bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
BONE LESIONS OF THE HAND AND WRIST IN PATIENTS UNDERGOING HEMODIALYSIS FOR TEN YEARS
Authors: Ueno Eiji , Beppu Moroe , Shimizu Hiroyuki , Komurai Miki
Published: July 2002

We investigated the chronological changes in the plain radiographs of the hands and wrists of 32 patients who underwent hemodialysis for ten years. Digital image processing (DIP)9and quantitative computed tomography (QCT) were conducted to examine bone density.

Fourteen patients underwent Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) of the wrists, and the relationships between MRI findings and plain radiographic findings and association of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) were investigated. Twenty-one patients with bone lesions revealed by plain radiography were classified into four groups — cystic lesion, bone resorption, mixed, and no-lesion groups.

Subperiosteal bone resorption was seen in 17 patients at ten years, of whom one showed a marked improvement of bone lesion observed at five years. Twelve patients had cystic lesions at ten years, most often observed in the middle phalanx and lunate. Seven of those 12 patients suffered from CTS, in contrast to only one case with CTS in each of the bone resorption and no-lesion groups. DIP and QCT revealed the most severe bone atrophy in the cystic lesion group. In six patients, MRI revealed bone lesions not detected by plain radiographs.
ANALYSIS OF DURAL-SAC OCCLUSION IN A LUMBAR SPINAL MOTION SEGMENT FE MODEL
Authors: KIM YOUNG EUN , CHO SUNG YOON , CHOI HYUNG YUN
Published: July 2002

Occlusion of dural-sac in the lumbar spine was quantitatively analyzed by utilizing one motion segment of finite element lumbar spine model developed in this study. And the mechanism of occlusion, considering both static and viscous behavior of materials, was also investigated with various loading conditions. Occlusion was quantified by calculating the cross sectional area change or volumetric changes of dural-sac. In the static analysis, it was found that less than 2 kN of compressive load could not produce dural-sac occlusion but the compression together with extension moment was more likely to produce the dural-sac occlusion. The 7.4% of occlusion was obtained when the 8 Nm of extension moment was added to 2 kN of compressive load which alone did not create any occlusion. The magnitude of occlusions was increased to 10.5% as the extension moment become to 10 Nm with the same 2 kN of compressive load. In creep analysis, 10 Nm extension, kept for 3600 seconds, induced 6.9% of occlusion and 2.4% of volume reduction in dural-sac. However, flexion moment did not produce any occlusion in dural-sac but increased the volume instead because it caused stretching of dural-sac coupled with vertebra motion. As a conclusion, occlusions resulted mainly from the slackening of ligamentum flavum and disc bulging, and the amount of occlusion was strongly dependent with loading condition and visco-elastic behavior of materials as well.
ANALYTICAL PERFORMANCE EVALUATION OF LOW-BITRATE REAL-TIME TRAFFIC MULTIPLEXING IN UMTS OVER IP NETWORKS
Authors: MENTH MICHAEL
Published: July 2002

Voice and circuit switched data will be carried over IP networks in the wireline part of the future UMTS. The commonly used protocol suite for low-bitrate real-time traffic transmission in the Internet leads to large header overhead, i.e., to low utilization of the network resources by user data. Multiplexing packets of different flows into a single IP packet reduces this effect. We model packet tunneling and multiplexing with subsequent spacing in IP networks. We derive a discrete-time analysis based on a framework for solving Markov chains. The numerical results show the superiority of multiplexing schemes provided that parameters are set in an appropriate way since there are many performance tradeoffs that have substantial effect on the efficiency of the system.
POWER-LAW TAILS AND LIMIT LAWS FOR RECURRENCE TIME DISTRIBUTIONS
Authors: BALAKRISHNAN V. , THEUNISSEN M.
Published: July 2002

We examine the recurrence time distribution in finite-cell partitions of one-dimensional maps that have a tangent at a marginal fixed point, modeling intermittent chaos. A tangency index α(≥0) is shown to correspond to a power-law tail ~n-2-1/α in the recurrence time distribution whenever α < 1. For α<1, the limit law for sequences of recurrences remains the standard Poisson distribution. At α=1, there is a transition to a Gaussian distribution, and for α>1 the limit law is a stable distribution with exponent 1+α-1.
THE ROLE OF ENVIRONMENTAL RISK MANAGEMENT AND REPORTING: AN EMPIRICAL ANALYSIS
Authors: HOOD JOHN , NICHOLL SCOTT
Published: July 2002

In recent years, there have been significant developments in the field of environmental risk assessment and management. Its role in the corporate setting has been strengthened by claims that financial results and corporate reputation can be significantly improved through environmental management. Risk assessment and management provides one of the most comprehensive and cost-effective mechanisms for managing environmental issues and has subsequently led to the adoption of risk-based environmental management. This research examines the current discussion in the field of environmental risk management and undertakes a survey of 112 UK companies to ascertain how environmental risk assessment is perceived and what role it has in environmental management, including environmental reporting and accounting.

