cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A DTN-Based Multiple Access Fast Forward Service for the NASA Space Network

The NASA Space Network provides a demand access return link service capable of providing users a space link "on demand". An equivalent service in the forward link direction is not possible due to Tracking and Data Relay Spacecraft (TDRS) constraints. A Disruption Tolerant Networking (DTN)-based Multiple Access Fast Forward (MAFF) service has been proposed to provide a forward link to a user as soon as possible. Previous concept studies have identified a basic architecture and implementation approach. This paper reviews the user scenarios and benefits of a MAFF service and proposes an implementation approach based on the use of DTN protocols.
Oceanic sound speed profile inversion

A modal (full-wave) method has been developed to predict ocean sound speed profiles from propagated acoustic field data. The method assumes a point source of sound in the ocean and uses as data the values of the transmitted acoustic field at an array. The formalism for depth-dependent sound speeds consists of the standard Hankel integral transform of the depth solution. In the travel length coordinate, the latter is written exactly, using the Green's function, in terms of an integral equation whose kernel includes the sound speed profile correction. A Born approximation to this equation is used. This is just the WKB solution, and permits the use of a nontrivial input (or guess) profile, here chosen as bilinear. The use of asymptotic methods enables us to write the data as an integral transform over the profile correction. The transform can be inverted. An example is presented for full-bandwidth inversion.
Microvascular architecture in rat soleus and extensor digitorum longus muscles.

Abstract Microvascular architecture was investigated in the slow-twitch soleus (SOL) and fast-twitch extensor digitorum longus (EDL) muscles. Rats (n = 5) were anesthetized and papaverine was infused into a carotid artery cannula to induce vasodilation. Microfil casting compound was then infused at an inflation pressure (caudal artery) of 100 mm Hg. Bilateral SOL and EDL muscles were excised 24–72 hr postcasting, dehydrated in ethanol, and cleared in methyl salicylate. Branch frequencies (BR) and segment lengths (SL) of intramuscular arterioles and venules were quantified along primary (1°), secondary (2°), and tertiary (3°) order microvessels using microscopy. In both muscles, BR decreased with increasing vessel order. Regional differences in network organization were observed within the EDL muscle. SL of 1° arterioles was 47% shorter in the SOL muscle indicating more compact microvascular networks compared to the EDL muscle. These findings provide a structural basis for reported differences in blood flow between the SOL and EDL muscles at rest and during exercise.
Naming of undersea features

The Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC), the International Hydrographic Organization (IHO), and the joint IOC/IHO Guiding Committee for the General Bathymetric Chart of the Oceans (GEBCO) have expressed considerable concern about the indiscriminate and unregulated naming of undersea features which often go into print without any close scrutiny. An author may not realize that the feature has a name already, maybe in another language, or that his terminology conflicts with established definitions.
Summary of Clinical Practice Guidelines for Acute Kidney Injury

Clinical practice guidelines are intended to standardize the diagnosis and treatment of diseases in order to improve both patient outcomes and resource utilization, using evidence-based criteria. As recently as a decade ago, there was no agreed upon definition of acute kidney injury (AKI), making it difficult to conduct proper clinical studies on the epidemiology and treatment of the disorder. Following the advent of the Risk, Injury, Failure, Loss, and End-stage (RIFLE) criteria for defining AKI, several guidelines for the diagnosis and management of AKI have been developed. In our review, we present a narrative description and comparison of the major published guidelines. Overall, there has been significant agreement among the various guidelines, and each seems well-reasoned and clinically useful. Perhaps the most striking conclusion upon review of the various guidelines is the limited scope of knowledge about optimal management of patients with AKI.
Locally constrained connectivity control in mobile robot networks

In this paper, we consider the problem of controlling the connectivity of a network of mobile agents under local topology constraints and proximity-limited communication. The inverse iteration algorithm for spectral analysis is formulated in a distributed manner to allow each agent to estimate a component of global network connectivity, improving on the convergence rate issues of previous approaches. Potential-based controls drive the agents to maximize connectivity under local degree constraints, maintain established links to guarantee connectivity, and avoid collisions. To achieve constraint satisfaction we exploit a switched model of interaction that regulates link addition through symmetric, repulsive potentials between constraint violators, enforcing discernment in communication through spatial organization. Simulations of connectivity estimation as well as agent aggregation and leader-following applications demonstrate the ability of our proposed methods to generate connectivity maximizing, constraint-aware self organization.
Simulations and Role Playing (S&RP) II Track Summary

Participants in this track were delighted to see a number of common themes develop during our presentations and discussions throughout the conference. Participants included faculty and graduate students from a variety of subfields who design creative exercises to actively engage their students in learning. With the wide range of simulations that already exist and the growing body of literature addressing the design of new simulations, faculty have significant resources at their disposal to incorporate simulations into their courses. Simulations are so readily adaptable they can accommodate almost any course content or learning objective.
Signalling pathway for histamine activation of non‐selective cation channels in equine tracheal myocytes

