foreign-body ingestions are common among children and usually resolve with limited, if any, treatment. The ingestion of rare-earth magnets, however, commonly results in serious injury or death. These dangerous high-powered magnets can be found in the United States in a variety of consumer products, including magnetic toy sets designed for children and adults. The ingestion of one of such magnet is unlikely to cause significant harm. However, if multiple magnets are ingested, or if a magnet is ingested along with a metal object, the magnets are powerful enough to attract each other through the walls of the intestine, potentially resulting in significant internal damage. Rare-earth magnet ingestion cases are difficult to diagnose and the symptoms are not easy to differentiate from other causes of gastrointestinal illness or pain. However, delays in medical treatment can lead to serious injury or death. This review article describes the epidemiology of rare-earth magnet ingestion-related injuries and provides recommendations for diagnosis and treatment. Federal regulatory efforts related to rare-earth magnets and other prevention strategies are also discussed.
Alignment between Lean Principles and Practices and Worker Safety Behavior

AbstractAlignment and synergy between the areas of lean construction and safety management are expected because all near misses and injury incidents represent waste from the lean perspective. This paper describes a research study of lean and safety principles and practices with regards to worker behavior and safety practices. Specifically, the study aimed to investigate the extent of alignment between lean construction principles/practices and worker behaviors associated with construction safety. To conduct the study, the researchers used a multistep process involving a comprehensive literature review, document content analyses by an expert panel, and a survey of industry practitioners knowledgeable about lean construction. The findings support the perspective that many similarities exist between the application and impacts of lean and safety principles and practices. Lean practitioners surveyed believe that implementation of the last planner system as a lean practice is most beneficial to the following s...
Sedimentation Velocity in the Study of Reversible Multiprotein Complexes

Analytical ultracentrifugation (AUC) is one of the classic methods in the study of biological macromolecules. Developed by Svedberg in the 1920s, it was a central tool to show, for the first time, the existence of macromolecules in solution (Svedberg and Fahraeus, 1926). Owing to the commercial instrument developed by Pickels (Elzen, 1988), it was in widespread use in the following decades to study the physicochemical properties of proteins and nucleic acids, including their size, shape, and reversible complex formation (Schachman, 1959). Although in the 1970s and 1980s AUC use in mainstream biochemistry laboratories went into a temporary decline, preparative centrifuges had been spawned by AUC and continued to represent a basic tool of most biochemical laboratories (Elzen, 1988). In the 1990s, with the increasing availability and sophistication of recombinant protein expression, with the general interest in protein interactions emerging, and with improved AUC instrumentation and modern computational capabilities making the study of the sedimentation of interacting systems more accessible, AUC experienced a renaissance, as it was recognized that the ultracentrifuge could provide important and unique information on protein interactions (Schachman, 1989, 1992). In this book, two chapters are devoted to describe the capabilities of AUC for the biophysical study of complex interacting systems; sedimentation velocity (SV) AUC, which examines the time course of sedimentation, and sedimentation equilibrium (SE) AUC (see Chapter 10), which is concerned with the thermodynamic analysis of the final macromolecular distribution.
Catalytic dehydrocoupling of amines and boranes by an incipient tin(II) hydride

The facile heterodehydrocoupling of a range of primary or secondary amines and even ammonia with pinacolborane (HBPin) was accomplished using {ArMe6Sn(μ-OMe)}2 (1, ArMe6 = C6H3-2,6-(C6H2-2,4,6-Me3)2) as pre-catalysts for a catalytically active tin(II) hydride. The more sterically hindered pre-catalyst 2, {AriPr4Sn(μ-OMe)}2 (AriPr4 = C6H3-2,6-(C6H3-2,6-iPr2)2) facilitated the dehydrocoupling only of primary amines with HBPin, and at an increased rate relative to the less crowded {ArMe6Sn(μ-OMe)}2. Also presented is {ArMe6Sn(μ-NEt2)}2 (3), which can be converted into the structurally characterizable {ArMe6Sn(μ-NEt2)(μ-H)SnArMe6} (4) via the addition of pinacol borane. This, alongside stoichiometric studies, give insight into the mechanism of the catalysis.
The Kinetics of Early Intermediate Processes in the Photolysis of Visual Pigments

The sensory process of vision is unique in that the molecules actually receiving the sensory stimulus have characteristic visible absorption spectra. This property not only permits their ready identification but also affords a very sensitive means of monitoring molecular events that follow light absorption. As these spectral changes can be measured precisely on a time scale of the order of milliseconds and less, concomitant with early electrophysiological events, the possibility of relating the two becomes iminent.
Internet congestion control with network measurement support

The Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) manages a large fraction of Internet traffic. It relies on loss or delay measures to infer the existence of congestion (or lack thereof), and reacts by increasing/decreasing a flow transmission rate. Without an accurate estimate of the available bandwidth on the communication channel, TCP is either too aggressive leading to more congestion, or too conservative leading to low channel utilization. Recent advances in bandwidth estimation tools can help TCP achieve better channel efficiency while maintaining fairness among competing flows. In this paper, we propose a rate-based congestion control algorithm that relies on a bandwidth estimation tool, Forecaster, and investigate its performance. Experimental results reveal its superiority to existing algorithms in efficiently using the available bandwidth and in its resilience to lossy channels, making the algorithm suitable for common HTTP short flows and for communication over network paths with wireless hops.
The Role of Megakaryocytes in Breast Cancer Metastasis to Bone

Little is known about how megakaryocytes may affect metastasis beyond serving as a source of platelets. In this study, we explored the functional implications of megakaryocyte accumulation in the femurs of mice after injection of metastatic or non-metastatic breast cancer cells in 4T1.2 BALB/cJ and MDA-MB-231 nude mouse models. At bone metastatic sites, but not primary growth sites, tumor growth was associated with increased megakaryopoiesis in both model systems. In the orthotopic BALB/cJ model, extramedullary hematopoiesis occurred in the spleen, resulting in a four-fold increase in megakaryocytes. In support of the hypothesis that reducing megakaryocytes may reduce metastasis, we found that thrombopoietin-deficient mice exhibited a 90% relative decrease in megakaryocytes, yet they developed more aggressive metastasis than wild-type hosts. In human clinical specimens, we observed an increase in megakaryocytes in the bone marrow of 6/8 patients with metastatic breast cancer compared with age- and gender-matched controls. Taken together, our results suggested that an increase in megakaryocytes occurring in response to metastatic cells entering the bone marrow confers some measure of protection against metastasis, challenging present views on the role of megakaryocytes in this setting. Cancer Res; 77(8); 1942-54. ©2017 AACR.
Biomechanics of the classic metaphyseal lesion: finite element analysis

The classic metaphyseal lesion (CML) is strongly associated with infant abuse, but the biomechanics responsible for this injury have not been rigorously studied. Radiologic and CT-pathological correlates show that the distal tibial CML always involves the cortex near the subperiosteal bone collar, with variable extension of the fracture into the medullary cavity. Therefore, it is reasonable to assume that the primary site of bone failure is cortical, rather than intramedullary. This study focuses on the strain patterns generated from finite element modeling to identify loading scenarios and regions of the cortex that are susceptible to bone failure. A geometric model was constructed from a normal 3-month-old infant’s distal tibia and fibula. The model’s boundary conditions were set to mimic forceful manipulation of the ankle with eight load modalities (tension, compression, internal rotation, external rotation, dorsiflexion, plantar flexion, valgus bending and varus bending). For all modalities except internal and external rotation, simulations showed increased cortical strains near the subperiosteal bone collar. Tension generated the largest magnitude of cortical strain (24%) that was uniformly distributed near the subperiosteal bone collar. Compression generated the same distribution of strain but to a lesser magnitude overall (15%). Dorsiflexion and plantar flexion generated high (22%) and moderate (14%) localized cortical strains, respectively, near the subperiosteal bone collar. Lower cortical strains resulted from valgus bending, varus bending, internal rotation and external rotation (8–10%). The highest valgus and varus bending cortical strains occurred medially. These simulations suggest that the likelihood of the initial cortical bone failure of the CML is higher along the margin of the subperiosteal bone collar when the ankle is under tension, compression, valgus bending, varus bending, dorsiflexion and plantar flexion, but not under internal and external rotation. Focal cortical strains along the medial margins of the subperiosteal bone collar with varus and valgus bending may explain the known tendency for focal distal tibial CMLs to occur medially. Further research is needed to determine the threshold of applied forces required to produce this strong indicator of infant abuse.
Abstract 4910: Eribulin rapidly impairs TGF-β signaling

