cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Aggregate Objective Functions and Pareto Frontiers: Required Relationships and Practical Implications

This paper addresses the problem of capturing Pareto optimal points on non-convex Pareto frontiers, which are encountered in nonlinear multiobjective optimization problems in computational engineering design optimization. The emphasis is on the choice of the aggregate objective function (AOF) of the objectives that is employed to capture Pareto optimal points. A fundamental property of the aggregate objective function, the admissibility property, is developed and its equivalence to the coordinatewise increasing property is established. Necessary and sufficient conditions for such an admissible aggregate objective function to capture Pareto optimal points are derived. Numerical examples illustrate these conditions in the biobjective case. This paper demonstrates in general terms the limitation of the popular weighted-sum AOF approach, which captures only convex Pareto frontiers, and helps us understand why some commonly used AOFs cannot capture desirable Pareto optimal points, and how to avoid this situation in practice. Since nearly all applications of optimization in engineering design involve the formation of AOFs, this paper is of direct theoretical and practical usefulness.
Distributed self-policing architecture for fostering node cooperation in wireless mesh networks

Wireless Mesh Networks (WMNs) are evolving to be the key technology of the future. The self-configuring nature of WMNs and the ease, with which a mesh router/mesh point can be added, makes it pertinent to ensure their secure operation. All the routing protocols in WMNs naively assume the nodes to be co-operative in forwarding each other's packets. However, a node can behave selfishly by discretely dropping other's packets, in an attempt to maximize its throughput. In this paper, we present a distributed scheme called, Distributed Self-policing Architecture for Fostering Node Cooperation (D-SAFNC), for enforcing cooperation among the nodes in a WMN. We use a distributed approach in isolating any selfish node with the help of localized detection agents called sink nodes. We study the effectiveness of our scheme through simulations using ns-2 which reaffirm that D-SAFNC can successfully prevent any performance degradation due to the presence of selfish nodes.
Abstract 4297: Quantifying three-dimensional cellular morphology and its heterogeneity in epithelial cancers by single-cell optical tomography

Proceedings: AACR Annual Meeting 2014; April 5-9, 2014; San Diego, CA The three-dimensional (3D) structure of the cell and its nucleus is intricately associated with cellular function. Aberrations and heterogeneity in cellular and nuclear morphology serve as diagnostically important cues to identify malignant transformation. However, current cytopathology practice is predominantly based on a qualitative, 2D assessment of cellular morphology that may bias the diagnosis. We utilized the Cell-CT® platform to perform single-cell, optical tomography imaging and generate 3D cell images with isotropic, sub-micron spatial resolution. We developed custom image analysis tools to accurately quantify 3D cell and nuclear morphology. We used these measures to characterize the morphological heterogeneity within and among epithelial cell populations, and to identify morphological descriptors that are reliably predictive of cell state. We assessed the efficacy of our approach relative to conventional 2D assessment (at 40x magnification) to detect malignant transformation in immortalized and primary normal-cancer cell line pairs from human esophagus and breast epithelia. We observed the 3D method of assessment to provide a consistently superior performance (sensitivity and specificity) in predicting malignant transformation. Further, some widely used diagnostic parameters, such as nuclear size or nucleus-to-cytoplasm ratio, did not always exhibit the highest predictive power in 3D space. The availability of 3D morphological information also provided novel insights on intra-population morphological heterogeneity in both normal and cancer cell populations. Our results emphasize the need to incorporate 3D morphological information into standard pathological practice. Citation Format: Vivek Nandakumar, Stephanie Helland, Jessica H. Han, Geriann Davis, Brian A. Ashcroft, Thai H. Tran, Ting Li, Karen S. Anderson, Rahul Pannala, Joseph R. Mikhael, David E. Fleischer, Roger H. Johnson, Kimberly J. Bussey, Deirdre R. Meldrum. Quantifying three-dimensional cellular morphology and its heterogeneity in epithelial cancers by single-cell optical tomography. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 105th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2014 Apr 5-9; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2014;74(19 Suppl):Abstract nr 4297. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2014-4297
Carbon-based nanoelectronics: nanoICs with fullerenes

Carbon-based electronic nanodevices can be utilized in interfaced, functional three-dimensional complexes that are able to perform computations, memories, information processing and other functions. The density of nanoICs fabricated using nanotechnology by millions of times exceeds the density of most advanced CMOS-based ICs. This paper reports design and analysis of nanoICs with fullerenes that proposed to be utilized as multi-terminal electronic nanodevices. Novel concepts to perform modeling, analysis and design of electronic nanodevices and 3DnanoICs are reported. High-fidelity modeling, heterogeneous simulation and data-intensive analysis are performed addressing 3DnanoICs CAD.
Ideology, Prejudice, and Attitudes Toward Sexual Minority Social Policies and Organizations