The paper concludes that whilst there have been some positive developments in the area, companies, governments and regulators still have work to do in ensuring the adoption of best practice.
Efficient call graph analysis
Authors: Hall Mary W. , Kennedy Ken
Published: July 2002

We present an efficient algorithm for computing the procedure call graph, the program representation underlying most interprocedural optimization techniques. The algorithm computes the possible bindings of procedure variables in languages where such variables only receive their values through parameter passing, such as Fortran. We extend the algorithm to accommodate a limited form of assignments to procedure variables. The resulting algorithm can also be used in analysis of functional programs that have been converted to Continuation-Passing-Style.

We discuss the algorithm in relationship to other call graph analysis approaches. Many less efficient techniques produce essentially the same call graph. A few algorithms are more precise, but they may be prohibitively expensive depending on language features.
Modal nonmonotonic logics
Authors: Marek V. Wiktor , Schwarz Grigori F. , Truszczyński Mirosław
Published: July 2002

Many nonmonotonic formalism, including default logic, logic programming with stable models, and autoepistemic logic, can be represented faithfully by means of modal nonmonotonic logics in the family proposed by McDermott and Doyle. In this paper properties of logics in this family are thoroughly investigated. We present several results on characterization of expansions. These results are applicable to a wide class of nonmonotonic modal logics. Using these characterization results, algorithms for computing expansions for finite theories are developed. Perhaps the most important finding of this paper is that the structure of the family of modal nonmonotonic logics is much simpler than that of the family of underlying modal (monotonic) logics. Namely, it is often the case that different monotonic modal logics collapse to the same nonmonotonic system. We exhibit four families of logics whose nonmonotonic variants coincide:
5-KD45, TW5-SW5, N-WK
, and
W5-D4WB
. These nonmonotonic logics naturally represent logics related to commonsense reasoning and knowledge representation such as autoepistemic logic, reflexive autoepistemic logic, default logic, and truth maintenance with negation.
Auction allocation of computing resources
Authors: Gagliano Ross A. , Fraser Martin D. , Schaefer Mark E.
Published: July 2002

Standard methods for allocating computing resources normally employ schedulers and either queue or priority schemes. Alternative methods utilizing marketlike processes are being investigated, with direct applicability to evolving distributed systems. In this article, we present results of simulations of an auction allocation is which computing tasks are provided sufficient intelligence to
acquire
resources by offering, bidding, and exchanging them for
funds
.
The equivalence problem for real-time DPDAs
Authors: Oyamaguchi Michio
Published: July 2002

The equivalence problem for deterministic real-time pushdown automata is shown to be decidable. This result is obtained by showing that Valiant's parallel stacking technique using a replacement function introduced in this paper succeeds for deterministic real-time pushdown automata. Equivalence is also decidable for two deterministic pushdown automata, one of which is real-time.
C++ implementations of numerical methods for solving differential-algebraic equations
Authors: Kees Christopher E. , Miller Cass T.
Published: July 2002

Object-oriented programming can produce improved implementations of complex numerical methods, but it can also introduce a performance penalty. Since computational simulation often requires intricate and highly efficient codes, the performance penalty of high-level techniques must always be weighed against the improvements they enable. These issues are addressed in a general object-oriented (OO) toolkit for the numerical solution of differential-algebraic equations (DAEs). The toolkit can be configured in several different ways to solve DAE initial-value problems with an adaptive multistep method. It contains a wrapped version of the Fortran 77 code DASPK and a translation of this to C++. Two C++ constructs for assembling the tools are provided, as are two implementations an important DAE test problem. Multiple configurations of the toolkit for DAE test problems are compared in order to assess the performance penalties of C++. The mathematical methods and implementation techniques are discussed in detail in order to provide heuristics for efficient OO scientific programming and to demonstrate the effectiveness of OO techniques in managing complexity and producing better code. The codes were tested on a variety of problems using publicly available Fortran 77 and C++ compilers. Extensive effficiency comparisons are presented in order to isolate computationally inefficient OO techniques. Techniques that caused difficulty in implementation and maintenance are also highlighted. The comparisons demonstrate that the majority of C++'s built-in support for OO programming has a negligible effect on performance, when used at sufficiently high levels, and provides flexible and extensible software for numerical methods.
Statistical mechanics and disordered systems
Authors: Kirkpatrick Scott , Swendsen Robert H.
Published: July 2002

Since computers are able to simulate the equilibrium properties of model systems, they may also prove useful for solving the hard optimization problems that arise in the engineering of complex systems.
Hardware/software synthesis of formal specifications in codesign of embedded systems
Authors: Carchiolo Vincenza , Malgeri Michele , Mangioni Guiseppe
Published: July 2002

CoDesign aims to integrate the design techniques of hardware and software. In this work, we present a CoDesign methodology based on a formal approach to embedded system specification. This methodology uses the Templated T-LOTOS language to specify the system during all design phases. Templated T-LOTOS is a formal language based on CCS and CSP models. Using Templated T-LOTOS, a system can be specified by observing the temporal ordering in which the events occur from the outside. In this paper we focus on the synthesis of system specified by Templated T-LOTOS. The proposed synthesis algorithm takes advantage of peculiarities of Templates T-LOTOS. Hardware modules are translated into a register transfer-level language that manages some signals in order to drive synchronization, while the software models are translated into C according to a finite state model whose operations are controlled by a scheduler. The synthesis of the Templated T-LOTOS specification is based on the direct translation of the language operators to ensure that the implemented system is the same as the specified one.
Spelling correction in user interfaces
Authors: Durham Ivor , Lamb David A. , Saxe James B.
Published: July 2002

