cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Proximal tibial extra-axial chordoma masquerading as renal cell carcinoma metastasis

Chordomas are rare, locally aggressive notochordal tumors, which most frequently occur in the neuraxis. We describe the case of a 74-year-old male with a history of renal cell carcinoma, who presented with a slowly enlarging mass in his left leg. While the clinical history and imaging suggested metastatic renal cell carcinoma, immunohistochemical staining with brachyury ultimately made the diagnosis of extra-axial chordoma. At 74 years of age, our patient is the oldest ever reported with bony extra-axial chordoma objectively confirmed by brachyury staining. A detailed case discussion and a review of the available literature on this rare clinicopathologic entity are provided.
Chapter 14 The Plasma Membrane of KB Cells; Isolation and Properties

Publisher Summary This chapter describes the isolation of the plasma membrane of KB cells by two different methods, namely, the latex bead ingestion and the ZnCl 2 methods. In principle, the latex bead method can be employed with any cell type provided the proper conditions for bead ingestion are optimized (size and multiplicity of beads, incubation medium, time and temperature of incubation, and absence of fusion between phagosomes and lysosomes). The method has been used for the isolation of phagosomes from Acanthamoeba, L cells, and polymorphonuclear leukocytes, and macrophages. Optimal conditions are developed for the ingestion of latex beads by mouse neuroblastoma cells (clone Neuro-2A) in monolayer (differentiated state) and suspension cultures (undifferentiated form). It is observed that only lymph node macrophages ingest latex beads (1.01 μm in diameter) after intradermal-subcutaneous injection of a 10% aqueous suspension of beads. Thus the isolation of plasma membranes by the latex bead procedure described can be accomplished with cells grown in culture as well as with certain cells from tissues after in vivo injection of the beads.
Optimal shale oil and gas investments in the United States

Abstract We present a comprehensive supply chain optimization model to determine optimal shale oil and gas infrastructure investments in the United States. The model encompasses multiple shale plays, commodities, plant locations, conversion technologies, transportation modes and both local and foreign markets. The dynamic evolution of supply, demand and price parameters and the uncertainty in parameter realizations are fully taken into account. Imposing two different scenario sets over a time horizon of twenty-five years, the model maximizes the expected net present value of the entire undertaking. We analyze the features of the optimal infrastructure investments and associated operating decisions, perform case studies which highlight the importance of incorporating uncertainty into the model and analyze the stability of the stochastic solutions as the degree of uncertainty changes. The overall opportunity set of investments is sparse, and there is a tendency for over-investment in new liquefied natural gas capacity when the uncertainties in future oil prices are not taken fully into account.
A Pain in the Back: A 50-Year-Old Man with Pancreatitis and a Fever

A 50-year-old man with a history of chronic pancreatitis was admitted after evaluation for jejunostomy tube placement for nutritional support. Due to complications from his chronic pancreatitis, he had required continuous supplemental nutrition by parenteral route. He stopped total parenteral nutrition 10 days before for unclear reasons. Upon further discussion, the patient endorsed a subjective fever and night sweats for the past month. He had no associated abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea. He did, however, have a 10-lb weight loss over the 2 weeks prior to presentation. He reported low back pain for 3 weeks.
Efficient sampling of SAT solutions for testing

In software and hardware testing, generating multiple inputs which satisfy a given set of constraints is an important problem with applications in fuzz testing and stimulus generation. However, it is a challenge to perform the sampling efficiently, while generating a diverse set of inputs which satisfy the constraints. We developed a new algorithm QuickSampler which requires a small number of solver calls to produce millions of samples which satisfy the constraints with high probability. We evaluate QuickSampler on large real-world benchmarks and show that it can produce unique valid solutions orders of magnitude faster than other state-of-the-art sampling tools, with a distribution which is reasonably close to uniform in practice.
STAGING CLIMATE SECURITY: Resilience and Heterodystopia in the Bangladesh Borderlands

This essay interrogates an emergent genre of development projects that seek to instill resilience in populations likely to be severely impacted by climate change. These new projects venture a dark vision of life in a warming world—one where portable technologies become necessary for managing a future of climate chaos. I propose, following Michel Foucault, understanding these projects as heterodystopias: spaces managed as and in anticipation of a world of dystopian climate crisis that are at once stages for future interventions and present-day spectacles of climate security. My exploration of these projects is situated in the borderlands of Bangladesh, a space increasingly imagined as a ground zero of climate change. The projects discussed frame the borderlands as a site that reflects forward onto a multiplicity of (other) dystopian spaces to come. Their often puzzling architecture reveals a grim imagining of the future: one in which atomized resilient families remain rooted in place, facing climate chaos alone, assisted by development technology. In this way, these projects seek to mitigate against global anxiety about climate displacement by emplacing people—preventing them from migrating across borders increasingly imagined as the front lines of climate security. Yet at the same time, these projects speak a visual language that suggests they are as much about representing success at managing climate crisis to an audience elsewhere as they are to successfully stemming climate migration in a particular place. Heterodystopia provides an analytic for diagnosing the specific visions of time and space embedded in securitized framings of the future. In doing so, however, it also points toward counterimaginations and possibilities for life in the midst of ecological change. I thus conclude by contrasting climate heterodystopias with other projects that Bangladeshi peasants living in the borderlands are carrying out: projects that offer different ways of imagining the environment and life in the borderlands of Bangladesh.
A qualitative study of communication, cultural identity, and open defecation

