cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Mutagenic effect of cadmium on tetranucleotide repeats in human cells

Cadmium is a human carcinogen that affects cell proliferation, apoptosis and DNA repair processes that are all important to carcinogenesis. We previously demonstrated that cadmium inhibits DNA mismatch repair (MMR) in yeast cells and in human cell-free extracts (H.W. Jin, A.B. Clark, R.J.C. Slebos, H. Al-Refai, J.A. Taylor, T.A. Kunkel, M.A. Resnick, D.A. Gordenin, Cadmium is a mutagen that acts by inhibiting mismatch repair, Nat. Genet. 34 (3) (2003) 326-329), but cadmium also inhibits DNA excision repair. For this study, we selected a panel of three hypermutable tetranucleotide markers (MycL1, D7S1482 and DXS981) and studied their suitability as readout for the mutagenic effects of cadmium. We used a clonal derivative of the human fibrosarcoma cell line HT1080 to assess mutation levels in microsatellites after cadmium and/or N-methyl-N-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine (MNNG) exposure to study effects of cadmium in the presence or absence of base damage. Mutations were measured in clonally expanded cells obtained by limiting dilution after exposure to zero dose, 0.5 microM cadmium, 5 nM MNNG or a combination of 0.5 microM cadmium and 5 nM MNNG. Exposure of HT1080-C1 to cadmium led to statistically significant increases in microsatellite mutations, either with or without concurrent exposure to MNNG. A majority of the observed mutant molecules involved 4-nucleotide shifts consistent with DNA slippage mutations that are normally repaired by MMR. These results provide evidence for the mutagenic effects of low, environmentally relevant levels of cadmium in intact human cells and suggest that inhibition of DNA repair is involved.
The synthesis of neosporol: a trichothecene in search of a natural product

Abstract The synthesis of neosporol 14, a yet to be discovered trichothecene, is described. The critical reaction is a highly diastereoselective Claisen rearrangement that sets the C5C6 stereochemistry.
Blind thrust systems

Blind faults are documented from 20 thrust systems throughout the world. They occur as single faults, sets of faults, or entire thrust systems. The overlying cover responds to the formation of the blind system by backthrusting, coupling, forethrusting, and deposition. The relative importance of the first three responses for pretectonic cover is represented in a ternary backthrusting-coupling-forethrusting diagram. Pretectonic cover of blind systems deforms by either a combination of coupling and forethrusting or a combination of backthrusting and coupling.
Very Large Poisson’s Ratio with a Bounded Transverse Strain in Anisotropic Elastic Materials

In a recent paper by Ting and Chen [18] it was shown by examples that Poisson’s ratio can have no bounds for all anisotropic elastic materials. With the exception of cubic materials, the examples presented involve a very large transverse strain. We show here that a very large Poisson’s ratio with a bounded transverse strain exists for all anisotropic elastic materials. The large Poisson’s ratio with a bounded transverse strain occurs when the axial strain is in the direction very near or at the direction along which Young’s modulus is very large. In fact the transverse strain has to be very small for the material to be stable. If the non-dimensionalized Young’s modulus is of the order δ−1, where δ is very small, the axial strain, the transverse strain and Poisson’s ratio are of the order δ, δ1/2 and δ−1/2, respectively.
The impact of urbanization on major ion flux through catchments: A case study in Southern England

Although much is known about chemical denudation and nutrient cycling through catchments, little has been done to identify and explain changes in major ion flux upon urbanization. Fifty-two weekly samples of precipitation and stream waters were analyzed for 9 major ions totaling 95% of the total dissolved solids for a catchment in southern England. Net major ion export rates from the urban area are between 2 and 104 times those for the rural areas. This increase is attributed both to accelerated denudation and non-denudational anthropogenic sources. Estimates of both components indicate that between 50 and 60% of the dissolved ions removed from urban areas is non-denudational. This translates to possible increases in the chemical denudation rate of up to six-fold upon urbanization.
A MAPK Scaffold Lends a Helping Hand

The scaffold proteins of signaling pathways are thought to act as passive tethering devices bringing together catalytic components of signaling cascades. Good et al. (2009) now reveal that in the budding yeast the scaffold protein Ste5 acts as an allosteric activator of the mitogen-activated protein kinase Fus3, rendering it competent to be a kinase substrate for signal transmission.
Cytometry of mammalian sperm

Male germ cells respond dramatically to a variety of insults and are important reproductive dosimeters. Semen analyses are very useful in studies on the effects of drugs, chemicals, and environmental hazards on testicular function, male fertility and heritable germinal mutations. The accessibility of male cells makes them well suited for analytical cytology. We might automate the process of determining sperm morphology but should not do so solely for increased speed. Rather, richer tangible benefits will derive from cytometric evaluation through increased sensitivity, reduced subjectivity, standardization between investigators and laboratories, enhanced archival systems, and the benefits of easily exchanged standardized data. Inroads on the standardization of assays for motility and functional integrity are being made. Flow cytometric analysis of total DNA content of individual sperm is an insensitive means to detect exposure to reproductive toxins because of the small size and low frequency of the DNA content errors. Flow cytometry can be applied to determine the proportions of X- and Y-sperm in semen samples.
Surface modification of soft contact lenses: Silanization, wettability and lysozyme adsorption studies