1. The signalling pathway underlying histamine activation of non-selective cation channels was investigated in single equine tracheal myocytes. Application of histamine (100 microM) activated the transient calcium-activated chloride current (ICl(Ca)) and sustained, low amplitude non-selective cation current (ICat). The H1 receptor antagonist pyrilamine (10 microM) blocked activation of ICl(Ca) and ICat. Simultaneous application of histamine (100 microM) and caffeine (8 mM) during H1 receptor blockade activated ICl(Ca), but not ICat. Neither the H2 receptor antagonist cimetidine (20 microM) nor the H3 receptor antagonist thioperamide (20 microM) prevented activation of ICl(Ca) and ICat. 2. Intracellular dialysis of anti-Galphai/Galphao antibodies completely blocked activation of ICat by histamine, whereas ICl(Ca) was not affected. By contrast, anti-Galphaq/Galpha11 antibodies greatly inhibited ICl(Ca), but did not alter activation of ICat. 3. 1-Oleoyl-2-acetyl-sn-glycerol (OAG, 20-100 microM) did not induce any current or affect currents activated by histamine or methacholine (mACH). Simultaneous application of OAG and caffeine activated ICl(Ca), but not ICat, indicating that a rise in [Ca2+]i and stimulation of diacylglycerol-sensitive protein kinase C (PKC) is not sufficient to activate ICat. The phospholipase C inhibitor U73122 (2 microM) blocked histamine activation of ICl(Ca) and ICat, but simultaneous exposure of myocytes to histamine and caffeine restored both ICl(Ca) and ICat in the presence of U73122. 4. Histamine and mACH activated currents with equivalent I-V relationships. The currents activated by these agonists were not additive; following activation of ICat by mACH, histamine failed to induce an additional membrane current. Similarly, mACH did not induce an additional current after full activation of ICat by histamine. 5. We conclude that H1 histamine receptors activate ICat through coupling to Gi/Go proteins. Activation of ICat also requires intracellular calcium release, mediated by H1 receptors coupling to Gq/G11 proteins. This coupling is analogous to the activation of ICat by co-stimulation of M2 and M3 receptors.
Chemotherapy-Induced Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy

Stress cardiomyopathy, also known as takotsubo cardiomyopathy, is a rapidly reversible form of acute heart failure classically triggered by stressful events. It is associated with a distinctive left ventricular contraction pattern described as apical akinesis/ballooning with hyperdynamic contraction of the basal segments in the absence of obstructive coronary artery disease. The traditional paradigm has expanded to include other causes, in particular chemotherapeutic drugs. The literature increasingly suggests an association between cancer, chemotherapeutic drugs, and stress cardiomyopathy. Chemotherapy-induced takotsubo cardiomyopathy is a relatively new phenomenon, but one that merits detailed attention to the elucidation of possible mechanistic links.
One Size Does Not Fit All: Personalized Incentives in Military Compensation

A critical element in implementing a compensation scheme including nonmonetary incentives (NMIs) is recognizing that preferences vary widely across Service members. There are at least three sources of variability: across different population classes, across individuals within a population class, and across NMI packages for a particular individual. Surveys across different military communities, ranks, and years of Service show the difficulty of identifying any NMI that has significant value for even 50% of the active duty force. At the same time, approximately 80% of the surveyed Service members expressed a significant positive value for at least one NMI. Therefore, one-size-fits-all incentive packages will not be nearly as effective as more personalized incentive packages. The authors discuss variability in Service member NMI preferences and outline an approach to implementing personalized NMI packages in military compensation through a sealed-bid reverse auction, where Service members select individual N...
The Mechanics of a Cream Separator Cleaned and Sterilized by Centrifugal Force

Summary It was found at a velocity of 5,004 r.p.m., that the bowl released cleaning and sterilizing solutions into the cream and skimmilk assembly at 109 p.s.i.g., which is the pressure the instant the solutions leave the bowl.
Space-Variant PSF Model of a Spirally-Scanning IR System

Linear systems theory combined with Fourier transform techniques provides a powerful means to characterize electro-optical systems. We present the description and analysis of a particular scanning IR system whose characteristic Point Spread Function (PSF) is space-variant. This peculiarity of the PSF arises from the scanning geometry; the IR sensor spins as it drops toward the ground. A system impulse response, or Point Spread Function (PSF), is derived from effects including diffraction, motion blur, chromatic aberration and detector area. Other effects may be taken into account by cascading PSF's. Once the system PSF is determined, the output of the system is the convolution of the input irradiance with the PSF. Alternatively, the output is the familiar inverse Fourier transform of the product of transforms. However, the space-variance of the PSF makes the latter option impossible and the former difficult. The convolution progresses in a spiral manner, with the PSF width changing continuously. The method is tested using Fortran programs and a digital image processor. The digital images produced show expected results, revealing a marked increase in resolution as the sensor nears the ground.
Surface-wave propagation-constant measurements

A surface-wave resonator is used to measure the propagation constant of energy in the TM01 mode on a G line over a wide frequency range when the line is dry, wet and enclosed in a dielectric shield. Measured data indicate low loss and relative immunity to moisture in the 0·5?0·8GHz frequency range.
Detecting sour skin infected onions using a customized gas sensor array