The feasibility of providing a spelling corrector as a part of interactive user interfaces is demonstrated. The issues involved in using spelling correction in a user interface are examined, and a simple correction algorithm is described. The results of an experiment in which the corrector is incorporated into a heavily used interactive program are described. More than one quarter of the errors made by users during the experiment were corrected using the simple mechanisms presented here. From this we have concluded that there are considerable benefits and few obstacles to providing a spelling corrector in almost any interactive user interface.
Storing a sparse table
Authors: Tarjan Robert Endre , Yao Andrew Chi-Chih
Published: July 2002

The problem of storing and searching large sparse tables is ubiquitous in computer science. The standard technique for storing such tables is hashing, but hashing has poor worst-case performance. We propose a good worst-case method for storing a static table of
n
entries, each an integer between 0 and
N
- 1. The method requires
O
(
n
) words of storage and allows
O
(log
n
N
) access time. Although our method is a little complicated to use in practice, our analysis shows why a simpler algorithm used for compressing LR parsing tables works so well.
The reconstruction of binary patterns from their projections
Authors: Chang Shi-Kuo
Published: July 2002

Given the horizontal and vertical projections of a finite binary pattern
f
, can we reconstruct the original pattern
f
? In this paper we give a characterization of patterns that are reconstructable from their projections. Three algorithms are developed to reconstruct both unambiguous and ambiguous patterns. It is shown that an unambiguous pattern can be perfectly reconstructed in time
m
×
n
and that a pattern similar to an ambiguous pattern can also be constructed in time
m
×
n
, where
m
,
n
are the dimensions of the pattern frame.
A linear time algorithm for optimal routing around a rectangle
Authors: Gonzalez Teofilo F. , Lee Sing-Ling
Published: July 2002

The problem of connecting a set of terminals that lie on the sides of a rectangle to minimize the total area is discussed. An
O
(
n
) algorithm is presented to solve this problem when the set of
n
terminals is initially sorted. The strategy in this paper is to reduce the problem to several problems such that no matter what instance is started with, at least one of these problems can be solved optimally by a greedy method.
Evolving Treatment Strategies for Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Authors: Hanauer Stephen B. , Dassopoulos Themistocles
Published: July 2002

▪ Abstract  Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis are idiopathic inflammatory bowel diseases characterized by dysregulated intestinal immune responses in genetically susceptible hosts. Conventional approaches to the medical therapy of ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease can now be directed at either induction or maintenance of remission to improve therapeutic efficacy while minimizing complications. Newer approaches have expanded the utility of conventional therapies by improving both safety and efficacy and highlight the importance of specific targets along the immunoinflammatory pathways. The combination of conventional and novel approaches now offers the potential of modifying the natural history of these diseases.
INTERACTIONS BETWEEN HORMONES AND CHEMICALS IN BREAST CANCER
Authors: Safe Stephen H.
Published: July 2002

▪ Abstract  Development of breast cancer in women is dependent on diverse factors, including genetic predisposition, exposure to both exogenous and endogenous chemicals, which can modulate initiation, promotion and progression of this disease, and the timing of exposure to these agents. Several compounds—including 16α-hydroxyestrone (16α-OHE1), catecholestrogens, and aromatic amines—have been proposed as initiators of mammary carcinogenesis in humans; however, their role as genotoxins is unconfirmed. Lifetime exposure to estrogens has been established as an important risk factor for breast cancer, and it has been suggested that xenoestrogens may directly add to the hormonal risk or indirectly increase risk by decreasing 2-hydroxyestrone (2-OHE1)/16α-OHE1 metabolite ratios. Results of recent studies suggest that chemical-induced modulation of 2-OHE1/16α-OHE1 metabolite ratios is not predictive of xenoestrogens or mammary carcinogens. Moreover, based on current known dietary intakes of natural and xenoestrogenic/antiestrogenic chemicals, it is unlikely that xenoestrogens contribute significantly to a woman's overall lifetime exposure to estrogens. More information is required on the identities and serum levels of both natural and xenoendocrine active compounds, their concentrations in serum, and the mammary gland and levels of these compounds at critical periods of exposure.
REFLECTIONS ON BRITISH ELECTIONS AND THEIR STUDY
Authors: Butler David
Published: July 2002

▪ Abstract  This chapter summarizes the history of the Nuffield series of election studies, which describe and analyze each of the 15 British general elections since 1945. It is a tribute to RB McCallum, Master of Pembroke College, Oxford, who initiated the series, but it is also an exploration of the ways in which electioneering has been transformed over the past 50 years. Two contests stand out as milestones: 1959 saw the first television coverage, the first press conferences, the first private polling, and the first nationwide advertising; 1997 was remarkable for the consolidation of all the new techniques of communication and public relations in the Labour Party's remarkably successful campaign.
Military Technology Races
Authors: Koubi Vally
Published: July 2002