The surface reactions of poly(2-hydroxyethylmethacrylate) (PHEMA) and the copolymer poly(HEMA-methacrylic acid) (PHEMA/MAA) with methyltrimethoxysilane, ethyltrimethoxysilane and phenyltrimethoxysilane have been characterized by attenuated total reflectance-Fourier transform infrared (ATR-FTIR) spectroscopy. A model compound, hydroxyethyl isobutyrate was synthesized and subsequently reacted with phenyltrimethoxysilane. Its FTIR spectrum was compared with the ATR-FTIR spectra mentioned above. Protein adsorption experiments showed that silanized PHEMA/MAA soft contact lenses adsorbed less lysozyme than the untreated lenses.
Conical shock-wave angle.

Conical shock-wave angle expressions compared for axisymmetric air flow past cone with attached shock wave
The treatment of venous thromboembolism in special populations

Anticoagulant therapy for the typical venous thromboembolism patient is straightforward with predictably favorable outcomes. However, for certain patients with venous thromboembolism, there remains uncertainty and controversy about optimal treatment. These controversial areas include venous thromboembolism patients with: heparin resistance, renal insufficiency, morbid obesity, cancer, antiphospholipid antibody syndrome, recurrent thrombosis despite appropriate anticoagulation, and patients with unprovoked VTE who may or may not benefit from thrombophilia testing. This review summarizes the current data for these special patient populations with venous thromboembolism and provides our recommendations for management.
Cytochemical localization of pectinase activity in laticifers ofNerium oleander L.

A method is described for the cytochemical localization of pectinase activity at the ultrastructural level. The procedure involves the use of Benedict's reagent to form an electron-dense copper precipitate when reacted with reducing sugars liberated from exogenously supplied pectin. Using this technique, pectinase activity was examined in the nonarticulated, branched laticifers ofNerium oleander. Electron opaque crystalline deposits indicating the presence of pectolytic enzymes were identified in laticifer central vacuoles. Smaller amounts of reaction product were distributed along the middle lamella between laticifers and adjacent cells. This report represents the first direct evidence for the involvement of pectinase in intrusive growth of nonarticulated laticifers.
Solubilization and chromatography of iron-binding compounds from reticulocyte stroma.

Abstract Rabbit reticulocytes and erythrocytes were incubated with 59 Fe and 125 I labeled transferrin. Stroma of these cells was extracted with dispersing agents including sodium dodecyl sulfate, sodium deoxycholate, N-butanol, and Triton X-100. Chromatography of extracts on Sephadex G-200 and Bio-Gel A-15m showed that in addition to transferrin the stroma contained a macromolecule which binds iron and exhibits some transferrin binding capacity. Transferrin and the macromolecule attained steady state concentrations after 5–10 min incubation. These iron-binding species were not evident in erythrocyte stroma.
Spontaneous splenic rupture due to subcutaneous heparin therapy

We report a case of spontaneous splenic rupture in a 59-year-old woman who was receiving 15,000 units of heparin subcutaneously (s.c.) twice a day for deep venous thrombosis (DVT) prophylaxis. Her past medical history included multiple DVT, pulmonary emboli, and ovarian cancer stage III-C with known ascites. The diagnosis of splenic rupture was initially missed because of the ascites. This case illustrates both a previously undescribed complication of s.c. heparin therapy and a failure of ultrasound diagnosis. We emphasize the unique presentation, difficulty in diagnosis, and need for early surgical involvement to ensure the most favorable outcome.
Vitamin D deficiency and reduced lung function in connective tissue-associated interstitial lung diseases.

Background Vitamin D is a steroid hormone with pleiotropic effects including immune system modulation, lung tissue remodeling, and bone health. Vitamin D deficiency has been implicated in the development of autoimmune diseases. We sought to evaluate the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in a cohort of patients with interstitial lung disease (ILD) and hypothesized that vitamin D deficiency would be associated with an underlying connective tissue disease (CTD) and reduced lung function. Methods Patients in the University of Cincinnati ILD Center database were evaluated for serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels as part of a standardized protocol. Regression analysis evaluated associations between 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels and other variables. Results One hundred eighteen subjects were included (67 with CTD-ILD, 51 with other forms of ILD). The overall prevalence of vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency in the study population was 38% and 59%, respectively. Those with CTD-ILD were more likely to have vitamin D deficiency (52% vs 20%, P Conclusions There is a high prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in patients with ILD, particularly those with CTD-ILD, and it is associated with reduced lung function. Vitamin D may have a role in the pathogenesis of CTD-ILD.
Calculation of particle-hole states in the 2s-1d shell

Abstract : A method was developed for calculating the positions of the particle-hole states in the sd-shell. Configurations with up to 4 holes were included. Results are presented for the nuclei oxygen-16 to neon-20. (Author)
A scale for comparing the visual magnitude of waterfalls