Open defecation persists as a global health problem despite efforts to build and implement better toilets. Based on nine focus group meetings held across two communities in rural Uttar Pradesh, Ind...
Chemistry of Nutrient Sources as They Enter the Lake

Pathways followed by water and nutrients entering Lake Dillon can be divided for present purposes into six categories: (1) major rivers, (2) streams not joining a major river prior to reaching the lake, (3) sewage effluents, (4) miscellaneous surface drainage not accounted for in other categories, (5) precipitation, and (6) groundwater. All of these categories except miscellaneous surface drainage and groundwater, which made minor contributions, were studied chemically at or very near their point of entry to the lake. In the first category are the Snake River, the Blue River, and Tenmile Creek. These will take up most of the attention of this chapter, since they account for the bulk of surface transport to the lake. In the second category are Soda Creek and Miner’s Creek, both of which were sampled above the point sources that enter them near their mouths. In the third category are the effluents of the Frisco WWTP (which enters Miner’s Creek near the lake) and Snake River WWTP (which enters Soda Creek near the lake). Both of these effluents were sampled prior to entering streams. Breckenridge effluent was part of the Blue River sample, since the effluent enters above the river mouth, and Copper Mountain effluent was part of the Tenmile Creek sample for the same reason. Discharge data for rivers were obtained from USGS data records. For the effluents, discharge data were obtained from plant operators, and for Miner’s Creek and Soda Creek the data were based on our own measurements. All chemistry data were from our own analyses.
Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy: The Truth Behind the Allegations

In response to several pejorative statements about Cognitive Behavioral Therapy in a recent issue of Psychotherapy (Silverman, 1999), a point by point counter argument to these criticisms are presented. Among other contentions, Silverman (1999) disparaged empirically validated methods as being simplistic and scientifically impoverished. The validity of these statements are challenged and empirical evidence is presented to support each counter argument. The efficacy of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for a broad range of disturbances and presenting problems is presented. The future of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and other empirically validated protocols are discussed, as well as recommendations for their use.
Mitochondrial genome of Parborlasia corrugatus (Nemertea: Lineidae)

AbstractWe present the complete mitochondrial genome of the herteronemertean Parborlasia corrugatus. Within the 15,499 bp genome, we were able to recover 13 protein-coding genes as well as two rRNA...
Impact of Ni and Mg Loadings on Dry Reforming Performance of Pt/Ceria-Zirconia Catalysts

The isolated effects of Ni and Mg on a series of Pt/Ce0.6Zr0.4O2 (CZO) reforming catalysts were evaluated and used to formulate an improved catalyst with both Ni and Mg present. The dry reforming r...
User Responses to Imperfect Forecasts: Findings from an Experiment with Kentucky Wheat Farmers

AbstractWeather and climate forecasts can help agricultural producers improve management choices in anticipation of uncertain growing conditions. Current literature conjectures that the extent to w...
Illegal or unethical? Situated ethics in the context of a dual economy:

In this paper, I draw on my experiences doing field research in Cuba, to contribute to the idea that participating in illegal activities is not necessarily unethical. Using a reflexive analysis, I ...
PBRM1 suppresses tumor growth as a novel p53 acetylation reader

The reader(s) for acetylated tumor antigen p53 remains elusive. Here, PBRM1 (polybromo-1) is identified as a reader for acetylated lysine382 on p53 through its bromodomain 4 (BD4). PBRM1 BD4 mutants fail to support p53 transcriptional activity and suppress tumor growth. Thus PBRM1 suppresses tumor growth through p53 in kidney cancer.
The Feasibility and Acceptability of the Developing Real Incentives and Volition for Exercise (DRIVE) Program: A Pilot Study for Promoting Physical Activity in African American Women:

Background. The purpose of the current article is to demonstrate how formative process evaluation was used in a pilot study to optimize the design and implementation of two motivationally targeted ...
International Collaboration and European Contributions to International Business Research