Microtubule targeting agents (MTAs) continue to be valuable in treating breast cancer. While decades of research have shown that these drugs cause mitotic arrest in cells by suppressing the dynamic instability of microtubules, recent evidence demonstrates that the ability of MTAs to disrupt the microtubule-dependent transport of key signaling components in interphase cells likely contributes to their anticancer actions. Cell signaling messages are relayed by proteins that organize or scaffold signaling hubs. These signaling nodes facilitate the complex organization and coordination of multiple signaling partners. NEDD9 is a member of the CAS scaffold family and it has been shown to coordinate TGF-β signaling, a driver of oncogenesis and epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT). Ligand-mediated stimulation of TGF-β receptors leads to the activation of downstream canonical and non-canonical signaling pathways. These pathways collectively induce the expression of Snail and Slug, key transcriptional-repressors that promote EMT. We tested the hypothesis that a short-term treatment of breast cancer cells with eribulin or 3 other clinically relevant MTAs would differentially disrupt interphase microtubules and alter TGF-β-dependent signaling. BT-549 cells were treated for 2 h with concentrations of MTAs that are clinically relevant and cause maximum disruption of the interphase microtubule network; 100 nM was used for the destabilizers, eribulin and vinorelbine and 1 µM was used for the stabilizers, paclitaxel and ixabepilone. The results showed that eribulin and vinorelbine significantly inhibited TGF-β- induced expression of Snail and Slug. The microtubule stabilizers had no effect on Snail and Slug expression following TGF-β stimulation. Further studies evaluated whether NEDD9 contributes to the downregulation of Snail and Slug. Co-immunoprecipitation and knockdown studies suggest that eribulin impairs the ability of NEDD9 to scaffold TGF-β signaling partners, thus inhibiting downstream transcriptional signaling. Consistent with the ability of eribulin to reverse EMT in experimental models within 7 days, this study begins to shed light on the mechanisms underlying its action. Funding for this work was provided by Eisai Inc. Citation Format: Roma Kaul, April L. Risinger, Susan L. Mooberry. Eribulin rapidly impairs TGF-β signaling [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2017; 2017 Apr 1-5; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2017;77(13 Suppl):Abstract nr 4910. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2017-4910
Using Application-Level Thread Progress Information to Manage Power and Performance

Power and thermal limitations make it impossible to run all cores on a multicore system at their maximum frequency. Therefore, modern systems require careful power management. These systems must manage complex tradeoffs between energy, power, and frequency, choosing which cores to accelerate to achieve good performance while maintaining energy efficiency or operating under a power budget. Navigating these tradeoffs is especially hard with multi-threaded applications, where performance depends on the relative progress of parallel worker threads between synchronization points. Prior work on chip-level power management for multi-threaded applications has largely relied on indirect heuristics and metrics calculated from low-level performance counters to estimate each thread's progress. However, these indirect metrics are often inaccurate. Instead, we propose to gather progress information directly from software itself. We present ThreadBeats, a simple application-level annotation framework that directly and accurately conveys thread progress information to hardware. We design DVFS controllers that exploit ThreadBeats information for two purposes: (i) improving performance by equalizing thread progress and (ii) minimizing runtime under a power budget constraint. These controllers reduce wait time at barriers by 77% on average and improve energy-delay product under a power budget by 23% over prior work.
Welfare improvement windows for innovation policy

Abstract The question this article addresses is, how far from its optimal level can an innovation policy be implemented at, yet still improve social welfare relative to the laissez-faire outcome? The concern for policymakers is that even an intervention which enhances welfare if set at its optimal magnitude might actually make matters worse if implemented to the wrong degree. Understanding the performance of suboptimal policy levels is practically important, since the complexity and uncertainty of innovation make optimal policy magnitudes elusive in the real world. The model developed herein to investigate this issue is an R&D rivalry game where firms invest in R&D, then engage in Cournot competition. A policymaker seeks to improve welfare by choosing the levels of an R&D subsidy and consumer price subsidy. Results show that the welfare improvement window, defined as the set of all policy levels that improve social welfare, can be worryingly narrow. However, certain features of an innovation process and market lead to wider welfare improvement windows, such as stronger spillovers and moderately costly R&D. Policymakers stand a better chance of improving social welfare by intervening where these features are present.
UTILIZATION OF UREA AND OTHER SOURCES OF NON-PROTEIN NITROGEN BY THE CHICKEN

Publisher Summary The utilization of nitrogen from various non-protein sources of nitrogen by monogastric animals for the synthesis of nonessential amino acids has been established. Differences in the results of the majority of the studies have been of a quantitative nature, that is, the extent to which the non-protein nitrogen utilization occurs. The type of diet to which the non-protein nitrogen is added is an all important factor in the extent to which the nitrogen is utilized. This chapter focuses primarily on the utilization of non-protein nitrogen by the chicken. It discusses diets containing natural feedstuffs and use of synthetic diets. Attempts to obtain satisfactory utilization of various sources of non-protein nitrogen by chicks fed diets containing natural feedstuffs have, for the most part, been unsuccessful. Studies with chicks fed synthetic-type diets devoid of nonessential amino acids have demonstrated the utilization of various sources of non-protein nitrogen, including urea and diammonium citrate. However, the chick lacks the ability to synthesize glycine and proline in amounts commensurate with the needs for rapid growth. The extent to which the observed requirement for glutamic acid reveals a dietary requirement for a nonspecific source of nitrogen rather than glutamic acid per se remains unsettled.