Abstract This paper presents a numerical method for estimating and comparing the visual magnitude of waterfalls taking into account four characteristics. Magnitude values are computed primarily using the height of the falls and secondarily from the average width along its descent. Adjustments in magnitude are made based upon the water discharge at the falls and the degree of verticality of its escarpment. Magnitude values are placed on a logarithmic scale so that each increment of ten in the scale represents a doubling of waterfall magnitude. Other factors equal, the doubling characteristic also applies for comparisons of falls height. This scale is useful for making general interest comparisons of waterfalls and can be utilized toward assessing their scenic quality and desirability for preservation. It is not intended for hydrologic engineering applications.
Wireless Mesh Network Simulator for Studying Cross-Layer Jamming Effects

Various wireless mesh network standards have been actively constituted for the last several years. Because of its flexible network architecture, wireless mesh network can provide alternative paths even when some of wireless links are broken by node failures or intended attacks. Among various types of mesh network, we focus on the IEEE 802.11s based on the widely used Wi-Fi networks and its resiliency to jamming attack. In this demo, we show jamming effects on wireless mesh network and the performance of the hybrid wireless mesh protocol (HWMP) defined in IEEE 802.11s and our proposed jamming defense.
Investigation of beam transmission in A 9SDH-2 3.0 MV NEC pelletron tandem accelerator

Electrostatic tandem accelerators are widely used to accelerate ions for experiments in materials science such as high energy ion implantation, materials modification, and analyses. Many applications require high beam current as well as high beam brightness at the target; thus, maximizing the beam transmission through such electrostatic accelerators becomes important. The Ion Beam Modification and Analysis Laboratory (IBMAL) at University of North Texas is equipped with four accelerators, one of which is a 9SDH-2 3.0 MV National Electrostatic Corporation (NEC) Pelletron® tandem accelerator. The tandem accelerator is equipped with three ion sources: one radio frequency-He ion source (Alphatross) and two ion sources of Cs-sputter type, the SNICS II (Source of Negative Ions by Cesium Sputtering) and a Cs-sputter source for trace-element accelerator based mass spectrometry. This work presents a detailed study of the beam transmission of hydrogen, silicon, and silver ions through the accelerator using the SNICS ion source with injection energies ranging from 20 keV to 70 keV. The beam transmission is quantified for three different terminal voltages: 1.5 MV, 2.0 MV and 2.5 MV. For a given terminal voltage, it has been found that beam transmission is strongly dependent on the ion source injector potential. Details of experiments and data analysis are presented.
Colonic necrosis following sodium polystyrene sulfonate (Kayexalate)-sorbitol enema in a renal transplant patient. Report of a case and review of the literature.

The authors present the case of a patient who developed near total colonic necrosis shortly after renal transplantation. The onset of symptoms was temporally related to the administration of sodium polystyrene (Kayexalate ® ;Sanofi Winthrop Pharmaceuticals, New York, NY)-sorbitol enemas for treatment of hyperkalemia. Three similar cases have been reported in the literature. The presence of uremia and the use of sorbitol appear to be common denominators in the pathophysiology of this complication. It is suggested that Kayexalate ® -sorbitol enemas be avoided in renal transplant patients.
Interpreting Standardized Assessment Test Scores and Setting Performance Goals in the Context of Student Characteristics: The Case of the Major Field Test in Business

The Major Field Test in Business (MFT-B), a standardized assessment test of business knowledge among undergraduate business seniors, is widely used to measure student achievement. The Educational Testing Service, publisher of the assessment, provides data that allow institutions to compare their own MFT-B performance to national norms, but that procedure fails to take the characteristics of institutional student cohorts into account. Using empirical methods, the authors describe and test a procedure to set a priori goals that take dispositional factors, most notably ACT scores, into account. This procedure enables interpretation of the MFT-B in relation to expectations.
Awareness, Utilization, and Education of the ACR Appropriateness Criteria: A Review and Future Directions

Abstract Purpose With the overall rise in the use of medical imaging over the past two decades, overutilization has become a major concern. The ACR Appropriateness Criteria (AC) are an evidence-based, web-based, peer-reviewed resource designed to assist clinicians in making the most appropriate imaging decisions. In this literature review, the authors assess the current knowledge, utilization, and education of the AC among undergraduate and graduate medical education trainees and practicing physicians in both radiologic and nonradiologic specialties. Methods A comprehensive literature search was completed using the PubMed, Cochrane, and MedEdPORTAL databases with the query "American College of Radiology Appropriateness Criteria." Articles written in English and published from 1993, the year when the AC were introduced, to present were included for review. Retrieved articles were reviewed for relevance. Results The published literature is sparse. A review suggests a low rate of incorporation of the AC into clinical practice. Formal training in appropriate imaging ordering practices in both undergraduate and graduate medical education is lacking. The several studies targeting the use of the AC demonstrate that educational interventions increase awareness of the criteria as a decision tool. Conclusions The low rate of incorporation of the AC into clinical practice may reflect the lack of formal training in appropriate imaging order practices, specifically in the use of the AC, in both undergraduate and graduate medical education. The integration of the AC into decision support may reduce overutilization, but this has not been fully studied. Greater integration of the AC into medical training would require more universal physician buy-in to use the AC as a resource to optimize imaging utilization. This further requires sustained efforts to improve the "user-friendliness" of the AC and maximization of collaboration with nonradiology specialties in the development of the AC.
Benchmark IMRT evaluation of a Co-60 MRI-guided radiation therapy system