Abstract The overall goal of this study was to test a customized gas sensor array in its ability to detect an important postharvest disease (sour skin) in onions. The sensor array consists of seven metal oxide semiconductor gas sensors and a microcontroller-based automatic data logging system. Three features were extracted from the sensor responses and three baseline correction methods were employed to correct the sensors’ responses. The gas sensor array was tested in two separate experiments with two treatments (control and sour skin). The multivariate data analysis revealed that the “relative response” feature combined with relative baseline correction method provided the best discrimination of infected onions among healthy ones. The best performance (85%) was achieved by using the support vector machine model when the data collected from an independent experiment were used for validation. The study demonstrated the potential of a gas sensor array to detect sour skin-infected onions placed among healthy onions in storage.
Influence of Provider Behaviors on the Health of Individuals With Spinal Cord Injury and Disease: Review and Recommendations

The health of individuals with spinal cord injury and disease (SCI/D) is influenced by many factors; among these is the relationship with health care providers. While research on the impact of patient-provider relationships is lacking as related to individuals with SCI/D, evidence from other areas of health care can provide insights and recommendations. This article reviews research evidence associated with adherence, disparities, and health management and offers practical recommendations for health care providers to implement in working with individuals with SCI/D.
Serum Adiponectin is Associated with Adverse Outcomes of Asthma in Men but Not in Women

BACKGROUND: Murine studies suggest a beneficial effect of systemic adiponectin on asthma. Our objective was to determine the association between serum adiponectin concentrations and asthma control/severity outcomes in men and women separately. METHODS: Cross-sectional and longitudinal analyses of data from years 10, 15, and 20 examinations of the prospective Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults (CARDIA) study in the United States were performed. Asthma was defined by self-reported provider diagnosis at or prior to year 15 examination. Outcomes included presence of active disease, number of respiratory symptoms, and number of asthma medications; as well as longitudinal decline in absolute FEV1. Year 15 serum adiponectin concentration was the predictor variable. RESULTS: In a multivariable analysis of 411 eligible subjects, after adjusting for body mass index and covariates, higher serum adiponectin concentrations were associated with more frequent active disease (including more frequent use of any asthma medication) and greater number of respiratory symptoms and asthma medications among men but not among women with asthma (p for interactions between sex and adiponectin for all analyses < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Higher serum adiponectin concentrations may be independently associated with adverse clinical outcomes of asthma in men but not in women. If biological effect is confirmed in future studies, modification of systemic adiponectin concentrations may open up newer ways to treat asthma in men.
Non-competitive antagonism of N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor inhibits tolerance to the analgesic action of u-50,488H, a κ-opiate receptor agonist in the rat

Abstract 1. 1. The effect of dizocilpine (MK-801), a non-competitive inhibitor of N-methyl- d -aspartate (NMDA) receptor on the development of tolerance to the analgesic and hypothermic actions of U-50,488H, a highly selective κ-opiate receptor agonist, was determined in the rat. 2. 2. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were made tolerant to the pharmacological actions of U-50,488H by twice daily intraperitoneal (i.p.) injections of the drug (25 mg/kg) for 4 days. 3. 3. Multiple injections of U-50,488H resulted in the development of tolerance to its analgesic and hypothermic actions in the rat. MK-801 injected 10 min before each injection of U-50,488H, dosedependently inhibited the development of tolerance to the analgesic action but the tolerance to the hypothermic action of U-50,488H was unaffected. 4. 4. Multiple injections of U-50,488H decreased the body weight gain. MK-801 dose-dependently decreased the gain in body weight further. 5. 5. The results indicate that non-competitive antagonism of the NMDA receptor by MK-801 can selectively inhibit the tolerance to the analgesic action of U-50,488H in the rat, however, such an effect was associated with significant decreases in normal gain in body weight.
The Effect of Severe Hydrocephalus on Size and Number of Brain Cells

SUMMARY Histological and biochemical studies were made of the brains of 13 hydrocephalic adult cats and 7 control animals in order to establish whether there is any significant variation in the size or number of brain cells as a result of hydrocephalus and whether such variation could be a factor limiting repair of cerebral damage. The results suggest that cerebral white matter is primarily affected by hydrocephalus, and that the ventricles can expand without significant cellular loss. It is concluded that the disruption of myelin may be a factor which limits repair but that loss of cells is not a significant factor. RESUME Effet des hydrocephalies severes sur la taille et le nombre de cellules cerebrales Des etudes histologiques et biochemiques ont ete effectuees a partir de cerveaux de 13 chats hydrocephales et de 7 animaux temoins dans le but d'etablir s'il apparait une variation significative dans la taille ou le nombre des cellules cerebrales du fait de l'hydrocephalie et si de telles variations pourraient etre un facteur limitant la recuperation d'un trouble cerebral. Les resultats suggerent que l'hydrocephalie altere principalement la substance blanche cerebrale et qu'on peut noter one augmentation de la taille des ventricules cerebraux sans perte cellulaire significative. Il en est deduit que l'alteration de la myeline peut etre un facteur limitant definitivement la reparation mais qu'une perte de cellules n'est pas un facteur significatif a craindre. ZUSAMMENFASSUNG Der Einfluβ eines schweren Hydrocephalus auf die Groβe und Anzahl des Hirnzellen An Gehirnen von 13 hydrocephalen ausgewachsenen Katzen und 7 Kontrolltieren wurden histologische und biochemische Untersuchungen durchgefuhrt, um festzustellen, ob es signifikante Unterschiede in Grose und Anzahl der Hirnzellen gibt, die bedingt sind durch einen Hydrocephalus, und ob ein solcher Unterschied als limitierender Faktor fur die Besserung eines Hirnschadens in Frage kame. Die Ergebnisse zeigen, das vorwiegend die weise Hirnsubstanz durch den Hydrocephalus geschadigt wird und daβ sich die Hirnventrikel ohne nennenswerten Zellverlust ausdehnen konnen. Man schliest daraus, das durch den Myelinzerfall der Hirnschaden irreparabel sein konnte, das jedoch der Zellzerfall nicht als signifikanter Faktor dafur in Frage kommt. RESUMEN Efecto de la hidrocefalia grave sobre el tamano y numero de celulas cerebrales Se realizaron estudios histologicos y bioquimicos en los cerebros de 13 gatos adultos hidrocefalicos y 7 animales de control con el objeto de establecer si existe una variacion significativa en el tamano o numero de las celulas cerebrales como resultado de una hidrocefalia y si esta variacion podria constituir un factor limitante de la reparacion del dano cerebral. Los resultados sugieren que la substancia blanca cerebral es lo que se afecta primariamente en la hidrocefalia, y que los ventriculos cerebrales pueden expanderse sin perdida celular significativa. Se concluye que la disrupcion de la mielina puede ser un facto que limite la reparacion, pero la pkrdida de celulas no es un factor significativo.
Mechanical fragmentation, Voronoi polyhedra and the theory of information