This study tested the effects of multiple ideologies on support for restrictive policies against gay and lesbian individuals and organizations and if these effects were mediated by sexual prejudice. Social dominance orientation (SDO), conservatism, and right-wing authoritarianism (RWA) each had significant direct and indirect effects. SDO had the most consistent direct effects in addition to its effects through sexual prejudice. The direct effects of conservatism were smaller and similar in size to its indirect effects through prejudice. Although the direct effect of RWA was significant for policy attitudes, its effect was entirely mediated through sexual prejudice for organization opposition. Results suggest that high-RWA individuals adopt their positions largely because of prejudice toward sexual minorities, while high-SDO individuals adopt their positions partly out of prejudice and partly because these positions perpetuate hierarchies between heterosexuals and sexual minorities. Results also diminish the principled conservatism argument that conservative positions on these policies and organizations are absent of prejudice. As policies continue to be enacted that affect the sexual minority community, research is needed to identify the underlying motivations for individuals' positions toward these policies. Language: en
Adaptively Constrained Convex Optimization for Accurate Fiber Orientation Estimation with High Order Spherical Harmonics

Diffusion imaging data from the Human Connectome Project (HCP) provides a great opportunity to map the whole brain white matter connectivity to unprecedented resolution in vivo. In this paper we develop a novel method for accurately reconstruct fiber orientation distribution from cutting-edge diffusion data by solving the spherical deconvolution problem as a constrained convex optimization problem. With a set of adaptively selected constraints, our method allows the use of high order spherical harmonics to reliably resolve crossing fibers with small separation angles. In our experiments, we demonstrate on simulated data that our algorithm outperforms a popular spherical deconvolution method in resolving fiber crossings. We also successfully applied our method to the multi-shell and diffusion spectrum imaging (DSI) data from HCP to demonstrate its ability in using state-of-the-art diffusion data to study complicated fiber structures.
On the mechanism of regulation of cellular respiration. The dependence of respiration on the cytosolic [ATP],[ADP] and [PI].

Mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation consists of two types of reactions: electron transfer reactions and ATP-synthesizing reactions. Electron transfer from the reducing substrates to molecular oxygen occurs down the electrochemical potential gradient and is therefore accompanied by a negative free energy change. ATP synthesis is, on the other hand, an energy-requiring process which cannot occur spontaneously unless it is linked to another energy yielding reaction. In vivo in the cell, the obligatory coupling between the mitochondrial redox reactions and ATP synthesis provides the latter with the necessary “energetic push”.
The equalization dilemma in Yugoslavia

Abstract Both political and socio-economic equalization across regions and nations are viewed as critical to the cohesion of multinational, multi-homeland Yugoslavia. Although substantial resources have been allocated to socio-economic equalization programs, interregional and international inequality has grown over time. The Federal Fund and other equalization programs have slowed the growth of inequality that would have occurred in their absence, but have not narrowed the developmental gap between nations and republics. One of the principal reasons for this failure is the successful political equalization across the major nations in their homelands. Yugoslavia has evolved into a confederation of essentially sovereign nation-states. The equalization dilemma in confederal Yugoslavia is that the achievement of political equalization through decentralization has reduced the likelihood that interregional and international socio-economic equalization will occur.
A policy enforcement framework for verification and control of service collaboration

This paper proposes a policy enforcement framework to dynamically verify and control the collaboration process in Service-Oriented Architecture (SOA). Dynamic SOA collaboration is different from traditional service collaboration where the workflow is pre-defined at design time while the services used can be discovered at runtime. In dynamic collaboration, both the workflows and services can be determined at runtime. As they will be determined at runtime, many verification activities can be performed at runtime. This paper proposes a dynamic policy enforcement framework that follows the dynamic SOA collaboration process to ensure that various system constraints can be enforced at runtime. The framework includes a policy specification language, a policy completeness and consistency checking, and distributed policy enforcement. Finally, this paper presents the construction of a sample example to illustrate these features with quantitative performance data.
Numerical modeling of three-dimensional contaminant migration from dissolution of multicomponent NAPL pools in saturated porous media

A three-dimensional model for contaminant transport resulting from the dissolution of multicomponent nonaqueous phase liquid (NAPL) pools in three-dimensional saturated subsurface formations is developed. The solution is obtained numerically by a finite-difference scheme, and it is suitable for homogeneous porous media with unidirectional interstitial velocity. Each dissolved component may undergo first-order decay and may sorb under local equilibrium conditions. It is also assumed that the dissolution process is mass transfer limited. The nonaqueous phase activity coefficients of the NAPL pool components are evaluated at each time step. The model behavior is illustrated through a synthetic example with a NAPL pool consisting of a mixture of TCA (1,1,2-trichloroethane) and TCE (trichloroethylene). The numerical solution presented in this work is in good agreement with a recently developed analytical solution for the special case of a single component NAPL pool. The results indicate the importance of accounting for the necessary changes in the organic phase activity which significantly affects the equilibrium aqueous solubility.
Sexual Victimization, Alcohol Intoxication, Sexual-Emotional Responding, and Sexual Risk in Heavy Episodic Drinking Women