A device for MRI-guided radiation therapy (MR-IGRT) that uses cobalt-60 sources to deliver intensity modulated radiation therapy is now commercially available. We investigated the performance of the treatment planning and delivery system against the benchmark recommended by the American Association of Physicists in Medicine (AAPM) Task Group 119 for IMRT commissioning and demonstrated that the device plans and delivers IMRT treatments within recommended confidence limits and with similar accuracy as linac IMRT.
Process Integration and Manufacturasility Issues for High Performance Multilevel Interconnect

Interconnect delay is shown to be a performance-limiting factor for ULSI circuits when feature size is scaled into the deep submicron region, due to a rapid increase in interconnect resistivity and capacitance. Dielectric materials with lower values of permittivity are needed to reduce the line-to-line capacitance as metal spacing decreases. However, the challenge is to successfully integrate these materials into on-chip interconnects. A new multilevel interconnect scheme has been developed that gives improved performance through insertion of a low-dielectric-constant material between metal leads. A novel polymer/Si02 composite dielectric structure provides lower line-to-line capacitance while alleviating many of the integration and reliability problems associated with polymers in standard interconnect processing.
Activity-dependent nuclear translocation and intranuclear distribution of NFATc in adult skeletal muscle fibers

TTranscription factor nuclear factor of activated T cells NFATc (NFATc1, NFAT2) may contribute to slow-twitch skeletal muscle fiber type–specific gene expression. Green fluorescence protein (GFP) or FLAG fusion proteins of either wild-type or constitutively active mutant NFATc [NFATc(S→A)] were expressed in cultured adult mouse skeletal muscle fibers from flexor digitorum brevis (predominantly fast-twitch). Unstimulated fibers expressing NFATc(S→A) exhibited a distinct intranuclear pattern of NFATc foci. In unstimulated fibers expressing NFATc–GFP, fluorescence was localized at the sarcomeric z-lines and absent from nuclei. Electrical stimulation using activity patterns typical of slow-twitch muscle, either continuously at 10 Hz or in 5-s trains at 10 Hz every 50 s, caused cyclosporin A–sensitive appearance of fluorescent foci of NFATc–GFP in all nuclei. Fluorescence of nuclear foci increased during the first hour of stimulation and then remained constant during a second hour of stimulation. Kinase inhibitors and ionomycin caused appearance of nuclear foci of NFATc–GFP without electrical stimulation. Nuclear translocation of NFATc–GFP did not occur with either continuous 1 Hz stimulation or with the fast-twitch fiber activity pattern of 0.1-s trains at 50 Hz every 50 s. The stimulation pattern–dependent nuclear translocation of NFATc demonstrated here could thus contribute to fast-twitch to slow-twitch fiber type transformation.
Performance of an RF Beam Monitor on the NBS-Los Alamos Racetrack Microtron

A prototype rf beam-position, current, and phase monitor has been used on the 100-keV injector beamline of the racetrack microtron (RTM) where performance was measured with the chopped and bunched beam. This monitor works with both a pulsed beam and a cw beam. The pulsed beam consists of beam pulses with a FWHM of 40 ns. The rf beam monitor was tested with beam currents from ~50 to 600 ?A. The rf beam monitor will be described and its performance will be reported.
Brief report: Electroconvulsive therapy for malignant catatonia in an autistic adolescent:

A 14-year-old male with autism and mild mental retardation developed malignant catatonia characterized by classic symptoms of catatonia, bradycardia and hypothermia. Bilateral electroconvulsive therapy and lorazepam were required for resolution. The case expands the occurrence of catatonia in autism into its malignant variant.
Hydrodynamic instabilities in astrophysics and in laboratory high-energy density systems

High-energy-density systems and astrophysical systems both involve hydrodynamic effects, including sources of pressure, shock waves, rarefactions and plasma flows. In the evolution of such systems, hydrodynamic instabilities naturally evolve. As a result, a fundamental understanding of hydrodynamic instabilities is necessary to understand their behaviour. This paper discusses the validity of a hydrodynamic description in both cases, and, from the common perspective of the basic mechanisms at work, discusses the instabilities that appear in astrophysics and at high energy density. The high-energy-density research facilities of today, built to pursue inertial fusion, can accelerate small but macroscopic amounts of material to velocities above 100 km s -1 , can heat such material to temperatures above 100 eV and can produce pressures far above a million atmospheres (10 12 dyn cm -2 or 0.1 TPa). In addition to enabling inertial fusion research, this enables these facilities to do experiments under the conditions that address basic physics issues including issues from astrophysics. One can devise experiments aimed directly at important processes such as the Rayleigh Taylor instability at an ablating surface or at an embedded interface that is accelerating, the Richtmeyer Meshkov evolution of shocked interfaces and the Kelvin-Helmholtz instability of shear flows. The paper includes examples of such phenomena from the laboratory and from astrophysics.
Association of testosterone therapy with mortality, myocardial infarction, and stroke in men with low testosterone levels

percentages with events were 19.9% in the no testosterone therapy group vs 25.7% in the testosterone therapy group, with an absolute risk difference of 5.8% (95% CI, −1.4% to 13.1%). In Cox proportional hazards models adjusting for the presence of coronary artery disease, testosterone therapy use as a time-varying covariate was associated with increased risk of adverse outcomes (hazard ratio, 1.29; 95% CI, 1.04 to 1.58). There was no significant difference in the effect size of testosterone therapy among those with and without coronary artery disease (test for interaction, P = .41). CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE Among a cohort of men in the VA health care system who underwent coronary angiography and had a low serum testosterone level, the use of testosterone therapy was associated with increased risk of adverse outcomes. These findings may inform the discussion about the potential risks of testosterone therapy.
Magnetic field gradients from the ST-5 constellation: Improving magnetic and thermal models of the lithosphere