Abstract Objects which can undergo mechanical fragmentation are composed of all kinds of materials and comprise the entire span of sizes from celestial bodies to particles with initial sizes of a few mm. The problem has been treated theoretically by Mott, by a Monte Carlo simulation of the Voronoi diagram by Kiang, and also experimentally. Taking an essential element from the Mott formalism, we use the theory of information to derive an equation for the distribution of fragment masses. The result is equivalent to a distribution which follows from Mott's work. In contrast to earlier work, the relation is general since no specific assumptions have been made as to the nature of the fragmented material or with respect to its ductility (or lack of it). Reasons why the Monte Carlo results differ from the present ones are explained.
Speaker Verification using Support Vector Machines

Support vector machines (SVM) have become a very popular pattern recognition algorithm for speech processing. In this paper we describe an application of SVMs to speaker verification. Traditionally speaker verification systems have used hidden Markov models (HMM) and Gaussian mixture models (GMM). These classifiers are based on generative models and are prone to overfitting. They do not directly optimize discrimination. SVMs, which are based on the principle of structural risk minimization, consist of binary classifiers that maximize the margin between two classes. The power of SVMs lie in their ability to transform data to a higher dimensional space and to construct a linear binary classifier in this space. Experiments were conducted on the NIST 2003 speaker recognition evaluation dataset. The SVM training was made computationally feasible by selecting only a small subset of vectors for building the out-of-class data. The results obtained using the SVMs showed a 9% absolute improvement in equal error rate and a 33% relative improvement in minimum detection cost function when compared to a comparable HMM baseline system
Partial or Total Fundoplication for Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease in the Presence of Impaired Esophageal Motility

Anti-reflux surgery has evolved greatly in the last 15 years as a durable, viable, and safe option for treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), mainly due to the advent of minimally invasive techniques. The debate regarding partial fundoplication (PF) versus total fundoplication (TF) for patients with defective peristalsis and GERD has evolved as well. Nissen fundoplication is by far the most common fundoplication technique used for many decades. However, many surgeons prefer a PF in patients with defective peristalsis. This tailored approach developed due to the logical, but unproven, theory that dysphagia is more likely when impaired esophageal peristalsis fails to propel a swallowed bolus across a 360° fundoplication (or TF). Recent literature has challenged this notion, suggesting that TF is not more likely to cause dysphagia than PF.
Flip-chip packaging configuration with coplanar strip lines for millimeter electromagnetic waves

Flip-chip configuration based on coplanar strip (CPS) lines is reported for millimeter-wave device applications. We designed and implemented the flip-chip configuration using a test chip directly on dielectric boards with CPS lines for wideband interconnections. The chip is connected to the board using solder balls. The flip-chip assembles are evaluated up to 40GHz by S-parameters. Insertion loss, 10LOG|1/S/sub 21/|/sup 2/, as low as 3dB is achieved at 30GHz. The corresponding return loss, 10LOG|1/S/sub 11/|/sup 2/, is 15dB. We also analyzed the attenuation coefficient of CPS based on geometrical configuration to achieve optimum design on PCBs. For CPS lines built on RT/Duroid, the measured attenuation coefficient is as low as 1.1dB/cm at 40GHz. Attenuation analysis was performed by employing numerical full wave calculation with HFSS tool.
Protein and phosphoprotein levels in glioma and adenocarcinoma cell lines grown in normoxia and hypoxia in monolayer and three-dimensional cultures.