This study measures and ranks the performance of nations and academic institutions based on a 45-year analysis of international business (IB) publications, including 5853 academic authors from 1542 affiliated institutions. Examining authors’ academic origin and university of affiliation, and with a focus on the European nations that participated in the production of IB research, we make several novel contributions to the field: (1) identifying a unique internationalization process of IB research that consists of three distinct stages driven by international collaboration, (2) highlighting the role of international collaborations in overcoming publication barriers at the regional and country level, and (3) highlighting the role of both scale and scope of international collaborations in achieving a top-ranked position in the production of IB research.
Barbed vs conventional suture at cesarean delivery: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

INTRODUCTION Barbed sutures are used in cesarean delivery with the intended benefits of better tissue approximation, hemostasis, and strength, as well as reduced operative time. A systematic review and meta-analysis was undertaken to assess the safety and efficacy of the use of barbed suture compared with conventional sutures in cesarean delivery. MATERIAL AND METHODS MEDLINE, EMBASE, PubMed, Scopus, Cochrane CENTRAL, and three clinical trial registries, were searched from inception to December 2019, without restriction by language or publication year. Randomized controlled trials comparing the use of barbed suture with conventional sutures in closure of any layer (uterine/fascial/skin) during cesarean delivery were included. The safety outcomes included estimated blood loss, pain, mortality, and other morbidity including infection, re-operation or re-admission. Effectiveness outcomes included closure time, need for additional suture and scar integrity. Study selection, data extraction, risk-of-bias, and quality assessment were independently performed by two authors. Primary analysis compared outcomes for all layers of surgical closure, whereas subgroup analysis was performed by individual layer. Pooled mean differences (MD) and risk ratios (RR) with 95% CI were calculated using a random effects model. Level of evidence was assessed using GRADE criteria. PROSPERO registration number: CRD42020168859. RESULTS The review included four trials (three comparing uterine closure and one comparing skin closure), at high risk of bias, representing 460 participants. Primary analysis showed no morbidity differences between two groups. The use of barbed suture for uterine closure was associated with shorter incision closure time (MD 110.58 seconds, 95% CI 93.79-127.36 seconds), shorter total surgical time (MD 1.92 minutes, 95% CI 0.03-3.80 minutes), and a reduced need for additional hemostatic sutures (RR 0.39, 95% CI 0.28-0.54), with no difference in estimated blood loss (MD 46.17 mL, 95% CI 13.55 to -105.89 mL) or postoperative morbidity (RR 0.96, 95% CI 0.46-2.01). The level of evidence was deemed to be low to very low, based on inconsistency and imprecision of results. CONCLUSIONS Barbed sutures may be a suitable alternative to conventional sutures for uterine closure because they reduce uterine repair time, total surgical time, and the need for additional hemostatic sutures, without an increase in blood loss or maternal morbidity.
Effectively Conducting Oncology Clinical Trials during the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Abstract Purpose Clinical trial enrollment has declined globally as a result of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. This underscores the importance of structured methods to continue critical medical research safely and efficiently. Methods and Materials We report the effect of a phased trial reopening strategy, remote research staffing, and telemedicine on cancer trial enrollment at one of the largest radiation oncology academic cancer centers. In phase 1, trials investigating definitive therapeutic benefit were opened, followed by trials not increasing patient exposure or pulmonary toxicity risk in phase 2. During phase 2.5, multicenter trials reopened and limited research staff were allowed on site. Results Despite initial enrollment declines during the early pandemic, the percentage of new patients enrolling in clinical trials from March to August 2020 was 8.8%, and represented a 10.5% relative increase from 2019. Monthly accrual enrollment from March to August 2019 ranged from 42 to 71, compared with enrollment during COVID-19 from 23 to 73 patients (P Conclusions Through a phased approach to trial reopening and adaptive techniques, the division of radiation oncology maintained cancer trial accrual during the COVID-19 pandemic. The experience may help centers maintain accrual, preserve clinical trial integrity, and minimize risk to patients and staff.
Feasibility of using a biofeedback device in mindfulness training - a pilot randomized controlled trial.