Received 20 August 2007; revised 17 October 2007; accepted 6 November 2007; published 25 December 2007. [1] We report the development of a new technique (magnetic gradiometry) for satellite-based remote sensing of the lithosphere. The measurements reported here represent the first systematic measurements of lithospheric magnetic field gradients, and were collected from a spinning spacecraft. The three-satellite ST-5 mission collected vector magnetic field observations at 300–800+ km altitudes over mid and high-northern latitudes in 2006. Away from the auroral oval, and over the continents, the gradients of the low altitude (<400 km) total anomaly field are dominated by lithospheric magnetic fields. Using a seismic starting model, and magnetic field observations from ST-5 and other recent satellite missions, we demonstrate how these techniques can be used to improve our knowledge of the processes involved in the thickened crust of the Colorado Plateau and the Sierra Madre Occidental. Citation: Purucker, M., T. Sabaka, G. Le, J. A. Slavin, R. J. Strangeway, and C. Busby (2007), Magnetic field gradients from the ST-5 constellation: Improving magnetic and thermal models of the lithosphere, Geophys. Res. Lett., 34, L24306, doi:10.1029/2007GL031739.
Cancer: An acidic link.

Obese people are at higher risk of multiple types of cancer, but why? One explanation could be that obesity enhances the production of pro-inflammatory, and carcinogenic, bile acids by gut microorganisms. See Letter p.97 Epidemiological data have demonstrated a link between obesity and cancer. This study shows that in a mouse model of liver cancer, a high-fat diet strongly enhances tumorigenesis by provoking a senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP), a recently identified senescent phenotype associated with the secretion of various tumour-promoting factors. Antibiotic and other interventions show that the fatty diet altered the composition of intestinal bacteria leading to more production of deoxycholic acid (DCA), a by-product of microbial bile acid metabolism that is known to cause DNA damage. The authors suggest that DCA, acting with other as-yet unknown factors, induces senescence and the secretion of various senescence-associated cytokines in hepatic stellate cells. These cytokines in turn act to promote the development of liver cancer. These findings highlight the complex mechanistic links between diet, the microbiota and cancer and suggest novel therapeutic approaches.
Plantar Pressure Assessment

Measurements of plantar pressure provide an indication of foot and ankle functions during gait and other functional activities, because the foot and ankle provide both the necessary support and flexibility for weight bearing and weight shifting while performing these activities.1–3 Although plantar pressure data have been recognized as an important element in the assessment of clients with diabetes and peripheral neuropathy, information derived from plantar pressure data also can assist in determining and managing the impairments associated with various musculoskeletal, integumentary, and neurological disorders. The use of force platforms is the method most commonly used to assess the interaction of the foot and supporting surface. Although the force platform provides valuable information regarding both the vertical and shear components of the ground reaction force, it provides little information on how the planter surface of the foot is loaded with respect to the supporting surface. When evaluating patients, atypical amounts of loading or patterns of loading may be reflective of a systemic or localized lower-extremity pathology and may be indicators (risk factors) for or predictors of further pathology or worsening of the existing pathology.4 In addition, force platforms have very specific requirements for attachment to the supporting surface on which data collection will occur. Such is not the case with numerous commercially available systems for measuring plantar pressure (eg, Emed sensor platform, * Pedar insole system, * F-Scan system,† Musgrave footprint system‡). Thus, plantar pressure measurement systems offer the clinician a high degree of portability, permitting utilization among multiple clinic sites. Pressure (p) (also called “stress”) is defined as force (f) per unit area (a) (ie, p=f/a).5 Force , when measured using a force platform, is the net result of the 3 components of the ground reaction or resultant force acting on the foot. …
Real-time speech recognition systems

SRI is developing the hardware, software, and algorithms necessary to achieve real-time speech-recognition and spoken-language systems. As the first phase of this project, SRI is currently completing the design of a prototype that will be able to recognize from 3,000 to 9,000 words of continuous speech using bigram language models. This prototype is based on four special-purpose integrated circuits. SRI is also continuing to improve the SRI DECIPHER speech recognition system, and enabling it to be incorporated into SRI's architecture for the integration of speech recognition and natural language processing.
Leadership Initiatives to Disseminate the Institute of Medicine's Future of Nursing Report