Background: Three dimensional (3D) growths of cancer cells in vitro are more reflective of in situ cancer cell growth than growth in monolayer (2D). The present study is designed to determine changes in protein and phosphoprotein that reflect adaptation of tumor cells to 3D as compared to 2D. Since relative hypoxia is a common feature of most solid tumors, the present study also aims to look at the impact of transition from normoxia to hypoxia in these two growth conditions. Results: Using reverse-phase protein arrays, we compared levels of 121 different phosphorylated and nonphosphorylated proteins in 5 glioma and 6 adenocarcinoma lines under conditions of 3D and monolayer culture in normoxia and hypoxia. A three-way analysis of variance showed levels of 82 antibodies differed between media (2D vs. 3D) and 49 differed between treatments (hypoxia vs. normoxia). Comparing 2D to 3D growth, 7 proteins were commonly (i.e., > 50% of tumors) elevated in 3D: FAK, AKT, Src, GSK3ab, TSC2, p38, and NFbp65. Conversely, 7 other proteins are commonly decreased: ATRIP, ATR, b-catenin, BCL-X, cyclin B1, Egr-1, and HIF-1a. Comparing normoxia to hypoxia, only NCKIPSD was commonly elevated in hypoxia; 6 proteins were decreased: cyclin B1, 4EBP1(Ser65), c-Myc, SMAD3(Ser423), S6(Ser235), and S6(Ser240). Hypoxia affected glioma cell lines differently from adenocarcinoma cell lines: 8 proteins were increased in gliomas (BAX, caspase 7, HIF-1a, c-JUN, MEK1, PARP 1 cleaved, Src, and VEGFR2) and none in adenocarcinomas. Conclusions: We identified subsets of proteins with clearly concordant/discordant behavior between gliomas and adenocarcinomas. In general, monolayer to 3D culture differences are clearer than normoxia to hypoxia differences, with anti-apoptotic, cytoskeletal rearrangement and cell survival pathways emphasized in the former and mTOR pathway, transcription, cell-cycle arrest modulation, and increased cell motility in the latter.
Troubling genders, subverting identities: interview with Judith Butler

(2004). Troubling genders, subverting identities: interview with Judith Butler. Agenda: Vol. 18, Sexuality in Africa, pp. 115-123.
Embedding the hypercube into the 3-dimension mesh

A constant time and space algorithm for embedding the hypercube architecture into the 3-dimension mesh (3D-mesh) is presented. This enables the cube/sub i/ operation to be performed on the embedded hypercube machine where the interprocessor communication function cube/sub i/ is defined on the embedded hypercube's PEs as cube/sub i/(b/sub n-1/...b/sub i/...b/sub 0/)=b/sub n-1/...b/sub i/...b/sub 0/ and b/sub i/ is the binary complement of b/sub i/. >
Circular genetic maps

The widespread occurrence of genetic circularity suggests a selective advantage to map circularity per se. Circularity permits gene clustering relations not possible in linear maps; that is, every gene in a circular map can have two nearest map neighbors, two next nearest, etc. It seems possible that map circularity is a consequence of the selective forces responsible for the clustering of genes of related function. Certain features of the pattern of crossing-over in various fungi suggest that circularity of linkage maps is there to be found. A concurrence of high frequencies of second-division segregation and negative chromatid interference across the centromere, both of which phenomena have been reported, is a feature of a simple hypothetical crossover pattern that generates circular linkage maps.
Gene Clusters for Insecticidal Loline Alkaloids in the Grass-Endophytic Fungus Neotyphodium uncinatum

Loline alkaloids are produced by mutualistic fungi symbiotic with grasses, and they protect the host plants from insects. Here we identify in the fungal symbiont, Neotyphodium uncinatum, two homologous gene clusters (LOL-1 and LOL-2) associated with loline-alkaloid production. Nine genes were identified in a 25-kb region of LOL-1 and designated (in order) lolF-1, lolC-1, lolD-1, lolO-1, lolA-1, lolU-1, lolP-1, lolT-1, and lolE-1. LOL-2 contained the homologs lolC-2 through lolE-2 in the same order and orientation. Also identified was lolF-2, but its possible linkage with either cluster was undetermined. Most lol genes were regulated in N. uncinatum and N. coenophialum, and all were expressed concomitantly with loline-alkaloid biosynthesis. A lolC-2 RNA-interference (RNAi) construct was introduced into N. uncinatum, and in two independent transformants, RNAi significantly decreased lolC expression (P < 0.01) and loline-alkaloid accumulation in culture (P < 0.001) compared to vector-only controls, indicating involvement of lolC in biosynthesis of lolines. The predicted LolU protein has a DNA-binding site signature, and the relationships of other lol-gene products indicate that the pathway has evolved from various different primary and secondary biosynthesis pathways.
Dynamical effects of diffusive cell coupling on cardiac excitation and propagation: a simulation study.