Stress can negatively impact an individual’s health and well-being and high levels of stress are noted to exist among college students today. While traditional treatment methods are plagued with stigma and transfer problems, newly developed wearable biofeedback devices may offer unexplored possibilities. Although these products are becoming commonplace and inexpensive, scientific evidence of the effectiveness of these products is scarce and their feasibility within research contexts are relatively unexplored. Conversely, companies are not required, and possibly reluctant, to release information on the efficacy of these products against their claims. Thus, in the present pilot, we assess the feasibility of using a real-time respiratory-based biofeedback device in preparation for a larger study. Our main aims were to assess device-adherence and collaboration with the company that develops and sells the device. Data were collected from 39 college students who self-identified as experiencing chronic stress at a Southwestern university in the USA. Students were randomized into either a mindfulness-only control group without a biofeedback device (n = 21), or an experimental group with biofeedback device (n = 18). Both groups received mindfulness meditation training. Pre-test and post-test procedures were conducted 2 weeks apart. Further, both participant compliance and company compliance were assessed and collaboration with the company was evaluated. Participant device-adherence as well as the company’s collaboration necessary for a full-scale study was determined to be low. This may also have affected our results which showed a strong main effect for time for all outcome variables, suggesting all groups showed improvement in their levels of stress after the intervention period. No group by time effects were identified, however, indicating no added benefit of the biofeedback device. Our findings suggest feasibility of future studies requires full collaboration and detailed and agreed upon data sharing procedures with the biofeedback company. The particular device under investigation added no value to the intervention outcomes and it was not feasible to continue a larger-scale study. Further, as the technology sector is innovating faster than it can validate products, we urge for open science collaborations between public and private sectors to properly develop evidence-based regulations that can withstand technological innovation while maintaining product quality, safety, and effectiveness. NCT02837016 . Registered 19 July 2016.
Critical node analysis (CNA) in power grids under enhanced restoration options

In recovering from cyber attacks on power grids, restoration steps have also included disconnecting parts of the network to prevent failures from propagating. Inspired by these reports we investigate how this may be performed optimally. We show how throughput can indeed be increased by selectively disconnecting links when the network is currently stressed and unable to meet all of the demands. We also consider the impact of this option on critical node analysis. For defensive as well as offensive scenario planning it is important to be able to identify the critical nodes in a given network. We show how ignoring this option of disconnecting links can lead to misidentifying critical nodes, overstating the impact of these nodes. We outline an iterative procedure to address this problem and correctly identify critical nodes when link disconnection is included in the recovery scheme.
State-Wise Adaptive Discounting from Experience (SADE): A Novel Discounting Scheme for Reinforcement Learning (Student Abstract)

In Markov Decision Process (MDP) models of sequential decision-making, it is common practice to account for temporal discounting by incorporating a constant discount factor. While the effectiveness of fixed-rate discounting in various Reinforcement Learning (RL) settings is well-established, the efficiency of this scheme has been questioned in recent studies. Another notable shortcoming of fixed-rate discounting stems from abstracting away the experiential information of the agent, which is shown to be a significant component of delay discounting in human cognition. To address this issue, we propose State-wise Adaptive Discounting from Experience (SADE) as a novel adaptive discounting scheme for RL agents. SADE leverages the experiential observations of state values in episodic trajectories to iteratively adjust state-specific discount rates. We report experimental evaluations of SADE in Q-learning agents, which demonstrate significant enhancement of sample complexity and convergence rate compared to fixed-rate discounting.
Impaired Tubular Secretion of Organic Solutes in Advanced Chronic Kidney Disease.

Background The clearance of solutes removed by tubular secretion may be altered out of proportion to the glomerular filtration rate (GFR) in chronic kidney disease (CKD). Recent studies have described considerable variability in the secretory clearance of waste solutes relative to the GFR in patients with CKD. Methods To test the hypothesis that secretory clearance relative to GFR is reduced in patients approaching dialysis, we used metabolomic analysis to identify solutes in simultaneous urine and plasma samples from 16 CKD patients with an estimated GFR of 7±2 ml/min per 1.73m2 and 16 control participants. Fractional clearances were calculated as the ratios of urine to plasma levels of each solute relative to those of creatinine and urea in CKD patients and to those of creatinine in controls. Results Metabolomic analysis identified 39 secreted solutes with fractional clearance >3.0 in control participants. Fractional clearance values in CKD patients were reduced on average to 65%±27% of those in controls. These values were significantly lower for 18 of 39 individual solutes and significantly higher for only one. Assays of the secreted anions phenylacetyl glutamine, p-cresol sulfate, indoxyl sulfate, and hippurate confirmed variable impairment of secretory clearances in advanced CKD. Fractional clearances were markedly reduced for phenylacetylglutamine (4.2±0.6 for controls versus 2.3±0.6 for CKD patients, P<0.001), p-cresol sulfate (8.6±2.6 for controls versus 4.1±1.5 for CKD patients, P<0.001), and indoxyl sulfate (23.0±7.3 versus 7.5±2.8, P<0.001), but not for hippurate (10.2±3.8 versus 8.4±2.6, P=0.13). Conclusions Secretory clearances for many solutes are reduced more relative to the reduction in GFR in advanced CKD. Impaired secretion of these solutes might contribute to uremic symptoms as patients approach dialysis.
Lexical tone contrast in Izon as ubiquitous floating tone

This paper establishes the lexical tone contrasts in the Nigerian language Izon, focusing on evidence for floating tone. Many tonal languages show effects of floating tone, though typically in a restricted way, such as occurring with only a minority of morphemes, or restricted to certain grammatical environments. For Izon, the claim here is that all lexical items sponsor floating tone, making it ubiquitous across the lexicon and as common as pre-associated tone. The motivation for floating tone comes from the tonal patterns of morphemes in isolation and within tone groups. Based on these patterns, all lexical morphemes are placed into one of four tone classes defined according to which floating tones they end in. This paper provides extensive empirical support for this analysis and discusses several issues which emerge under ubiquitous floating tone. Issues include the principled allowance of OCP(T) violations, and the propensity for word-initial vowels and low tone to coincide.
Metabolism of histones of brain and liver.