This article discusses the critical role professional nurses will play and the tremendous impact nursing education and leadership development will have on the future of health care, as outlined in the recommendations of the Institute of Medicine's report, "The future of nursing: Leading change, and advancing health." Six doctorate of nursing practice students from Case Western Reserve University analyzed the Institute of Medicine (IOM) report and developed projects to disseminate key components to selected organizations. The students developed two primary initiatives. One initiative involved presenting the report to various professional organizations, including a local chapter of an international honor society, a specialty organization, and a health care organization. The second initiative included interviewing several nurse leaders within a large multihospital health system, and a nursing leader in academia to determine (a) the level of awareness about the IOM report and (b) strategies these leaders have implemented or envisioned to address the report recommendations.
Provably scalable parallel FMM algorithm for multiscale electromagnetic simulations

Few representative results are presented here. First, the parallel algorithm was used in evaluation of scalar potential (1) at N random, uniformly distributed, source/observer pairs within a cubical volume. The algorithm was was executed on 32 to 512 processors using a IBM Bluegene architecture as N and size of the domain was increased from 5 to 80 million and 5 to 80 λ, respectively. In all cases, the smallest box size was chosen such that the average number of points per box is 64. For lack of space, we present results for parallel FMM only. Fig. 1(a) shows the parallel efficiency of the algorithm; it offers efficiency as high as 95% with 512 processors. The time taken for one potential evaluation, averaged across processors, vs. N is shown as log-log plot in figure (1b). The linear slope of the line fits were close to 1, indicating the O(N) scaling of the parallel algorithm. Table I shows the typical time spent on different hierarchical computation steps for N=40 million. The run-time for parallel upward and downward tree traversals are negligible, this is in accordance with the theory following Lemma 1. Fig. 2(a) compares the RCS of a PEC sphere (radius=32λ) computed using the CFIE based parallel solver, run on 256 processor with the Mie series solution. There is excellent agreement between the two solutions. Fig. 2(b) shows the parallel efficiency of the solver for different number of unknowns. With 3.2 million unknowns and 7 level tree, the parallel solver executes with an efficiency as high as 95% on 256 processor and 87% on 512 processors. The solver results were obtained on NCSA Teragrid network.
SLC's adaptation of the ALS high performance serial link

The Keep It Simple Network (KISNet) is a very high speed, low overhead, primarily point-to-point network adapted from the LBL Advanced Light Source (ALS) control system. KISNet implements the ALS system in the SLAC Linear Collider (SLC) environment. Commercially available communication hardware and protocols do not meet the per-small-packet transmission time requirements of the initial application that motivated the development of KISNet. In the SLC environment, the communications system is used in a slightly different way than at ALS. The software is layered to enable insertion of future hardware as it becomes available. Several enhancements for the future of KISNet are under consideration. >
Preparation and characterization of new Mn6 and Mn8 clusters obtained from the in situ formation of an unprecedented octadentate ligand

Abstract The use of 1,3,5-trihydroxybenzene (thbH3) in manganese carboxylate chemistry has been investigated. The reactions of thbH3 with 4 and 6 equivalents of Mn(O2CEt)2 in MeOH afford the complexes [Mn6(O2CEt)8(L)(MeOH)4(H2O)2] (1) and [Mn8O2(O2CEt)14(MeOH)4] (2), respectively. In the case of complex 1, the product of the in situ organic ligand transformation has been observed, namely the conversion of the tridentate thbH3 group to a new octadentate ligand L4−; the latter has never been previously reported. Both complexes possess rare topologies, with 1 containing 6MnII ions, whereas 2 is mixed-valent 6MnII, 2MnIII. The core of 1 consists of two [Mn3(μ3-OR)]5+ triangles linked by the bulky octadentate ligand L. The [Mn8(μ4-O)2(μ-OR)8]6+ core of 2 can be considered an extension of the common [Mn6(μ4-O)2]10+ (4MnII, 2MnIII) core, comprising two edge-sharing tetrahedra, with two additional Mn atoms at one end. Peripheral ligation in both 1 and 2 is provided by eight and fourteen bridging EtCO 2 - groups, respectively. Variable-temperature, solid-state dc and ac magnetization studies were carried out on complexes 1 and 2 in the 1.8–300 K range. The magnetic susceptibility data for 1 were fit to the theoretical χM vs T expression, derived by the use of an isotropic Heisenberg spin Hamiltonian and the Van Vleck equation, for two essentially non-interacting triangular [Mn3(μ3-OR)(μ-OR)2]3+ units. The fitting procedure revealed the two pairwise exchange parameters to be weakly ferromagnetic (Jbasal = J′ = + 0.79(3) cm−1) and antiferromagnetic (Jside = J = −2.04(3) cm−1), respectively, resulting in an S = 5/2 spin ground state. In contrast, the data for 2 revealed dominant antiferromagnetic interactions and a resulting S = 0 ground state; the latter value is rationalized in terms of the strong antiferromagnetic coupling within the central Mn 2 III O 2 unit.
Core Affect and Natural Affective Kinds

It is commonly assumed that the scientific study of emotions should focus on discrete categories such as fear, anger, sadness, joy, disgust, shame, guilt, and so on. This view has recently been questioned by the emergence of the “core affect movement,” according to which discrete emotions are not natural kinds. Affective science, it is argued, should focus on core affect, a blend of hedonic and arousal values. Here, I argue that the empirical evidence does not support the thesis that core affect is a more “natural” category than discrete emotions. I conclude by recommending a splitting strategy in our search for natural affective kinds.
Dying for Science: Historical Perspectives on Research Participants' Deaths.