Because of the nature of modern weapons, significant innovations in arms technology have the potential to induce dramatic changes in the international distribution of power. Consider, for example, the “strategic defense initiative” (SDI), a program initiated by the United States in the early 1980s. Had the program been successfully completed, it might have led to a substantial devaluation of Soviet nuclear capabilities and put the United States in a very dominant position. It should not then come as a surprise that interstate rivalry, especially among super powers, often takes the form of a race for technological superiority. Mary Acland-Hood claims that although the United States and the Soviet Union together accounted for roughly half of the world's military expenditures in the early 1980s, their share of world military research and development (R&D) expenditures was about 80 percent. As further proof of the perceived importance of R&D, note that whereas the overall U.S. defense budget increased by 38 percent (from $225.1 billion to $311.6 billion in real terms) from 1981 to 1987, military R&D spending increased by 100 percent (from $20.97 billion to $41.96 billion). Moreover, before World War II military R&D absorbed on average less than 1 percent of the military expenditure of major powers, but since then it has grown to 11–13 percent. The emphasis on military technology is bound to become more pronounced in the future as R&D becomes the main arena for interstate competition.
On Scrambling: A Reply to Bošković and Takahashi
Authors: Bailyn John Frederick
Published: July 2002

In this article I argue against Boš;ković and Takahashi's (1998) analysis of scrambling as base generation (with lowering for Ā -cases). I present evidence from Russian of scope and antire construction effects and scrambling/wh-movement parallels, all implicating a “classical” overt movement account of Ā-scrambling. I then discuss theoretical issues unresolved by the base generation/lowering account. Having shown that Ā -scrambling is (upward) movement, I argue that the account of A-scrambled arguments as base-generated also loses its force. In conclusion I suggest an alternative way to eliminate the apparent optionality associated with scrambling, while maintaining the classical analysis of scrambling as upward movement.
Restoring Exotic Coordinations to Normalcy
Authors: Johnson Kyle
Published: July 2002

I analyze two instances in German where coordinations seem to violate Ross's (1967) Coordinate Structure Constraint. I follow Schwarz 1998 and argue that the two constructions are underlyingly the same, one deriving from the other through gapping. Using the thesis that the verb-final word order in German involves a short leftward movement of the finite verb or verb phrase, I provide a method of avoiding the Coordinate Structure Constraint violation that would otherwise be expected.
Verb Movement in Embedded Clauses in West Flemish
Authors: Haegeman Liliane
Published: July 2002

This article analyzes aspects of the distribution of West Flemish verbs in terms of Kayne's (1994) antisymmetry approach. The distribution of the auxiliary in the Infinitivus pro Participio (IPP) construction provides evidence for three functional heads in the lower middle field: Neg, T, and F2. The word order in the IPP construction is derived by head movement of the auxiliary and XP-movement of the IPP complement. The IPP complement moves to [Spec, FP2] to check its formal features; the finite auxiliary moves either to F2 or to a higher functional head, T or Neg; the nonfinite auxiliary remains in F2. The analysis accounts for the finite/nonfinite asymmetry in the distribution of the negative affix en. The article includes concrete proposals for the implementation of feature checking.
An Energy Function and Continuous Edit Process for Graph Matching
Authors: Finch Andrew M. , Wilson Richard C. , Hancock Edwin R.
Published: July 2002

The contributions of this article are twofold. First, we develop a new nonquadratic energy function for graph matching. The starting point is a recently reported mixture model that gauges relational consistency using a series of exponential functions of the Hamming distances between graph neighborhoods. We compute the effective neighborhood potentials associated with the mixture model by identifying the single probability function of zero Kullback divergence. This new energy function is simply a weighted sum of graph Hamming distances. The second contribution is to locate matches by graduated assignment. Rather than solving the meanfield saddle-point equations, which are intractable for our nonquadratic energy function, we apply the soft-assign ansatz to the derivatives of our energy function. Here we introduce a novel departure from the standard graduated assignment formulation of graph matching by allowing the connection strengths of the data graph to update themselves. The aim is to provide a means by which the structure of the data graph can be updated so as to rectify structural errors. The method is evaluated experimentally and is shown to outperform its quadratic counterpart.
Sexual Spectacles Theatricality and the Performance of Sex in Early Encounters in the Pacific
Authors: Balme Christopher B.
Published: July 2002

When Europeans first arrived in Tahiti in the mid-18th century, they were sometimes greeted by performances that were aesthetic, ludic, and sexual. These performances of sex constitute another pole to a colonial history otherwise characterized by antagonism and violence.
WHAT IF PAUL HAD TRAVELLED EAST RATHER THAN WEST?
Authors: Bauckham Richard
Published: July 2002

For first-century Jews the eastern disapora was at least as important as the western. When Paul returned from Arabia (Nabatea) to Damascus, his intention was to travel east from Damascus to Mesopotamia, where the synagogue communities, descendants of the original exiles of both northern and southern tribes of Israel, would have been his starting point for mission to the Gentiles of the area. But when he escaped arrest by the Nabatean ethnarc, Nabatean control of the trade routes south and east of Damascus left him no choice but to travel to Jerusalem, where he re-thought the geographical scope of his mission. Had Paul travelled east, the Christian communities of both north and south Mesopotamia might have flourished already in the first century and Paul's writings might have had more influence on Syriac theology. Considering how Christianity in the Roman Empire would have developed without Paul entails rejecting such exaggerated views of Paul's significance as that Paul invented Christianity or that without Paul Christianity would have remained a Jewish sect. The Gentile mission began without Paul and took place in areas, such as Rome and Egypt, which were not evangelized by Paul. Without Paul much would have been different about the way the early Christian movement would have spread across the Roman Empire, but it would still have spread, with much the same long-term effects.
THE TRUTH OF SHAME-CONSCIOUSNESS IN FREUD AND PHENOMENOLOGY
Authors: Metcalf Robert
Published: July 2002