Abstract Turnover of whole histones of brain and liver nuclei was studied after administration of 14C-lysine to adult mice. The radioactivity of histones and other nuclear and cytoplasmic proteins was determined at intervals from 2 hours to 245 days. Two fractions of cerebral histones with halflifetimes of 54 and 104 days and three fractions of hepatic histones with half-lifetimes of 18, 56, and 93 days were found. A larger number of fractions with gradually increasing turnover rates are not excluded. The histones of brain and liver turn over at a lower rate than any of the nuclear and cytoplasmic protein fractions measured in the respective organs. In order to label histones with a very low rate of turnover, 14C-lysine was administered to pregnant mice and the turnover of histones was estimated in their offspring after reaching maturity. In the brain only a slow histone fraction with a half-lifetime of 117 days and in the liver two fractions with half-lifetimes of 58 and 105 days were observed. Over a period from 2 to 8½ months in the brain and from 5 to 8½ months in the liver the decrease in the specific activity of histones was very small, corresponding to a replacement rate of about 0.6% per day. The turnover rates of histones may reflect division and replacement of various cellular species. The data suggest a metabolic stability of histones which corresponds to that of deoxyribonucleic acid.
Non-LTE Inversion of Spectral Lines and Stokes Profiles

This contribution presents a summary of the results in Socas-Navarro (1999). In that work, the authors develop an inversion code for Non-LTE spectral lines and their corresponding polarization profiles. This code is based on the combination of non-linear least-squares fitting techniques with efficient multilevel transfer methods. After testing the code with both real and simulated observations, it is applied to the study of the dynamics of sunspot umbrae. New and valuable insights into the chromospheric umbral oscillation are thus obtained.
The Causal Indicator Analysis of Knowledge

In this paper I want to describe and motivate an approach to knowledge that I call the Causal Indicator Analysis. My strategy will be to sketch (in Part I) the main features of an adequate account of knowledge, then use my sketch (in Part II) to reveal some of the faults of some of the main analyses defended today. I will be particularly interested in discussing the work of Fred Dretske, whose views have significantly influenced my own. With these tasks behind me, I will offer my own account in Part III, and argue that it has the features an account of knowledge should have.
Chapter 14 Growth Strategies

Abstract This is an attempt to derive broad, strategic lessons from the diverse experience with economic growth in last fifty years. The paper revolves around two key arguments. One is that neoclassical economic analysis is a lot more flexible than its practitioners in the policy domain have generally given it credit. In particular, first-order economic principles – protection of property rights, market-based competition, appropriate incentives, sound money, and so on – do not map into unique policy packages. Reformers have substantial room for creatively packaging these principles into institutional designs that are sensitive to local opportunities and constraints. Successful countries are those that have used this room wisely. The second argument is that igniting economic growth and sustaining it are somewhat different enterprises. The former generally requires a limited range of (often unconventional) reforms that need not overly tax the institutional capacity of the economy. The latter challenge is in many ways harder, as it requires constructing over the longer term a sound institutional underpinning to endow the economy with resilience to shocks and maintain productive dynamism. Ignoring the distinction between these two tasks leaves reformers saddled with impossibly ambitious, undifferentiated, and impractical policy agendas.
On Randomized Broadcasting and Gossiping in Radio Networks

This paper has two parts. In the first part we give an alternative (and much simpler) proof for the best known lower bound of ?(Dlog (N/D)) time-steps for randomized broadcasting in radio networks with unknown topology. In the second part we give an O(N log3N)- time randomized algorithm for gossiping in such radio networks. This is an improvement over the fastest previously known algorithm that works in time O(N log4 N).
The Story-Time of the British Empire: Colonial and Post-Colonial Folkloristics

Reviewed Medium: book Authors: Sadhana Naithani Year: 2010 Pages: 160 Publisher: University Press of Mississippi ISBN: 978-1604734553 (hard cover). Prices: 50(hard cover).
The Challenge of Generic Object Recognition

We discuss the issues and challenges in the development of generic object recognition systems. We argue that high-level, volumetric part-based, descriptions are essential if we want to recognize objects which are similar but not identical to pre-stored models, under wide viewing conditions, and to automatically learn new models and add them to our knowledge base.We discuss the representation scheme and its relationships to the description extraction, recognition and learning processes. We then describe the difficulties in obtaining such descriptions from images and outline steps for robust and efficient implementations. We also demonstrate the viability of the arguments by reporting on recent progress.
Microbial diversity and community structure along a lake elevation gradient in Yosemite National Park, California, USA