The continuance of public and institutional support for medical research after the publicized deaths of human research participants in the 1950s contrasts sharply with the disciplining of institutions responsible for two such deaths in recent decades, which suggests that medical research participants are no longer receiving public recognition for their contributions to science.
A volume-sensitive, IP3-insensitive Ca2+ store in vascular endothelial cells

The mechanism by which cell swelling and other physical forces increase the intracellular Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) is poorly defined. In vascular endothelial cells, the increase in [Ca2+]i after hypotonic swelling was independent of external Ca2+ and membrane potential, was not blocked by La3+ or Gd3+, and was prevented by thapsigargin, indicative of intracellular release. This release also occurred after depletion of agonist-sensitive Ca2+ stores. In cells in which the plasma membrane was permeabilized with saponin, hypotonic medium stimulated release of 45Ca2+ from a thapsigargin-sensitive site. Isosmotic substitutions with sucrose or urea revealed that this release was due specifically to swelling and not to changes in osmolarity or ion concentrations. This volume-sensitive release was inhibited by high concentrations of La3+ and Gd3+ in a time-dependent manner, suggesting inhibition from within the storage compartment. Release was not inhibited by ruthenium red or by prior stimulation with inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (IP3), indicating that the volume-sensitive storage site is distinct from mitochondria and from stores sensitive to ryanodine or IP3. The results suggest the presence of a novel, stretch-activated Ca2+ store in endothelial cells that could contribute to their mechanosensitivity.
Seismic hazard in the Intermountain West

The 2014 national seismic-hazard model for the conterminous United States incorporates new scientific results and important model adjustments. The current model includes updates to the historical c...
Birds of Paradise and Mating System Theory — Predictions and Observations

The predictions of current theory on the evolution of vertebrate mating systems are compared with field observations on the birds of paradise, including a focal study of four sympatric species. In birds, true lek organisation requires shifts in three aspects of behaviour from the typical monogamous system in which both sexes attend the nest: (I) emancipation of the male from nesting duties, (2) initiation of male display at a fixed court, and (3) spatial clustering of male courts into leks. Information from the birds of paradise supports the notion that male emancipation is associated with small clutch-size. Data on the insectivorous Buff-tailed Sicklebill contradict the notion that male emancipation can only occur in frugivores, although it is evident that typical birds of paradise exhibit a diet combining nutritious fruit with insectivory. Information from the highly frugivorous Trumpet Manucode contradicts the assumption that the species depending most heavily on fruit will show the greatest potential for polygynous mating behaviour. As predicted by theory, the polygynous birds of paradise exhibit a long breeding season and may suffer heavy loss of nests to predators. In the typical polygynous bird of paradise neither females nor food or temtori,al resources are defended by males. Lek mating is correlated to four behavioural syndromes among the males (extreme competition for mates, highly skewed mating success, the presence of subordinates and delayed breeding), in combination with a foraging ecology that promoter high mobility by females, and yet permits foraging from a fixed point by the males tied to the lek for more than six months each year.
Sex differences in symptom severity and clusters in patients with stage C4 and stage C5 chronic venous disease

Background:Multiple symptoms associated with chronic venous disease (CVD) are poorly understood, under-recognized, and ill-managed.Aims:The aim of this study was to determine whether there are differences in symptoms and symptom clusters between men and women with stage C4 and stage C5 CVD.Methods:Data were collected via interviews with 264 patients using a demographic survey and an 11-item VEINES-SYM questionnaire.Analysis:An intrinsic scoring algorithm was developed to calculate the overall t scores for each item by sex. Exploratory factor analysis identified symptom clusters using oblique rotation to account for correlations between factors.Results:The average age was 61.7 years; 54.5% of the patients were women, 58% were African American or black, and 60.6% had diabetes. The top three symptoms for women in order of frequency were achy legs, swelling, and pain; for men, these were swelling, achy legs, and heavy legs. For the total group, two symptom clusters emerged: distressful and discomfort. There w...
Osmotic and activity coefficients of aqueous NaTcO4 and NaReO4 solutions at 25°C

Isopiestic vapor-pressure comparison experiments were performed with aqueous binary sodium perchlorate, pertechnetate, and perrhenate solutions to concentrations of approximately 8.5 m. Osmotic coefficients for these solutions and mean molal ionic activity coefficients for NaTcO4 and NaReO4 were derived from the isotonic molalities. Pitzer's treatment was applied to describe the concentration dependence of the osmotic coefficients of NaClO4, NaTcO4, and NaReO4, and the implications of the parameters derived from a leastsquares fit are discussed in terms of solvent structure and interionic forces.
Generating Realistic Network Graph Models for Fault-Tolerant Algorithm Evaluation

While networks like the Internet lack a central control and develop into a hub-based scale-free topology, current work demonstrates that most wide-area networks, which are under a central administration develop into small-world like topologies. The testing of fault-tolerant algorithms requires most realistic network models. In this work we show methods that produce such network graphs by working out adequate parameters for graph generators and introduce a new functional similarity index, which allows the selection of graphs that possess topologies with similar influence on algorithms as real existing graphs.
Malignant transformation of epidural epidermoid cyst in skull base:a case report and literature review