This study used an experimental paradigm to investigate the roles of sexual victimization history and alcohol intoxication in young women’s sexual-emotional responding and sexual risk taking. A nonclinical community sample of 436 young women, with both an instance of heavy episodic drinking and some HIV/STI risk exposure in the past year, completed childhood sexual abuse (CSA) and adolescent/adult sexual assault (ASA) measures. A majority of them reported CSA and/or ASA, including rape and attempted rape. After random assignment to a high alcohol dose (.10 %) or control condition, participants read and projected themselves into an eroticized scenario of a sexual encounter involving a new partner. As the story protagonist, each participant rated her positive mood and her sexual arousal, sensation, and desire, and then indicated her likelihood of engaging in unprotected sex. Structural equation modeling analyses revealed that ASA and alcohol were directly associated with heightened risk taking, and alcohol’s effects were partially mediated by positive mood and sexual desire. ASA was associated with attenuated sexual-emotional responding and resulted in diminished risk taking via this suppression. These are the first findings indicating that, compared to non-victimized counterparts, sexually victimized women respond differently in alcohol-involved sexual encounters in terms of sexual-emotional responding and risk-taking intentions. Implications include assessing victimization history and drinking among women seeking treatment for either concern, particularly women at risk for HIV, and alerting them to ways their histories and behavior may combine to exacerbate their sexual risks.
Workshop tackles oceanic thermohaline circulation

A workshop on oceanic thermohaline circulation (THC), its variability, and its role in the Earth's climate system drew 50 THC modeling researchers from Europe, North America, and the Far East to the Institute for Geophysics and Planetary Physics of the University of California at Los Angeles in October 1993. The participants compared views and identified directions for future work into this topic which, has generated a great deal of interest lately. The thermohaline circulation (THC) is forced by horizontal buoyancy contrasts at the ocean surface as a result of fluxes of heat and fresh water exchanged with the overlying atmosphere, sea ice, or the adjacent land through river runoff. THC refers to circulations at large spatial scales (1000 km) and buoyancy forcing that induces gravitational instability and convective overturning over an appreciable vertical interval (300 m), in some regions within the span of circulation. The THC is a major component of the climate system because it laterally transfers substantial amounts of heat, water, and chemical tracers, and contributes greatly to the system's variability.
Pattern formation in a pentameral animal: induction of early adult rudiment development in sea urchins.

We investigated adult rudiment induction in the direct-developing sea urchin Heliocidaris erythrogramma microsurgically. After removal of the archenteron (which includes presumptive coelomic mesoderm as well as presumptive endoderm) from late gastrulae, larval ectoderm develops properly but obvious rudiments (tube feet, nervous system, and adult skeleton) fail to form, indicating that coelomic mesoderm, endoderm, or both are required for induction of adult development. Recombination of ectoderm and archenteron rescues development. Implanted endoderm alone or left coelom alone each regenerate the full complement of archenteron derivatives; thus, they are uninformative as to the relative inductive potential of the two regions. However, in isolated ectoderm, more limited regeneration gives rise to larvae containing no archenteron derivatives at all, endoderm only, or both endoderm and left coelom. Adult nervous system begins to develop only in the latter, indicating that left coelom is required for the inductive signal. Isolated ectoderm develops a vestibule (the precursor of adult ectoderm) and correctly regulates vestibular expression of the ectodermal territory marker HeET-1, indicating that the early phase of vestibule development occurs autonomously; only later development requires the inductive signal. Another ectodermal marker, HeARS, is regulated properly in the larval ectoderm region, but not in the vestibule. HeARS regulation thus represents an early response to the inducing signal. We compare HeARS expression in H. erythrogramma with that in indirect developers and discuss its implications for modularity in the evolution of developmental mode.
Exercise Physiology: A Brief History and Recommendations Regarding Content Requirements for the Kinesiology Major

The knowledge base that defines exercise physiology is central to the discipline of kinesiology. By the late 19th century, interest in physical training, physical education, and sports began to emerge in the United States. By the beginning of the 20th century, exercise physiology was being included in college physical education degree programs, and by the end of World War II had become an integral part of the curriculum. Today exercise physiology has developed into a major field of study with many sub-areas of investigation. Although the information and knowledge base in exercise physiology has increased in depth and scope, it is grounded in the fundamentals of biology and human physiology. The basic goal of an exercise physiology course designed for the kinesiology major should provide the student with an understanding of how the physiological systems involved in physical activity respond to an acute bout of exercise, and how these systems adapt to various modes of exercise training and environmental con...
Graduate School Alumni Donations to Academic Funds: Micro‐data Evidence

. The giving profile of graduate degree alumni of a Carnegie-classified, U.S. “Doctoral Universities I” institution is investigated in this paper. For fundraising purposes, the likely gift-giving alumni are males holding old vintage Doctoral, MBA or MS degrees; however, they neither received their second graduate degree nor earned their baccalaureate degrees at this institution. Graduate degree alumni have decreasing giving profiles for many years following completion of their first graduate degree but this decrease bottoms out later in life. It continues seven more years for alumni who earned a second graduate degree at the university. The “wealth-accumulation” effect of giving tends to dominate the “earnings-effect.” Doctoral degree alumni have the highest giving profile among graduate school alumni. Racial desegregation of the university is positively and strongly related to alumni giving. Inferences of the giving profile of undergraduate degree alumni reported in past work do not extend to graduate school alumni.
Differential stimulatory requirements and regulation of naive and primed human lymphocytes.