Summary Microbial communities are key components of lake ecosystems and play central roles in lake biogeochemical cycles. Freshwater lakes, in turn, have a disproportionate influence on global carbon and nitrogen cycling, while also acting as ‘sentinels’ of environmental change. Determining what factors regulate microbial community dynamics and their relationship to lake biogeochemistry is therefore essential to understanding global change feedbacks. We used Illumina sequencing of >2 million 16S rRNA genes to examine microbial community structure and diversity in relation to spatial, temporal and biogeochemical variation, within and across lakes located along a 871 m elevation gradient in Yosemite National Park, California, USA. We captured a rich microbial community that included many rare operational taxonomic units (OTUs), but was dominated by a few bacterial classes and OTUs frequently detected in other freshwater ecosystems. Neither richness, evenness nor overall diversity was directly related to elevation. However, redundancy analysis showed that changes in microbial community structure were significantly related to elevation. Along with sampling period and dissolved nutrient concentrations, 29% of the variation in community structure could be explained by measured variables – in congruence with studies in other lakes using different techniques. We also found a distance–decay relationship in microbial community structure across lakes, suggesting that both local environmental factors and dispersal play a role in structuring communities.
Распространение новостей в России XVII в.: эпистолярный опыт Патрика Гордона

A unique 17th-century historical source, the diaries of Patrick Gordon, a Scot in Russian service, contains a great deal of information about Russian history. A close reading of the detailed record of daily events in the author’s life reveals details about Russian life, which are not found in other documents. From Gordon’s diaries and correspondence, the article’s author extracted information, which helps us understand the functioning of the postal service in Russia in the late 17th century. Several aspects of the problem are treated. Firstly, information about his correspondents is systematized, including personal, official, and more casual acquaintances. Analysis of the correspondence underscores Gordon’s wide-reaching national, social and familial connections. Secondly, the article describes the routes that letters traveled to and from their addressees. There was a clear preference for sending letters via special couriers or acquaintances who happened to be traveling, even if a government system of communication was available. Thirdly, the article establishes transit times and explains the possible objective or subjective reasons why they might be faster or be delayed. This analysis also reveals something about the interactions between Patrick Gordon and his contemporaries, which is evidenced by the frequency of the correspondence and the direct responses. The author discusses concrete circumstances around the organization of the official postal network and its development in its early stages. The publication of the article is in two thematically delineated parts. The first examines data about Gordon’s communications network, such as communication routes, official and personal agreements, as well as speed and frequency of exchanges. To a degree the content of the letters is examined here, though their more detailed treatment is to be found in the second part of the article devoted to the analysis of how he obtained political news and intelligence information. Both parts are organized roughly chronologically: it is important to see what changes occurred over nearly half a century covered in the diaries. The author’s conclusions provide evidence about the broad connections of Russia and Europe as well as the active diplomacy, which made it imperative in the Petrine era to establish a state postal system. In the case of Patrick Gordon, who was an active participant in the political process, we can see how it was essential for him to take advantage of all means of communication in order to maintain his extensive correspondence about political, military, and personal affairs.
Simultaneous detection and separation of hyperacute intracerebral hemorrhage and cerebral ischemia using amide proton transfer MRI.

Purpose To explore the capability of amide proton transfer (APT) imaging in the detection of hemorrhagic and ischemic strokes using preclinical rat models. Methods The rat intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) model (n = 10) was induced by injecting bacterial collagenase VII-S into the caudate nucleus, and the permanent ischemic stroke model (n = 10) was induced by using a 4-0 nylon suture to occlude the origin of the middle cerebral artery. APT-weighted (APTw) MRI was acquired on a 4.7T animal imager and quantified using the magnetization transfer-ratio asymmetry at 3.5 ppm from water. Results There was a consistently high APTw MRI signal in hyperacute ICH during the initial 12 h after injection of collagenase compared with the contralateral brain tissue. When hemorrhagic and ischemic stroke were compared, hyperacute ICH and cerebral ischemia demonstrated opposite APTw MRI contrasts—namely, hyperintense versus hypointense compared with contralateral brain tissue, respectively. There was a stark contrast in APTw signal intensity between these two lesions. Conclusion APT-MRI could accurately detect hyperacute ICH and distinctly differentiate hyperacute ICH from cerebral ischemia, thus opening up the possibility of introducing to the clinic a single MRI scan for the simultaneous visualization and separation of hemorrhagic and ischemic strokes at the hyperacute stage. Magn Reson Med 74:42–50, 2015. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
The Emergence, Evolution, and Maturation of Natural Resource Social Science: A “Field” Perspective