Objective To study the dinical feature and prognosis of the malignant epidural epidermoid cyst.Methods The imaging feathures were analysed in a patient with malignant epidural epidermoid cyst in skull base.The radiological and pathologic findings were reviewed in the literatures related to malignant epidermoid cyst.Results The malignant transformation of epidural epidermoid cyst in skull base was very rare.Imaging diagnosis for the typical epidermoid cysts was not difficult,but difficult in the malignant ones,often need postoperative pathologic.Surgical treatment was preferred.Conclusion The mechanism of malignant transformation of epidermoid cyst is not clear.Radiation and chemotherapy should be given on the basis of the surgical resection,but the prognosis is bad.
The antigenic properties of bacterial DNA in normal and aberrant immunity

DNA is a complex macromolecule whose immunological properties result from structural microheterogeneity. In normal immunity, antibodies to DNA can arise by stimulation by bacterial DNA because of the adjuvant properties of foreign DNA as well as the presence of non-conserved sequences that serve as B cell epitopes. In SLE, anti-DNA antibodies arise by a process of DNA antigen drive and could result from stimulation by either self or foreign DNA. Since foreign DNA is immunogenic, this antigen may have an enhanced ability to drive anti-DNA autoantibody production in the individual with functional abnormalities in the B or T cell compartment. Future research will define further the interaction of foreign DNA with the normal as well aberrant immune system and hopefully lead to strategies to eliminate the production of pathogenic anti-DNA autoantibodies.
Retrospective case series examining the clinical significance of subjective fetal cardiac ventricular disproportion

Abstract Objective To evaluate fetal cardiac ventricular disproportion as a marker of cardiac anomalies. Methods A retrospective case series included data from all patients who had a fetus diagnosed subjectively with ventricular disproportion by routine obstetric ultrasonography between January 1, 2007 and December 31, 2013 at a single tertiary center in the USA. Fetal and neonatal echocardiography, and neonatal outcome data were retrieved. Outcomes were described for all fetuses with subjective ventricular disproportion. Then, the objective right-to-left ventricular ratio (RLVR) was calculated as a continuous (after transformation to gestational age specific z-scores) or categorical value (> 2SD for gestational week), based on previously published reference values. Subsequently, correlations between the objective RLVR and neonatal outcomes were evaluated. Results Records from 60 fetuses diagnosed with ventricular disproportion at 16–38 weeks of gestation were included. These pregnancies resulted in 54 live deliveries; postnatally, 20 (37%) of these neonates were diagnosed with aortic coarctation and 39 (72%) were diagnosed with other cardiac anomalies, with or without aortic coarctation. No significant differences in objective prenatal diagnostic findings (RLVR) were demonstrated between neonates who were diagnosed postnatally with aortic coarctation or any cardiac anomaly and those not. Conclusion Subjective ventricular disproportion, regardless of objective diagnosis, was associated with cardiac defects. The use of fetal and neonatal echocardiography following diagnosis of fetal ventricular disproportion appears justified.
Contemporary Pima House Construction Practices

ABSTRACTA description of contemporary Gila River Pima house construction techniques with particular reference to the structure and recruitment of cooperative work groups.
Sclerotherapy for lymphatic malformations of the head and neck in the pediatric population

Background Sclerotherapy is one of the most commonly used minimally invasive interventions in the treatment of macrocystic lymphatic malformations (LMs). Several different sclerosing agents and injection protocols have been reported in the literature, each with varying degrees of success. The safety and efficacy of the treatments have not been evaluated comparatively in the pediatric population. Methods Chart review of pediatric patients with macrocystic/mixed head and neck LMs who underwent sclerotherapy using OK-432, doxycycline, or ethanolamine oleate at Lucile Packard Children9s Hospital at Stanford during 2000–2014. Clinical evaluation and radiographic imaging were reviewed to assess lesion characteristics and response to sclerotherapy following each treatment session. The post-intervention clinical response was categorized as excellent, good, fair, or poor. Results Among the 41 pediatric cases reviewed, 10 patients were treated with OK-432, 19 patients received doxycycline, and 12 patients received ethanolamine. In univariate analysis, different sclerosants had similar effectiveness after the first injection and final clinical outcome (p=0.5317). In multivariate analysis controlling for disease severity stage as well as disease characteristics (macrocystic vs mixed subtypes), different sclerosants also had similar effectiveness after the first injection (p=0.1192). Radiologic analysis indicated an 84.5% average volume reduction, with similar effectiveness between the different sclerosants (p=0.9910). Conclusions In this series of LM cases treated at Stanford, we found that doxycycline, OK-432, and ethanolamine oleate sclerotherapy appear to have a similar safety and efficacy profile in the treatment of macrocystic and mixed LMs of the head and neck in the pediatric population.
Photo gallery for the special issue in honor of Barry Ganetzky.

Figure 1. (A) Barry Ganetzky sitting on the ‘Steenbock Chair,’ photo by Jeff Miller, reprinted with permission from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. (B) Ganetzky giving his final remarks at the...