Cell coupling is considered to be important for cardiac action potential propagation and arrhythmogenesis. We carried out computer simulations to investigate the effects of stimulation strength and...
Photoelectrochemical and water photoelectrolysis properties of ordered TiO2 nanotubes fabricated by Ti anodization in fluoride-free HCl electrolytes

Described is the synthesis of TiO2 nanotube array films by anodization of Ti foil in HCl electrolytes containing different H2O2 concentrations. Highly ordered nanotube arrays up to 860 nm in length, 15 nm inner pore diameter, and 10 nm wall thickness were obtained for one hour anodizations using a 0.5 M HCl aqueous electrolyte containing 0.1–0.5 M H2O2 concentrations for anodization potentials between 10–23 V. The use of ethylene glycol as the electrolyte medium significantly alters the anodization kinetics and resulting film morphologies; nanotube bundles several microns in length achieved for anodization potentials between 8 V and 18 V in only a few minutes. The nanotube arrays obtained from the ethylene glycol electrolytes show relatively higher photocurrents, ≈0.8 mA cm−2 under AM 1.5. Under 100 mW cm−2 AM 1.5 illumination a 500 °C annealed 1 cm2 nanotube array sample, obtained by anodization of a Ti foil sample in ethylene glycol + 0.5 M HCl + 0.4 M H2O2 electrolyte, demonstrates a hydrogen evolution rate of approximately 391 μL h−1 by water photoelectrolysis, time-power normalized evolution rate of 3.9 mL W−1 h−1, with water splitting confirmed by the 2 : 1 ratio of evolved hydrogen to oxygen.
Method of Delivery of the Nonvertex Second Twin: A Community Hospital Experience

The purpose of this study is to examine the incidence of cesarean section and fetal distress complicating the delivery of the second twin in vertex-nonvertex twin gestations in which the second twin underwent either breech extraction or external version. The intrapartum courses of 510 twin gestations delivered at a community hospital over a 10-year period were retrospectively analyzed. All vertex-nonvertex twin gestations were identified in which the second twin underwent attempted breech extraction or external version. Exclusion criteria included birthweight < or = 1,500 g, fetal anomaly, intrauterine demise, and monoamniotic twins. Of the 76 twin sets that met inclusion criteria, 33 underwent external version and 43 underwent primary breech extraction. The two groups had similar demographic characteristics. External version compared to breech extraction was associated with a significantly greater incidence of cesarean section (8/33 vs. 1/43, P = .008) and fetal distress (8/33 vs. 1/43, P = .008). There was no difference between groups in neonatal outcome for the second twin as measured by length of stay, 5-minute Apgar < 7, intensive care unit admissions, hyaline membrane disease, intraventricular hemorrhage, and traumatic birth injury. In conclusion, the increased incidence of cesarean section and fetal distress in patients undergoing attempted external version suggests that breech extraction may be the preferable route of delivery for the nonvertex second twin weighing more than 1,500 g.
Various kinds of empathy as revealed by the developing child, not the monkey's brain

The comparative study of empathy should be based on the developmental taxonomy of vicarious experiences offered by the abundant literature on infants and children's cognitive, social, and emotional development. Comparative research on the topic should refer to the various kinds of empathy emerging in an orderly fashion early in human development.
6-Thioguanine: A Drug With Unrealized Potential for Cancer Therapy

Sixty years ago, 6-thioguanine (6-TG) was introduced into the clinic. We suggest its full potential in therapy may not have been reached. In this paper, we contrast 6-TG and the more widely used 6-mercaptopurine; discuss 6-TG metabolism, pharmacokinetics, dosage and schedule; and summarize many of the early studies that have shown infrequent but nevertheless positive results with 6-TG treatment of cancers. We also consider studies that suggest that combinations of 6-TG with other agents may enhance antitumor effects. Although not yet tested in man, 6-TG has recently been proposed to treat a wide variety of cancers with a high frequency of homozygous deletion of the gene for methylthioadenosine phosphorylase (MTAP), often codeleted with the adjacent tumor suppressor CDKN2A (p16). Among the cancers with a high frequency of MTAP deficiency are leukemias, lymphomas, mesothelioma, melanoma, biliary tract cancer, glioblastoma, osteosarcoma, soft tissue sarcoma, neuroendocrine tumors, and lung, pancreatic, and squamous cell carcinomas. The method involves pretreatment with the naturally occurring nucleoside methylthioadenosine (MTA), the substrate for the enzyme MTAP. MTA pretreatment protects normal host tissues, but not MTAP-deficient cancers, from 6-TG toxicity and permits administration of doses of 6-TG that are much higher than can now be safely administered. The combination of MTA/6-TG has produced substantial shrinkage or slowing of growth in two different xenograft human tumor models: lymphoblastic leukemia and metastatic prostate carcinoma with neuroendocrine features. Further development and a clinical trial of the proposed MTA/6-TG treatment of MTAP-deficient cancers seem warranted.
Cell death in the developing and sensory-deprived rat olfactory bulb.

Cell death is ubiquitous in the developing brain and an important regulator of cell number. The olfactory bulb, the first central relay for information from the nose, is a particularly appropriate region for studying cell death. The bulb is constantly infused with new cells, has a strictly organized anatomy, and cell survival is known to depend on levels of afferent activation. The present study examined patterns of cell death in both the normally developing and sensory-deprived rat olfactory bulb terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated deoxyuridine triphosphate-biotin nick end labeling (TUNEL). In control pups, TUNEL-labeled profiles were high at postnatal day 5 (P5, day of birth = P0), but then decreased rapidly to constant levels. In contrast, blocking airflow through half of the nasal cavity by surgically closing an external naris on P1 resulted in a gradual increase in TUNEL-positive figures within the ipsilateral olfactory bulb by P20, with the effects being seen in the mitral and granule cell layers until at least P60. The effect was largely age dependent, because subjects occluded from P30 to P60 showed only slight increases in cell death. Furthermore, although interlaminar differences were encountered, the pattern of cell death appeared uniform over much of the bulb. Finally, reopening occluded nares decreased cell death levels to control values, suggesting an inverse relationship between the level of olfactory function and the extent of cell death. Thus, the data indicate that cell death is prevalent in the normal olfactory bulb, and that it is directly regulated by the level of olfactory function.
PVR: high-performance volume rendering