Abstract In these investigations, human lymphocytes primed in vitro in MLR have been employed as a model for human memory cells and have been compared to naive lymphocytes from the same donor. Both the stimulatory requirements and the regulation of these cells were found to differ significantly. The dose of stimulators giving a maximal primary (I°) response was
Temperature-Dependent Admittance Analysis of HfO 2 Gate Dielectrics on Nitrogen- and Sulfur-Passivated Ge

In this work, we characterize MOS capacitors with HfO2 gate dielectrics that utilize sulfur (S) passivation formed by pre-treatment of the Ge surface in an aqueous (NH4)2 S solution before HfO2 deposition, and compare the results with those using the more-standard N-passivation. Using temperature-dependent admittance measurements, we find that the S-passivated samples have lower minimum Dit and reduced flat-band shift, but also display larger accumulation dispersion and hysteresis than N-passivated samples. Results of admittance spectroscopy analysis also suggest that the energy distributions of the interface states are fundamentally different in the two sample types
Tissue expression of transforming growth factor-β1 and its receptors: Correlation with pathologic features and biochemical progression in patients undergoing radical prostatectomy

Abstract Objectives To determine whether the abnormal expression of transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-β1) and/or its receptors (TGFβ-RI and TGFβ-RII) is associated with prostate cancer features and progression; and to investigate the relationship between tissue expression of TGFs and blood levels of TGF-β1. Methods Immunohistochemical staining for TGF-β1, TGFβ-RI, and TGFβ-RII was carried out on archival specimens from 118 consecutive patients who underwent radical prostatectomy for clinically localized disease (median follow-up 57.5 months). Preoperative plasma TGF-β1 levels were also measured. Results TGF-β1 was overexpressed in 71 (60%) of 118 patients, and TGFβ-RI and TGFβ-RII expression was decreased in 34 (29%) and 39 (33%) of 118 patients, respectively. Of the 118 patients, 82 (70%) had abnormal expression of at least one of the three TGFs and 22 (19%) had abnormal expression of all three. The concordance rates between the expression of TGF-β1 and its receptors were 54% and 62%. Abnormal expression of all three TGFs was significantly associated with extracapsular disease. However, only decreased expression of TGFβ-RI and TGFβ-RII was significantly associated with seminal vesicle involvement and greater pathologic Gleason score. Preoperative plasma TGF-β1 levels were significantly elevated in patients with abnormal expression of TGFs. TGFβ-RI expression and surgical margin status were independently associated with biochemical progression. Conclusions Our results showed that abnormal expression of TGF-β1 and its receptors is common in prostate cancer. TGF-β1 overexpression is moderately but significantly associated with a loss of expression of TGFβ-RI and TGFβ-RII. Loss of TGFβ-RI expression is a prognostic marker in patients with prostate cancer.
Measurement of coffee and caffeine intake: Implications for epidemiologic research☆

Reported associations between coffee or caffeine intake and benign breast disease, cancers, and cardiovascular diseases have generally been weak and inconsistent. The apparent discrepancies in these studies might be attributable to imprecision in the measurement of coffee and caffeine intake. A study of a random sample of 2,714 U.S. adults disclosed considerable misclassification of total caffeine intake and, to a lesser extent, coffee intake when the estimates were limited to only the number of cups of coffee consumed. Adjustment for the following factors is recommended: amount of caffeinated and decaffeinated coffee consumed both on weekdays and on weekends; the size of the container used; the method used to brew caffeinated coffee; and the amount of caffeine imbibed from tea and soft drinks. Intake of coffee varied markedly between seasons of the year and over time. Random misclassification of coffee and caffeine intake would have the effect of obscuring dose-response relationships to disease incidence.
Blue cone function in the retina of the cat

Abstract Selective chromatic adaptation revealed the presence of a blue-sensitive mechanism in the cone electroretinogram of the cat. This mechanism λ max near 460 nm), narrower than a Dartnall nomogram (460 nm), suggests the interaction of at least two cone photoreceptor systems in the pre-ganglion cell retina.
Microstructure-mechanical property relations in HT-9

Abstract In this study we have investigated the possible relationships between microstructural features and cleavage fracture behavior of HT-9 specimens heat treated to twenty-five conditions. Fractographic analyses, including direct observation of fracture surfaces as well as subsurface examination, suggest that cleavage crack initiation is associated with the fracture of large carbides, primarily at prior austenite grain (PAG) boundaries. These microcracks are inhibited from propagating across lath packet or PAG boundaries, where ductile tearing occurs. Carbide size and the extent of ductile tearing can be used to rationalize the observed trends in cleavage fracture parameters.
Effect of prolonged illumination (phototherapy) on concentrations of luteinizing hormone in human infants