This paper addresses the philosophical problems posed by shame-consciousness, specifically with respect to the question as to whether the feelings of shame signify an apprehension of truth. After reviewing several methodological problems posed by shame-consciousness, the paper takes up the theoretical treatment of shame in Freud, Scheler, Sartre, and Merleau-Ponty, in order to show how shame illuminates the constitution of subjectivity by power relations in society. This psychoanalytic and phenomenological account of shame is shown to be confirmed by material drawn from cultural studies of shame, and by contemporary feminist critique.
MILK AND FLESH: A PHENOMENOLOGICAL REFLECTION ON INFANCY AND COEXISTENCE
Authors: Simms Eva-Maria
Published: July 2002

Infants who suffer severe neglect fail to thrive emotionally as well as bodily. The absence of early coexistential structures that provide well-being leads to a narrowing of the child's perceptual and social developmental horizon. What is the nature of these early structures? In this essay, an ontology of well-being or housedness is elaborated through phenomenological reflections on breast-feeding and infant perception. Merleau-Ponty's ontology of the flesh makes a contribution to the ontology of well-being: it gives us a conceptual and evocative language to describe human existence in its pre-verbal, syncretic, and non-dualistic manifestations. It also allows for a re-evaluation and re-interpretation of the results of current research in infant perception. Through the structures of infant perception we perceive the coexistential fit between infants, other human beings, and the world of things. An infant's fundamental housedness in the flesh is taken up and cultivated or destroyed by the child's social and cultural environment.
Disordering of MgAl2O4spinel from first principles
Authors: Warren M. C. , Dove M. T. , Redfern S. A. T.
Published: July 2002

At high temperature, MgAl2O4spinel is stabilized by disorder of Mg and Al between octahedral and tetrahedral sites. This behaviour has been measured up to 1700 K in recent neutron experiments, but the extrapolation of subsequently fitted thermodynamic models is not reliable. First principles simulation of the electronic structure of such minerals can in principle accurately predict disorder, but would require unfeasibly large computing resources. We have instead parameterized on-site and short-ranged cluster potentials using a small number of electronic structure simulations at zero temperature. These potentials were then used in large-scale statistical simulations at finite temperatures to predict disordering thermodynamics beyond the range of experimental measurements. Within the temperature range of the experiment, good agreement is obtained for the degree of order. The entropy and free energy are calculated and compared to those from macroscopic models.
Overexpression of suppressor of cytokine signaling-1 impairs pre-T-cell receptor–induced proliferation but not differentiation of immature thymocytes
Authors: Trop Sébastien , De Sepulveda Paulo , Zúñiga-Pflücker Juan Carlos , Rottapel Robert
Published: July 2002

Cytokines play an essential role during early T-cell development. However, the mechanisms controlling cytokine signaling in developing thymocytes have not been elucidated. Cytokine receptor signaling can be modulated by suppressor of cytokine signaling-1 (SOCS-1), which acts as a negative regulator of Janus kinases. SOCS-1 is normally expressed throughout thymocyte development; however, retroviral-mediated overexpression of SOCS-1 in fetal liver–derived hematopoietic progenitors prevented their progression beyond the earliest stage of T-cell development. Further analysis revealed that SOCS-1 expression is transiently suppressed following pre-T-cell receptor (TCR) signaling. Moreover, constitutive expression of SOCS-1 abrogated pre-TCR– mediated expansion of immature thymocytes but did not interfere with differentiation. These findings reveal that SOCS-1 serves to regulate cytokine signaling at critical checkpoints during early T-cell development.
Alterations of the phosphoinositide 3-kinase and mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling pathways in the erythropoietin-independent Spi-1/PU.1 transgenic proerythroblasts
Authors: Barnache Stéphane , Mayeux Patrick , Payrastre Bernard , Moreau-Gachelin Françoise
Published: July 2002

During the cell transformation processes leading to erythroleukemia, erythroid progenitors often become erythropoietin (Epo)-independent for their proliferation. The biochemical events that could lead an erythroleukemic cell to growth factor–independence were investigated using spi-1 transgenic poerythroblasts. Spi-1/PU.1 is a myeloid and B-cell transcription factor of the ETS family and is activated by insertional mutagenesis during Friend erythroleukemia. Its overexpression in proerythroblasts induces their differentiation arrest without altering their erythropoietin requirement for proliferation (HS1 cells). At a later step, genetic alterations most probably occur allowingspi-1 transgenic poerythroblasts to proliferate in the absence of erythropoietin (HS2 cells). The signaling transduction pathways in HS1 and HS2 proerythroblasts were analyzed. The authors have previously shown that the Jak/STAT pathway was not activated in Epo-independent cells, but remained sensitive to Epo stimulation. In the present study, it is shown that the Epo-independent proliferation of HS2 cells requires active phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathways. In these cells, PI3K was constitutively associated with the molecular adapters Grb2 and Gab1, and with the phosphatases SHP-2 and SHIP. Moreover, PI3K activity was correlated with the constitutive phosphorylation of serine-threonine protein kinase (AKT) in HS2 cells. Lastly, a constitutive activation of the MAPKs extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERK1/2) in HS2 cells was observed that occurs in a PI3K-independent manner, but depends strictly on the activity of the protein kinase C (PKC). These results suggest that constitutive activations of PI3K/AKT and PKC/MAPK pathways can act in synergy to lead a proerythroblast to proliferate without Epo.
Daily Physical Activity, Sports Participation, and Executive Function in Children
Authors: Yang Lu , Corpeleijn Eva , Hartman Esther
Published: December 2024