Traditional volume rendering methods are too slow to provide interactive visualization, especially for large 3D data sets. The PVR (parallel volume rendering) system implements parallel volume rendering techniques that speed up the visualization process. Moreover, it helps computational scientists, engineers, and physicians to more effectively apply volume rendering to visualization tasks. The authors describe the PVR system that they have developed in a collaboration between the State University of New York at Stony Brook and Sandia National Laboratories. PVR is an attempt to provide an easy-to-use portable system for high performance visualization with the speed required for interactivity and steering. The current version of PVR consists of about 25000 lines of C and Tcl/Tk code. It has been used at Stony Brook, Sandia, and Brookhaven National Labs to visualize large data sets for over a year.
Mining exception-handling rules as sequence association rules

Programming languages such as Java and C++ provide exception-handling constructs to handle exception conditions. Applications are expected to handle these exception conditions and take necessary recovery actions such as releasing opened database connections. However, exception-handling rules that describe these necessary recovery actions are often not available in practice. To address this issue, we develop a novel approach that mines exception-handling rules as sequence association rules of the form “(FC1 c 1…FC c n) ∧ FC a ⇒ (FC e 1…FC e m)”. This rule describes that function call FCa should be followed by a sequence of function calls (FC e 1…FC e m) when FC a is preceded by a sequence of function calls (FC e 1…FC c n). Such form of rules is required to characterize common exception-handling rules. We show the usefulness of these mined rules by applying them on five real-world applications (including 285 KLOC) to detect violations in our evaluation. Our empirical results show that our approach mines 294 real exception-handling rules in these five applications and also detects 160 defects, where 87 defects are new defects that are not found by a previous related approach.
Interactions Between Study Task, Study Time, and the Low-Frequency Hit Rate Advantage in Recognition Memory.

In studies of episodic recognition memory, low-frequency words (LF) have higher hit rates (HR) and lower false alarm rates (FAR) than do high-frequency words (HF), which is known as the mirror pattern. A few findings have suggested that requiring a task at study may reduce or eliminate the LF-HR advantage without altering the LF-FAR effect. Other studies have suggested that the size of the LF-HR advantage interacts with study time. To explore such findings more thoroughly and relate them to theory, the authors conducted 5 experiments, varying study time and study task. The full mirror pattern was found only in 2 cases: the standard condition requiring study for a later memory test and a condition requiring a judgment about unusual letters. The authors explain their findings in terms of the encoding of distinctive features and discuss the implications for current theories of recognition memory and the word frequency effect.
A Game Model of Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation

This paper explores the evolution of Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) from 1988, when Australia first proposed it, to the present day. The analysis follows the tradition of the game theory of international politics and utilizes a variant of the scenario bundle mehod of Reinhard Selten (1977). The model explains APEC as an informal process rather than a full blown international organization, and why ASEAN is the decisive player in Pacific cooperation. An analysis of historical events since the creation of APEC leads to the hypothesis that an OECD style organization, which Australia had originally hoped for, will not be established in the foreseeable future.
Flavor Structure of Warped Extra Dimension Models

We recently showed, in hep-ph/0406101, that warped extra dimensional models with bulk custodial symmetry and few TeV KK masses lead to striking signals at B-factories. In this paper, using a spurion analysis, we systematically study the flavor structure of models that belong to the above class. In particular we find that the profiles of the zero modes, which are similar in all these models, essentially control the underlying flavor structure. This implies that our results are robust and model independent in this class of models. We discuss in detail the origin of the signals in B-physics. We also briefly study other NP signatures that arise in rare K decays (K {yields} {pi}{nu}{nu}), in rare top decays [t {yields} c{gamma}(Z, gluon)] and the possibility of CP asymmetries in D{sup 0} decays to CP eigenstates such as K{sub s}{pi}{sup 0} and others. Finally we demonstrate that with light KK masses, {approx} 3 TeV, the above class of models with anarchic 5D Yukawas has a ''CP problem'' since contributions to the neutron electric dipole moment are roughly 20 times larger than the current experimental bound. Using AdS/CFT correspondence, these extra-dimensional models are dual to a purely 4D strongly coupled conformal Higgs sector thus enhancing their appeal.
Vitamin D and the Big Three: Cancers of the Colon, Breast, and Prostate

Geographic data showing an apparent protective effect of ultraviolet radiation on mortality from non-skin cancers have been published for more than 50 years. These data- suggest that vitamin D may prevent some cancers, especially the common “endocrine” tumors of the colon, breast, and prostate, much as it prevents the bone disease, rickets. Until recently, many scientists have regarded this idea with skepticism. This skepticism is the result of two factors: the “ecologic fallacy” and the “endocrinologic fallacy”. The ecologic fallacy concerns the potential of drawing inaccurate conclusions about individuals based on observations at the level of the group. The endocrinologic fallacy is the misconception that the kidney is the only important source of l,25(OH)2D. Epidemiologic data indicating that low levels of ultraviolet radiation/vitamin D are associated with an increased risk of cancer in individuals, and experimental data indicating that the synthesis of l,25(OH)2D occurs at extra-renal sites, e.g. the colon and prostate, effectively removes these objections. The evolution of our understanding of the role of vitamin D in cancer parallels our understanding of the role of vitamin D in rickets. In both diseases, ecologic observations about solar radiation preceded experimental observations and were subsequently validated by them.
Procedure time and the determination of polypoid abnormalities with experience: implementation of a chromoendoscopy program for surveillance colonoscopy for ulcerative colitis.