As is true of all scientific fields, natural resource sociology and the array of allied social science disciplines that jointly address the interplay of human societies and biophysical environments...
MICROWAVE DRYING OF ALFALFA COMPARED TO FIELD- AND OVEN-DRYING: EFFECTS ON FORAGE QUALITY

Abstract Alfalfa which was microwave-dried for 7, 8, 9 or 10 min was compared to field- and oven-dried alfalfa. Samples of alfalfa dried by the various methods were analyzed for crude protein (CP), neutral detergent fibre (NDF), acid detergent fibre (ADF), acid detergent lignin (ADL) and dry matter digestibility in vitro (IVDMD). No differences were observed among the various drying methods for CP, IVDMD or ADL. Microwave-dried alfalfa generally retained a higher proportion of the cell-wall constituents (NDF) than did field-dried alfalfa. As microwave drying time increased from 7 to 10 min, NDF values tended to increase. Field drying conditions produced the highest ADF values. Field-dried alfalfa was not significantly higher in ADF content than alfalfa oven-dried or microwave-dried for 8, 9 or 10 minutes. Alfalfa microwave-dried for 7 minutes had significantly lower ADF values than all other drying treatments.
Effects of chemical mechanical planarization slurry additives on the agglomeration of alumina nanoparticles II: Aggregation rate analysis

Abstract The aggregation rate and mechanism of 150 nm alumina particles in 1 mM KNO3 with various additives used in chemical mechanical planarization of copper were investigated. The pH of each suspension was ∼8 such that the aggregation rate was slow enough to be measured and analyzed over ∼120 min. In general, an initial exponential growth was observed for most suspensions indicating reaction-limited aggregation. After aggregate sizes increase to >500 nm, the rate followed a power law suggesting diffusion-limited aggregation. Stability ratios and fractal dimension numbers were also calculated to further elucidate the aggregation mechanism.
Molecular genetic characterization of tamoxifen-associated endometrial cancer

Abstract Objectives The non-steroidal, selective estrogen receptor modulator tamoxifen is currently the most extensively used hormonal agent for the prevention and treatment of estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer. Epidemiologic studies and clinical trials have shown an increased risk of endometrial cancer with tamoxifen exposure; however, few studies have examined these tumors on a molecular level. We sought to elucidate the molecular genetic alterations found in tamoxifen-associated endometrial cancer. Methods Twenty-nine breast cancer patients with a history of tamoxifen use who subsequently developed endometrial cancer were retrospectively identified and matched for endometrial histologic subtype and grade to 29 endometrial cancers from breast cancer patients never exposed to tamoxifen. Endometrial tumor tissue was microdissected and genomic DNA extracted for each case. Direct DNA sequencing of the most commonly mutated genes in sporadic endometrial cancer, PTEN , K-RAS , TP53 , and CTNNB1 , was performed in addition to microsatellite instability (MI) studies. Fisher's Exact Test was utilized for statistical analyses. Results Of 29 tamoxifen-associated cancers, 10 (34.5%) contained PTEN mutations compared to 13 (44.8%) of the non-tamoxifen-associated cancers ( P = 0.59). All PTEN mutations were found in tumors with endometrioid histology, reflecting what is seen in sporadic endometrial cancers. Mutations of K-RAS , TP53 , and microsatellite instability were present in similar frequencies between the two breast cancer groups, and moreover, these were similar to mutational frequencies found in sporadic endometrial cancer. Conclusion Tamoxifen and non-tamoxifen-associated endometrial carcinomas arising in women with breast cancer contain similar genetic alterations to those of sporadic endometrial carcinomas.
Functional counterpoise corections for the NMR chemical shift in a model dimeric water system

Abstract Perturbed Hartree-Fock calculations in the gauge including atomic orbital approach (GIAO) with the 6-311G (d, p) basis have been carried out on a model dimeric water system to assess the importance of functional counterpoise corrections to the theoretically calculated chemical shift and shift anisotropy changes upon association. The basis set superposition error (bsse) found for the shift properties is found to be theoretically significant in this system for only the anisotropies of the oxygen and hydrogen atoms of those water molecules acting as proton acceptors, a result that can be understood in terms of the effect on the water lone pair orbitals by the donor water ghost orbitals. The results suggest that counterpoise corrections may be necessary when treating hydrogen bonded species with medium size basis sets.
Associations between neuromuscular function and levels of physical activity differ for boys and girls during puberty.