Importance

It is unclear whether daily physical activity and sports participation relate to executive function (EF) in children.

Objective

To explore associations between early-life physical activity, sports participation, and executive function in primary school children.

Design, Setting, and Participants

Data for this cohort study were collected from April 2006 to December 2017 from the Groningen Expert Center for Kids with Obesity (GECKO) Drenthe birth cohort, which includes Northern Dutch children. Preschool children aged 5 to 6 years and primary school children aged 10 to 11 years with valid EF, daily physical activity, and sports participation data were included in the analysis. Data were analyzed from May 2023 to February 2024.

Exposures

At ages 5 to 6 years, daily physical activity was measured with accelerometry. At ages 10 to 11 years, sports participation data were collected using the Short Questionnaire to Assess Health–Enhancing Physical Activity.

Main Outcomes and Measures

Executive function was assessed using the Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function at ages 10 to 11 years.

Results

A total of 880 children (470 female [53.4%]; mean [SD] age at EF measurement, 11.1 [0.4] years) were included. Moderate to vigorous physical activity at ages 5 to 6 years did not correlate with EF at ages 10 to 11 years (eg, Global Executive Composite [GEC]: β, 0.16; 95% CI, −0.21 to 0.53). Higher levels of light physical activity at ages 5 to 6 years were associated with poorer inhibitory control (β, 0.86; 95% CI, 0.24-1.47) and self-monitoring (β, 0.79; 95% CI, 0.09-1.48) at ages 10 to 11 years, while greater sedentary time was associated with better inhibitory control (β, −0.62; 95% CI, −1.08 to −0.16) and self-monitoring (β, −0.57; 95% CI, −1.09 to −0.06). Compared with children engaged in individual sports, team sports participants exhibited better overall EF (mean difference [SE], −3.03 [0.81]), behavior regulation (mean difference [SE], −3.39 [0.77]), and metacognition (mean difference [SE], −2.55 [0.81]). Children involved in both types of sports vs only individual sports had better EF (GEC: mean difference [SE], −2.66 [0.93]).

Conclusions and Relevance

In this cohort study of Dutch children, early-life moderate to vigorous physical activity was not associated with EF in middle childhood. Children participating in team sports at ages 10 to 11 years consistently exhibited superior EF compared with participants in individual sports.
Cannabis Use and Trajectories of Depression and Stress Across the Prenatal Period
Authors: Constantino-Pettit Anna , Tillman Rebecca , Wilson Jillian , Lashley-Simms Nicole , Vatan Naazanene , Atkinson Azaria , Leverett Shelby D. , Lenze Shannon , Smyser Christopher D. , Bogdan Ryan , Rogers Cynthia , Agrawal Arpana
Published: December 2024

Importance

Cannabis use among pregnant individuals has increased. Depression and stress are frequently reported motives for cannabis use that may prolong using cannabis during pregnancy.

Objective

To examine associations between changes in depression, stress, and self-reported prenatal cannabis use (PCU), to examine motives for PCU, and to examine whether trajectories of depression and stress vary across individuals who report using cannabis to cope with mental health symptoms and/or stress, those who use cannabis for other reasons, and those who do not report PCU.

Design, Setting, and Participants

This cohort study recruited pregnant individuals at an obstetric clinic at an academic hospital between July 2019 and January 2024 and followed them during pregnancy. Pregnant individuals with a history of lifetime cannabis use were included. Individuals reporting heavy episodic alcohol use or with other illicit drug use were excluded.

Exposure

Self-reported PCU.

Main Outcomes and Measures

The primary outcomes were self-reported depression (Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale), stress (Cohen Perceived Stress Scale), and cannabis use at each trimester during pregnancy, as well as motives for cannabis use during the first trimester (T1). Stability and changes in depression and stress scores and categorical self-reported prenatal cannabis use from T1 to the third trimester (T3) were estimated using individual linear growth curve models.

Results

In this sample of 504 patients (all identified as women; median [IQR] age, 26 [18-40] years), 236 individuals (46.8%) reported PCU after pregnancy knowledge. Depression, stress, and PCU decreased from T1 to T3 (all slope estimates less than −0.29; SEs, 0.23-0.7; all P < .001). There were positive associations between depression and PCU at T1 (r = 0.17; P = .004) and in their rate of change (r = 0.18; P = .01). Only T1 stress and PCU were correlated (r = 0.14; P = .004). Participants reporting PCU for mental health reasons (137 participants [58.1%]) had the highest depression scores at each trimester; however, their rate of change in depression was statistically equivalent to those who did not use cannabis.