Concentrations of luteinizing hormone in the serums of human neonates were altered when the neonates were exposed to prolonged, intense illumination (phototherapy) with their eyes covered. Concentrations decreased after 48 to 72 hours of exposure, increased 6 to 9 days after phototherapy, and subsequently returned to levels similar to those of controls. These data suggest that light may affect pituitary-gonadal function in the human neonate.
Seismic velocity changes during fracture and frictional sliding

Fracture and frictional sliding are considered as phenomena involving brittle failure. Brittle failure is preceded by the formation of small (subcritical) cracks. In non-water-saturated rock, the distribution, shape and size of these subcritical cracks determine the change in the physical properties prior to failure. A model is proposed which suggests that the spatial and temporal distribution, shape and size of subcritical cracks within a stressed rock depend upon the rate of deformation and the volatile content.
Letter by Brodsky regarding article "Treatment of atrial fibrillation with antiarrhythmic drugs or radiofrequency ablation: two systematic literature reviews and meta-analyses".

To the Editor: I read with interest the article regarding treatment of atrial fibrillation (AF) with antiarrhythmic drugs (AADs) or radiofrequency ablation (RFA) by Calkins et al.1 They describe meta-analysis of data from 1990 to 2007 in comparing different treatment strategies for maintenance of sinus rhythm. Their conclusion is that RFA is more effective and is associated with a lower rate of complications than AADs. Their report has several flaws over and above standard concerns about meta-analysis; the most important problem being the authors combine assessment of patients with paroxysmal AF and persistent AF, 2 different disorders involving very different patient populations and extremely different therapies. If one were to consider the report as written, combining all the patients with AF, then there are several biases toward the RFA group. First, the patient populations are significantly different, which is not surprising because the RFA group studied mostly patients with paroxysmal AF (70%), as compared with the AAD group (56%). As expected, the RFA group was younger (55.5 years versus 61.6 years) and had …
Transitions from AFDC to child welfare in California

Abstract Probability matching software was employed to link AFDC histories for children with birth records, child abuse reporting data, and foster care data. A total of 63,768 children entering AFDC between 1990 and 1995 in 10 California counties were followed to determine subsequent child welfare involvement. Within 5 years of AFDC entry, 27% of children had child abuse referrals, 22% had child abuse investigations, 8% had child welfare cases opened, and 3% were placed in foster care. Although relatively few children transition from welfare to foster care, AFDC child entrants who later experience child welfare events and their mothers are more likely than others to have certain characteristics such as single parent family structure, larger family size, low birthweight, and late or no prenatal care. Total time on aid and the number of spells on aid are positively associated with child welfare events. It will be important to monitor these findings as welfare reform progresses. Administrative data analysis can suggest ways to effectively target services when fiscal limitations prohibit universal support.
Correlation-Based Traffic Analysis on Encrypted VoIP Traffic

Trusted computing and chain of trust are the very mechanisms to solve the security problems of information system. A chain of trust is established by validating each component of hardware and software from the bottom up. There is an urgent need to test the chain of trust according to the specification of TC to ensure its security. This paper presents a test method on chain of trust by model checking. The purpose is to confirm that the measurements stored and reported by the platform configuration register can successfully discriminate a normal boot sequence from an insecure one. As a result, our test shows that the chain of trust on some popular trusted computing platforms don’t meet the specifications of Trusted Computing Group.
Non-destructive visual pipe mapping for inspection

Pipe inspection is a critical process in many industries, including oil and gas. Conventional practice relies on a range of Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) approaches such as ultrasonic and magnetic flux leakage methods. While these approaches can provide high accuracy wall thickness measurements, which can be used to monitor corrosion, they provide poor visualizations, and are typically unable to provide full pipe coverage. Moreover, they cannot be used to localize where in the pipe a defect is without expensive and possibly restricted sensors such as Inertial Navigation Systems. We have developed an automated vision-based approach that builds high-resolution 3D appearance maps of pipes and provides vehicle localization. These maps include both structure and appearance information, and can be used for direct metric measurement of pipe wall thickness, or as input to automatic corrosion detection algorithms. They may also be imported into 3D rendering engines to provide effective visualization of a pipe netw...
Mixed Reality-Based Visualization Interfaces for Architecture, Engineering, and Construction Industry