Objective To compare the associations between neuromuscular performance and anthropometric characteristics with habitual levels of physical activity in boys and girls during the initial stages of puberty. Study design In a cross-sectional study of 72 healthy children (39 boys and 33 girls) ranging in age from 8 to 14 years, sex differences in anthropometric and motor performance characteristics were compared at 3 Tanner stages (T1-T3). Outcome variables included dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry measurements of body composition, assessments of neuromuscular function, and levels of physical activity (steps/day) measured by accelerometry. Results Physical activity was lower in girls than boys at T2 and T3, but there was no sex difference at T1. Physical activity increased with Tanner stage for boys but did not differ between Tanner stages in girls. Physical activity at each Tanner stage was strongly associated (R2 > 0.85) with neuromuscular characteristics for both boys and girls, but percentage of body fat also was associated with physical activity for T3 girls. Conclusions The attenuated gains in neuromuscular function experienced by girls in early stages of puberty were strongly associated with lower levels of physical activity, whereas the increase in physical activity exhibited by boys was mostly related to increases in the strength and endurance of leg muscles. Because sedentary activity is a known contributor to the development of obesity and type 2 diabetes in youth, this study helps to identify possible contributors to decreases in physical activity in young girls and provides potential targets for early intervention.
Habitat Differences Influence Genetic Impacts of Human Land Use on the American Beech (Fagus grandifolia)

Natural reforestation after regional forest clearance is a globally common land-use sequence. The genetic recovery of tree populations in these recolonized forests may depend on the biogeographic setting of the landscape, for instance whether they are in the core or in the marginal part of the species' range. Using data from 501 individuals genotyped across 7 microsatellites, we investigated whether regional differences in habitat quality affected the recovery of genetic variation in a wind-pollinated tree species, American beech (Fagus grandifolia) in Massachusetts. We compared populations in forests that were recolonized following agricultural abandonment to those in remnant forests that have only been logged in both central inland and marginal coastal regions. Across all populations in our entire study region, recolonized forests showed limited reduction of genetic diversity as only observed heterozygosity was significantly reduced in these forests (H(O) = 0.520 and 0.590, respectively). Within inland region, this pattern was observed, whereas in the coast, recolonized populations exhibited no reduction in all genetic diversity estimates. However, genetic differentiation among recolonized populations in marginal coastal habitat increased (F(st) logged = 0.072; F(st) secondary = 0.249), with populations showing strong genetic structure, in contrast to inland region. These results indicate that the magnitude of recovery of genetic variation in recolonized populations can vary at different habitats.
Reliability-based optimization of design variance to identify critical tolerances

Reliability-based design optimization (RBDO) is a topic of interest for research in both academia and industry. RBDO typically involves adjusting the mean values of the design variables while fixing the spread parameters, often measured as variance, in order to accomplish a given objective within the stated constraints. This paper proposes an alternate way to meet given design criteria by fixing the mean values of the statistical inputs and allowing the spread parameters to become design variables. To do this, product cost models are proposed in terms of statistical variables. By performing this type of optimization, the design changes are kept to a minimum, and the focus is instead shifted to variance control. An initial study is performed on a three-bar truss subject to static loading with material variability. A more complex example is performed involving the cost minimization of an unmanned undersea vehicle subjected to hydrostatic buckling.
Evidence that interleukin-1 and phorbol esters activate NF-kappa B by different pathways: role of protein kinase C.

Nuclear factor kappa B (NF-kappa B) is a ubiquitous transcription factor that affects expression of many genes, including immunoglobulin kappa (kappa), the interleukin-2 receptor alpha chain, and t...
The Highs That Bind: School Context, Social Status and Marijuana Use

Substance use has been closely linked with the structural characteristics of adolescent social networks. Those who drink, smoke, and use drugs typically enjoy an elevated status among their peers. Rates of substance use vary substantially across schools, and indicators of school structure and climate account for at least part of this variation. Emerging research suggests peer-group processes are contingent on school context, but questions remain regarding the school-level mechanisms which condition the influence of network characteristics on substance use. The present study uses multilevel logistic regression models to examine the moderating influence of school connectedness, school drug culture, and global network density on the association between peer network status and marijuana use. The analyses draw on self, peer, and parental data from a sample of 7,548 high-school aged youth nested within 106 schools participating in the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health (mean age = 15.2; % white = 59 %; male = 45 %). The results indicate that school connectedness significantly reduces the effect of social status on marijuana use. This provides evidence that school-level mechanisms can reduce the instrumentality of marijuana consumption in the status attainment process in adolescence.
International aspects of biotechnology

The advent of applied molecular biology has created new international issues and opportunities for biotechnology that differ significantly from those associated with the earlier Green Revolution. Techniques involving recombinant DNA, tissue culture, and cloning offer the prospect of great advances over a broad array of human concerns, notably in agriculture and food production, health and medicine, among others. Disparity in bioscience capabilities among nations, and the introduction of biotechnology into international commerce have raised questions of law and policy that are beginning to be addressed. If wisely managed, the new biotechnology offers great promise for the quality of life and the economy in developing countries; and a new structure of international institutions and programmes has developed to assist the realization of this hopeful prospect.