Conclusions and Relevance

In this cohort study of PCU, participants who used cannabis did not experience a more significant decline in stress or depression symptoms compared with those who did not use cannabis. Individuals who used cannabis for mental health reasons did not hasten a decrease in their symptoms. Health care professionals are encouraged to enhance prenatal individuals’ access to empirically supported treatments for depression and stress.
Propylene
Authors: Akah Aaron , Xu Qi , AlHerz Mansour
Published: December 2024

This article provides an overview of propylene's properties, production methods, and its significance in the chemical industry. Propylene is a colorless, flammable hydrocarbon gas, which is used as a petrochemical building block. It is primarily produced as a by‐product of ethylene production from the steam cracking of hydrocarbons. Propylene is used in the synthesis of a wide range of products, including polypropylene plastics, acrylonitrile, propylene oxide, and acrylic acid. The demand for propylene has been steadily increasing due to its versatility and the growth of industries such as automotive, construction, and packaging.
Transmission‐Line Matrix (TLM) Method
Authors: Christopoulos Christos
Published: December 2024

The chapter presents the fundamental ideas behind the transmission‐line modeling or matrix (TLM) method and its application to complex electromagnetic problems. TLM is considered from different points of view to illustrate its properties and modeling capabilities. A number of more recent enhancements to TLM are presented, especially in the area of materials and multiscale modeling. The chapter gives a concise introduction to advanced TLM topics and applications.
Near‐Ground Propagation Mechanisms in Wireless Communications
Authors: Michalski Krzysztof A.
Published: December 2024

In this chapter, we reexamine the solution of the century‐old Sommerfeld problem of a vertical or horizontal elementary Hertzian dipole antenna radiating over a material half‐space. This classical problem is still relevant to many modern applications, including geophysical prospecting, detection of unexploded ordnance, near‐ground sensors, on‐body networks, surface radar, and cellular wireless communications. To gain more insight into the near‐ground wireless propagation mechanisms, we derive the asymptotic field expressions by using the modified saddle‐point integration method, paying particular attention to the so‐called Norton surface wave and its significance in the total field of the dipole. We also extend the theory to include the effect of a thin, low‐loss overlayer. We illustrate and validate the theoretical developments by numerical results involving on‐surface and elevated transmitter–receiver configurations and different lower half‐space media, including seawater and urban ground, with emphasis on modern high‐frequency applications, where the media losses are relatively small. We also include a brief review of the history of the Sommerfeld half‐space problem with references to the most pertinent literature.
Multiscale Confinement‐Modulated Cellulosic Dielectric Materials for Energy Harvesting and Self‐Powered Devices
Authors: Huang Huancheng , Nong Xinyue , Zhang Pinle , Xu Yanhao , Chen Junyu , Yu Fanchao , Zhang Cheng , Xiao Xiang , Wang Shuangfei , Nie Shuangxi , Liu Xinliang
Published: December 2024

The rapid rise of triboelectric nanogenerators, an innovative technology for low‐frequency energy harvesting and self‐powered sensing, has increased the interest in high‐performance triboelectric materials. Enhancing the surface charge density via dielectric modulation is essential for high‐performance triboelectric nanogenerators. As the most abundant biopolymer on earth, cellulose has remarkable properties such as excellent mechanical strength, thermal stability, and tunable surface chemistry, indicating its significant application potential in the design and fabrication of triboelectric nanogenerators. Owing to its unique multiscale structure and excellent processability, cellulose holds substantial promise for dielectric modulation. This review aims to provide comprehensive insights into the rational design and tailored preparation of cellulosic materials with optimal dielectric constants. First, the multiscale structure and exceptional advantages of cellulosic materials are interpreted. A comprehensive investigation into multiscale confinement‐modulated cellulosic dielectric materials encompassing cellulosic molecules, dipoles, and fibers along with their dipoles is undertaken and the significance of interfacial polarization is explored. Furthermore, the emerging applications of cellulosic materials with superior dielectric properties in triboelectric nanogenerators, including energy harvesting, self‐powered sensing, and self‐powered medical and smart monitoring systems, are described. Finally, the challenges and future opportunities for cellulosic dielectric modulation are summarized.
Halometallate Ionic Liquid Dynamically Regulates Zwitterionic Hydrogels by Synergistic Multiple‐Bond Networks
Authors: Jiang Jiali , Zhao Long
Published: December 2024