Varied computing devices and automated sensors will enable new human-computer interface paradigms for interacting with digitally managed project information. The writers therefore propose the development of Mixed Reality (MR)-based computer interfaces, and especially Augmented Reality systems, for the architecture, engineering, and construction industry and describe the technologies and principles for applying such computer interfaces to support all phases of the constructed facility project life cycle. An Augmented Reality computer-aided drawing prototype is described as an experimental platform to study the human factors issues in interacting with Augmented Reality three-dimensional digital design models. Two critical research needs are cited for realizing effective Augmented Reality systems: (1) human factors research for development of visualization tools to enhance design comprehension and support collaborative work, and (2) the development of a technology infrastructure for "augmented" control and inspection interfaces to directly access digital project plan and site information that may be spatially referenced and displayed in the field. Research should be geared to advance knowledge regarding spatial cognition, human-computer interfaces, and computer-mediated human-to-human interactions, and it should address application of MR to all phases of the project life cycle.
Quantitative Characterization of Spectrograph Entrance Slit Width on Roll-off of Fourier Domain Optical Coherence Tomography Signals

The effect of spectrograph slit width on the depth sensitivity of Fourier domain optical coherence tomography is investigated. A relationship between the two is derived mathematically and supported experimentally.
Analog Matrix Multiplication By Directional Coupling Between Optical Fibers

Optical fibers and dynamic reflective elements are used to modulate a vector array of optical signals by a matrix of weighting factors, thereby producing vector x matrix multiplication.© (1980) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Defective antibody response to bacteriophage ØX 174 in Down syndrome

Antibody responses to bacteriophage OX 174 were studied in 17 institutionalized patients with trisomy 21 and in six mentally retarded control patients with normal karyotype. Primary antibody response was significantly imparired in 11 of the 17 patients. Secondary immune response was normal in one, moderately impaired in seven, and very low in nine patients. Tetiary immunization further differentiated the two groups: those with moderately impaired secondary immune responses developed normal serum titers of predominatly IgG antibody; patients with low secondary immune responses had extremely impaired tetiary immune responses consisting mainly of serum IgM antibody.
Respiratory ammonia filtration, mucous composition and ammonia tolerance in bats.

Maximum efficiency of removal of inhaled ammonia by respiratory mucous in three species of mammals has been determined by noting the increase above normal in plasma ammonia and urea nitrogen after exposing the blood in vivo and in vitro hightly ammoniated air. Guano bats, Tadarida brasiliensis, filtered 97.1% of the ammonia present in an inhaled mixture of 1130 PPM (parts per million ammonia). These bats further filtered 73.4% of a 4420 PPM in air mixture, 72.6% at 5040 PPM and 53.9% and 7200 PPM. For little brown bats, Myotis lucifugus, filtering efficiencies of 84.5% at 1330 PPM and 77.5% at 3010 PPM were found. Mice, Mus musculus, were found to filter 76.9% at 870 PPM. Efficiency of respiratory ammonia filtration relates directly to tolerance to inhaled ammonia in these mammals. Sodium, potassium, chloride, carbon dioxide, ammonia and urea nitrogen and protein levels in perfused respiratory tract fluid of the same three species after inhalation of ammonia in air mixtures are reported. In each species, ammonia and urea nitrogen levels in perfused respiratory tract fluid increases as inhaled concentrations of ammonia increase. In guano bats and little brown bats, carbon dioxide levels paralleled increases in ammonia apparently in sufficient quantity to provide the increase in buffering capacity necessary to neutralize absorbed ammonia. In mice, however, carbon dioxide levels dropped as inhaled ammonia levels increased. In no case did electrolyte or protein content change in any way to increase buffering capacity of respiratory mucous except in guano bats where protein levels rise consistently with inhaled ammonia concentrations.
NEW INFORMATION ON THE NATURAL HISTORY, DISTRIBUTION, AND SKULL SIZE OF THE EXTINCT (?) WEST INDIAN MONK SEAL, MONACHUS TROPICALIS

Our knowledge of the extinct West Indian monk seal, Monachus tropicalis, is scant due to heavy exploitation following European colonization of the New World. We present previously unknown accounts of the species, including unpublished field notes of biologist E W. Nelson, who observed a small number of wild seals in June of 1900. Records indicate that M. tropicalis may have had a long pupping season, occurred in large groups (up to 100) when abundant, probably ate fish and crustaceans, were preyed upon by sharks, and that young and adult seals may have assorted themselves into different age groups when hauled out. Additional records extend the known range of M. tropicalis to include the north coast of South America as far east as Guyana. We also present previously unavailable measurements from a large series of adult skulls and mandibles (n = 48). Two cases of histocytosis X, carcinoma, or other disease of the hard palate are documented from among these specimens.
Unfiltered sulfur colloid and sentinel node biopsy for breast cancer: technical and kinetic considerations.