BACKGROUND Procedure length and agreement in detection of abnormalities may limit implementation of chromoendoscopy (CE) for dysplasia surveillance in ulcerative colitis (UC). We investigated these factors among endoscopists inexperienced in this technique. METHODS Six investigators performed surveillance colonoscopy with white light endoscopy (WLE) followed by CE on 75 patients with long-standing UC. Interobserver agreement for WLE and CE images of polyps and nonpolypoid mucosa was determined. Withdrawal times from the cecum were compared based on number of colonoscopies performed. Dysplasia detection rate with WLE was compared with CE. RESULTS The analysis of 586 images (266 WLE and 320 CE) from 57 patients included images of 160 polyps (64 flat) with 29 dysplastic lesions. All investigators identified 10/11 WLE images of dysplasia and 4 identified all 18 CE dysplasia images, 1 missed 1 and 1 missed 3. Four dysplastic lesions were not identified by 1 or more investigators and all measured <5 mm. Interobserver agreement for lesions was high with kappa scores of 0.91 and 0.86 for WLE and CE, respectively. Among the 75 patients enrolled, dysplasia was found in 9.3% with WLE compared with 21.3% with WLE and CE (P = 0.007). Median colonoscopy withdrawal time improved from 31 minutes for endoscopists performing fewer than 5 procedures to 18 minutes for 5 to 14 and 19 minutes for more than 15 procedures. CONCLUSIONS Indigo carmine CE for UC surveillance resulted in high rates of interobserver agreement for polyp detection, acceptable withdrawal times, and enhanced dysplasia detection. These results are encouraging for the implementation of CE programs for chronic UC.
Implementation of a Breast/Reconstruction Surgery Coordinator to Reduce Preoperative Delays for Patients Undergoing Mastectomy With Immediate Reconstruction

Purpose:Mastectomy with immediate reconstruction (MIR) requires coordination between breast and reconstructive surgical teams, leading to increased preoperative delays that may adversely impact patient outcomes and satisfaction. Our cancer center established a target of 28 days from initial consultation with the breast surgeon to MIR. We sought to determine if a centralized breast/reconstructive surgical coordinator (BRC) could reduce care delays.Methods:A 60-day pilot to evaluate the impact of a BRC on timeliness of care was initiated at our cancer center. All reconstructive surgery candidates were referred to the BRC, who had access to surgical clinic and operating room schedules. The BRC worked with both surgical services to identify the earliest surgery dates and facilitated operative bookings. The median time to MIR and the proportion of MIR cases that met the time-to-treatment goal was determined. These results were compared with a baseline cohort of patients undergoing MIR during the same time peri...
Combining concepts from Verbal Behavior and Derived Relational Responding produces efficient language instruction for children with autism

May, R. J., Hawkins, E., & Dymond, S. (2013). Brief report: Effects of tact training on emergent intraverbal vocal responses in adolescents with autism. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 43, 996–1004.Source of funding and disclosure of interest: No funding supported the preparation of this manuscript. The original authors acknowledged support from the Sidney W. and Janet R. Bijou Fellowship award (2011) from the Society for the Advancement of Behavior Analysis (SABA).
Mixed Messages about Teen Sex

In the U.S., young people are having less sex than the generations that came before, while the advice they get from peers, teachers, and parents becomes ever more scattered.
The Battle over the Minimum Wage, City by City:

Seattle Mayor Ed Murray used May Day 2014 to announce that business and labor had agreed to a historic plan to raise the minimum wage to $15 an hour. Seattle’s bold measure is a part of a growing wave of activism and local legislation around the country to help lift the working poor out of poverty. The gridlock in Washington—where Congress has not boosted the federal minimum wage, stuck at $7.25 an hour, since 2009—has catalyzed a growing movement in cities and states.
A Study on Synthetic Time Series Forecast of Stock Price Fluctuation

The price-fluctuation is a nonlinear chaotic time series in stock market, and its parameters vary with time. The multilayer hierarchical and gray prediction methods was put forward to discriminate the time-varying parameters and then a dynamic predicting model about time-varying parameters was set up to estimate and forecast the stock price fluctuation.
Thought on Campus Planning of New Schoolyard

In the process of overall planning of new schoolyard,and of monomer and colony architecture,practicality is emphasized.It is strongly advocated that our country's construction culture should be manifested.It is also desirable that architecture be in harmony with the environment and technology co-exist with the nature.
Should doctors call in sick

Many practical factors mitigate against a physician taking a sick day. For physicians in private practice, the economic considerations are great because office overhead and staff payroll costs continue during their absence. Even salaried physicians are subject to the powerful physician work ethic that says we are here to serve and care for patients. In other words, “You need to be here.”