Improving the compatibility between high concentration metallic ions and zwitterions to controllable construction of coordination bonds is critical and extremely challenging. Here, a facile and effective strategy to fabricate multifunctional hydrogels by randomly copolymerizing halometallate ionic liquids (ILs) and zwitterions through electron beam irradiation is reported. Introducing metal ions into ILs can balance charges and establish moderate and stable cross‐linked networks with zwitterions. The synergistic effect of coordination bonds and multiple interactions with varying strengths endows hydrogel with outstanding stretchability, compressive strength, rapid response, advanced self‐healing ability, and excellent frost resistance. The multifunctional sensor assembled from hydrogels can timely, accurately, and stably monitor human movement, write anti‐counterfeiting and remotely transmit Morse code signals. Multiple hydrogel sensors are also assembled into a flexible sensor array to track the tactile trajectory and detect spatial distribution of force. Moreover, the obtained hydrogel displays high temperature sensitivity with resistance temperature coefficient of −3.85% °C−1 at 25–40 °C, which can detect tiny temperature changes (0.1 °C). Interestingly, the processed hydrogel can effectively modulate the transmissivity through salt triggering to achieve patterning. Considering the structural designability of halometallate ILs, this work provides new insights for the development of multifunctional hydrogels.
Short‐Time and High‐Performance Recovery of Critical Metal Elements From Spent Ternary Lithium‐Ion Batteries by Selective Synergic Coordination Effect
Authors: Liu Tianchi , Yan Zidi , Xin Weiwen , Cui Yanglansen , Ling Haoyang , Zhang Zhehua , Zhou Shengyang , Li Ke , Kong Xiang‐Yu , Jiang Lei , Wen Liping
Published: December 2024

Recycling of spent ternary lithium‐ion batteries (LIBs) is crucial for both resource recovery and environmental sustainability. Deep eutectic solvents (DESs), as an eco‐friendly leaching agent, offer a promising alternative to mineral acids for the metal recovery. However, current DES‐based systems primarily focus on binary LiCoO2 batteries and suffer from complex leaching conditions, including high operation temperature, long reaction time. Herein, a dual‐function green solution is synthesized using choline chloride and tartaric acid, enabling direct precipitation of nickel (Ni) and separation of cobalt (Co), manganese (Mn), and lithium (Li) within 50 min at 100 °C, without requiring additional reducing agents throughout the process. The recovery efficiency of Li, Ni, Co, and Mn reached 99.2%, 97.3%, 94.4%, and 94.1%, respectively, while the purity of Ni products approached 99.9%. The used system is suitable for recycling various types of ternary batteries. Additionally, both theoretical and experimental analyses reveal that Ni ions exhibit superior binding energy and coordination with DESs compared to other ions, attributed to the synergistic effect of strong interaction and stable chelation. This research offers a promising method for the replenishment of essential metal resources.
Phosphorus‐Tuned Nickel Boride Nanocatalyst with Enhanced p–p Interaction for Expediting Sulfur Electrochemistry in Lithium‐Sulfur Batteries
Authors: Li Hongyang , Huang Zhanpeng , Qian Pengsen , Wang Yuqi , Gao Rui , Bendounan Azzedine , Wang Huimin , Chen Zhesheng , Zeng Haibo , Li Gaoran
Published: December 2024

Rationally modulating the electronic structure of sulfur electrocatalysts is essential for the development of reliable lithium–sulfur (Li–S) batteries. Herein, a phosphorus‐doping strategy is presented to finely tune the electronic properties of nickel boride (P‐NiB), facilitating highly efficient sulfur electrocatalysis. Through a combination of theoretical modeling and experimental validation, It is demonstrated that the electronegative P reduces the occupancy of B 2p orbitals, promoting B─S bonding via enhanced p‐p orbital interaction. Meanwhile, P and Ni atoms also exhibit strong affinities to polysulfides via p‐p and p‐d interactions, respectively, rendering a globally sulphophilic catalyst that effectively confines polysulfides and lowers conversion energy barriers. This leads to fast and durable sulfur redox reactions, with P‐NiB‐based Li–S cells outperforming their undoped NiB and bare carbon counterparts in both cyclability (1000 cycles) and rate capability (5 C). Furthermore, a high areal capacity of up to 8.94 mAh cm−2 is achieved under high‐loading and lean‐electrolyte conditions, along with the demonstration of a multi‐layered pouch cell delivering a high overall capacity of 1.2 Ah. This work highlights an efficient anion‐tuning strategy for optimizing metal boride‐based sulfur electrocatalysis, offering a promising pathway toward high‐performance and practically viable Li–S batteries.
Lysosome‐Targeting Protein Degradation Through Endocytosis Pathway Triggered by Polyvalent Nano‐Chimera for AD Therapy
Authors: Wang Xiaorong , Chen Shiqin , Xia Xue , Du Yufan , Wei Ya , Yang Wenqin , Zhang Yiwei , Song Yujun , Lei Ting , Huang Qianqian , Gao Huile
Published: December 2024

The excessive up‐regulation of receptor for advanced glycation end products (RAGE), a well‐known pathological marker, drives the onset and progression of Alzheimer's disease. Although lysosome‐targeting protein degradation has emerged as an effective therapeutic modality, the limited lysosome‐sorting efficacy greatly hindered the degradation efficiency of target proteins. Herein, a lysosome‐shuttle‐like nano‐chimera (endoTAC) is proposed based on polyvalent receptor binding mode for enhanced RAGE degradation as well as precise drug delivery. The endoTAC shows a high affinity to RAGE and enhances RAGE degradation due to its polyvalent‐interaction with RAGE. Additionally, endoTAC features increased accumulation in diseased brain and shows promise as a precise brain delivery system. After loading with simvastatin, the SV@endoTAC proves to successfully reverse pathological features both in vitro and in vivo. The work proposes that the combination of a lysosome‐targeting chimera and an effective drug delivery system can be promising in Alzheimer's disease therapy.