Background: There are few clinical data on technical limitations and radiocolloid kinetics related to sentinel lymph node (SLN) biopsy for breast cancer. Methods: In 70 clinical node-negative patients, unfiltered99mTc sulfur-colloid was injected peritumorally and cutaneous hot spots were mapped with a gamma probe. SLN biopsy was performed followed by axillary lymph node dissection. Missed radioactive nodes (nodes not under hot spots) were removed from axillary lymph node dissection specimens and submitted separately. Results: At least one hot spot was mapped in 69 patients (98%) and SLNs were retrieved in 62 (89%). No radiolabeled nodes were found in five (7%) and only nodes not under hot spots were retrieved in three patients (4%). Residual nodes not under hot spots were retrieved in 17 patients (24%) in whom at least one SLN specimen had been found. Diffuse radioactivity around the radiocolloid injection site impeded identification of all radiolabeled nodes during SLN biopsy, and was responsible for one of two false negatives (20 node-positive patients; false-negative rate 10%). Hot spot radioactivity, number of radiolabeled nodes, and nodal radioactivity did not change with time interval from radiocolloid injection to surgery (0.75–6.25 hours). Conclusions: Although SLN localization rate is high, intraparenchymal injection may predispose to failure of radiocolloid migration, failure to identify SLNs because of high radiation background, and false-negative outcomes. Alternative routes of radiocolloid administration should be explored.
Nutritional Issues of Adolescents: Athletics and the Body Image Mania

Many adolescent athletes are potentially at risk for inadequate nutritional intake and abnormal eating patterns because of their desire to manipulate body weight for enhancing performance and their vulnerability to food fads and fallacies. Based on reported studies, adolescent athletes, especially females, consume inadequate diets, score low on nutrition knowledge tests, and/or hold misperceptions about general nutrition, especially practices recommended for adolescent athletes. Nonathletic female adolescents who are very preoccupied with body size and shape are also at risk for developing disordered eating patterns. This article presents methods used by female adolescents to attain society's ideal thin female physique and discusses the potential risks to normal growth and development. Ways are suggested that professionals working with adolescents may use to hopefully reduce the risk factors of inadequate nutrition and the development of disordered eating patterns.
Pancreatic Polypeptide Microinjection Into the Dorsal Motor Nucleus Inhibits Pancreatic Secretion in Rats

Abstract Background/Aims Pancreatic polypeptide (PP), a hormone released from the pancreas, inhibits pancreatic secretion in vivo but not in vitro, suggesting that the inhibitory action of PP on pancreatic secretion is indirect. Circulating PP in physiological concentrations binds to specific receptors in the dorsal vagal complex in the brainstem. Therefore, the hypothesis of this study was that PP acts centrally and inhibits pancreatic secretion by modulating vagal tone. Methods The effects of microinjection of PP into the dorsal motor nucleus on 2-deoxy-d-glucose-stimulated and cholecystokinin octapeptide (CCK-8)-stimulated pancreatic secretion were examined in urethane-anesthetized rats. Results Microinjection of PP to the dorsal motor nucleus but not brainstem sites outside it inhibited 2-deoxy-d-glucose-stimulated pancreatic flow and protein output. CCK-8-stimulated pancreatic protein output was inhibited by PP in the dorsal motor nucleus in dose-dependent and site-specific manners. The inhibitory effect of PP on CCK-8-stimulated protein output was eliminated by vagotomy. Conclusions The results suggest that PP acts in the dorsal motor nucleus to modulate vagal tone on the pancreas, thereby inhibiting pancreatic secretion. This study shows for the first time that the dorsal motor nucleus is involved in central feedback inhibition of the exocrine pancreas.
Crystal and molecular structure of [N, N′-ethylenebis(methyl-2-amino-1-cyclopentenedithiocarboxylato)]copper(II): A quantitative relationship between tetrahedral distortion and redox potentials in copper N2S2 compounds and the relevance to type I copper(II) centers ☆

The crystal and molecular structure of the copper(II) complex of the N2S2 tetradentate ligand, ethylenebis(methyl-2-amino-1-cyclopentenedithiocarboxylate), was solved at room temperature by a single crystal x-ray diffraction study. The complex crystallizes in the orthorhombic space group P212121 with a = 7.739(1) A, b = 13.893(2) A, c = 17.096(3) A, V = 1838(1) A3, ϱobserved = 1.56 g cm−3 and ϱcalculated = 1.57 g cm−3 for a molecular weight of 434.2, and Z = 4. Diffraction data were collected with a Syntex P diffractometer using graphite-monochromatized Cu (λ = 1.5418 A) radiation. The heavy atoms were located from a Patterson synthesis; all other nonhydrogen atoms were located using difference Fourier techniques, and hydrogen atoms were placed in calculated positions. Final refinement resulted in discrepancy indices of R = 0.067 and goodness of fit of 2.92 for all 995 reflections (5° < 2θ < 100°) greater than three times their standard deviation. The molecules are monomeric and well separated. Bond distances in the two ”halvesldquo; of the ligand are sufficiently different to suggest that different resonance structures exist in each portion. This agrees with the rhombic symmetry displayed by the frozen glass esr spectrum of the compound (xx ≠ gyy). The dihedral angle between the planes defined by the CuN2 and CuS2 planes is 20.0°, indicating a rather distorted inner coordination sphere. The copper(II)-copper(I) reduction potentials found for this compound and the trimethylene and tetramethylene analogs were determined to be −1.01, −0.79, and −0.64 V respectively. A quantitative relationship between tetrahedral distortion and redox potentials is obtained, and these results are discussed in terms of ”blueldquo; copper(II) sites in proteins. Trends in CuS and CuN bonding patterns in the same three compounds are discussed with regard to the short CuS (cys) bond distance in plastocyani Finally, a brief discussion of the optical spectra of these three compounds, their variation, and their significance with respect to tetrahedral symmetry in copper(II) protein sites is presented.
Advances in pharmaceutical materials and processing

Abstract Advances in pharmaceutical materials and processing require new generations of pharmaceutical technologies, which in turn require an improved understanding of each step in the unit processes of dosage form development. The unit processes range from raw material qualification to final product release using process monitoring of critical steps. The authors illustrate some recent research trends in understanding and improving pharmaceutical materials and processing through the use of experience obtained within several research programs at Purdue University (West Lafayette, IN, USA).
Urease and Helicobacter spp. Antigens in Pulmonary Granuloma

Pulmonary sarcoidosis, a human disease of unknown cause, has no animal model. Sarcoidosis patients have serum antibodies specific for Helicobacter pylori and its surface enzyme urease. H. pylori do not survive in the high-oxygen pulmonary atmosphere, but urease may access the lung by oesophageal reflux. A model was established in rats to study gastro-oesophageal reflux of urease into the airways. Pathology in tissues from human sarcoidosis patients was compared with that in the rat model. Changes observed in the rat model included prominent peribronchial lymphocytic infiltration, which is seen occasionally in human sarcoidosis. Granulomas, pathognomonic for human sarcoidosis, occurred occasionally in the lungs of rats given urease protein intratracheally, but were widespread when urease was coupled to microbeads and administered intravenously. Biomarkers associated with human sarcoidosis (interleukin1-β and platelet-activating factor) were up-regulated acutely in the rat model. Further investigations with this model may provide significant insights into the origin and pathogenesis of pulmonary diseases in man and other species that carry gastric Helicobacter spp. and its associated enzyme.
Long-term persistence of amphibian populations in a restored wetland complex

Although breeding habitats for amphibians are frequently created in restored wetlands, populations at restored sites often have no connectivity to neighboring populations and are vulnerable to site-wide extinctions. We conducted a 13-year study to examine the persistence of amphibian populations at a geographically isolated restoration site in western North Carolina. We created a complex of breeding sites that were intended to buffer populations from environmental stressors and to enhance population persistence. Our primary efforts involved monitoring the use of 10 constructed and 10 reference ponds on site. We estimated annual juvenile production of the wood frog (Lithobates sylvaticus) and spotted salamander (Ambystoma maculatum) based on the number of larvae in ponds at the initiation of metamorphosis. We documented changes in adult breeding population size based on annual censuses of egg masses. Most constructed and reference ponds failed to produce juveniles annually between 1998 and 2006 as a result of stressors that included a drought, outbreaks of a lethal pathogen (Ranavirus), and the widespread occupancy of constructed ponds by fish. Despite numerous reproductive failures, a few ponds produced juveniles annually at rates that allowed wood frog and spotted salamander populations to persist at high levels. Both species exhibited strong resistance to environmental stressors, and none of six other pond-breeding amphibians that were monitored suffered site-wide extinctions from 1996 to 2006. Our results provide evidence that complex wetland designs may enhance the resistance and long-term persistence of populations that have little or no connectivity to neighboring populations.
Cryogenic mechanical alloying as an alternative strategy for the recycling of tires

Abstract Cryogenic mechanical alloying (CMA) is investigated as a viable strategy by which to produce highly dispersed blends composed of thermoplastics and tire, thereby providing a potentially new route by which to recycle discarded tires. Morphological characterization of these blends by near-edge X-ray absorption fine structure (NEXAFS) microscopy demonstrates that, upon CMA, ground tire is highly dispersed within poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) and poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) matrices at sub-micron size scales. Incorpo-ration of polyisoprene (PI) homopolymer into the blends to improve dispersion efficacy is also examined. Neither PI nor the tire is found to interact chemically with PMMA or PET under the milling conditions employed here.
LEPTOMONAS MIRABILIS ROUBAUD 1908 IN A CENTRAL AMERICAN BLOWFLY.

SYNOPSIS. The isolation of a culture of Leptomonas mirabilis from the fly Cynomyopsis cadaverina from Guatemala shows that this flagellate is not a stage of Herpetomonas muscarum. It is characterized by giant forms that reach 200 μ in length. All records of giant leptomonads from flies are reviewed. This species was established in culture only by the addition of mosquito extract to the medium. Division of the giant flagellates appears to occur by equal binary fission.
Bloch oscillations in free space

Abstract The validity of the Bloch oscillation concept is considered. It is demonstrated that this type of motion is neither physically reasonable nor consistent with the correspondence principle. An exact solution to Schrodinger's equation for empty space is constructed to prove that periodic time-dependence does not result from interference effects induced by a periodic lattice potential.